Plumbing & Mechanical articles from May 2003

Plumbing & Mechanical archives from May 2003

One of 'Us' responds. (Letters to the Editor).(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2003... I loved [Ellen Rohr's] article "Us Vs. Them" (March 2003). I am a stationary engineer at a hospital in Pittsburgh, Pa. I sort of have the same problems as you did. I am a part of the "Us" group and sometimes have difficulties understanding...

Normal operating conditions. (Letters to the Editor).(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2003... The other day, I sent my highly trained, licensed technician to a no-heat call. The customer was complaining of intermittent heating problems. Upon arrival at the call, my technician diagnosed the issue as an electrical short at the...

Modern day conveniences. (Letters to the Editor).(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2003... I just wanted to drop you a note to tell you how helpful your Web site was. My daughter had to do a report for school on the history of the shower, and we were stumped on where to find information and pictures. After several unsuccessful...

'Old Timers' at work. (Letters to the Editor).(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2003... There are well-established and tried-and-true answers to getting enough new recruits into the trades. These methods were fostered and disseminated through the efforts of the National Old Timers' Association decades ago and much of the original...

Illinois Senate Bill would require electricians' license for electrical work: Bill would prohibit installation of any equipment using electrical power by PHC contractors. (Around the Industry).
May 1, 2003... Illinois State Sens. Terry Link and Don Harmon co-sponsored a bill in the Illinois Senate that would require that only licensed electricians plan, install, repair and maintain wiring and equipment for electrical light, heat and power. ...

PM trends.
May 1, 2003... PM Trends How does your company advertise for or recruit new employees? Classifed ads 55% Word of mouth 25% Family members 10% Job fairs 5% Other 5% Each month PMmag.com explores unique industry...

Wetheads Gather to talk hydronic heating. (Around the Industry).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Dan Holohan, hydronic heating guru and PM columnist, hosted "A Gathering of Wetheads" on March 15, 2003, in Rosemont, Ill., an event otherwise known as "Wetstock II." More than 80 attendees, comprised of contractors, wholesalers,...

MasterFormat revision takes new form. (Around the Industry).(Construction Specification Institute )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The Construction Specification Institute and the MasterFormat Expansion Task Team released a new draft of the specifications program that is a drastic change from previous versions. This newest draft, which replaces both of the Draft 2 versions...

Comfort Systems announces 2002 earnings loss. (Briefs).(Comfort Systems USA)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Comfort Systems USA reported a net loss of $209 million or $5.45 per diluted share, compared to a net income of $13 million in 2001. These results include charges for a new accounting standard and the sale of 19 units to EMCOR Group in March....

AMPAM reports decreased 2002 revenues. (Briefs).(American Plumbing & Mechanical)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... American Plumbing & Mechanical reported a revenue decrease of $42.7 million to $538.5 million for ongoing operations in 2002 (several operations were shut down or discontinued late last year). Revenues were $581.2 million in 2001, Net loss for...

Roto-Rooter reports 2002 income gain. (Briefs).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Roto-Rooter parent company Chemed Corp. reported income for the plumbing service firm of $15.4 million in 2002, up from a net income of $3.4 million in 2001.2002 revenues were $253.7 million, compared with $269.4 million in 2001 (the firm's...

EMCOR awarded projects exceeding $220 million. (Briefs).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... EMCOR Group Inc. was recently awarded various projects in strategic markets that are expected to generate revenues of more than $220 million. The mechanical and electrical projects are in the healthcare, power, government/institutional and...

Holohan to speak at NAOHSM convention. (Briefs).(columnist Dan Holohan to speak National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers convention)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Noted heating educator and PM columnist Dan Holohan will once again be on hand at the National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers convention and trade show May 1822 in Hershey, Pa. Because Holohan's seminars draw such large crowds,...

Al Levi announces workshops. (Briefs).
May 1, 2003... PM columnist and contracting business consultant Al Levi will teach "Operating Power!" June 5-6 in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Aug. 14-15, also in Poughkeepsie. The seminar will show participants how to gain control of their companies by creating...

Right there in black and white. (PM's Truck of the Month).
May 1, 2003... We met Todd and Tamie Jarrett during a lunch break at a PSI Success Summit in St. Louis last September. The husband-and-wife team run Jarrett Plumbing, Linville, N.C. We liked the Jarretts' slogan, "Right There in Black & White," stitched on...

Sterling discontinues faucet line, cites competitive industry. (Vendor & Supplier News).(Kohler Co. discontinues Sterling brand faucets)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... In January, Kohler Co. announced it has discontinued production of its current Sterling brand of bathroom and kitchen faucets. The company's decision, according to Sterling vice president Pat Albregts, addresses a growing demand from...

