INSIDE INSIDE - Plumbing & HVAC

Who would have thought? A high 

efficiency wood-burning boiler! 

Warm up to this, page 20 

Volume 14 Number 6 November/December 2004 

This mechanically joined copper pipe 

system is now available for gas. 

Read the details, page 21 

INSIDE 

• Lower DHW temperatures causing turmoil 

• Two Toronto shows combined 

• Plumbing sales at record levels 

• Voisey’s Bay timetable accelerated 

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Cutting edge report, page 31

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In This Issue 

Features 

Lower water temperatures 10 

How to work with 49ºC DHW and 

keep the customer happy 

Departments 

Hot Seat ........................................................5 

Industry News.................................................6 

Western Update ............................................32 

Atlantic Focus ..............................................33 

People and Places.........................................34 

Coming Events..............................................35 

Literature Showcase ......................................36 

Marketplace..................................................37 

Products & Technologies 

Heating ........................................................13 

Hot Water Heating.........................................18 

Pipes, Valves & Fittings .................................21 

E-Business ...................................................24 

Ventilation....................................................25 

Faucets & Fixtures ........................................26 

Trucks for the Trade ......................................28 

Tools............................................................30 

Gary Coad increased his 

business by 50% last year. 

Safe oil tank installation 13 

Protect your customers from an 

environmental disaster 

(Now if only his golf swing would improve as much.) 

Gary Coad’s golf swing may need work. But that’s okay with Gary because he 

knows where his real strengths lie. “I really enjoy going out and meeting with 

customers, discussing what their needs are and making sure they’re getting 

only what they need. I don’t try to sell them anything they don’t need and 

I think that’s a big part of our success too.” 

Pipe thawing 23 

Warren Law looks at different ways to 

deal with frozen pipes 

But often, Gary finds himself selling Lennox Integrated Comfort Solutions. “What we 

try to do is explain that it’s in their best interest to look at replacing what they have with 

a matched system. And we explain the benefits of that. Many times, they will look at the 

benefits and realize that they should upgrade.” 

Benefits sell systems. 

You can count on customers to have done their homework before they even call you. They 

will consider a complete system when they understand the benefits. That’s where Gary 

comes in. “We will explain the benefits of a matched system – how the systems work together. 

Then the customer feels confident enough in you as an individual to purchase the equipment.” 

Word of mouth sells systems. 

“About 80% of our business is through customer referrals. It basically comes down to the fact 

that if you do a good job for someone and they are happy, they are going to tell somebody else. 

Our business has probably increased by 50% over the last year since the new products 

were introduced.” 

The new trucks 28 

Full-sized vans evolve to suit more 

specialized applications 

Lennox sells systems. 

When you have the best product line out there, you just can’t help but sell 

them. According to Gary anyway. “Lennox, in my opinion, has the 

best product around … The Lennox territory manager is 

always available. He gets back to me as soon as I have a 

question. If I’m going to give my customers good service, 

then I need to know that there’s somebody there that’s 

going to give me good service too.” 

Gary Coad, 

Coad Heating & Air Conditioning 

Cover photo: Harold Fenton, left, and Bill 

Aldridge, oil burner technicians with the 

The Sarjeant Co. Ltd. in Barrie, Ont., fit a 

mixing valve to a replacement rental water 

heater. Please see our article on page 10. 

(Photo by Simon Blake) 

For more about Lennox integrated comfort solutions: 

1-800-4 LENNOX • www.lennox.com 


www.plumbingandhvac.ca November/December 2004 – Plumbing & HVAC Product News 3


Hot Seat 

Performance-based 

The whole concept of performancebased 

building codes needs a second 

look if the recent experience 

in Ontario is any indication. 

Ontario changed its plumbing code 

to require that domestic hot water be 

reduced to 49ºF/120ºF at the tap to 

minimize scalding risk while remaining 

at 60ºC/140ºF at the tank to prevent the 

growth of Legionella and other bacteria 

effective Sept. 1. 

The problem is that some plumbers – 

and even inspectors – are asking why the 

49ºC tap temperature cannot be 

achieved by simply turning down the 

thermostat on the water tank. After all, if 

the performance objective is 49ºC at the 

tap, that would appear to meet the code. 

Not so, says the Building Development 

Branch of the Ontario Ministry of 

Municipal Affairs and Housing. The second 

performance requirement is to prevent 

the growth of bacteria in the water 

system. 

But there’s a real difficulty there. 

Health officials in Canada don’t seem to 

understand Legionella very well and 

have waffled on whether or not it presents 

a risk at 49ºC. This is surprising 

given the amount of research conducted 

in other countries, France in particular, 

and the plumbing regulations that 

HVAC Solutions! 

have resulted. Legionella bacteria can 

survive to 55ºC. Nevertheless, if medical 

experts can’t agree, why should one 

expect a plumber or plumbing inspector 

to know better? 

Now if the Ontario code had been 

written as a traditional prescriptive 

code, it would simply have required that 

the minimum storage-type water tank 

temperature be 60ºC and that the 

plumber install a mixing valve to reduce 

that to 49ºC at the tap. 

The problem with prescriptive codes 

is that they are slow to adapt to new 

technologies. While a thermostatic mixing 

valve may be the easiest way to meet 

the lower water temperature objectives, 

there may be other options. 

The whole concept of performancebased 

codes is new. It is likely that code 

officials will quickly learn that entirely 

performance-based codes are not effective 

because they will create confusion, 

just as purely prescriptive codes can be 

troublesome because they are too rigid. 

At the national level, the industry 

lobbied long and hard to add a so-called 

‘third line’ to the National Plumbing 

Code that would specifically prohibit 

turning down the water heater to meet 

the 49ºC requirement. (The new DHW 

requirements have since been withdrawn, 

in large part, because of the difficulties 

in Ontario.) 

The Ontario code may have been less 

confusing had it also prescribed a minimum 

60ºC storage tank temperature 

and maximum 49ºC tap temperature. 

Officials didn’t want to do that because 

it would disallow storage-type water 

heaters with built-in mixing valves – a 

feature that is likely to become more 

common as manufacturers design 

equipment for the new rules. 

But it also leaves the plumber and 

inspector in a difficult position. The 

current Ontario code asks them to, 

regardless of how they meet the performance 

requirements, guarantee that 

bacteria won’t grow in the storage tank. 

That’s asking them to guarantee something 

that even medical experts are not 

sure about. 

All the best 

The economy continued to roll during 

2004, but it has been a difficult year for 

the industry as a result of dramatic 

price increases in steel and copper along 

with a dismal air conditioning season. 

All indications are that 2005 should be 

better. I would like to take this opportunity 

to wish our readers, their families 

and employees all the best over 

Christmas and a healthy and prosperous 

new year! 

We can provide a cost effective solution for all your heating ventilation and air conditioning needs. From exceptional quality 

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Incorporating 

Plumbing Piping 

and Heating magazine 

and HVAC/Refrigeration 

magazine 

November/December 2004 

Volume 14, Number 6 

ISSN 1499-5271 

Editor 

Simon Blake 

(416) 614-5820 

sblake@nytek.ca 

Editor Emeritus 

Ronald H. (Ron) Shuker 

(416) 614-5816 

rshuker@nytek.ca 

Contributors 

Roy Collver 

John Carr 

Ron Coleman 

Warren Law 

Arthur Irwin 

Publisher 

Mark Vreugdenhil 

(416) 614-5819 

mark@plumbingandhvac.ca 

Design and Production 

Tim Norton 

production@nytek.ca 

Circulation Manager 

Pat Glionna 

Corporate Services 

Anthony Evangelista 

PLUMBING & HVAC PRODUCT NEWS Magazine is 

published six times annually by Nytek Publishing 

Inc. and is written for individuals who purchase/specify/approve 

the selection of plumbing, piping, hot 

water heating, fire protection, warm air heating, air 

conditioning, ventilation, refrigeration, controls and 

related systems and products throughout Canada. 

Head Office 

Nytek Publishing Inc. 

451 Attwell Drive, Toronto, 

Ontario, Canada M9W 5C4 

Tel: (416) 242-8088 

Fax (416) 242-8085 

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in U.S.: $40.00 US, One year subscription 

foreign: $65.00 U.S. 

Copyright 2004. The contents of this magazine 

may not be reproduced in any manner without the 

prior written permission of the Publisher. 

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Ideal for offices, heat sensitive electronics, schools, labs, 

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We acknowledge the financial support of the 

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Assistance Program toward 

our mailing costs. 

PAP Registration No. 10796 

A member of: 

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Air Conditioning Engineers 

Heating Refrigeration Air Conditioning 

Institute of Canada 

Refrigeration Service Engineers Society of Canada 

www.plumbingandhvac.ca 


Industry News 

Toronto shows combined for 2006 

By Ron Shuker 

Toronto will once again host a major 

all-sectors mechanical show following 

an agreement by two organizations 

that ran separate events in 2004. 

The Heating, Refrigeration and Air 

Conditioning Institute of Canada 

(HRAI) and the Canadian Institute of 

Plumbing & Heating (CIPH) announced 

that CMX and CIPHEX Ontario will 

be combined in 2006. If that proves successful, 

a long-term agreement will be 

worked out for 2008 and beyond. 

HRAI chairman John Murphy and 

CIPH chairman Mike Dennis annouced 

the agreement Oct. 6. Both expressed the 

belief that the show will be successful and 

anticipate that this could require a move 

to the larger south building for 2008. 

“It was time to look to the future of 

the shows, the industry and the two 

groups,” commented Warren Heeley, 

president of HRAI. “This agreement 

brings the whole industry together 

again and combines our resources to 

produce a world class show.” 

CIPH president Ralph Suppa agreed. 

“This meets what the members of both 

associations wanted – one Toronto 

show at the same time and in the same 

location. We are stronger together and 

our board embraced that concept.” 

HRAI will retain ownership of the 

show while establishing a revenue sharing 

agreement for 2006. 

The 2006 combined event will be 

held downtown in the north building of 

the Metro Toronto Convention Centre 

on March 23-25. Two hundred additional 

main floor booths will be added 

to accommodate new exhibitors. 

The show will be organized by Shield 

& Associates, which organized the CMX 

show. A points system has been developed 

to allow the smooth integration of 

exhibitors from both camps, reported 

show manager Patrick Shield. Past 

exhibitors will be rated on such factors 

as the number of years in various 

shows, space requirements, etc. 

Ed Seaward of Union Gas has been 

named 2006 show committee chairman. 

think tank 

In Brief 

Horizontal furnace 

installations restricted 

The Technical Standards and 

Safety Authority of Ontario has 

ruled that the practice of 

installing horizontal furnaces in 

suspended ceiling spaces used 

as return air plenums (in 

commercial applications) is not 

acceptable. This type of 

installation contravenes clause 

7.10.12 of the CSA B-149 gas 

code which reads: ‘A flue gas 

vent or vent connector shall not 

be installed in either a duct or a 

shaft used for return air, hot air, 

ventilating air or combustion 

air,’ reports the Heating, 

Refrigeration and Air 

Conditioning Institute of Canada 

(HRAI). 

On a roll 

Canada’s wholesalers are on a 

roll this year. Sales for 

September were $387 million, 

making it the best month for 

2004, reports the Canadian 

Institute of Plumbing & Heating 

(CIPH). Total sales for 2004 to 

the end of September were 

$2.9 billion dollars, up seven 

percent compared to 2003. 

Every region of the country is 

up significantly, with B.C. up 

17 per cent and Ontario moving 

ahead 10 per cent over 

2003. Those increases have 

come primarily on the plumbing 

side with plumbing (faucets 

and fixtures) up 11.8 percent, 

pipes, valves and fittings up 

seven per cent and hydronic 

heating up 6.6 per cent. 

HVAC/R sales recorded no 

change from 2003 levels. 

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Partial victory 

Ontario plumbing inspectors 

have won a partial victory in 

efforts to get a journeyman 

plumber’s certificate recognized 

as sufficient qualification to be 

a plumbing inspector. The 

Ministry of Municipal Affairs 

and Housing has announced 

that it will recognize a journeyman 

ticket as ‘advanced standing’ 

for inspecting homes. All 

inspectors must either take the 

ministry intermediate plumbing 

course or write a qualification 

exam –primarily on code knowledge 

– to qualify as an inspector 

of plumbing – all buildings, 

reports Steve Gould, secretary 

of the Ontario Plumbing 

Inspectors Association. 


6 Plumbing & HVAC Product News – November/December 2004 www.plumbingandhvac.ca

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Industry News 

Hot water code changes withdrawn 

By Simon Blake 

New information has cast doubt on a proposed 

national code change that would have limited 

DHW temperatures to 49°C/120°F. It has therefore 

been withdrawn from the 2005 edition of the 

National Plumbing Code (NPC). 

A source close to the Canadian Commission on 

Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) reported that the 

executive committee decided the commission had 

voted on something that it didn’t have sufficient information 

to take a reasoned decision. 

For example, the commission learned from the 

Ontario experience, where the new rules were 

implemented Sept. 1, that the cost information that 

committee members had available to them may have 

been completely erroneous. They also learned that 

the extra cost of changing a water heater was not just 

the cost of the valve. “You are running into permit 

costs; you are running into having two trades in 

place…” In some cases, gas fitters were refusing to 

do what they viewed as plumbers’ work. (Please see 

related article below.) 

There were also concerns over the reliability of thermostatic 

mixing valves. As well, provincial and federal 

heath officials didn’t agree on the degree of risk presented 

by Legionella. In fact, committee members felt there 

was really no consensus on what the risk was. 

The commission will create a national task group to 

consult with provincial officials, industry stakeholders, 

health officials, Safe Kids Canada, and other interested 

parties. The goal is to “put together all these different 

people who couldn’t seem to agree … and find a solution 

that we could put in the codes.” 

The changes initially came about as a result of lobbying 

by Safe Kids Canada, ‘the national injury prevention 

program of The Hospital for Sick Children’ in 

Toronto. It wanted DHW heaters limited to 49°C 

maximum temperature. 

The industry responded that this would allow the 

growth of Legionella bacteria, which can survive to 55°C, 

in the plumbing system. It suggested leaving tanks at 

60°C but reducing the temperature at the tap through 

mixing valves and other devices. 

The commission struck an ad hoc committee to 

study these concerns. It took the industry position and 

wanted a third component added to the NPC that 

would prohibit turning down the water tank in order 

to achieve 49°C DHW. Quebec, along with industry 

groups like the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & 

Heating, supported this provision. 

The new national task group will start work in 

November and is expected to report to the CCBFC by 

next summer. If it comes to a consensus, the change 

will likely be added to the National Plumbing Code 

as an interim change. 

New MCAC chairman Tom 

Vincent, right, presents 

outgoing chairman Mel 

Prowse with a plaque in 

appreciation of his efforts 

over the past two years. 

Please see our report on 

page 32. 

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Ontario launches new DHW rules 


Contractors and building inspectors in Ontario 

are struggling with new rules in the Ontario 

Building Code that requires 49°C/120°F 

domestic hot water at the tap. “It’s a real hornet’s 

nest,” reports Stephen Gould, chief plumbing inspector 

for Peterborough, Ont. and secretary of the 

Ontario Plumbing Inspectors Association. 

They were adopted into the code Feb. 20 with an 

effective date of Sept. 1. The new regulation allowed 

a grace period to Dec. 1 for work already approved. 

Few municipalities will enforce the code prior to that 

date due to confusion over what exactly is required, 

noted Gould. 

That confusion points to one of the difficulties 

with new ‘performance-based’ codes that state the 

desired result but leave it up to the plumber to determine 

how to achieve it. Some plumbers and inspectors 

wonder if simply turning down the water heater 

temperature will comply with the code. 

The government offers a qualified “yes, if with 

that setback you are sure that the system will deliver 

a temperature of not more than 49°C when it 

reaches the fixture while at the same time preventing 

bacteria growth,” explained David Brezer, 

P.Eng., acting director of the Building Development 

Branch of the Ontario Ministry of Municipal 

Affairs and Housing. 

“To ensure safe operation, designers and installers 

should reference the manufacturer’s installation 

manuals to address the unique characteristics of 

electric, gas and oil-fired water heaters and select the 

recommended temperature,” he added. However, 

given current technology, “plumbers will generally 

have three options: Install an anti-scald device at 

each hot water faucet, install an anti-scald mixing 

valve at the outlet of the water heater, or install a 

water heater with an integral anti-scald device.” 

While the wording of the Ontario code was 

designed to allow water heaters with built-in antiscald 

devices, he was unaware of any such products 

currently available in Ontario. 

Another issue that plumbers face – and enforcement 

varies from municipality to municipality – is 

the requirement to apply for a permit (and pay the 

fee) every time they change out a water tank or even 

change a faucet. “Plumbers are complaining that 

they are being hit up for $100 permits – it’s a major 

issue for people,” says Gould. 

