I've had lots of opportunities to review plans for pending hydronic heating systems. I've also been on "forensic" visits to sites with improperly performing systems. Of the two, I much prefer plan review over forensics.

With systems dating back into the 1800s, hydronic heating has been around a long time. As with many technologies, a modern hydronic heating system bears little resemblance to one based on the earliest design techniques and hardware.

The American Supply Association (ASA) recently joined the Alliance for Water Efficiency in its appeal to the United States Department of Energy related to allowable flow-rate changes for multi-head showers, and the subsequent negative affects it will have on business operations for ASA members, as well as overall negative water-efficiency consequences that will result.

Efficient fleet management is essential for plumbing and HVAC contractors looking to optimize operations and improve service. Customizing fleet vehicles to meet specific company needs is a key strategy. Modern upfitting now includes advanced technology and ergonomic designs, creating mobile workstations that boost efficiency on job sites.

Last week, we did a simple oil to gas steam boiler replacement. The customer (Mike) has been a family friend of my parents for more than 60 years. Mike’s grandfather built the house back in the 1920s. The home is currently occupied by Mike’s daughter and her two teenage grandchildren.

There has never been a better time to be part of the RPA. If you are not a member, you should join.

As residential building codes and energy conservation standards continue to evolve, many are requiring proof of high quality air sealing.

Nearly all closed-loop hydronic heating and cooling systems are supposed to be filled with water or a mixture of water and antifreeze. The only intentional air in the system is that contained in the expansion tank.

As building codes and programs such as Energy Star and Passive House require higher degrees of air sealing in new construction, the use of heat recovery ventilation (HRV) is increasing.

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.

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…

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

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

The basics of relays and switches - part one.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

“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?

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.

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

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.

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.

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

It’s important for every team member, from subcontractors to superintendents, to take responsibility for safety compliance.

On-the-job deaths have been rising — hitting the highest annual number since 2016. There were 5,190 fatal work injuries recorded in the United States in 2021, an 8.9 percent increase from 4,764 in 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in December. 

In a move toward meeting goals for better cardiovascular health in the United States over the next decade, the American Heart Association (AHA) is joining the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Hypertension Control Roundtable (NHCR)® along with other founding members in a public, private and non-profit collaboration committed to increasing blood pressure control rates to 80% by 2025.

PIP’s stellar growth over the last 10 years has positioned itself as a global leader in Safety Hand Protection and places PIP well on its way to becoming a referenced-leader in the Personal Protective Equipment market space.

Tainted love: Johnson & Johnson recalled 33,000 bottles of baby powder after the Food and Drug Administration found asbestos in one container, The New York Times reports. The company, which once marketed its baby, body, and wellness products as being “for all you love,” has long denied that its talc-based products ever contained cancer-causing asbestos, but it faces more than 15,000 lawsuits from customers who say their products caused them to develop ovarian cancer or mesothelioma, a rare cancer linked to asbestos.

In an exclusive interview with ISHN, ASSP Chief Executive Officer Jennifer McNelly made these points about the role that AI will play in the safety profession.

The Great Resignation, Big Quit, and Big Strike are just a few of the terms used to describe the phenomenon of the large number of people who, during Covid times, took drastic actions to remedy dissatisfaction with their job.

Each year, the families and friends of fallen workers, and organizations observe April 28 as Workers Memorial Day.

The brand launched with women's footwear made especially for female foot measurements and style, and its viral popularity quickly grew the brand to include men's durable safety footwear built for all day comfort.

All arc flash workwear is flame resistant, but not all FR clothing is qualified to protect you from arc flash hazards.

Companies of any size or available resources can start their safety climate improvement journey by using one of the system’s two assessments developed by CPWR (with stakeholder input) to either measure their safety climate maturity or conduct a simple needs assessment of the company’s jobsite safety climate across eight leading indicators.

Although John’s column will no longer be part of Beverage Industry, he left a legacy with us and you the readers that was just as impressive as his time on earth. 

Experts note how more and more consumers — not just athletes — are striving to live healthier lives and making conscious decisions about their health.

Jones Soda Co., Seattle, announced the launch of Mary Jones Hemp Delta-9 (HD-9) Shooters. The new product joins the brand's HD-9 craft sodas and gummies, featuring the same pure cane sugar formulation and classic taste of Jones Soda, adapted for HD-9.

Johnnie Walker is unveiling a limited-edition bottle design of Black Label with numbers ranging from 001-456, the number of players featured in the series “Squid Game,” which returns to Netflix on Dec. 26

Jones Soda Co. announced the launch of 7.5-ounce mini cans with its new Jones Mini product. Jones is selling Jones Mini in 700 Walmart stores nationwide, with more retailers to follow. 

Jones Soda Co. announced a charitable partnership with Folds of Honor. The partnership is launching with a 50% donation of the profits on all sales of a special Fourth of July red, white and blue 12-pack featuring the Folds of Honor's folded flag symbol on Jones 12-ounce bottle labels.

Jones Soda Co., Seattle, has captured the essence of the favorite campfire dessert with its new limited-edition Jones S’mores Soda. The S’mores Soda is the latest in a series of Jones SPECIAL RELEASE beverages that showcase the company’s unique soda flavors.

Jones Soda, Seattle, released a limited-edition series of sodas designed to capture the Halloween spirit.