Plumbing & Mechanical articles from March 2003

Plumbing & Mechanical archives from March 2003

Shocking development. (Letters to the Editor).
March 1, 2003... I am writing about the Carol Fey column in PM ("Learn About Electricity And Controls," January 2003). 1 question Ms. Fey's ability to paint all electricians with one brush, particularly since she wrote the article with the input of only one...

Something more. (Letters to the Editor).
March 1, 2003... Frank Blau expressed thoughts that are truly real in today's mechanical field ("The Four Legs Of Financial Security," January 2003). I recently left a mechanical contractor, where I had been a project manager for four years. The most vivid...

Utilities, consolidators selling back mechanical firms. (Around the Industry).
March 1, 2003... Utilities and consolidators that snatched up mechanical contracting firms in the '90s are now unloading them to "concentrate on their core businesses. Akron, Ohio-based FirstEnergy Corp. recently sold two of its mechanical firms -- Colonial...

2003 ISH North America show introduces six seminar tracks. (Around the Industry).(International Sanitation and Heating )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The organizers of the ISH North America 2003 Conference & Exposition have announced it will introduce six unique seminar tracks as part of the conference program. The program, which will run parallel to the ISH NA exposition, will allow...

Obituaries.
March 1, 2003... RAYMOND F. KENNEDY, Masco Corp. President Raymond F. Kennedy, president and chief operating officer of Masco Corp., died unexpectedly of a heart attack Feb. 4. He was 60. "Ray was a leader who was loved, admired and respected by all...

Legionella training offered. (Briefs).(HC Information Resources Inc. )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... HC Information Resources Inc. is offering a one-day seminar on Legionella for plumbing code officials, plumbing inspectors, technicians, engineers and maintenance personnel in public seminars or private training. The course, "Minimizing the...

NAOHSM sponsors Service Manager training. (Briefs).(National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers is again sponsoring a two-day seminar focusing on the many responsibilities of a service manager. Topics to be covered include gross profit planning, service agreements, business plans,...

District heating firm acquires system from Detroit Edison. (Briefs).(Thermal Ventures Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Thermal Ventures II LP of Youngstown, Ohio, acquired the assets of the district steam heating system owned and operated by Detroit Edison that serves downtown Detroit. Thermal Ventures has established a Michigan-based company, Detroit Thermal...

Dwyer Group's Women in Trades program to be offered in spring. (Around the Industry).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Women in Trades (WIT) training program that debuted last August will graduate its second class this spring. The Texas State Technical College will again offer the course April 28-May 9 to teach plumbing and drain-cleaning skills to women....

Have showroom, will travel. (PM's Truck of the Month).(R. Supply Co.'s showroom on wheels)
March 1, 2003... Chances are, if you're a builder or contractor in Nevada, you've probably seen R. Supply Co.'s showroom on wheels. It's pretty hard to miss -- a 48-ft., green-colored trailer with the company name on it. "We needed to compete with the...

Rheem shows off FVIR Water Heaters. (Vendor & Supplier News).(flammable vapor ignition resistance)(Rheem Water Heaters)
March 1, 2003... Rheem Water Heaters hosted the industry's trade press in a series of visits to its Montgomery, Ala., facility in early February to unveil the Rheem Guardian System[TM], a new line of residential gas-fired, atmospheric water heaters specially...

CDA forum looks at copper market trends. (Briefs).(Copper Development Association)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Copper Development Association sponsored a December forum to discuss the market trends of copper usage. Linda Mayer, senior vice president of marketing and product development at Moen Inc., said that copper consumption should continue to...

California PHCC chapter holds Expo. (Briefs).
March 1, 2003... The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of Alameda and Contra Costa counties, Calif., is sponsoring its 24th annual Expo, Tuesday, April 15, 2003. The event will be from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Centennial Hall in Hayward, Calif. Admission is...

John W. Danforth Co. appoints new CEO. (Briefs).(Kevin G. Reilly)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Mechanical contracting firm John W. Danforth Co. named Kevin G. Reilly as its new chairman and chief executive officer. He succeeds Wayne R. Reilly, who has served as CEO since 1978. Emmet L. Reilly will continue to serve as president, and...

PMI elects 2003 executive committee. (Briefs).(Plumbing Manufacturers Institute)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute elected its 2003 executive committee at its 2002 fall meeting: Ralph Herrbach of Cifial USA, president; Jim Westdorp of Kohler Co., first vice president; John Lauer of Sloan Valve Co., second vice president;...

