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John Siegenthaler: Differing Deltas

The choice between ∆T and ∆P operation of a circulator has, at times, been the subject of rather “heated” debates. It’s almost as if a few Yankee fans are disputing superior pitching or batting performance with a few Red Sox fans. There appears to be some strong opinions involved.




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John Siegenthaler: How 'radiant' are your radiators?

I’ve written it before and I’ll write it again — panel radiators are one of my favorite hydronic heat emitters. I base this sentiment on several benefits. Here are a few to consider…




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John Siegenthaler: Variable speed circulators for boiler protection

 All boilers that burn hydrocarbon fuels such as natural gas, propane, oil or wood produce water vapor as a byproduct of combustion.




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John Siegenthaler: Geothermal pipe passages

Water-to-water heat pumps, supplied from geothermal earth loops, represent a growing sector of the hydronic heat source market. Most current-generation models can produce water temperatures up to about 125° F, perhaps a little higher if you’re willing to push the compressor operating envelope.




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John Siegenthaler: Well-planned hydronic systems last far longer than modern appliances

Although I’ve worked with hydronic heating for four decades and designed systems around just about every possible heat source, I would be hard-pressed to predict what might be available as hydronic heat sources 25 years from now. 




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John Siegenthaler: Adding a heat pump

Many legacy hydronic heating systems use a fossil fuel boiler to supply fin-tube baseboard heat emitters in some areas of a building and lower-temperature radiant panels in other areas. 




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John Siegenthaler: Air-to-water heat pumps offer more than ductless

Government planners, taking their queues from politicians and advocacy organizations, have steered the future of energy supply away from fossil fuels and toward renewably-sourced electricity. It’s happening on every level from the feds right down to local city councils.




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John Siegenthaler: Eyes for a heat pump

More and more hydronic heating and cooling systems are being designed around air-to-water and water-to-water (geothermal) heat pumps. When the heating distribution system is extensively zoned, a buffer tank is typically installed between the heat pump and that distribution system.




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John Siegenthaler: Eyes for a heat pump — part two

Last month, we discussed the role of buffer tanks in combination with air-to-water and water-to-water heat pumps that operate as “on/off” devices. The key concept was to turn the heat pump on and off based on changes in the buffer tank temperatures and not based on thermostats calling for heat.




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John Siegenthaler: Extended manifold systems

Several years ago, I had the opportunity of visiting the Mostra Convegno Expocomfort show in Milan, Italy. It ranks right up there with the famous ISH show in Frankfurt, Germany, as a “bucket list” event for those who are passionate about hydronic heating and plumbing.




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John Siegenthaler: Relays and switches — part one

The basics of relays and switches - part one.




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Linear shower drain systems help deliver project on schedule

The new Market District Apartments in Ohio City will be located near the historic West Side Market, the oldest operating indoor/outdoor market space in Cleveland. Currently, the 13-story development is the largest sustainable, wood-constructed building in the country. Among other facilities, the new 385-unit structure encompasses a first-floor retail space, residential suites on floors two through seven and luxury penthouse suites on the ninth floor, as well as amenity space, including a large rental hall.




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Kohler’s Arizona manufacturing facility receives award from U.S. Department of Energy for decarbonization project

Selected as one of 33 projects in the U.S., the funding will be matched by Kohler investment to support the Electric Boiler & Microgrid project at its manufacturing site in Casa Grande, Arizona.




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Meyers Acquires Johnson Printing and Packaging Corporation via Asset Acquisition

Strategic move underscores Meyers’ commitment to expanding its footprint in the folding cartons sector.




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Al Levi: Mastering the master project list

Why is it that your staff isn’t quite as excited as you are when you discuss a new project, a new process, new policy or a habit you want to change?




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Al Levi: How are you judging your staff’s performance?

With every new consulting client, I begin our work by asking the following: “How are you judging your staff’s performance?”




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How specialty contractors can drive collaboration and project quality

No matter who you are, project management can be a challenge. 




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Justin Jacobs: Does your direct mail marketing need a touch-up?

Direct mail hits on the high points that anyone would want from an effective marketing campaign: Print builds trust more easily than digital ads. 




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COVID-19 tips for plumbing contractors: How to adjust your mindset and your marketing

By following the tips below, you can mitigate the negative impact of COVID-19 on your business and lay some groundwork that will make your company more successful in the long run.




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Julius Ballanco: Families are the backbone of the plumbing industry

Thanks, Fred.




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Julius Ballanco: The founding fathers of modern plumbing

From Roman baths to modern water-saving showerheads, plumbing has come a long way.




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Julius Ballanco: Preventing scalding during water heater replacement

Thermostatic mixing valves and common sense can help prevent injury and litigation.




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Julius Ballanco: Is the product listed?

Third-party listing helps protect you and your customers.




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Julius Ballanco: Legionella and the Plumbing Code

The code-writing organizations are currently finalizing the 2021 edition of the Plumbing Code, which may be adopted in your state or local jurisdiction by 2023. That is how far in advance hot subjects that are being discussed now wait before becoming law.




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Julius Ballanco: Drinking foundtain or bottle filler

As a backpacker, the most important item I carry in my backpack is water. I start each morning of a hike with three liters of water; two in my bladder and one in my bottle. The water bottle looks like any typical water bottle that people carry.




