Plumbing & Mechanical articles from April 2002

Plumbing & Mechanical archives from April 2002

More from RPA on Radiant Study. (Letters to the Editor).
April 1, 2002... The recent article titled "RPA Refutes Canadian Radiant Study" (February 2002) brings up some interesting questions. While the study seems to indicate that some homeowners do not reduce their thermostat settings when living in radiantly heated...

A plague on houses. (Letters to the Editor).
April 1, 2002... Katie Rotella's article in the February issue on mold was informative ("Mold: Environmental Bogeyman Or Contractor Nightmare?"). One of the major reasons for introduction of water into a building space is caused by failing to insulate the...

Keep an open mind. (Letters to the Editor).
April 1, 2002... Yes, I am a T&M contractor and seem to be doing fairly well at it. Maybe flat-rate pricing is the way to go. I'm not sure, but I will certainly keep an open mind about any such thing. The main reason I am writing is because I was reading...

Price Wrong, article right. (Letters to the Editor).
April 1, 2002... Finally, an article with true grit ("The Price Is Wrong," February 2002). I'm sick to death of all the whining about slugs when the real slugs are the local and regional suppliers/manufacturers. I will not and never have installed equipment...

Praise for our 'History of Plumbing'. (Letters to the Editor).
April 1, 2002... I am working on my family genealogy and found out that my great-great-great-grandfather was listed as a plumber on the 1880 census in St. Albans, Vt. That's how I found your History of Plumbing articles; I wanted to find out more about early...

Goodyear to pay more than $23 million to Colorado developer. (Around the Industry).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Jury finds hose at fault Verdict a victory for radiant contractors Goodyear will repeal Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. was ordered to pay more than $23 million to a Colorado vacation home developer in a decision by an Arapahoe County...

What type of service vehicle do you use? (PM Trends).
April 1, 2002... What type of service vehicle do you use? (PM Trends) Pick-up 26% Box Truck 25% Other 4% Each month PMmag.com explores unique industry trends that affect our PHC industry. The results represent PM's online community's...

REX 2002 heads for Cincinnati. (Around the Industry).
April 1, 2002... The Radiant Panel Association will hold its REX 2002 annual conference and trade show, May 8-11 at the Cincinnati Conference Center, Cincinnati, Ohio. This year's conference theme is "It's Good To Be Green... Radiant Green." "The radiant...

Watts Industries forms joint venture with Chinese firm. (Briefs).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... WATTS INDUSTRIES recently announced that it will form a joint venture with the Yuhuan County Cheng Guan Metal Hose. Factory, located in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province of the Peoples Republic of China. Cheng Guan manufacturers a variety of plumbing...

BlueDot to focus on PSI members. (Briefs).(announces plans to consider possible acquisitions)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... At the January Plumbers' Success International Success Summit, Alan Mintz, senior vice president of corporate development at BLUEDOT, announced that the company is working with WealthNow, sister firm of PSI, in considering PSI's contractor...

Encompass reports 2001 results. (Briefs).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2002... Encompass Services Corp., a provider of facilities systems and services, reported a net loss of $1.12 per share for 2001, compared to a net gain of 90 cents in 2000. Revenues were $3.9 billion, and operating income was $87.8 million.

MCAA Convention focuses on leadership. (Around the Industry).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... With a lineup of speakers that began with retired Gen. Norman H. Schwarzkopf and went on to include well-known management consultant Tom Peters and Olympic gold medallist Rulon Gardner, leadership was the clear theme throughout the MCAA 2002...

All-star speakers at ISH North America. (Around the Industry).
April 1, 2002... ISH North America show organizers announced the first wave of speakers committed to presenting at the Conference Seminar program, plus the addition of numerous exhibitors pushing the total near 200. ISH NA is scheduled to debut Oct. 31-Nov. 2...

Update: EMCOR completes acquisition. (Around the Industry).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2002... Norwalk, Conn.-based EMCOR Group has completed its acquisition of 19 subsidiary companies of Houston-based Comfort Systems USA. The companies, which are predominantly from the Midwest and the New York metro area, posted combined revenues of...

Industry death: Rusty Quarles, 53. (Around the Industry). (Contractors 2000 former chairman).(Brief Article)(Obituary)
April 1, 2002... Former chairman of Contractors 2000, Rusty Quarles, died Feb. 16 of a heart attack. He was 53. Quarles was the third-generation owner and president of Bank Quarles PHC Inc., in his lifetime home Tuscaloosa, Ala. Besides being a C-2000...

PM is moving! (Around the Industry).
April 1, 2002... As of April 1, PM's editorial offices will be at a new location in suburban Chicago: 1050 IL Route 83, Suite 200, Bensenville, IL 60106, Phone: 630/616-0200. (This is no April Fools joke!) Direct phone lines to staff are as follows: ...

