Brian Chesser Metro Atlanta and Northeast Georgia

How a child is taught to ride a bicycle may influence how they succeed in life.

When you were taught to ride a bicycle, everyone I know did eventually learn to ride; but not without falling over several times (In my case more than several). I have seen parents teaching their child to ride and when the child falls over the parent runs over and picks the child up and hugs them; then they will say something like "Bad Bicycle" or "Did that mean old bicycle hurt you". The child then see their falling over was not their fault but the bicycle's fault. When I was taught to ride a bicycle and I fell over my Dad would only hug me after I got up on my own and picked up my bicycle. He then simply told me what I did wrong and to try again.

He later told me that success is not measured in ride the bicycle; it is measured in the ability to quickly pick yourself up after you fall. Failure only happens when you stop trying. If you are waiting for someone to pick you up - you have stopped trying and you have failed.

If you fall in life: Admit you are down, learn from it and get up!

The following is some great information on the Temperature Pressure Relief values on your water heater from InterNACHI (International Association of Certified Home Inspectors) website www.internachi.org

TPR Valves and Discharge Piping

by Nick Gromicko, Rob London and Kenton Shepard

TPR (temperature pressure relief) valves are safety devices installed on water heating appliances such as boilers and domestic water supply heaters. TPRs are designed to automatically release water in the event that pressure or temperature in the water tank exceeds safe levels. If temperature sensors and safety devices such as TPRs malfunction, water in the system may become superheated (exceed the boiling point). Once the tank ruptures and water is exposed to the atmosphere it will expand into steam almost instantly and occupy approximately 1,600 times its original volume. This process can propel a heating tank like a rocket through multiple floors, causing personal injury and extensive property damage.

Water-heating appliance explosions are rare due to the fact that they require a simultaneous combination of unusual conditions and failure of redundant safety components. These conditions only result from extreme negligence and the use of outdated or malfunctioning equipment. The TPR valve will activate if either water temperature (measured in degrees Fahrenheit) or pressure (measured in pounds per square inch (PSI)) exceed safe levels. The valve should be connected to a discharge pipe (also called a drain line) that runs down the length of the water heater tank. This pipe is responsible for routing hot water released from the TPR to a proper discharge location. It is critical that discharge pipes meet the following requirements, which can be found in InterNACHI's Water Heater Discharge Piping mini-course, at www.nachi.org/education. A discharge pipe should:

1. Be constructed of an approved material such as CPVC, copper, polyethylene, galvanized steel, polypropylene, or stainless steel. PVC and other non-approved plastics should not be used since they can easily melt.
2. Not be smaller than the diameter of the outlet of the valve it serves (usually no smaller than 3/4").
3. Not reduce in size from the valve to the air gap (point of discharge).
4. Be as short and as straight as possible so as to avoid undue stress on the valve.
5. Be installed so as to drain by flow of gravity.
6. Not be trapped since standing water may become contaminated and backflow into the potable water.
7. Discharge to a floor drain, to an indirect waste receptor, or to the outdoors.
8. Not be directly connected to the drainage system to prevent backflow of potentially contaminating the potable water.
9. Discharge through a visible air gap in the same room as the water-heating appliance.
10. Be first piped to an indirect waste receptor such as a bucket through an air gap located in a heated area when discharging to the outdoors in areas subject to freezing, since freezing water could block the pipe.
11. Not terminate more than 6 inches (152 mm) above the floor or waste receptor.
12. Discharge in a manner that could not cause scalding.
13. Discharge in a manner that could not cause structural or property damage.
14. Discharge to a termination point that is readily observable by occupants because discharge indicates that something is wrong and to prevent unobserved termination capping.
15. Be piped independent of other equipment drains, water heater pans, or relief valve discharge piping to the point of discharge.
16. Not have valves anywhere.
17. Not have tee fittings.
18. Not have a threaded connection at the end of the pipe so as to avoid capping.
    

Leakage and Activation A properly functioning TPR valve will eject a powerful jet of hot water from the discharge pipe when fully activated, not a gentle leak. A leaky TPR valve is an indication that it needs to be replaced. In the rare case that the TPR valve does activate, the homeowner should immediately shut off the water and contact a qualified plumber for assistance and repair. Inspectors should recommend that homeowners test TPR valves monthly, although inspectors should never do this themselves because they may be held liable for any damage that might occur if the valve fails. The inspector should demonstrate to the homeowner how the main water supply can be shut off and explain that it can be located at the home main water supply valve or at the water supply shut-off for the appliance on which the TPR is mounted. TPR Data Plate Information

• The pressure at which a TPR valve will activate is printed on a data plate located beneath the test lever. This amount should not exceed the working pressure limit marked on the data plate of the water-heating appliance it serves.
• The BTU/HR rating marked on the water-heating appliance data plate should not exceed that of the TPR, which is marked on the TPR data plate.
• TPR valves with missing data plates should be replaced.

Although a TPR valve might never become activated, it is an essential safety component on boilers and domestic water heaters. Guidelines concerning these valves and their discharge pipes reflect real hazards that every homeowner and home inspector should take seriously. More information about this subject can be found in InterNACHI's Water Heater Discharge Piping mini-course, InterNACHI's Plumbing Inspection course or by contacting a qualified plumber.

In the United States House of Representatives today they are trying to throwout the Rule of Law over the Congress' embarrassment. What embarrassment? The AIG bonuses.

I know the emotional response for this is it is wrong, wrong, wrong! BUT the question is What Laws have been broken? NONE. AIG had contracts with their employees and they paid them what they were owed.

What has me personally outraged is Congress wants to pass a 'Special' Bill' to tax the people who recieved AIG bonuses because that is NOT FAIR. Again no laws were broken. This bill if passed WILL set a very dangerous precedent. When Congress does not like what is done in your business; someone makes a profit on a book or song; television or radio show makes money that the Congress does not like - They will simple TAKE the money by force.

This is other example of Socialism from Congress (Democrats and Republicans).

When you compare the President's Tax plan to the FairTax it is very hard to imagine anyone not picking the FairTax. But when you talk to people about the FairTax they have only heard of the 23% sales tax and they have been misled about what that really means. They have been told that the 23% sales tax is added to what they are already paying in taxes; when, the 23% sales tax will replace all of the other taxes we are paying for now at the federal level.

Here is a good chart to compare Obama's Plan to the FairTax:

What are the bare bone areas that the Federal Government should involved in? The basics we want them working on with the taxes they take from us.

Defense -Most people when asked where their freedoms come from they will always say the Constitution; but without flesh and blood standing in front of the Constitution it would only be a piece of paper.

Secure our Borders - We must control and limit the people who come into this country.

Commerce - Both Interstate and with other nations needs to be mediated for a level playing field. Interstate Transportation, Air Traffic Control.

___________________?

What areas do you think should be added to this list and why? And is it covered under the Constitution?

I will update the list as we go.