However, he added: “(The government) consider it 

to be a material alteration and as such a permit is 

required.” Previously, water heater or faucet replacements 

came under the Ontario Water Resources Act 

and an inspection wasn’t required. 

Generally, contractors and utilities are putting in 

a point-of-source mixing valve whenever they 

install or replace a water tank, although at least one 

utility is leaving the decision up to the customer. 

(More on this in the next issue.) 

More information is available on the Ontario 

Building Code web site at www.obc.mah.gov.on.ca. 

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Home Builders 

Big headache? 

The new lower DHW requirements: compliance 

is one thing, customer satisfaction is another 


Canada’s plumbing contractors, 

home builders, design engineers, 

utilities and valve manufacturers 

are all struggling with one question these 

days. That is, how will they meet new 

building code requirements that domestic 

hot water be reduced to 49°C (120°F) 

at the tap from 60°C/140°F at the tank? 

“There is a lot of confusion over this 

issue,” reports Jeff Cooper, market manager 

for Conbraco Industries Canada, 

Concord, Ont. 

The change became law in Ontario 

Sept. 1 and is set to become part of the 

National Building Code in 2005. (But 

then again, maybe not. Please see report 

on page 9.) From a technical standpoint, 

meeting the code is not difficult. But 

creating a DHW system that is satisfactory 

for the homeowner is another issue. 

Installation issues 

The contractor must decide whether to 

go with a whole-house system, with 

point of use mixing valves, or with a 

combination of the two systems. 

A whole-house installation with an 

American Society of Sanitary Engineers 

(ASSE) 10-17 certified thermostatic 

mixing valve at the water tank is the 

simple solution. 

“By code … all you would have to do 

is put this 10-17 point-of-source valve 

on the hot water tank. As long as it’s set 

for 120 degrees and no hotter, the contractor 

has done what they have to do,” 

reported Andrew Clark, product manager 

for Watts Industries (Canada) Inc., 

Burlington, Ont. 

But a long run may cause a substantial 

temperature drop. The plumber can 

adjust the 10-17 valve to run hotter 

(assuming it doesn’t have a 120°F high 

limit). “You go to the nearest hot water 

tap with a thermometer and adjust it. 

Once you get 120°F at the tap, you are 

set,” says Cooper. 

Where a water tank is replaced, the 

contractor (or utility) should install a 

10-17 valve. Simply turning down the 

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water heater is not an option because 

Legionella bacteria can survive to 55°C 

(131°F). 

The plumber can bypass the 10-17 

valve for dishwashers and laundry 

machines, which are exempt. 

Point of use 

One solution to long runs – albeit a fairly 

expensive one – is to install ASSE 

thermostatic 10-16 point-of-use valves 

at each faucet. 

However, Clark recommends a combination 

of whole-house and point-ofuse 

valves. The faucets that are closest to 

the DHW tank would operate from the 

10-17 valve, while those that are farther 

away – a bathroom or kitchen at the far 

end of the house, for example – would 

be served with a direct hot water line 

through a 10-16 valve at the faucet. 

“You can still do most of the house 

with the one (10-17) valve. You might 

save four or five valves, which is a few 

hundred dollars,” he added. 

An alternative is to do the reverse: 

run the 10-17 valve hotter so that water 

is 120°F at the farthest faucet, with 10- 

16 valves to take the water down to 120 

close to the tank, notes Cooper. 

It all boils down to the layout of the 

home, he adds. “You really have to look 

at each job to determine which is the 

best way to go with it … it’s basically a 

combination of mixing valves used 

effectively to get 120 at each fixture.” 

Rick Cota, northeastern U.S. and 

Canadian sales manager for Leonard 

Valve, suggests using valves with dual 

10-16 and 10-17 certification. 

Contractors that are involved in subdivision 

housing construction will have 

little option but to go with a wholehouse 

solution unless the builder specifies 

otherwise, notes Tony Walton, 

manager of Can-Barr Mechanical Ltd., 

Barrie, Ont. “If you start putting in five 

or six mixing valves in every house, 

that’s going to raise the price too much 

… Everything boils back down to price 

and time.” 

be plus/minus 3°F. The new code 

allows no variation over 49°C/120°F at 

the faucet. 

Inspection 

The water tank must be up to temperature 

(usually two hours minimum run 

time) before the plumber can test the 

water and the inspector can verify it. 

This is a contentious issue, especially 

among contractors involved in 

new construction because they may 

be long gone by the time the tank is 

fired. Now they must return for the 

final inspection. 

“We’ve required that here (in 

Peterborough) since 1998 (when 

showers were regulated to 120°F),” 

reported Steven Gould, chief plumbing 

inspector for Peterborough, Ont. and 

secretary of the Ontario Plumbing 

Inspectors Association. 

Bill Aldrich has installed a lot of water 

heaters in his 68 years. This fall his 

employer, The Sarjeant Co. Ltd., 

Barrie, Ont., has been installing a 

mixing valve with every new unit. 

However, one way around this may be 

to install a whole-house valve with a 

120°F high limit – as long as it’s accurate. 

Liability issues 

Plumbers and inspectors alike fear flak 

from the public over this issue. There 

will be considerable pressure to ‘make 

the water hotter’. Many homeowners 

will find a way around the new rules, 

but the contractor has to be careful, 

notes Gould. 

“When the plumber walks out, if 

he has ensured that he has met the 

regulation (and had the system 

inspected), he’s okay from a liability 

standpoint …” 

It’s going to take the industry some 

time to work out the best approach to 

the new rules. However, as problematic 

as they are and despite the fact that 

scalding incidents as a result of tap 

water are relatively rare, one shouldn’t 

lose sight of the goal. “One burned kid 

is a tragedy. That’s the way you have to 

look at it and approach it,” said Doug 

Flucker, senior building inspector for 

the City of Barrie, Ont. 

Purchasing the right valve 

Accurate and consistent operation is 

key in passing inspection and preventing 

future problems. 

Clark advocates installing check 

valves, or mixing valves with built-in 

checks, to avoid the risk of cross flow. 

“There are always pressure differentials 

between hot and cold. The last 

thing the contractor needs is a phone 

call from the homeowner saying they’ve 

got hot water in their cold water line …” 

As well, a valve with an integral strainer 

will keep dirt out of the valve, he adds. 

Cooper cautions against relying on a 

pre-set 120°F tempering valve to actually 

produce that temperature because of substantial 

differences in water input temperatures 

and pressures from where the valve 

was manufactured to the municipality in 

Canada where it is installed. 

In fact, ASSE allows the output temperature 

of 10-17 valves to vary 

depending on water flow: plus/minus 

Gas & Oil-Fired Furnaces / Residential Split Air-Conditioning Systems / Gas & Oil-Fired Hot 

3°F at up to five gpm and plus/minus 

Water Boilers / Hydronic Controls / Baseboard Radiation / Indirect-Fired Water Heaters 

Ductless Mini-Split Air-Conditioning Systems / Hydronic Air Handlers / Heat Pump Water Heaters 5°F at from 6-40 gpm. 

Likewise, 10-16 valves are allowed to 



Home Builders 

Large homes under construction in 

Thornton, Ont. find a ready market 

among Toronto residents seeking to 

escape the rat race. 

closed mortgage rate is a possibility by 

the end of 2005. 

CIBC World Markets suggests a slowing 

global economy in 2005 will hold 

rate hikes at 2.75% by December, and 

unchanged through 2005. Even if world 

trade slows in 2005, high commodity 

prices for natural gas and oil, nickel and 

other metal products “is giving Canada 

a very big transfer of wealth from the 

rest of the world,” observed Ted 

Carmichael, chief Canadian economist 

for J.P. Morgan. 

That wealth should give Canadians 

the money to keep buying houses, renovating 

existing homes and spending on 

their bathrooms and kitchens, heating 

and air conditioning. 

Housing starts will slow, 

but activity still strong 

 

 

By Ron Shuker 

No matter how a person looks at it, 

low interest rates, a strong 

employment market, confident 

consumers, growing disposable income, 

high immigration – these and related 

factors have kept Canada’s housing 

activity at a level 

unseen since the 

mid-to-late 

1980’s, the Canadian 

Mortgage 

“The housing market 

continues to defy 

housing 

strong renovation market. Many homeowners 

usually spend money to modify 

or upgrade their new homes within the 

first year or two of ownership, reports 

Statistics Canada. 

However, “this flurry of activity will 

ease next year 

(2005) as rising 

mortgage carrying 

costs moderate 

and Housing 

demand,” predicts 

Bob 

Corporation 

gravity and remains well 

(CMHC) reports. 

Dugan, chief 

Strong housing 

start numbers above anything 

CMHC in the 

economist with 

in August and 

a g e n c y ’ s 

September kept supported by population 

October monthly 

growth or 

report. 

housing starts 

the CMHC forecast 

of 225,000 

starts in 2004 on 

The Bank of 

track. That would 

Canada interest 

demographic change.” 

be a 17-year high. 

rate (that banks 

And even if 

pay to borrow) 

starts slow to 200,000 in 2005, as increased by 50 basis points to 2.50 per 

 

CMHC predicts, the industry will continue 

to roll at a steady rate. This susdict 

that rate could go up another 225 

cent in October. Some economists pre- 

 

tained level has not occurred since the basis points (2.25 per cent) to end 2005 

last boom years, which ended in 1990. It at 4.75 per cent. Dugan predicts that 

puts starts at nearly double the level could result in an 8.5 per cent five-year 


established when the national housing 

market hit bottom in 1995 with only 

110,000 starts. Urban starts in 2004 

have continued to surpass those of A full range of infrared space heating equipment 

2003, up 7.5 per cent for the first nine 

months of 2004. 

Model RE (for workshops, residential garages) 

Model UA (workhorse of the line up) 

“The housing market continues to • rates from 30 and 45 MBTUH 

• rates from 40 to 220 MBTUH 

• balanced flue construction 

• jet stream burner design maximizes 

defy gravity and remains well above • 85% thermal efficiency 

radiant output 

anything supported by population • fully assembled for installation ease 

• deep dish reflectors are 100% efficient 

• warranty: 3 yr. on parts, 5 yr. on heat exchanger. 

growth or demographic change,” commented 

Erik Lascelles, a TD Bank 

Model Premier VS (engineered performance) 

Model UX (more features, more 

Financial Group economist. 

performance) 

• a vacuum operated burner-in-series system that is 

• fully enclosed construction 

He noted that multi-family housing, 

engineered for the customer’s specific requirements 

• operating status lights 

• burner rates 60 to 250 MBTUH 

apartments and condominium construction 

is running at a pace 60 per 

• system outputs to one million BTUH 

• standard 24v thermostat 

with multiple branch capability 

• post purge function 

• 10 yr. heat exchanger 

• state of the art electronic control panel 

cent above the 10-year average. Even 

warranty option 

single-detached home starts are 40 per 

cent higher than the 10-year average. 

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Existing home sales are also on a pace 

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Most complete package of pipe 

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Heating 

Prevent oil tank contamination 

Eliminate the water – eliminate the problem! 

By Art Irwin 

Residential oil 

containment 

remains high 

on the hit parade of 

problems, but I see 

a light at the end of 

the pipe (Sorry!) 

Yes, there is a positive 

solution to the 

drastic problem in residential oil containment 

and we must grab it and run 

accordingly. Historically, a tank was a 

tank was a tank, but that traditional 

design in the conventional steel fuel 

storage tank has reached the end of its 

days. 

In recent years, oil spills have become 

a costly deterrent and many concerned 

consumers have given thought to alternative 

energy sources. Statistics have 

shown that the majority of oil spills are 

a result of non code-compliant installations 

and could be caused by unstable 

installation, broken fuel lines, overfills 

or a variety of other factors. 

Outdoor tanks, because of fast 

changing temperatures, produce condensation 

on the inside steel surface. 

That mixes with the fuel oil and results 

in a very corrosive sludge accumulating 

in the bottom of the tank. Therein lies 

the problem. 

Tank corrosion generally takes place 

on the inside of the bottom curvature of 

the tank and a weeping tank can cause 

horrendous cleanup costs. Liquor and 

driving cause human fatalities, water 

and oil cause property fatalities. The 

cost of a fuel spill can easily range from 

$50,000 to $200,000 or more. 

Many do not realize that the oil 

burner supply pipe connection, on the 

conventional end-outlet steel tank, is far 

enough above the bottom of the tank to 

provide a large reservoir for contaminated 

sludge. This makes it very difficult 

to get water out of the tank. 

As a result, the industry is quickly 

shifting to bottom-outlet tanks, which 

don’t have this problem. They could be 

the savior of the oil heat industry. 

Frozen lines 

This photo illustrates a correctly installed indoor bottom-outlet oil tank. 

However, last winter I was advised by (All photos by Art Irwin) 

two well respected installers that bottom-outlet 

tanks cause frozen oil lines. 

A service technician also argued that the 

residue that flowed from the bottom of 

the tank ruined the pump seals on the 

burner. I asked the question: “If you 

install a new bottom-outlet tank, where 

is the residue? If the quality of the fuel 

 

oil is that poor, I suggest you change 

 

fuel suppliers!” 

On the frozen oil line issue, I investigated 

six frozen oil line installations 

and, in each case, the copper tubing 

began at the bottom of the tank, went 

up over the top of the foundation and 

down inside the basement wall. These 

installations defeated the purpose of the 

bottom-outlet tank. 

Installations of this type will guarantee 

water will remain in the tank. 

Drilling a hole through the foundation 

would have been the commonsense 

approach, but the comment, “I don’t 

have any concrete drills,” made me wonder 

if I was dealing with the proper 

This internal view of an end-outlet trade. 

200-gallon (900-litre) tank shows The copper oil line from the tank 

sufficient space for an accumulation must have a continuous slight downgrade 

to the burner. There are locations 

of corrosive sludge and the resulting 

rust pattern. 

where it is not possible to install tanks 

indoors but, if space permits, they 

should be installed indoors. 

The U.S. now requires bottom-outlet 

 

tanks. As well, these tanks must be constructed 

of 12-gauge steel instead of the 

lighter 14-gauge material. (Editor’s 

 

note: These 12-gauge tanks are heavy 

and back injury while wrestling them 

into basements is a real risk. Think of it 

as moving a piano or refrigerator and 

choose your dolly and other equipment 

 

 

accordingly. SB) 

 

It’s a hole in the bottom! In the same Yes, there are several options in the 

 

tank, rust has penetrated the tank oil containment marketplace, including 

bottom after just one year of use. 

(continued on page 15) 



Heating 

Two-stage furnace 

The Tempstar VS 80 two-stage gas furnace 

features a variable speed blower 

and versatile four-position installation 

options at 40-in. 

high. This unit 

is equipped with 

an aluminized 

steel heat exchanger, 

rotatable 

sound-enhanced 

inducer 

motor for venting 

through the 

top or sides and 

a downflow vent 

guard kit. It is 

available in two to five-ton sizes. 

Int’l Comfort Products Circle no. 301 

Gas burners 

Beckett – well known for oil burners – 

has introduced a complete line of commercial 

gas burners. The four models 

cover a firing range of 300,000 to 

5,000,000 Btu/hr. Features include lowhigh-low 

modulation, low fire start, low 

gas pressure operation, no-linkage 

damper motor and complete control 

panel options. 

R.W. Beckett Canada Circle no. 302 

Heat pumps 

Frigidaire 13+ SEER packaged heat 

pumps are designed for installation on a 

roof or slab. They feature an ECM variable 

speed motor, filtration, easy access 

to the refrigeration system without disrupting 

the unit’s operation, and an 

eight-year parts warranty. 

Frigidaire Div., Nordyne Circle no. 303 

Efficient furnaces 

The Enhanced Series of gas furnaces 

from Armstrong Air are rated at 94.5% 

AFUE and are Energy Star-qualified. 

Both primary and secondary heat 

exchangers are stainless steel. Other features 

include variable speed motors, 

two-stage gas control. Mid-range 80% 

models are also available. 

Armstrong Air Circle no. 304 

Quiet furnace 

The Lennox Signature Collection G61V 

high efficiency 

furnaces are Energy 

Star rated 

and feature SilentComfort 

technology 

for quiet 

operation. Features 

include 

two-stage variable-speed 

operation 

with continuous 

fan mode. 

Lennox Industries Circle no. 305 

Igniter kit 

This universal silicon nitride hot surface 

igniter direct replacement kit is nonporous, 

not affected by grease, does not 

Codes Are Changing... 

need a special controller and can 

replace more than 100 types of common 

hot surface igniters with its own 

brackets. 

