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The Striem Lab Rat has been updated

2/3/2020

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Old Method
We tapped a 2" connection into the tank for each location (three for the LB-2 and four for the LB-5). Then, we threaded in a 1-1/2" adapter on the inlet and outlet, thus giving the contractor the option of using 1-1/2" or 2" connections. We also threaded in a 2" plug on the top of the tank, which is the optional top inlet. Over time, several issues began to surface with this method:
  • Tapping takes a lot of time.
  • Sometimes the threads would not be perfect, so we would scrap the tank.
  • The tapping machine didn't like the amount of torque required to thread polyethylene, causing machine downtime.
All of these reasons had the effect of potentially increasing lead times to our customers, which is no bueno.

New Method

We now spin weld a 2" injection-molded female-thread connection into the tank for each fitting location. We provide the adapters and plug uninstalled in the box. The benefits:
  • The contractor no longer has to remove any adapters if they want to change from a side inlet to a top inlet.
  • The threaded connections are injection-molded quality, making thread engagement very easy in the field. 
  • If the contractor is running 2", they just need to thread on the inlet plug (side or top), then it's ready to go.
  • We can now manufacture the product in a quarter of the time that it used to take.

For that chemistry lab that needs (80) LB-2's, we can now ship the order the next day!
Did You Know?
The bottom of the LB-2 and LB-5 are molded so that a contractor can cut a piece of 4" pipe to use as a "field-adjustable" pedestal. This allows the installer to quickly raise the tank to meet higher inlet inverts while eliminating strain on the sink's tailpiece. ​
For more information on the LB-2 and LB-5 click here >>
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New! Schier Safety Manway

10/22/2019

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The Schier Safety Manway builds on the Safety Star concept that comes standard on the GB-500 and GB-1000 models. An open manway is a safety concern and every year people fall inside and are injured or worse, killed.  The Safety Star was developed to help protect against accidental entry into the grease interceptor. As the photo shows the pumper hose will still fit inside of the openings and the bright yellow Safety Star can hold 400 lbs. It's also removable but comes with a tether to make sure it doesn't go too far. A security screw can also be used to help with tampering. 

The Safety Manway is designed to be a universal fit for any buried tank. Concrete grease interceptors, oil/sand separators, chemical tanks, solids interceptors,  septic tanks, sanitary sewer access points, storm sewer access points just to name a few. 

Learn more about the Safety Manway here >>
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What is rotomolding?

11/19/2018

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Striem describes some of their products as being rotomolded (rotationally molded) but what does that mean? Watch the Ripple Engineering Pressure-Cooled Rotomolding machine in action at Striem in Kansas City in the video above. More about how the machine works can be found at the Ripple Engineering website. 
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Meet Striem's newest solids interceptor, the Aardvark.

2/5/2018

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The Aardvark: Basket-Style Solids Interceptor from Vince Ismert on Vimeo.

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Did you know that we use square footage to size oil separators for service facilities?

5/1/2017

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First, let’s define service facilities (per plumbing code).  This would encompass anything from routine car cleaning and detailing, to full blown engine repair.  "Service" applies not only to vehicles, but also to any kind of machinery that could leak oil into the building drainage system.   


​Both UPC and IPC recognize the following to calculate the capacity of an oil separator: (6) cubic feet for the first 100 square feet of drainage area, plus (1) cubic foot of required capacity for each additional 100 square feet.

Here's an example:
 
Oil change facility with 900 square feet of drainage area.
  • First 100 square feet = 6 cubic feet
  • Next 800 square feet = 8 cubic feet
  • 6 cubic feet + 8 cubic feet = 14 cubic feet
  • 14 cubic feet = 104.7 gallons of required capacity
Recommendation:  OS-75 (125-gallon total liquid capacity)

Keep in mind that some jurisdictions have their own requirements: 500 gallons, 1000 gallons, double-wall mandate, only allow concrete, etc. 

