Plumbing & Mechanical articles from July 2002

Plumbing & Mechanical archives from July 2002

Flat-rate debate continues. (Letters to the Editor).(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2002... This flat-rate debate is finally getting under my skin enough that I feel prompted to write. I think this is even my first letter to an editor. This letter is for the six or seven readers who still have an open mind in the upfront pricing vs....

Super fan. (Letters to the Editor).(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2002... My name is Greg Pineau, and I am the third generation of our family business. My son, Jared, is generation number four. I don't know if there will be a generation number five, still too early to tell. I want to say how much I enjoy reading...

Clogged in Colorado. (Letters to the Editor).(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2002... In response to Robert Brooks' Letter To The Editor (I Gotta Go To the 'Jim'?) in the May 2002 issue of PM, I'd like to submit a response on behalf of Sloan FLUSHMATE. Mr. Brooks, First, let me say that there is plenty of documentation...

1,100 attend RPA show. (Around the Industry).(Radiant Panel Association Annual Conference)
July 1, 2002... A new certification program, a radiant floor-covering publication and two additional radiant installation manuals were a few highlights announced at the Radiant Panel Association's Annual Conference and REX, held May 8-11 in Cincinnati. ...

PM trends.(low-flush toilets; customer complaints)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... PM Trends How many customers complain about the performance of low-flush (1.6 gpf) closets you install? Almost everyone complains 58% A fair number of complaints 17% A few complaints 13% Each month...

FloLogic conference addresses toxic mold prevention. (Around the Industry).
July 1, 2002... FloLogic[R], manufacturer and marketer of the FloLogic System 2000 shut-off valve, held a broadcast conference call on May 28 to discuss plumbing design strategies that prevent the conditions that breed toxic mold. Speakers during the call...

World Plumbing Council to meet during ISH North America Show. (Around the Industry).(International Sanitation and Heating North America)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... ISH North America will not only host the business conferences of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors -- National Association and the American Supply Association; it will also be the site of a World Plumbing Council board meeting (Canada...

Encompass reports quarterly losses. (Briefs).(Encompass Services Corp.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Encompass Services Corp. reported a loss of $450.9 million ($7.13 per share) for the first quarter of 2002, compared to a profit of $13.8 million the previous year's first quarter. The loss was partly due to discontinued operations and a $452...

Charges result in loss for Comfort Systems. (Briefs).(Comfort Systems USA Inc. 2002 first quarter)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Comfort Systems USA announced a net loss of $217.2 million ($5.79 per share) for its first quarter of fiscal year 2002. The results include a charge for an accounting change for reporting goodwill and a charge for the sale of certain...

EMCOR increases income. (Briefs).(EMCOR Group Inc. 2002 first quarter)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... For the 2002 first quarter, EMCOR Group reported net income of $7.3 million, an increase of 28.2 percent from $5.7 million a year ago. First-quarter revenues were $810.3 million, down from $837.6 million a year ago. The first quarter...

PSI's annual Summit stresses success. (Around the Industry).(Plumbers' Success International)
July 1, 2002... Plumbers' Success International put the emphasis on success as it convened its annual Summit in Tampa, Fla., May 14-18. The intensive educational program dealt with many topics, from pricing to Web site design to making more money to planning...

AMPAM reports slight loss for quarter. (Briefs).(American Plumbing and Mechanical Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... American Plumbing & Mechanical announced a slight decrease in revenues for the first quarter of 2002, from $143.4 million in 2001 to $141.8 million. Income was $4.9 million, compared to $6.8 the previous year's first quarter. The revenue...

Roto-Rooter parent sells health-care unit. (Briefs).(Schroder Ventures Life Sciences Group acquires Chemed Corp.'s Patient Care Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Chemed Corp., parent corporation of Roto-Rooter, entered into an agreement to sell its wholly owned Patient Care subsidiary to an investor group led by Schroder Ventures Life Sciences Group. Chemed expects to receive cash payments of nearly $70...