Igniters Direct Ltd. Circle no. 306 

We Have What You Need! 

Low-intensity heaters 

The Space-Ray ETS/ETU Series of unitized 

low-intensity infrared gas-fired 

heaters range from 40,000 to 250,000 

Btu/hr in lengths from 15 to 80-ft. They 

are available in straight, L-shape, 

expanded U-shape or Z-shaped versions. 

The draft inducer rotates 45 or 90 

degrees. They can be individually vented 

up to 75-ft. 

Gas-Fired Products Circle no. 307 

Central thermostats 

These compact thermostats for central 

heating and cooling include programmable 

and non-programmable models. 

Features include telephone input for 

Your 

Compliant 

Product 

Source 

remote temperature control with telephone 

controller, seven-day program- 

Oatey Canada, Inc. 

218 Wilkinson Rd. Unit #3 

Brampton, Ontario Canada L6T 4M4 

ming, automatic daylight savings 

216-267-7100 

changeover and interchangeable faceplates 

in charcoal, taupe and titanium. 

www.oateyscs.com 

Aube Technologies Circle no. 308 



Heating 

Prevent oil tank... 

(continued from page 13) 

several non-metallic tanks. These are 

excellent, but cost considerably more. 

The steel tank has been around for 

probably 100 years or more and this 

recent bottom-outlet, 12-gauge feature 

will no doubt eliminate the end-outlet, 

14-gauge tanks. 

Granby Steel Tanks in Quebec discontinued 

the production of end-outlet 

tanks in 2002. Other steel tank manufacturers 

are presently producing both 

types and I assume will eventually produce 

only bottom-outlet tanks. 

Hopefully, in the near future, government 

legislation plus the insurance 

industry will specify that all tanks 

have a bottom-outlet. 

Inside versus outside 

Ironically, years ago, many tank manufacturers 

stamped their tanks, ‘For 

Inside Installation Only’. Unfortunately, 

that feature appears to have evaporated! 

The jury has been out for some time 

on the inside versus outside tank location. 

Many insurers specify inside 

while others want it outside. Installers 

have their preferences too. Hopefully 

this article will help resolve the tank 

location quandary. 

A large percentage of oil spills are 

caused by frost heaving the entire tank 

and breaking a valve or pipe fitting. As 

previously mentioned, outside tanks 

are prone to internal condensation as 

illustrated in the photos. Frozen oil 

lines, valves and broken gauges are a 

way of life in cold climates. There have 

been many cases of vandalism and broken 

oil lines and absurd cleanup costs. 

And an outside tank or piping can leak 

for weeks or months before it is detected. 

Inside tanks provide fuel at a uniform 

temperature, which is much better 

for clean ignition and combustion. 

Internal condensation does not take 

place with inside tanks, there is no 

chance of vandalism and if a small oil 

‘weep’ occurs, the odor can be detected 

in a short period and the problem 

corrected. As well, inside tanks have a 

much longer lifespan. 

Many fuel suppliers have developed 

stringent guidelines and will not service 

non code-compliant tank installations. 

Unfortunately, there will always 

be the irresponsible delivery person 

who would pump fuel into a basket if it 

were possible. 

I am convinced that properly installed, 

indoor, bottom-outlet, twelve 

gauge tanks will play a positive role in 

getting the oil industry, the insurer and 

the consumer out of the present costly 

environmental quagmire! 

Arthur Irwin operates Irwin Energy 

Consulting Services in Halifax. 

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DHW 

Priority 

Setpoint 

Loads 

Floor 

Warming 

Cooling 

Outdoor 

Reset 

Two-Stage 

Heating 

Mixing 

Slab 

Temperature 

Limiting 

Two Control Options to Suit Your Needs: 

Stand Alone reset control solutions allow you to use traditional thermostat 

and endswitch technology. 

Integrated reset control solutions use tekmar developed integrated technology that 

improves the operation, efficiency and comfort of the system. 

Stand Alone Controls 

Universal Reset Control 374 

The 374 operates the system pumps, 

Mixing device, DHW Priority and 

allows for Setpoint Loads. The boiler 

is operated using Outdoor Reset. 

Traditional endswitches are used to 

indicate that the system requires heat. 

Thermostat 507 

The 507 is ideal for those areas that 

require an attractive thermostat with a 

large display and single stage of heat. 

Thermostat 508 

The 508 is for those areas that 

require the features of the 507 with 

the addition of a slab sensor to 

provide either Floor Warming and /or 

Slab Temperature Limiting. 

Programmable Thermostat 510 

The 510 is for those areas that require 

the features of the 508 plus the ability 

to provide a 7 day setback schedule 

with Early Start. 

Programmable Thermostat 512 

The 512 is for those areas that require 

the features of the 510 plus the ability 

to provide either Two-Stage Heating or 

Heating / Cooling operation. 

For more information on the operation 

of Stand Alone Controls and Integrated 

Controls, read the following article. 

Integrated Controls 

Universal Reset Control 364 

The 364 provides the same features 

as the 374 and accepts the feedback 

signal from the tekmar Zone Control 

that continuously fi ne-tunes the water 

temperatures of the system based on 

the requirements of the zones. 

Zone Control 369 

The 369 continuously monitors the 

zones in order to coordinate and 

synchronize their operation to provide 

a consistent load on the system. The 

control also allows for one and / or Two- 

Stage Heating as well as Cooling and a 

7 day setback schedule with Optimum 

Start / Stop. 

Room Temperature Unit (RTU) 062 

The 062 provides a large, attractive, 

easy to use display with a built in air 

sensor. 

Room Temperature Unit (RTU) 063 

The 063 provides the same features 

as the 062 with the addition of a slab 

sensor that allows for Floor Warming 

and / or Slab Temperature Limiting. 


tekmar Control Systems Ltd., Canada, tekmar Control Systems, Inc., U.S.A. 

Head Offi ce: 5100 Silver Star Road, Vernon, B.C. Canada V1B 3K4 Phone: (250) 545-7749 Fax: (250) 545-0650 Web Site: www.tekmarcontrols.com 

Circle the reader service number for tekmar at the back of this magazine to receive free literature.

ADVERTISING FEATURE 

Stand Alone and 

Integrated Control Systems 

By Cliff McNeill 

tekmar Control Systems offers you two options for controlling hydronic 

heating systems. The systems can be controlled using either Stand Alone 

Controls or Integrated Controls. 

In a stand-alone control system, each zone is controlled by a thermostat 

and acts independently. When a zone requires heat, the 

thermostat in the zone operates either the zone valve or 

zone pump. This allows for systems with the maximum 

amount of flexibility when it comes to zoning. If an additional 

zone is required in the system, adding another thermostat 

and zoning device provides an additional zone. 

In stand-alone systems, the zoning is handled by thermostats 

while all other aspects of the system are handled 

by the system controls. The system controls operate the 

main pumps and the boilers. The system controls also 

operate the mixing devices that allow for the proper supply 

water temperature to be sent to the radiant floors. 

Additional heating loads, such as domestic hot water, 

pools, spas and snow melting systems, are also handled by 

the system controls. 

The system controls provide energy saving features to 

the system such as outdoor reset, warm weather shutdown, 

domestic hot water priority, and domestic hot water 

post purging. The system controls also provide features 

such as boiler protection and exercising in order to 

maximize the life of the system. 

In an integrated control system, all of the zones 

are controlled using Zone Controls and Room 

Temperature Units (RTU). The RTU is located in 

the zone and is used by the homeowner to set the 

temperature for the zone just like a conventional 

thermostat. The RTU communicates back to the 

zone control the current room temperature as well 

as the desired room temperature. 

The RTU even communicates how fast the room 

temperature is changing. The zone control reads this 

information from several RTUs in the system. Using 

this information, the zone control determines the best 

sequence of operation for these zones in order to provide 

a consistent load on the system. This is called 

Zone Load Coordination and minimizes short cycling 

of the overall system. After determining the best sequence of operation for 

the zones, the zone control turns on the proper zone pumps or zone valves 

to send heat to the areas that require heat. 

Not only do the Zone Controls co-ordinate the operation of the zones, but 

the zone controls also communicate with the system controls. The zone control’s 

signal allows the system control to continuously fine tune the water 

temperature in the system based on the outdoor air temperature as well as 

the actual requirements of the building. This is called Indoor Temperature 

Feedback. This can only be done with Integrated Controls. 

It is also easy to provide a cooling interlock in an integrated system since 

it is the Zone Control that operates the zone valves or the zone pumps and 

not the RTU. Once all of the zones are satisfied, the Zone 

Control can turn on the cooling system. If the user desires, 

they can put the system into a cooling mode. In this case, 

the Zone Control turns off the zones even if they require 

heat and turns on the cooling system. In a Stand Alone system, 

a cooling interlock would have to be done by manually 

turning off each thermostat and then turning on the 

cooling system. 

Integrated Control systems also allow the RTUs to 

share several pieces of information such as time, schedules 

and even temperature displays. By changing the 

time on one RTU, the time on all RTUs is changed. After 

a schedule is set up on one RTU, all of the RTUs can use 

the same schedule. The homeowner does not need to program 

each zone separately if they wish to have the same 

schedule in several zones. Also, if an outdoor sensor is 

attached to the Zone Control, this temperature can be 

viewed on any of the RTUs. 

Integrated systems can also provide features such as two 

stage heating, floor warming and slab temperature 

limiting. 

In integrated systems, the zoning is handled by 

zone controls and RTUs while all other aspects of the 

system are handled by the system controls. The system 

controls operate the main pumps and the boilers. 

The system controls also operate the mixing devices 

that allow for the proper supply water temperature 

to be sent to the radiant floors. Additional heating 

loads such as domestic hot water, pools, spas and snow 

melting systems are also handled by the system controls. 

The system controls provide energy saving features 

to the system such as outdoor reset, warm weather shut 

down, domestic hot water priority, and domestic hot 

water post purging. The system controls also provide 

features such as boiler protection and exercising in 

order to maximize the life of the system. 

Stand Alone Controls and Integrated Controls can be used to control the 

same type of hydronic heating systems. However, it is the Integrated 

Controls that have the logic to tie the operation of the system together so 

that it acts as one system. This ability improves the overall operation, efficiency 

and comfort of the system. 

(Editor’s note: This article uses some information from Cliff McNeill’s regular 

column in this month’s issue of The New Hydronics.) 

tekmar Control Systems Ltd. 

5100 Silver Star Road, Vernon, BC V1B 3K4 

Ph: 250-545-7749 • Fax: 250-545-0650 



Hot Water Heating 

Pre-winter maintenance 

on hydronic systems 

Getting the glycol mixture right 

By Roy Collver 

Well, the snow is 

flying pretty 

much everywhere 

in Canada 

now, and it’s past 

time to think about 

performing some 

regular maintenance 

checks of your hydronic heating systems. 

One of the most important things to 

confirm is that the concentration of glycol 

in each system is correct and that the 

fluid has not gone acidic. 

With any luck at 

all, you will have 

records for each system 

showing the percentage 

of glycol to 

water (50/50, 40%, 

etc.) and the pH of 

the fluid (normally 

between 8.5 and 10.5) 

from the checks you 

performed last year. If 

you are not in the 

habit of documenting 

these things, now is a 

good time to start. 

Tag, or otherwise 

label, the boiler with 

the following information: 

• The name of any product that has 

been added to the water 

The date the product was added 

The concentration of the product 

• 

The homeowner 

‘refractometer’ and 

drained a small you can’t go wrong. 

There are a number 

amount of boiler of really fancy digital 

ones available, but a 

fluid into a mason good optical one will 

cost you less than 

jar and stuck it in 

$200, is easy to use 

and will last for many 

his freezer. It froze. 

years. Make sure that 

you get one that is 

intended for hydronic 

glycols. 

All you need to do is place a drop of 

GET YOUR FREE 

fluid on the measuring surface and look 

pair of deluxe hiking boots from Weil-McLain. 

through the eyepiece. Inside, you will 

see a scale, and a ‘contrast line’ (difference 

between light and dark areas). The 

Time is running out – get your forms in now! 

The pH level of the fluid 

point where the contrast line crosses the 

Make note if the chemicals added are scale tells you what your concentration 

Suede leather, nylon trim with a PK Mesh lining, this Mid Cut Hiker 

toxic and, if so, supply Material Safety is. (Follow the manufacturer’s instructions 

to the letter and you can’t go 

will keep you in comfort. Professional quality you expect from the 

Data Sheets to be left at the site. 

industry leader... Weil-McLain. 

Now you have a baseline to work wrong.) Go onto the Internet and 

with. You will be able to monitor the search ‘refractometer’ if you can’t find a 

So Take a Hike and go anywhere with Weil-McLain boilers. 

system each year to see if anything has local supplier. 

changed. If your system is connected to The other important test is for pH. 

Pick up redemption forms from 

an automatic water feed, small leaks or Again, another simple test. You can purchase 

an electronic pH tester for under 

your authorized Weil-McLain 

relief valve releases will discharge your 

wholesale distributor. 

water glycol mix and replace it with $50 or simply go to your local swimming 

pool chemical supplier and get 

plain water, diluting the mix and reducing 

the effectiveness of your freeze protection. 

the fluid and compare the colour with a 

some pH test strips. You just dip one in 

I have seen snow melt systems freeze chart that relates to pH levels. Both of 

up because of this. In one case the heat- 

tests will take you less than 10 minutes. 


When you are done, if all is well, write 

down this year’s readings on your boiler 

tag and carry on with your other maintenance 

procedures (you know, lubricating 

pumps if required, testing zone 

valves, confirming correct control settings 

– all the usual stuff you do – 

right?). 

If the readings you get are not good, 

you will have to contact your glycol supplier 

to see what corrective actions are 

necessary. If glycol concentrations are 

low, make sure you top the system up 

with the same kind of glycol you already 

have in there. Mixing different brands 

can cause problems because their 

inhibitors may not get along with each 

other. 

To add glycol, you will have to drain 

off some fluid. Check with the municipality 

(or provincial environmental 

officials – SB) to see how to dispose of 

the stuff you drain off. DO NOT just 

dump it down the drain, especially toxic 

ethylene glycol – REAL BAD IDEA! 

(This is another good reason to use 

non-toxic propylene glycol in all of your 

systems.) 


18 Plumbing & HVAC Product News – November/December 2004 www.plumbingandhvac.ca 

ing contractor swore up and down that 

the glycol was up to strength. The only 

problem was, he had no way to prove it. 

It turned out that he hadn’t a clue how 

to test for glycol concentration. The 

homeowner drained a small amount of 

boiler fluid into a mason jar and stuck it 

in his freezer. It froze. The heating contractor 

had to pay to jackhammer up 

the driveway and replace the slab the 

next year. That was a very expensive lesson. 

It could have been easily avoided 

with an annual maintenance check. 

So how DO you 

check glycol concentration? 

Buy a nifty 

little device called a


Condensing boilers 

KC 1000 models feature a condensing 

design and 14:1 modulation to maintain 

+/- 4°F temperature 

control while 

delivering 93-99 per 

cent efficiency under 

variable flow conditions. 

These models 

eliminate overshooting 

and cycling, produce 

one million Btu/hr and 

offer a low NO x burner 

option. 

Aerco Circle no. 309 

Tankless water heater 

The Aurora gas tankless water heater 

produces a continuous four gal./min. of 

hot water at a 77°F 

rise and features a 

copper heat exchanger, 

operates 

from 78-81 per cent 

efficiency, with 

inputs modulating 

from 25,000 to 

194,000 Btu/hr, and 

has an optional remote 

control. This 

compact unit measures 23.6 x 13.8 x 

9.4 inches. 

State Water Heaters Circle no. 310 

door reset control, 

a set-point control 

or a Delta T limiting 

control. It also 

includes a replaceable 

wet-rotor cartridge 

design, integral 

check valve 

and large LCD display. 

Taco Canada Circle no. 313 

Oil-fired water heaters 

These multi-flue oil-fired water heaters 

from Bradford White feature high firing 

and recovery rates along with larger 

storage capacities in 38, 80 and 100-gal. 

sizes. The are equipped with the Aero 

HF-AFC flame retention oil burner 

with 1/4-hp 3450 rpm PSC motor, electronic 

ignition, pre-post purge relay, 

solenoid oil valve, two-stage mini fuel 

pump, dual and single aquastats and 

three or four anodes. The Model CF-38 

fires from 1.75 to 2.50 gph, CF-80 from 

3.50 to 5.00 gph and the CF-100 from 

2.50 to 3.00 gph. 

Bradford White Canada Circle no. 314 

Electric boilers 

The BH Series electric steam-hot water 

boilers are available in 51 standard 

models in sizes 

from 60 to 3000 

kW inputs or 

nominal outputs 

from 6 to 300 

BHP. They offer 

efficiencies near 

95% at all load 

levels with resistive immersed incoloysheathed 

heating elements. The packaged 

units meet ASME codes and have a 

modulating step control with automatic 

controls. 