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Julius Ballanco: Modern bathrooms

Elegance is the name of the game with modern bathrooms. To keep up with the demands of the public, the plumbing codes and standards have changed regarding modern bathrooms. Some changes are for the good; others, well, we will have to see.




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Julius Ballanco: Plumbing for aging in place

The baby boomer generation is reaching retirement age, and many are planning to age in place. As the body ages, the use of plumbing fixtures changes. The aging body no longer has the strength and flexibility of the younger body.




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Dan Holohan: Tough job site conditions call for creative workarounds

In the city of Worcester, Massachusetts, which snuggles into the center of the state, you will find Mount Saint James, and upon that steep hill, you will find The College of the Holy Cross.




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For Your Health & Wellness: Cellphone injuries

People distracted by their cellphones are tripping, falling and hurting their heads and necks more often, with such injuries increasing “steeply” over a 20-year period, a new analysis has found.




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Eliminating workplace distractions with Joe Boyle, CEO of TRUCE

ISHN Magazine sat down with Joe Boyle, CEO of TRUCE, to discuss strategies for eliminating workplace distractions. The following are excerpts from that conversation.




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For ladder safety, focus on surroundings, job hazards, height needs

Accidents happen for millions of reasons, but the truth is, they are all preventable. Three major causes are common in almost all accidents; not using the right tool for the job; using a damaged tool that hasn’t been inspected; and not following the basic safety guideline for that tool.




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How we lose safety judgment & skill development

Since mind not on task is bound to happen if you know how to do something well, there is much more “leverage” or efficiency in getting people to put more effort than they are currently making (none) into improving their safety-related habits.




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J. J. Keller to provide free safety & compliance event for healthcare facilities

Complimentary webcast on March 21 will cover the most pressing challenges in the Environment of Care and Life Safety.




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How to protect yourself from silicosis on a jobsite

More than two million workers in the construction industry have been exposed to silica in the workplace. Short of a complete double lung transplant, silicosis is both a chronic and incurable condition.




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Diverse medical fields adopt new adjustable orthotic technology for athletes and patients

A physical therapist at Rocky Mountain Human Performance and Pedorthic Specialist at Turnpike Comfort Footwear are both treating lower extremity issues in athletes and other patients with SelectFlex®, the first arch control insole of its kind.




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Children working dangerous jobs — let parents decide?

“Let families decide” is the only reform of the DOL chapter in Project 2025 - a controversial Republican blueprint - specifically referencing job safety. This article is about youth safety, not politics. What do you think?




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Roofers, linemen, oil and gas workers among top 10 most dangerous jobs

Every year, AdvisorSmith researches the most dangerous jobs in the United States based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. The list doesn’t usually vary by too much, but there are some statistics worth a second look in the current list, which uses data from 2014-2018.




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February 29 raises awareness of repetitive strain injuries

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety reminds workers that repetitive strain injuries are serious workplace hazards and encourages them to take action to prevent these injuries.




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How to Manage Cold Stress on the Job

Cold stress may not be as well-known as heat stress, but when the temperature drops, it can pose a significant danger.




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A moral imperative: Preventing arc flash, and fatality and serious injury incidents

Electrical-related fatalities and serious injuries (FSI)* are among the noted FSIs. FSIs represent a safety and health challenge that has gained increasing visibility in the past decade as even organizations with elite environment, health and safety programs struggle to reduce FSI numbers.




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Workplace injuries decline, but ASSE wants further improvements in job safety

The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) says it is “encouraged” after seeing newly released data that shows a continued decrease in occupational injuries and illnesses, but thinks even more can be done to protect workers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Nov. 9 that workplace injuries and illnesses at private industry employers were down by 48,500 cases in 2016 compared to the previous year.




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Vector Solutions launches feature to enable just-in-time training for critical industries

The newest addition to Vector Solutions' LMS offers seamless learning experiences for faster, more efficient skill development as well as increased knowledge retention and engagement.




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J. J. Keller introduces food safety compliance services for manufacturers and importers

These new services join a comprehensive suite of consulting services offered by J. J. Keller, a leader in safety and regulatory compliance for 70 years. 




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Nelson-Jameson moves sustainability goals forward with new ESG targets

 The organization has set targets for its Environmental, Sustainability, and Governance (ESG) framework, and measures progress on a comprehensive, cross-category internal scorecard. 




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J. J. Keller named to Newsweek’s list of the top 100 most loved workplaces for 2023

The results were determined after surveying more than 2 million employees from businesses with workforces varying in size from 50 to more than 100,000. 




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J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. marks 70 years in business

The Wisconsin company's safety & regulatory compliance solutions have expanded through three generations of leadership.




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Feds investigating major chemical fire at Bio-Lab Facility in Conyers, GA

The owner of a Georgia chemical plant that had a massive chemical fire has been cited and fined repeatedly by the federal government, mostly for violations related to employees not receiving proper safety training.




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The biggest risks of VOCs in industrial projects

In hazard-prone industrial projects, some risks can be easier to overlook than others. That’s often the case with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are often not immediately noticeable but can be dangerous nonetheless. 




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Safety first: Protecting workers in the oil and gas industry as fatalities and injuries are on the rise

Workers in the oil and gas industry, whether they work with pipelines, on oil rigs, as drivers or at well sites, face higher incidence and mortality rates.




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Amazon Prime Day major cause of injuries for warehouse workers, Senate report says

The report said peak shopping times resulted in the “highest weekly injury rates” for Amazon warehouse workers.