Watts buys technology development firm. (Briefs).(Watts Industries Inc. acquires Hunter Innovations)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Watts Industries acquired Hunter Innovations, a technology development firm that developed a patented diaphragm seal technology currently licensed by Watts for its backflow prevention product line and a line of automatic controls. Hunter...

Using the past to promote the future. (PM's Truck of the Month).(Republic Plumbing's restored 1965 F-100 Ford truck)
July 1, 2002... Fleets of service vans are important to any plumbing professional business, especially when the company services a large area like Nashville, but promoting a company can be much more difficult. Unless, of course, you rely on what people...

The UA's missed opportunity: the union keeps talking about going after the service market, but nobody I know has seen it. (Business Tips).(United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters)
July 1, 2002... Several years ago I wrote an article in this space titled, "Why I Am A Union Contractor," in which I discussed sharing the union philosophy of decent compensation for our industry's skilled journeymen and service technicians. I've been a union...

Plateless in radiantville: a one-size-fits-all approach to radiant tubing installation can land you in hot water. (Hydronics Workshop).
July 1, 2002... I'm writing this column at the end qf what has been a long and at times discouraging week. All told, I've received three "what went wrong with this system" calls. All involved "plateless" staple-up radiant floor installations in which tubing...

Water conservation: the great toilet debate; the problems of the past have been resolved. Then why are we still talking about toilets?
July 1, 2002... We've all heard the stories about how unreliable 1.6-gallons-per-flush toilets are, how they don't save any water because they have to be flushed more than once. We've heard how some people allegedly were "smuggling" 3.5-gpf toilets in from...

Radiant heat market survey: special PM/RPA joint study. (Radiant Heating Report 2002).(Plumbing and Mechanical / Radiant Panel Association)
July 1, 2002... If you want to know what's going on in the radiant market today, we don't mind telling you we know exactly whom to ask. We sent out a hefty four-page questionnaire packed with 26 questions last April to 1,000 contractors -- a combination of...

Riding on radiant: at Able Distributors, radiant is the train that pulls in sales of other products, such as boilers and controls, to create whole systems. (Radiant Heating Report 2002).
July 1, 2002... The challenge faced by brothers Michael and Daniel Bleier, co-owners of Chicago-based Able Distributors, is to build a system approach to selling radiant heating products, whether residential or commercial. "We encourage system creativity...

Point & Counterpoint. (Radiant Heating Report 2002).
July 1, 2002... POINT Simpler Controls Are Better Controls by Mike Chiles, vice president and general manager, Watts Radiant When prehistoric people discovered fire, they controlled the heat by throwing more logs in the fire. Today we let...

Da fundamentals! the fundamentals aren't hard to master, but they're called fundamentals for a reason. Learn them and thrive. (Radiant Heating Report 2002).
July 1, 2002... "Gentlemen, this is a football." According to legend, Vince Lombardi started every training camp with this little gem, just to remind his players that no matter how great they were last season, it doesn't mean squat this season. You guys...

Problems become opportunities: train yourself to think of problems as a challenge, and ultimately a way to grow your business. (Managing your Business).
July 1, 2002... I lost another customer today. Everyone is rushing out to get a 'free' boiler installed that the utility is supplying. How can I possibly stop them? They're just looking for the cheapest price to do the installation," said Steve, our newest...

Backflow testing demands: a backflow preventer is only as good as its last test. (Plumbing Primer).(International Plumbing Code)
July 1, 2002... I was speaking to a group of contractors about the adoption of the new International Plumbing Code. It wasn't new to me since the code was published in 2000, but when a state just adopts the code, it is new to the local plumbing contractors....

Smart trucks: how to use technology to reduce costs yet maintain top-quality service. (In the Field).(inventory control)
July 1, 2002... You may have smart technicians, smartmanagers or smart staff people, but you have Smart Trucks? How truck be "smart?" Until recently, it couldn't. However, with some advances in technology your trucks can actually accomplish some of the tasks...

Motivation, morale and momentum: tips for hitting your company's profit potential. (Practical Management).
July 1, 2002... Most of you think about a very large, successful corporation when someone mentions 3M. That's good thinking and you can apply it to your own company. But the 3M's we're dealing with now are momentum, morale and motivation. You have all...

