viega voice

PORSCHEDESIGNTOWER

STAINLESS FIRE PROTECTION IN UTAH CHEESE PLANT

NEW EISENHOWER NATIONAL AIRPORT

ARTIC TRANSFORMS CALIFORNIA TRANSIT

JOURNAL OF PLUMBING, HEATING AND PIPE JOINING SYSTEMS FROM VIEGA LLC

JULY

20

15

Contents 3 Letter from the CEO5 Letter from the COO 6 In your neighborhood8 Porsche living11 Radiant systems seminars12 Success through teamwork for landmark California project14 Living the American dream 16 New airport makes good first impression 18 Legionnaires' disease a changing tide in the plumbing industry 20 Take training to the next level with Viega courses in French 22 Finding the next generation of plumbers is no joking matter24 Utah cheese plant protected with stainless fire sprinkler 26 California wastewater agency wins with radiant technology28 No more leaks for Kansas homeowner29 The best of the best: Viega top gun winners30 Training opportunities 31 TechTalk

WHAT’S INSIDE

Stainless fire protection in Utah cheese plant

24

Porsche Design Tower

8

New Eisenhower National Airport

16

Featured on the coverViega can now add Porsche to its list of reputable business associates. The new

Porsche Design Tower in Miami, FL utilized Viega ProPress and Viega

MegaPress in its mechanical design.

12ARTIC transforms California transit

2 v i e g a v o i c e • J U L Y 2 0 1 5

LETTER FROM THE CEO

Dave Garlow

We recently congratulated 40 winners of Consulting-Specifying Engineer

magazine's annual “40 under 40” issue – it inspired a few thoughts.

It’s refreshing to see people in their 20s and 30s excited about being in our

industry – and all trades, for that matter. Careers in technical fields rarely top the

“what I want to be when I grow up” list of a teenager. But something happened

along the way that inspired these folks to become engineers, craftsmen and

specialists. Whether it was a teacher, a mentor or a family member, these young

men and women have excelled and found a passion for the work they do.

There are more than a few of you who excel in our industry that fit within the

labels of “Generation X” and “Millennial.” We’re glad you’re here and appreciate

your contributions to the industry.

It brought into focus the

importance of being a mentor.

It’s easy to view the next wave

of “kids” that come into any

organization as upstarts, but

the truth is, you can learn from

each other. Those who have

been around for a while can

show newcomers the quality

and value we bring to the

everyday life of our contractors

and customers – and why it’s something to take pride in as a career.

The newcomers can provide fresh eyes, new energy and the idealism of youth.

Youth and wisdom. Energy and experience. It is that balance that drives our

innovation. It’s where our greatness comes from.

Speaking of balance, as we strive for excellence, it’s important not to get so

wrapped up in work that we forget to spend time with loved ones and nurturing

whatever it is that you love to do outside of work. It’s summertime – enjoy your

time with family and friends.

NEWCOMERS TO THE INDUSTRY

PROVIDE FRESH EYES AND THE

IDEALISM OF YOUTH.

v i e g a v o i c e • w w w . v i e g a . u s 3

Viega system solutions

Saving time and solving problems

Meeting and exceeding industry standards with every installation

For more than 115 years, Viega has been the global leader in plumbing, heating and pipe joining technology. Our patented press fi tting system allows pipes in multiple materials to be joined without soldering, making us the clear choice for new and existing plumbing applications.

Secure connections are made in less than seven seconds, saving up to 60% on installation and fl ameless technology means no burn permits or fi re watches. With the Smart Connect feature designed into Viega products, installers can easily identify unpressed connections, providing peace of mind on the job.

For more information, call 800-976-9819 or visit www.viega.us

T H E G L O B A L L E A D E R I N P L U M B I N G , H E A T I N G A N D P I P E J O I N I N G S Y S T E M S

LETTER FROM THE COO

Robert Boots

No industry ever succeeded without forward-thinking individuals and

companies who were willing to take risks for what they believe in. These people

and businesses have a vision of what life is supposed to be like and are always

preparing for what might happen between now and then.

You can always count on a forward thinker to come up with a solution that

suits the need and solves the problem because they are always looking to make

life better. It’s not art for art’s sake or even science for science’s sake. It’s a

practical lifestyle of seeing a problem, inventing a solution and making it work

for everyone involved.

The plumbing and heating industry has been around for centuries and until

the last 20 years or so, it hadn’t changed much. But a lot has happened in that

time to make the industry better, and it’s thanks to those people and companies

who decided there had to be more to our

industry than just joining pipe.

In the last 20 years, we’ve seen more

innovative installation methods for plumbing,

heating and pipe joining than there have

been in the 200 years previous. And it’s not

because anybody was tired of the old way

of doing things. It’s because someone saw

an opportunity to make plumbing, heating

and pipe joining more efficient and safer, with

higher quality manufacturing and new ways

to make connections.

However, it’s not just making a great product and expecting people to use

it. If you really want to make a difference, you have to make a great product and

be available to people. In today’s industry, quality matters absolutely, but if you

haven’t got the time to build a relationship with a customer, they may not have

time for you. And rightly so.

As always, there’s a balance between planning for the future and being a

caretaker of the past. Forward thinking is a great skill as long as you don’t lose

sight of the reason why it matters — and that’s the people around you.

IF YOU REALLY WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, YOU HAVE TO...

BE AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE.

Viega system solutions

Saving time and solving problems

Meeting and exceeding industry standards with every installation

For more than 115 years, Viega has been the global leader in plumbing, heating and pipe joining technology. Our patented press fi tting system allows pipes in multiple materials to be joined without soldering, making us the clear choice for new and existing plumbing applications.

Secure connections are made in less than seven seconds, saving up to 60% on installation and fl ameless technology means no burn permits or fi re watches. With the Smart Connect feature designed into Viega products, installers can easily identify unpressed connections, providing peace of mind on the job.

For more information, call 800-976-9819 or visit www.viega.us

T H E G L O B A L L E A D E R I N P L U M B I N G , H E A T I N G A N D P I P E J O I N I N G S Y S T E M S


Keep up to date with what’s happening in your neighborhood. If you have regional news you would like to share, please send your updates to [email protected].

IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Pullman, WAProject: Washington State University North ResidenceContractor: McKinstryInstalled: Viega ProPress Applications: Domestic water

Memphis, TNProject: Bass Pro Shops Outdoor WorldContractor: Gipson Mechanical Contractors Installed: Viega ProPressApplications: Indoor cypress forest watering system

Clearwater, FL Project: 430 Place Condo Contractor: Ackerman PlumbingInstalled: Viega ProPress, Viega PEX manifolds, Viega MegaPressG, Viega ProPress ball valves, Viega PEX Press fittingsApplications: Hybrid plumbing system, natural gas

Draper, UTProject: Living Planet Aquarium Contractor: A-Tom PlumbingInstalled: Viega PEX PressApplications: Domestic water

Wichita, KSProject: Wichita Southeast High School Contractor: Kruse CorporationInstalled: Viega ProPress and Viega MegaPressGApplications: Domestic water, natural gas

6 v i e g a v o i c e • J U L Y 2 0 1 5

Laconia, NH Project: Laconia Fire DepartmentContractor: Oliver MechanicalInstalled: Viega ProPress and Viega MegaPressG Applications: Domestic water, natural gas

