technology

New Signet Optical Dissolved Oxygen Sensor Features Expanded Communication Capabilities

GF Piping Systems has introduced the Signet 2610-41 Optical Dissolved Oxygen Sensor featuring expanded communication protocol capabilities. The 2610-41 Sensor utilizes optical technology to measure dissolved oxygen with high reliability and accuracy in a wide variety of applications.

The new sensor model incorporates the Signet Sensor System Link (S3L) digital communication link that allows direct connection to the Signet 9900 SmartPro® Transmitter Generation III as well as to the Signet 8900 Multi-Parameter Controller.  These connection capabilities provide enhanced system control and versatility.

The company’s Signet 9900 Transmitter Generation III supports the new sensor with a dedicated Dissolved Oxygen (DO) instrument that allows for selection of measurement type, ppm, percent saturation, or partial pressure of oxygen.  The transmitter also allows for setting of system specific parameters to increase the accuracy of the dissolved oxygen measurement.

“The 2610-41 DO Sensor when used in conjunction with the 9900 Transmitter, provides an excellent cost-effective dissolved oxygen monitoring system,” says Dave Vollaire, Instrumentation Product Manager.  “Plus, GF Piping’s optical dissolved oxygen technology requires no membranes or filling solutions that in other technologies need frequent replacing.  This helps reduce maintenance costs.”

The 2610-41 incorporates all the inherent advantages of the original model including rugged materials of construction that can withstand the harsh environments of both fresh and saltwater applications.  A built-in Modbus RS485 and 4 to 20 mA current loop outputs provide ease of interface to existing control systems. Operating capabilities feature a measurement range of 0 to 20 mg/L, 0 to 200% saturation, and accuracies of ± 0.1 mg/L for 0 to 8 mg/L and ±0.2 mg/L for 8 to 20 mg/L.  An optical sensor cap with built-in calibration eliminates the need for field calibration and has a one year lifetime compared to membrane life, which is typically three to six months.  The sensor is CE and FCC approved and available with two week lead-time.

The Signet Dissolved Oxygen Sensor is suitable for use in a wide range of applications including municipal and industrial wastewater treatment, drinking water reservoir monitoring, environmental water discharge monitoring and aquaculture and aquatic life support.

via New Signet Optical Dissolved Oxygen Sensor Features Expanded Communication Capabilities – GF Piping Systems.

Lubrizol CPVC Now Offers Mobile App for Android(TM) Devices

CLEVELAND, January 28, 2014 – The Lubrizol Corporation’s CPVC mobile app is a handy, useful jobsite resource for building and construction professionals. Previously available for the Apple® iPhone® and iPad®, the app is now also available for free download on Android devices. Lubrizol CPVC designed the app to provide easy access to valuable information and tools about Lubrizol CPVC’s trusted brands, including FlowGuard Gold® Pipe & Fittings, BlazeMaster® Fire Sprinkler Systems and Corzan® Piping Systems.

The mobile app features the Lubrizol CPVC FBC(TM) System Compatible product finder, a tool that helps identify the chemical compatibility between Lubrizol CPVC piping systems and other common construction materials. This tool supports project success, taking the guesswork out of chemical compatibility. The app also includes the latest news from Lubrizol CPVC, as well as regional contact information for training and support in the field.

“We want all our customers to have easy access to the valuable information and tools, so they can be confident in all their projects that use Lubrizol CPVC,” said Mike Taylor, Manager of Marketing Communications for Lubrizol CPVC Piping Systems. “We’re pleased with the continued advancement of our mobile app and look forward to learning more about how our customers are using it to implement further improvements.”

The Lubrizol CPVC mobile app initially debuted for the Apple iPad at the 2013 NAHB International Builders’ Show. It was later expanded in the fall of 2013 to include the Apple iPhone and more recently updated for Android devices.

For more information on Lubrizol’s CPVC products and technology, visit us at booth #C1839 Feb. 4-6, 2014, at the International Builders’ Show or visit lubrizolcpvc.com.

via Lubrizol CPVC Now Offers Mobile App for Android(TM) Devices – News Center – The Lubrizol Corporation.

