• Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • CONTRACTORS
  • ENGINEERS
  • RADIANT & HYDRONICS
  • INSIGHTS
  • MEDIA
  • RESOURCES
  • EMAGAZINE
  • SIGN UP!
cart
facebook instagram twitter linkedin youtube
  • CONTRACTORS
  • BATH & KITCHEN PRO
  • BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
  • HIGH EFFICIENCY HOMES
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • WATER TREATMENT
  • PMC COLUMNS
  • PMC COLUMNS
  • Dave Yates: Contractor’s Corner
  • John Siegenthaler: Hydronics Workshop
  • Kenny Chapman: The Blue Collar Coach
  • Matt Michel: Service Plumbing Pros
  • Scott Secor: Heating Perceptions
  • ENGINEERS
  • CONTINUING EDUCATION
  • DECARBONIZATION | ELECTRIFICATION
  • FIRE PROTECTION
  • GEOTHERMAL | SOLAR THERMAL
  • PIPING | PLUMBING | PVF
  • PME COLUMNS
  • PME COLUMNS
  • Christoph Lohr: Strategic Plumbing Insights
  • David Dexter: Plumbing Talking Points
  • James Dipping: Engineer Viewpoints
  • John Seigenthaler: Renewable Heating Design
  • Lowell Manalo: Plumbing Essentials
  • Misty Guard: Guard on Compliance
  • RADIANT & HYDRONICS
  • RADIANT COMFORT REPORT
  • THE GLITCH & THE FIX
  • INSIGHTS
  • CODES
  • GREEN PLUMBING & MECHANICAL
  • PROJECT PROFILES
  • COLUMNS
  • SPONSOR INSIGHTS
  • COLUMNS
  • Codes Corner
  • Natalie Forster: Editorial Opinion
  • Guest Editorial
  • MEDIA
  • PODCASTS
  • VIDEOS
  • WEBINARS
  • RESOURCES
  • INDUSTRY CALENDAR
  • DIRECTORIES
  • EBOOKS
  • PM BOOKSTORE
  • CE CENTER
  • MARKET RESEARCH
  • CLASSIFIEDS
  • EMAGAZINE
  • EMAGAZINE
  • ARCHIVE ISSUES
  • CONTACT
  • ADVERTISE
  • PME EMAGAZINE ARCHIVES
search
cart
facebook instagram twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • CONTRACTORS
    • BATH & KITCHEN PRO
    • BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
    • HIGH EFFICIENCY HOMES
    • TECHNOLOGY
    • WATER TREATMENT
    • PMC COLUMNS
      • Dave Yates: Contractor’s Corner
      • John Siegenthaler: Hydronics Workshop
      • Kenny Chapman: The Blue Collar Coach
      • Matt Michel: Service Plumbing Pros
      • Scott Secor: Heating Perceptions
  • ENGINEERS
    • CONTINUING EDUCATION
    • DECARBONIZATION | ELECTRIFICATION
    • FIRE PROTECTION
    • GEOTHERMAL | SOLAR THERMAL
    • PIPING | PLUMBING | PVF
    • PME COLUMNS
      • Christoph Lohr: Strategic Plumbing Insights
      • David Dexter: Plumbing Talking Points
      • James Dipping: Engineer Viewpoints
      • John Seigenthaler: Renewable Heating Design
      • Lowell Manalo: Plumbing Essentials
      • Misty Guard: Guard on Compliance
  • RADIANT & HYDRONICS
    • RADIANT COMFORT REPORT
    • THE GLITCH & THE FIX
  • INSIGHTS
    • CODES
    • GREEN PLUMBING & MECHANICAL
    • PROJECT PROFILES
    • COLUMNS
      • Codes Corner
      • Natalie Forster: Editorial Opinion
      • Guest Editorial
    • SPONSOR INSIGHTS
  • MEDIA
    • PODCASTS
    • VIDEOS
    • WEBINARS
  • RESOURCES
    • INDUSTRY CALENDAR
    • DIRECTORIES
    • EBOOKS
    • PM BOOKSTORE
    • CE CENTER
    • MARKET RESEARCH
    • CLASSIFIEDS
  • EMAGAZINE
    • EMAGAZINE
    • ARCHIVE ISSUES
    • CONTACT
    • ADVERTISE
    • PME EMAGAZINE ARCHIVES
  • SIGN UP!
Plumbing NewsPlumbing & Mechanical ContractorProject ProfilesRadiant & Hydronics

University's new sports complex benefits from hydronic heating and cooling system

Uponor PP-RCT offers a lightweight solution, promoting faster installation and jobsite safety.

By Brooke Roberts
Hydronic heating and cooling system in a Wisconsin university sports complex.

PP-RCT was recently used to complete a hydronic heating and cooling system in a Wisconsin university sports complex. All images and video courtesy of Uponor.

June 19, 2024
✕
Image in modal.