Sheet Metal Workers file SEC complaint. (Around the Industry). (against Comfort Systems USA).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... The Sheet Metal Workers' International Association recently filed a complaint with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate Comfort Systems USA for failing to disclose a board position that a Comfort board member held with...

PMI continues push for trade show consolidation. (Briefs).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute, while applauding the efforts of ISH North America for working with its partners to develop a unified trade show format, believes that ISH NA, in its present form as an every-year, show, represents trade...

PHCC Texas forms mold task force. (Briefs). (Associated Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of Texas).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... The Associated Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of Texas developed task force on mold issues to monitor plumbing industry problems relating to mold in the state. The group had its first meeting in January to develop guidelines for...

TradePower hosts 11th annual User Conference. (Briefs).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Estimation, a TradePower solution, will host its 11th annual User Conference April 22-26th in Tempe, Ariz. at the Tempe Missions Palms Hotel and Conference Center. Attendees will convene to participate in informational seminars, roundtable...

Dan Holohan to speak at NAOHSM Convention. (Briefs).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... At its 49th Annual Convention and Trade Show in Hartford, Conn., May 14-18, the National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers will feature two seminars by Dan Holohan free of charge to all attendees. For information about the convention...

Home Depot continues push for professional customers. (Around the Industry).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Atlanta-based HOME DEPOT opened its third store designed for professional contractors in Mesquite, Texas. The 130,000-square-foot Home Depot Supply concept store sells items in bulk to contractors and builders, and has departments in plumbing,...

Aussie wholesaler spotlights DIY dangers. (Around the Industry). (Reece Australia Ltd. on plumbing do-it-yourself projects).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... DIY or D-I-E? Take your pick, says an Australia plumbing wholesaler that has been running a 5-year-old campaign highlighting the dangers of typical DIY projects. Reece, a plumbing supplier with 180 locations throughout Australia, launched...

Wolverine Brass appoints new president. (Briefs). (Tom May).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Tom May was appointed president/CEO of WOLVERINE BRASS Inc. in March. For the previous six years, May served as president of WeilMcLain where he was employed for 20 years.

Executive director leaves Massachusetts PHCC. (Briefs). (Gordon MacEwan).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Gordon MacEwan is leaving his position as executive director of the PHCC of Massachusetts. He will be a regional representative of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials. Also, Lou Visco, executive secretary of...

Sloan Valve names new Optima manager. (Briefs). (Kirk Allen).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Sloan Value Co. appointed Kirk Allen as its new Optima product line manager. He will be responsible for the new product development and market introductions of Sloan's line of Optima hardwired and Optima Plus battery-operated faucets and...

Burnham announces Dodge retirement. (Briefs).(Burnham Corp., John B. Dodge retiring)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Burnham Corp. announced that John B. Dodge will retire as chairman of the board. He is now chairman emeritus and will continue to act in an advisory capacity to the board. Succeeding Dodge as chairman is Albert Morrison III. This is in...

New president, COO for Speakman Co. (Briefs).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... The Speakman Co. appointed Rodman Ward III as its president and chief operating officer. Ward, former vice president of equipment for Snap-on Europe, is a descendant of the company's founders. Willard A. Speakman III will continue in his...

Pipe manufacturer appoints new sales manager. (Briefs).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Mupro North America/REMS Tools, a German insulated pipe and tool manufacturer, appointed Boyd Ritchie as its new sales manager. He resides in the Buffalo, N.Y., area and will be responsible for developing an independent rep organization and...

QSC addresses workplace anger at annual meeting. (Briefs).(Quality Service Contractors)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Quality Service Contractors learned ways to deal with work place anger during one of the seminars at its February Power Meeting. lips were provided on how to handle an angry person and how to cool down. Customer service was also discussed,...

MCA of Chicago presents Kreisman Award. (Briefs).(Mechanical Contractors Association of Chicago, Paul Lakia)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... The Mechanical Contractors Association of Chicago recently awarded its third annual Herb Kreisman Award to Paul Lakia, a Purdue University sophomore in the Building Construction Management program. Lakia, president of Purdue's MCA Student...

Brass Craft wins Silver. (Briefs).(Award from Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... The Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services presented Brass Craft's Brownstown plant, a Masco Corp. subsidiary, with the Silver Award for outstanding safety and health achievement. It recognizes one year without a lost time...

Ellen Rohr, president Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. (Newsmaker Profiles).(Interview)
April 1, 2002... In May 2000, Plumbers Success International announced plans to make Benjamin Franklin into a national plumbing brand. National branding has been on the minds of PSL co-founders Jim Abrams and John Young since the inception of the trade group in...