Mayer resigns from Moen. (Around the Industry).(Linda Mayer, Moen Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Moen Inc. confirmed that Linda Mayer, senior vice president of product marketing and product development, resigned her position effective March 14. She is succeeded by David Lingafelter, who was promoted to vice president/marketing and product...

Jay R. Smith, chairman, dies. (Around the Industry).(Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Jay R. Smith, president of Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co. from 1942-1978, and chairman of the board, died of natural causes March 28 at his home in West Palm Beach, Fla. He was 92. In the company that bears his name, his memory and his impact on...

Lochinvar adds boiler training. (Around the Industry).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Lochinvar Corp. is introducing a new Boiler Application School to its 2003 Lochinvar University Training Schedule. The boiler training features instruction on selecting the correct boiler, vent system, pumps, piping system and control system...

ITC rules for domestic producers on nonmalleable pipe fittings case. (Vendor & Supplier News).(International Trade Commission)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The U.S. International Trade Commission upheld a complaint by Anvil International and Ward Mfg. that imports of nonmalleable cast-iron pipe fittings from China are being sold in the United States at less than fair value. All four commissioners...

Katz celebrates 50 years at Elkay. (Vendor & Supplier News).(Ron Katz, Elkay Mfg. Co.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Elkay Mfg. Co. recently celebrated the 50 years of service that Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ron Katz has given to the company at the Broadview manufacturing facility, where lunch was provided for the 600 employees, retirees, board...

Armstrong among Canada's best-managed companies. (Vendor & Supplier News).(S.A. Armstrong Ltd.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... S.A. Armstrong Ltd., a Toronto manufacturer of HVAC and fluid flow equipment, recently was named as one of 50 companies that has implemented "world-class best business practices" in Canada. To qualify; firms must have revenues between $10...

Green building subject of PPFA spring meeting. (Vendor & Supplier News).(Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association discussed green building and corporate safety at its 2003 Spring Meeting Feb. 22-25 in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Bruce G. Kuiken of the American Plastics Council talked about the growth of the green...

Accubid offers computerized Estimating Course. (Vendor & Supplier News).(Accubid Systems Ltd.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Accubid Systems Ltd. is offering Computerized Estimating Certificate Courses as part of its professional development program for 2003. The three courses at 100, 200 and 300 levels have been specifically designed to teach estimators the...

New THG USA sales manager. (Vendor & Supplier News).(Eric Goldman)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... THG USA, the North American importer of luxury and high-end bath products from the House of Tetard, Haudiquez and Grisoni (THG), recently appointed Eric Goldman as sales manager. He will oversee the efforts of the company's sales reps and...

TDIndustries named to 'Best Places to Work' list. (Briefs).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Dallas-based TDIndustries was named to Fortune magazine's "100 Best Places to Work" list for the sixth consecutive year. The company is ranked No.7 for 2003, and has been in the top 10 each year. Companies were selected by surveying a random...

J.F. Ahern receives E. Robert Kent Award. (Briefs).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... J.F. Ahern Co. of Fond du Lac, Wis., was recently presented with the E. Robert Kent Award for improved productivity from the Mechanical Contractors Association of America. The company was honored for its "Estimate to Invoice" project, a...

Holding company acquires California West. (Briefs).(Phoenix Associates Land Syndicate acquires California West Plumbing Services)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Phoenix Associates Land Syndicate of Covington, La., acquired Lompoe, Calif.-based California West Plumbing Services, which will be merged into Phoenix's wholly owned subsidiary of Record-Wheatly Plumbing. Phoenix Associates Land Syndicate...

Brad Sell fundraiser June 4. (Briefs).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... A fundraiser has been scheduled for Brad Sell, a 33-year veteran of the PHC distribution industry, who has been battling prostate cancer for the past two years. The event is planned for June 4 at the Sheraton Towers in Framingham, Mass. Sell...

Hiring for the future: ever consider running two-person service trucks? (Business Tips).
May 1, 2003... Well, here it is, the middle of May and you still haven't made your first trip to Honey Hole Pond. You know exactly where to find Lunker Brown, who spurned your dinner invitation last season, yet--your work schedule just won't let you make the...

Radiant bathtub. (Off the Wall: HeatingHelp.com).
May 1, 2003... Dan Holohan's Web site, HeatingHelp.com, includes a message board called "The Wall." Regular visitors know it to be an industry treasure. Regular participants include some of the brightest and most dedicated practitioners of hydronic heating...

Symbolism: tips on creating and using CAD drawings for hydronic design. (Hydronics Workshop).
May 1, 2003... At times, most of us have read a text-only description of how a sophisticated hydronic system is piped or wired. From that description; we've tried to picture how the hardware is arranged. Unfortunately, terms like primary/secondary,...

