Plumbing & Mechanical articles from July 2005

Plumbing & Mechanical archives from July 2005

Hiring the future.(Letters TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2005... It was a delight to get the May issue of PM the other day, my first. I was especially taken by the series "Recruiting For The Trades." As a former industrial arts teacher, I am always on the lookout as to how our society will continue without a...

Don't forget women plumbers.(Letters TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2005... I enjoyed Ellen Rohr's column, "'Do I Look Like A Plumber To You?'" (May 2005). I've been in plumbing for 18 years. And maybe I'm not aware, but it seems that there is hardly a push for any high schoolers to pursue a vocational career, let...

Make a fuss.(Letters TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2005... I disagree with the "No Fuss Drain Cleaning" ("Tool Tips," May 2005). Food and grease buildup in kitchen drains are not that easily removed. Sure, I'll run the pig to get the water out of the sink, but then I'll run a cable through to the main...

UA looks to national banks to boost market share.(Around THE INDUSTRY)(United Association )(Unity 2005 conference )
July 1, 2005... In order to help union contractors get back the market share they've lost over the years, the United Association is working on an agreement with four national banks to contract their construction and service work to UA members in exchange for...

A proper sendoff at Wetstock VI.(Around THE INDUSTRY)(Wethead)
July 1, 2005... Though this was billed as the "Last Waltz" of Wetstocks, it's hard to imagine the gathering of more than 110 Wetheads will remain strangers. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Over the course of the three-day event in early June in Bloomington,...

BCTD releases apprenticeship study on ABC.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
July 1, 2005... The latest two-year study by the Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO, has found that Associated Builders and Contractors has an overall ABC graduation rate of 29 percent for its apprenticeship programs. Data was collected from...

Chicago safety campaign uses humor to target jobsite safety.(Around THE INDUSTRY)(services of Mechanical Contractors Association of Chicago)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... A new campaign from the Mechanical Contractors Association of Chicago uses tongue-in-cheek humor to reach construction workers on the very serious subject of jobsite safety. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Safety...

UA Local Union 597 opens new training center.(Around THE INDUSTRY)(United Association Pipefitters' Local Union 597)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The United Association Pipefitters' Local Union 597 recently dedicated its new Pipefitters' Training Center in Mokena, Ill. The two-story, $15 million center teaches welding, piping and HVACR service apprentices the latest technical knowledge...

Carrier Corp. acquires CommAir Mechanical.(CommAir Mechanical Services)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... ABM Industries, a facility services contractor, recently signed an agreement to sell substantially all of the operating assets of its subsidiary, CommAir Mechanical Services, to Carrier Corp. CommAir is an HVAC contractor operating throughout...

Two Detroit contractor groups merge.(Association of Service and Mechanical Contractors of Southeastern Michigan and Metropolitan Detroit Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association merge to form Mechanical Contractors Association of Detroit)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The Association of Service and Mechanical Contractors of Southeastern Michigan and The Metropolitan Detroit Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association, both located in Detroit, announced they are integrating the two groups to streamline...

EMCOR Group.(First-Quarter Financials)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... EMCOR Group reported first-quarter 2005 revenues of $1.09 billion, compared with $1.11 billion in revenues for 2004's first quarter. Net income was $1.9 million, or 12 cents per diluted share, compared with $5.7 million, or 37 cents per diluted...

Comfort Systems USA.(First-Quarter Financials)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Comfort Systems USA announced a 6.2 percent increase in first-quarter 2005 revenues for a total of $204.7 million, compared to $192.8 million in 2004. About 2.9 percent of this increase resulted from the acquisition of Granite State Plumbing &...

American Residential Services and American Mechanical Services.(First-Quarter Financials)(company sales and earnings of American Mechanical Services)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... ServiceMaster's American Residential Services and American Mechanical Services segment reported revenues of $159 million for 2005's first quarter, up 3 percent from 2004's first quarter figures. The seasonal operating loss of $4 million was...

Lennox International.(First-Quarter Financials)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Lennox International's Service Experts segment recorded a sales decline of 2 percent for first-quarter 2005 to $135.9 million. It had an operating loss of $6.3 million, compared with a $7.7 million loss the previous year's first quarter,...

