Plumbing & Mechanical articles from June 2003

Plumbing & Mechanical archives from June 2003

Clarification.
June 1, 2003... PM would like to clarify that CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) pipe and fittings used in water distribution systems are assembled with readily available, inexpensive tools. Solvent cemented joints -- proven with more than 40 years of...

Always take your medicine. (Letters to the Editor).(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2003... I was attending a Lennox "Focus on the Future" seminar that featured the best talent in the HVAC industry. I was new to marketing and trying to learn all I could. A crowd formed around one of the speakers and I tried my best to worm my way...

RPA joins ISH North America. (Around the Industry).(Radiant Panel Association)(International Sanitation and Heating)(trade show)
June 1, 2003... RPA to take advantage of increased attendance and promotion Messe Frankfurt has attracted a total of 18 other trade groups Next year's Radiant Panel Association REX trade show will become a part of ISH North America, scheduled for Oct....

PM Trends.(Brief Article)(Illustration)
June 1, 2003... PM Trends How will the new arrestor plate addition to gas water heaters affect your business this summer and beyond? Major effect 14% Some effect 29% Little to no effect 43% No effect 14% Each...

PM sponsors best-looking truck contest. (Around the Industry).
June 1, 2003... Once again, PM is asking readers to send pictures to help us determine who has the best-looking truck. We've always received a huge response to past contests, and expect another for this year's honors. We are looking for the...

PHCC partners with National Construction Education Center. (Around the Industry).(Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors)(plumbing curriculum)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... The Plumbing-Heating- Cooling Contractors-National Association is partnering with the National Center for Construction Education and Research to develop a plumbing curriculum and craft assessment. The curriculum will be built from NCCER's...

'Danke schoen!' plumber lassoes singer's wallaby. (Briefs).(Wayne Newton's pet)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Plumbing contractor Harry Sullard captured Las Vegas entertainer Wayne Newton's pet wallaby. Sullard happened to be near the singer's home early one morning when his son called to tell him a kangaroo was on the loose. Priscilla, a female...

Wanted: plumbers for South Pole. (Briefs).(United Kingdom. Natural Environment Research Council. British Antarctic Survey)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... The British Antarctic Survey is looking for 15 skilled plumbers to spend 18 months on its bases and ships near the South Pole to stop pipes from freezing, according to Reuters. Temperatures in Antarctica can reach -50 degrees Celsius (-122...

AMPAM president Baggett resigns. (Briefs).(David C. Baggett, American Plumbing and Mechanical Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... American Plumbing & Mechanical's president and chief financial officer David C. Baggett resigned from the company to pursue other business interests, Chairman and chief executive officer Robert Christianson will assume the additional title of...

SARS spread via P-traps. (Around the Industry).(severe acute respiratory syndrome)(plumbing system)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently reported that ineffective P-traps in the drainpipes of the Amoy Garden apartments in Hong Kong triggered the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak last month. Acting as a...

Construction insurance still hard to obtain. (Around the Industry).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... A recent article from Insurance Journal reported first quarter 2003 results from a survey of the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers (dAB). The survey respondents continue to report that construction coverage for both commercial and...

How true is your fit?(Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Co.)(pipe and fittings)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Does fit matter? We didn't think so until about five years ago when our plumbers started reporting problems with the cement. That was before we realized it was mixing different manufacturers' pipe and fittings that was dragging down our...

New 'urban' Home Depot opens in Chicago neighborhood. (Around the Industry).
June 1, 2003... A different type of Home Depot opened in April in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. The operation represents a departure from the typical big box store the company is well-known for. "A regular Home Depot just wouldn't fit here," said...

Connecticut, Texas PHCC members help military families. (Briefs).(Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors)(boilers installed)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Members of PHCC Connecticut helped the family of a National Guardsman serving in Kuwait with a free boiler and free installation. Walt Woycik of W.J. Woycik Plumbing & Heating (Mystic, Conn.) organized the project, Shetucket Plumbing Supply...

PHCC's PPL executive director resigns. (Around the Industry).(Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Professional Product Line)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Professional Product Line Executive Director Harry Massey recently resigned for a new position as industry manager/account executive at the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

RSES holds I=B=R Schools in New York. (Briefs).(Refrigeration Service Engineers Society)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... The Refrigeration Service Engineers Society is conducting the Hydronics Institute's I=B=R School, "Residential Hydronic Heating -- Installation and Design" at two locations in New York. The two-day course will be offered June 17-18 at the...

Universities now offering design-build degree programs. (Around the Industry).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... A new generation of construction management students will get a chance to major in alternative project delivery systems with the introduction of design-build graduate programs at six U.S. universities. According to the Design-Build...

State launches Preferred Contractor Program. (News: Vendor & Supplier).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... State Water Heaters introduces its new State Preferred Contractor program for plumbing contractors. Each preferred contractor will be eligible for exclusive programs and benefits, including: * Hats, uniform patches and magnetic truck signs...

