Plumbing & Mechanical articles from March 2002

Plumbing & Mechanical archives from March 2002

Dan's the man. (Letters to the Editor).
March 1, 2002... I've got to hand it to Dan Holohan; he is a philosopher of life as well as steam heat. I guess they have a lot in common -- I know life and heating systems can both be full of surprises. After reading "If I Knew Then..." (January 2002), I had...

More on T&M vs. flat rate. (Letters to the Editor).
March 1, 2002... In regard to the letters that addressed time and material vs. flat rate pricing debate, (January 2002) not one letter mentioned value considerations. We can all agree that urgency, appearance, degree of hazard, elimination of risk and knowledge...

California housing agency to continue using CSST. (Around the Industry).(corrugated stainless steel tubing)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... California HCD reverses position on the use of CSST in plumbing code. Original proposal was to adopt 2000 Uniform Plumbing Code standards. Department has received no complaints about its existing use. The California Department of Housing...

PM Trends.
March 1, 2002... PM Trends Do you sell and/or service residential water treatment equipment? Each month PMmag.com explores unique industry trends that affect our PHC industry. The results represent PM's online community's opinions. To vote for the...

EMCOR to buy 19 Comfort Systems subsidiaries; Hess to retire in April. (Around the Industry).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... As we went to press, mechanical services conglomerate EMCOR Group Inc. announced an agreement with Comfort Systems USA to purchase 19 Comfort Systems subsidiary companies. EMCOR will pay Comfort Systems $186.25 million - approximately...

New company formed as source for Oatey, Hercules. (Around the Industry).(Oatey Supply Chain Services Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... A new company has been formed by plumbing chemical companies Oatey Co. and Hercules Chemical Co. Effective as of 2002, Oatey Supply Chain Services Inc. will be the source for all Oatey and Hercules products, including Cherne, United Elchem,...

PHCC Professional Product Line adds Amtrol, Power Line. (Around the Industry).(Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association announced that Amtrol and Power Line USA have joined the PHCC Professional Product Line. Amtrol will begin offering its redesigned line of indirect fired water heaters through...

Job cuts reduce American Standard earnings. (Briefs).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2002... American Standard Cos. Inc. reported lower fourth-quarter earnings, weighed down by the additional costs of cutting 700 more jobs than the 1,000 expected to be eliminated. The jobs will be in support and administrative positions, and more than...

Roto-Rooter feels pinch of slow economy. (Briefs).(revenues for 2001 drop four percent)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2002... Roto-Rooter revenues in 2001 of $269.4 million were 4 percent below prior year, causing a 2.9 percentage point decline in the gross margin, while net income declined to $3.4 million in 2001 vs. $20 million in 2000. Income for 2001 amounted to...

Home Depot expands pro desk. (Briefs).(with Made E-Z Products)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... As part of The Home Depot pro initiative to expand its services for professional customers, the company has formed an alliance with Made E-Z Products. Store Pro Desks will now provide professional customers with custom printed forms, preprinted...

Moen names new president, CEO. (Briefs).(Richard E. Posey)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Fortune Brands Home & Hardware appointed Richard E. (Dick) Posey as president and chief executive officer of Moen Inc., effective Jan. 15. Posey was most recently the president and CEO of Hamilton Beach/Proctor Silex Inc. Moen's former...

Tyco splits into four independent firms. (Around the Industry).(Tyco International Ltd.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Tyco International Ltd. announced a plan to separate into four independent, publicly traded companies: security and electronics; healthcare; fire protection and flow control; and financial services. The conglomerate's fire protection and...

Industry death: A.O. Reed's Andrade, 61. (Around the Industry).(A.O. Reed and Co.'s Ed Andrade)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
March 1, 2002... Ed Andrade, 61, chairman of San Diego-based mechanical contractor A.O. Reed & Co., died at his home in November of cancer. Andrade came to A.O. Reed in 1963 and quickly became a plumbing foreman. He was selected to head up the company's new...

Harp maker crafts harp from PVC. (Around the Industry).(John Kovac)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... In an attempt to bring the cost of harps down to the masses, John Kovac designed a harp entirely from PVC pipe and fittings. Kovac has been building harps for 20 years, with some of his concert harps costing more than $65,000. On the other...

In-Sink-Erator addresses 'garbage disposal' myths. (PM's Web Sites of Interest).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Most American homeowners have what they call a "garbage disposal," instead of the more accurate and proper term, "food waste disposer." In-Sink-Erator revamped its Web site to correct misconceptions like this and answer any questions consumers...

