Plumbing & Mechanical articles from March 2008

Plumbing & Mechanical archives from March 2008

Performance, not prescription.(Letters TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute fully agrees with Julius Ballanco ("No Lead Is Good Lead," January 2008) that it is not the amount of lead in the faucet that counts, but the amount of lead in the water flowing...

Merger announced: American Standard America, crane plumbing and Eljer.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
March 1, 2008... American Standard America, Crane Plumbing and Eljer announced Feb. 13 their intent to merge. The closing is expected to take place in the second quarter of 2008, and integration of the companies' operations is expected to occur within a 12- to...

Chicago PCA celebrates 125 years.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
March 1, 2008... The Plumbing Contractors Association of Chicago and Cook County (Chicago PCA) marked its 125th anniversary with a gala celebration in conjunction with its bi-annual installation dinner on Feb. 9, 2008. The event was held at the Chicago...

The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) is offering builders and remodelers a roadmap with its PATH Guide to Green Building, which pulls together the essential principles of quality green practices in a comprehensive, easy-to-follow plan.('Green' News Roundup)
March 1, 2008... The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) is offering builders and remodelers a roadmap with its PATH Guide to Green Building, which pulls together the essential principles of quality green practices in a comprehensive,...

Last month at the International Builders' show, the National Association of Home Builders launched the NAHB National Green Building Program.('Green' News Roundup)
March 1, 2008... Last month at the International Builders' show, the National Association of Home Builders launched the NAHB National Green Building Program. It features an online scoring tool at www.nahbgreen.org, which shows how to accrue points in seven...

The Water Environment Research Foundation recently unveiled a new Web site, www.werf.org/livablecommunities, that gives landscape architects, designers, engineers, stormwater managers, elected officials and the public creative new ideas on sustainable stormwater practices.('Green' News Roundup)(Website overview)
March 1, 2008... The Water Environment Research Foundation recently unveiled a new Web site, www.werf.org/livablecommunities, that gives landscape architects, designers, engineers, stormwater managers, elected officials and the public creative new ideas on...

A series of live green building webinars will be presented by the Mechanical Contractors Association of America in 2008 to help members compete in this expanding new market.('Green' News Roundup)
March 1, 2008... A series of live green building webinars will be presented by the Mechanical Contractors Association of America in 2008 to help members compete in this expanding new market. A copy of each presentation will be archived for viewing after the...

HVAC Excellence and Ferris State University have teamed up to address the "green" educational needs of the HVACR industry.('Green' News Roundup)
March 1, 2008... HVAC Excellence and Ferris State University have teamed up to address the "green" educational needs of the HVACR industry. The first section of the program, "Green Mechanical Awareness," was pilot-tested at the UA's annual instructors'...

The third issue of idronics, Caleffi's semi-annual design journal for hydronic professionals, was released in January and focuses on solar heating technology.('Green' News Roundup)
March 1, 2008... The third issue of idronics, Caleffi's semi-annual design journal for hydronic professionals, was released in January and focuses on solar heating technology. The publication is written by engineers and oriented towards innovative design...

ARS makes acquisitions.
March 1, 2008... American Residential Services LLC, owner of the ARS and Rescue Rooter brands, recently purchased three companies: Atlanta-based Universal Heating and Cooling; Indianapolis-based Air-Trol Heating and Air Conditioning; and Las Vegas and...

2007 construction union membership increases.
March 1, 2008... Membership in America's building trades unions increased by almost 100,000 members in 2007, reflecting the first overall increase in membership in close to a decade, reported the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. Of private...

New web site serves businesses that manage latino labor.(Website overview)
March 1, 2008... Speaker/consultant/columnist Ricardo Gonzalez has launched The Gonzelez Report (www.gonzalezreport.com), a Web site to help those who manage Latino labor or are in business development with Latinos. Gonzalez leverages his first-hand knowledge...

Women in HVACR announces 2008 officers.(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Women in HVACR recently announced its 2008 slate of officers: President Karen Riffice, Soderlund Brothers of Oaklawn, Ill.; Vice President Barbara Keil, Keil Heating & Air Conditioning of Riverdale, N.J.; Treasurer Kathy McCauley, McCauley...

AFSA's National Apprentice Competition announced.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
March 1, 2008... The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) will host its 15th Annual National Apprentice Competition, Oct. 17, 2008, in Washington, D.C., during the group's annual convention. Newly increased cash prizes will be awarded: $5,000 for first...

PM's Best-Looking Truck Contest.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
March 1, 2008... Once again, Plumbing & Mechanical will hold its Best-Looking Truck Contest. Contractors can enter in any or all of four categories: best-looking pickup truck; best-looking panel van; best-looking box truck; and best-looking inside. Contest...

Bath & Kitchen Pro unveils new web site.(Around THE INDUSTRY)(Website overview)
March 1, 2008... The new www.BathandKitchenPro.com Web site complements Bath & Kitchen Pro, the new publication that reaches an audience of 50,000+ bath-and-kitchen installers, distributors with showrooms and designers in plumbing, tile, countertops and related...