Wilmington, VTProject: The Hermitage ClubContractor: Economy MechanicalInstalled: Viega ProPress, Viega FostaPEXApplications: Hybrid plumbing system, heating

Clearwater, FL Project: 430 Place Condo Contractor: Ackerman PlumbingInstalled: Viega ProPress, Viega PEX manifolds, Viega MegaPressG, Viega ProPress ball valves, Viega PEX Press fittingsApplications: Hybrid plumbing system, natural gas

New York, NY Project: 432 Park Avenue high-rise residentialContractor: Paramount PlumbingInstalled: Viega ProPress Applications: Domestic water

Naples, FLProject: Naples Square apartmentsContractor: Bear's PlumbingInstalled: Viega ManaBloc and Viega MegaPressG Applications: Potable water, natural gas

Wichita, KSProject: Wichita Southeast High School Contractor: Kruse CorporationInstalled: Viega ProPress and Viega MegaPressGApplications: Domestic water, natural gas


PORSCHE LIVING

T he shoreline of Florida’s Sunny Isles Beach just got a little more

desirable. From atop the 30th floor of the Porsche Design Tower, it’s

difficult to imagine that the view could get any better, but in June 2016 it will

do just that.

That’s the hard deadline that Gil Dezer, President of Dezer Development,

has given himself and the hundreds of workers who are building the 60-story

Porsche Design Tower on the coast of Sunny Isles Beach.

One of South Florida’s most accomplished businessmen, as well as one

of the largest oceanfront property owners in Sunny Isles Beach, Dezer has

partnered with the Porsche Design Group on this $560 million project. The

650-foot tower boasts 132 units ranging from 4,200 to 17,000 square feet,

but its size is not what makes the tower so special.

In this case, not only does the tower hold Viega’s ProPress in ½" to 4"

copper for the domestic and potable water, Viega MegaPress in ½" to 2"

for chilled water and Viega MegaPressG in ½" to 2" for gas, it has three

elevators that will take owners and their car right into their home. The

patented elevator, the Dezervator™, can also operate with zero human input,

taking you from the entry floor to a private garage. Equipped with an RFID

chip, the car goes into the same space every time.

“The inspiration was to create a home,” Dezer said. “The whole idea

was to really raise the bar here in Florida and do something that’s never

been done before, and so that’s what we’re achieving.”

The simplicity of the elevator was an ingenious way of maximizing the

footprint of the building as well as the profits. Dezer picked up 200,000

square feet of parking and put it inside rather than adjacent to the building.

Adding the cost of the parking into the unit price saved money and

maximized the profits by 20-to-30%, according to Dezer.

“From a developer standpoint, and even from an architect’s standpoint,

what we’ve done in this building that’s really never been done before, is we

increased the efficiency of the floor plan,” Dezer said. “What that means is

that every developer is required to give away parking, but because we put

the elevator in the building, we are able to charge for parking. What is

typically a cost to a developer has turned into a profit center.”

The financial efficiencies of the building don’t stop there. The

mechanical engineering firm, Steven Feller P.E., PL in Ft. Lauderdale, FL,

knows how critical time is on these jobs, and knew that Viega was the right

way to go for a building of this caliber. Over the last few years, the firm has

seen the number of contractors requesting the use of Viega products

grow tremendously.

“We saw how well it was accepted, even overseas. All our contractors

started submitting it for use and now it’s come a long way,” Mike Torrey,

Plumbing Department Head at Feller said. “It’s something the contractors

want us to use. It’s affordable, and we like that we can put something in the

spec that they want to use and will be happy with.”

Continued on page 10

8 v i e g a v o i c e • J U L Y 2 0 1 5

IT'S GOING TO BE THE GREATEST BUILDING IN MIAMI. MIAMI IS HOME. YOU CAN DO BUSINESS...AND THEN COME SATURDAY MORNING, YOU'RE ON VACATION. Gil Dezer, President,

Dezer Development


Heiselt Escobar, a Plumbing Engineer for Feller, said

it was the sales representatives that introduced the

product to the firm, but it was the number of requests

they received from contractors and the quality of the

product that made them specify it for the Porsche

Design Tower.

While the decision to use Viega systems may have

started with Feller, the installers had an easy time

keeping up with inventory demands because Lehman

Pipe and Supply keeps Viega systems stocked. As an

independent distributor and the second generation

owner of the 70-year-old company, Dennis Lehman

stocks Viega products because he believes in

the product.

“[Viega is] the Rolls Royce of the industry,”

Lehman said. "You make the finest products in

the industry."

For the Porsche Design Tower, Lehman sold Viega

system solutions to a contractor known for its excellence

in the plumbing industry, Olympia Plumbing Corporation.

Olympia is one of the largest commercial plumbing

companies in South Florida and the general contractor,

Coastal Construction, is known for its work on high-

end projects. The two have worked closely together on

several new high-rise buildings, but the Porsche Design

Tower is one of the more notable projects on Olympia’s

resume. Robert Jimenez, president of Olympia, and his

employees have used Viega ProPress and Viega

MegaPress on a variety of projects across the state

and stand by the product.

“The Viega ProPress was excellent. We’ve been

working well with it − there are no leaks,” Cesar Gamero,

Superintendent at Olympia said. “I pressurized it at 200

pounds and we haven’t had any problems with it. You

don’t have to come back to it. It’s a good product.”

Viega sales representatives played a major role in

this high-profile installation at the Porsche Design Tower.

Viega sales representatives have a great relationship

not only with Olympia, but all the mechanical and

plumbing contractors involved in the Porsche Design

Tower project.

“Any time we have an issue, we call our Viega sales

rep and he’s right there,” said Carlos Alvarado, Project

Manager for Olympia. “It's a great product. We want to

keep using it.”

Another contractor involved in the project, Jorda

Mechanical, visited the Porsche Design Tower while a

Viega sales representative provided training on Viega

MegaPress with hands-on demonstrations.

“I’ve used Viega ProPress before,” said Jose

Castelloa, a contractor installing Viega MegaPress in

sizes ½" to 2" for the heating and air conditioning

systems. “I think it’s great. It will speed up the work

for us.”

It’s not rare that jobs like the Porsche Design Tower

come together like this. With every inch of the project

specifying Viega systems - from the beginning with the

engineering firm, to the experience contractors already

have using the system - the tower is an example of how

seamlessly a project can run from conception to

completion. Impeccable timing is something important

to developers like Dezer who work to make Miami a

better place to live.

“It’s going to be the greatest building in Miami. Miami

is home. There is a real working environment here, where

you can do business and get jobs done, and then come

Saturday morning, you’re on vacation,” Dezer said.

“We live in paradise. We live where everyone else comes

to vacation.”

YOU ARE THE ROLLS ROYCE OF THE INDUSTRY. YOU MAKE THE FINEST PRODUCT.

- Dennis Lehman, Owner, Lehman Pipe and Supply

1 0 v i e g a v o i c e • J U L Y 2 0 1 5

Energy and Comfort Performance of Radiant Systems Advantages and differences of how radiant systems work

As part of Viega’s efforts to help inform the heating and cooling industry

about emerging trends in efficient building design, we created the Energy and

Comfort Performance of Radiant Systems National Seminar Series. This full day

seminar focuses on the integration of hydronic heating and cooling systems

into building design and the resulting efficiencies that are possible.

