1. When is Seismic Restraint required on my job?
2. My town was a seismic zone 2 under the old UBC code. Under the current IBC, what “seismic design category” is my town?
   
3. Why did you only list seismic design categories “C” and “D”?
   
4. I’ve installed bracing on piping and ductwork before, by using the details from SMACNA. Why should I use Vemco and Mason Industries for seismic restraint on my project?
   
5. How much notice is needed for scheduling the Vemco FAST support technician for start up?
   
6. After start up has been completed, if I have any problem with equipment supplied by Vemco, who do I call for support?
   
7. What is the standard warranty period for equipment supplied by Vemco, Inc.?
   
8. What does the standard warranty cover?
   
9. Who do I contact for a parts quote and availability?
10. How do I tell what the temp of the water, supply and return, was at the time of a fault on an W/M Ultra boiler?
11. What is the minimum flow rate through a McQuay air cooled chiller?
12. How do I clean my humidifiers and reduce humidifier energy costs?
13. If encounter problems when I try to update my copy of the TacoNet software. What can I do?
14. I need a pump that would give me 50 ft. of head at 5 gpm. and 68 ft. at 5 gpm.
15. Is the location of the pump important in relation to the expansion tank and boiler?

1. When is Seismic Restraint required on my job?
   As determined by IBC requirements, seismic restraint may be required on your project if the project seismic design category is a “C” or a “D”.  See the cover sheet of the structural plans to find the seismic design category for your project, or call Vemco. Even if your are in a “C” or “D”, there are many exemptions, so your requirements have to be determined specifically for each project.
   
   
2. My town was a seismic zone 2 under the old UBC code.  Under the current IBC, what “seismic design category” is my town?
   Because IBC takes into account numerous variables to determine the seismic design category (such as soil class, ground accelerations, use group of the building, and importance factor of the system), it is no longer feasible to label your town as a category “X”. 
   
   Seismic design categories encountered in Montana are A, B, C, and D.  Theoretically, it is possible to have two projects located across the street from each other, with different seismic design categories.
   
   With this in mind, there are typical categories that most (but not all) projects may fall under in a given town.  Towns encountered with a seismic design category “C” are often Billings, Great Falls, and Hamilton.  Towns encountered with a seismic design category “D” are often Kalispell, Missoula, Helena, Butte, and Bozeman.
   
   
3. Why did you only list seismic design categories “C” and “D”?
   Per IBC, projects with a seismic design category “A” or “B” require no seismic restraint in the mechanical systems.
   
   
4. I’ve installed bracing on piping and ductwork before, by using the details from SMACNA.  Why should I use Vemco and Mason Industries for seismic restraint on my project?
   Experienced craftsmen can and have adequately braced piping and ductwork before, using a canned detail from SMACNA, and there is certainly no problem with this.  However, with today’s current mechanical specification requirements, the contractor is often required to submit professional anchorage calculations and layout for ductwork and piping restraint, as well as for equipment anchorage.  And these calculations and layouts typically have to be performed and stamped by a professional engineer.
   
   Vemco and Mason Industries can provide these services for your project, as well as proving the service of reviewing your installations with you, prior to the first hanger being installed.  In this way, you can be assured that your systems are restrained properly, while at the same time minimizing cost and “headaches” for you.  By reviewing the layout prior to installation, we can offer advice and assistance in minimizing restraint requirements per IBC.
   
   
5. How much notice is needed for scheduling the Vemco FAST support technician for start up?
   It depends on our technicians schedule; however, a good rule of thumb is to request start up 2-3 weeks prior to when you need it completed.
   
   
6. After start up has been completed, if I have any problem with equipment supplied by Vemco, who do I call for support?
   Your first contact for support is the contractor on the job. If Vemco FAST is dispatched to your facility a purchase order will be required unless we have quoted a labor warranty. Call 800-377-6113 to verify if a labor warranty was included on your project.
   
   
7. What is the standard warranty period for equipment supplied by Vemco, Inc.?
   The standard manufacturer warranty period for most equipment supplied by Vemco, Inc is 18-months from the date of shipment or 1-year from the date of start up, whichever comes sooner. Extended warranties are available. 
   