When a university in western Wisconsin was looking for an innovative, efficient way to heat and cool their new sports complex, the engineers and mechanical contractors decided a hydronic heating and cooling system would be the right solution for the job.

While the mechanical contractor had used Uponor PEX-a piping systems for in-floor radiant heating projects in the past, they wanted to go with Uponor PP-RCT for the distribution piping on this job to help meet the scope of work, tight timelines and available space.

Uponor PP-RCT system overhead installation

Uponor PP-RCT is up to 80% lighter than metallic piping options, which is significant when working with 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch piping — especially when the system is installed overhead.

Uponor PP-RCT is up to 80% lighter than metallic piping options, which is significant when working with 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch piping — especially when the system is installed overhead. Uponor PP-RCT also offers faster installation. Welding a steel pipe can take hours; but PP-RCT with heat-fusion welds are much quicker, happening in just minutes. Plus, because there is no open flame, the PP-RCT system does not require the cost and scheduling hassles of fire watch, helping to save time, energy, and resources on the job.

However, because the engineering firm had not originally specified PP-RCT for the project, the mechanical contractor was challenged with getting the material approved for the job. This is where Paul McCulloch, business development manager for engineering services at Uponor, was able to step in and provide support. McCulloch, an engineer himself, understands how specifications work and how to implement changes. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, he is heavily focused on value engineering, understanding how engineers operate, and providing valuable resources to their teams for spec writing and updates.

University sports complex unique mechanical room.

The university sports complex utilized the design and estimation experts in the Uponor Construction Services team, not only to help convert the specification, but also to ensure their plans were correct. And planning was of the utmost importance for this unique mechanical room.

When McCulloch heard the contractor was interested in using Uponor PP-RCT but needed the signoff from the engineering firm, he took the lead by meeting with the engineering firm’s regional and corporate offices, presenting options and providing detailed calculations from Uponor Construction Services for pipe sizing, velocity requirements and flow rates. These conversations helped the engineers understand why Uponor PP-RCT was the best choice for the project, showed them that updating the specification was the right decision and ultimately helped the contractor install the solutions they knew would support their project goals. The contractor was even able to pass on a labor and cost savings to their customer.

But McCulloch did not work this magic on his own. In addition to the team of design and takeoff estimation experts in the Uponor Construction Services team, he worked closely with his colleague, Patrick Schwappach, the Uponor territory sales manager for Wisconsin, Minnesota and the Dakotas.

While Schwappach has been with Uponor since 2022, his experience in the industry goes far beyond his years at Uponor. In fact, his experience starts in his childhood. Growing up, his father worked in HVAC and introduced him to many of the core concepts of designing and installing reliable systems at a young age. His passion for understanding the industry and providing the best solution can be seen in action by his many jobsite visits, his help with supply-chain coordination, and preconstruction training sessions.

Training is a major component of installing a new product, and Uponor PP-RCT is no exception. Once the engineering firm included PP-RCT in the specification, the teams coordinated training at the mechanical contractor’s shop, making sure all the workers were certified and able to effectively install the large-diameter piping system.



This professional support is not just limited to a single project; it is the level of excellence expected on every job. When engineers and mechanical contractors partner with Uponor, they get a team of experts available at every stage of the project.

The university sports complex utilized the design and estimation experts in the Uponor Construction Services team, not only to help convert the specification, but also to ensure their plans were correct. And planning was of the utmost importance for this unique mechanical room.

“One thing with PP-RCT is you have to plan ahead, otherwise you can paint yourself into a corner. You have to plan ahead for where your flanges and final connections are going to be,” says a lead pipefitter for the mechanical contractor.

“Some joints can’t be made in place,” he says. “But with the lightweight polymer solution, it’s easy to prefabricate connections and welds on the floor and lift them into place, minimizing the number of overhead connections needed.”

When asked about the experience partnering with Uponor, the mechanical contractor states, “They’ve been really good to work with and always keep me informed on how long things will take.” This level of communication helps with planning, prioritizing, and helping the project stay on schedule and on budget.

“When it comes to large, complex projects, we are proud to say we provide world-class services and solutions that make these jobs easier to build for our partners,” McCulloch concludes.