Rebirth of a contractor: Here's how the subject of last month's column staved off Chapter 7 and turned his business around. (Business Tips).(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2002... In last month's column I shared with you the 1990 profit & loss statement of a union service and repair PHC contractor who was headed for CHAPTER 7 bankruptcy. Remember, he delivered his services on a time and material basis with a labor rate...

Municipal makeover: Even lessons learned the hard way eventually pay off. (Hydronics Workshop).
April 1, 2002... Imagine yourself on the planning committee for a new municipal office building in your local township. Somewhere in the planning process, the option of installing hydronic radiant floor heating in the new 7,000 sq. ft. slab-on-grade building is...

ISH North America: International trade fair for kitchen & bath, plumbing, heating and air-conditioning.
April 1, 2002... October 31 -- November 2, 2002 National Trade Centre Toronto, Ontario Canada You are invited to attend ISH North America, the all-inclusive and consolidated trade show for the kitchen & bath, plumbing, heating, air-conditioning...

Contractors' trucks: It's official. Judging from what you've told us, contractors put a lot of pride into their trucks.
April 1, 2002... What would a contractor be without a truck? The truck functions as rolling supply house, billboard on wheels, main office and restaurant. Over the years, we've held Best-Looking Truck contests and always received a great response -- so many, in...

A professional business for the professional trades. (Water Treatment).(Column)
April 1, 2002... Are you sitting down? Because I've got a doozy for you: The Home Depot helped get stricter plumbing codes adopted for water treatment products and installation. Not intentionally, of course. The Home Depot and other big boxes were selling...

Arsenic & Old legislation: Arsenic levels in drinking water must drop to 10 ppb by 2006. What does this mean to the water service industry?(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... The U.S. Public Health Service first established a national standard for arsenic in drinking water in 1942. It was set at 50 parts per billion and remained unchallenged until 1975 with the inception of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Most...

Water softeners. (Product Focus).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... For many well owners, a water softener isn't really an option. Hard water contains excessive levels of calcium and magnesium, a common condition found in 85 percent of the United States. Softening the, water as it enters the home protects all...

Test it, tag it or toss it: Prepare your shop for unexpected guests or unexpected new customers. (Managing Your Business).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Do Your ever want someone to know t at you're messy? Neither do I! That's why in our company, we always act as if unexpected visitors are at the door. We don't just clean up the place when weknow we're about to have company. We want those...

Are you lost in a FOG? Fats, oils and greases foul up sewage treatment plants so much that new state and federal laws now regulate their discharge. (Plumbing Primer).(fat, oil and grease)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... For the past few years, I have been teaching a plumbing engineering class at Harold Washington College in Chicago. The class is made up of students who are designers, engineers, sales representatives and contractors. Every so often, I like...

Neat & Orderly pays dividends: a messy office has a negative effect on your image. (In the Field).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Contractor offices are not known for their neatness, or orderliness. Since we typically visit our customers at their home or business, maybe that's OK. Or is it really OK to have a messy, disorganized office? What are the consequences? Does it...

Let bygones be bygones: Don't let the past stop you from looking at opportunities today. (Practical Management).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... The headline above is always good advice for any relationship that ended due to a misunderstanding or mistake by either or both parties. As our economy tightens up and we are looking for survival or growth opportunities, consider opening up any...

Contractor Baseboard Series. (Products & Literature).
April 1, 2002... Runtal's new Contractor's Baseboard Series is available in three heights (6-, 9- and 12-inch) and 15 lengths (from 2 to 4 feet). Outputs are 600, 770 and 930 Btu/hr/ft. at 180-degree F and 350, 450 and 550 Btu/hr./ft. at 140-degree F water....

Decorative radiator styles. (Products & Literature).(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Myson now offers the world's largest selection of decorative and functional radiators, including the new Decor, Column and Bench styles. These new styles are a decorator's dream, offering European flair in an array of styles and sizes that will...

Cast-iron radiant Baseboard. (Products & Literature).
April 1, 2002... The cast-iron Baseray[R] Baseboard heat distributors are an integral component of Burnham's heating advantage. Features include easy installation in a single room or whole house; one-piece cast-iron construction virtually eliminates expansion...

Lo-Trim baseboard [no photo]. (Products & Literature).(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Argo Technology's Lo-Trim baseboard features superior performance, durability and ease of installation. With a low-profile design it sits only 8 inches high and fits into any room. An exclusive Red Line Element with four corner protective rails...

Onix tubing. (Products & Literature).(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Watts Radiant's Onix tubing offers a unique solution to a common problem associated with baseboard and fan coil systems. It offers an extended high-temperature warranty of 210 degrees F at 12 to 25 psi working pressure. This higher temperature...

