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]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/20231 Wed, 02 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/20231-troubleshooting-new-construction-hvac-and-plumbing-projects PHCN1024_troubleshooting at the jobsite.jpg OK, admit it. How often have you heard plumbing and drain cleaning pros blame customers for them not completing their work on time – or for simply not completing their work in a professional manner?

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/20223 Wed, 02 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/20223-time-to-ditch-those-pesky-customers-another-drain-cleaning-tools-survival-guide iStock-185967227.jpg Tick placed in a new hand written "the worst" checkbox on customer service satisfaction survey form AI-generated deepfake videos, photos and audio files can spread misinformation very fast.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/20024 Mon, 02 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/20024-how-phcppros-can-prepare-for-deepfake-attacks iStock-1993274135.jpg Deepfake message. Binary code, zero and one, deepfake in the system. Warning sign on screen. System message, cyber crime, hacking, threat, network security, computer virus. 3D illustration While the core competencies for home service contractors remain almost untouchable, there are some advancing technologies that complement the industry and can even strengthen it. 

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/20017 Mon, 02 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/20017-how-plumbers-can-thrive-amidst-advancing-technology iStock-1158791480.jpg transformation business concept with progress bar Back in November of 2023, I discussed building a team, or at least my approach to building a team.  This month, I’d like to cover keeping that team together. 

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/20014 Mon, 02 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/20014-taking-care-of-your-team TCOYT (1).jpg Plumbing material and design considerations for durable, efficient and user-friendly commercial bathrooms help ensure longevity and easy maintenance. 

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/20007 Mon, 02 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/20007-future-proofing-hospitality-bathrooms PE0924_commercialbathroom.jpg Discover the critical role pressure-sustaining control valves play in maintaining stable pressure levels in water distribution and health-care systems. Learn key considerations and best practices for selecting, installing and maintaining these valves to optimize system performance. 

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/20002 Mon, 02 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/20002-best-practices-for-using-a-pressure-sustaining-control-valve iStock-878003766.jpg Close view of a medical nurse washing her hands with soap and water in the hospital surgery room Using water mist to protect items from fire consumes less water than traditional fire sprinkler systems. To achieve the small droplet size, however, the system requires a high pressure water supply. Brian O’Connor from the National Fire Protection Association explains these systems and their various applications. 

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/20001 Mon, 02 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/20001-water-mist-fire-suppression-systems-when-and-where-are-they-most-effective PE0924_pipe.jpg In the March 2024 issue of my monthly newsletter, “MCA Talk,” I began to address the question of remaining relevant...

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/20056 Thu, 29 Aug 2024 07:46:04 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/20056-the-3-keys-to-remaining-relevant TW0724_learning never ends-relevancy.jpg Understanding the intricacies of the drain, waste and vent (DWV) system is fundamental for anyone working in the plumbing industry. 

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/19903 Mon, 05 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/19903-a-guide-to-dwv-pipe-and-joining-methods TW0724_PVC water pipe.jpg Water pipe engineering, clean line watering transport system in the building blue color tone Your company’s ethical standards help guide your employees while giving your customers insight into how you conduct business. A well-planned PR campaign will help craft the right message so everyone knows what makes your company special.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/19888 Mon, 05 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/19888-share-your-companys-values-through-well-written-content PHCN0724_core values lead the way.jpg 3D rendering of an compass with the word core values Don’t be late when you promise customers that you will be at their location at a certain time. When you are inconsiderate and waste a customer’s time, it looks bad and you may lose that customer. 

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/19884 Mon, 05 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/19884-showing-up-when-promised-is-important PHCN0824_plumber at customer's home.jpg System feeders are self-contained units with a pump, pressure control and liquid storage vessel. They are installed in place of a system’s fill valve, so the system isn’t drawing water from the potable water supply but rather from the system feeder’s tank. 

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/19883 Mon, 05 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/19883-hydronic-feeders-underutilized-system-components PHCN0824_Feeder (1).jpg Previous sizing practices have routinely overestimated the required capacity of domestic water heating systems, relying on the Modified Hunter’s Curve to determine water systems sizing. Data-driven engineering, however, helps building owners and managers achieve new levels of safety, efficiency and cost/space savings for occupant needs.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/19874 Mon, 05 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/19874-a-new-approach-to-sizing-on-demand-hot-water-systems PE0624_modern water heating.jpg gas boiler room, boilers and equipment Oversizing a domestic water system can lead to aging water and stagnation, the two biggest factors in waterborne pathogen growth. Yet modern plumbing codes still require or strongly recommend outdated sizing methods such as Hunter’s Curve, doing our building owners a disservice and putting the public at risk.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/19872 Mon, 05 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/19872-domestic-water-sizing-a-case-for-decodification PE0824_engineer checking water pipe.jpg engineer male work checking water pipe inspecting valve testing water pump.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/19870 Mon, 05 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/19870-compete-every-day PE0824_women celebrating business successes.jpg Happy smart business people celebrating success at company. Changes are unavoidable in the built environment, even during the construction phase. Communication is critical between fire protection designers and life safety system installers.
 