Attendees will learn about radiant vs. forced-air, thermal comfort, cooling

load fundamentals, control strategies and their impact on energy efficiency.

Additionally, design guidelines, tools, sizing examples and system integration

will be covered through discussions focused on successfully completed

buildings and initial design strategies.

Upcoming seminar locations and dates are as follows:

October 14 | New York, NY

November 3 | San Francisco, CA

To learn more about our Energy and Comfort Performance of Radiant

Systems Seminars, please contact us at 800-976-9819, ext. 200 or visit

www.viega.us/training to register for a seminar near you.

RADIANT SYSTEMS SEMINARS

v i e g a v o i c e • w w w . v i e g a . u s 1 1

SUCCESS THROUGH TEAMWORK FOR LANDMARK CALIFORNIA PROJECT

T he Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal

Center (ARTIC) is the Grand Central Station of the

future. Centrally located in Orange County, CA, ARTIC

will provide transportation service for three million local

residents as well as 40 million annual visitors.

A LEED Platinum building, the structure is 67,000

square feet with three levels, connecting people to a

variety of transit options as well as entertainment, dining

and retail shops, all in one location.

“The ARTIC station is pretty monumental for the

future,” said Paul Redgate, Pipe Fitting Superintendent

for California Comfort Systems in San Diego, CA. “It

has multiple resources — a bus station, large parking

facility for car pools. It’s the first of the high-speed rail

stations that has been built today. The project itself was

high profile for the city of Anaheim, much different than

a typical install.”

ARTIC’s unique architecture includes a large number

of windows and a dome-shaped structure, which

results in high solar gains. Due to ARTIC’s

unique architecture and size, controlling

the climate inside the building with a

conventional forced-air system would

have been practically impossible. HVAC

designers for the project chose to implement

a radiant heating and cooling system instead.

Radiant cooling allows for the instantaneous

removal of heat through absorption. Installing ViegaPEX

Barrier tubing at tightly spaced increments (6" on-

center), within two inches of the finished surface floor,

gave the engineer the ability to remove the solar gain

instantaneously. For the ARTIC project, the cooling

capacity ranges up to 40 btuh/sq.ft. This provides an

energy savings of 34% over ASHRAE 90.1-2007.

“We installed 44,000 feet of in-slab heating and

cooling pipe, 18 manifolds and 12 pumps,” Redgate

said. “It was pretty large. This was our first radiant

project of this size. We’ve done some smaller stuff

but nothing on this scale.”

Throughout all phases of design and

construction, the manufacturers, the

engineers, the installers and the

suppliers worked together to

streamline the building

process. This collaboration

helped improve

communication through

the entire project.

THIS WAS OUR FIRST RADIANT PROJECT OF THIS SIZE. WE’VE DONE SOME SMALLER STUFF BUT NOTHING ON THIS SCALE.

- Paul Redgate, Pipe Fitting Superintendent, California Comfort Systems

1 2 v i e g a v o i c e • J U L Y 2 0 1 5

“Personally, I’m very impressed with the teamwork

that took place between the contractors,” Redgate said.

“From Clark Construction and the engineering team to

vendors and field contractors, everyone was really

excited to be working on such a high profile project.

There was a lot of anticipation for this place to open.”

Redgate spoke highly of the Viega representatives

who worked on the ARTIC project along with his team.

“I want to really compliment them on their

preconstruction efforts with us,” Redgate said. “At the

beginning of this project, we weren’t very comfortable,

but they were hands-on and got out there with our

group and showed us best practices and installation

methods—what to do and what not to do. They put on a

great face for Viega, and it was great for our group.”

The ARTIC project marked California Comfort

Systems’s first radiant heating and cooling project with

Viega systems. It was also the first time the company

worked hand-in-hand with Viega for the design of

a project.

“From start to finish, from inception of the design

to the commissioning, Viega was there by our side,”

Redgate said. “Viega’s involvement was priceless—they

didn’t just hand us the package and walk away. To have

them out there all the way through to the end of the proj-

ect was probably the best feature overall. And we still

beat the industry average by 25%

on the install.”

Viega offers radiant heating

and cooling solutions that are

easy to install. With simple

connections and engineered

system designs, Viega makes

radiant heating and cooling

projects easy, regardless of the

project size. And for the more

complicated, large-scale projects

where the installers may not be

totally confident, Viega offers

training and assistance from start

to finish.

“I can’t express enough how

impressed I was with these guys

who were paying attention to our project,” Redgate said.

“I don’t think I ever waited for a return phone call for

more than 20 minutes. It’s about the

project but it’s about the people

too. Viega has a great team of

people that are very passionate

about their product.”

44,000 feet of ViegaPEX Barrier tubing was installed to regulate the climate inside the new trasportation center in Orange County, CA.


LIVING THE AMERICAN DREAMO n March 16, 1962, at the age of 18 and a half,

Manny Alonso left Cuba, arriving on the coast of

Florida with the hope of a new beginning. Eleven years

later, he would own one of the most successful plumbing

companies in Florida.

Seven months after his arrival, the Cuban Missile

Crisis began. Luckily, Alonso was already taking English

classes at night and working various jobs. Miami was a

small city at the time – much smaller than the metropolis

it is today – and work was scarce, so Alonso did

whatever he could to make ends meet.

Desk jobs weren’t for Alonso, so he picked tomatoes

for $7.50 a day. Later, he did odd jobs including running

a hot dog cart on the weekends at local events, building

dividers for bathroom stalls, and working for a window

manufacturer. At the time, Alonso would have to sell four

hot dogs to make 15 cents.

“For me, at that time, eight dollars was a lot of

money. The rent was $50 a month, but you lived in a

house that had no hot water and no air conditioning,”

Alonso said. “But that was life. Starting out like that and

getting to where I am now is why this country is

the greatest country in the world.”

After earning his license as a master plumber and

working six years at a plumbing company, Alonso

opened Professional Plumbing, Corp., from his home.

He wanted to use the word “sunshine” in his business

name, but it didn’t seem professional enough.

Manny Alonso, Owner, Professional Plumbing Corp., Miami, FL

IF I STOP WORKING, I'D BE DEAD. I LOVE THE JOB SITE. I HATE THE OFFICE.

1 4 v i e g a v o i c e • J U L Y 2 0 1 5

The 42-year-old business started in 1973 with five

employees and two trucks. In 2007-2008 during the

financial crisis, the company went from having 300

employees to 3 employees. Today, Professional

Plumbing works in the high-rise condominium,

apartment and commercial building markets in Florida.

Now there are more than 25 trucks and 170 employees,

but Manny still doesn’t have a desk.

“I wake up at 4:30 in the morning, work six days a

week, 12 hours a day,” Alonso said. “And that is only to

be successful. Never be satisfied with what you did, you

can always do better.”

By 2014, Florida’s population grew to 19.9 million,

surpassing that of New York’s 19.7 million. Today,

Professional Plumbing has touched so many high-rise

buildings in Florida that Alonso has lost count of the

exact number.

“Just like every company, we have our ups and

downs. Right now it’s a big boom. I think bigger than the

previous one,” Alonso said.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, a five-story

building was monumental for Miami and played a role in

Alonso’s decision to become a plumber. The situation in

Miami changed, with a lot of construction of apartments

and houses coming into the area. Today, Miami boasts

307 high-rises, 62 of which stand taller than 400 feet.