Viessmann unveils new USA Web site. (PM's Web Sites of Interest).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Viessmann Mfg. Co. Inc. introduces its new Web site, www.viessmann-us.com. It provides an overview of Viessmann U.S. facilities, as well as information on available products, training seminars and Viessmann sales reps.

Sioux Chief site updated. (PM's Web Sites of Interest).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Sioux Chief's Web site, www.siouxchief.com, features up-to-date information about all its products, including downloadable spec sheets and other literature in PDF format. The site also has sales rep information and an entire section dedicated...

MECHdata launches Executive Search Division. (PM's Web Sites of Interest).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... MECHdata (HVACjob.com, PLUMBjob.com and ELECTRICjob.com), a provider of online job and resume boards for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing trades, launched a new Executive Search Division, SearchMEP. It will provide complete or...

Aquacosm.com relaunches national web directory. (PM's Web Sites of Interest).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Internet-based marketing center, Aquacosm.com, has relaunched its Web site to include extensive business listings and related information for plumbing, irrigation and septic system contractors. The site www.aquacosm.com lists plumbing...

Halsey Taylor launches web-based customer inquiry system. (PM's Web Sites of Interest).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Halsey Taylor introduced a new self-service inquiry system that allows customers to check the status of their orders around the clock -- Rapid Order Inquiry. ROIC can be accessed through the company's Web site, www.halseytaylor.com, with a user...

American Residential Services gets new president. (Briefs).(Mark Burel)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The ServiceMaster Co. appointed Mark Burel as president of American Residential Services, a plumbing and HVAC services company. He succeeds William LeBaron, who will be leaving the company to pursue other interests. Burel is the former vice...

TradePower forms new business units. (Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... TradePower, a provider of software solutions for contractors and distributors, recently, announced it is establishing three new business units: Contractor Solutions, helmed by Alan Mech, former president of recently acquired Estimation Inc.;...

NSPC proposed code changes due. (Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The National Standard Plumbing Code Committee is now accepting proposed code changes to the 2000 National Standard Plumbing Code. Contact John Schulte at 800/533-7694 for more information, or e-mail him at schulte@naphcc.org. The deadline for...

ASPE Product Show April 4. (Briefs).
March 1, 2002... The American Society of Plumbing Engineers announces the 26th Annual ASPE -- Houston Product Show will be held April 4 at the Radisson Astrodome Hotel. There will be a free buffet and door prizes. Contact Cyril Unger at 713/914-0888 for more...

Auditor questions U.S. Industries durability. (Around the Industry).(after financial downfall)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... An independent auditor questioned U.S. Industries' ability to survive after the company reported a net loss for fiscal year 2001 of $524.6 million on sales of $1.1 billion. The loss included about $233 million in write-offs, The company...

'The Cost Of Not Knowing...' goes on & on: PHC contractors continually buy themselves jobs at prevailing rates. (Business Tips).(Column)
March 1, 2002... In my column from May 1996, "The Cost Of Not Knowing Your Costs," I challenged contractors to prove that they could make money and provide decent income and benefits for employees at the PHC service industry's prevailing labor rates of $50-55...

Minitube mods: Some variations and novel applications of a system you first read about in PM. (Hydronics Workshop).(Column)
March 1, 2002... If you've been following the Hydronics Workshop column for a few years, you may remember reading about minitube systems. In the April 1997 column I described this variation on the basic concept of variable speed injection mixing. A complete...

Wholesaler showrooms: Wholesaler showrooms should be a terrific tool for the plumbing contractor.
March 1, 2002... I owned my own wholesale showroom business for 18 years, and worked very closely with plumbing contractors, builders, architects, designers and homeowners. I know the tremendous value a well-displayed, well-run showroom can offer. I'm...

Taking service software on the road: How giving technicians access to your dispatch schedule and service software improves communication, streamlines billing and increases productivity.
March 1, 2002... What if your technicians could take your service software on the road? What would this mean for your service organization? To your company's profitability? Most likely, this would mean better communications between key personnel -- the...

Contracting joint venture: Makes quick work out of Airport expansion.(Carter/Pace/Green Inc. works on Detroit Metro Airport)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2002... By the time you read this, travelers going through Detroit Metro Airport should be enjoying the new $1.2 billion Midfield Terminal. The new Northwest Airlines terminal will feature 74 gates, 2,200 feet of moving walkways and even two automated...

