Plumbing & Mechanical Engineer

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After thirty years of ownership, Darrell Case is passing the torch to his son, Matt Case. 

At sea, there’s no backup system for clean water. Every drop must be filtered, pumped and protected — and that’s where plumbers come in. On Mercy Ships’ floating hospitals, skilled volunteers work to maintain these life-sustaining systems, ensuring that the ability to deliver safe, reliable care doesn’t leave when the ship sails away.

Designing and installing a system for the unique venue posed challenges that demanded meticulous attention to detail and coordination. It needed to accommodate visitor needs while blending with the building's rustic character. “Introducing modern mechanical systems without disrupting its historic charm was difficult,” said Selestow.

The homerun system is a simple technique for connecting multiple heat emitters using two runs of small flexible tubing (such as PEX) for supply and return. In North America, the standard size is 1/2-inch, but 3/8-inch tubing can be used with proper design and compatible fittings.

Driven by advancements in refrigerants, controls and system design, modern heat pumps are taking on applications once thought beyond their reach — from food service and healthcare to district energy and industrial processes. This evolution is creating new opportunities for engineers, facility owners and contractors to rethink how buildings are heated, cooled and powered.

The technology itself isn’t new — cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) methods have been around for decades — but the conversation around it is changing fast. With infrastructure spending increasing and municipalities under pressure to minimize disruption, contractors who can confidently sell and explain trenchless rehabilitation are in a position to win more business than ever before.

St. Charles Community College’s new Regional Workforce Innovation Center in Wentzville, Missouri, integrates hands-on education with sustainable design.The 48,000-square-foot facility, designed with JEMA and built by River City Construction, is targeting LEED Gold certification.

Many people still hesitate when they hear the phrase “tankless water heater.” The myths run deep: they won’t work in cold climates, they’re too expensive, they can’t keep up with demand. These misconceptions are fueled by early limitations in the technology and years of hearsay passed along between homeowners – and even some tradespeople.

Many of the ratios used in the HVAC industry are just some “desirable output” quantity divided by the “necessary input” quantity. One example is the coefficient of performance (COP) of a heat pump. The desirable output quantity is Btu/hr of heat output. The necessary input quantity is the electrical input power needed to operate the heat pump. The latter is typically measured in watts or kilowatts.

The most efficient grinder pump requires no maintenance, manages solids without clogging, and supports various wastewater systems by preventing settling and handling modern “flushable” products.