Alonso recalled a time when people considered a

seven-story building a high-rise until a taller one

came along.

“Today, if the building doesn’t have more than

10 stories, we don’t do it,” Alonso said. “It’s a

different time.”

Professional Plumbing can be selective because they

have a reputation in the industry of having good

employees that specialize in the different components

of plumbing.

“I’m proud of what I’m doing. I love to come to work.

I feel very fortunate to have a dedicated and hard-

working team,” Alonso said. “We have a solid reputation.

It hasn’t been easy to build that reputation, but we are

committed to our clients and are highly specialized. We

have a plumber to do drain pipe, we have one to do

water pipe and one for fixtures. We try to do our best,

and we are known for that.”

Currently, Professional Plumbing is working on 11

projects with all the big developers in the city. Many

jobs include Viega systems, which make the projects

more efficient and reliable, leading to praise by

construction contractors.

“After 20 years at Morse Diesel at 13 projects and

working with over 400 subcontractors, Professional

Plumbing has earned my highest ranking of any

subcontractor, in any phase of construction,” Ronnie

Poliseo, General Superintendent, Morse Diesel

International said.

From selling hot dogs to today’s surge, Alonso has

made a name for himself and his company. At the age

of 71, Alonso is proud to work alongside his son,

Manny Alonso, Jr., who is a Master Plumber and Vice

President of the company. But Alonso has no plans

to retire anytime soon.

“I have to do this. I have to work. If I stop working,

I’d be dead,” Alonso said. “I love the job site. I hate

the office.”

Alonso’s employees are like his family, many of them

working alongside him for years, but his true blessing is

his family at home. Alonso and his wife, Isabel, have two

sons, Manny, Jr., and Robert, two daughters-in-law, and

five grandchildren.

“I’ve been actively involved since I was 15; I not only

worked in the office but on the job site. I worked during

the summer, after school,” Alonso, Jr., said. “The ground

work is there to continue.”

The hands-on, family-style approach is what Alonso,

Jr., says makes them stand out from the competition.

Every job site has personal involvement from Alonso, Jr.,

and his dad.

“You have to be competitive. There’s no way they are

going to pay me more. They may choose you because

they like you, but you have to meet the price,” Alonso

said. “It’s a big market, but it’s a rough market. In the

beginning, it was tough, too, but we’re here, and we’re

going to stay here because we love this community.”

Manny Alonso and his son Manny Alonso Jr. are supporters of Viega products, using them in many high-rise buildings throughout Miami.


Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, Wichita, KS

I t’s been 10 years in the making, and Wichita’s new

airport is open for business. From the ground up,

the Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport combines

innovative design with the functionality of a modern

terminal.

Known as the Air Capital of the World, Wichita’s

latest addition to aviation is the first and last impression

visitors will see upon arrival to the city. In June, Wichita

said goodbye to its 61-year-old airport terminal and

opened its doors to a new 275,000-square-foot home.

Aviation themed inside and out, the building makes

you feel as if you are entering an aircraft, with those

details carrying over indoors. A swooping roof line

outside, decorative stainless steel

walls, public art and aviation

history pieces inside, the

airport is one-of-a-

kind. A terrazzo floor designed with inspiration from the

contrails of aircraft flying will guide the two million

passengers that pass through the airport each year.

Adjacent to the original building, the airport is

equipped with the latest technology, food services,

parking garage, baggage claim and loading gates.

The Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport was made of

quality products, including Viega systems, designed to

make traveling in and out of Wichita quick, efficient and

easy. It features 23,000 square feet of radiant flooring,

8½ miles of gas, hydronic and water lines, and 267

plumbing fixtures.

The Waldinger Corporation was subcontracted by

the general contractors, Key Construction and

Walbridge, for the mechanical work at the airport.

Formed in 1906, Waldinger has offices

throughout the midwest including Wichita,

KS. The Viega name and its products

were nothing new to Waldinger.

They understood Viega’s

press technology has

the ability to save

time and

money by

NEW AIRPORT MAKES GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION

1 6 v i e g a v o i c e • J U L Y 2 0 1 5

eliminating the need to solder every joint, and its

patented Smart Connect feature offers a secure

connection every time.

“I started using Viega ProPress when it first

came to the United States in 1999,” Matt Hildreth,

Construction Division Manager for The Waldinger

Corporation said. “The only time I have seen a leak is

when we cut it apart,” he said.

The Waldinger Corporation installed Viega ProPress

copper in ½" to 4" in the domestic potable water

applications. They also used ViegaPEX Barrier and

Viega FostaPEX tubing for a snow-melting system and

a Viega ProRadiant heating system in the behind-the-

scenes area of baggage claim, in parts of the tarmac,

the main entry and the loading dock. While most of their

work and Viega’s systems are hidden, Waldinger knows

the important stuff is behind the walls.

"The guys all like going ‘look at this mechanical

room.’ All the boilers are perfect, all the piping is perfect

that’s how we do our work,” Hildreth said. “It’s what’s

hidden in the walls. It’s what’s in that mechanical room

and behind the walls that makes this work.”

Press innovations allow mechanical contractors like

Waldinger to not only save time, but also money.

A highly engineered system, it’s the time savings that

contractors are using to sell their customers.

“Our opinion is that we are going to do it at least

20% better,” Hildreth said. “It’s what we use as a

standard of bidding. We’ve smoked that estimate

on occasion.”

Its functionality and reliability are part of the driving

force, but the value added is with the customer

service clients receive from the sales representatives.

Viega reps will drop what they’re doing, pick up the

phone or turn their car around and head to the job site

to consult on a project faster. On a project the size of the

airport, that kind of commitment was invaluable for The

Waldinger Corporation.

“Lucky for us you guys were here and were very

active and helped us,” Hildreth said. “Customer support

was fantastic. You’re one of the few manufacturers that

do that.”

IT'S WHAT'S IN THAT MECHANICAL ROOM AND BEHIND THE WALLS THAT MAKES THIS WORK.

- Matt Hildreth, Construction Division Manager, The Waldinger Corporation

Viega systems, including Viega ProPress, were used in the new terminal, pictured here in the mechanical room.


LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASEA CHANGING TIDE IN THE PLUMBING INDUSTRY

A n often ignored and serious issue

associated with building potable

water systems is now, with the recently

published ASHRAE 188, getting a lot of

attention in the U.S.

A common misperception today is

that Legionnaires’ disease (LD) outbreaks are caused

almost exclusively by cooling towers or HVAC systems.

This is not true. A significant amount, if not a majority of,

LD outbreaks are caused by potable water systems.

Another common misperception is that because

Legionnaires’ disease does not appear in the news too

often, the amount of cases must be declining. In fact,

the annual incidence of LD cases has increased

dramatically. A 2011 CDC study found that U.S. LD

cases increased 217% from 2000 to 2009. Another CDC

study, a study of waterborne diseases associated with

drinking water and non-recreational water from 2009 to

2010, found that LD accounted for 58% of outbreaks,

42% of illnesses, 96% of hospitalizations, and 100%

(all) deaths.

Litigation associated with Legionella cases has

increased dramatically over the past decade as well. I’ve

been involved in many Legionnaires’ disease litigations

and in most of these plumbing engineers, contractors

and builders were brought into the litigation. As stated

above, over the past decade this has become a real and

growing issue.