Plumbers to the rescue at the WTC: how a bunch of plumbers used the tools of the trade to save a life.(World Trade Center attacks)
July 1, 2002... It started out as just another day. But Tuesday, Sept. 11,2001, turned out to be a day Joe Caiazzo Jr., will never forget. The owner of Brooklyn, New York-based J. Caiazzo Plumbing & Heating took a call from one of his technicians...

Tub/Shower installation. (Products & Literature).
July 1, 2002... The HOLDRITE[R] STOUT BRACKE[TM] provides superior strength, telescoping design and a multipurpose platform that supports copper, PEX, CPVC. The HOLDRITE STOUT BRACKET also allows for direct integration of multiple components, such as high ear...

Piston-operated flushometer. (Products & Literature).
July 1, 2002... Sloan Valve Co.'s GEM 2[R] features a non-hold open handle that controls water usage, and the Flushometer has no external volume adjustment, which promotes water conservation. An O-ring-protected, filtered metering bypass orifice ensures...

Wiring hot water boosters. (Products & Literature).
July 1, 2002... Hot water heater manufacturer Therma-Flow/Everhot has developed the Quick Connect Wiring Package, the most convenient and economical way to install Therma-Flow Everhot's glass-lined or copper tank hot water boosters. The Quick Connect...

Pipe and fittings poster. (Products & Literature).
July 1, 2002... Too many plumbing contractors think all pipe and fittings are the same. Unfortunately, it is possible to receive pipe and fittings that do not fit together properly, even though they meet all applicable ASTM standards. This poster from...

Unclogging drains. (Products & Literature).
July 1, 2002... The lightweight, compact KINETIC WATER RAM[TM] from GENERAL PIPE CLEANERS safely, quickly and cleanly clears clogged sinks, toilets and tubs with the power of compressed air. The GENERAL product comes with a flexible cone for 1 1/4-inch to...

Water leak detector. (Products & Literature).
July 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 application, the LD-12's amplifier includes several new operating...

2-way radio. (Products & Literature).
July 1, 2002... Kenwood Communications has introduced a compact, rugged 2-way radio designed expressly for the jobsite communications needs of workers operating in office complexes and small warehouses. The new ProTalk XLS, a palm-sized radio with four-mile...

Thermostatic Steam Trap. (Products & Literature).
July 1, 2002... Bestobell steams introduced its GCR07 Thermostatic Capsule Steam Trap that features a brass body with stainless-steel internals. Suited for low-pressure radiator applications, the GCR07 is available in sizes from 3/8-inch to 3/4-inch with NPT...

Leak detector. (Products & Literature).
July 1, 2002... Megabubble's formula allows detection of the smallest leaks. For ease of application, spray the 32-oz. bottle of Megabubble to expose leaks of air, natural gas, refrigerants, carbon dioxide and almost all known gases. The Megabubble comes in...

The radiant revolution comes alive: home hunting shows evidence of great progress in marketing this technology. (Editorial Opinion).(Editorial)
July 1, 2002... My wife and I have been home hunting lately. Like many other American boomers, we're looking to downsize and condo-ize after sending our last kid off to college in a couple of months. As of this writing we haven't yet sold our home and...

Statlink/31320 system control. (Information Showcase).
July 1, 2002... The Heatlink system is comprised of PEX pipe, TwistSeal[TM] flow-balancing manifold, Statlink control system and our #31320 system injection control. One package does it all! All parts have been designed and engineered to work together as one...

Myson decor radiator. (Information Showcase).
July 1, 2002... With four distinctive styles to choose from -- vertical, horizontal, column and baseboard -- there is a model to complement any style interior. This stunning alternative to mainstream radiators delivers style, quality of construction and a...

Myson Select Radiator. (Information Showcase).
July 1, 2002... Myson's Select Radiator offers you a wide choice of sizes and types in one complete fully integrated range. Available in three configurations of panels, all complete with factory-fitted grills and end panels, the innovative design coupled with...