Bryan Steam Circle no. 315 

Non-condensing boilers 

The Futera III Series of packaged boilers 

and domestic water heaters provide 

non-condensing thermal efficiencies of 

85 per cent, in sizes from 500 to 1,950 

MBH and fit through a 30” doorway. 

Features include a one-piece bronze 

header design, stainless combustion 

chamber, low NOx (less than 10 ppm), 

vertical or horizontal venting, four-pass 

heat exchanger, full diagnostic panel, 

exterior gas train and fan. 

RBI Water Heaters Circle no. 316 

Tankless water heater 

The T-K1S wall-hung inside or outside 

flash water heater is energy efficient at 

83 per cent, with 

inputs of 15,000 

to a maximum 

190,000 Btu/hr. 

It is compact and 

weighs 45-lbs. 

The first-hour 

flow rate is 240- 

gal. A remote controller 

allows temperature 

adjustment down to 113°F up to 

182°F, with 3/4-inch NPT connections. 

Takagi Circle no. 311 

THE PERFECT DEFENSE 

Circulating loop heat exchanger 

ProMax SL (side loop) water heaters 

now feature the ProMax XL circulating 

loop brazed plate heat exchanger that is 

up to 60% smaller 

than shell and tube or 

coaxial models. The 

residential gas water 

heaters are sized in 

28,000 and 52,000 

Btu/hr models, in single 

and double-wall 

designs for direct, 

power, power-direct 

vent and standard 

venting. They range 

from 40 to 75 gal. capacities and include 

side-mounted recirculating taps. 

A.O. Smith Circle no. 312 

Radiant mixing system 

The Taco Radiant Mixing Block is an 

all-in-one injection mixing system that 

integrates a variable speed control, an 

injection circulator, a system circulator 

and air elimination for radiant loads up 

to 120,000 Btu/ hr. It requires four pipe 

connections. It can be set up as an out- 

The Defender Safety System from Bradford White 

Put a real winner in your product line-up. 

Bradford White water heaters equipped with the 

Defender Safety System …a new combustion 

technology…resist the ignition of flammable vapors 

that can occur outside the water heater. 

The heart of the Defender system is the flame arrestor 

design of the patented ScreenLok Technology. 

It prevents the burner flame from traveling outside 

the combustion chamber. 

In addition, Bradford White’s thermal cut-off switch is 

easily reset with the push of a button. 

Mississauga, ON 

866-690-0961 

The Bradford White Defender Safety System is 

engineered to be the safest, most reliable flammable 

vapor ignition resistant system in the industry. 

When it comes to developing technology, trust 

Bradford White. 

To learn more about the 

technology that makes the 

Defender Safety System a 

winner, ask for this free 

brochure from your BWC 

representative or wholesaler. 

www.bradfordwhite.com 

www.bradfordwhitecanada.com 

P R O D U C T S O N L Y F O R P R O F E S S I O N A L S 

©2004, Bradford White Corporation. All rights reserved. 




Product Profile 

Efficient 

wood boiler 

The terms ‘wood burning’, ‘high efficiency’ 

and ‘clean emissions’ are not 

usually used together, but a European 

log wood boiler, distributed by an 

Alberta company, is drawing attention 

for just those reasons. 

The Herlt Gasifier log wood boiler 

from Advanced Biotechnology Inc., 

Airdrie, Alta., uses the complete 

combustion of log wood fuel to 

An Alberta company is distributing this high-efficiency low emission European 

wood boiler (but unfortunately not the funky pickup!). 

THIS IS NO LONGER 

A TWO DAY WAIT. 

IT’S A TWO MINUTE JOB 

RIGHT NOW. 

produce a highly efficient, safe and 

economic heat source with clean 

emissions. 

In essence, logs are converted to 

gas in a ceramic-lined ‘gasification 

chamber’, allowing a combustion 

process that achieves emission levels 

that comply with standards for natural 

gas heating, the manufacturer 

reports. A special packed-bed insulating 

layer that allows combustion with 

minimal heat loss and low oxygen levels 

surrounds the gasification chamber. 

The resulting gaseous product 

contains few inert gases and burns at 

high efficiency. This technology won 

a silver medal at the 2001 

International Inventors Exhibition in 

Geneva, Switzerland. 

Herlt log wood boilers are available 

in seven sizes from 44,400 to 

546,000 Btu/hr. They have a large 

holding capacity for firewood, which 

generally does not have to be split 

and can be used slightly damp, minimizing 

labour and maximizing operating 

time. The smallest model, the 

HV-14, will burn for 24 hours with 

only one wood filling and will heat a 

single-family home. That time can be 

stretched considerably with an energy 

efficient home and an efficient hot 

water storage system. 

The HV-14 is also available with a 

built-in Stirling engine that can produce 

900 Watts of electricity at 230 

volts and 50 Hertz. Other voltages 

are available. 

Advanced Biotechnology Inc. Circle no. 317 

COMPACT WALL-HUNG BOILER PROVIDES 

HEATING AND DOMESTIC HOT WATER 

Wireless Solutions for your Field Service Team 

Improve the operational productivity of your service team with a Rogers Wireless 

solution. A wireless solution gets real-time customer and job related information 

to your field workers sooner. This can help them process work orders and update 

accounts from the field – reducing paperwork and increasing customer 

satisfaction. Our promise? We’ll bring all the required parties to the table 

and implement a Wireless Field Service Solution that fits your business best. 

Visit rogers.com/enterprise to learn more about how the power of the 

Rogers Wireless network can help you to wirelessly extend your business. 

Canada’s Largest Integrated Wireless Voice and Data Network 

Fired by gas or propane, the light-weight Baxi Luna 

features full modulation, electronic temperature control, 

direct vent, whisper-quiet operation and easy installation. 

In addition to providing on-demand hot water, it is 

approved for closet installation, and can heat an entire 

home up to 3,000 square feet in size, saving homeowners 

up to 53% on their energy bills. 

Visit www.wallhungboilers.com today. 

Exclusive North American distributor of Baxi products. 




Pipes, Valves & Fittings 

Mixing valves 

Apollo thermostatic mixing valves are 

designed for point-of-use and point-ofsource 

applications to meet new 

domestic hot water safety codes. The 

34D Series 

residential 

single fixture 

valves and 

34B commercial 

valves are 

ASSE 1016- 

approved for 

point-of-use applications. The 34A 

Series valves for residential-light commercial 

projects and 34C valves for 

super-capacity commercial plumbing 

and multiple fixtures are ASSE 1017 

approved for point-of-source applications. 

Conbraco Industries Circle no. 318 

Undersink applications 

The Watts Under Sink Guardian, Series 

USG-B, is ASSE 1016-listed for pointof-use 

applications to meet new 

49°C/120°F DHW requirements. Made 

from heavy duty bronze alloy, the USG- 

B is specifically designed for single-fixture 

protection and uses 3/8” compression 

fittings to accommodate most 

kitchen sink or bathroom lavatory 

installations. Built-in check valves prevent 

cross flow. 

Watts Industries Circle no. 319 

A/C-R tubing 

This nitrogen-charged copper tubing 

meets the cleanliness needed for applications 

where contaminants 

pose a 

serious hazard. 

CerroPure tubing 

is sealed and pressurized 

with nitrogen 

gas, comes in 

10 and 20-foot 

lengths in 3/8 to 

3-1/8-inch diameters, 

and meets ASTM B280 and B819 

codes for maximum residue limit of 

0.0035 g/sq.ft. of interior tube surface. 

Cerro Flow Products Circle no. 320 

Flush valve 

The ZEMS 6000AV-IS hard-wired automatic 

flush valve includes an integral 

sensor and courtesy flush button. It 

requires no 

electrical wall 

boxes for sensor 

and actuator 

devices 

and can be 

retrofitted to 

manual flush valves. 

Zurn Plumbing Products Circle no. 322 

Crimping check valves 

These Apollo bronze check valves feature 

two-inch copper tubing extensions 

at both ends to allow installation with 

the Ridgid/Viega ProPress crimping 

connection system. The 61-600-A0 

Series are sized from 1/2 through 2-in., 

with a spring-loaded check for faster 

seating and a bubble-tight shut-off. 

Conbraco Industries Circle no. 323 

Water filter kits 

Permaster drinking water filter kits feature 

strip brushes which clean both the 

filter cartridge and 

see-through filter 

cup – backwashing 

without stopping 

water flow. It is 

designed for vertical 

or horizontal 

installations, with 

stainless steel filter 

cartridges and 

built-in pressure 

reducer. 

ROWA Enterprises Circle no. 324 


Copper pipe system 

approved for gas 

The Ridge Tool Co., Elyria, Ohio, has expanded 

its Ridgid/Viega copper pipe system to 

include natural gas, LP gas and fuel oil 

applications. 

Like the standard ProPress system, the 

new ProPress G system uses special 1/2 to 

2” copper fittings that are clamped to the pipe with a hydraulic crimping 

tool. The new gas piping system uses the same tools, with jaws in nine 

sizes, that are used with the existing system. 

Residential installers can join all of their copper and plastic piping 

(for plumbing, heating and gas) with the one tool. 

ProPress G fittings can be differentiated from standard ProPress fittings 

because they have a yellow sealing o-ring made of ‘hydrogenated nitrile 

butadiene’ rubber designed to last the lifetime of the tubing, along with a 

yellow marking on each fitting to identify it as a gas fitting. 

As well – and safety is always a big issue with gas fittings – every 

ProPress G fitting includes Ridgid’s Smart Connect feature. A special 

indentation near the seal ensures that the fitting will leak if it is not 

pressed, making it impossible for an unpressed fitting to go unnoticed. 

The indent is sealed during the pressing process. 

ProPress G connections have been tested by CSA to be in compliance 

with CSA International Requirement No. 1-02 U.S. for Press-Connect Type 

Copper and Copper Alloy Fittings for use with Fuel Gas Tubing. The fittings 

are approved for use with natural gas, mixed gases, manufactured gases 

and fuel oil heating systems, reports the manufacturer. 

The Ridge Tool Co. Circle no. 326 

Push-fit connector 

The SharkBite push-fit pipe connection 

system for copper, CPVC or PEX 

piping uses a stainless steel grab ring 

which compresses a special O-ring for 

a lasting seal. Fittings can be rotated 

after assembly for easier installation in 

a tight spaces and disassembled with 

the simple disconnect tool. The system 

is available in 1/2 and 3/4-in. sizes 

with configurations for all types of 

joints. It meets NSF 61, withstands 200 

psi and temperatures to188°F/82°C. 

Cash Acme Circle no. 325 

Point-of-source 

Watts Series 1170/L1170 mixing valves 

are ASSE1017 approved for point-ofsource 

use in DHW systems. These fullflow 

valves allow the installer to set the 

water temperature. They can also be 

used in radiant heating systems and 

incorporate check valves to prevent 

cross flow. 

Watts Industries Circle no. 321 

BEFORE 

AFTER 

Install a basement bathroom without breaking the floor 

(or the bank) 

• You decide where to put a toilet or bathroom, it is not dictated by the drainage situation. 

• Easy installation, do it yourself. • Your floors stay intact. No breaking, no mess. 

• Can be installed up to 12’ below the sewer level and/or 150’ away from a soil stack. 

• You only need small diameter 3/4” discharge pipe, which can be run virtually anywhere. 

• Over three million sold worldwide. • Clean, reliable, and virtually maintenance free. 

Add convenience • Add luxury • Add value to your home 

For a FREE brochure please call: 1•800•363•5874 

To see the entire family of Saniflo products visit: 

www.saniflo.com 



ADVERTISING FEATURE 

Ottawa Community Housing Corp. Saves Big Bucks 

Case Study 

In 1999 the Ottawa Community Housing 

Corporation (OCHC) decided to replace 

their existing 20 year old inefficient 

atmospheric boilers. According to Steve 

Capello of the OCHC the boilers had 

exceeded their estimated life cycle and the 

repairs needed could not be justified. 

The OCHC wanted to improve boiler 

efficiency and at the same time lower the 

cost of repairs. The task was to find a 

product that would do both, they did. Ten 

De Dietrich boilers were installed in two 

buildings in 1999. 

When Doug Laviolette, Project 

Manager for the OCHC, heard about De 

Dietrich's unique features such as; low 

return water temperatures and low boiler 

maintenance he was convinced De 

Dietrich would be the right choice for the 

OCHC. The unique “eutectic cast iron” 

allows the boiler to expand and contract 

without risking any damage to boiler. This 

damage is commonly known as “thermal 

shock”. Most boilers are designed to 

accept a maximum temperature differential 

of 20 - 30 degrees F. The De Dietrich 

boiler can withstand an 81 degree F differential 

without damaging the boiler. 

This allows the building water temperature 

to vary considerably during warmer 

weather conditions. This variation in system 

loop temperature allows the building 

owner to save money on gas because the 

boiler acts like a 3-way mixing valve to 

control temperature. 

The Project 

The OCHC provides heating, ventilation 

and DHW to over 15,000 apartment units. 

This project involved replacing the existing 

atmospheric boilers in two buildings 

with five new De Dietrich boilers. 

Two of the boilers are used for supplying 

Domestic Hot Water (DWH) and the 

others for building heat. The existing 

Johnson building automation system provides 

the sequencing and staging for the 

system. The boilers were supplied with 

Fuel Master Burners which made it easy 

to tie into the existing Johnson BAS control 

system. 

The boiler water temperature is adjusted 

according to outside air temperature via 

the BAS system. The “eutectic cast iron” 

allows the BAS to utilize the boilers 

design capabilities to the maximum. 

The Results! 

The boiler plant was placed on a regular 

maintenance program which ensured the 

burners were operating at peak performance. 

The BAS system was monitored to 

make sure the boilers are set according to 

outside temperature conditions. 

The OCHC through the services of 

Enbridge Consumers Gas Company were 

able to chart the results from 2000 to 2003. 

Over the last three years the OCHC saved 

the equivalent of 182,773 m3 of Natural 

Gas. In today's natural gas market prices 

this equates to $54,831.90 in savings! 

“…De Dietrich = cost 

savings, it's as simple 

as that!” 

Did You Know? 

According to Enbridge Gas, 

every 3 degree drop in 

system temperature results in 

a 1% fuel savings! 

Existing Old Atmospheric Boilers 

New De Dietrich GT300 Series High Efficiency Boilers 

Doug Laviolette (left) & Steve Capello (right) of the 

Ottawa Community Housing Corporation 

BOILERS 

www.dedietrich-canada.com 

Flexible Eutectic Boilers 

P.O. Box 1763 

Mitchell, Ontario N0K 1N0 

E-mail tom.turner@ezlink.on.ca 

Tel: 1 519 348-8200 

1 800 943-6275 

Fax: 519 348-8404 


Drain Tech 

Brrr … there’s money 

in those frozen pipes 

Or, there’s more than one way to break the ice 

By Warren Law 

Whether we 

like it or 

not, here in 

Canada winter is a 

large part of our life. 

And that makes 

frozen pipes a pretty 

good probability. 

One day the temperature 

drops well below freezing. 

Two days. Three days. Then the phone 

calls start, asking for service to unfreeze 

water pipes and drains. After those 

three days you cannot have enough men 

and machines to handle all the calls. 

You do what you can to service your 

regular clients. 

In a really deep freeze winter, as 

occurred in Eastern Canada a few years 

ago, nothing will thaw frozen pipes 

except Mother Nature. 

Prevention through properly insulated 

or adequately buried pipes is the best 

answer to avoiding frozen pipes. 

However, when pipes do freeze, there 

are a number of different ways to thaw 

them out, which will vary depending on 

the type of pipe. 

Theoretically one apparatus could 

thaw any frozen pipe. But pipes are 

made of many different materials. 

Water pipes are usually of copper or 

plastic. Drain pipes are of plastic, cast 

iron, even clay in older installations. 

Obviously more than one type of thawer 

is preferred: electric, hot water, and 

jetter. 

It’s a good idea to use equipment 

designed for the job. A blow torch or 

propane torch may do the job, but risk 

burning down the building at the same 

time. Last winter, six firemen in 

Edmonton almost lost their lives fighting 

a fire caused by someone using a 

torch to thaw pipes in an under-insulated 

apartment block. 

Pipe thawing machines 

Water jet drain machines are quite 

effective for clearing ice blockages. A 

special nozzle with a hole in the front 

penetrates and breaks up the ice then 

flushes it backwards down the line. If 

hot water is not available, cold water 

will do it. After all cold water is warmer 

than ice. It will take longer, but it will 

eventually free the ice. 