Service Roundtable.(Never Lose A Customer: Ten Steps to Creating an Outstanding Customer Retention Program)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The second edition of "Never Lose A Customer: Ten Steps to Creating an Outstanding Customer Retention Program," written by Service Roundtable CEO Matt Michel, was recently released. It includes major revisions from the 1999 version. Additional...

Water Quality Association.(Industry Resources)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The Water Quality Association has several technical videos available on DVD: "Reverse Osmosis: Understanding the Fundamentals," "Basic Water Softening," "Cation Resin Technology," and "Distillation: Understanding the Fundamentals." In...

HVAC Excellence.(services of HVAC Excellence )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... HVAC Excellence recently released a new Technician Certification Exam, the "Residential and Light Commercial Low Pressure Radiant Heat Certification." It is designed for technicians who install, service or maintain hot water heating systems....

ASTM International.(American Society for Testing and Materials)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The 42nd edition of "ASTM Standards in Building Codes" is now available from ASTM International. This edition contains more than 1,300 ASTM construction specifications, practices and test methods compiled from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards....

International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials.(Industry Resources)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials now offers its Uniform Plumbing Code and related study guides in Spanish. A Spanish version of the Uniform Mechanical Code will be available soon. To order, visit www.aipmo.org...

California Energy Commission.(Small HVAC System Design Guide)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The "Small HVAC System Design Guide" is now available from the California Energy Commission. It outlines approaches to improving HVAC systems and overall building performance. According to the CEC, by applying the design principles in the...

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration.(Young Workers Fact Sheet)(Hispanic Outreach)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently published two fact sheets highlighting safety and health issues for two specific groups of workers--"Young Workers Fact Sheet" and "Hispanic Outreach."

The National Environmental Balancing Bureau.(Procedural Standards for Testing Adjusting Balancing of Environmental Systems)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The National Environmental Balancing Bureau released the seventh edition of its "Procedural Standards for Testing Adjusting Balancing of Environmental Systems." The 120-page manual provides information on the latest technology and techniques...

Donate old cell phones, help domestic violence victims.(Donate A Phone[R] Call To Protect[R] )
July 1, 2005... The national Donate A Phone[R] Call To Protect[R] campaign collects wireless phones to benefit victims of domestic violence. Some phones are refurbished and become lifelines for domestic violence victims when faced with an emergency situation....

Bradford White buys Laars Heating Systems.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Bradford White signed a definitive agreement to purchase Laars Heating Systems from Water Pik Technologies for $24.3 million. Laars Heating Systems will continue to operate under that name and will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bradford...

Ferguson enterprises holds fastest plumber contests.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Ferguson Fastest Plumber)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Plumbers can demonstrate their skill and efficiency at installing Kohler and Sterling bathroom products at local "Ferguson Fastest Plumber" contests, running through September. Competition stations are set up on a stage for two plumbers to race...

Jacuzzi sells Eljer.(Jacuzzi Brands sells Eljer Plumbingware to Sun Capitol Partners )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Jacuzzi Brands has entered into an agreement to sell its Eljer Plumbingware business to an affiliate of Sun Capitol Partners Inc., a private investment firm. The affiliate will assume almost all of the current assets and liabilities of Eljer,...

Basco opens Chicago area distribution center.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Basco Shower Doors)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Basco Shower Doors recently opened a showroom/distribution center for its glass shower enclosures in Wood Dale, Ill., that offers its "Single Source Solution." Basco's installers pre-measure for the shower door or enclosure, order the product,...

Taco launches green building program.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Taco Inc. recently introduced its "Taco Green" program, where Taco engineers and sales representatives certified by the U.S. Green Building Council are available to work directly with design engineers and architects involved in designing and...

GreenSpec approves Bradley ndite lav system.(Ndite technology )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The GreenSpec Directory, published by BuildingGreen, approved and listed Bradley Corp's ndite technology in the directory's Low Water Use Fixtures category. Ndite technology converts restroom lighting to energy using photo-voltaic cells and...

