Industry News
We would like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to this month's sponsor -- Caroma, leaders in high efficiency dual flush toilets (HETs) and urinals (HEUs). New Caroma Smart Technology provides significant water savings, averaging 0.9 gallons/flush, saving up to 44% compared to 1.6 gpf and 74% compared to 3.5 gpf toilets. The Smart technology is also used in the recently introduced waterless and 1 pint urinals. All Caroma toilets have a large trapway, virtually eliminating blockages. With 45 WaterSense labeled toilets, Caroma provides exceptional performance while conserving valuable water resources. For more information, visit www.caromausa.com.
To find out more about special e-newsletter advertising opportunities, please contact your Phc News sales rep by visiting www.phcnews.com.
NKBA dispels misconceptions about K/B show
Hackettstown, N.J. — In response to a growing number of misconceptions concerning the upcoming 2009 Kitchen/Bath Industry Show & Conference (K/BIS), the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and Nielsen Business Media have decided to clear any confusion regarding attendance and exhibitors at the show. As nearly all other industry shows have experienced a decline in exhibitors and attendees in recent years, false impressions have begun to spread about an equally steep reduction in numbers for K/BIS 2009. This is simply untrue.
“Are there some exhibitors that have pulled out of K/BIS 2009? Yes,” said NKBA CEO Don Sciolaro, “but contrary to recent misconceptions, the vast majority of the large exhibitors will be exhibiting at K/BIS again this year.”
“This year, K/BIS will once again be the premier event for the entire kitchen and bath industry,” said Brian Pagel, vice president of the Kitchen and Bath Group for Nielsen Business Media, producer of K/BIS. “With 700 exhibitors and co-exhibitors showing their products across 400,000 square feet of exhibit space in the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, K/BIS 2009 is a must-attend event for any serious kitchen and bath professional.”
DOE addresses green collar jobs
Las Vegas — On Tuesday February 24, 2009, President Obama addressed the nation during a joint session of congress. The President discussed a new wave of energy efficiency programs and standards that will create new American jobs.
"We will put Americans to work making our homes and buildings more efficient so that we can save billions of dollars on our energy bills." President Obama
On Monday March 9th, 2009, Bill Craddick — deputy director for the United States Department of Energy (DOE) — Department of Energy Building Technologies Research & Integration Center addressed the HVACR industry about the new programs as they pertain to the HVACR industry. Craddick discussed the future green collar economy jobs while giving his keynote address at the 2009 HVAC Excellence National HVACR Educators & Trainer Conference in Las Vegas.
Craddick began his presentation by stating the importance of skilled technical personnel in making the potential benefits of energy efficiency equipment a reality.
The President plans on investing billions of dollars into weatherization. Weatherization is the practice of modifying a building to reduce energy consumption and optimize energy efficiency.
The power point presentation from the United States Department of Energy can be downloaded by visiting www.hvacexcellence.org and click on the conference banner, then follow the links to the 2009 conference power points.
NSF offers certification for low lead plumbing products to support new state requirements
Ann Arbor, Mich. — NSF International, a not-for-profit, public health and safety organization, today announced that Kohler, Moen and Price Pfister have become the first faucet companies certified by NSF to have certain plumbing products comply with the new low lead requirements. Certification allows manufacturers to demonstrate compliance with new state laws, established to help protect the public from exposure to lead, well ahead of the January 1, 2010 deadline.
The new section of NSF/ANSI Standard 61 - Annex G – Weighted Average Lead Content Evaluation Procedure to a 0.25 Percent Lead Requirement – includes the recently enacted legislation in California and Vermont that mandates a maximum weighted average lead content requirement of ≤ 0.25 percent. Other states are also considering low lead content legislation. The new lead requirements apply to manufacturers of faucets, valves, water fittings, and other products that come in contact with drinking water. Compliance with NSF/ANSI Standard 61, the American National Standard for Drinking Water Products, is also required.
NSF/ANSI Standard 61: Drinking Water System Components -- Health Effects was updated in December to incorporate requirements for use when the ≤ 0.25 percent lead content requirement must be met, in addition to current chemical extraction requirements of the standard. Compliance is determined by a weighted average calculation involving the maximum percent lead content of material specifications and wetted surface areas.
GreenPlumbers welcomes Grundfos as founding partner
Sacramento, Calif. — GreenPlumbers, the innovative environmental training program, is pleased to announce Grundfos Pumps Corp. as a founding partner. Grundfos is one of the world's largest manufacturers of pumps, providing water for homes, farms, commercial buildings, and industrial uses. The company's devotion to reliability, value and the environment makes it a perfect fit for partnership with GreenPlumbers. For more information, visit www.grundfos.us.
New Products
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Waterless urinal using breakthrough technology The H2Zero waterless urinal by Caroma utilizes breakthrough technology to use zero water for optimum performance and water conservation. The H2Zero's unique patented cartridge technology does not use an oil-based seal, as traditionally used in waterless urinals. Within the cartridge is a Bio Fresh deodorizing block that is activated during use. The Bio Seal* allows urine to pass through the seal freely and acts as a one-way airtight valve to seal the cartridge from the drainage system. Caroma. |
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ECAST faucets & fixtures ECAST line provides a complete offering of durable, high quality brass faucets and fixtures, including deck mounted and wall mounted faucets, metering faucets, stop valves, specialty fittings and bubblers. The line was developed specifically to meet the AB1953 standard requiring faucets intended to dispense water for human consumption must not exceed a total weighted average of 0.25% maximum lead content. Chicago Faucets. |
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H2Okinetic showerhead Award-winning water efficient showerheads with H2Okinetic Technology. The showerheads flow at an efficient 1.5 gallons per minute (gpm) at 60 pounds per square inch (psi), yet deliver a warm, drenching shower — offering consumers a smarter way to conserve water without compromising comfort. Delta Faucet Co. |
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Commercial products catalog New Commercial Products Catalog introduced, as the Division expands its presence in the commercial marketplace. The easy-to-use guide gives builders, architects and engineers a high-level review of the kitchen and bath products available to meet their standards for durability, accessibility, safety and conservation. Products are created to address the specific needs of the building owner and the end-user. Moen Commercial. |
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Bariatric wall-hung water closet A complete system, including a Z1203-XB carrier and Z5690 bariatric toilet, will withstand loadings of up to 1,000 pounds. Bariatric toilet is provided with an open front, elongated, anti-microbial polypropylene seat for enhanced patient comfort. The unit is fabricated from type 304 stainless steel and is available with an anti-microbial powder coating. Zurn Industries, LLC. |
Movers & Shakers
Webstone Company Inc. has appointed Grant Dow Western regional sales manager. Grant will be responsible for all western United States and the western provinces of Canada. His duties will include sales enhancement, training, new product launches and representative management. He has extensive industry experience in sales management and is a licensed plumbing contractor, as well as a member of IAPMO. |