There are purpose-built pipe thawing 

machines that also use hot water to do 

the job. However, they heat the water 

and are considerably quicker than a 

Electric pipe-thawing equipment 

(General Pipe Cleaners Hot Shot pictured) 

works well on metallic pipes. 

jetter. These are particularly practical in 

non-metal drains or pipes. 

A special injector hose is fed into the 

water line. A jet stream of 50 to 80 lb. 

pressurized hot water drills through the 

blockage. The water can be heated prior 

to going to the site or at the site. 

Thawing time is measured in minutes. 

The hose remains stiff even at 180°F. 

For pressurized water lines, make 

sure the valve is turned off at the source. 

If not, the pressurized water will return 

quickly to the opening and could cause 

hot water scalds. 

Electric thawers pass low voltage high 

current electricity through heavy cables 

to the frozen metal pipe. 

Open a faucet in the unfrozen part 

of the line down stream from the 

frozen section. The warmer water 

above the ice will seep through the 

melted film and very quickly melt the 

rest of the ice. The water will start to 

flow in about 10 minutes time if the 

connections are properly made. For 

steel or cast iron, allow for longer 

thawing times. Some units have two 

settings. A built in thermal protector 

automatically shuts the machine down 

if the internal temperature reaches a 

critical level. 

The operator should use a grounded 

heavy duty extension cord that is in 

good condition plugged into a grounded 

receptacle. There is a possibility that 

the output current of the unit may be 

transferred into the electrical service, 

either at the house being thawed, or at a 

remote location. 

Hot-water ice thawing machines 

like the Canadian-made ICE EATER 

generate their own heat to quickly 

thaw lines. 

Therefore, all grounds (i.e. electric 

service, telephone, and cable TV 

grounds) must be disconnected, both at 

the house being thawed and all houses 

on the same distribution transformer. 

Do not leave the unit unattended while 

thawing. Do not leave the unit operating 

overnight. 

In certain cases, units can be connected 

in parallel to pass more electricity 

down the line. 

Points to 

REMEMBER: 

• Use only CSA or equivalent 

approval equipment. 

Use proper gauge cables. 

Use grounded receptacles. 

• 

Do not leave units unattended. 

Avoid hot water scalds by 

directing stream away from 

operator. 

Reduce your 

hot water bill. 

Buy a Bosch WR400-7K 

Tankless Hot Water Heater 

• No standing pilot • Saves space 

• Reduces CO2 emissions • Saves $'s 

80% Energy Efficient 

Call 1-800-663-8405 

Astravan Distributors Ltd. 

website: www.astravan.com 




E-Business 

Web-based project 

management 

Accubid is now offering ConstructJob 

web-based document management and 

bid solicitation programs for contractors. 

They enable contractors to better 

communicate, collaborate and manage 

project documentation because the data 

is available wherever there is an Internet 

connection. Accubid (Markham, Ont.) 

acquired ConstructJob of Meade, 

Colorado in September. ConstructJob 

founder Atalie Abshier has been named 

manager of the new project management 

product division for Accubid. 

Accubid Systems Circle no. 327 

Advertising aids 

ProMark – The Professional Marketer’s 

Resource Directory from Bradford- 

White was designed to help wholesalers 

and contractors be more successful in 

their advertising campaigns and sales 

presentations. The CD contains print 

advertisements, a 60-second radio spot 

and an assortment of logos and product 

images that will help professionals 

assemble their own ads, slide presentations 

and websites. 

Bradford-White Canada Circle no. 328 

Small air system design 

The Small Commercial Air System 

Design Manual from HRAI details the 

design of air distribution systems for 

single and multi-zone systems in buildings 

up to 6,000 sq.ft. using packaged or 

unitary equipment. Featured sections 

include: fan laws for air distribution 

and pressure, duct types and configurations, 

equipment selection, air distribution 

methods, layout and design methods 

for low velocity duct systems, air 

delivery systems, controls, fire damper 

protection, ventilation systems and 

design procedures. 

HRAI SkillTech Academy Circle no. 329 

Split system training 

RSES is offering a computer-based 

technician training and troubleshooting 

series of CD programs for homebased 

training (CBT3). Two CDs for 

Residential Split-System Cooling cover 

Mechanical Refrigeration Troubleshooting 

for R-22 and R-410A and 

Just imagine your customer’s response when you tell them… 

‘THIS IS THE LAST 

FURNACE & AIR CONDITIONER 

YOU WILL EVER BUY’ 

The system 

with a 

LIFETIME WARRANTY 

Electrical Troubleshooting. Refrigeration 

topics include: refrigerants, mechanical 

refrigeration cycle, evaporator 

and condenser coils, diagnostics and 

interactive practices. 

RSES Technical Institute Circle no. 330 

Upgraded piping website 

Victaulic Co. has upgraded its website at 

www.victaulic.com. It now features 

comprehensive sites for each market 

that Victaulic products serve. Each contains 

product search capabilities, product 

and application references, specifications, 

codes and approvals, training 

resources, press releases, project briefs, 

case studies, trade show information and 

industry links. It also offers Victaulic 

and third-party software solutions and 

updates for customers to download. 

Victaulic Co.of Canada Circle no. 331 

Technical web access 

An Internet protocol access program 

has been set up by the American Society 

of Heating Refrigerating & Air Conditioning 

Engineers to expand access to 

its extensive technical material through 

the web. Individuals, companies and 

organizations must register an IP 

address to gain access to the site content 

approved for that licence. No log-in or 

password is required and there is no 

limit on the number of concurrent 

users from the IP. Contact the ASHRAE 

Bookstore at www.ASHRAE.org or 

Email: pmaurer@ashrae.org. 

ASHRAE Bookstore Circle no. 332 

The Amana AMV9 stage variable speed furnace 

and RSG 16 seer R410A remote condenser offer a 

limited LIFETIME UNIT REPLACEMENT on 

heat exchangers/compressor. All Amana highefficiency 

retail furnaces have a 10 Year Unit 

Replacement on the primary and secondary heat 

exchangers, and a limited Lifetime Warranty. 

All Amana air conditioners rated at 12 seer or 

higher have a 10 year parts replacement warranty. 

Propane conversion kit available 

Plumbing e-newsletter 

Elkay has launched an electronic 

newsletter for buyers and specifiers to 

stay abreast of the latest in commercial 

and residential plumbing products. The 

SpecTator covers stainless steel sinks, 

faucets, water coolers and drinking 

fountains and other products which 

Elkay manufactures. Subscribe at 

www.elkayusa.com/subscribe. 

Elkay Mfg. Circle no. 333 

Limited Lifetime Unit 

Replacement Heat 

Exchanger Warranty 

Call Today 888 571-2627 

or visit our website at www.redmondwilliams.com 

Redmond/Williams 

Distributing ULC 

5605 Timberlea Blvd., Mississauga ON L4W 1A2 (905) 602-4588 Fax (905) 602-9454 

Distributors of 

Limited Lifetime Unit 

Replacement 

Compressor Warranty 

AMV9 GAS 

FURNACE 

Don’t miss the opportunity to increase 

your margins and profits by offering your 

customers the Asure Extended Service Plan. 

Asure will offer your customer up to 10 years 

parts & labour at minimal cost. It’s a great way to add value to 

the homeowners purchase, builds customer loyalty and confidence 

and increases your profits…it’s a win-win!! 

RSG ULTRON 16 SEER 

AIR CONDITIONER 

Project specifications 

The Construction Specifications Institute 

and Building Systems Design have 

released a new version of their BSD 

SpecLink for developing construction 

project specifications. Featured are the 

PerSpective database of performancebased 

specifications for early project design 

criteria and design-build project 

documentation. SpecLink projects can be 

quickly converted into MasterFormat 

categories. This software allows users to 

apply it during all building project phases 

and for all project delivery methods. 

MasterFormat is a product of CSI and 

Construction Specifications Canada. Visit 

www.csinet.org and www.bsdsoftlink.com. 

Construction Specifications Institute Circle no. 334 

Spark ignition training 

Troubleshoot gas furnace intermittent 

spark-ignition systems with this CD 

from the RSES Technician Training & 

Troubleshooting CD Series. Topics covered 

are combustion air, fuel delivery 

and regulation system, manifold-burner 

assemblies and spark ignition. 

RSES Tech. Institute Circle no. 335 



Ventilation 

Sheet metal alternative 

Thermo-Pan is a high-quality alternative 

to sheet metal for constructing 

return air duct with a flame spread 

carbon dusting filter. 

DryKor Inc. Circle no. 339 

Dehumidifier heat recovery 

The Smart Saver heat recovery coil is 

designed to extract heat from the 

exhaust air and pre-heat outdoor air on 

Dectron horizontally configured Dry- 

Electric humidifier 

VT Series electric humidifiers feature 

controller monitoring of water levels, 

drain and flush, operating time, tank 

water cooling before draining and veri- 

Humidity control 

The Munters Humidity Control Unit 

3000 conditions up to 3,400 cfm of 

makeup air. It can be operated in night 

setback recirculation mode. Features 

index of 25 and a smoke index of 5 

(ETL) for Class 1 fire ratings. Thermo- 

Pan comes in four precision pre-cut 

panel and header sizes, including fire 

resistant products, and is suitable for 

open web trusses and I-joist construction. 

Thermo Mfg Inc. Circle no. 336 

O-Tron Series dehumidifiers. It is most 

economical on unit sizes larger than 7.5 

tons of refrigeration. 

Dectron Internationale Circle no. 340 

fy duct airflow before operating. They 

are available in capacities up to 48- 

lbs/hr. A removable shroud provides 

easy access to tank, control assembly 

and connections. 

DriSteem Corp. Circle no. 341 

include titanium silica gel desiccant 

wheel and continuous automatic operation 

and variable speed control for head 

pressure modulation. 

Munters Corp. Circle no. 342 

Fan coil UVC kit 

An ultra-violet kit for fan coils for 

mould and IAQ control features a UVC 

emitter, power supply and hardware to 

fit all major fan coil brands. Emitter 

WELCOME TO 

TheNewAgeofRadiant 

tubes, available in six lengths from 15 to 

42-in., are installed across from the 

cooling coil with snap-in connections. 

Steril-Aire Inc. Circle no. 337 

Desiccant dehumidifier 

The UDT-14 liquid desiccant dehumidifier 

from DryKor is designed for package 

make-up air or air handling units in 

Taco Radiant Mixing Block 

iSeries Mixing Valve 

buildings with airflow of 3,000 to 

100,000 cfm. It operates at 5,000 cfm 

with 100 per cent outdoor air. It 

becomes a stand-alone unit with 

optional process supply fan. It provides 

a specific heat ratio of 0.3 at design 

86°F, 70 per cent RH. 

DryKor Inc. Circle no. 338 

Gas, vapour removal 

Camsorb sorbent canister systems 

remove high gas, odour and vapour 

loads in HVAC systems with low leakage 

Variable Speed "00" Circulator 

As an industry leader in HVAC technologies, 

Taco leads the way in radiant product and 

system design. 

The Taco Radiant Mixing Block combines 

a variable-speed injection mixing control, 

injection circulator, system circulator and air 

elimination all in one. And it features only 

four piping connections, cutting space 

requirements and installation time to a 

minimum. 

Our intelligent iSeries Mixing Valve builtin 

solid-state microprocessor with outdoor 

reset, or setpoint control, allows this fully 

modulating valve to give precise, cost 

effective temperature control - with built-in 

boiler protection. The 00R-IFC Circulator 

is designed for radiant head and flow 

requirements with built-in Flow Check and 

our replaceable cartridge for easy servicing. 

Three versions are available with our 

built–in variable speed control. 

00R-IFC Circulator 

Taco’s Variable Speed "00"Circulator is 

our all-in-one pump and control - available 

in 3 versions: Outdoor Reset, Setpoint or 

Variable Voltage. They range from 

003 – 0014 with our replaceable cartridge 

for easy servicing. 

Our goal is to design and build the most 

reliable, versatile and easy to install radiant 

products on the market. 

The new age of radiant is here! 

and pressure drop. They are re-chargeable, 

contain up to 107-lbs. of loose-fill 

sorbent (absorbent) media (coconut 

shell activated carbon and other sorbents) 

per 2000 cfm. Options include a 

Tel. 905-564-9422 Fax. 905-564-9436 www.taco-hvac.com 

TACO CANADA LTD. 6180 Ordan Drive, Mississauga, Ontario L5T 2B3 

two-inch deep pre-filter or downstream 



Faucets & Fixtures 

Roman tub trim 

The Moen Castleby Collection features the 

Roman tub trim deck mount group, 

including two-handle faucet and diverter 

hand shower, in antique styling. Finishes 

are chrome, Chrome-LifeShine with polished 

brass accents, chrome-porcelain handled, 

LifeShine polished brass and 

LifeShine satin with polished brass accents. 

Moen Inc. Circle no. 343 

Roman tub trim 

The four-hole Botanical Roman tub trim 

for baths is designed to highlight the 

Statice faucet. This unit features an elongated 

spout, Botanical or Neo Style handles 

with unique accents in red, orange, 

blue, green, chrome and faux porcelain 

or polished brass, chrome, and chrome 

with Brilliance polished brass finishes. 

Delta Faucet Canada Circle no. 344 

Towel warmer 

The Myson SEO70 plug-in electric 

Classic Towel Warmer features unique 

180-degree swing-away design and 

European contemporary styling. It 

plugs into a 120 volt outlet for very low 

power consumption. It is available in 

gloss white or chrome-plated finishes. 

Myson Inc. Circle no. 345 

Shower panel 

The HydroGuard e700 

bath and shower valve is 

featured on Powers’ 

HydroPanel line of modular 

stainless steel surfacemounted 

shower systems 

to meet the ASSE 1016- 

Type T/P for full protection 

against temperature and pressure 

changes and a 5°F approach temperature. 

The panels have interlocking 

shroud extensions and a five-year warranty. 

Powers Div. Watts. Circle no. 346 

Hand dryer 

The Jet Towel high-speed hand dryer 

features dual arc-shaped nozzles that 

provide jet airflow at 90 metres per second. 

This blows water off the hands in 

the drying cavity to quickly dry them 

(in 5-12 seconds). 

Operating 

cost is less 

than with conventional 

hand 

dryers, the 

manufacturer 

reports. These 

units are available 

in wall-hung or floor stand models. 

Mitsubishi Electric Circle no. 347 

Bath accessories 

New accessories in the Catalina faucet 

suite include double and single towel 

bars, robe and towel 

hooks and a paper 

holder. The bath 

and kitchen faucets 

feature decorative 

arc styling, faceted 

conical hub and 

lever handles in a 

variety of fixed and 

pull-out configurations 

and finishes. A bathroom pull-out 

and Twist Spray is also available. 

Price Pfister Circle no. 348 

Pullout faucet 

The Elkay LK7322 kitchen faucet with 

LGR3322 sink features a compact pullout 

spray head in a 15-inch high arc 

design with 

a 7.5-inch 

reach and 

single-control 

lever in 

solid castbrass 

construction 

with a ceramic disc cartridge. 

Finishes are chrome, brushed nickel and 

brushed chrome. 

Elkay Canada Circle no. 349 

New fittings line 

Sierra is a commercial faucet line with 

Temp-Gard and Temp-Gard II pressure 

balancing tub and shower valves, the 

latter with ceramic operation. AquaSpec 

S i e r r a 

faucets are 

available in 

polished 

chrome, 

offering 

four-inch 

centresets, single-control handles, a 

five-inch integral spout, ceramic disc 

cartridge, and temperature limit stop. 

Zurn Circle no. 350 

Canadiana bath line 

The Grohe Seabury in Canadiana 

styling is a new line of bath faucets and 

trim featuring distinctive spout design 

and detailing of its cross and lever 

Victorian handles, which attach to decorative 

flanges with ceramic cartridges. 

Finishes are chrome, chrome and satin 

nickel with polished brass accents. 

Grohe Canada Circle no. 351 



THAT NEW CAR SMELL WILL BE SHORT-LIVED. 

2005 DODGE RAM HEAVY DUTY. Hard work stinks. But a Dodge 

Ram Heavy Duty Pickup with the 5.9L High-Output Cummins ® 600 

Turbo Diesel I-6 with the most available diesel torque in its class, † 

gives you maximum towing (up to 7394 kg [16,300 lb]),* which 

is more than enough power to ensure that any job is no sweat. 

For more information, including complete warranty details, 

pull up fleet.daimlerchrysler.ca, contact your DaimlerChrysler 

Canada Fleet dealer or call 1-800-463-3600. 

† 

Best-in-Class/Largest-in-Class claims based on 2004 model year competitive 

information available at time of printing. *When properly equipped. Cummins is a 

registered trademark of Cummins Engine Company, Inc. 


