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SUMMER 2013
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Engineers Can Learn How to
Differentiate Plastic Piping Systems—
and Earn CEUs from Lubrizol CPVC
As plastic piping becomes more popular for potable water
systems in commercial buildings, the engineers who design
those buildings are looking to learn more about the available
materials. Lubrizol CPVC is helping plumbing engineers
gain a deeper understanding of the piping materials while
offering the chance to earn continuing education credit with
their CEU course, “Understanding the Differences between
Plastic Potable Water Piping Systems.”
READ MORE
News and More
Project Profile
FlowGuard Gold® Offers Time and Cost
Savings over PE-X in Multifamily Projects
READ MORE
QUESTIONS? PIPE UP!
FlowGuard Gold® technical
experts have the answers.
Industry MVP
Steve Manis: A True Expert in the Field
READ MORE
If you need more information regarding a topic you have read about in
.
Plumbing Connections call 1.855.735.1431 or email plumbingconnections@lubrizol.com.
© 2013 The Lubrizol Corporation, all rights reserved. All marks are the property of The Lubrizol Corporation.
The Lubrizol Corporation is a Berkshire Hathaway company.
SUMMER 2013
Engineers Can Learn How to Differentiate
Plastic Piping Systems—and Earn CEUs
from Lubrizol CPVC
As plastic piping becomes more popular for potable water
systems in commercial buildings, the engineers who design
those buildings are looking to learn more about the available
materials. Lubrizol CPVC is helping plumbing engineers gain
a deeper understanding of the piping materials while offering
the chance to earn continuing education credit with their CEU
course, “Understanding the Differences between Plastic Potable
Water Piping Systems.”
The course reviews which plastic piping materials are approved
for use in potable water systems and dives deeply into how to
specify plastic systems, codes and standards, joining methods,
and common material precautions unique to plastic piping
systems. Other topics covered in the course include:
• Pipe dimensions and composition
• Cell classifications and material properties
• Chlorine resistance and oxidative degradation
Donovan Kelly, Principal and Mechanical Engineer with Kelly,
Wright & Associates, participated in the “Understanding the
Differences between Plastic Potable Water Piping Systems”
course and came away with new knowledge about the unique
properties and considerations relevant to plastic piping.
“The technical knowledge I gained from the presentation gives
me the background to create strong specifications, select piping
appropriate to each application and confidently review product
submittals,” Kelly says.
The course is facilitated by Lubrizol CPVC piping consultants
who are familiar with a wide range of piping projects and the
challenges engineers face in the field. With more than 30 years
of training and teaching experience, Piping Systems Consultant
Mark Tanner recognizes the value of the CEU course.
“Our field teams have always offered valuable information to
engineers,” Tanner says, “but now engineers can couple that
information with the tangible benefit of earning CEU credit.
That’s Lubrizol CPVC providing extensive technical expertise
as part of our effort to deliver More Inside™ to our partners.”
“The current market in plastic piping is growing rapidly,” says
Lemire. “Updated education on these types of systems is more
necessary than ever.”
Tanner and Lemire point out that Lubrizol CPVC is uniquely
positioned to provide technical expertise to engineers.
“We are not directly selling products,” Tanner says. “We share
our expertise and the science and chemistry behind the plastic
piping materials. We want engineers to have all the information
they need to make informed decisions and execute their projects
effectively.”
In addition to new information, Lemire hopes that engineers
come away from the course knowing that Lubrizol can serve
as an ongoing resource.
“Lubrizol is always available to provide technical expertise,
engineering and code assistance,” Lemire says. “We can be
engineers’ go-to contact in the industry.”
Currently, Lubrizol is the only company listed on the American
Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) website to offer a course
detailing plastic piping systems for CEU credit. “Understanding
the Differences between Plastic Potable Water Piping Systems”
is worth 1PDH or 0.1 CEU and is valid toward ASPE Certified in
Plumbing Design credit and for state continuing education credit
in most states that require CEU courses.