New Slant/Fin baseboard. (Products & Literature).(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... The new Base/Line 2000 baseboards from Slant/Fin Corp. offer competitive cost making it ideal for tract housing, apartments and renovations. It provides full output, attractive design and contractor-friendly features to speed installation....

Heatrim American baseboard [no photo]. (Products & Literature).(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Symmetrically styled for low-silhouette appearance and low-cost installation, Heatrim American baseboard by Mestek offers a one-piece, heavy-gauge steel support front panel. Element can be located at any point along back panel. High performance...

Suntemp baseboard [no photo]. (Products & Literature).(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Suntemp by Sterling provides safe, quiet, efficient performance. Easy-to-install features include combined back and top panel, sliding support brackets and expanded copper tube end. High-efficiency heating element with channelized fins and deep...

Petite 7 baseboard radiation. (Products & Literature).(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Petite 7[R] baseboard is designed for ease of installation and quiet, efficient performance. Installed height of less than 7 inches allows the baseboard to blend with any home or apartment decor. Features include pivot-damper temperature...

Enviromac sump pump. (Products & Literature).(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... The Enviromac sump pump from AY McDonald is environmentally friendly and features a dynamically balanced motor with capacitor start for low-current usage. The oil-free design offers three pumps in one - automatic, manual and floor sucker...

UPS & UP pumps. (Products & Literature).(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Grundfos Pumps Corp. introduces the new VersaFlo UPS and UP pumps offering high-flow and high-head performance ideal for primary/secondary heating systems. The small 1/25th horsepower UP pumps are available in high-head configurations, while...

End-suction pumps. (Products & Literature).(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Taco Inc. introduces its new line of CI and FI end-suction pumps, which replace the existing CE and FE Series. The new line offers improved efficiencies and an extended performance range. Available in 125 psi and 250 psi working pressures. ...

Grinder pump. (Products & Literature).(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... The Shark[R] Series 840 grinder pump from Zoeller Pump Co. features a durable heavy-duty finned cast-iron construction; 2 horsepower, 60-cycle engine; and hardened stainless steel cutter rotor and disc. It has a corrosion-resistant powder...

Cast iron body pump. (Products & Literature).(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... The model 247, a 1/4 horsepower sump pump by Liberty Pumps, features a one-piece cast iron body that eliminates multiple part construction and features peripheral-port suction. The quick-disconnect power cord allows simple replacement of cords,...

Redesigned POWERflow. (Products & Literature).(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Hartell introduces a re-engineered version of its series of reservoir-style pumps. The KTP POWERflow Series provides an even higher standard of quality and performance while simplifying installation and maintenance. Features include double...

Hot water on demand. (Products & Literature).(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Bradford White Corp. introduces the KwickShot [TM] line of instantaneous, electric water heaters that provide Continuous hot water on demand and directly at the point-of-use without the use of storage tanks. Compact, lightweight and easy to...

Piston-operated Flushometer [no photo]. (Products & Literature).(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... The piston-operated GEM 2 [R] from Sloan Valve Co. features a non-hold open handle that controls water usage, and the Flushometer has no external volume adjustment, promoting water conservation. An 0-ring-protected, filtered metering by-pass...

Soft-Twist fitting brushes. (Products & Literature).(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... New Soft-Twist fitting brushes from The Mill-Rose Co. feature an easy-to-grip, non-slip handle. The cushion-grip brush is fluorescent yellow and easy to spot in any cluttered toolbox. Available in standard plumbing sizes from 1/8-inch to 2-inch...

Water leak detector. (Products & Literature).(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... The LD-12 "Professionals Plus" water leak detector from SubSurface Leak Detection Inc. is even better than its predecessor, the LD-10 With greater sensitivity and electronic amplification, the LD-12's amplifier includes several new operating...

Tube cutter [no photo]. (Products & Literature).(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Watts Specialties Inc. has released its new tube-cutting machine, the W-132 LPSC. Cuts up to 32-inch straight pipe to any length with torch or optional plasma packages. A rotary ground system allows internal electrical grounding. Non-slip drive...

Stainless steel water heaters. (Products & Literature).(advertisement)
April 1, 2002... Stor-Ex NY Inc.'s Millennium [TM] indirect water heaters feature high-grade 316L stainless steel construction. The standard design is easy to install because it is lightweight and will work with any hydronic system. Custom configurations make...

Getting real: Events may have jolted people into an appreciation for genuine value, and that's good news for our industry. (Editorial Opinion).(Brief Article)(Editorial)
April 1, 2002... Roll-ups, dot-coms, Enron. These fiascos have something in common. As noted in this space last month, the roll-up consolidation craze that visited our industry was more about Wall Street gamesmanship than any serious attempt to build...