Trucks for the Trade 

Steady refinement 

Manufacturers fine-tune their full-sized van offerings for 2005 


High fuel prices and higher insurance 

rates have made many contractors 

take a hard look at the 

type of trucks they use. 

And while changes in full-sized vans 

from one model year to the next tend to 

be evolutionary rather than revolutionary, 

the manufacturers are offering different 

versions and numerous options 

to help the contractor tailor his truck to 

his work requirements. At the same 

time, modern engine technology and 

The Ford E-Series started it all back in 1960. It 

remains popular. 

computer controlled engine management 

systems are bringing better fuel 

economy numbers. 

Dodge (Daimler Chrysler) 

The Dodge division of Daimler 

Chrysler made a huge leap when it 

replaced its long-established full-sized 

van with the European-designed 

Sprinter van for 2004. 

The company will expand the line in 

2005 with a cab/chassis unit. 

The cab/chassis was introduced 

a year ago in the U.S. 

market, which allowed body 

constructors to get a jump on 

the Canadian launch, reported 

Scott Vader, vice president 

and general manager of 

Unicell, a Toronto-based 

builder of fiberglass bodies. 

The Sprinter is available in 

118, 140 and 158” wheelbases 

with payloads up to 9990 lbs. 

(4531 kg). Power is provided 

Custom bodies are already available for the new Dodge Sprinter cab/chassis unit. 

by a 154 hp 2.7 litre turbocharged 

diesel operating 

through a five-speed automatic 

transmission. 

Features include a sliding side door 

and rear doors with 270-degree hinges. 

Near vertical walls allow easy installation 

of shelving. 

The Sprinter is available in cargo 

van, crew van (with additional threeperson 

bench seat), window van and 

cab/chassis models. 

These are premium-priced trucks – 

although not as expensive as one might 

think. Manufacturer’s suggested retail 

price on the standard 118” model is 

$38,180 or $40,585 for the high-roof 

version. Add a few thousand for longer 

wheelbase models. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




Trucks 

Ford 

The Ford E-Series vans – the vehicle 

that revolutionized the industry when 

it was launched as the Econoline in 

1960 as a 1961 model – continue to 

evolve. Ford isn’t making major 

changes for 2005 to this successful platform, 

available in cargo van or cutaway 

cab/chassis units. 

Standard engines for the E-150 and 

E-250 vans are the 4.6 litre 225 hp 

Triton V-8. The E-350 features the hightorque 

5.4 litre Triton V-8. The cutaway 

versions are also available with the 6.8 

litre Triton V-10 or 6.0 litre Power 

Stroke turbocharged diesel. 

Standard side doors are a 60/40 

swing-out, with a sliding door available 

as a no-cost option. 

A full range of shelving, racks, bulkheads, 

ladder racks, etc. is available 

through Ford dealers. New for 2005, 

Ford’s QuietFlex rack and bin system 

uses composite materials to get rid of 

the rattles and squeaks inherent in 

some metal shelving systems. 

Chevrolet Astro models as ‘mid-size’ 

vans. Bigger than a mini-van, smaller 

that a full-sized van, these trucks have 

carved out a unique niche with 

Canadian contractors. 

As fuel prices increase and contractors 

take a hard look at all the stuff they 

carry around in their trucks, the trend 

does not appear to be slowing. 

Power is by the 190 hp Vortec V-6. 

Like other GM vans, both two-wheel 

and all-wheel drive versions are available. 

Contractors have more choices than 

ever these days. (We haven’t even got 

into pickups.) It is easier today to optimize 

the right truck for the job. And if 

there’s a message, it is that a contractor 

should periodically re-evaluate what he 

really needs from his truck(s) and 

determine if his current vehicles are 

best suited to the work. 

Manufacturers can provide their cargo vans fully outfitted. (GM photo) 

General Motors 

The Chevrolet and GMC divisions of 

General Motors offer contractors more 

options in vans than any other big-three 

manufacturer. 

While the GMC Savannah and Chevy 

Express full-sized vans are probably the 

most widely used vans by Canada’s 

plumbing and HVACR contractors – 

according to P&HVAC surveys, the 

smaller GM Astro/Safari van also has a 

strong following. 

The Express/Savana models for 2005 

feature quieter running engines thanks 

to redesigned induction (engine air 

intake) systems with mass airflow sensors. 

A new air cleaner design offers 

double the life of the previous version 

for reduced maintenance costs. (Given 

the cost of some air cleaners these days, 

that may be more significant than it 

sounds!) 

Engine options include a 200 hp 

Vortec 4300 V-6, 275 hp Vortec 4800 V- 

8, a 285 hp Vortec 5300 V-8 or a 300 hp 

Vortec 6000 V-8. 

There are two automatic transmission 

options, both of which include 

GM’s unique tow/haul mode. It reduces 

the frequency of shifts and improves the 

predictability of shifting when heavily 

loaded. The 1500 series is available with 

all-wheel drive. 

As in the past, cargo vans are available 

in 1/2, 3/4 and one-ton versions in 

two wheelbases: 135 and 155 inch. 

Cutaway cab/chassis units are available 

in 135, 159 and 177 inch versions. 

Smaller vans 

GM refers to its GMC Safari and 

Is your vehicle saying the wrong thing about your business? 

GM Fleet vehicles will always say the right thing. Each and every one comes with GM’s legendary 

quality and reliability. They’re backed by the largest network of dealerships and service centres in 

Canada. And with the widest selection of vehicles in Canada, we’re certain to have the vehicle that’s right 

for your business. Need we say more? If so, please visit fleet.gmcanada.com or call 1-800-866-0313. 

The Chevrolet Express line features 

quieter engines for 2005. 

The new Business Choice progam can help cover most or all of the.cost of 

upfitting your new trucks. Visit gmfleet.com or ask your dealer for details. 


Tools & Instruments 

Jetter nozzle 

The Ridgid Root Ranger 3000 jetter 

nozzle clears tough grease, sludge buildup, 

mud and tree-root obstructions. 

Designed for the KJ-3000 and other jetters, 

it features a rear facing jet producing 

a 3000 psi stream of high pressure 

water, attaches to a 3/8-inch hose with a 

1/4-inch NPT threaded connection, or 

other sizes with adapters. 

Ridge Tool Co. Circle no. 355 

Clears ice blockages 

The Ice-Eater from Heidt Manufacturing 

is designed to quickly thaw 1/2 to 

4” metal or plastic lines up to 200 ft. 

from the 

main line. 

Operating 

on 110 volts, 

it uses a 

combination 

of hot water 

and compressed 

air to 

inject a jet 

stream of hot 

water into a 

frozen pipe which drills through the 

blockage. It uses five gallons of water 

and must be pressurized to 50-80 psi 

with a tire pump or small compressor. 

Heidt Manufacturing Circle no. 356 

Battery crimping tool 

The Ridgid 100-B is a battery–powered 

crimping tool for making pressed connections 

on 

copper and 

plastic (PEX) 

tubing up to 

one inch. 

This compact 

model for 

tight hardto-reach 

areas has 

smaller jaws, 

weighs 7.5- 

lbs., has a 90-degree swivel barrel and 

will join Types K, L or M wet tubing. 

Ridge Tool Co. Circle no. 357 

Cordless drills 

Three compact cordless drills, 12, 14.4 

and 18 volt models, feature 3/8 and 1/2- 

inch ratcheting single sleeve chucks, 

torque from 350 to 450 inch-pounds 

and two 

speeds of 

400 to 450 

and 1,400 

to 1,500 

rpm. These 

units come 

with a 

three-stage 

charger 

and weigh 3.9 to 5.2-lbs. 

DeWalt Ind’l Tool Circle no. 358 

Gas leak detector 

The Leakator Jr. combustible gas leak 

detector is hand-held, produces audible 

and visual alarms when gas is detected, 

and is classified 

(pending) for 

intrinsic safety 

in Class 1, 

Groups A,B,C 

and D hazardous 

locations. It 

comes with a 12- 

inch flexible 

probe, sensor, 

cloth case, batteries 

and two-year warranty. 

Bacharach Inc. Circle no. 359 

Emissions analyzer 

Series CA-6300 Compliance Protocol 

Emissions Analyzers (four models) provide 

complete results for combustion 

testing. Features include a built-in userguided 

CTM-34 test protocol, on-site 

report printing, a sample conditioner 

for hands-free continual water removal 

and field-replaceable sensors. 

TSI Inc. Circle no. 360 

IR thermometer 

MicroRay Pro portable infrared thermometers 

for HVAC applications will 

take laser pinpoint readings from a 

comfortable distance. This instrument 

identifies the measured surface area and 

measures temperatures from –5 to 

800°F. 

E Instruments Group Circle no. 361 



Tools & Instruments 

Powder-driven hammer 

The P1000 powder-actuated generalpurpose 

hammer-driven tool sets the 

load by a single powder-actuated 

hammer blow on the back end of the 

tool and sets the pin flush. The tool 

uses .22 calibre loads ranging from 

gray to yellow and can set .300 head 

or 8 mm head drive pins up to 3-in. 

in length. 

Powers Fasteners Inc. Circle no. 362 

Counter-flow probe 


Unbreakable knives 

There are many tools that are simple, useful and change very little over 

time. However, one manufacturer has found a way to dramatically upgrade 

the lowly utility knife. 

A new metal technology has allowed Irwin Industrial Tools to develop an 

ergonomic utility knife with blades that are virtually unbreakable and stay 

sharp three times as long as conventional carbon steel blades. 

“Professional trades often have to deal with blades that often break, 

become dull too quickly and knife designs that are awkward and not easy to 

use,” comments Craig Baxter, vice president sales, Irwin Industrial Tool Co. 

This new utility knife from Irwin features 

ergonomic design and virtually unbreakable 

blades. 

Canada, Mississauga, Ont. “We have addressed both problems with innovative bi-metal technology.” 

The Irwin Blue Blade uses a patented material that is developed by fusing a high-speed steel cutting edge to a 

spring steel backing. 

Each knife features a 19-degree cutting angle, inside storage for five blades and quick-change or blade reversal with 

the touch of a button. Opening the tool is not necessary. Slide mechanisms on ProTouch models are magnetized to 

help keep the blade in place. 

Irwin Tools Canada Circle no. 366 

The AP-57 probe locates leaks in 

enclosed, out-of-sight and confined 

spaces as an accessory to the H2000 leak 

detector. The operator activates a suitable 

counter-flow that minimizes the 

effect of the background. The unit emits 

a signal when the probe’s tip is near the 

leak. 

Sensitor Technologies Circle no. 363 

Multimeter 

The 87V digital multimeter features 

advanced circuitry to accurately measure 

voltage and frequency on adjustable 

speed drives, has a built-in thermometer, 

large display digits, bright white 

backlight and magnetic hanger. It is 

rated for 600 volt category IV and 1000 

volt category III applications and will 

withstand an 8 kv spike. 

Fluke Electronics Canada Circle no. 364 

Quick pipe thawing 

The Hot Shot 300 thaws metallic pipes 

in minutes with 325 amps of power. It 

We’ll go to any lengths to 

listen to our customers. 

At 40 db, NTI’s Trinity wall-mounted condensing gas boiler 

is so quiet; we were able to hear customer requests from 

far and wide. 

You asked for it: a quiet and powerful boiler that is more 

compact and service-friendly.You got it: a 35% smaller unit 

with easily-accessible components for maintenance ease. 

All that, and the Trinity is still whisper-quiet. But don’t forget 

its other astounding features. Like 92% seasonal efficiency, 

plastic venting up to 105 feet, 5.5 GPM of domestic hot 

water; all stainless boiler construction, outdoor reset and 

modulating combustion. At just 80lbs, it a little package of 

pure heating power. 

can thaw up to 100 feet of 1-1/2-inch 

pipe by attaching clamps to the frozen 

pipe section and plugging the Hot Shot 

Don’t hear it for yourself. 

into a 115-volt receptacle. The compact 

www.nythermal.com or 

unit has a heavy gauge steel case, a 20- 

amp circuit breaker, thermal overload 

1-800-688-2575 

protection and carries a two-year 

NY THERMAL INC. 

warranty. 

General Wire Spring Circle no. 365 



Western Update 

MCAC members adapt to 

MasterFormat changes 

SASKATOON – Members of the 

Mechanical Contractors Association 

of Canada (MCAC) are nothing 

if not pragmatic. In fact the group’s 

motto could be: ‘If at first you don’t succeed, 

try something else.’ 

Outgoing chairman Mel Prowse 

reminded members that only a year ago 

he had assured them that the mechanical 

component of a construction project 

would remain under one division in 

the MasterFormat – the code that determines 

who does what on a construction 

project. 

Well, that didn’t pan out, he reported 

during the 2004 MCAC 63rd Annual 

National Conference held at the historic 

and beautiful Delta Bessborough Hotel 

in Saskatoon Sept. 22-25. The Construction 

Specifications Institute split 

the mechanical component among four 

divisions (As reported in P&HVAC, 

January, 2004). 

But MCAC has a new plan. The 

group has launched a task team to convince 

building owners and the engineering 

community to continue to tender 

the mechanical – four divisions or 

not – as one project. MCAC is also 

developing formal relationships with 

associations representing architects and 

consulting engineers to work through 

issues like the MasterFormat, said 

Prowse. 

Founding chairman of the Canadian 

Mechanical Contracting Education 

Foundation (CMCEF), Terry Murphy, 

was honoured for his work over the past 

ten years that saw CMCEF grow from 

an idea to a self-funded organization 

that offers middle management courses 

across the country and holds an annual 

education conference. 

The group is also creating student 

chapters to help draw young people into 

the industry. Pilot projects are slated for 

Toronto and Hamilton, noted Murphy. 

Former Prime Minister Joe Clark 

opened the conference and received a 

standing ovation after telling delegates 

that Canada must re-claim its leading 

position in world affairs by focusing on 

its strengths. 

Canada “fights above its weight” in 

international issues because it maintains 

a friendship with the U.S. while, at 

the same time, operating independently 

on foreign issues, reported Clark, who 

served as minister of foreign affairs 

under Brian Mulroney. 

Tom Vincent (Sayers & Associates, 

Dartmouth, N.S.) was elected chairman. 

James Derksen (Derksen Plumbing 

& Heating, Winnipeg) is chairman 

elect and vice chairman Western. Del 

Pauliuk (R.F. Contracting, Sault Ste. 

Marie, Ont.) was elected vice chairman 

Central. George White (ICS-State, 

Halifax) is vice chairman, Eastern and 

Mel Prowse moves to secretary/treasurer. 

Richard McKeagan remains president. 

Busy seminar schedule 

Education is always a key component of 

O 

MCAC conferences. This year was no 

exception, with a number of speakers 

on various issues. 

Computers have done little if anything 

to improve productivity in the 

workplace, reported Dr. Perry Daneshgari 

in a seminar titled Procurement 

THE RESIDENTIAL PANNING STANDARD FOR NORTH AMERICA! 

Chain Management. At best, research 

shows that computers have allowed productivity 

levels to remain constant as a 

THERMO-PAN is a high-quality sheet 

metal alternative for constructing 

result of, among other things, time wasted 

return air ducts. 

dealing with computer issues that 

could better be spent on core business. 

• No duct noise • Satisfied homeowners 

Daneshgari is founder of Motor 

• Excellent for open web trusses 

Consultants of America, which assists 

the auto industry in reducing internal 

waste, and an engineering management 

• Lightweight • Easy to install 

professor at the University of Michigan. 

• Four (4) precision pre-cut 

His talk largely focused on waste in 

material handling on job sites and the 

header sizes available 

way that tradesmen go about their 

• Will not sustain combustion 

work. He raised more than a few eyebrows 

with some of his observations. 

ICC LEGACY ICC LEGACY 

He noted, for example, that cell 

REPORT 95-41.01 REPORT 5398 

phones make today’s tradesmen more 

likely to phone someone when they run 

into a problem. As a result, they are losing 

the ability to figure out things on 

PRODUCT ORDER # SIZE PC/BOX 

FIRE-RESISTANT 

THERMO-PAN 16048 16" X 47.5" 25 

their own – and this is costing time. 

THERMO-PAN 19048 19.5" X 47.5" 25 

THERM OPAN® 

THERMO-PAN 22048 22" X 47.5" 25 

John Brennan, vice president of 

THERMO-PAN 24048 24" X 47.5" 25 

Look for these ETL® test values on every 

insurance broker Aon Reed Stenhouse 

THERMO-PAN 32036 32" X 35.5" 25 

piece of Fire-Resistant Thermo-Pan® 

Inc., London, Ont., told the audience 

Flame Spread Index 25 

that insurance premiums have likely 

PRODUCT ORDER # SIZE PC/BOX 

Smoke Index 5 

peaked and that competition among 

STANDARD HEADER 16012 16" X 12" 250 

CLASS 1 FIRE RATING 

insurance companies is likely to start 

STANDARD HEADER 16016 16" X 16" 250 25 PC/PKG 

pushing rates down. 

