Heating Help

As always -

@ December 25, 2011 10:39 PM in Looking for a book

The Wall is a very helpful place: and thanks for all the offers - I do have a copy of the book and I have it scanned as a hi-res file as well. I am particularly interested in contacting the publisher or author to formalize me and our College using the book - I do not wish to infringe on the copyright although I have been using some of the schematics on a regular basis. Tim - I would be interested in the Canadian address - can you PM me with the info? Or post it here - your choice. Merry Christmas -

tried them all

@ December 24, 2011 7:20 AM in Looking for a book

eBay, craiglist, kijiji, amazon. Next step will be to write the publisher ....

Looking for a book

@ December 23, 2011 6:15 PM in Looking for a book

The Gas Fitters Guide to Electrical Schematics by Ken Smith, published in 1991 (at least my copy). Is it still in print, or is Mr.Smith still with us? I have used this as a basic text/exercise book for my gas classes; its a good starting point and reference.

regardless of the numbers -

@ November 28, 2011 8:12 AM in Gas dryer exhaust vs. mod-con intake

whether its a 3, 4 or 10' - depending on code - how about the premise that if there is evidence of interference or sub standard performance caused by a vent, exhaust or other building outlet - it must be fixed. Especially in winter and the freezing of condensable vapours chokes off the air supply; like the previous post - fabric softeners also kick the snot out of flame rods etc, cause all sorts of intermittent errors.

did a bit more research -

@ November 20, 2011 9:46 PM in Vacuum Steam

and looked in the Dunham Manual circa 1925; specifically at the sizing tables - where the vacuum sizing tables for both the supply and return are considerably smaller than a 2 pipe & also have a much larger EDR capacity. "Always smaller" may not be true "always - but according to Dunham - they are usually smaller. thanks.

I have to comment -

@ March 6, 2011 10:29 PM in Jury Rules That CSST is a Defective Product

and ask the question; " is bonding being confused with grounding.?" The CSA B 149.1 and the Canadian Electrical Code do not consider them the same. Bonding ensures electrical continuity of the appliances and piping in the gas system. As such about 100 VA is a maximum it can handle. Grounding must be able to withstand the complete load if there is a failure in the electrical system; typically 240 VAC/200 amps. I do not believe any CSST product has been tested or approved to withstand the full force of lightening. That would be separate protection isolated even from the household electrical ground. Bonding is accomplished by securing a #6 bare conductor between the gas piping and the water piping. One could I suppose attach a large brass or bronze bonding clamp to a CSST connection fitting; and while I have not looked at the newest catalogues for a while - I'll bet each manufacturer makes a specific attachment for bonding. The news article is interesting reading - but any savvy risk assessment lawyer will have it shot full of holes in short order. Even sch 40 A53 will melt with a full charge of lightening. I have used the Gastite product for years and it has it's place - most times - I'd rather twist pipe.

pipe stretcher anyone??

@ March 2, 2011 3:00 PM in Stupid things we do as apprentices.

another classic!  But I once had an apprentice that couldn't recognize work if it stood next to him; I sent him to the tool crib for a long weight (wait). Tool crib attendant did just that
but that was a long time ago and hijinks like that are not approved anymore.

buy cheap

@ February 2, 2011 7:32 AM in Small service vacuums and compressors.......

and shed no tears when they pack it in. I tried the soot master - poor track record and longevity. No oil? Regardless the fine dusts and aldehydes still kick the slats out of the vacuum motor and bearings.

Job Planning Software?

@ January 24, 2011 7:36 PM in Job Planning Software?

Just a passing thought on job planning. Is anyone using really kick butt software, which includes; safety analysis, bidding, budgeting, two week planning schedules and commissioning/close out (to name a few topics)?

ahhhhhh

@ December 20, 2010 5:01 PM in A question for the engineers...

thank you for being kind in your scolding. I sit sore and corrected.

:-)

hang on ther' perfesser!!!

@ December 20, 2010 8:04 AM in A question for the engineers...

170 deg F is 170 deg - but your dhw don't care about that. what they care about is horsepower or the btu's behind the 170 deg. so what I have read all already on this thread has a lot of validity - 1 gpm @ 170 is one thing but with two tanks to satisfy you might need 100 gpm @ 170. so look at everything, pipe sizing, circ sizing and then the real question does my boiler(s) have enough jam to make this happen. what if my boiler can't make 170 with 150 coming back??? at the flow I need - what then??? what was siggy's quote "more and more boiler system (design) are being driven by the dhw needs rather than the space heating" yes you still want to design around the 2-4 fps but that is just one of the criteria - I think you need to go back to the drawing board and re think the calcs.

the culprit -

@ December 8, 2010 7:35 PM in When Cast iron should and should not sweat

is most likely low returning water temperatures; regardless of gas (NG or LPG) condensation is accelerated once return temps fall below 150 deg F. A bypass would work (adjusted manually) and can be set and left alone but probably not the best. I like the idea of PS; a hot loop injecting into an outdoor reset controlled secondary loop. It adds a pump but then you can take advantage of the mixing capabilities of the control you choose and maybe save a buck or two on fuel. tekmar is your best bet and the one I am most familiar with but there are others as well.

bravo Rankin

@ November 28, 2010 10:55 AM in Combustion Analysis

combustion analysis is now part of the Alberta Gas Apprenticeship Training - first year. Keep testing and spreading the gospel. eventually all will subscribe to the idea "if you don't test - you don't know".

this is a safety issue ....