Another all-too-common misperception is that

designing plumbing systems to reduce the risk of

Legionella means extra costs and less efficient systems.

In fact, I recommend the same items for engineering

design to reduce the risk for Legionella colonization as

most leading engineering experts do for water and

energy savings. Some plumbing component

manufacturers aware of the market opportunities are

improving existing products and developing new

products that address these issues.

If you are surprised by any information above,

don’t feel bad. The lack of awareness regarding this

serious issue is pervasive in U.S. public health,

the healthcare industry, non-healthcare industries,

associations, code development and trades. There are

very good U.S. guidelines that are legally recognized

standards of care published on the issue that are more

than a decade old. These U.S. standards of care include

OSHA (1998), ASHRAE 12-2000 (2000), Joint Commis-

sion (2001) and CDC (2003) to name a few. All of these

national U.S. Legionella guidelines are

scientifically based, useful and effective tools for

Legionella control in plumbing design.

Water heater manufacturers address the ‘failure

to warn’ scald negligence risk associated with their

product by insuring every water heater manual has a full

page or more on scald risk. But Legionnaires’ disease

issues in the U.S. − though associated with many

different plumbing products − especially those that

temper the water, reduce flow, destroy disinfectants,

Tim Keane, Consultant, Legionella Risk Management, Inc.

Legionella pneumophila which thrives in potable water systems is responsible for over 90% of Legionnaires' disease cases, which have increases by 217% from 2000 to 2009.

1 8 v i e g a v o i c e • J U L Y 2 0 1 5

I n the U.S., most of us take safe drinking water for granted. It’s taken serious

events such as severe drought and multiple outbreaks in hospitals for the general public to become aware of the risks associated with one of our most important resources − our water supply.

As an industry leader in pipe joining technology, Viega takes the issue of safe drinking water very seriously. To learn more about minimizing your risk of waterborne pathogens, from ASHRAE 188 to new concepts in commercial plumbing, contact a Viega Technical Manager at viegawaterquality.us.

or allow potential for cross-connection between hot

and cold water, has been largely ignored. The plumbing

industry is much more concerned and aware of scalding

issues even though rates of potable water system issues

associated with scalding are almost insignificant when

compared to Legionnaires’ disease.

The new ASHRAE 188 standard will help increase

awareness in the plumbing industry and hopefully will

result in beneficial steps to reduce the plumbing

industry's risk of negligence litigation associated with

this issue. The long term result should be improved

plumbing codes, plumbing system design and plumbing

products that reduce the potential for Legionella to grow

in plumbing systems.

Tim Keane is an internationally recognized expert in

Legionella control in potable water systems. He has

authored numerous papers and presented at numerous

scientific and industry meetings on the issue. He has

provided training to engineers, plumbing designers and

building operators for over a decade on best practices

for controlling Legionella in building water systems

based on his first-hand experience with Legionnaires’

disease outbreak resolution.

According to the CDC: Of all waterborne diseases

associated with drinking

and non-recreational water in

the U.S., Legionnaires' Disease

accounts for:

100%

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96%

OF

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NS 58

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UTB

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THE IMPACT OF LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE


F rom the time of its foundation in 1899 to the

present, Viega’s success has been built on

innovation. First by changing the way industry works,

now by changing the way industry learns.

Viega has recently unveiled industry training

presented in French for its Canadian customers, offering

complete Viega design and installation training at the

Viega Educational Facility in Nashua, NH.

“Like many other companies operating in Canada,

we have offered French language training locally in

Quebec,” said Mark Evans, Viega Director of Sales,

Canada. “This training, however, was never able to

provide the full advantage of our program to those

customers who participated. In my 35 years in the

industry in Canada, I have never seen another program

like this where French language training was offered

outside of Quebec, let alone in the United States.”

By offering these training options in French at the

Viega Educational Facility, the program offers education

for Canadian distributor partners, contractor customers

and members of the engineering and design community.

“Feedback from the first two groups of our

customers who participated has been phenomenal

and far exceeded even my expectations,” said Francis

Longtin, Viega District Manager for the eastern sales

district in Canada. “This training respects the needs of

my customers and demonstrates our commitment to the

industry. We promoted this French training at our booth

at the recent MCEE Trade Show in Montreal and many

people wanted to know where to sign up for the

next session.”

René Lauzé from TBC Constructions, Inc. is a

contractor from Quebec City who participated in the

inaugural session this past February.

“The training was given with care for detail,” Lauzé

said, “and all questions I had were answered with ease

indicating a very good knowledge of your products.

The space for the training is very well suited to the reality

of today. The lodging and the food was excellent.

I recommend this training to everyone!”

Joel Gagnon from Tuyauterie BGR attended the most

recent training session.

TAKE TRAINING TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH VIEGA COURSES IN FRENCH

ALL OF THE QUESTIONS I HAD WERE ANSWERED WITH EASE INDICATING A VERY GOOD KNOWLEDGE OF YOUR PRODUCTS...

- René Lauzé, Contractor, TBC Constructions, Inc.

A group of Canadian customers received industry training in French at Viega's training facility in Nashua, NH.

2 0 v i e g a v o i c e • J U L Y 2 0 1 5

“The training was very technical and the history of

the company was interesting,” Gagnon said. “I did not

even realize the time passing during the

training hours.” Gagnon mentioned the food

and the accommodations, stating that it

exceeded his expectations. “I did

appreciate all those details. Bravo!”

The training begins with an explanation

of the system solutions installed and

on display at the Viega Educational

Facility. Afterward, the training moves

to the classroom, and from there the class

moves into the construction lab for real-life,

hands-on installation training.

“Being able to rough-in actual products under job

site conditions allows customers not just to hear about

the benefits of our products, but to discover them for

themselves,” Longtin said. “It is much more meaningful.”

Viega has a legacy of excellence and dedication to

customers through quality and innovation. Now, with this

complete industry-focused system solution training for

French-speaking customers, Viega is taking the

plumbing, heating and pipe joining market in Quebec

to the next level.

For more information on Viega training, in French

or in English, call 877-843-4262 or email Viega at

[email protected].

A group of Canadian customers received industry training in French at Viega's training facility in Nashua, NH.


W hen Jay Leno spoke at the

opening session of the Water

Quality Association’s convention in

April in Las Vegas, NV, he told a joke

about plumbers. It went something

like this:

"Researchers have discovered that a common toilet

plunger can be used to restart somebody’s heart during

a heart attack. Great! Now I need to bring along my

plumber with my doctor. How expensive is that going

to be?"

Jay’s joke points out a paradox I’ve noticed for

a long time. The perception of the American public is

that plumbers make as much money as doctors and

lawyers – and many plumbers do very well financially,

both as company owners and employees. In 2012, the

median annual income for plumbing technicians was

almost $50,000.

But how many parents do you know who dream

about their kids growing up to be plumbers?

No one is laughing these days when the

subject turns to where we will find the next

generation of plumbers, especially with

construction back on the upswing. The

construction industry lost a tremendous

number of tradespeople during the

recession. In February 2015, The Atlantic

reported that construction overall in the U.S.

employs 1.4 million fewer people than in 2007.

As plumbers get older, more and more are retiring.

