Innovative engineer designs synagogue mechanical room with ASSE 1069 mixing valve

Kal Rotenberg of Iceman Mechanical isn’t afraid of innovation. A recent magazine profile described the hydronics engineer as a man who is passionate about his work, concerned with helping others and driven to use new products and technologies to provide the best possible comfort and efficiency for his customers.

So when the opportunity arose use an innovative new ASSE 1069 mixing valve to keep hot water temperatures safe and constant even in low-pressure and low flow conditions, he didn’t hesitate to specify it…twice. The results are praiseworthy.

Rotenberg designed the hydronic system at the recently completed Chasam Sofer Synagogue in Boro Park and directed hvac and bas engineering at the Lorimer Street Synagogue of Satmar. At both installations, Rotenberg designed-in Apollo 34 hl Series automatic water temperature mixing valves.

At the Lorimer site, two Apollo 34 hl mixing valves control outlet temperatures at 14 showers simultaneously. The application was a challenging one.

The Lorimer Street synagogue sits in a predominantly orthodox Jewish neighborhood where low water pressure can be a problem on Friday afternoons when demand for hot water for showers and baths peaks just before the beginning of the Sabbath, at sundown. Orthodox worshippers avoid using hot water on the Sabbath. When hot water is drawn from a faucet, the fresh water entering the water heater gets heated immediately, which is considered cooking, something forbidden on the Sabbath.

Because of the concentrated usage, mean pressure in the area often drops as low as 15 to 25 psi at street level -- even lower on upper levels.

“To deal with the low incoming pressure, we decided to go with two Series 34 hl mixing valves,” Rotenberg said. “The Apollo 34 hl fits the bill perfectly to mitigate the pressure drop.”

The Apollo 34 hl valve was the first hot/cold water-mixing device certified to  asse 1069. This single assembly controls water to multiple outlet shower and sink installations. Its proven thermostatic mixing valve technology generates water flow that is temperature controlled within 5ºF of the set point.

The valve handles flow rates as low as 1.5 gpm to as high as 60 gpm without “dead zones” or temperature variations in the mid-range between high and low demand. At each outlet, it supplies water between 90 F and 120 F based on user preference. In case of cold-water failure, the valve shuts off to protect against thermal shock or scalding. Its patented low flow design eliminates the need for such external accessories as check valves and recirculation pumps.

Now finished, Chasam Sofer Synagogue in Boro Park features a multiple-system: commercial pool/showers, using an asse-certified Apollo 34 hl mixing valve, plus separate residential hot water, as well as radiant, and forced air, radiators and snowmelt -- all driven by one super-redundant boiler plant  (four  Lochinvar Knight 399 boilers with a Tekmar Tn4 hvac automation system).

Lou Garavito of Continuous Sales said Rotenberg’s interest in the new Apollo valve was peaked by its ASSE certification and ability to provide temperatures over a flow rate from the 1.5 gallons per minute up to 50 gpm or more. Continuous Sales is a manufacturer’s representative firm that promotes Apollo products to engineers, wholesalers, contractors, local plumbing officials and controlling agency staff across New York and New Jersey.

Rotenberg considered other valves, including a well-known device from New York City, Garavito said. “But the 34 hl made a lot more sense when comparing costs, approvals and performance,” he said. “Having a complete compact, asse-approved device with the Apollo brand behind it gives me and the people I sell to confidence.” 

In the past, wholesalers, concerned with possible legal exposure, often directed their reps to sell pre-packaged systems to handle gang showers and shied away from specialty systems,” Garavito said. But Apollo 34C and 34B tempering valves worked well for gang showers and other wide flow applications.

“With the inherent value and performance capabilities of the 34 hl valve, it’s a no-brainer for me to promote this valve for these applications  as it should be for engineers to specify and for contractors to install them,” Garavito said.

The Apollo Valves brand is manufactured by Conbraco Industries, founded in 1928 in Detroit. The company moved its headquarters to Matthews, N.C. in 1955. Today it is one of the world’s largest producers of mixing valves, ball valves, pressure reducing valves, backflow preventers, safety relief valves, actuators and other flow control devices.