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Mobile access hire company Adastra Access Ltd has been fined £200,000 plus costs after two workers died in a mast climber work platform (MCWP) collapse. Father and son David Bottomley, 53, and 17-year-old Clayton Bottomley were working on the exterior facade at Unity Building in Liverpool. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said they were on the 21st floor, about 30 metres from ground level, when the MCWP failed and collapsed to the ground. The watchdog added that witnesses reported hearing a loud whistling noise before seeing the platform “free fall to the ground at speed” in the incident on 19 May 2021. David died at the scene from massive blunt force chest injuries. Clayton died three days later in hospital from multiple injuries sustained in the fall. An HSE investigation found the MCWP supplied by Adastra Access had been at the site since 2019 and was not fitted with suitable safety-critical equipment required by British Standards. The platform was manufactured by Wuxi Huake Heavy Machinery Company in China. “The platform lacked an Electric Motor Overload System, which should alert users to motor failures requiring immediate investigation,” the HSE said. “Examination of the drive units revealed failure of parts in each unit due to fatigue. Had the platform been equipped with proper safety systems, David and Clayton would have been alerted to the motor failure and the equipment taken out of service. “The investigation also uncovered that certificates of conformity provided to Adastra Access Ltd were fraudulent. The company named on the certificate of conformity had not conducted any accreditation examinations, verifications, or testing of the MCWP.” Following this discovery, Adastra Access withdrew its entire fleet of MCWPs from service, the HSE said. In her victim’s personal statement, Paula Bottomley, David’s wife and Clayton’s mother, told Liverpool Magistrates Court: “Never in my lifetime did I ever begin to imagine having to say goodbye to my son at only 17 years old just days after losing my husband. Losing both of them has broken me and I am just not the same person anymore.” Their daughter Molly Bottomley said: “On 19 May 2021, my world stopped. I have completed all my GCSEs and A levels, attended prom, passed my driving test, got into my first relationship, and moved out into student accommodation, all without my dad and brother, which is absolutely soul crushing.” Adastra Access Ltd, of Middlemore Lane West, Aldridge, Walsall, was found guilty of breaching Section 6(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company, which is now in liquidation, was fined £200,000 at Liverpool Magistrates Court on 27 August. It was also ordered to pay £14,886.01 in court costs and a victim’s surcharge of £2,000, the HSE said. Retired HSE inspector Christine McGlynn, who led the investigation, said: “This was an entirely preventable tragedy that has devastated a family and robbed them of a loving husband, father and son. “David and Clayton Bottomley should have safely returned home to their family at the end of their working day, but they did not due to Adastra Access Ltd’s fundamental failures to ensure the equipment they supplied was safe. “The company failed to conduct proper checks on safety-critical systems and relied on fraudulent certificates. These failures cost two lives. This case serves as a stark reminder that cutting corners on safety has the most serious consequences.” Following the investigation, the HSE issued a safety alert to the construction industry, warning that some MCWPs were not fitted with suitable controls to manage the risk of platforms falling at dangerous speeds. Read More

A worker died at a Mace data centre construction site in north-west London on Saturday (23 August). Emergency services were called to the site, on the North Circular Road in Neasden, at 9.23am, where Mace is working on a facility for Pure Data Centres. A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We sent resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, paramedics in fast response cars, an incident response officer and paramedics from our hazardous area response team. “Very sadly, despite the best efforts of our crews, a man was pronounced dead at the scene.” A Mace spokesperson said the man was employed by another contractor at the site. They added: “We share our deepest sympathies with their family, friends and colleagues. “We are supporting the emergency services and Health and Safety Executive with their investigations.” A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) spokesperson said that the regulator was aware of the incident and making enquiries, although police have primacy in fatal incidents. The Metropolitan Police has been contacted for comment but had not replied before this article went live. In November, Pure Data Centres announced work was complete on the groundworks and substructure at the facility, which is being built next to one it already operates. Figures from the HSE released last month showed construction remained the worst sector for workplace deaths, accounting for more than a quarter across all industries. The 35 deaths from April 2024 to March 2025 accounted for 28 per cent of all workplace fatalities in Britain. It was almost a third lower than the 51 construction sector deaths the previous financial year and was the lowest figure recorded since 2021/22, when there were 30 – a joint-record low. The second worst industry for fatalities in 2024/25 was agriculture, forestry and fishing, which accounted for 23 deaths, followed by transport and storage with 15. Read More

