William Smith is president of Elite Software Development Inc., which offers over 30 computer programs for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing designers. He can be reached at 800-648-9523 or bsmith@elitesoft.com.
The design of gas vent pipes and connectors for furnaces,
water heaters, boilers, and other fossil-fuel appliances is a serious matter.
Carbon monoxide poisoning, collapsing chimneys, fire hazards, corrosion of
vents, draft inducers, heat exchangers, and non-conformance with building codes
are all problems associated with improper gas vent installations.