Italian firm buys Red-White. (News: Vendor & Supplier).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Red-White Valve Corp. has sold the majority of its existing shares to the Italian valve manufacturer Valvoindustria Ing. Rizzio (VIR). The remaining shares shall continue to be held by Mitsui & Co., which co-founded Red-White in 1971 as a joint...

Watts reports 1Q sales increase, acquires UK distributor. (News: Vendor & Supplier).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Watts Industries reported a 16 percent increase in sales for the first quarter of 2003 for a total of $165.69 million. Net income for the quarter was $6.61 million, or 24 cents per share, compared to net income of $8.06 million, or 30 cents per...

U.S. Industries to sell swimming pool, pool equipment businesses. (News: Vendor & Supplier).(Polyair Inter Pack Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... U.S. Industries, parent company of Jacuzzi and Zurn, announced it will sell its noncore swimming pool and pool equipment businesses to Polyair Inter Pack Inc. of Toronto. Included in the sale are the above-ground swimming pool company Atlantic...

New estimating software released at Conference. (News: Vendor & Supplier).(TradePower Solution)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Estimation, a TradePower Solution, held its 11th annual User Conference April 22-26 in Tempe, Ariz., at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel and Conference Center. Attendees were treated to informational seminars, roundtable discussions, hands-on...

Accubid offers Project Management Course. (Vendor News).(Accubid Systems Ltd.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Accubid Systems Ltd. is offering Project Management Certificate Courses as part of its professional development program for 2003. The three courses -- Project Management Scheduling 100 and 200, and Project Management Change Management 110 --...

ThermaSol appoints GM, expands sales support group. (Vendor News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... ThermaSol, designer and builder of home steam baths, appointed Jim Santos as general manager. In this capacity, Santos is responsible for all aspects of ThermaSol's worldwide operations. He has 15 years of experience in executive management,...

eBay Business construction equipment sales grow. (Vendor News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... First-quarter 2003 results for eBay show that buyers of construction equipment, tools and supplies accounted for more than $44 million in annualized gross merchandise sales. The significant growth of the construction category has prompted eBay...

Creative ways to attract good people: your best recruits will be those who share your vision. (Business Tips).
June 1, 2003... My hope is that last month I convinced you of our need to bring new faces into our profession. Now, we have to go find them and bring them in. We're competing for people who are desired by just about every industry you can think of. We've...

Cleaning a steam system. (Off the Wall: HeatingHelp.com).
June 1, 2003... Original inquiry: Quick question for all and a quick tale. What do you guys recommend I use to clean out an old system and what's the procedure? Also, today I looked at a house with a problem of water shooting out of some radiators. First...

Beyond closely spaced tees: here are several products that extol the virtues of primary/secondary piping. (Hydronics Workshop).
June 1, 2003... In past columns we've discussed primary/secondary piping many times. The key detail has been a pair of closely spaced tees that couple the secondary circuit to the primary loop in such that flow in the primary loop has very little tendency to...

Radiant subfloors.
June 1, 2003... In the beginning, there were concrete and thin slab installations, or "wet" radiant systems, where tubing was covered by concrete, light concrete, dry-pack or gypsum underlayment. Then came the staple-up applications where tubing was attached...

PM survey: water heaters.(Plumbing and Mechanical)
June 1, 2003... Unorthodox buying habits and an interesting growth in tankless water heater installations were just a coup1e of findings from a water heater survey we conducted of our readers earlier this year. In February, we surveyed 1,000 PM subscribers...

Modern thermostat mysteries: comfort, not survival of the human race, is the purpose of a heating system. (Hydronic Controls).
June 1, 2003... Is an electronic thermostat appropriate for hydronic heating? How about for in-floor heating? Can you use a setback thermostat for hydronic or in-floor heating? Them used to be fightin' words not that many years ago. Some folks in the...

The rest of the story: when hotels ignore proper maintenance procedure, prepare to hold your nose. (Plumbing Primer).
June 1, 2003... I received a phone call early this morning from my good friend Dave in Florida. He said that he was taking a morning walk wearing his headphones. Paul Harvey came on with his morning report. At the end of his report, Paul Harvey always adds a...

Errors, omissions, extras and changes--who pays? Review specs and document changes to ensure you get the monies you are entitled to. (Practical Management).
June 1, 2003... During my recent estimating seminar, one of the contractors became very upset when we discussed errors and omissions on blueprints. "Those architects and engineers are educated professionals, and they are paid good money for designing and...

'Euro' styling. (Product Focus).
June 1, 2003... Danze announces the addition of the Parma Collection, a unique European styling showcasing clean, crisp lines and cylindrical shapes. It includes six different styles of lay faucets, single- and two-handle wall-mount vessel fillers, and...