If this is the case in your territory, let's work on changing that.

Below is a quick reference sizing chart that can found on page 3 of our 2017 Catalog.

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Did you know that each oil separator (OS) has a matching oil collection tank (OCT)? 

1/24/2017

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Did you know that each oil separator (OS) has a matching oil collection tank (OCT)? 

It is not a requirement for an OS to be installed with an OCT. However, there is one application where it makes a lot of sense: oil level monitoring.

If the project requires an oil level monitoring system, an OS would need to be installed with an OCT and an AVA-3 or AVA-4 level monitoring system. The level system includes a control panel with audio and visual alarms, as well as the single- or multi-level float switch. The float switch is to be installed in the OCT. We provide everything needed to install the float switch inside the OCT.

The OS would be ordered with a draw-off arm (D02) to draw oil from the OS to the OCT.

A secondary benefit of an OCT is that it increases the total liquid and oil capacity of the oil separator system. We recommend only installing equal-sized OS and OCT units. ​
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AVA-3 single-level control panel
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Single-level float switch used with an AVA-3
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AVA-4 multi-level control panel
Publication sent from "Did you know" memo from Striem on 01/23/17.
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Did you know that coalescing media increases oil separator efficiency? 

12/15/2016

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As the rep for Striem in Washington, Northern Idado and Alaska we receive "quick facts" memos that allow us to learn a bit more about some of the products we sell.
I found this very informing and thought I would pass it on. Learn more about Striem at striemco.com.


​

​Some call it coalescing media. We like to call it a "polypropylene beehive" since it's important to distinguish its material of construction. Why? The short answer: chemistry.


Polypropylene is a plastic derived from hydrocarbons (a fancy term for oil). Hydrocarbons are what we're trying to separate from water. In chemistry, similar molecules are attracted to each other. Thus, polypropylene is an "oil-loving" material. If you're trying to impress an engineer, just say "polypropylene is oleophilic."

When oily wastewater enters the separator, it is forced through the coalescing media. The oil droplets latch onto the media. As more droplets coagulate on the media, they merge with one another and eventually become buoyant enough to detach from the media and rise to the surface. Larger oil droplets rise to the surface more quickly than smaller droplets. Pretty simple!

Striem recommends coalescing media in applications where oil droplets tend to emulsify into smaller droplets. This may occur in pump applications (e.g., elevator pits) and applications where surfactants are used (e.g., car washes). 

For further information on Striem's Clean Sweep coalescing media, please request our Technical Bulletin by sending an email to help@striemco.com.

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Two stacks of three cubic feet of coalescing media to be installed in an OS-750.
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OS-750 modified for coalescing media installation.
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One cubic foot of coalescing media installed within an OS-50.
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DIY or Professional Maintenance?

5/24/2016

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Why specify a basket style versus a screen style solids inceptor? 
The primary consideration is how the unit will be maintained. A basket style is considered "DIY maintenance" meaning somebody on site will remove and dump out the basket at the appropriate interval. A screen style is used where professional maintenance is coming in with a pumper truck and sucking the contents out.

So why not use a basket? Capacity. Take for example the Striem PS-35 Solids Interceptor with a 35 gallon liquid capacity. The PS-35-B basket style has 5 gallons of solids capacity whereas the PS-35-S screen style has 17.5 gallons of solids capacity. In this case the screen style is going to have 3.5x the capacity and therefore pump-out interval of the basket style.
Download Striem Catalog
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    Welcome Engineers

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    (206) 257-3387 or 
    ​engineers@repconw.com

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Seattle, washington, USA

how to contact us

Customer Service: (888) 908-4547 
Customer Service: (206) 809-8584
Engineer Specialists: (206) 257-3387
General Help: help@repconw.com
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Engineer Specialists: engineers@repconw.com
​Orders and Updates: orders@repconw.com

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Washington, Oregon, Northern Idaho, Alaska and Hawaii. Offices in Seattle and Portland.
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