Author Archives: Al

February 1, 2012 Booster Pumps Pumping systems can account for nearly 25% to 50% of the total electrical energy usage in certain industrial facilities. Significant opportunities exist to reduce pumping system energy consumption through smart design, retrofitting, and operating practices. … Continue reading →

The annual OBPA Conference is coming up in November. Here is your chance to learn more about backflow prevention and meet some of the industry players.registration form – conference As the Secretary/Treasurer of the OBPA, I can assure you that … Continue reading →

August 15, 2011 Maintenance Budgets Budgets season is here again and I have received many calls inquiring about maintainable equipment and associated costs. Plumbing maintenance is not always considered a high priority. Some customers prefer the “on demand” or “emergency” … Continue reading →

Recently an Oakville high school was closed due to a cross connection between the heating and potable water systems. Below is an article that appeared in the local paper. Region working with school, after water contamination leads to closure Related … Continue reading →

June 6, 2011 Catch Basin Maintenance With the extraordinary amount of rainfall we had this spring I thought it was appropriate to address catch basins and their maintenance. For those who have a maintenance program your efforts paid off this … Continue reading →

Traps are installed on a plumbing system to prevent sewer gases from entering the occupied space.  To perform this function effectively the trap must have water in it (primed).  When the trap runs dry the sewer gases infiltrate the occupied space.  The … Continue reading →

Typically expansion tanks are installed on closed loop hydronic systems.  With the introduction of the premise isolation backflow preventor it is hard to find a building that does not have an expansion tank. When water is heated it expands.  This expansion results … Continue reading →

Recently I was asked by a customer about the code requirements in regards to hot water storage tanks.  Specifically the customer was inquiring about the requirement for a drain pan underneath a suspended hot water tank.  They were also inquiring about the … Continue reading →