Water Dance shower. (Product Focus).
June 1, 2003... Symmons Industries introduces Water Dance[TM], a new line of configurable, multi-head shower and tub/shower systems. It offers the reliability of the High-Flo[TM] anti-scald, pressure-balancing valve, and maintains a flow of 13 gpm at 45 psi....

Unique vanities. (Product Focus).
June 1, 2003... European manufacturer Mobiliario Royo, known as Royo in the United States, introduced several new vanity designs, including the Bohemia, Danubio, Epoca (shown), Sena and Thamesis. Circle 3

Handheld shower. (Product Focus).
June 1, 2003... The RIVA handheld shower from Ondine features a full 3-inch face with a sleek design. It has four dial settings and three spray selections. At full flow, the shower offers a total of 76 spray channels. Circle 4

Moen's Kingsley faucets. (Product Focus).
June 1, 2003... The unique style of Moens Kingsley[TM] faucet is now available in a new finish: wrought iron. Built on M-PACT[R], Moen's common valve system, Kingsley faucets are easily installable. Circle 5

Simplified installation. (Product Focus).
June 1, 2003... [no photo] American Standard's new Unitherm[TM] thermostatic valve features a built-in bypass so it can be installed like a pressure-balance valve with a conventional diverter tub spout. Circle 6

Large kitchen sink. (Products & Literature).
June 1, 2003... The large single-bowl kitchen sink from Swanstone meets the needs of homeowners within the same footprint as a drop-in double-bowl sink. A full 10 inches deep and constructed of solid surface Swanstone, the sink's color and texture run...

Victorian bath. (Products & Literature).
June 1, 2003... Delta's new Victorian Collection of faucets, tub/shower valves, Roman tub faucets and coordinating accessories brings a traditional look into the home. It features the same sturdy Delta craftsmanship it delivers with all its products, and is...

SwirlFlo coolers. (Products & Literature).
June 1, 2003... The newly redesigned sleek SwirlFlo[R] coolers from Elkay are an easier-to-service barrier-free line. A new tubular arm supports and accentuates the basin, and a light-touch push-button disc replaces the pushbar. Available in single-level,...

Style on tap. (Products & Literature).
June 1, 2003... [no photo] The Tara wall-mounted, single-hole tap by Dornbracht provides a practical cold-water source for the garden, laundry room or kitchen. Available with a 5 1/4-inch or 7 7/8-inch projection. Finish options include polished chrome,...

High-tech washlet. (Products & Literature).
June 1, 2003... TOTO unveiled its NEOREST, a tankless toilet and integrated washlet cleansing system with a cyclone flush engine. It features a modern low silhouette, oscillating spray massage, heated seat and automatic catalytic air deodorizer. Circle 11...

Entry-level faucet line. (Products & Literature).
June 1, 2003... [no photo] Price Pfister Inc. now offers builders an entry-level faucet line for the entire home that can be upgraded with popular functions and features. The 100 Series incorporates fashionable designs, multiple finishes and a broad range of...

Glass enclosures. (Products & Literature).
June 1, 2003... Celesta luxury glass shower enclosures from Basco feature 3/8- or 1/2-inch quality glass, creating a calming oasis and elegant showplace for homeowners. Each bath is individually customized by Basco and installed by trained professionals. ...

Copper 'bistro' sink. (Products & Literature).
June 1, 2003... [no photo] Bates and Bates brings a taste of Provence to the kitchen with its new Plain Weathered Copper double-bowl kitchen sink Fabricated of heavy copper, the sink can be installed as an undermount or drop-in style. Circle 14

Designer kitchen sinks. (Products & Literature).
June 1, 2003... Designer Kitchen Sinks: Kohler has designed stainless-steel sinks in unique shapes to add flair and function to the kitchen. The Swerve[TM], Undertone[TM] Trough Sinks and Poise[TM] styles feature mirror finish options, and range in depth from...

Root control. (Products & Literature).
June 1, 2003... RootX is the original, non-metam sodium foaming root control in an easy-to-apply powdered formulation. It foams on contact with water to kill roots and inhibit growth, which can cause blockages and sewer overflows. More cost-effective than...

Battery-operated Flushometer. (Products & Literature).
June 1, 2003... [no photo] Sloan introduces the new G2 Optima Plus[R], a battery-operated Flushometer with high-tech, vandal-resistant advanced electronics. It features a sleek appearance and is perfect for retrofits. It provides reliable performance...

Decontamination shower. (Products & Literature).
June 1, 2003... Haws Corp. introduces the Model 8800 Rapid Response portable decontamination shower, a lightweight, collapsible unit that can be fully deployed in less than two minutes. It automatically elevates to its full 86-inch height once water pressure...

Closing the circle: what are we to make of all the buybacks from consolidators and utilities? (Editorial Opinion).(Editorial)
June 1, 2003... Maybe you haven't noticed, or you're too polite to bring it up. But I'll be big about it and point out the egg on my face. On several occasions during the last few years, I've made the point that, whatever their difficulties, the consolidators...