UA endorses HVACR training, certification program.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
March 1, 2008... Representatives of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA); North American Technician Excellence (NATE); the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration...

On Feb. 6, stars of TLC's "American Chopper"--Paul Teutul Jr., Mikey Teutul and Paul Teutul Sr., of Orange County Choppers--presented a custom-made motorcycle to Viega CEO Dan Schmierer after a special parade in Wichita, Kan.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: On Feb. 6, stars of TLC's "American Chopper"--Paul Teutul Jr., Mikey Teutul and Paul Teutul Sr., of Orange County Choppers--presented a custom-made motorcycle to Viega CEO Dan Schmierer after a special...

Answer The WaterSense Call: as it turns out, a small nudge is all it took to open a floodgate of innovation in water-efficient manufacturing.(Guest EDITORIAL)
March 1, 2008... Necessity is the mother of invention--but a little extra incentive never hurts either. WaterSense is providing that bit of incentive by raising consumer awareness about the need for water efficiency. Consumers, in turn, will drive a greater...

New construction vs. service-and-repair: exploring the similarities and differences of these two market segments.(Business TIPS)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] My phone call records of recent months indicate that there are bunches of construction-focused contractors considering jumping into the service-and-repair arena. This survival reaction is to be expected with every...

From dumb curves to smart areas: get ready for circulators with different personalities.(Hydronics WORKSHOP)
March 1, 2008... Pump curves have been used to express the performance of hydronic circulators for decades. They show how much mechanical energy (e.g., head) the circulator can impart to passing through at a specific rate. The intersection of the pump curve and...

Regulating supply temp.(RADIANT & HYDRONICS E-NEWS: THE GLITCH & THE FIX)
March 1, 2008... Are You An Ace Troubleshooter? John Siegenthaler, P.E., has been challenging heating professionals to take a closer look at how radiant and hydronic systems should be designed to fit today's efficiency-minded world. His Web site,...

Sustainability: the triple bottom line: incorporating 'green' products into your customers' homes can have an impact on the economic, environmental and social aspects of their lives.
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As green building has become more popular in the last few years, you hear a lot about sustainability. But what exactly does that mean? The Alliance for Sustainable Built Environments (ASBE) defines sustainability as...

Corn heats Harley store: a combination of the latest and the oldest provides radiant heat to a motorcycle superstore.
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Walk in the front door of the Zylstra Harley-Davidson/Buell dealership in St. Charles, Ill., and you can...

'No frills with a bang'.(TRUCK OF THE MONTH: Quality 1st Plumbing, Sebastian, Fla.)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "White vans are cost-effective, but we wanted to stick out," say Amy and David Tcimpidis, the owners of Quality 1st Plumbing. The company's two E-350 vans and E-250 SuperDuty pick-up are painted in a very unusual...

The terrorists won, or did they? Securing backflow preventers from tampering helps protect the nation's water supply.(PLUMBING: PRIMER)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For the past 30 years, I, have been what many refer to as a "road warrior". Lat year I was on more than 100 flights. If you run the math, that amounts to about two flights every week. However, I don t fly every week....

Bless the slow times: economic downturns aren't easy, but taking action is the only way to make the best out of the worst.(Managing YOUR BUSINESS)(Viewpoint essay)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] One good thing about getting older is that you're lived a long time and experienced both good and bad times. That's why this slowing economy is not as upsetting to me as it is to those who call me for my free...

High-tech audit: technology isn't a cure-all for your problems, but it can cut many problems down to size.(In The FIELD)(Viewpoint essay)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Usually when you think of an audit, you think about reviewing financial statements to make sure the business accounting systems are working as they should. But using the same approach as a financial audit, you...

Preventing costly turnover, part 2: more causes of, and cures for, employee turnover.(Practical MANAGEMENT)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Last month we emphasized the horrendous cost of employee turnover, along with positive cures. I hope some of those cures will help you prevent any possible loss of a good employee. Keep in mind that every individual...

Guidelines.(FIRST PLACE)(Brief article)(Column)
March 1, 2008... When re-piping a home overhead through an attic, it's hard to know exactly where to drill each hole into the wall studs when you're up there--even more so if you're doing the job by yourself. I use silver solder. When I'm downstairs, I...

Dried out quick.(tool tips)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... I always hated getting the water out of the toilet tank and bowl when performing a repair. No matter what I tried, it always seemed so time-consuming, and I would inevitably end up wet. I ended up buying a 59 battery-powered kerosene pump, and...

Commonsense physics.(tool tips)
March 1, 2008... Trouble soldering a vertical pipe due to water trapped in the line? I try to keep handy in my soldering kit a 12-inch long piece of 3/8-inch copper tubing. With the pipe open, take the tube and insert it into the line. Place your finger over...