   
8. What does the standard warranty cover?
   A. Manufacturer warranty covers PARTS ONLY. Labor is the responsibility of the contractor, in most cases. Vemco can quote a labor warranty; please call 800-377-6113 for a quote.
   
   
9. Who do I contact for a parts quote and availability?
   A. Some parts can be purchased directly from Vemco by calling 800-377-5335 and others can be purchased through authorized wholesalers. For more information, call 800-377-5335 with any questions.
   
   
10. How do I tell what the temp of the water, supply and return, was at the time of a fault on an W/M Ultra boiler? You can unlock the panel and go to error and proceed with hitting the step button to obtain: 1) error code; 2) state of operation when the error occurred e.g stdby , ignition , etc.; 3) supply water temp at time of error; 4) return water temp at time of error; 5) whether the boiler was in a dhw call for heat or a boiler call for heat; and 6) outdoor temp at the time of error if the sensor is hooked up.
    
    
11. What is the minimum flow rate through a McQuay air cooled chiller? The catalog refers to the minimum flow at full capacity but it would be more reasonable to assume that an engineer wants to know the minimum flow rate at a reduced capacity. Here is the answer from Tom Nichols, Applications Engineer from McQuay International. We have to be careful of the velocity in the evaporator tubes, if it gets to low we can freeze the evaporator. They don't give us that velocity but the go no lower than number is 3.0 FPS. This equals to about 60% of the published full capacity minimum flow assuming the chiller is operating at 25%. Example; AGZ120B has a published minimum flow rate of 180 GPM so the real minimum we should tell the engineer is 108 GPM, with a rate of change no greater than 10%/minute.
    
    
12. How do I clean my humidifiers and reduce humidifier energy costs?
    The DRI-STEEM engineers spent the last few years researching humidifier de-scaling to find the most effective and easy-to-use de-scaler at the right price. Why? Because clean humidifiers (that don't have scale buildup insulating heaters and heat exchangers) operate trouble-free and more efficiently by using less energy. The following key benefits of DRI-STEEM's Humidifier De-scaling Solution (Click Here for product brochure):
    
    • Thoroughly removes scale, keeping humidifiers operating efficiently and at peak performance, thereby using energy more efficiently
    • Does not corrode tank or components
    • No fumes, no odors, not flammable, no added heat
    • Environmentally friendly: Most municipalities allow flushing down drain
    • Easier and more thorough than hand scraping, which can damage components, especially electric heaters; de-scales in hard-to-reach places
    • DRI-STEEM approved: Does not void warranty when used as directed
      Contact our Parts Department at 800-377-5335 for pricing and availability.
      
      
13. If I encounter problems when I try to update my copy of the TacoNet software, what can I do?
    If you have not updated your version of TacoNet for some time or are trying to install TacoNet onto a new computer from an older CD version of the software, you will have difficulties, because of the cumulative effect of many small updates made to TacoNet over time. A patch to the TacoNet software that will fix this problem and enable updates is available for download here.
    
    
14. I need a pump that would give me 50 ft of head at 5 gpm and 68 ft at 5 gpm.
    There is no single pump that could efficiently meet your requirements. As an alternative, use two 0011 and two 0013 + 007 in series. When pumps are in series, the heads are added at the same flow rate. Be sure to install a nipple to 2 pump flanges to connect the 2 pumps in series. This will prevent the bolts from popping out.
    
    
15. Is the location of the pump important in relation to the expansion tank and boiler?
    Yes, the expansion tank is the point of no pressure change. If the pump is placed so that it pumps toward the expansion tank, the head produced by the pump will show up as a drop in pressure on the suction side of the pump. This drop in pressure is equal to the head produced by the pump.
    
    A pump that develops more than 12 feet of head should be piped so it pumps away from the expansion tank. This way, the head produced by the pump will show up as a rise in system pressure on the discharge of the pump. The positive pressure will improve the elimination of air problems in a system.
    
    The expansion tank and pump should be located after the boiler so the boiler is also at the point of no pressure change. The Pressure Reducing Valve (fill valve) should be connected next to the expansion tank.

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