Jones Stephens purchases Rinse-Quik.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Jones Stephens Corp. recently purchased the assets of Rinse-Quik, a maker of plumbing products since 1957. Jones Stephens plans to aggressively expand the Rinse-Quik product line, as well as revamp and modernize product packaging.

Chicago Faucets named Interline Partner of the Year.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Chicago Faucets, a member of the Geberit Group, was named Interline Partner of the Year in the plumbing division at the recent Interline Partnership Conference in Jacksonville, Fla. The criteria for the award is based on service levels,...

Flowserve.(On The Move)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Flowserve announced that Chairman, President and CEO C. Scott Greer did not have his contract renewed when it expired June 30. Greer joined Flowserve as president and COO in 1999. Kevin Sheehan, chairman of the board's Corporate Governance and...

Technical Concepts LLC.(On The Move)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Jack Vresics has been named president and CEO of Technical Concepts LLC, a designer and manufacturer of touch-free, automated hygiene and odor control systems for washrooms. He had been serving as group president of the Colson Group, an...

Perfection Corp.(On The Move)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Perfection Corp. named Roy Sutterfield as its president. He has more than 20 years of experience with leading manufacturers and distributors in the utility sector.

Robert Bosch Tool Corp.(On The Move)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Frank Carroll is the new president for Bosch Power Tools North America, a division of Robert Bosch Tool Corp. Prior to Bosch Power Tools, he led the company's Rotary Tool brand business as president and general manager.

Lenox.(On The Move)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Tool manufacturer Lenox promoted Bob Heisner to president. Heisner, who was the company's former vice president of marketing, replaces Bill Burke, who was promoted to group vice president of Newell Rubbermaid's North American Tool Group. The...

Rheem Manufacturing Co.(On The Move)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Scott Martin was named executive vice president and COO of Rheem Manufacturing Co., replacing Stewart Farwell, who announced his retirement effective June 30. Martin had been serving as president of Rheem's Water Heater Division since 2000. A...

Milwaukee Valve.(On The Move)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Milwaukee Valve promoted John Labellarte to chief operating officer. Previously, he was general manager.

Briggs Plumbing Products.(On The Move)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Briggs Plumbing Products appointed Don Tracy as chief financial officer and vice president of finance. He has had a number of financial management positions, most recently as director of financial projects and CFO for Tenaris Canada. The...

Delta Faucet Canada.(On The Move)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Vasken Altounian, president of Delta Faucet Canada, left that post June 1 to become Delta Faucet's executive vice president--sales and marketing, based in Indianapolis. Rod Pullen will assume Altounian's role, in addition to serving as...

Controlled Energy Corp.(On The Move)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Controlled Energy Corp. announced that Kent Nichols joined the company as its new national wholesale director. He formerly worked for Cuno Inc.

Roth Industries.(On The Move)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Brian Coyne was promoted from East Coast regional sales manager to national sales manager for Roth Industries.

Mansfield Plumbing Products.(On The Move)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Mansfield Plumbing Products named Frank Chamberlain as national specification and market development manager; Steve Baker as national fittings sales manager; Bill Kelley as vice president of retail sales; and Adriana Bedoya as sales manager of...

L. Nelson Hopkins Jr., Chairman, John W. Danforth Co.(Brief Article)(Obituary)
July 1, 2005... L. Nelson Hopkins, 89, chairman of mechanical contractor John W. Danforth Co., died May 30, 2005, at Millard Fillmore Hospital in Buffalo, N.Y., from complications of pneumonia. Hopkins joined his father, Leo Nelson Hopkins, at John W. Danforth...

Disinfection by ultraviolet light: UV has already shown great advantages in disinfection applications for a variety of applications.(Water Treatment)(installation of UV units )
July 1, 2005... When talking about disinfection, most people immediately think about chlorine. Chlorine has been around since the late-1800s, so it does have a great track record. But there are other ways to disinfect water. One advantageous alternative is...