Residential faucets: This is an updated version of the product training course introduced by Supply House Times in 1979, authored by Don Arnold. (College of Product Knowledge).
March 1, 2002... Faucet Mechanisms During the last 20 years, we've seen a shakeout in terms of faucet mechanisms used in this country. The types of valving most popular back then are still the leading ones today, but several lesser technologies have...

Two areas flat rate doesn't work: If you flat rate, be prepared to answer for your prices. (Plumbing Primer).
March 1, 2002... Do you ever feel like you've been challenged? In the past few months, it has appeared that way with regard to flat rate priding. While avoiding the debate about flat fate pricing, I am aware of two areas where flat rate pricing does not...

Get your money now! We work for far too many people who have the power to authorize extra work, but do not honor their work when it is time to pay for it. (Practical Management).
March 1, 2002... Some me of you have heard about the "old school," and there are still some of us around who lived and worked with those principles. We didn't have all of those associate degrees, bachelor degrees, master's degrees or even doctorates in building...

No-drip flux. (Product Focus: Chemicals).
March 1, 2002... The new LA-CO, Ultimate B813 Flux provides all the advantages of a standard flux, with complete B813 compliance. Thick, nod-rip formula stays put, will not run and drip during soldering like other B813 flux bands. High heat stability eliminates...

Deep soak tub. (Product Focus: Tubs & Whirlpools).
March 1, 2002... The Soho-Bath from Acorn Engineering Co.'s Neo-Metro [TM] Collection of designer bath fixtures is a unique one-piece, double-wall, deep soaking tub manufactured entirely of heavy-gauge stainless steel. The insulated bath features an integral...

Leak detection. (Products Focus: Tubs & Whirlpool).
March 1, 2002... The new GEN-EAR [TM] from General Pipe Cleaners blends the latest in filter, headphone and sensor technology for an advanced acoustical lead-detection system. It quickly and accurately locates leaks in PVC, cast-iron, copper and steel lines. It...

Instantaneous Water Heater. (Products Focus: Tubs & Whirlpools).
March 1, 2002... Reduce the waste of water and energy with the new Instantaneous Water Heater from Armstrong Pumps Inc. Small, compact and easy-to-install, the energy-saving IWH also provides a continuous supply of hot water and virtually eliminates the risk of...

Heavy-duty 'Drybox'. (Products Focus: Tubs & Whirlpools).
March 1, 2002... The Lock 'n Load Drybox from Mill-Rose Co. is a water-resistant toolbox that locks out moisture and dirt. It features three compartments, including an easy-open top and removable tray. Made of heavy-duty, impact-resistant plastic with secure...

Can consolidation succeed? The roll-up gambit should result in a whole greater than the sum of its parts; why hasn't it? (Editorial Opinion).
March 1, 2002... Several years ago, in a spasm of stupidity, I bought a modest amount of stock various roll-up consolidators that had erupted in our industry. From an investment standpoint, I probably would have done better using the money to buy lottery...

100% Soluble Flux. (Product Focus: Chemicals).
March 1, 2002... The best watersoluble flux on the market is Solu-Flux from Black Swan Mfg. Co. With a working temperature of 250 degrees F to 520 degrees F, it is safe to use on potable water systems. It can be used on copper, brass, galvanized, tin, zinc and...

Whirlpool Bath. (Product Focus: Tubs & Whirlpools).
March 1, 2002... The gentle oval shape of the Laguna 6 Whirlpool Bath from Eljer Plumbingware Inc. is designed for superb comfort. Completely pre-plumbed, the bath's simple yet graceful lines offer beauty and elegance. The whirlpool system provides a soothing...

Claw-Foot Tub. (Product Focus: Tubs & Whirlpools).
March 1, 2002... The Geneva 5-ft. roll rim tub with claw feet from Strom Plumbing By Sign of the Crab is a cast-iron tub with an inside porcelain finish. All tubs are drilled for faucets with 3-3/8-inch centers. Outside of tub is sanded smooth and painted...

America's No. 1 Lead-Free Solid Wire Solder. (Products Focus Tubs & Whirlpools).
March 1, 2002... Taramet Sterling[R] Solder is the best flowing, has the lowest melting temperature (410 degrees F) and has the highest tensile strength of any lead-free available today. It meets all federal specifications and is certified to ANSI/NSF Standard...

Pro-Balance Manifold. (Product Focus: Tubs & Whirlpools).
March 1, 2002... REHAU Inc. provides the pre-assembled Pro-Balance[TM] brass balancing manifold with gauges for use in hydronic radiant floor heating and snowmelting systems. Available with two to 12 outlets, it is installation-ready and has a 3 1/4-inch deep...