Industry News

Leading manufacturer of water heating and HVAC products supports 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance Rheem®, the Atlanta-based manufacturer of water heating and HVAC products, joined forces with 9/11 Day Meal Pack to honor the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance. “We are proud to support 9/11 Day and its mission to inspire the spirit of Read more

Leading manufacturer of water heating and HVAC products supports 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance

Rheem®, the Atlanta-based manufacturer of water heating and HVAC products, joined forces with 9/11 Day Meal Pack to honor the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance.

Rheem Employees assembling 9/11 Meal Packs.

“We are proud to support 9/11 Day and its mission to inspire the spirit of unity, service and shared humanity throughout the country and in our own backyard,” said Dipa Homer, executive vice president, global human resources and communications, Rheem. “The 9/11 Day Meal Pack Program provides our team the opportunity to honor those impacted by the events of 9/11, while also solidifying Rheem’s commitment to the Atlanta community by directly serving those at risk of hunger or struggling to feed their families.”

In partnership with 9/11 Day, Rheem employees volunteered for this Day of Service by packing meals for those at risk of hunger. The program works in partnership with local Feeding America-affiliated food banks, and other hunger relief organizations, to receive and distribute meals through its networks of pantries, faith groups, and schools. Volunteers from Rheem, and other companies across metro Atlanta, packed more than 200,000 meals yesterday.

Rheem is focused on creating a lasting legacy by encouraging employees to take part in its philanthropy program, Heart of Comfort® and supporting ongoing efforts, such as 9/11 Day Meal Pack.

Rheem CEO Chris Peel, Rheem EVP HR & Communications Dipa Homer, and Rheem SVP and GM Greg Miller.

This is the second year Rheem has honored the 9/11 anniversary and National Hunger Action Month by participating in 9/11 Day Meal Packs. The anniversary of 9/11 has become America’s largest day of service, recognized under federal law. The observance, widely known as “9/11 Day,” now engages more than 30 million Americans, many of whom participate by volunteering, donating to charities and performing other acts of service.

“The 9/11 Day observance and our Meal Pack events are only possible because of the generosity and support of organizations like Rheem and its employees,” said David Paine, president and co-founder, 9/11 Day.

For additional information on Rheem, visit www.rheem.com.

Provides Guidance on Selecting and Installing The Plastics Pipe Institute’s Building & Construction Division has published a major revision of PPI TN-55 “Plastic Piping Materials for Ground Source Geothermal Heating and Cooling Applications”. Originally issued in 2018, the latest edition of TN-55 was published in August 2024 with the input of industry experts including PPI Read more

Provides Guidance on Selecting and Installing

The Plastics Pipe Institute’s Building & Construction Division has published a major revision of PPI TN-55 “Plastic Piping Materials for Ground Source Geothermal Heating and Cooling Applications”. Originally issued in 2018, the latest edition of TN-55 was published in August 2024 with the input of industry experts including PPI members and the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA).

According to Lance MacNevin, P. Eng., director of engineering for PPI’s Building & Construction Division, “Because the piping material is critical to the overall success of the ground heat exchanger (GHX) in a geoexchange system, PPI TN-55 focuses on piping, fittings, and manifold materials. TN-55 lists the technical requirements for systems using HDPE, PEX, and PE-RT piping, plus requirements for PP pipes used as indoor piping, headers, and manifolds.”

A coil of PE4710 HDPE ground loop piping configured as a premanufactured U-bend assembly. Photo courtesy of Centennial Plastics.

The new technical note describes eight types of installation techniques, such as vertical boreholes, inclined or angled configurations, horizontal directional drilling (HDD), and energy piles, and discusses design topics, such as the effects of borehole depth on static water column pressure. It also addresses why oxygen diffusion barrier layers are typically not required for ground heat exchanger piping.

MacNevin continued, “The new TN-55 is intended to be a valuable resource on piping information, but this is just one of the latest tools available to specifiers and designers of geothermal heating and cooling systems. Details about pipe installation and pressure testing are found in PPI Model Specification MS-7, which published in 2023, and industry codes such as CSA/ANSI/IGSHPA C448 and the Uniform Mechanical Code.”

PPI is the non-profit North American trade association representing the plastic pipe industry, including several manufacturers of geothermal pipes, fittings, manifolds, and vaults. PPI formed its Geothermal Steering Committee in 2018 to develop industry publications, collaborate on codes, and create educational information about these systems.

A HDPE vault for connections of ground loop piping. Photo courtesy of PPI.

The revised PPI TN-55 is available directly from PPI at: www.plasticpipe.org/common/Uploaded files/Technical/TN-55.pdf

Additional information and data about ground source geothermal systems are available from the PPI Building & Construction Division at www.plasticpipe.org/buildingconstruction

Taco has announced the launch of its innovative Manager Development Program (MDP), a transformative global initiative designed to cultivate leadership and foster professional growth. Developed in partnership with DDI and DiSC, the program reflects Taco’s dedication to investing in the development and success of its people. “At Taco, our employees are at the heart of Read more

Taco has announced the launch of its innovative Manager Development Program (MDP), a transformative global initiative designed to cultivate leadership and foster professional growth. Developed in partnership with DDI and DiSC, the program reflects Taco’s dedication to investing in the development and success of its people.