It won't work in my small town, Part 2: good reputations are built by people with a vision for customer service and a plan to get there.(David Francis Plumbing)
July 1, 2005... Last month, we began a chronicle of David and Maureen Francis, owners of David Francis Plumbing, as they made the switch to upfront pricing in their small, tightly knit community. At almost the same time they adopted upfront pricing, they were...

Maintaining a Web site.(HEATINGHELP.COM)
July 1, 2005... Original inquiry: For those of you who have radiant Web sites, do you have them updated regularly with jobs, promos, etc.? Do any of you have a "content-managed" site that allows you to upload your own info directly? I am working on a new...

Extended thinking: hydronic radiant heating installations frequenty present opportunities for refinement.(Hydronics WORKSHOP)(underside tube-and-plate installation)
July 1, 2005... One method of adding hydronic radiant heating to a wood-framed floor is called an underside tube-and-plate installation. A loop of tubing goes down and back through each joist bay and is held against the subflooring by stapled-up aluminum heat...

What makes the IQA worth a million bucks? A contractor alliance dedicated to technical training shows cooperation to be a potent force.(Cover Story)
July 1, 2005... It all began one day in 1997 when Henry Scherer, owner of the Easton, Pa, plumbing/HVAC service firm Edwin Stipe Inc., got a call from a competitor. Not just any competitor. Gino Nicolai was the owner of Hannabery HVAC, the biggest HVAC company...

The electric bathroom.(Special Bathroom Suite Series)
July 1, 2005... While we've written plenty about plumbing products in our Bathroom Suite Series, it's best to wrap up the series by pointing out the obvious: People either don't have many or any clothes on in the bathroom. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Let's hear it for the red, white & blue: American Drain, Phoenix, Ariz.(TRUCK OF THE MONTH)
July 1, 2005... With a name like American Drain, the color options for your service vehicles can be pretty limited. But in a town with thousands of other white trucks, simple red and blue accents are just not enough. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Plumber-soldier.(CJS Plumbing & HVAC)
July 1, 2005... We recently traded e-mails with Sgt. Charles Crowley, an Indiana plumbing contractor currently on duty in Afghanistan. He's sent us some great photos, but first, a bit of background: Crowley has had plenty of changes in his life during the past...

Air or jets: at this year's Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas, the debate continued--air or jetted tubs? Where is the industry headed? Here's how some manufacturers weighed in.(product information of MAAX)
July 1, 2005... MTI Whirlpools offers water experiences of all types--deep-soak tubs, exercise spas, foot massagers and even laundry-sink agitators. And while the air bath trend is strong, a new whirlpool-cleansing system from the company have decreased the...

The backflow conundrum: when attorneys get involved in plumbing.(Plumbing PRIMER)(Column)
July 1, 2005... I received a fax the other day about a project that was completed four years ago. The fax said that the backflow preventer had failed and needed to be replaced. Not surprisingly, the fax was from an attorney. Of course, the attorney wanted...

Meters & troubleshooting: don't fear the meter--it's an essential tool.(Hydronic CONTROLS)
July 1, 2005... A multimeter is an essential tool for working with controls. It's as expected for a professional heating guy to have a meter as it is for a doctor to have a stethoscope. Digital electronic meters are very different from the old-fashioned analog...

Defining success: follow these steps to become financially independent.(In The FIELD)
July 1, 2005... Success can mean many different things to people in the service and repair business. To some it's making a profit from their business that grows every year; to others it may mean setting the business up so it runs with minimal input from the...

'Woman living in a shoe': today's sacrifice is paving the way to your future's success.(Managing YOUR BUSINESS)
July 1, 2005... On my first visit to a new consulting client, I was impressed with the brand new prefabricated metal corporate headquarters. Their mom-and-pop business had grown so fast that they were having growing pains, and that's why they hired me. How...

We tried that but it didn't work--find out why! Ten profit-making tips from fellow contractors.(Practical MANAGEMENT)
July 1, 2005... In all my seminars, we share new profit-making ideas being used successfully by innovative contractors throughout the United States and Canada. These profit-oriented team-building strategies were unheard of back in the "good old days," but they...

