We’re auctioning a Water pump gauge which was part of original plumbing installation of the Empire State Building c. 1930. The item will go live at 23:30 GMT (NYC 18:30 EST) on Sunday 21st February on a 7 day ebay auction. Search ebay after that date to view or bid. Coming to market from its Read more
Industry News
We’re auctioning a Water pump gauge which was part of original plumbing installation of the Empire State Building c. 1930.
The item will go live at 23:30 GMT (NYC 18:30 EST) on Sunday 21st February on a 7 day ebay auction. Search ebay after that date to view or bid.
Coming to market from its private owner Mr Brian Purcell, who was foreman on the 1980’s plumbing refit of water pump room
in the Empire State Building. Brian received the gauge from the Engineering Dept. as a memento. The Gauge was from Pump No. 5 which used to pump water to the very top floor of the building.
Brian Purcell was an Irish Imigrant at that time and now runs his own plumbing company back in Ireland. Remembering his time working in the Empire State, it was a huge undertaking to take out 5 of the old pumps to install 6 new.
Photographs of Brian’s time show the old pump (top right) and new installation nearing completion.
The original installation of the gauge was there from the inception of the building and lasted surprisingly long gathering a wonderful patina, which greatly adds to its character. Early in its lifetime it was crudely painted with a drab green paint over the blackened brass, presumably to make it more visible. This same olive drab paint can be seen on parts of the old pump in the photo. The 800 pounds per square inch rating of the pump gives some idea of the loads involved to push the water to the top floor.
Reflecting back on the installation: “Transferring from old pump to new, there was a slight hiccup in almost letting the building run out of water!
The electrics failed on the new pump, so urgently we had to revert back to the old pump for a while. The possible problems from running out of water were incomprehensible, unlike a domestic system.”
Brian can be contacted directly should you wish an interview and higher resolution versions of the images are available here:
Greenheck is proud to announce that Tim Kilgore, president of sales and marketing, has been appointed as the 2015-2016 president of The Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International, Inc. Board of Directors. AMCA is a global association of HVAC equipment manufacturers. Kilgore said, “I am proud to serve AMCA and its members in its Read more
Greenheck is proud to announce that Tim Kilgore, president of sales and marketing, has been appointed as the 2015-2016 president of The Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International, Inc. Board of Directors. AMCA is a global association of HVAC equipment manufacturers.
Kilgore said, “I am proud to serve AMCA and its members in its 99th year – a time of profound and exciting industry change and challenge. AMCA’s mission is to promote the health, growth and integrity of the air systems industry. Despite all that is changing, this mission remains the foundation for all that we do.”
Kilgore holds a bachelor’s in industrial engineering from Purdue and an MBA from Marquette. He is also an active volunteer in the Wausau community, where he has served as president of the Rotary Club and chairman of the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk. He was also formerly vice president of the Wausau Entrepreneurial and Education Center. Kilgore has held positions on the boards of the United Way of Marathon County, the North Central Technical College Foundation and the Wausau Youth Hockey Association.
Magna Industries, Inc., best known for the iconic Mag-Torch brand hand torches, has kicked off the new year with the acquisition of Cleveland-based Superior Tool Co. Founded in 1947, Superior Tool is a leading manufacturer and distributor of innovative, professional-quality plumbing hand tools designed to make jobs faster and easier. “Along with Mag-Torch, Magna offers Read more
Magna Industries, Inc., best known for the iconic Mag-Torch brand hand torches, has kicked off the new year with the acquisition of Cleveland-based Superior Tool Co. Founded in 1947, Superior Tool is a leading manufacturer and distributor of innovative, professional-quality plumbing hand tools designed to make jobs faster and easier.
“Along with Mag-Torch, Magna offers a diversified product lineup for the consumer and professional markets,” according to Todd Whited, of Magna Industries. “Our products, as well as Superior Tool’s, are widely available through big-box retailers including Home Depot, Lowe’s and Menard’s, through Ace, True Value, Do-it-Best, Orgill and other fine hardware stores, as well as through industrial distributors such as Grainger and Interline Brands. Our product lines are highly complimentary and together, we expand Magna’s total offering to over 350 active SKUs.”
Magna is currently the leading torch supplier for co-op retailers, hardware distributors and automotive aftermarket retailers throughout North America. Lines include traditional and self-lighting propane torches & kits, MAP/Pro torches & kits, specialty torches, butane torches & kits, soldering irons, guns and supplies and accessories. Also at retail, the Sand & Kleen “Dustless Drywall Sanding Systems” and drywall tools.
“This exciting new relationship will allow Superior Tool access to expanded markets and provide a continuing flow of innovative new products for current and future customers,” observes Jeff White, of Superior Tool. “The combined management expertise will certainly elevate our ability to deliver a positive customer experience across all our B2B and consumer audiences.”