When Plumbing & Mechanical conducted our Reader

Profile & Preference Study last year, the average age of

survey respondents was 56 years old, which is close

FINDING THE NEXT GENERATION OF PLUMBERS IS NO JOKING MATTERBob Miodonski, BNP Media Plumbing Group Publisher

Photo courtesy of PHCC National Association

2 2 v i e g a v o i c e • J U L Y 2 0 1 5

to the industry’s average age for owners of

plumbing companies.

U.S. Census numbers show the need for 21%

more plumbing technicians by 2022. During their

Legislative Conference in April in Washington,

members of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling

Contractors (PHCC) – National Association told

legislators they expect a shortage of 100,000

plumbing and HVAC technicians over the next 10 years,

not including people retiring from the industry.

The plumbing industry needs to do a better job of

recruiting and training young people. Without a growing

and qualified workforce, manufacturers such as Viega

and their contractor customers will fall short of their

business objectives because construction projects will

be postponed or abandoned.

Fortunately, industry associations and their corporate

partners have initiated programs to improve recruitment

and training. Viega employees should recognize – and

be commended for – the fact that they work for

a company in the forefront of supporting many of

these initiatives.

I personally have been involved with the Explore

the Trades Committee created by the Nexstar Network

Legacy Foundation. Nexstar is a best practices group

of plumbing, HVAC and electrical service contractors

who are experiencing the shortage of qualified

technicians firsthand.

“Only 6% of students are looking into careers in the

trades – all the trades, not just plumbing, HVAC and

electrical,” said Renee Cardarelle, the Nexstar

Foundation’s Executive Director. “We feel the general

public, as well as those who run our school systems,

don’t understand that these are areas where students

can have a lucrative, life-long career. It’s an uphill

struggle because we’re trying to change the culture.”

During the committee’s monthly conference calls,

I hear from Nexstar members around the country about

their efforts to recruit young people at high school career

days as well as their varying degrees of success in hiring

graduates of their local vocational technical schools.

Along the way, we created a website, job board and

recruitment video, which you can explore yourself at

www.explorethetrades.com.

Like Viega, Plumbing & Mechanical (PM) supports

the efforts of industry associations such as PHCC and

Mechanical Contractors Association of America. PM

is a PHCC Associate Member and Industry Partner of

PHCC’s Quality Service Contractors group. Viega is a

PHCC Corporate Partner and member of the PHCC

Partners for Professionalism program.

Viega also is a member of the PHCC Educational

Foundation and a strong supporter of its apprentice

training programs. In addition, Viega hosts the

foundation’s two-day foreman development workshop

at the training center in Nashua, NH.

When I toured the Viega booth in March at the

International Sanitation and Heating (ISH) trade show

in Frankfurt, Germany, the large number of young

tradespeople I saw there and everywhere on the trade

show floor astonished me. Finding ways to attract the

same numbers of young people to the construction

trades in this country is serious business. We can get

there if we all work to make it happen.

Bob Miodonski is Group Publisher of BNP Media’s

Plumbing Group, whose titles include Plumbing &

Mechanical, PM Engineer, Supply House Times, Reeves

Journal and Radiant & Hydronics e-News. You can email

him at [email protected].

ONLY 6% OF STUDENTS ARE LOOKING INTO CAREERS IN THE TRADES-ALL THE TRADES, NOT JUST PLUMBING, HVAC AND ELECTRICAL.

- Renee Cardarelle, Executive Director, Nexstar Foundation


Gossner Foods cheese plant in Utah used Viega ProPress for stainless steel for a newly installed fire sprinkler system.

T he Gossner Foods cheese plant in Logan, UT,

needed a new fire protection system retrofitted

in the shelf-stable milk section of the plant. This area

processes and packages milk into self-serve cartons.

“We retrofitted their production area in the old part

of the building,” said Chris Gilden, Project Foreman for

Paradise Fire Protection, Inc., in Logan, UT. “For some

of the project, we used the traditional roll-and-groove

joints, but we used Viega ProPress for stainless steel in

in the food grade sections so it would match.”

Paradise Fire Protection, Inc. installed Viega

ProPress for 304 stainless in a range of sizes, 4"

mains and branch lines in sizes 1", 1¼", 1½", and 2".

“We used just about all the pipe we ordered,” Gilden

said. “We flew out a designer and went through and

designed the project. From that design, I came up with

what parts we needed and ordered them. Then we

installed them.”

Gossner Foods, founded in 1966 by Edwin Gossner

and his family, is a cheese-making company in Utah and

Idaho. Specializing in Swiss, Gossner Foods also offers

cheddar, Monterey Jack, Muenster and others and

uses more than a half million pounds of milk daily for

cheese production.

Paradise Fire Protection Inc. is a full-service fire

sprinkler company, specializing in the design,

installation, service, testing and inspecting of

water-based fire sprinkler systems.

“We had some areas where you couldn’t necessarily

put a ladder,” Gilden said. “So that was challenging.”

What Gilden and his team learned about Viega

ProPress systems, though, is that the pipe and fittings

can be preassembled before installation.

“We would put two or three pieces and press them

on the floor,” Gilden said, “and then we’d press several

pieces with fittings together. We’d get 30 feet at a time

and press a bunch of it together. We could carry that in

preassembled and get it up in the air where we could

get to the ladders. That was a plus to the Viega

ProPress system.”

UTAH CHEESE PLANT PROTECTED WITH STAINLESS FIRE SPRINKLER

2 4 v i e g a v o i c e • J U L Y 2 0 1 5

The preassembled piping runs weighed less than

Gilden expected, too. “You can do most of your work on

the floor,” Gilden said. “The pipe is really light, it goes

together quickly, and we didn’t have a single leak. So

you don’t have to worry too much about the outcome of

pressurizing and testing.”

A project the size of Gossner Foods isn’t new to

Paradise Fire Protection, Inc. The company always does

commercial jobs that size or larger. Currently, they are

working on three separate high schools. One-or-two-

year jobs are normal for them. But the Gossner Foods

project was the first time Paradise Fire Protection, Inc.

had installed Viega ProPress systems.

When Gilden and his team were working

a different project, a Viega

representative stopped by to meet

with the company. Gilden and

his team happened to be

there installing a fire

protection system.

“He gave us his information,”

Gilden said, “and we found out later

that Gossner required stainless

shortly after that. So the timing was

perfect. The rep made a good

impression on us.”

Gilden reported

that compared to the other

brands of press fittings, Viega

ProPress performed at a much

higher standard.

“We didn’t have any leaks or issues,” Gilden said.

“We have not been called back to Gossner with leaks or

anything. With the other stuff, we had joint leaks at low

pressures, but once it got up to pressure it would stop.

It was kind of scary.”

Gilden was pleased with the time savings Viega

ProPress systems provided and stated that the

part of the job he took the most pride in was the

finished product.

“It’s a stainless facility,” Gilden said. “You can look

up in the air and see the stainless and it matches.

You can see how clean everything looks. It’s kind of

hard to spot the lines because they blend in with

everything else.”

Gilden appreciated that Viega ProPress fittings offer

the patented Viega Smart Connect feature, which helps

installers identify unpressed connections during

pressure testing.

“I like that Viega ProPress

fittings won’t hold any pressure,”

Gilden said. “If you dry fit, it will

leak through. A lot of fittings, if

you dry fit, will hold 20 or 30

pounds and then blow apart.

If you’re in a situation where you can’t have a blowout

like that, Viega ProPress works great.”