I-JOIST HEADER 16017 16" X 17" 250 

FOR THE 

Fire-Resistant Product ORDER # SIZE PC/BOX 

CONTRACTOR 

He also noted that insurance contracts 

I-JOIST HEADER 16019 19" X 16" 250 

THERMO-PAN 16050 16" x 47.5" 25 

are becoming much more specific about 

Excellent for soffits and tub enclosures 

what they cover and suggested that contractors 

25 PC/PKG Fire-Resistant Product ORDER # SIZE PC/BOX 

consult an insurance adviser to 

FOR THE 

STANDARD HEADER 16013 16" x 12" 250 

CONTRACTOR 

make sure they actually have the coverage 

they need. (Brennan smoked the 

STANDARD HEADER 16015 16" x 16" 250 

I-JOIST HEADER 16018 16" x 17" 250 

I-JOIST HEADER 16020 19" x 16" 250 

competition in the John Bradshaw 

Memorial Golf Tournament at the Willows 

Golf & Country Club with a 67.) 

Precision 

Coverage for mould would be helpful, 

if contractors could get it, reported 

Die Cut and Scored THERM OCONNECTORSTM 

Custom Connect Your Thermo-Pan 

THERMO-HEADERS 

Bruce Stewart, senior vice president, 

• Save time • Add rigidity 

are ideal for I-JOIST 

Pinchin Environmental, Mississauga, 

ORDER # SIZE PC/BOX 

Ont. “In many cases, insurance will not 

CONSTRUCTION. 

16348 16" 500 

cover mould damage… it would be better 

if the building caught fire…” he 

4 OTHER SIZES AVAILABLE! 

VISIT US AT 

reported, only half-jokingly. 

THERMO MANUFACTURING INC. 

The next MCAC conference will take 

CANTON, OHIO / TOLL FREE PHONE 888-678-3709 TOLL FREE FAX 888-678-8711 AHR EXPO / BOOTH 3963 

place at the Delta Prince Edward Island 

www.THERMOPAN.com 

in Charlottetown Sept. 14-17, 2005. 



THERM PAN® 

PATENTED USA AND CANADA

Atlantic Focus 

Voisey’s Bay project 

moving ahead quickly 

By Ron Shuker 

Some of Canada’s mechanical contractors 

will find themselves busy 

as Newfoundland’s Voisey’s Bay 

nickel mine and refining plant project 

gets underway ahead of schedule. 

Announcements are pending on 

the remaining procurement packages 

for the ore processing project in 

Argentia, Newfoundland. Those 43 

tenders were to close between 

October and January. 

Olympic Construction Co. of St. 

John’s, Nfld., in October, was the latest 

of 19 companies to be awarded contracts. 

Olympic will provide mechanical 

and electrical non-process systems 

and interior architectural work for the 

pilot demonstration refining plant 

buildings at Argentia. 

Early in 2004, Adam Clark of 

Brantford, Ont. was awarded the contract 

for mill site mechanical, piping, 

electrical and instrumentation and 

architectural finishes for the concentrator 

and support buildings at the 

Voisey’s Bay mill site in Labrador. 

The mill site concentrator, support 

buildings and port facilities, along with 

the pilot hydrometallurgical plant in 

Placentia Bay at Argentia, are scheduled 

to be in operation by November 

2005, reported Bob Carter, spokesman 

for Voisey’s Bay Nickel Co., a subsidiary 

of Inco Ltd. 

That is six months ahead of the original 

schedule for the initial $1.9 billion 

project. The commercial refinery at 

Argentia could add a further $1 billion 

by 2011. The total project is expected to 

have a 30-year life span and an $11 billion 

impact on the provincial economy. 

During September, there were 1,352 

workers on the mill-concentrator-port 

projects at Voisey’s Bay and just 101 

on-site at Argentia. That number will 

rise sharply as new contracts are let for 

the pilot hydrometallurgical plant or 

refinery there. 

A permanent multi-story accommodation 

building designed to house 350 

workers was up in August with interior 

work still to be completed. Commissioning 

of the facilities could begin as 

early as next August, Phil du Toit, managing 

director of Voisey’s Bay Nickel 

Co., has predicted. 

Details of the project can be seen at 

www.vbnc.ca. 

N.B. eyes 

energy 

efficiency 

plan 

The Biggest Breakthrough In 

Ventilation Since..... Fresh Air..... 

Energy Recovery Ventilators 

Affective, Efficient Ventilation Made Easy 

The New Brunswick Department of 

Energy has published a proposal for 

dealing with the province’s increasing 

energy demand. 

Like Quebec, New Brunswick relies 

very heavily on electricity for residential 

and commercial heating. The province 

expects to need new supplies for electricity 

if it can’t curb the ever-growing 

consumption within the next five years. 

This became evident last winter when 

the province experienced record peak 

demand, reports the White Paper on an 

Energy Efficient System for New 

Brunswick. NB Power expects the peak 

to surpass supply by 120 megawatts by 

2007 and 190 MW by 2011. 

One proposal is to reduce demand 

through improving lighting and ventilation 

systems in commercial and institutional 

buildings and requiring more 

Mounts to furnace (AC) return ductwork 

efficient construction and improved 

Has only two duct connections 

appliances in homes, along with more 

(The other two connections are out the back 

energy efficient processes in industry. 

The province is considering a wideranging 

demand-side management pro- 

Integrated auto proportional runtime control 

directly into the RA duct) 

gram (DSM) to deal with these issues. 

The white paper suggests creating an 

No condensate drains needed 

energy efficiency agency, separate from 

Uses world famous Mitsubishi Electric Lossnay core 

the electrical utilities, which would 

manage energy efficiency programs and 

70 and 130 CFM models available 

goals. The concept is based on an ‘energy 

efficiency utility’ established in 

Vermont. Funded by the utilities, it 

would deliver a range of education programs, 

promotion and incentives. 

The performance of the energy efficiency 

agency would be monitored by 

the Public Utilities Board to ensure that 

it is fulfilling its mandate. 

1 2 13 

The government will hold public and 

industry consultations on the white 

Ph.905-475-8989 Fax. 905-475-5231 

paper. However, its timeline is short as it 

Mitsubishi Electric Sales Canada Inc. 

hopes to start implementing the energy 

4299 14th Avenue, Markham, Ontario L3R OJ2 

efficiency program in 2005. 

www.mitsubishielectric.ca 

The full report can be downloaded at 

www.gnb.ca/0085/index-e.asp. 



People & Places 

Ontor Ltd., Toronto, established 56 years 

ago, has achieved ISO 9001:2000 quality 

certification. Celebrating the milestone 

are, from left, Barry Elder, John 

Hill, Alan Wilson, Robert Elder, 

President, Grant Holtby, and Cameo Gill. 

Companies 

B.A. Robinson Co. Ltd., Winnipeg, 

has announced the opening of a new 

BCP Express branch of B.C. Plumbing 

Supplies and Elegant Bath Gallery 

luxury plumbing showroom at 7975 

Enterprise St. in Burnaby, B.C. 

Don Park Inc., Don Mills, Ont., has 

NEW! 

purchased Munro Metal Products 

Ltd. of Hamilton, Ont. The company, 

celebrating its 80th year, will continue 

to operate under the Munro name with 

Tim Blake as branch manager. 

Atofina Canada Inc., Oakville, Ont., has 

changed its name to Arkema Canada Inc. 

Parker Hannifin Corp., Cleveland, 

Ohio, has acquired Sporlan Valve Co., 

Washington, Missouri. 

Palser Enterprises Ltd. marked its 

50th anniversary with a golf tournament 

at the Forest City Golf Club Sept. 

27, reports Stu Liddell. 

Total Trade Plumbing Supply, 

Markham, Ont. opened new branches 

in Oakville and St. Catharines during 

October and announced it will distribute 

Toto plumbing products in Ontario. 

Danfoss Canada, Mississauga, Ont., 

has appointed Trane Central Ontario a 

Get The Full Range Of 

Emergency Shower Valve Protection 

ANSI Z358.1-1998 compliant 

Thermostatic Water Mixing Valves 

for Emergency Showers 

Leonard Valve Company produces 

the world’s most complete line of 

thermostatic mixing valves for 

emergency eyewash, eye/face 

wash, drench and combination 

showers. The new TM-5100 

model, thermostatic mixing 

valve, provides tepid water up 

to 126 GPM (477 1/min) and 

includes an integral cold water 

by pass, locked temperature 

adjustment set for 85°F, integral 

hot and cold supply 

checkstops, outlet dial thermometer and wall 

support, all factory assembled and tested. 

1360 Elmwood Avenue, Cranston, RI 02910, 888-797-4456, Fax 401-941-5310 

www.leonardvalve.com info@leonardvalve.com 


stocking wholesaler for Danfoss refrigeration 

and air conditioning products 

at Mississauga and Scarborough. 

Selkirk Canada Corp., Stoney Creek, 

Ont., has acquired Energy Vent Ltd., 

also of Stoney Creek, which will remain a 

separate entity as Energy Vent Corp. 

Honeywell Ltd., Minneapolis, Minnesota, 

has acquired Aube Technologies 

Inc., Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. 

People 

Adrian Trotman has been 

appointed president and 

general manager of Carrier 

Dennis Moyer 

Canada, Mississauga, Ont. 

He will take over on Jan. 1 

from Dennis Moyer, who is 

retiring after 36 years. 

Dianne Wickenden has 

been named HRAC-Manitoba regional 

manager by the Heating, 

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning 

Institute of Canada. Liz Tarczy, 

HRAI’s longest serving employee, is 

retiring after 27 years. 

Refrigeration Service Engineers 

Society International (RSES), Des 

Plaines, Ill., has elected Ronald J. 

McCarthy, CM, St. John’s, Nfld., as 

international vice president for 2004- 

2005. D. Brian Baker, CMS, Winnipeg, 

Manitoba, was re-elected as Region 16 

Director for western Canada. 

Bradford White Corp., Ambler, 

Pennsylvania, has appointed 

Harold D. Hoover vice 

president-manufacturing 

and Michael P. Reid vice 

president-materials. 

Schneider Electric Canada Ltd., 

Toronto, Ont., has appointed David 

Fraser vice president sales and channel 

management-Canada. 

Colin Haden has been 

named director of marketing, 

industrial products, for 

Colin Haden 

Adrian Trotman 

Harold Hoover 

BOC Canada, Mississauga, 

Ont. 

In Memoriam 

ARTHUR H. NEAL 

Art Neal died Oct. 8 at age 85. He was 

a past president of the chamber of commerce, 

the Boys Club, Ontario Region 

of the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & 

Heating, and the Niagara Falls Rotary 

Club. His wife Joyce (Tiny) predeceased 

him in 2001. He leaves two sisters, his 

daughter Janet and son David and families, 

six grandchildren and eight great 

grandchildren. 

ROGER DESERRES 

Roger DeSerres of Omer deSerres Ltee 

died Oct. 8 at age 90. He was a past 

Canadian Institute of Plumbing & 

Heating National Chairman (1954-55), 

a past president of the Canadian 

Chamber of Commerce and of the 

Montreal Chamber of Commerce, and 

La Federation des oeuvres de charite 

canadienne francaise, and was with 

CIL, la Banque Nationale and La 

Presse. He leaves his wife Niquette, 

five children and families. 

RALPH SPENCER MACLEAN 

Ralph MacLean died Sept. 22 at age 

83 in London, Ont. The licensed 

plumber and electrician joined the 

RCAF in the Second World War. He 

flew over fifty-five missions as flight 

engineer with the Canadian Pathfinder 

Squadron and was awarded the 

Distinguished Flying Cross. He rejoined 

the industry at the end of the war with 

the Empire Brass Manufacturing Co. In 

1969 he became vice-president of the 

Supply Division of Emco in London, 

retiring in 1984 as senior vice president. 

He served as chairman of the 

Canadian Institute of Plumbing & 

Heating in 1977-78. He is survived by 

wife Clare, son Ian and family. 

REAL PERRAS 

Past national president of the Refrigeration 

Service Engineers Society of Canada 

in 1989-90, Real Perras, Brantford, 

Ont. died Aug. 23 from cancer. He was 

very active in the RSES Telephone City 

Chapter, the HRAC Brant-Haldemand- 

Norfolk Chapter, the ASHRAE Hamilton 

Chapter, the Knights of Columbus and 

the Brant Waterways Foundation. He 

established his own HVACR contracting 

business, Perras Mechanical Services 

Ltd., in 1988. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GEORGE TELFORD QUA 

George Qua died Sept. 7 at 

his home in Niagara Falls. 

Born May 17, 1933, 

George was Chairman of 

the Board and owner of 

Niagara Supply Group. He began work at 

the company in 1950 and joined fulltime 

in 1954. He accepted the position 

of president in 1968 and became chairman 

in 2003. He was an avid pilot and 

fisherman and enjoyed getting away to 

the cottage with family. “George will be 

forever remembered as a decent, kind 

and gentle soul, and a true gentleman,” 

reported son James. 




Coming Events 

ASHRAE/AHR Expo offers 

February Florida escape 

North America’s largest HVAC show 

will offer Canadian contractors an 

opportunity to escape the frigid depths 

of winter next February. 

AHR Expo 2005, along with the 

annual ASHRAE Technical Conference, 

will take place in Orlando, Florida. 

Over 1,500 companies have booked 

356,000 sq.ft. of exhibit space for the 

AHR Expo at the Orange County 

Convention Center Feb. 7-9. 

The event draws delegates and exhibitors 

from around the world. Last year’s 

event in Anaheim, Calif. drew over 100 exhibitors 

from Canada. The Heating, Refrigeration 

and Air Conditioning Institute 

of Canada is an honourary sponsor. 

Call (203) 221-9232, Email: info@ahrexpo.com, 

or visit www.ahrexpo.com for preregistration, 

hotel rooms and other info. 

The ASHRAE Technical Conference/Winter 

Meeting will feature 55 seminars, 

17 symposia, 19 open-discussion 

forums, two technical paper presentations, 

a poster session and a public session 

in Orlando Feb. 5-9, 2005. The sessions 

will be split between the 

Wyndham Palace Resort and the 

Orange County Convention Center. 

The American Society of Heating 

Refrigeration & Air conditioning Engineers, 

founded in 1894, will also feature 

sessions on refrigeration to mark 

the 100th anniversary of the American 

Society of Refrigerating Engineers. 

Register at www.ashrae.org/orlando or 

call (404) 636-8400. 

ISH Frankfurt 

The world’s leading international biennial 

trade fair for plumbing, heating, 

HVAC, controls and piping now attracts 

almost 25 per cent of its total attendance 

from abroad. 

ISH Frankfurt will take place March 

15-19 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. 

This year, renewable and fossil fuel 

energy technologies are a special focus. 

System solutions with solar, biogenic 

fuels, photovoltaic systems and fuel cells 

will all be featured. Messe Frankfurt 

Gmbh, expects 2,300 exhibitors in 2.7 

million sq. ft. of display space. 

Contact Nita Correra at the 

Canadian-German Chamber of Industry 

at (416) 598-3355, visit the ISH website 

at www.ish.messefrankfurt.com or 

e-mail info@messefrankfurt.com. 

Quebec show 

The biennial industry trade show for 

eastern Canada in Montreal will again 

feature products from all mechanical 

industry sectors including heating, air 

conditioning, refrigeration and plumbing. 

The last event in 2003 attracted 225 

exhibitors and 4,400 visitors. Mecanex- 

Climatex 2005 is scheduled for March 

23-24 at the Montreal Congress Centre. 

It is sponsored by the Canadian 

Institute of Plumbing & Heating 

(CIPH), the Association of Master Pipe 

Mechanics of Quebec (CMMTQ) and 

the corporation des entreprises de traitment 

de l’air et du froid (CETAF). 

Contact CIPH at (416) 695-0447 or 

1-888-275-2474 for more information. 

Calendar 

DEC. 1-3: Construct Canada, Metro 

Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, 

Ont. Contact: (416) 512-1215, ext. 

229, www.constructcanada.com. 

ahrexpo @aol.com, 

www.ahrexpo.com. 

FEB. 24-26: Pumper and Cleaner 

Environmental Expo, Gaylord Opryland 

Resort & Convention Centre, 

Nashville, Tenn. Contact (715) 257- 

7222 or go to www.pumpershow.com. 