Photo cropped from the original by Fan Railer/ CC BY-SA 4.0 U.S. Dept. of Transportation officials say Amtrak will begin seeking a master developer this fall to begin construction of a Penn Station overhaul by the end of 2027. The U.S. Dept. of Transportation plans to begin construction on a project to overhaul New York City’s Pennsylvania Station in 2027, DOT officials announced Aug. 27.  DOT plans to begin stakeholder engagement with contractors this fall, and then release a solicitation for a master developer later this year, according to a schedule the agency provided. Officials plan to select a master developer by the end of May 2026. That would be followed by preliminary design work and permitting from the summer of 2026 through the end of 2027, along with the start of construction by the end of 2027. “Crumbling infrastructure, bleak and dirty architecture, unnavigable hallways and no inviting spaces for families with kids—the current state of Penn Station is unacceptable,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement.  New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority had been planning a $7-billion rebuild of the Amtrak-owned train station, which also serves NJ Transit and Long Island Rail Road passengers. But in April, DOT announced that it was moving authority over the project to Amtrak and canceling a $72.5-million grant to MTA because federal officials did not believe MTA capable of leading the effort. The move came amid an ongoing dispute between DOT and New York officials over the city’s congestion pricing program, but city and state leaders expressed support for DOT’s plan. Following the schedule announcement, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) said in a statement that the federal involvement allowed New York to reallocate more than $1 billion to other projects. “With Secretary Duffy now advancing this project and requesting design proposals, New Yorkers are one step closer to a station worthy of this great city,” Hochul said. In May, DOT brought on British transit executive Andy Byford as a special advisor to the Amtrak board of directors to lead the redevelopment. Byford, who was already serving as a senior vice president at Amtrak, was also previously MTA’s president of New York City Transit. “The transformation of New York Penn Station is underway, and USDOT and Amtrak are strongly committed to beginning construction by the end of 2027,” Byford said. DOT will provide Amtrak with a $43-million grant to support project development and the master developer procurement.  James Leggate is an online news editor at ENR. He has reported on a variety of issues for more than 10 years and his work has contributed to several regional Associated Press Media Editors and Murrow award wins. Read More

Populous’ conceptual tool, based on Stable Diffusion, can generate renderings of a project based off of text inputs and preset parameters describing the general features of the stadium, its elevation and orientation, even conditions during different seasons. Experimental Rendering courtesy of Populous Jeff Albee, Vice President, Stantec In July the Senate soundly rejected a proposed 10-year ban on artificial intelligence regulation in the latest continuing resolution to fund the government, creating questions among citizens and lawmakers alike about the role of government in regulating new technologies.  Sweeping, top-down mandates like the proposed ban won’t work when it comes to AI. The speed and complexity of AI development demand a small-scale, agile approach one that evaluates risk and regulation industry-by-industry.  The Verdict is In AI is poised to become the next major driver of economic systems, potentially upending decades of traditional labor practices. AIs of all shapes and sizes, especially large language models, have exploded into professional spaces as employers and employees flock to these systems and test their limits. The race for AI dominance has divided elected leadership into two broad camps: those who want to establish immediate protections to mitigate some of AI’s potentially more harmful impacts, and those who believe a more pragmatic approach is necessary to ensure American success.  While the 99-1 defeat of the Senate bill is a clear indication that state leadership doesn’t want a broad federal ban limiting their powers, more recent announcements from the White House indicate the federal government may refuse to cede the issue wholly to the states. American elected officials now have a question to answer: how big of a role should the government play in regulating AI?  One thing is certain: AI is developing faster than any regulatory body can keep pace. Any regulation that’s sweeping in nature—whether it aims to promote or limit AI— is likely to be obsolete by the time it’s fully enacted. Two things can also be true at once: AI development and implementation are key to building a competitive economic future for America, and regulation is an essential part of achieving a fully AI-unlocked future.  The issue with something like an outright ban is that it paints AI under too broad a brush, treating every AI use as being more or less equal. However, AI isn’t just one thing; it encompasses more than just ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude. It’s not just used to craft silly, surreal videos or draft memos and essays. Increasingly, we’re seeing AI developed and deployed in riskier and more high-stakes environments. Financial systems, healthcare systems, and infrastructure engineering systems have all begun testing AI to try to find real answers to real problems. From loan credibility to health diagnoses and triage, the more AI interacts with real human issues, the greater the chance for an error to have potentially devastating consequences.  