To sign up for this course or to browse other CEU courses
offered by Lubrizol CPVC, visit http://lubrizol.com/ceu.
Piping Systems Consultant Mark Lemire has facilitated more
than a dozen CEU courses for engineers and major engineering
firms in the last year.
If you need more information regarding a topic you have read about in
Plumbing Connections call 1.855.735.1431 or email plumbingconnections@lubrizol.com.
© 2013 The Lubrizol Corporation, all rights reserved. All marks are the property of The Lubrizol Corporation.
The Lubrizol Corporation is a Berkshire Hathaway company.
SUMMER 2013
FlowGuard Gold® Offers Time and Cost
Savings over PE-X in Multifamily Projects
The rising cost of copper and the desire to be more costcompetitive have driven a shift toward the use of plastic piping
in multifamily residential projects. Many contractors choose
between CPVC and PE-X based on material costs, ease and
speed of installation, and material quality. When Mitchell
Mechanical, a mechanical contractor out of Birmingham, Ala.,
put together a bid for a 25-story apartment complex in Atlanta,
they took a close look at both CPVC and PE-X to determine
which material would be the better choice.
Even with fewer fittings, the total cost of those fittings was
significantly higher than the cost of the fittings used with
FlowGuard Gold piping.
According to Jeff Jones, vice president of Mitchell Mechanical,
FlowGuard Gold® pipe and fittings offered multiple benefits over
PE-X, especially regarding installation. Jones and his team found
FlowGuard Gold just as easy to install as PE-X, and the rigidness
of the CPVC material made the piping easy to work with.
Especially in larger diameters, PE-X can be difficult to uncoil
and overly flexible, such that it requires frequent anchoring.
“PE-X manufacturers often talk about labor savings,” Jones
says, “but my guys can run FlowGuard just as fast.”
Jones and his team found a tremendous advantage in using
FlowGuard Gold over PE-X: They didn’t have to wait for the
framing to be finished before they could start installing the
FlowGuard Gold pipe and fittings. Because there is no adequate
way to hang PE-X before framing is complete, installers must
wait to start on the piping system, making for crowded and often
rushed working conditions. When installers do not have to wait
for framing, they are better able to stay on top of very aggressive
installation schedules.
Staying on schedule or even getting ahead of schedule is
not only good for the project; it is also good for the installer’s
reputation and relationships.
“When we get ahead and are right there behind the concrete
pourers, it makes us look good with the general contractor,”
Jones says. “We want to maintain a good image in the industry
and have strong relationships with our customers.”
Like all contractors, Jones and his team were concerned about
material cost when exploring which material to use in multifamily
residential projects. After running their own material cost
comparison, the Mitchell Mechanical team discovered the
true cost of PE-X systems. PE-X manufacturers often promote
the use of fewer fittings than rigid piping systems like CPVC.
The Mitchell Mechanical team also found that the cost of PE-X
fitting for a one-bath unit was higher than the total material cost
to plumb the same unit with FlowGuard Gold pipe and fittings.
In addition to the installation and cost, Jones and his team found
other advantages with using FlowGuard Gold pipe and fittings
over PE-X or copper. FlowGuard Gold demonstrates fewer issues
with vibration and sound, pipe movement, and expansion and
contraction. CPVC pipe and fittings also eliminate the extra
insulation necessary in copper systems. Using only FlowGuard
Gold ensured that Jones and his team avoided juggling multiple
materials and transitions, in particular when connecting piping to
a water heater. Going with one reliable piping system like FlowGuard
Gold made for a fast, easy and cost-effective installation.
Material quality and reliability continue to be important concerns
for contractors. With the high cost and theft risk of copper and
lingering questions about brass PE-X fittings, contractors often
consider FlowGuard Gold to be one of highest-quality, most
reliable materials for multifamily projects thanks to its 50+
year history in the market. In addition to a high-quality product,
contractors know they will get More Inside™ with Lubrizol
CPVC, including technical expertise and unparalleled service.
The added value of partnering with Lubrizol CPVC protects
a contractor’s reputation—and bottom line.