“At Taco, our employees are at the heart of everything we do,” said Cheryl Merchant, CEO of Taco Family of Companies. “By nurturing our team’s talents and equipping them with essential tools, we not only unlock their full potential but also drive our collective success and growth as a global organization.”

The MDP is designed to meet the unique needs of managers while aligning with Taco’s strategic vision. With a focus on clarity and effective communication, the program ensures that content is accessible and actionable, thereby enhancing overall interactions and interpersonal skills.

“Taco is committed to advancing global employee development through cutting-edge programs and key alliances,” said Victoria McCoy, EVP of Global Human Resources at Taco. “Our collaboration with DDI and DiSC marks a significant shift from traditional learning and development practices to a more strategic approach that aligns with our organizational goals. Together, we’ve crafted a program that embodies Taco’s values, culture, and objectives, ensuring a unified leadership strategy worldwide,” concluded McCoy.

In essence, the MDP integrates modules that aim towards developing self, managing others and leading the organization. By providing a cohesive leadership framework across all regions, the program helps Taco forge meaningful connections and empowers its employees to reach new heights.

For additional information about the MDP or to explore career opportunities at Taco, please visit the Careers page at www.tacocomfort.com/careers.

Acquisition extends a long-term strategy for market growth and channel expansion. Atlanta—Rheem has announced its intent to acquire Nortek Global HVAC (NGH), a leading manufacturer of air conditioning products, from Madison Industries. NGH is based in O’Fallon, Missouri with manufacturing in Saltillo, Mexico, and a distribution center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. “Nortek Global HVAC has Read more

Acquisition extends a long-term strategy for market growth and channel expansion.
Atlanta—Rheem has announced its intent to acquire Nortek Global HVAC (NGH), a leading manufacturer of air conditioning products, from Madison Industries. NGH is based in O’Fallon, Missouri with manufacturing in Saltillo, Mexico, and a distribution center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.
Rheem, Nortek Global HVAC, HVAC, plumbing, heating and cooling, water heaters, heat pumps, water heating, hydronics“Nortek Global HVAC has a history of delivering market leading innovations going back over 100 years. Like Rheem, NGH has a collaborative culture with an unwavering commitment to the customer,” said Mike Branson, President Global Air at Rheem. “NGH has a remarkable team that brings unique products, operational capabilities, and market channels to complement Rheem’s expanding Air and Water businesses.”
Upon the close of the acquisition—which is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals—NGH will join Rheem’s Global Air division.

Pressure and Chlorine Ratings Revised Recent revisions led by the Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI) Building & Construction Division resulted in improvements to the latest edition of the ASTM Standard, F2389 Standard Specification for Pressure-Rated Polypropylene (PP) Piping Systems, which establishes requirements for polypropylene (PP-R and PP-RCT) piping system components including pipe, fittings, valves, and Read more

Pressure and Chlorine Ratings Revised

Recent revisions led by the Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI) Building & Construction Division resulted in improvements to the latest edition of the ASTM Standard, F2389 Standard Specification for Pressure-Rated Polypropylene (PP) Piping Systems, which establishes requirements for polypropylene (PP-R and PP-RCT) piping system components including pipe, fittings, valves, and manifolds. The standard applies to hydronic heating and cooling, chilled water, water service lines, hot-and-cold water distribution, irrigation systems, and other related fluid transport applications.

PP-R and PP-RCT pipes and fittings discussed in the recently updated ASTM Standard F2389-24a are available in diameters from 16 mm to 710 mm, also known as nominal diameters 3/8 to 28 inches. Photo courtesy of PPI.

Originally issued in 2004, revisions to the latest edition of the standard published in July 2024, F2389-24a, include:

  • Pressure-temperature ratings used for PP pressure pipe systems are clarified and harmonized by adding new definitions for “design stress” and “design coefficient” and then applying requirements for these factors in a new Section 5.6.1.
  • Oxidative stability (i.e., chlorine resistance) classifications are revised from CL-TD and CL-R to Classes 0, 1, 3, and 5 for consistency with other pressure pipe standards (e.g., ASTM F876).
  • Marking requirements are also revised.

According to Lance MacNevin, P. Eng., director of engineering for PPI’s Building & Construction Division, “As a result of these recent revisions, pressure ratings will be more consistent throughout the industry and classifications for resistance to hot chlorinated water will be consistent with other piping materials.”

MacNevin continued, “Polypropylene (PP) is a versatile piping material that is used in a wide range of applications. Two types of PP are used for pressure piping systems: PP-R (polypropylene random copolymer) and PP-RCT (polypropylene random copolymer with modified crystallinity and temperature resistance). With their high temperature and pressure capabilities, PP-R and PP-RCT pipes are suitable for demanding pressure piping applications, such as plumbing, hydronics, and chilled water in commercial high-rise buildings or data centers.”

PPI is the non-profit North American trade association representing the plastic pipe industry, including several manufacturers of PP pipes and fitting systems. PPI formed the Polypropylene Pressure Pipe Steering Committee in 2018 to collaborate on industry standards such as F2389, coordinate research programs, develop technical publications, and create educational information about these systems. The recent revisions to F2389 are the latest result of cooperation between PPI member firms, intended to help to grow this market in a technically correct and responsible manner.

The revised standard is available directly from ASTM at: www.astm.org/f2389-24a.html.

Additional information and data about the use and installation of PP is available from the PPI Building & Construction Division at www.plasticpipe.org/buildingconstruction.