Especially in industries like infrastructure engineering and science, which depend heavily on accuracy and precision, an outright ban on AI regulation could prove dangerous. Without clear regulations, engineering firms could easily pass off AI-generated designs as their original work. Developers and builders might increasingly rely on machine-produced models and calculations, trusting them as accurate, even without human oversight. It’s a world in which bridges get less stable, buildings start cracking, and hydroelectric plants can’t contain their water—and it’s one that we’re living in today. Lives could be at real risk due to an over-reliance on AI.  This is not to say that AI is bad or that those in higher-risk professions shouldn’t use it. Instead, the ask of AI in these cases is so specific and the risk of failure is so high that governments—or some regulatory body—need to have a role in determining what’s appropriate and what’s not, just like they have a role today in governing these professions writ large.  Regulation, especially in these high-risk industries, acts as a playing field leveler to protect both its consumers and itself. Regulation in AI is comparable to brakes on a race car. The point of the race car is to go not just fast, but be the fastest and brakes help them to do that, giving drivers control and offering safety even at top speeds. AI needs regulatory ‘brakes’ for high-stakes industries to help companies define the bounds of AI’s use in a way that channels speed and power towards its development and use.   Big sweeping regulations won’t get us there, and neither will big sweeping bans. The key to AI regulation is to start small, start specific, and be agile. The biggest issue with the use of AI in engineering is that AI is fundamentally a “black box” system with training data, inner workings and reasoning systems that are not visible or understandable, even to AI researchers. In a rules-based science like engineering, this inexplicability of AI poses significant risks, particularly construction risk.  Rather than banning the use of AI in engineering altogether, regulators should start small, focusing on a granular level of risk and quality. It undermines the utility of AI to require humans to double-check every AI calculation. Still, regulators can and should be able to define the critical components that require human verification and explanation. Can the layout of the beams on a structure be explained? Have humans checked the location and extent of an engineering ‘model’ output for accuracy and safety? How much and what was the quality of your training datasets? These are industry-specific regulations that are only relevant to the engineering and infrastructure industry, but they’re vital to ensuring that the profession remains reputable and safe. It’s not about tamping down on the potential of AI to transform the industry or to cut costs, but about ensuring that what makes these industries so vital gets protected.  Regulation can provide clear boundaries that reduce uncertainty, allowing competitive and ethical innovation to thrive. With a federal ban no longer on the table, it’s time for lawmakers and regulatory agencies to take up the mantle. America’s AI success depends on it. Jeff Albee is vice president

Rendering courtesy of USTA The United States Tennis Association renovation of Arthur Ashe Stadium, the world’s largest tennis stadium, will be completed in time for the August 2027 U.S. Open in Queens, N.Y. Related Link: $800M Renovation and Expansion Underway at World’s Largest Tennis Stadium Matt Rossetti Once the U.S. Open tennis tournament crowns the women’s and men’s champions on Sept. 6-7 at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, the biggest racket heard on site won’t be the players or crowd, but the public-facing start of an $800 million project to upgrade its 24,000-seat Arthur Ashe Stadium, the world’s largest tennis stadium, and add a new player performance center.  Just before the main draw of the U.S. Open is set to start on Aug. 24, ENR caught up with Matt Rossetti, president and CEO of Detroit-based design firm Rossetti and lead architect for the project, which has already begun in earnest with reinforcing of stadium columns. Rossetti’s firm has worked on the tennis venue site since 1990.   ENR: What does it mean for you to continue working at the National Tennis Center? Rossetti: It’s funny, we’ve got hundreds of projects that we’ve done and whenever I’m asked about which is my favorite or most special, it is always this project—not just because of its longevity, creativity and innovation, but also because the U.S. Tennis Association (owner of the center) never rests on its heels. Its members are always looking for something innovative and different to set it apart and [its managers] are great people to work with. What do you believe will be the most noticeable aspect of the project for fans? Without a doubt, it will be the front entry. About 90% of fans will not get to experience the clubs and suites, but they will notice an unbelievable change to the front entrance—how it works and how it looks. On the promenade level, we are doing a remake of all concourse retail, food, eating and campus viewing spaces. All of that is going to be expanded and renovated. What do you see as the most technically challenging aspects of the design? All the premium we are putting into new clubs is going into spaces that mostly used to be outdoors. How do we convert something like this into partially indoors, fully indoors and fully outdoors—a combination of going in and out, and where the systems stop and start for a fabulous fan experience?  Loads have long been a design issue at Arthur Ashe stadium, infamously built on a former dump site. How did it play into the plan?  