Spirovent gets the air out.(Case Histories two thousand five)
July 1, 2005... Air in a residential hydronic system is normal. Or so that's what many believe. Truth be told, air doesn't need to be a problem. For more than a decade, Spirotherm Inc. has worked with innovative contractors and top wholesalers to provide...

For hotels with leaky pipes, ACE DuraFlo is the solution.
July 1, 2005... Imagine for a minute that you are a hotel manager or facilities engineer and you are faced with the likely prospect of leaky pipes, water shutdowns, loss of revenue and, maybe even worse, damage to your reputation or rating. Bad pipes and water...

Bobcat helps plumbing contractor stay above par.(Case Histories two thousand five)
July 1, 2005... Kenneth Belknap has a couple of theories about how to grow a successful plumbing business. And so far, every single one of them has worked. Belknap Plumbing Systems Inc. in Houston has become a premier plumbing company under the direction...

Anvil's service triangle partnership proves successful.(Case Histories two thousand five)
July 1, 2005... Securing and managing HVAC projects in today's competitive construction market takes more than just a good bottom number and responsive service. Each member of the construction team needs to provide extra value in order to maximize success....

Symmons faucets, showers enhance amenities for players and fans.
July 1, 2005... The first retractable-roof football stadium with a natural grass playing surface, Houston's Reliant Stadium is a world-class, multipurpose facility that sets a new standard for stadium technology and comfort. As the home field for the Houston...

Leonard valve keeps water temps normal at normal community H.S.(Case Histories two thousand five)(High School)
July 1, 2005... The new Normal Community High School in Normal, Ill., serving more than 1,700 students, consists of 300,000 sq. ft. of main building with 8,800 sq. ft. of renovated outbuilding space. The spaces contain dozens of classrooms, restrooms, science...

Nash Inc. and Estimation: planning a path to partnership & productivity.(Case Histories two thousand five)
July 1, 2005... Delivering a project that is not only on-time and within budget, but also high quality, can be tough for any contracting firm, let alone one with very low overhead. Nash Inc., however, makes this task look simple. With more than 30 years of...

Heavy-duty drinking fountain from Halsey Taylor ideal for high-traffic areas.(Case Histories two thousand five)
July 1, 2005... Halsey Taylor recently introduced a new vandal-resistant drinking fountain designed specifically for heavy-duty applications. Part of the stylish Halsey Taylor Contour[TM] series, the rugged new drinking fountain is crafted from 14-gauge...

Leading contractor uses Caleffi innovation to gain market share.(Case Histories two thousand five)(Community Energy)
July 1, 2005... Community Energy, a well-established fuel oil company and leading provider of HVAC systems in the Western Mountains of Maine, sees innovation as an absolute must in staying ahead in a rapidly changing hydronics market. Roger Arsenault,...

Construction disaster averted with APL and Nu Flow.(Case Histories two thousand five)(American Pipe Lining)
July 1, 2005... As the First Methodist Church of Garden City, Mich., eagerly anticipated the new addition to its building, especially the elevator to allow unobstructed access to its Fellowship Hall for the members and friends unable to navigate the stairs, an...

Burnham Hydronics meets your needs.(Case Histories two thousand five)
July 1, 2005... Gas-Fired Installation: Residence in South Hero, Vt. Burnham Contractor: E & M Mechanical Inc. Burnham Hydronics Gas Unit: Revolution[R] Cast Iron Boiler Cold Vermont winters and a sizable square footage prove to be no match for...

Plumber develops new service industry with general's help.(Case Histories two thousand five)
July 1, 2005... Creatively blend proven technologies with intimate market knowledge. Add a dash of innovative thinking--and a business can really grow fast! Just ask Preston Hall of All Pro Water-Flow. In less than two years, the Colorado-based...

With new recirculating technology, there's no wait for hot water.(Case Histories two thousand five)
July 1, 2005... The home in Phoenix was a guzzler, for sure. Water, that is. The family of four felt they were frugal with their use of the natural resource, but information from the water utility showed otherwise. "It's like we had a big leak," said the lady...