Got insurance? The state of insurance in the state of California is miserable. (Guest Editorial).(Editorial)
March 1, 2003... When we think of protecting our homes, events such as fire, fallen trees or other disasters defined as "acts of God" come to mind. Insurance companies figured out long ago that the is s associated with these events are worth taking. ...

Failure to plan is planning to fail: PM's new columnist tells what's different and similar between plumbing and the business of contracting. (Business Tips).
March 1, 2003... Just so you'll know, I'm one of those guys who gets jolly about running screw pipe in a brand new mechanical room. After cutting and threading 10 or so sections, I love to watch them line in the trapeze, square with the building lines, elbows...

Indirectly speaking: the benefits of an indirect water heater make it a viable alternative. (Hydronics Workshop).
March 1, 2003... There was a time when tankless coils reigned as the premier method for producing domestic hot water from a boiler installed for residential or light commercial space heating. Cold water got one pass through a coiled copper heat exchanger...

Showrooms increase sales and profitability: diversify your product and service offerings with a showroom and add to your bottom line.(Column)
March 1, 2003... In the late 1970s I was helping run a large plumbing wholesale business in northern California. I felt strongly about the idea of plumbing contractors having a showroom to display great products being manufactured by companies like Kohler,...

Plumbing with PEX: its market share is increasing. So why aren't more contractors using PEX for potable water systems?
March 1, 2003... PEX for potable water systems is currently marketed by several manufacturers, including IPEX, Wirsbo, Watts Radiant, REHAU, Zurn, Stadler Viega, RTI, Weil-McLain and Vanguard. Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) is nothing new under the sun. It...

Why am I here? Where is this going? (Managing your Business).
March 1, 2003... Ten guidelines for productive meetings. Have you ever been in a company meeting and asked yourself "Why am I here?" or "Where is this going?" If you're asking these questions while sitting in a company meeting, you're asking the right...

Switches is just switches: how can a simple thing be complicated? Easy. (Hydronic Controls).
March 1, 2003... So far in this column you've read that you -- not an electrician -- should be doing your controls wiring. I have written about the fact that a control circuit is a simple thing. It is a circle" of at least one of each of these three things:...

Human nature of water conservation: what is often forgotten is the study of human nature in the use of plumbing fixtures. (Plumbing Primer).
March 1, 2003... One the greatest researchers in this area of plumbing, Tom Konen, recently passed away. Tom was a research professor at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J. One of Tom's admired research projects is the queuing theory. "Queue"...

Follow proven techniques: here are 10 tips to implement for a brighter financial future. (In the field).
March 1, 2003... One sure way to advance your business situation is to follow proven techniques for increasing profits. Each of the techniques below have worked for me, and each has produced financial advantages over the years -- and they can for you, too. All...

2020 vision--controlling your destiny: set realistic goals to ensure your company's successful future. (Practical Management).
March 1, 2003... I hope many of you took action and "did it" with our January issue's top 10 "do it now" recommendations. If not, my eleventh step would be to go back and read each item to assure your success and enjoyment throughout 2003. 20/20 vision at...

Reeves-Wiedeman relocates Kansas City shop. (Vendor & Supplier News).
March 1, 2003... Plumbing wholesaler Reeves-Wiedeman Co. recently moved to a new location in downtown Kansas City, Mo., at 1350 E. 13th St., which is more convenient to the area's contractor customers. The half-million dollar building offers state-of-the-art...

Estimation celebrates 30th anniversary. (Vendor & Supplier News).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Estimation, a TradePower solution, celebrates its 30th business anniversary in 2003. The next generation of Estimation, NET Series Version 10, will be released at the 12th annual Estimation User Conference April 6-9 in Baltimore.

Sloan Flushometers installed nationwide. (Vendor & Supplier News).(Sloan Valve Co.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The 1.1 million-sq. ft. Hawaii Convention Center, located in Honolulu, remodeled a large portion of its original plumbing system with Sloan Valve Co.'s Optima Plus sensor-operated Flushometers for the urinals, and Royal manual Flushometers for...

Taco's new LoadMatch unveiled at 2003 AHR expo. (Vendor & Supplier News).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Using a series of continuous loop monitor presentations, Taco Inc. unveiled its LoadMatch[TM] single pipe hydronic system for both heating and cooling system applications. According to Taco, its new hydronics system eliminates most balancing...

Hercules names marketing project manager. (Vendor & Supplier News).(Hercules Chemical Company Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Hercules Chemical Co. Inc. named Gail S. Leicht as its new marketing project manager. She has worked in a variety of areas, including film and television production, freelance writing and corporate communications.