@ November 28, 2010 10:49 AM in CSST bonding...

exactly the same as any other clause in the gas code. In our area stranded is preferred as 6 solid and 6 stranded are vastly different in their current carrying capacities. Black iron (A53) must be bonded as well - 6 of one, half a dozen of the other. I would suspect that every jurisdiction has a clause specifying bonding or is about to introduce it. So whether you install CSST or black: bonding protects the occupants and more importantly - the gas piping system.

may I add -

@ November 16, 2010 5:37 PM in I need help!

the requirement to check the neutral side of the 120 v side and transformer phasing as well. A loose neutral causes more grief ----

here is how our province looks at that issue

@ November 16, 2010 5:32 PM in side wall termination

Second to last gas safety bulletin offers good info.

http://www.municipalaffairs.alberta.ca/am_gas_safety_information_bulletins.cfm

books to add to your library

@ August 21, 2010 11:24 AM in books to add to your library

Like Dan I am on the prowl for good books; while in Ann Arbor I was reintroduced to the Audel line of trades books. I am sure this is not news to most of you but this great line of books is still around. "The Pipefitter's & Welders Pocket Manual" by Charles McConnell should be in everyones trade library; whether you are a seasoned tradesperson or beginner this book is full of goodies.
And due to a long (and then longer) wait at both the Detroit and Toronto airports I found another gem. "100 Most Important Science Ideas" by Henderson, Baker & Crilly (Firefly Press). Is not an exhaustive text on how things work - just a succinct collection put together in three sections: Genetics, Physics & Math.  And yes there is enough heating stuff in the physics and math sections to keep you reading. Definitely qualifies for nerd status if you read it cover to cover - but i think it's best purpose is a resource text. 

Agatha Christie never thought of this -

@ June 25, 2010 10:55 PM in Agatha Christie never thought of this -

but the reports are suggesting that nat gas was the murder weapon. The neighbours reported smelling gas - 2 houses levelled, numerous deemed unsafe, 4 dead. It is truly sad that 2 neighbours were caught in the blast. Google explosion in Edmonton. I am sure we will get a report at the Gas Safety Council -

the short answer is no -

@ June 21, 2010 9:01 PM in Metallurgy continued - AL294C Stainless Steel

my days on the tools are done; but still keep in touch with gas inspectors and other former colleagues throughout BC (which is why I still receive notices from BCSA). I would drop anything for a round of golf with Roy at IBC - he is a gentleman and leader in our industry; as I would for some others in the biz too. But I would be game in trying this product - high tech plastics have always appealed to me. Makes sense that IBC is considering this as an approved vent - its an innovative crew in Vancouver.

you could use this -

@ June 21, 2010 8:59 AM in Metallurgy continued - AL294C Stainless Steel

Centrotherm recently rec'd its 636 approval. By all descriptions - it looks like the "viessmann" type venting that was available. A quick "google will take you to the home site. It will not be as versatile as the "29" material due to limited sizes - but for most of the installs - may work nicely. Approved in BC - not sure  about other jurisdictions yet.

several good choices for this

@ May 29, 2010 8:09 AM in cast iron modulating comercial

dedietrich and viessmann both make a CI boiler with modulating burner, this is off the shelf stuff. and I would bet Buderus has a similar product in the lineup. either of these will make you smile - especially if you couple them to the digital Weishaupt mod burner.

"hardness?"

@ May 21, 2010 8:11 AM in "Condensate hardness question",,,

not sure if that is precisely the term but - I think I get your drift. In my years in service - deposits in heat exchangers varied; boilers installed in agricultural areas were the worst - especially those areas that were predominantly crop based operations. Burners set upon the rich side also made for interesting dusting and cleaning. Other problem areas were mines and small industrial installs - even a landscaping outfit made me scratch my head until I realized - lime stone + heat = caustic soda. Quality of gas makes a difference to the condensate - gas from the north slope (Inuvik and tuk) has a reddish hue to the condensate while gas from Alberta is a light yellow - that would indicate slightly different "bonus" gases and there fore different particulates along for the ride. So like so many responses here - "it depends" seems to work. but look at combustion air quality first and then burner set up to reduce deposits.