Wheeler-Rex Models 5190 and 5191. (Information Showcase).
July 1, 2002... Wheeler-Rex's Model 5190 Mini Snipper is an affordable, easy-to-use tool for cutting soft plastic tubing and hose from 1/8-inch to 1[1/4]-inch OD. It's ideal for installing in-floor radiant heating and most PEX[R] pipe and plumbing...

Radiant ceiling panels. (Information Showcase).
July 1, 2002... Sterling radiant panel ceiling systems are an energy- and cost-saving method of heating and cooling. They are available in three basic types: linear for wall-to-wall installation, modular for installation in standard t-bar ceiling grids, and...

The first name in Kickspace heaters. (Information Showcase).
July 1, 2002... Beacon/Morris Kickspace heaters are the space-saving alternative to hot water baseboard. Designed to fit inconspicuously under a cabinet, in the floor, on or in the wall, kickspace heaters are ideal for hard-to-heat areas such as foyers,...

Beacon/Morris horizontal serpentine hot water unit heaters. (Information Showcase).
July 1, 2002... Beacon/Morris is pleased to offer hot water horizontal unit heaters for residential, commercial and industrial use. With pipe connections from the side, these units are ideal for installation in areas where ceiling space is limited such as...

More cast iron means better performance. (Information Showcase).
July 1, 2002... The Series 8, with its rugged cast iron construction, offers commercial quality in a residential boiler. With cast iron sections, thicker and deeper than in other leading boilers, the Series 8 offers a multitude of performance advantages,...

RBI Dominator Series boilers and water heaters. (Information Showcase).
July 1, 2002... RBI Dominator Series boilers and water heaters offer Btu sizes from 300 to 2,100 MBH, with thermal efficiencies up to 85 percent. Proportional firing up to four stages provides built-in redundancy and high turndown for system efficiency....

Futera II. (Information Showcase).
July 1, 2002... The Futera II, the next generation of innovative, advanced hot-water-supply boilers, provides 85 percent efficiency, noncondensing with industry-leading NOx levels of less than 10 ppm. The Futera II operates a step-by-step cycle of operation in...

Hydrotherm Sabre Boiler. (Information Showcase).
July 1, 2002... Introducing the Hydrotherm Sabre Boiler, with its brushed stainless-steel jacket and its all on-top connections. A boiler that is sure to be well-received by contractors and homeowners alike. The brushed stainless-steel jacket gives an...

SpacePak central air conditioning. (Information Showcase).
July 1, 2002... SpacePak is the ideal compliment for homes using today's modern radiant heating systems. It is a central air-conditioning system for homes unable to accommodate conventional systems. Ideal for older "ductless" homes, SpacePak uses flexible...

Airtherm HVAC. (Information Showcase).
July 1, 2002... Airtherm fan coils are the smart solution for institutional, commercial and multiresidential heating and cooling applications. Airtherm units are extremely durable with 18-gauge casing standard and the industry's only 14-gauge option. With its...

NO-FREEZE for radiant and hydronic systems. (Information Showcase).
July 1, 2002... UTILITY NO-FREEZ, the original nontoxic antifreeze heat transfer fluid, available in a variety of concentrations. Chemically balanced, fully inhibited solutions engineered for radiant and hydronic systems and many other uses. The proven...

Emergency water shutoff system. (Information Showcase).
July 1, 2002... The most effective way to help protect your home from costly water damage. WaterCop[R] is a wireless leak detection and automatic water shut-off system for the home. Designed to protect against water damage from plumbing leaks; sensors detect...

New sealed combustion gas boiler. (Information Showcase).
July 1, 2002... Slant/Fin's new value-priced Victory VSP sealed-combustion gas boiler is ideal for new construction and for replacements where chimney venting is not practical. Installer-friendly features include factory-installed horizontal flue discharge...

Free heat-loss software. (Information Showcase).
July 1, 2002... Slant/Fin's Hydronic Explorer CD helps heating contractors perform heat-loss calculations and make product specifications more quickly and accurately. The powerful and user-friendly heat-loss program provides the accuracy of true I=B=R method...