Most people won’t see what is being done. It is three years of [total] construction. The first year was simply reinforcing all the columns and structural elements that will carry some of this additional load. Then there’s an entire year’s worth of work related to all the structural infrastructure to handle all these changes. Nobody will see that, it just has to be done.  What elements of Ashe needed modernization the most? The back of house is being tripled because of the amount of additional food service now happening in the building. With an incredible amount of hospitality that has to be taken care of, loading in and out of ice, the refrigeration and vertical circulation of getting to the right places is key. That means the back of house was central to solve not just for food service, but also for the entire building. Additionally, all player facilities and program spaces that were within the lower event level are all moving to the new player performance center. That was a major must. Are there any elements of the design you’re especially intrigued to see come to life?  The new front entry elements will go all the way from the ground, perched above the new TV studios, and rise above the promenade level. Within the steel mesh, they will provide some shade and an incredible vantage point while giving the building an incredibly playful and contemporary presence that is both reflective of the dynamics of tennis play and a bit of a nod to the history of the Unisphere structure [still standing on the adjacent Flushing Meadows site that hosted the 1964 World’s Fair]. Has the front entrance been a collaborative process?  Yes, we have had great fun with architect Daniel Libeskind [and Studio Libeskind]. They have been marvelous to work with. How do you see this evolution merging with the history of the site?  We created this as the third vernacular. We started with the terra cotta, with the blue and white trim. Then we did Grandstand [stadium with additional buildings on site] and created a new palette with the courts in the South Plaza. It was the second iteration of a more contemporary look, color palette and design guidelines. With this new one, we branched out even further to create a more contemporary style and palette befitting both the legacy of the U.S. Open and the energy of New York City. Do you anticipate construction mobilizing in a frenzy in September? Yeah, it will be crazy. The mobilization you are going to see will be super intense and really fun to watch. Tim Newcomb is a newspaper and magazine journalist based in Western Washington, covering design and construction in buildings and transportation around the Northwest. Read More

EATONTOWN, NJ  — CEO Warrior, a global business training, coaching and implementation organization for service business owners, will host its third Service Business Live event of 2025 on Sept. 11-12 at the company’s headquarters at 19 Christopher Way in Eatontown, New Jersey. The two-day event is designed to equip service business owners with the strategies, skills and tools they need to strengthen operations, unleash leadership potential, boost profitability, achieve long-term growth and create an incredible company culture. Roadmap for Success “Service Business Live is designed to equip business owners with a proven roadmap for success and growth,” said CEO Warrior CEO Scott August. “Our master advisors understand firsthand the challenges that skilled trades contractors and service business leaders encounter, and this event is built to deliver the clarity, confidence and actionable strategies they need to stand out and thrive in an increasingly competitive market.” For more than 10 years, CEO Warrior has helped service industry contractors grow their businesses. The company’s advisors work directly with business owners to create individualized plans tailored to their companies’ specific needs. “Other industry events of this type often take place in large auditoriums and focus on delivering high-level strategies without any practical application support,” August said. “Our Service Business Live is intentionally designed to be a more intimate experience. Our expert coaches help business leaders develop actionable steps they can use once they get back to their businesses.” Years of Experience Coaches include CEO Warrior Director of Training Kevin Hill, Director of Advisement Jason Noel and Master Advisor Jackie Sponsler. These coaches have years of experience working in and leading businesses in the service industry and have helped hundreds of service business owners. The event costs $997 per person and includes tickets for the attendee and up to three guests to attend. Meals, beverages and snacks are provided throughout the day, including an evening event that includes cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and access to vendors. For more information or to register for the event, visit https://ceowarrior.com/event/service-business-live/. For more information about CEO Warrior and the company’s other training options, visit ceowarrior.com. Read More