Overall, Gilden and Paradise Fire Protection, Inc.

were extremely satisfied with the project.

“The job was a retrofit above a bunch of equipment

that was already installed, so it was a pain,” Gilden said.

“But Viega made it easier.”

Gossner Foods cheese plant in Utah used Viega ProPress for stainless steel for a newly installed fire sprinkler system.

YOU CAN DO MOST OF YOUR WORK ON THE FLOOR. THE PIPE IS REALLY LIGHT, IT GOES TOGETHER QUICKLY AND WE DIDN'T HAVE A SINGLE LEAK.

- Chris Gilden, Project Foreman, Paradise Fire Protection, Inc.


W hen most people think of

radiant heat or hydronic snow

melt, the usual applications come to

mind: warm floors heating a room,

heated sidewalks and driveways

remaining snow-free without the need

for conventional snow removal. No doubt Viega Radiant

Design Services in Nashua, NH, has designed and

quoted thousands of projects like those, but occasionally

they receive requests for assistance with some very

out-of-the-box type of projects.

The ProblemIn April 2013, the Big Bear Area Regional

Wastewater Agency (BBARWA) in Big Bear, CA

contacted Viega Radiant Design Services regarding a

project that needed an innovative solution.

A byproduct of their treatment process is sludge,

which is composed primarily of water by weight. Since

the sludge must be hauled by truck to an off-site

disposal area, BBARWA had been looking for a way to

reduce the water content and weight of the sludge,

making it less expensive to haul. BBARWA had tried

CALIFORNIA WASTEWATER AGENCY WINS WITH RADIANT TECHNOLOGYJim Erhardt, Technical Trainer, Viega LLC

...THE SYSTEM WAS PERFORMING BEYOND EXPECTATIONS AND EVEN BETTER IN THE LOW-HUMIDITY WINTER MONTHS.

2 6 v i e g a v o i c e • J U L Y 2 0 1 5

several different methods to dry the sludge with only

marginal success and complaints from surrounding

homes of unpleasant odors. Additionally, the previous

method of using an open asphalt drying bed to

evaporate the water from the sludge was only effective

in the summer months.

BBARWA decided to devise a new system that

would be more effective, more efficient and would

reduce the odor complaints.

The Innovative SolutionBased on the idea of an enclosed building with

a heated slab, a new concept began to take shape.

BBARWA Plant Manager Fred Uhler contacted a Viega

Radiant Sales Manager and District Manager to discuss

the viability of the concept − an enclosed, ventilated

building with a heated slab for the sludge to dry on.

Since the facility produces its own electricity with three

diesel generators, the water flowing through the slab

would be heated with a heat exchanger in one of the

generator’s exhaust, making it an efficient co-generation

system. The new system was projected to save up to

$200,000 per year in transportation and fuel costs.

Once the project was approved, Viega Radiant

Design Services went to work on the specifics of the

slab heating system design, focusing on what would be

required to generate enough heat from the slab to meet

the sludge-drying objectives. Viega design engineers

used finite element analysis to determine the optimum

tubing size, spacing and install-depth in the slab based

on the water temperature supplied from the diesel

generator’s exhaust. Due to the shape and size of the

heated slab, it was clear that this project was an

excellent application for Viega’s revolutionary radiant

mat system. Viega Radiant Design Services provided a

list of the necessary materials, which would allow the

Viega mat system to be embedded in the slab of the

new 315-foot-by-60-foot covered drying bed building.

Installation of the Viega radiant mat system and

distribution manifolds was completed in less than one

day in January 2014. The contractors were impressed

with the speed and ease of installation of the Viega

radiant mat, as well as its quality of material and design.

They also appreciated the support provided by Viega

throughout the entire process, from design to

installation. With the Viega mat and manifolds installed,

the system was pressurized, the slab was poured, and

construction of the metal building that would be built on

it began the following week.

The Incredible ResultsThe covered drying bed building was completed

and went into operation in June 2014. While many

U.S. agencies use covered drying beds, using them in

conjunction with a heated slab is unique. Within a few

months, it became clear that this unique application of

radiant heating was a resounding success. In late 2014,

BBARWA Plant Manager Fred Uhler reported that the

system was performing beyond expectations and even

better in the low-humidity winter months. Additionally,

the project received the California Water Association

Desert Mountain Award for Innovation.

While conventional radiant heating and snow melting

projects are everyday business for the Viega ProRadiant

team, projects like the Big Bear Area Regional

Wastewater Agency covered drying bed are prime

examples of how Viega can design and deliver

innovative solutions that improve people’s lives, reduce

energy usage and help protect the environment.

A custom designed Viega ProRadiant system was installed in a drying bed building for a wastewater agency in California.


I t’s difficult enough to plumb a new

house, but how about a home

that’s more than 50 years old? Sure,

it depends on the house, but it also

depends on the system solution

being installed.

I had the opportunity to answer that question while

working on a job site where a 1960s-era house

desperately needed new plumbing.

The house had been

experiencing many leaks

with the current copper

piping. The homeowner

had tried over the years

to repair the leaks himself

but they kept appearing.

The house’s piping system

needed to be completely

replaced but it couldn’t be

done the same way it had

been done before.

Due to the harsh water

conditions in the area,

repiping the house in

copper wouldn’t solve the

problem. The harsh water

would continue to wear the copper down and would be

leaking again in a few years, so the homeowner decided

to pipe the house with ViegaPEX Ultra tubing, which

is more resistant to corrosion than copper. The install

team and I slapped on our safety equipment and started

removing the copper pipe. It was not an easy task, but

every piece of leaking pipe that was taken out was a

celebration, knowing the homeowner would no longer

have to worry about leaks that could flood his home.

Once the copper pipe was removed, we installed

the Viega ManaBloc homerun water distribution system

along with ViegaPEX Ultra tubing. We mounted the

Viega ManaBloc in the finished portion of the home’s

basement, close to the water heater and water

softener for ease of access for the homeowner. Once

the Viega ManaBloc was set, we ran tubing to each

fixture. Since the tubing is available in multiple colors,

we were able to run different lines at the same time

without getting them confused.

In a traditional installation, repiping a house could

take a day or more, but

with Viega products an

installer can finish a whole

house in a few hours.

Teamwork makes this

process fast, so the

homeowner still occupied

the house and his wife and

kids were able to go about

their day as normal.

Repiping a home with

ViegaPEX Ultra tubing

provides tremendous

efficiencies for plumbers

during installation as well

as for homeowners after

the project is done.

According to the homeowner, there have been no leaks

since the installation.

Another advantage to the homerun water distribution

method is the reduction of wait time for hot water, which

can be done by using ⅜" tubing to the low demand

fixtures such as lavatories.

The speed at which we were able to repipe the

house was phenomenal. We were able to provide the

homeowner with greater efficiencies on water and

energy, as well as with peace of mind.

NO MORE LEAKS FOR KANSAS HOMEOWNERPaige Riddle, Product Manager, Viega LLC

The Viega ManaBloc makes repiping a house easier and more reliable than traditional methods.