Superior Tool’s history of product innovation and corporate responsibility has powered the company’s growth to include an enormous range of tubing tools, wrenches & pliers, PVC tools, pipe tools and specialty tools for faucet, tub & shower, sink & drain, basin and other applications. Every Superior Tool comes with a lifetime guarantee backed by personal customer service.
Franklin Electric Co., Inc. (NASDAQ: FELE), a manufacturer of complete wastewater and cleanwater pumping systems, will display a wide array of new HVAC pumping innovations at the 2016 AHR Expo in Booth 4842 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, January 25-27. The following is a preview of those products that will be Read more
Franklin Electric Co., Inc. (NASDAQ: FELE), a manufacturer of complete wastewater and cleanwater pumping systems, will display a wide array of new HVAC pumping innovations at the 2016 AHR Expo in Booth 4842 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, January 25-27. The following is a preview of those products that will be showcased in the booth:
The new Little Giant® EC-1-DV Series Mini Condensate Removal Pump provides multi-voltage operation from one unit. The pump is designed to operate on residential and commercial voltages of 115V, 208V and 230V single phase. The EC-1-DV and EC-1K-DV accomplish this multi-voltage operation by sensing the supply voltage and providing only the right amount of power to drive the pump to produce precise and consistent pumping performance. In addition to this new feature, it includes all the innovative features of the existing EC-1 Series.
The new Little Giant® Speedi DuctTM line set duct and accessories cover, protect and aesthetically hide refrigeration line sets for both mini-split and ducted air conditioner systems. Available in the colors white or ivory, Speedi Duct naturally blends in against structures of similar colors or can be painted to match any exterior color. Multiple sizes of straight duct along with accessories, such as elbows, bends, caps, and joints, provide a flexible solution around any problematic location or application. In addition, Speedi Duct is easy to install. One of its primary features, the patented SpinFix™ clip and rail system, allows the contractor to quickly secure the line set, drain tubing and electrical wiring while the Speedi Duct covers are easily snapped on over the top. A variety of all-inclusive installation kits, including the new Flex Hose kits, also provide the contractor with everything needed to quickly and properly meet the need of the application.
The expanded VR Series line of vertical, stainless steel multi-stage pumps deliver water under pressure for HVAC applications. These booster pumps are now available in 3, 5, 9, 15, 20, 30, 45, 65 and 95 m3/h options with a flow range up to 600 gpm and 750 feet of total dynamic head (TDH). Each pump features all 316 stainless steel hydraulic components for optimum durability, efficiency and performance – even in corrosive water applications. Impellers and diffuser stages are fabricated from heavy gauge stainless steel using advanced welding technology. The oversized ball bearing/coupler assembly eliminates the need for stack height adjustment and supports the axial thrust load. The elimination of axial thrust allows the VR Series pumps to utilize industry standard motors instead of the high-thrust motors commonly required in similar industry applications.
New Models Offer 95% AFUE, 10:1 Turndown & CON·X·US® Remote Connect Lochinvar is introducing a new line of floor-standing KNIGHT® Fire Tube Residential Boilers. The advanced KHN KNIGHT Boiler features a stainless steel fire-tube heat exchanger and offers AFUE of 95 percent across all models, which range from 55,000 to 285,000 Btu/hr. With up to Read more
New Models Offer 95% AFUE, 10:1 Turndown & CON·X·US® Remote Connect
Lochinvar is introducing a new line of floor-standing KNIGHT® Fire Tube Residential Boilers. The advanced KHN KNIGHT Boiler features a stainless steel fire-tube heat exchanger and offers AFUE of 95 percent across all models, which range from 55,000 to 285,000 Btu/hr. With up to 10:1 turndown, the firing rate modulates based on demand to eliminate on/off cycling and optimize efficiency and heating comfort.
The KHN KNIGHT Boiler – like all other KNIGHT models – is equipped with the SMART SYSTEM™ control and offers Lochinvar’s exclusive CON·X·US® remote connectivity option that allows the contractor or homeowner to monitor and manage the boiler from an internet-capable device. The CON·X·US platform sends alerts via text or email notifying the user of changes in system status and allows for the modification of boiler settings from almost anywhere.
In addition, the new KNIGHT Boiler’s footprint, as well as the placement of connections and vents, is strategically designed to easily allow for drop-in replacement of old, inefficient boilers.
“We designed the KHN KNIGHT Boiler to deliver high-efficiency and advanced technology for a wide range of applications, including energy retrofit installations where cast iron boilers were previously installed,” said Dan Rettig, product manager. “The new KHN models, which are significantly lighter and more compact than cast iron boilers, streamline the replacement process by simplifying connections and reducing the need for re-piping.”