The Global Solar Water Heater Market reached USD 2.9 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.7% from 2025 to 2034. Solar water heaters (SWH) utilize solar energy to heat water, catering to domestic, commercial, and industrial applications. These systems typically consist of solar collectors, storage tanks, and auxiliary components like pipes and pumps, working together to convert sunlight into thermal energy. By reducing dependence on traditional energy sources such as electricity and gas, SWH offers an environmentally friendly and cost-effective water heating solution. Rising energy costs and an increasing focus on sustainable energy solutions encourage consumers to adopt solar water heaters as a long-term alternative. In regions like Asia-Pacific, the growing awareness of renewable energy and supportive government initiatives are significantly boosting demand. Similarly, European nations such as Germany, France, and Greece have well-developed solar water heater markets driven by stringent energy efficiency regulations and a push to lower carbon emissions. Countries like China, India, and Brazil are further propelling market growth through financial incentives that promote solar water heater installations. Global Market Growth Drivers Environmental Awareness & Sustainability Goals Rising Energy Costs Government Incentives & Regulations Technological Advancements Urbanization & Green Building Demands High-Volume Institutional Adoption Off-Grid & Emerging Market Expansion The evacuated tube segment is expected to project USD 1.3 billion by 2034, thanks to its superior performance in extreme climates and growing demand for system replacements. By utilizing free solar energy, residential and commercial users can substantially lower utility costs, resulting in considerable long-term savings. Increasing environmental awareness and the shift toward renewable energy solutions have further accelerated the adoption of solar water heaters. For instance, these systems can reduce water heating expenses by up to 80%, as estimated by energy authorities. The residential segment is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5% through 2034. Factors such as rising global energy needs, a growing population, and the preference for sustainable energy solutions drive this growth. Technological advancements in solar water heating systems, including improved insulation, high-performance collectors, advanced control systems, and integrated backup heating, enhance system efficiency and reliability. These improvements foster consumer confidence, leading to a rise in adoption among homeowners. US solar water heater market is poised to generate USD 11 million by 2034. Increasing environmental consciousness, government incentives, and advancements in solar energy technologies are major growth drivers. Stricter emissions regulations, the rise of smart city projects, and a focus on green building infrastructure are shaping the market landscape. Additionally, the development of eco-friendly heating solutions and investment in efficient energy systems will further bolster market expansion. For further details and forecast methodology, visit www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/solar-water-heater-market. Read More

DORAL, FL and TROY, OH — The American Welding Society (AWS) and Hobart Institute of Welding Technology (HIWT) have partnered to launch a co-branded international welding and metalworking training curriculum. Distributed through BSB EDGE Private Limited, this program will bring advanced welder training materials to schools and accredited training centers outside the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This collaboration combines AWS’s global leadership in welding standards and welder qualification with HIWT’s long-standing expertise in welding education and training. The curriculum offers a comprehensive set of instructional resources designed to help students and professionals enhance their knowledge and skills in welding and fabrication. Expanding Welding Education Worldwide The international welding training curriculum includes: Core Content           Terminology          Blueprint Reading          Welding Symbols          Shop Mathematics          Metallurgy          Visual Inspection          Safety Processes          Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)          Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)          Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)          Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)          Oxyfuel Welding, Cutting & Brazing Applications          Structural Welding          Pipe Welding          Pipe Fitting          Fabrication Each course is supported by high-quality video, student workbooks, technical guides, and supplemental learning resources—all developed to rigorous industry standards. “This agreement marks an important step in expanding access to world-class welding education worldwide,” said Carey Chen, AWS Executive Director & CEO. “By joining forces with Hobart Institute of Welding Technology, we’re making it possible for more students and professionals to develop the skills needed to thrive in today’s global metalworking industries.” “HIWT has always been committed to advancing welding education, and this partnership with AWS allows us to extend our reach to international markets in a powerful way,” said Tom Funderburg, President & CEO, Hobart Institute of Welding Technology. “The collaborative effort of Richard Arn, AWS Vice President Welding and Technology, and Charlie Carpenter, HIWT Vice President and General Manager, and their teams has developed this unique product for the international market.” Helping Educators and Students Excel Through BSB EDGE, the co-branded curriculum will be available to accredited institutions across designated international markets. These training resources are designed to meet the needs of welding educators, vocational training centers, and technical schools, offering both foundational and advanced instruction. Read More

