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July, 2008
Welcome to The Lagina Meter – your connection to news and trends in the commercial plumbing industry, brought to you by “your plumber,” Lagina Plumbing.
In this issue:
Join Us Sunday Evening for a Night at Slinger Speedway
There's still time to register for the Sunday, July 13 Night at the Races, sponsored by Lagina Plumbing at Slinger Super Speedway.
Along with food and beverages, you’ll enjoy pit tours, ride-alongs, a chance to wave the green flag to start the late-model feature, and more fun and socializing. Time trials start at 4:15 p.m. and racing begins at 6.
If you've misplaced your invitation, e-mail Gretchen Kollman and let her know your name and company, and how many adults and children will attend. To allow us to properly plan, please contact Gretchen by the end of Tuesday. Click here for your invitation.
And as always, keep track of our No. 55, driven on the ASA Midwest Tour by Rich Loch for Loch-Lagina Motorsports. Follow his 2008 season at www.richloch.com.
Siphonic Systems Offer Benefits For Water Drainage
Gravity has long been the traditional force used to drain water from the flat roofs of large buildings. But building designers increasingly are specifying systems that rely on negative air pressure – siphonic drainage – to remove water.
Siphonic drainage was first used in Scandinavia in the 1960s but was only authorized by Wisconsin plumbing code a few years ago. We at Lagina Plumbing view it as a good option for certain buildings, especially where space is an issue.
While a higher level of plumbing engineering is required for siphonic drainage, the systems are quite simple and require less piping and, often, less need for excavation. Because they require less piping, siphonic drainage systems take up less space in a building’s interior.
If you’ve ever had a fish tank or aquarium, you’re familiar with the concept of siphonic drainage which sucks water out of the tank. Thanks to different air pressures on either end of the tube, you’re able to get water to move up through the tube and out of the tank.
With siphonic drainage on roofs, we’re not moving water up, but we are relying on air pressure and an increased level of energy created by the siphonic action to more efficiently remove it. That scenario is most effectively created on low-rise buildings with large, flat roof areas.
When it rains or when snow melts, siphonic systems initially act like conventional drainage, letting water flow off the roof. But once the drain pipes are full of water and all air pockets are removed, the siphonic action begins.
The drains, which are capped with a baffle plate to block air flow, feed into a horizontal collector pipe that only needs to be two to three inches in diameter, versus the six to eight inches required for conventional systems. An additional benefit is that no pitch it required for that collector pipe, so it takes up less interior space. The collector pipe connects to vertical stacks where the water is conveyed to the storm water runoff system — discharged at atmospheric pressure. Fewer vertical pipes are needed in siphonic systems, providing further savings on materials costs, less interior intrusion and less need to have under-slab drainage pipes.
We at Lagina Plumbing are now planning a siphonic drainage system for a building in the Walker’s Point neighborhood just south of downtown Milwaukee.
If you’d like to know more about siphonic drainage, contact Kevin Piller, our design-build project manager, via e-mail or phone at 414-645-7527 ext. 104.
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Park Lafayette Project To Hit Milestone
A significant milestone will be reached this month when construction crews reach the highest point of Park Lafayette, the 20-story, two-tower residential condominium development on Milwaukee’s east side. The achievement will be celebrated with a “topping off” ceremony, with project workers signing their names and placing a commemorative plaque at the top floor of each tower.
 Lagina Plumbing is partnering with general contractor Hunzinger Construction to provide commercial plumbing services for the development.
“This really is a beautiful development that will offer residents incredible views of Lake Michigan and the city,” said Lagina Plumbing President Jim Lagina. “We’re proud to be part of this great development, and glad that our plumbing prefabrication shop is contributing to completion of the project in an accelerated manner.”
Project developer Warren Barr, of Chicago-based Renaissant Development Group LLC, said Park Lafayette residents will enjoy a slice of Chicago luxury living along with the conveniences and amenities of the east side neighborhood, which overlooks McKinley Beach and McKinley Marina.
Vertical construction on the towers, at the corner of East Lafayette Place and North Prospect Avenue, began in October 2007. The first residents will move in early next year, while the towers will be completed next summer.
When complete, Park Lafayette will feature 280 custom-designed luxury residences. Amenities include two professionally designed fitness centers and a 24-hour doorman.
By comparison the two downtown high-rise condo towers, the Kilbourn Tower and the University Club Tower, have 74 units and 53 units, respectively.
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Kohler-sponsored IMAX Movie Highlights the Need for Water Conservation
We in the Midwest often take water for granted. But it's a precious commodity, and growing more so each day. That point is dramatically made in Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk, a movie now showing at the Humphrey Imax Dome Theater at the Milwaukee Public Museum. Kohler, a leader in water conservation, is a major sponsor of the 3D movie.
 Set on the iconic Colorado River, Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk takes viewers on an exhilarating river journey -- led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. -- that calls attention to global freshwater issues. The movie is narrated by Robert Redford and features music of the Dave Matthews Band.
Kohler’s environmentally friendly Kohler and Sterling plumbing
Team Teva kayaker Anthony Yap traverses the Colorado River in this Chris Rainier photo. |
products are designed to conserve natural resources while remaining true to the Kohler level of quality for performance and design. Simple steps such as installing aerators can make a big difference, while tremendous water savings also can be achieved through use of low-flow toilets. We at Lagina Plumbing would be happy to show you how Kohler products can improve your water efficiency and help you attain LEED points for green building projects.
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Minnesota OKs Use of Waterless Urinals, Upholds Air Admittance Valve Ban
In the last issue of the Lagina Meter, we noted Minnesota's ban on the use of air admittance valves in plumbing systems. State lawmakers recently upheld that ban, but did authorize the use of waterless urinals.
Minnesota’s state legislature last year banned waterless urinals, which were not allowed in the state’s plumbing code. Now that the legislature has overturned its ban, the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry’s plumbing board will consider amending the code to authorize their use.
The plumbing board also could further study air admittance valves and make recommendations on their use.
Air admittance valves allow plumbing systems to be installed where conventional sewer gas pipes are not feasible, such as in kitchen island sinks.
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Got a Plumbing Question?
If you have a plumbing question, we most likely have an answer. Our staff includes pros with more than 30 years in the business, dealing with all kinds of plumbing situations. We want to be your plumbing knowledge resource, so give us a call at 414-645-7527or shoot us an e-mail with any questions.
Building? Expanding? Renovating? We Can Help.
Thinking of new construction or a building upgrade? Call us for creative, resourceful and dedicated plumbing design, fabrication and installation. Call 414-645-7527.
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