Charlotte Pipes Website Gets New Design and Navigation

Visitors to charlottepipe.com are now greeted with a new design and easier navigation. The site has been restructured with a streamlined look and feel to offer users an enhanced web experience.Still an industry leader in providing information, the new site features:A clean design that features product information, services and key marketing messages, while providing user-friendly navigation.A link to price lists at the top and middle of the home page.A detailed site map that presents information to users and search engines in an organized fashion. This also encourages consistency in navigation through the entire site.Products pages that include all product-related information in one place, eliminating the need for users to search different sections of the site for one product.A Resources & Support tab on the main navigation. This includes our documents such as technical and installation data, as well as Revit drawings, cautions and contact information for our customer service and technical service associates.Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company is the nations top maker of cast iron and plastic pipe and fittings. As a leader in innovation and quality, we manufacture the industrys broadest range of standard and specialty DWV products. We are the only manufacturer that offers a system of ABS, PVC, CPVC, cast iron, FlowGuard Gold®, ChemDrain®, ReUze® and RePVC® pipe and fittings for both residential and commercial plumbing systems.Charlotte Pipe is headquartered in Charlotte, NC, and has seven plant locations across the United States. Combining modern technology with a century of craftsmanship and experience, Charlotte Pipe and Foundry has a proud legacy of commitment to the industry and its customers. The company is guided by the philosophy of its founder – produce the best possible product and provide the best possible service for the customer.

via Charlotte Pipe and Foundry » About Us » Press Releases » Charlotte Pipes Website Gets New Design and Navigation.

The Benefits of Building Information Modeling (BIM)
by  Mindy Delose, PE, LEED AP BD+C
Mechanical Engineer at RLF

Building Information Modeling (BIM) allows for the ability to exchange and coordinate a high level of information to aid in the design, construction, and post-construction of a building.  The A/E industry has seen a major shift from conventional 2D deliverables of construction plans and specifications to additional requirements, which include provisions for delivery of 3D BIM models.

Autodesk® Revit® MEP is a BIM software that has a lot to offer.  Sections, fixture counts, and pipe schedules can easily be generated within the building model for detailing or sizing equipment and determining pipe losses.  The best way to become familiar with the program is to begin using it on a regular basis.  The out of the box content is not usually sufficient for equipment families and often times needs to be created or modified to fit the application.  Manufacturer representatives and vendors in the MEP industry are increasingly offering Revit® content in addition to AutoCAD® files, available online as free downloads.  It is important to understand that the BIM model information is only as good as what is being input.  It is best to keep content as simple as possible as to not overload the model, but with enough information that other disciplines can properly coordinate and recognize specific parameters.  In this regard, all elements are not able to be modeled and it is important to distinguish between content which remains diagrammatic versus drawn to scale.  Once Revit® content is in place, it allows for a more thorough coordination between disciplines and the ability for clash detection between items in a room or above the ceiling.  In addition, a details library is good to have but does take time to develop, converting details from AutoCAD® layers into a Revit® format.  These details once converted can then be easily transferred from project to project.  One major difficulty in the transition from 2D to BIM is the amount of time it takes to implement.  It takes a lot of patience, training, and support from upper management and BIM managers to help facilitate those to become skilled at BIM.  Although it may seem similar to 2D software, there are a large amount of differences between the two.  As far as plumbing is concerned, riser diagrams are a challenge to transfer onto guidesheets in Revit® for larger buildings, which contain many complex plumbing systems.  Line breaks are not able to be viewed in a 3D view, which can lead to unclear schematic diagrams.  However, an added feature in Revit® MEP 2012 is the ability to now tag 3D views with annotations, something not offered in the past.  For smaller sized buildings it may become more suitable to incorporate 3D riser diagrams straight from the 3D Revit views, rather than linking in from AutoCAD®.

Autodesk® University (AU) [1] holds an annual conference which gathers input from architecture and engineering design firms who currently use BIM, whether it is professionals in the beginning stages or those already fully immersed.  Revit® MEP has come a long way from the earlier releases, but still has room for improvement, especially in the file performance and calculation areas.  Each year an updated version of Revit® MEP is released with features to continually progress the software and looks to add items that the majority of engineering designers feel the program is lacking.  The most current version

available, Revit® MEP 2012, has greatly improved functionality from previous versions.  The latest features can be found at What’s New on specific products at the following link: http://usa.autodesk.com/products/.   The conference is a wonderful experience for professionals to share knowledge and best method techniques to increase productivity and efficiency.  The combined feedback is also a way for Autodesk® to hear what is working well and what needs development.  The latest version, Revit® MEP 2013, is due out later this year around April.

Fortunately the amount of BIM users has been steadily increasing over the past few years so there is a much broader networker of experts to assist with solutions to most hurdles encountered along the way.  ASHRAE and ASPE occasionally participate in hosting BIM workshops for added support to familiarize designers on the subject.  In addition, there is access to an online forum[2] to find answers to questions.  Although there is approximately a two year learning curve to become fully functional and adaptive to the new BIM way of modeling, there are truly advantages that will pay off further down the road.  By assessing BIM’s short term setbacks versus the future advantages, embracing BIM will likely improve the overall business and increase the competitive advantage for the company.