For more information about FlowGuard Gold
pipe and fittings, visit our website
http://www.lubrizol.com/CPVC/Products/FlowGuard.html.
If you need more information regarding a topic you have read about in
Plumbing Connections call 1.855.735.1431 or email plumbingconnections@lubrizol.com.
© 2013 The Lubrizol Corporation, all rights reserved. All marks are the property of The Lubrizol Corporation.
The Lubrizol Corporation is a Berkshire Hathaway company.
SUMMER 2013
Steve Manis: A True Expert in the Field
When it comes to knowledge and technical expertise, there is
“really knowing your stuff,” and there is Market Development
Manager Steve Manis. Before joining Lubrizol as a piping
consultant and territory manager in 2004, Steve spent 25 years
as a plumbing contractor in Florida. Steve often used Lubrizol
CPVC pipe and fittings to replace copper systems, and when
he saw the opportunity, he pitched his unrivaled expertise
to Lubrizol. It would be the first of many sales successes for
Steve, though he is quick to tell you that it’s not about selling
something—it’s about delivering value through expertise and
go-to service.
Steve is a man who wears many hats. In addition to having
day-to-day territory responsibilities in seven states (Arkansas,
Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio and
Tennessee), Steve is in charge of developing and maintaining
relationships at the corporate level with Marriott, Hilton and
Disney. No matter which Lubrizol CPVC customer Steve is
serving, however, he strives to make things as easy as possible,
for customers and their own customers, by resolving problems
and easing industry headaches every step of the way.
“Our customers see the value we bring to them,” Steve says.
“They notice the technical experience of our team, our quality
control, onsite training services and superior product. This is
the ‘More Inside’ we promise at Lubrizol.”
Steve recognizes that Lubrizol is not the newest name in the
marketplace, but it is the value Lubrizol strives to provide that
keeps customers loyal to Lubrizol CPVC pipe and fittings.
“Competitors come out with new products, much like a flashy
new car,” Steve says, “but customers who leave always
come back to Lubrizol. Our technical features and benefits
far outweigh the competition.”
Proud of his union background and roots as a third-generation
plumber, Steve is humble and grateful for the chance to put his
skills to work for a company he admires.
“I was at an awards presentation in Las Vegas, and I looked at
my wife and said, ‘Why am I here?’” Steve explains. “I didn’t
think I deserved to be there.”
Steve’s colleagues think otherwise. They consider him a brand
ambassador and the go-to guy for his customers. Lubrizol
market segment manager Domenic DeCaria notes that Steve
is consistently focused on differentiation and “looks out for the
Lubrizol CPVC business from the perspective of the customer,
identifying unique ways for us to gain an edge over our
competition.”
“When Steve talks, people listen,” says Rocco Mango, a vice
president and general manager at Lubrizol. “Because of his
extensive experience with piping systems, Steve provides instant
credibility with our customers, distributors and end users.”
Piping consultant Chris Smith agrees. “Steve always provides
practical solutions to customers’ issues. He understands the
performance of our branded products and provides contractors
a level of comfort with our products that they may not receive
from others.”
As much as he believes in the quality of Lubrizol CPVC products
and knows their technical capabilities inside and out, Steve is quick
to point out that the people at Lubrizol make all the difference.
“It’s more than just the end product,” Steve says. “The people
behind the product at Lubrizol are our customers’ partners. We
care about bringing value, and we truly are an extension of our
customers to their customers.”
Outside of his work for Lubrizol, Steve enjoys golfing, boating,
watching his beloved Florida Gators and spending time with
his wife, Wanda, and his children, Amanda, Cindy, David, Casey
and Matthew.
If you need more information regarding a topic you have read about in
Plumbing Connections call 1.855.735.1431 or email plumbingconnections@lubrizol.com.
© 2013 The Lubrizol Corporation, all rights reserved. All marks are the property of The Lubrizol Corporation.
The Lubrizol Corporation is a Berkshire Hathaway company.