Vessel Bowl Filler.(Products & LITERATURE)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Vessel Bowl Filler: The Brookhaven collection from Portuguese faucet designer Cifial features the L-Spout Vessel Bowl Filler. its transitional design provides both contemporary and traditional styling for any bath....

Boiler inspection software.(Products & LITERATURE)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Boiler Inspection Software: Safety inspection software manufacturer Insparisk offers Versentia[TM], software for the safety inspection industry including boilers, fire protection systems, HVAC equipment and...

Gas connection kits.(Products & LITERATURE)
March 1, 2008... Gas Connection Kits [no photo]: Dormont Mfg. offers a tankless water heater water and gas connection kit to provide all the components needed to easily and economically install gas or electric tankless water heaters. Each kit consists of...

Press-fitting valves.(Products & LITERATURE)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Press-Fitting Valves: Cimberio's CimPRESS line offers a wide range of press-fitting valves for a number of different applications. The CimPRESS 220L ball valve features EPDM o-rings and is NSF-compliant, making it...

DWV testing system.(Products & LITERATURE)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DWV Testing System: Tru Enterprises Inc. presents its IAPMO-approved Tru Top Tst tee with a preinstalled, removable testing device. This test tee is designed to withstand more than 40 psi, and can be installed in a...

Flood protection.(Products & LITERATURE)
March 1, 2008... Flood Protection: Prevent basement flooding and messy floors with General Pipe Cleaner's FloodGuard[R]. Available for 2-, 3- and 4-inch floor drains, it operates like a check valve to seal off water backup caused by overloaded sewers--float...

Supply stops.(Products & LITERATURE)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Supply Stops: ACCOR[R] Technology enables plumbers to PUSHON[R] the new FlowTite[R] R-SERIES[TM] supply stop valve/connector directly over the old brass compression ferrule. No ferrule pullers or costly in-the-wall...

Boiler/volume water heather.(Products & LITERATURE)
March 1, 2008... Boiler/Volume Water Heater [no photo]: The Mighty Therm2 line from Laars offers seven models applicable for hydronic systems, volume water heat applications and as commercial-sized pool heaters. The value-priced, fan-assisted, low-NOx unit is...

Frozen pipe protection.(Products & LITERATURE)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Frozen Pipe Protection: HotLine is a safe, low-voltage water and sewer pipe freeze protection device with no electrical shock danger. Its heating element consists of a modern alloy and insulated resistance wire...

Wall-mount faucets.(Products & LITERATURE)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Wall-Mount Faucets: Moen Inc. has added two new wall-mount faucets to its Icon[TM] and Kingsley[TM] bathroom collections. Ideal for vessel sinks, the Icon features a sleek, modern design with refined spout and lever...

Modcon boiler.(Products & LITERATURE)
March 1, 2008... ModCon Boiler: Heat Transfer Products' new modcon commercial boiler features a high-grade. Inconel load-matching gas burner with a 5:1 turndown to meet the variable needs for space heating and DHW in a single application. The 500,000 Btu/hr....

Underlayment.(Products & LITERATURE)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Underlayment: Firm-Fill[R] CSD[TM] from Hacker Industries Inc. is a lightweight, high-strength gypsum concrete floor underlayment designed for use in multifamily, commercial and institutional buildings with...

Combi-valve.(Products & LITERATURE)
March 1, 2008... Combi-Valve: Flo Control introduces CheckMate, a combination check valve, ball valve and union designed specifically for basement toilets and STEP sewer systems. By combining all three components, CheckMate requires 50 percent less installation...

Check valves.(Products & LITERATURE)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Check Valves: Danfoss Flomatic Corp. introduces Model 80DI ductile iron check valves, a heavy-duty in-line poppet style valve designed to prevent flow reversal. Specifically designed for use with submersible pumps or...

Antimicrobial handshower.(Products & LITERATURE)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Antimicrobial Handshower: Healthcare plumbing manufacturer Component Hardware Group developed a handshower that features the company's SANIGUARD antimicrobial treatment with silver ion-based technology. SaniShower...

Three-speed pumps.(Products & LITERATURE)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Three-Speed Pumps: Taco Inc.'s three-speed circulator pumps for residential contractors incorporate low, medium and high speeds, allowing contractors to fine-tune pump speeds to the job. Models available for radiant...

Pot fillers.(Products & LITERATURE)
March 1, 2008... Pot Fillers [no photo]: Danze has added wall-mount and deck-mount pot fillers to its classic Fairmont Collection, which features traditional styling. The faucets have a two-piece articulated spout that extends up to 21 inches and folds away...

Selling trade careers: income potential is good, but industry stability may be the sleeper attraction.(Viewpoint essay)
March 1, 2008... A few days before writing this, I spent almost an hour on the phone with a mom talking about a potential HVAC career for her 19-year-old son. He was described as a good kid and OK student but aimless since graduating from high school last year....