For professional plumbers, learning to install a residential water heater is a rite of passage—and before long, it can feel like second nature. Commercial water heaters are different animals altogether—and even for professionals who are experienced with residential installs, switching to water heaters in commercial facilities can be more challenging. Fortunately, all the challenges associated with commercial water heater installs can be overcome with a little advanced planning and basic problem-solving abilities. A good starting point is to simply consider some of the most common challenges involved with commercial installs. Finding the Right Location Commercial water heaters differ from residential units in a few ways, but foremost among them is sheer size. Commercial units are larger and heavier, taking up more space within the facility. Technicians may need to guide commercial clients on choosing the right location for their water heater install, not only ensuring accessibility for future maintenance needs, but also code compliance. Those code requirements may vary by location, but it’s always true that commercial water heaters need adequate space surrounding them—not only for servicing, but also to promote safety. Additional considerations when choosing the right install location include noise—commercial units can be louder when they run, so it’s important to choose a location that will minimize distraction among the building’s occupants—as well as weight. Because commercial water heaters tend to be heavier than residential units, it’s essential to verify adequate structural support; sticking to a ground or basement floor is usually best. Navigating Complex Plumbing Requirements Professional plumbers should also be prepared for complex plumbing and ventilation requirements—another area in which commercial units can be a little more challenging than residential ones. Consider just some of the distinctions between plumbing a commercial water heater and plumbing a residential unit: Pipe sizing and flow rate. While standard pipe sizes are usually more than sufficient for residential water usage, a commercial facility typically has higher demand—making it necessary to install larger pipes. As a rule of thumb, commercial water heaters call for piping that’s at least one inch—though some applications may require even larger pipes to ensure consistent water pressure and sufficient flow. Plumbing infrastructure. Commercial water heaters also call for more complex plumbing infrastructure, as these heaters must supply hot water to many fixtures and applications, spread across a more expansive facility. Pressure management. While residential water heaters can function with just a standard pressure valve, commercial units must maintain high levels of pressure to accommodate a larger volume of water—making it prudent to consider multiple pressure-reducing valves or even the use of an expansion tank. In short, commercial heaters differ from their residential counterparts not only in size, but also complexity—and for plumbers, that can make installs quite a bit more involved. Prioritizing Safety Because a commercial-grade water heater handles a higher volume of water, there can be some heightened safety risks—something for installers to be cognizant of as they get new units into place. One issue to think about is drainage. The last thing any commercial facility needs is to have a high-capacity tank leaking or overflowing, causing significant property damage—so during the installation process, plumbers will want to ensure robust drainage systems. A combination of floor drains and overflow piping is typically recommended. Another challenge that commercial water heaters present is that maintaining a consistent temperature across multiple access points gets complicated—and without the proper safety measures in place, it may result in some faucets or fixtures distributing scalding hot water. A more sophisticated temperature control system, possibly combined with specialized mixing valves, can mitigate these issues. Such safety considerations should be top-of-mind during the installation process. Thinking Through Ventilation When installing a commercial water heater—particularly gas-powered ones—ventilation can also be a besetting challenge. Again, the challenges involved with ventilation and exhaust can be addressed with some foresight and planning. Considerations include: Managing combustion gases. Inadequate ventilation can lead to an accumulation of dangerous gases, including carbon monoxide. To avoid these hazards, it’s important to ensure proper ventilation with high-quality ventilation materials (usually stainless steel), which prevent degradation and blockage. Complex ventilation systems. The sheer scope of a commercial facility means that ventilation systems can be more intricate—or simply longer. A well-designed ventilation layout, including correct pipe lengths, diameters and angles, is essential. Finding space for ventilation. When installing a new water heater ventilation system in an older building, there may arise some special limitations, making it difficult to place the necessary ductwork. Plumbers should be ready to recommend alternative options, including water heaters that have flexible venting options (e.g., direct or power vents). Managing noise issues. Commercial water heater exhaust systems may be noisy, which can lead to disruptions in commercial settings—but plumbers can anticipate this and recommend the installation of sound-dampening insulation materials as well as proper exhaust termination placement. These are just some of the considerations to keep top-of-mind when planning for commercial water heater ventilation and exhaust requirements. Taking Stock For professional plumbers, it’s critical to expect a higher level of complexity from commercial water heater installs over residential ones. That means being prepared for new kinds of challenges, but also understanding that all of these challenges can be successfully addressed. Read More

The Leading Business Resource for Plumbing, Hydronic and Mechanical Systems Professionals Keith Kuliga is the Mechanical Sales Support – Commercial Products for Bradford White Water Heaters, a leading American manufacturer and five-time ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year. Read More