2 8 v i e g a v o i c e • J U L Y 2 0 1 5

Back row (left to right): Dave Garlow | CEO Dave Logsdon | West Region

Scott Rea | Northwest Region

Andrew Richards | New England Region

Garry Miller | Southeast Region

Ryan Olsen | West Region

Dalyn Cantrell | VP of Sales and Marketing

Front Row (left to right):

Vaughan Latham | Midwest Region

Casey Blew | Inside Sales

Jaime Gomez | Central Region

M ore than 200 sales professionals and other

VIPs gathered for Viega LLC’s National Sales

Meeting to hear about Viega’s vision for the future. It is

the one time of year that Viega’s sales team and all of

its employees have the opportunity to celebrate their

success together and hear about the future of the

company from the leaders themselves.

These discussions and vision will take the U.S.,

along with the other markets, to new heights. Plans

for the U.S. to embark into new industries, advanced

applications and major success stories were just a

fraction of the news Viega employees took away from

this gathering.

Product updates and sales tactics also play a role in

the sales meeting, with Viega's industry experts leading

the charge during detailed workshop groups. A highly

organized and well-attended event, many employees

spend a great deal of time making this a worthwhile trip

for attendees.

Top Gun Award WinnersEach year Viega recognizes the top sales

associates in the company. At the 2015 National Sales

Meeting, Viega Vice President of Sales and Marketing

Dalyn Cantrell recognized eight of them for outstanding

achievements in 2014.

“The Top Gun winners are chosen through a process

each year that includes nomination by their peers,

exemplifying the Viega core values and, of course,

increased sales," Cantrell said. “This year’s winners

worked very hard to earn this prestigious award and

placement in the elite group of Top Gun recipients.”

The Viega sales team is known around the world for

providing dedicated support and individual customer

service. Viega Top Gun Awards are given to sales team

members who have gone above and beyond the

expectations of their peers and upper management.

THE BEST OF THE BEST: VIEGA TOP GUN WINNERS


W hether you need a refresher or are new to

the game, training is an essential part of

performing at your best in the field.

Manufacturers are the best teaching resource

for their own system solutions because they are

the inventors. Although the simplicity of Viega

products is one of its selling points, becoming

familiar with the tools will help reduce time and

create confidence on the job.

Viega consistently offers training opportunities

at the educational facility in Nashua, NH as well

as on the job site and in the office. The technical

services team will be part of an open house

from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 7. Learn about

the training opportunities available and enter to

win great prizes at the Viega Educational Facility

Open House in Nashua, NH. Call 877-843-4262

for more information.

LEARN FROM THE BESTTRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Register for classes at viega.us/training

3 0 v i e g a v o i c e • J U L Y 2 0 1 5

TECHTALKViega Tech Talk Experts Jason Allison, Jacob Demars and David Melendy

Are there any advantages to using Viega

zone valves compared to using traditional

zone valves?

Yes. One advantage is the on/off indicator on

top of the valve. When the valve is open, a

cylinder on top of the power head will rise up.

The cylinder is color-coded blue, which makes

it easy to see that the zone valve is open. Also,

unlike traditional zone valves, Viega zone valves

offer several different connection methods. There

is a solder by Viega PEX Press zone valve, which

eliminates the need for additional copper by

PEX adapters. We also offer a Viega ProPress

by ProPress zone valve that makes installing the

valve in your hydronic heating system simple and

efficient. Lastly, the Viega ProPress by PEX Press

zone valve makes the transition from copper to

PEX cost effective. It is also important to note

that all of our zone valves use a reliable 24-volt

powerhead with an end switch, which many

traditional zone valves also use. The end switch

allows you to call your boiler on or activate a

pump and boiler relay. If you choose not to use

the end switch at all, the two red wires can be left

disconnected and available for future use. Viega

zone valves provide quality and simplicity for your

hydronic heating needs.

What does Viega offer for residential fire

protection projects?

Viega offers a complete line of UL-listed fittings

for use in NFPA 13, 13R and 13D fire sprinkler

systems. Our newest addition for residential

PEX fire protection systems is an innovative and

versatile installation bracket along with Viega

PEX Press fittings in high-performance polymer.

This new product offering can be mounted in

various configurations to accommodate nearly

any type of sprinkler installation. Simply choose

the type of sprinkler that is to be installed and

orient the bracket appropriately. Mounting the

bracket flush with the bottom of the floor joist

will position the fitting at the appropriate rough-

in dimension. This feature makes the installation

simple and efficient for the installer. Viega also

offers a selection of metal press fittings for

NFPA 13, 13R and 13D fire sprinkler systems.

Viega ProPress for copper and 304 stainless and

Viega MegaPress for black iron are included in

our complete line of UL-listed products. These

products offer reliable and consistent connections

in a variety of materials that can be utilized in

any fire protection installation. Not only can

Viega offer system solutions, but we also offer a

residential fire protection design service for our

PEX solutions. Our design service implements

the best industry practices to ensure smooth and

efficient installation from start to finish. Whether

you need expert design help or quality products

to install your system, Viega has the solution.

Can the ViegaPEX Barrier radiant tubing be

used in a potable water application?

ViegaPEX Barrier can be used in potable

water applications as it is made to the same

standards as our ViegaPEX Ultra tubing. The

ViegaPEX Barrier tubing features an additional

layer of EVOH oxygen barrier, which is intended

to prevent oxygen infiltration into closed-loop

heating and chilled water systems. All ViegaPEX

tubing is listed to both the NSF-61 and NSF-14

standards for use in or connected to a potable

water system.


305_EN_0715_1

VIEGAVOICEViega LLC 100 North Broadway, 6th FloorWichita, KS 67202

Return address requested

[email protected]

©2015, FostaPEX®, GeoFusion®, MegaPress®, ProPress®, SeaPress® and Viega® are registered trademarks of Viega GmbH & Co. KG. ManaBloc®, Radiant Wizard® and Smart Connect® are registered trademarks of Viega LLC. MiniBloc™, Poly Alloy™, ProRadiant™, SmartLoop™ and Zero Lead™ are trademarks of Viega LLC. ViegaPEX™ is a trademark of Viega GmbH & Co. KG. Eco Brass® is a registered trademark of Chase Brass and Ingot Metal Co. RIDGID® is a registered trademark of RIDGID, Inc.

PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE

PAIDWICHITA KS

PERMIT NO 485

The term Viega, as used in this publication, does not apply to a specific company within the various separate and distinct companies comprising the Viega group of companies. The term Viega as used in this publication refers to the Viega brand itself or generally to the Viega group of companies. References to activities in North America specifically refer to activities of Viega LLC.

Zero Lead identifies Viega products meeting the lead-free requirements of NSF 61-G through testing under NSF/ANSI 372 (0.25% or less maximum weighted average lead content).

Please recycle this magazine

a publication of Viega LLC

July 2015

Director of Marketing

Kevin C. Fox

Marketing Manager

Tim Allbritten

Creative Marketing Manager

Bob Ale-Ebrahim

Marketing Coordinator

Roberta Rickard

Graphic Designers

Jason Green

Nicole Mandina

Content Marketing Editor

Kristin Marlett

Contributing Authors

Tim Allbritten, Jason Allison,

Robert Boots, Jim Erhardt,

Dave Garlow, Kristin Marlett,

Bob Miodonski, Paige Riddle,

Amy Williams

Contributing Photographers

Brandon Chauncey,

Darren Decker, Jason Green,

Jim Oertle, Skott Snider

Future articles and tips

Please send in your interesting

stories and tips relating to

Viega products for possible

publication in future issues

of the Viega Voice to

[email protected].

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