Your Ultimate HVAC&R 

Search Engine 

Hundreds of Plumbing 

Solutions including: 

Hydronic, 

Baseboard & 

Radiant Heating, 

Boilers, 

Water Heating, 

Treatment, 

Piping, 

and more! 

MAR. 6-11: Canadian Construction Assoc. 

87th Annual Conference, Gran Melia 

Resort, Cancun, Mexico. Contact 

(613) 236-9455 or go to www. 

cca-acc.com. 

MAR. 23-24: MECANEX-CLIMATEX 2005, 

Congress Centre, Montreal, Que. 

Contact: CIPH, (416) 695-0447, 

Fax (416) 695-0450, e-mail: 

ciph@ciph.com, www.ciph.com. 

Co-sponsored by: 

Honorary sponsor: 

FREE Show Registration and Updated Information: 

www.ahrexpo.com 

APR. 6-8: Foothills Hydronics Conference, 

Mayfield Inn Conference & Trade 

Centre, Edmonton, Alta. Contact 

Mandy Foster, (780) 444-3929, 

mandy@pivotalevents.ca, 

www.hydronicsalberta.com. 

APR. 21-22: Great Lakes Hydronics 

Conference, Toronto. Contact Tova 

Davidson, (519) 836-6183, 

info@heatingedge.com, 

www.heatingedge.com. 

Where the HVAC&R and 

Plumbing Marketplaces Meet 

Over 1,400 

Exhibitors! 

FEBRUARY 7–9, 2005 

ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER 

North/South Complex • South Entrance 

ORLANDO, FLORIDA 

Endorsed by: 

AABC • ABMA • ACCA • AMCA • CABA CTI 

• GAMA • HARDI • IIAR • LONMARK 

MCAA • MSCA • NADCA • NAFA • NEBB 

RETA • RPA • RSES • SPIDA 

Produced and managed by: 

tel: (203) 221-9232 email: info@ahrexpo.com 

INTERNATIONAL AIR-CONDITIONING • HEATING • REFRIGERATING EXPOSITION 


www.plumbingandhvac.ca November/December 2004 – Plumbing & HVAC Product News 35 

®

Literature Showcase 

Following are some of the latest catalogues, manuals, 

software and product brochures from the industry’s 

leading manufacturers. To receive a copy, please circle 

the corresponding number on the Reader Service Card 

in this issue, fill out your contact information, and mail 

it or fax it to (416) 620-9790. Your requests will be 

forwarded to the appropriate companies. They, in turn, 

will send you the information. 

Boiler Control 263 

The Boiler Control 263 is an outdoor reset, setpoint 

and DHW control capable of controlling up to two 

on / off boilers or one modulating boiler. The 263 

provides either a 0 - 20 mA or 4 - 20 mA signal to 

the modulating boiler, and when operating two on / 

off boilers the 263 provides Equal Run Time 

Rotation. The control can also operate the primary 

system pump as well as the DHW pump or valve. 

The control also has sensor inputs for both a DHW 

sensor and an indoor air sensor. The indoor air sensor 

allows for indoor temperature feedback. 


Circle no. 155 

Universal hydronic reset control 

Tekmar’s Model 374 universal reset control is capable 

of controlling two mixing reset loops (variable 

speed pump injection or mixing valves), a DHW 

load, a setpoint load and two boiler stages. This control 

also features a built-in clock with a seven-day 

programmable setback schedule. The 374 can also 

be set up to operate with a tekmar boiler staging 

control for systems that have more than two boiler 

stages. 



Premium hand tools 

The Ridge Tool Company now offers a new line of 

premium hand tools designed specifically for the 

pipe working professional. The new competitively 

priced line includes: seven sizes of standard 

adjustable wrenches; three sizes of plumber’s wide 

mouth adjustable wrenches; five sizes of tongue and 

groove pliers; one each of slip joint pliers, wide jaw 

pliers, linesman pliers, long nose pliers, and a 6-in-1 

screwdriver. www.ridgid.com 

Ridge Tool Company 


Make Sure It’s Certified 

If it’s not certified, do you know what you’re getting? 

Copeland compressors undergo numerous improvements 

every year. So only Certified Copeland 

compressors can deliver the most energy-efficient, 

reliable operation every time. Look for the Certified 

Copeland nameplate with the official blue ribbon 

authentication to ensure you are getting a genuine 

Certified Copeland compressor. Contact (519) 756- 

6157 or go to www.copeland-corp.com 

Emerson Climate Technologies 


Test tools catalogue 

This new, full-colour catalogue features the compact 

Meterman XP Series digital multimeters, 10 new 

HVAC and electrical tools and a full line of benchtop 

Test and Measurement instruments, temperature 

and environmental tools, handheld component 

testers, electronic and specialty probes and 

accessories for electricians, electronic technicians, 

and environmental/HVAC technicians. Email 

info@metermantesttools.com or visit www.metermantesttools.com 

Meterman Test Tools 


New industrial catalogue 

Leonard Valve Co. has introduced an all-new 

Industrial Catalog which details the manufacturer’s 

water temperature control products designed for 

industrial and process applications. Selected models 

include washdown stations, hot and cold water thermostatic 

mixing valves, drench and emergency 

shower mixing valves, steam and water mixing 

valves, point-of-use mixing valves and wall-mounted 

shower systems. Leonard Valve has been a worldwide 

leader in water temperature control valves and 

systems since 1913. Call (888) 797-4456, Fax (401) 

941-5310, Email: info@leonardvalve.com. 

Leonard Valve Co. 


Steam humidifier 

The Elite Steam Humidifier for hydronic-heated 

homes is an investment that pays dividends for your 

customer every day. The GeneralAire Elite Steam 

humidifier was developed to provide a solution for 

dry winter air in homes heated with radiant heat or 

where other types of mechanical humidifiers just do 

not fit the application. Available in three installation 

options including a duct injection model, a direct 

room injection model for homes with no ductwork 

and – coming soon – a closet wall-mounted model 

for homes/offices with no ducts or basement. 

CGF Products 


Professional development courses 

Accubid offers a wide range of professional development 

courses for contractors. These are led by 

industry professionals who impart to the novice or 

experienced contractor the principles and techniques 

of estimating and project management. The 

five-day Level 100 estimating course is specifically 

designed to teach prospective estimators the concepts 

and methodologies of modern-day computerized 

estimating. You can take this course on its own 

or as part of Accubid’s three-course Computerized 

Estimating Certification program. Contact Accubid 

at 1-800-ACCUBID (222-8243). 

Accubid Systems 


ATMOSPHAIR 

COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL 

REFRIGERATION, AIR-CONDITIONING 

& HEATING 

795 Warden Avenue, 

Scarborough, Ontario, M1L 4C4 

COOLING PRODUCTS 

◗ Condensers 

• Shell & tube 

• Tube in tube 

◗ Condensing units 

• Air cooled 

• Water cooled 

◗ Packaged chillers 

• Air cooled 

• Water cooled 

• Outdoor 

• Remote condenser 

◗ Chiller vessels 

• 2-225 tons 

◗ Compressors 

• Hermetic screw 

• Open drive screw 

• Hermetic reciprocating 

• Open drive reciprocating 

◗ Custom coils 

• Chilled water 

• Glycol 

• Direct expansion 

PUMP PRODUCTS 

◗ Boiler feed pumps 

◗ Steam condensate pumps 

◗ Steam vacuum pumps 

◗ Circulating pumps1/4-200 HP 

• Close coupled 

• Base mount 

• Inline circulator 

• Double suction 

HEATING PRODUCTS 

◗ Thermostatic valves 

◗ Balancing valves 

◗ Steam specialties 

• Low pressure thermostatic 

traps 

• High pressure thermostatic 

traps 

• Float and thermostatic traps 

• Bucket traps 

Extra! Extra! Extra! 

◗ Radiation products 

• Walvector 

• Convector 

◗ Unit heaters 

• Steam or hot water 

• Horizontal 

• Vertical 

• Cabinet 

◗ Custom coils 

• Steam 

• Hot water 

Steam Specialties, Condensate/Boiler Feed Pumps . . . . . . .Stock to 2 Weeks 

Unit Heaters (Vertical, Horizontal, Cabinet or Gas type) . . . . .Stock to 2 Weeks 

Fan Coil Units and Air Handlers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Stock to 2 Weeks 

Packaged Chillers and Chiller / Condenser Vessels . . . . . . . . . . .1 to 9 Weeks 

Dunham-Bush Condenser Gkts & UC Defrost Heaters . . . . .Stock to 3 Weeks 

Heating/Cooling Coils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 to 4 Weeks 

◗ Vari-Vac® 

• Vacuum differential heating 

Control system 

Formerly Dunham-Bush Inc. 

Tel: (416) 751-7777 • Toll Free: 1-800-387-8059 

Fax: (416) 751-5637 or 757-1557 • Toll Free Fax: (888) 751-5637 

Formerly Dunham-Bush Inc. 



Mechanical Marketplace 

The bulletin board of products, services, 

professionals, employment opportunities and more 

for Canada’s Mechanical Contracting Industry. 

CTS Copper Companion 

Flange Adapter Kits 

A piece of cake! 

Sales Person 

Aggressive plumbing and drain service company needs a well 

spoken individual with a plumbing and drain cleaning background 

to help make our business grow. 

Call Greg or Stan 

Tel. 416-503-4444 Fax 416-503-1858 


Fabric Air Diffuser Systems 

INDUSTRIAL 

MAKEUP AIR 

FLOWCON Air Diffusers 

are being used as a 

highly effective system 

for dispersing and mixing 

outside makeup air and 

are reversible. 

Patron Products Inc, Scarborough, Ont. M1V 5G4 

1-800-361-5451 Fax: (416) 298-1412 


For all copper tube 

applications from 

1 1 /2” to 8” 

• Much easier to install. 

• Saves time on job. Email: sstanley@infinet.net 

• Saves MONEY. 

Tel: 604 983 3407 Fax: 604 983 3409 

At established wholesale plumbers everywhere. 


Our Advertisers 

Advertisers 

Page 

AHR Expo Int'l-Orlando 35 

Arkema Canada Inc. 15 

Astravan Distributors/Bosch 23 

Atmosphair C&I 36 

A. Y. McDonald Mfg 28 

Bradford White Canada 19 

CGF Products 15 

DaimlerChrysler 7,27 

Delta Faucet Canada 8 

DuPont Canada 9 

ECR Int'l, Olsen Div. 10 

Equifax 37 

Flexible Eutectic Boilers 22 

Fujitsu General America 30 

General Motors Canada 29 

Gordon R. Williams 5 

Grundfos Pumps Canada 26 

Honeywell, Genetron Div. 6 

Humber College, HVACR Div. 38 

Knaack Mfg 28 

Lennox Industries 3 

Leonard Valve 34 

Mag Tool 34,38 

Marathon International 20 

Mitsubishi Electric Sales 33 

Moen Inc. 2 

Mueller Flow Control 12 

NTI/N Y Thermal 31 

Oatey Canada 14 

Ontor Limited 18 

Redmond-Williams Dist. 24 

Ridge Tool Co./Ridgid 4 

Roberts Gordon 34 

Rogers Wireless 20 

Saniflo, a Group SFA Co. 21 

Superior Radiant Products 11 

Taco Canada 25 

tekmar Control Products 16,17 

Thermo Manufacturing 32 

Topog-E-Gasket 38 

Victaulic Co. Canada 11,13 

Weil McLain Canada 18 

Wirsbo Div. Uponor Canada 23 

Wolseley Canada 40 

Wolseley, HVACR Div. 39 

Mechanical Marketplace 37 

CTS, Patron Products, Roto Rooter. 

Literature Showcase: 36 



Shop Management 

Clearing the plate 

Effective leadership can be difficult 

when the boss just doesn’t have time 

By Ron Coleman 

‘At ypical 

project 

manager 

spends up to 70 percent 

of his time 

reacting to minor 

emergencies, correcting 

errors, tracking 

down answers to 

simple questions 

and explaining the obvious… Hardly a 

productive, or effective, use of a professional 

manager’s time.’ So says the 

Alliance Project Management Manual. 

How about you? Are you wasting 70 

per cent of your time? Are you in fact 

wasting 95 per cent of your time? When 

you have read this article you might be 

surprised at the answer. 

When a client asks me what’s the best 

thing they can do to improve the value 

of their business, I often shock them 

with my reply: “don’t show up; don’t go 

to work.” 

You see, most of us spend huge 

amounts of time, probably 50 per cent 

or more, doing exactly what the project 

manager is doing – dealing with trivia. 

We should have systems in place to 

reduce the amount of trivia and juniors 

for dealing with the rest of it. If you did 

this you could free up 20 hours a week 

or more. How can you do it? It takes a 

simple strategy and a lot of effort: 

Week one: (Do this each day) 

List what you are doing at every 

quarter hour for the week. 

For example: 

8:00 a.m. – drinking coffee 

8:15 a.m. – talking to receptionist 

8:30 a.m. – responding to phone 

query about project no. 123 

8:45 a.m. – talking to project manager 

about project no. 123 

Week two: 

Identify what is trivia and get rid of it 

to a junior. 

Identify what is 

a recurring item 

and put a system in 

place to make it 

routine. 

Identify where 

you are interfering 

(Why didn’t the 

project manager 

take that phone 

call instead of 

you?) and stop 

interfering. 

Week three: 

Develop a discipline 

of only doing 

activities that are 

critical to the company. 

Get out of 

the day-to-day operations – that’s no 

place for the owner/manager to be 

spending his or her time. 

If you didn’t go to work someone else 

would have to do those chores. So make 

a plan that you are not going to go to 

work in two months time and spend the 

interim developing systems and people 

to handle all those menial chores that 

you are wasting your time on. Once you 

have set your deadline you will be 

amazed at how focused you become. 

Reward yourself with a trip away in 

When a client asks me 

what’s the best thing 

they can do to improve 

the value of their 

business, I often shock 

them with my reply: 

“don’t show up; 

don’t go to work.” 

month two. 

So, now you have gotten rid of the 

trivia and you are an effective owner/ 

manager, right? Wrong! You see, you are 

probably only spending five per cent of 

your time in your true role – your leadership 

role… 

You can never retire or sell the business 

for what it 

should be worth if 

you continue to fill 

the role of 

owner/manager. 

There are thousands 

of competent 

managers out there 

who could manage 

the company as 

well as you, if only 

you could get to the 

next level. 

This is the secret 

to it all. The next 

level is leadership 

and that is where 

we should be 

spending all our 

time. That’s where 

the money is going to be made and 

that’s what will give you an exciting 

future. No more than five per cent of 

people become leaders, they are too 

busy managing the activities or doing 

the activities. 

If you don’t have a vision for your 

company who will? Who is thinking 

about what the company will look like 

in five years time? Who’s doing the 

activities it takes to ensure that the company 

will look like that vision? 

Having that vision and turning it 

into reality is not only rewarding personally, 

but also financially. One of my 

clients, a heating contractor, was doing 

$2 million in annual sales and making 

five per cent ($100,000) pretax profit 

after taking a salary of $75,000. At a valuation 

of four times annual earnings 

this put his company at a value of 

$400,000. He was part of the Heating, 

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning 

Contractors of Canada (HRAC) benchmark 

program that I do annually and 

he asked me why he was only in the 

middle of the pack? Why wasn’t he 

making 10 percent or better like the top 

25 per cent of the companies in the 

program? 

We developed a vision of his company 

doing $3,000,000 in sales at a 10 per 

cent pre tax profit. If this became a reality, 

his company would be worth 

$1,200,000 (four times $300,000). It 

took four years to get there. 

Once he focused on that vision he 

wouldn’t let go. Every day he asked himself 

the question: “what did I do today 

to make my vision a reality?” When he 

wasn’t satisfied with the answer he 

determined to be more disciplined the 

next day. 

He said it was tougher to stay the 

course than any diet he ever went on, 

particularly in the early stages, but it 

was the most exciting and rewarding 

time of his business career. 

Not only is the company worth an 

extra $800,000, but he now makes 

$300,000 annually instead of $100,000. 

Over the next six years the combined 

result will give him additional wealth of 

$2,000,000. I know he will lose some of 

that to income tax, but he will compensate 

for that by investing the additional 

earnings outside the company. Can you 

envision that for your business? 

Ronald Coleman is an accountant, 

business management consultant, author 

and educator specializing in the construction 

industry. He can be reached at 

rcoleman@coleman.bc.ca. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• TSSA Update Workshop 

• ODP Renewal 

the School of Applied Technology at Humber College 





/

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Get to know our Wolseley Mechanical team. 

Our Commitment is to create the right business atmosphere. 

Wolseley is a leading diversified global distributor of plumbing, heating, ventilation, hydronics, 

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INSIDE INSIDE - Plumbing & HVAC

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