March 2006 - Plumbing & HVAC

Pipes, Valves & FittingsGas BBQ outletThe Gas-Flo ABS or stainless steel allin-onefitting kit from Fairview Fittingsfeatures a simplePush-Connectconnection toquickly connectgas appliancessuch as barbecues.It is CSAapproved fornatural gas andpropane appliancesin indoor and outdoor applications.Fairview Fittings Circle no. 358Pressure reducing valvesBoshart PRV valves feature a factory-set50 psi regulating pressure, but are fieldadjustablewithin the spring range of 25to 75 psi. They are available in sizes of1/2, 3/4 and 1-inch FPT in twoseries. Featuresinclude a 20mesh integralstrainer (optional)and abuilt-in thermalexpansion bypass.They areapproved to ASSE, CSA, ANSI-NSFstandards.Boshart Industries Circle no. 359Crimp valvesApollo Sure-Press ball valves aredesigned for quick direct crimping tocopper pipe up to 200 psi, with endconnections forged as part of the brassvalve body. They feature blow out-proofWater heater shutoff valve averts disasterA new plumbing product drewconsiderable attention at NorthAmerica’s largest HVAC showrecently.Taco displayed its unique waterand gas safety (WAGS) valve at theJanuary’s AHR Expo in Chicago.Approved by CSA for use in Canadain 2005, the WAGS valve shuts offthe water and gas if a water heatersprings a leak. It is also designedfor use with electric water heaters(less the gas shutoff, of course).Operation and installation isstraightforward, reported PaulAlmberg, a licensed plumber inCranston, Rhode Island who inventedand spent 12 years developingthe device.A WAGS valve adds only a few minutesto the water heater installation.Multi-purpose valve kitWith 30 different pipe connectors,installers can adapt the Dahl-in-onevalve to straight, angle or dual outletA drip pan is installed under thewater heater. The WAGS valve isattached to the water source andthen to the water heater. If a leakoccurs, a water soluble disc in theWAGS valve dissolves when the drippan water level reaches 3/4”.It releases a powerful spring-loadedpiston that shuts off the water. Ingas-fired heaters, this action alsobreaks a fuse that shuts off the gassupply. The disc is designed so thatit won’t dissolve if accidentallysplashed.The technology was originallydeveloped for the British RoyalAirForce to inflate lifejackets automatically.It is reliable, totallymechanical and requires no additionalpower source, noted Almberg,now employed as training and tradeprogram manager for Taco.He notes that a number ofcontractors in Canada are alreadyusing it. Just about everybody has awater heater disaster story, so it’stypically a pretty easy upsell to thehomeowner.Available for four years in theU.S., one of the largest markets hasPaul Almberg displays his inventionat the AHR Expo.been condominium complexeswhere a water heater leak in oneunit can cause water damage inother units, he added.Taco Canada Ltd. Circle no. 364seam, adjustable stem packing and arerated to 210°F in sizes from 1/2 to twoinches.Conbraco Industries Circle no. 360Grooved flangeBolt ‘n Go, a new steel roll groovedflange by CTS, has a welded collar totake a roll grooved fitting for all RGcouplings, providing trouble-free andless costly installations. The flangecomes in sizes from 2" to 8" with aworking pressure of 450 psi, and in 300ports. The Mega Kit features 24 connectors,nine copper, eight PEX, 11 iron,eight Kitec and eight CPVC, each withvalves and tools and each pre-packed inits own compartment.Dahl Brothers Canada Circle no. 362Grooved couplingsShurjoint copper grooved couplings aredesigned for Type K, L, M and DWVcopper tubing. They are available fromangle pattern rigid to grooved copper Y-strainer (C726). The line includes agrooved copper reducing coupling andtransition coupling for direct connectionbetween grooved end IPS steel pipelb., and eliminates in–yard or on–site fittings or valves, and grooved end CTSmachining and fabrication.copper tubing.CTS Fabrication Circle no. 361 CCTF Corp. Circle no. 363Circle Number 133 for More Informationwww.plumbingandhvac.ca February/March 2006 – Plumbing & HVAC Product News 35