Radiant installation package. (Information Showcase).
July 1, 2002... Radiant Floor Co. will save you at least 60 percent over a contractor-installed radiant system by providing you with a high-quality, pre-assembled, do-it-yourself installation package designed specifically for your project. In addition, the...

StainlessSteel manifold. (Information Showcase).
July 1, 2002... Watts Radiant introduces top-of-the-line StainlessSteel radiant manifolds for the most discerning customers. Manifolds are solid-body stainless steel with flow indicators, balancing valves and optional zone actuators. All accessories are...

The new Phase III Smart Line. (Information Showcase).
July 1, 2002... Triangle Tube is pleased to announce the new Phase III SMART LINE. Featuring Triangle Tube's exclusive "tank-in-tank" technology, the Smart Line comes packaged in a newly designed, metallic blue, durable plastic jacket. It is insulated with 2...

Hydronic heating systems. (Information Showcase).
July 1, 2002... Automag Hydronic heating systems offer unsurpassed reliability and comfort. We provide the only Hydronic heating systems and products based on the patented AUTOMAG fail-safe valve; it's normally open, unlike others, which are normally closed....

Wall-hung condensing boiler. (Information Showcase).
July 1, 2002... The MZ is a wall-hung, fully-condensing boiler. Compact, silent, self-contained, beautifully-finished. Very low maintenance, easy to install and service. 140,000+ installations since 1981. Exceptionally reliable, near-zero failure rate....

GA124 sealed-combustion gas boilers. (Information Showcase).
July 1, 2002... Buderus features the GA124 sealed-combustion series gas boilers for direct-vent and induced-draft applications. All models exceed 85 percent AFUE rating and qualify as Energy Star-rated products. Models range from 70,000 to 123,000 Btu/hr....

Climate Panel system. (Information Showcase).
July 1, 2002... The easiest and cleanest way to install a hydronic Radiant Floor Heating system is with the Stadler-Viega Climate Panel underlayment system. For new or retrofit construction and backed with aluminum, the pre-Assembled Climate Panels, ACP, allow...

Replacement Shower Drain. (Information Showcase).
July 1, 2002... Introducing the Wingtite Replacement Shower Drain, designed to replace leaking drains in plastic and fiberglass shower stalls without removing the shower. After removing the existing drain (detailed instructions provided), the Wingtite drain is...

Unlimited hot water. (Information Showcase).
July 1, 2002... Ergomax[R] instantaneous, indirect water heaters/heat exchangers produce hot water as long as needed--from filling spa tubs to restaurants needing 180degree F water for dishwashing. Ergomax units operate at 99 percent efficiency. Virtually...

Radiant floor system. (Information Showcase).
July 1, 2002... The Ultra Fin system by MacDuffco Inc., uses aluminum fins to heat wood-frame houses. It was designed to simplify existing models of radiant heating. It uses 5/8-inch O.D. composite tubing installed 3 inches below the floor, through joists....

Mechanical estimating system. (Information Showcase).
July 1, 2002... Mechanical estimating is made fast and accurate with FastPIPE[TM] estimating software. With more than 50,000 items in the catalog database, FastPIPE can handle all of your plumbing and piping projects. Manufacturers list prices with discounts...

Millenium[TM] indirect stainless-steel water heaters. (Information Showcase).
July 1, 2002... Delivers high performance at low cost--all the hot water that's needed--quickly, efficiently and conveniently. Long lasting, with a limited lifetime warranty. Engineer- and installer-friendly, it's lightweight, easy to install and works with...

Multipurpose protection: a growing trend in residential sprinkler installations.
July 1, 2002... Editor's Note: The design parameters of NFPA 13D allow for the installation of a residential sprinkler system as a part of the water distribution system. As a result, the multipurpose piping system reduces the cost of installation by only...

College of Product Knowledge: introduction to water heaters.
July 1, 2002... This is an updated version of the product training course introduced by SUPPLY HOUSE TIMES in 1979, authored by Don Arnold. The total picture of water heater models offered today is rather large and complex. Before getting into all the...