This article was originally posted on www.pmengineer.com.
KEYWORDS: backwater valve hydronic cooling hydronic heating hydronics systems mechanical contractors mechanical engineers plumbing contractors plumbing engineers PP-RCT

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Brooke Roberts is a content marketing manager at Uponor North America and can be reached at brooke.roberts@uponor.com.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Worker using the Milwaukee Tool SWITCH PACK drain cleaner

    Pipeline profits: Drain cleaning, pipe inspection create opportunities

    Drain cleaning and inspection services offer lucrative...
    Plumbing News
    By: Nicole Krawcke
  • Uponor employee, Arturo Moreno

    The reinvestment in American manufacturing and training

    Plumbing & Mechanical Chief Editor Nicole Krawcke and...
    Plumbing News
    By: Nicole Krawcke and Natalie Forster
  • March 2024 Women in Plumbing hero image of woman engineer overlayed by circle of hexagon shapes with numbers from 1 to 10

    Celebrating 10 Influential Women in the Plumbing Industry

    Celebrating Women's History Month and Women in...
    Plumbing News
    By: Nicole Krawcke
Subscribe For Free!
  • eNewsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • eMagazine
  • Manage My Preferences

NIBCO Press Solutions

NIBCO Press Solutions

Bell & Gossett Illustrates Path to Net-zero at AHR Expo

Bell & Gossett Illustrates Path to Net-zero at AHR Expo

IPEX celebrates grand opening of new Florida distribution center

IPEX celebrates grand opening of new Florida distribution center

AI can boost efficiency and profitability for plumbing, HVAC contractors

AI can boost efficiency and profitability for plumbing, HVAC contractors

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Plumbing & Mechanical audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Plumbing & Mechanical or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • J.J. Keller CMV vehicles on road
    Sponsored byJ. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.

    The dash cam game-changer for small business safety

Popular Stories

Figure 1 is a sketch of the flow problems of the current plumbing system.

Hydronic heating glitch solved: Why adding a circulator won't fix primary loop flow issue

The interior of a government building.

President Trump signs executive order promoting skilled trades and apprenticeships

Underfloor heating installation with drain sewer hole in bathroom close up on water floor heating.

Using hydronics to leverage time-of-use electrical rates

PM BEMIS June 25 Free Webinar: Optimizing Plumbing Solutions for Single-Family, Multi-Family & Public Spaces

Events

November 13, 2024

Future Proofing MEP: Navigating the 2026 High Efficiency Water Heating Standards

Join our deep dive into DOE’s new standards so you can future-proof your MEP practice.

EARN: 0.1 ASPE CEU; 1 AIA LU/HSW; 0.1 IACET CEU*; 1 PDH

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Will business be up or down in 2025?

Do you anticipate business in 2025 to be up or down in comparison to 2024?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

The Water Came To A Stop

The Water Came To A Stop

See More Products

Download the FREE Water Conservation, Quality & Safety eBook: Plumbing Trends Increasing Safe Water Availability

Related Articles

  • 01 PM 1123 Radiant Comfort Report 2023 Winter: Jason Gaspard standing in his basement

    Contractor gains multiple benefits installing radiant in his own home

    See More
  • Multipurpose pluming and fire sprinkler system plans

    Former firefighter designs new home with multipurpose plumbing and fire sprinkler system

    See More
  • Wasilla Alaska

    New Alaskan police station locks up heating efficiency and safety with PEX hydronic systems

    See More
×

Keep your content unclogged with our newsletters!

Stay in the know on the latest plumbing & piping industry trends.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
    • Supply House Times
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing

search
cart
facebook instagram twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • CONTRACTORS
    • BATH & KITCHEN PRO
    • BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
    • HIGH EFFICIENCY HOMES
    • TECHNOLOGY
    • WATER TREATMENT
    • PMC COLUMNS
      • Dave Yates: Contractor’s Corner
      • John Siegenthaler: Hydronics Workshop
      • Kenny Chapman: The Blue Collar Coach
      • Matt Michel: Service Plumbing Pros
      • Scott Secor: Heating Perceptions
  • ENGINEERS
    • CONTINUING EDUCATION
    • DECARBONIZATION | ELECTRIFICATION
    • FIRE PROTECTION
    • GEOTHERMAL | SOLAR THERMAL
    • PIPING | PLUMBING | PVF
    • PME COLUMNS
      • Christoph Lohr: Strategic Plumbing Insights
      • David Dexter: Plumbing Talking Points
      • James Dipping: Engineer Viewpoints
      • John Seigenthaler: Renewable Heating Design
      • Lowell Manalo: Plumbing Essentials
      • Misty Guard: Guard on Compliance
  • RADIANT & HYDRONICS
    • RADIANT COMFORT REPORT
    • THE GLITCH & THE FIX
  • INSIGHTS
    • CODES
    • GREEN PLUMBING & MECHANICAL
    • PROJECT PROFILES
    • COLUMNS
      • Codes Corner
      • Natalie Forster: Editorial Opinion
      • Guest Editorial
    • SPONSOR INSIGHTS
  • MEDIA
    • PODCASTS
    • VIDEOS
    • WEBINARS
  • RESOURCES
    • INDUSTRY CALENDAR
    • DIRECTORIES
    • EBOOKS
    • PM BOOKSTORE
    • CE CENTER
    • MARKET RESEARCH
    • CLASSIFIEDS
  • EMAGAZINE
    • EMAGAZINE
    • ARCHIVE ISSUES
    • CONTACT
    • ADVERTISE
    • PME EMAGAZINE ARCHIVES
  • SIGN UP!