The advantages of multi-speed hydronic circulation.(Case Histories two thousand five)
July 1, 2005... Even a state-of-the-art hydronics system can have downstream issues. A few years after this radiant heat system was installed in a Pennsylvania home, the owners put in a call to installer Dave Yates, owner of F. W. Behler Inc., a York,...

CuraFlo saves time, money for Florida apartment building.(Case Histories two thousand five)
July 1, 2005... What happens when galvanized pipes deteriorate and start building up corrosion on the inside of the pipe? The answer use to be a complete re-pipe of the galvanized pipes, but now there is a superior alternative--CuraFlo[TM], the Engineered Flow...

State Ultra Force water heaters bring innovation to an outdated hot water delivery system.(Case Histories two thousand five)
July 1, 2005... Built in 1963, Springhill Lakes Garden Apartments complex in Greenbelt, Md., is one of the largest garden apartment complexes on the East Coast. There are nearly 3,000 units featuring 27 different floor plans and an unmatched range of...

Selectronic is first headache-free, hands-free commercial bathroom system.(Case Histories two thousand five)
July 1, 2005... American Standard introduces the Selectronic[TM] system, the next generation of proximity commercial fittings designed to be headache-free for contractors, engineers, facilities managers and users. The same programmable watertight sensor...

Industry experts make the difference: each month, PM brings you practical know-how from the industry's most experienced columnists.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Dan Holohan on Hydronics: Practical tips and ideas from one of hydronic heating's most creative minds. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] John Siegenthaler, P.E. on Hydronics: Expert problem-solving techniques and innovative design ideas for...

Geberit electronic flush valves: the added benefit of long-term labor savings.(Case Histories two thousand five)(Geberit Electronic)
July 1, 2005... The Project: Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver, Colo.--76,125-seat stadium for the National Football League's Denver Broncos. The Challenge: Invesco Field has 91 public restrooms and, when completely full, offers approximately one toilet...

New valve from Danze increases performance and eases installation.(Case Histories two thousand five)(Turbes Plumbing)
July 1, 2005... When Dale Turbes, owner of Turbes Plumbing, heard there was a new line of faucets coming to town, he jumped at the chance to offer his customers fresh designs. That was nearly five years ago--and Dale's been installing Danze kitchen/bath...

Delta Faucet Co. ready for the 21st century.(Case Histories two thousand five)
July 1, 2005... In late 2000, Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys, Calif., launched "Shaping Tomorrow," a campaign to retrofit the entire hospital in order to bring it forward into the 21st century. Based on dramatic changes in healthcare delivery in the...

Cutting-edge contractor finds no problem switching from iron pipe to Gastite.(Case Histories two thousand five)(Plumbing and Air Conditioning Inc.)
July 1, 2005... After more than three decades as a professional plumber, Dennis Aukerman still describes himself as an adventurous type who's "always open to new experiences. I'm not afraid to try anything new to stay on top of my trade." Aukerman...

Smith 28HE boilers make the grade at Connecticut School.(Case Histories two thousand five)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Two aging boilers in Naugatuck High School, Naugatuck, Conn., original to the school, were on their last legs. The boilers were oversized for the school and when it came time to replace them, the school district wanted to make sure they...

Sprinkler contractor retrofits five schools in record time.(Case Histories two thousand five)
July 1, 2005... Golden Triangle Fire Protection of Denton, Texas, had a big opportunity and a big problem. The good news? They landed a contract to retrofit 4,375 center-of-tile heads in five different schools in Plano. The bad news? They had only a month to...

Technical support ensures better modular boiler installation.(Case Histories two thousand five)
July 1, 2005... To a heating contractor who has never installed a modular boiler system, the whole process may seem quite complex. Slant/Fin's catalog, for instance, lists more than 90 "standard" models. These vary by type of fuel and type of system (hot water...

Style, performance land Gerber faucets high-profile role in Penn Club.(Case Histories two thousand five)
July 1, 2005... As fans of the hit TV show "The Apprentice" know, you have to perform to make the cut. Looking good doesn't hurt, either. Gerber[R] Plumbing Fixtures LLC recently beat out the competition on both fronts when its model 44-804 electronic...