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/19868 Mon, 05 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/19868-small-change-big-impact PE0824_fire sprinkler system.jpg Used in data centers, backup battery rooms, electrical rooms (under 400 volts), sub-floors or tape storage libraries. Ron George explains the emergency shower and eyewash standard and OSHA requirements.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/19867 Mon, 05 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/19867-emergency-fixtures-and-tepid-water PE0824_emergency eye wash station.jpg Emergency eyewash station for safety in laboratories or manufacturing plants.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/19717 Mon, 01 Jul 2024 01:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/19717-intangible-business-items-come-with-a-cost PHCN0724_plumber working under kitchen sink.jpg

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/19712 Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/19712-getting-technical-antifreeze-in-hydronic-systems PHCN0724_Antifreeze (4).jpg Since April 23, when the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced its final rule regarding noncompete clauses, I have received numerous calls and emails asking if such clauses are no longer binding and effective. 

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/19702 Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/19702-are-noncompete-clauses-no-longer-enforceable TW0724_noncompete contract.jpg Legal concept : Blue ballpoint pen on a non compete contract. Noncompete contract is an agreement between employee and employer, not to enter into competition in subsequence business effort. More than 40 years after its discovery, it shocks me to say that the number of reported cases of Legionnaires’ Disease in the United States has been rising since 2003. 

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/19698 Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/19698-crashing-the-legionella-party-plumbing-design-meets-infection-control TW0724_Legionella pneumophila bacteria.jpg Legionella pneumophila bacterium, the causative agent of Legionnaire's disease, 3D illustration The final joint selection for commercial plumbing, heating and air system design is critical to system effectiveness and efficiency; it directly impacts construction, commissioning and maintenance processes. Part 2 continues the pipe-joining discussion with threaded, brazed/soldered or compression joints.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/19682 Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/19682-pipe-joining-101-commercial-plumbing-heating-and-air-systems-part-2 PE0524_Vic-Press.jpg One of the most common plumbing system issues I’m brought into near punch list time or shortly after occupancy is inadequate water temperature at a fixture or in a general area. 

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/19678 Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/19678-dhw-return-design-doing-it-right-and-the-risks-of-doing-it-wrong PE0724_iStock-475627379.jpg Modern domestic heater system pipes In-wall water closets include concealed tanks inside the wall, resulting in a clean aesthetic for office, hospitality and other commercial restrooms. Plumbing engineers and designers are responsible for configuring the proper venting and waste removal for these buildings using a variety of fittings and innovative installation techniques.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/19676 Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/19676-an-expert-guide-to-venting-in-wall-tank-water-closets PE0524_wall-mounted water closet.jpg Grey and white bathroom with textured tiles, toilet and bathtub The second part of this series discusses ventilation options, zoning with thermally activated building systems and high-mass radiant floor cooling, the relationship of heat transfer to radiant cooling, and thermal storage with geothermal heat pumps.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/19675 Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/19675-systems-architecture-for-zero-net-energy-performance-in-multifamily-and-office-buildings-part-2 PE0524_radiant floor piping.jpg Underfloor heating system installation. Close up on water floor heating system interior of a new indoor swimming pool and SPA center. Plumbing pipes. Individual Heating. A building’s fire protection system may require fire pumps and associated equipment. Engineers should follow these planning and design best practices to protect against various risk factors and ensure reliability during emergencies.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/19670 Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/19670-understanding-protection-requirements-for-fire-pump-rooms PE0724_SmithGroup-Vertical Turbine fire pump.jpg Thermal disinfection or short-term chemical disinfection may kill Legionella bacteria on the surface of the biofilm, but it does not kill bacteria under it. Bacteria can go into a cyst form, encapsulating it inside an amoeba and deep within layers of buildup on a pipe wall covered with biofilm.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/19668 Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/19668-commissioning-and-troubleshooting-dhw-systems-part-8 PE0724_legionella test.jpg Blood sample with legionella positive The more I use ChatGPT, the more I realize the benefits of using artificial intelligence (AI) to help the customer experience.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/19585 Mon, 03 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/19585-using-chatgpt-for-your-showroom TW0524_chat with artificial intelligence.jpg A.I., Chat with AI, Artificial Intelligence. Man using a smartphone chatting with an intelligent artificial intelligence asks for the answers he wants. by enter command prompt for generates, Learn how virtual and augmented reality provide risk-free environments, while robotics and drones minimize human exposure to hazardous jobsite conditions.

]]> http://www.phcppros.com/articles/19570 Mon, 03 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.phcppros.com/articles/19570-how-technology-is-evolving-safety-management PHCN0624_using drone for construction inspection-safety.jpg Drone operated by construction worker on building site,flying with drone.