Elkay products eligible for Value Alliance points. (Vendor & Supplier News).(Elkay Manufacturing Co.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Elkay is the newest participating manufacturer in the Value Alliance Club[R] program, which offers the plumbing trade opportunities to earn points toward vacation packages and gift merchandise. Elkay products that are available for points...

Hydronics Institute renews I=B=R at AHR Expo. (Around the Industry).
March 1, 2003... The frosty weather in Chicago did not keep visitors away from the 2003 Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition. The AHR Expo, sponsored by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers and the...

Condensate return pump. (Product Focus: Pumps).
March 1, 2003... Sterling Steam Control Division announces its 4100 and 4200 Series duplex condensate pumps with vertical multistage low NPSH pumps. They are available with steel or cast-iron tanks up to 120 gallons. Circle 1

Universal pump solution. (Products Focus: Pumps).
March 1, 2003... The new three-speed "Super Brute' circulator from Grundfos reduces noise and power consumption. It offers the highest performance and torque of any standard wet rotor circulator, and features minimal flow restriction. Ideal for zoning. ...

Portable utility pumps. (Product Focus: Pumps).
March 1, 2003... Fling and Walling Inc. has expanded its line of portable utility pumps to include 1/6, 1/4 and 1/2 horsepower sizes in capacities ranging from 1-62 gpm. They include lifts up to 30 feet, and the pumps remove or transfer water anywhere quickly...

Instant hot water pump [no photo]. (Products Focus: Pumps).
March 1, 2003... The AutoCirc[R] from Laing Thermotech Inc. saves water, money and time. Requiring only 33 watts of power, the AutoCirc is fully automatic with a built-in 6-ft. power cord. Only 8 inches high and 4 1/2 inches wide, it installs under the sink or...

Wintac Pro 2003. (Products Focus: Pumps).
March 1, 2003... Intac International Inc. has released Wintac Pro 2003, an enhanced version of its all-in-one program that integrates scheduling, dispatching, equipment tracking, job costing, estimating, checking, payroll, financial reporting and marketing....

Pipe Freezing Kit. (Products & Literature).
March 1, 2003... The Cold-Shot[TM] Pipe Freezing Kit from General Pipe Cleaners lets you repair an operating water system without draining water lines, sprinkler systems or hot water systems before cutting pipe or tubing. Using [CO.sub.2] in dip-tube cylinders,...

New faucet finishes [no photo]. (Products & Literature).
March 1, 2003... Designed to complement today's decorating trends, Delta's award-winning Victorian Bath Collection is now available in two new finish options, Brilliance[R] Polished Nickel and Brilliance Stainless. In addition, Delta's popular Signature[TM]...

Self-cleaning seat. (Products & Literature).
March 1, 2003... This plastic toilet seat cleans and sanitizes itself in 15 seconds by rotating through a hygiene sluice that dispenses a citrus-scented, germ-killing solution on the seat's surface. SCS Self-Cleaning Seats fit on traditional commercial toilets...

Gas connection system. (Products & Literature).
March 1, 2003... Brass Craft introduces Safety+PLUS[TM] Advantage, an advanced gas connection system that combines automatic gas shut-off with corrosion resistance. It features a magnet-based excess flow valve. Circle 9

Goose-neck faucet. (Products & Literature).
March 1, 2003... Symmons Industries Inc. has expanded its Symmetrix[R] line of lavatory faucets with the new S-254 series. It features smooth operation, with the addition of a heavy tubular brass high arc, swivel/rigid gooseneck spout. Each faucet is also...

Electronic Soap Dispenser. (Products & Literature).
March 1, 2003... The new Optima[R] Electronic Soap Dispensers (ESD) with automatic sensor operation are now available from Sloan Valve Co. The ESD-200 hardwire transformer model is designed for fast plug-in installations and the ESD-250 battery-powered model...

Pro-Balance manifold. (Products & Literature).
March 1, 2003... 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...

Water Hammer guide [no photo]. (Products & Literature).
March 1, 2003... Sioux Chief announces the latest version of its "Engineer Report for Water Hammer Arresters." Designed specifically with the plumbing engineer in mind, the comprehensive guide includes specification sheets for Sioux Chief arresters and product...

Our age of enlightenment: jobsite safety results from a mindset, and from economic incentives. (Editorial Opinion).(Editorial)
March 1, 2003... After graduating high school, I went to work in a factory. Almost four decades later, one co-worker remains etched in memory as a grotesque reminder that the good old days weren't all they're cracked up to be. Little Joe was a diminutive,...