Is there anything Radiant can't do? The flexibility of radiant tubing offers almost unlimited potential for its use.
May 1, 2003... When everything's said and done, radiant tubing is basically a low temperature heat exchanger. And that basic job description is what accounts for installations that almost defy description. About the only reality that holds radiant...

Detecting leaks for profit: equip yourself properly and the world's leaks can be your oyster.
May 1, 2003... When a single pinhole leak under 40 pounds of pressure can lose more than 2,000 gallons of water a day, companies that perform radio leak detection can seem like heroes to home and business owners. The ability to locate -- and repair --...

Pexcel Pureflow Water Systems: safer, faster and easier than soldering copper.
May 1, 2003... For over 100 years Viega has led the European plumbing and heating market with its ever-expanding line of innovative products. An icon of engineering capability, quality and stability, Viega is a household name in Europe. With four...

Have a grand time. (PM/Viega ISH Tourists).
May 1, 2003... Warm weather and plenty of cold beer made it a pleasant journey for more than 30 travelers who spent a week in Germany March 2350. The 2005 ISH Trip tour, co-spohsored by PM and the German fittings manufacturer Viega, paid a visit not only to...

The balance of power: management and labor should work together on improving the business. (Managing Your Business).
May 1, 2003... In the beginning, business was simpler, according to my dad, Irving. He and my Uncle Marty started working out of my grandfather's gas station. Dad said he and Uncle Morty were responsible for everything. And they were good at what they did....

What business are we in -- emergency or comfort? Providing comfort means paying attention to the anticipator. (Hydronic Controls).(Column)
May 1, 2003... If you're one of the folks who has to go on service calls in the middle of the night (the coldest, darkest ones, of course), there's no question about it -- you're in the emergency business. And that's not all bad. For one thing, it usually...

Unique valve-related plumbing questions: answering questions on water hammer, valve sizing and more. (Plumbing Primer).
May 1, 2003... I receive a number of interesting questions regarding design, operation and performance in a plumbing system. Some of these questions are worth sharing with everyone else. These questions all relate to valves. So here they are: "I hear...

Telephone techniques for tough times: train your call takers to maximize their ability to schedule jobs. (In the Field).
May 1, 2003... Our economy is a dynamic force. It fluctuates based on several factors, not the least of which is consumer demand for services. If people think the economy is down or times are tough, they act accordingly. Despite the fact that the economy...

Important questions -- does anyone have answers? It's up to us to build pride and respect for the industry. (Practical Management).
May 1, 2003... That's the closing statement of Jim Olsztynski's February 2003 editorial in this magazine. His questions were, "Where will tomorrow's plumbers come from and how can they be adequately compensated for their skills?" God's only son, and his...

Reading enclosed bodies fit every plumber's needs. (Product of the Month).
May 1, 2003... Plumbers have a variety of needs and Reading Body Works has a variety of enclosed service bodies to fit those needs. They all start with traditional Reading quality and durable construction, and no matter which one you choose, you end up with...

Combihammer. (Product Focus: Tools).
May 1, 2003... Hilti introduces its new combihammer TE 76-ATC with active torque control, which drills up to 20 percent faster and chisels up to 15 percent more than the venerable TE-75. It weighs just 17.4 lbs., and features a 1,300-watt motor. Drilling...

Improved Power-Vee. (Product Focus: Tools).
May 1, 2003... General Pipe Cleaners' improved Power-Vee[TM] automatic feed drain cleaner is lighter and easier to operate; just squeeze the lever and the cable feeds at a rate of up to 16 feet per minute. Unclogs drains up to 3 inches and quickly adjusts to...

Oiler System. (Product Focus: Tools).
May 1, 2003... The OLBUCKT1 from Reed Mfg. effectively delivers threading oil to pipe work. The gun-and-trigger approach makes it easy to use, and the hook allows hanging near work for quick draw pick-up. Featuring a sturdy nozzle, it ships with one gallon of...

Oxy-fuel welding. (Product Focus: Tools).
May 1, 2003... Gentec Outfits are designed for a variety of professional jobs. Available with plastic carriers and cylinders, they are capable of cutting up to 1/2-inch steel, welding up to 1/8-inch steel and brazing up to 1-inch copper tubes. Circle 4

High-torque drill. (Products & Literature).
May 1, 2003... The Bosch 3870-04 18-volt cordless hammer drill features high torque and consistent performance. With the change of a bit, it goes from drill to driver to hammer -- three tools in one. With up to 450 inch-pounds of torque, the 17-position...

Tube cut-off machine. (Products & Literature).
May 1, 2003... T-Drill Industries offers the first totally integrated rotary tube cut-off/end finishing machine. The machine will cut tubes up to 1 inch in diameter, in lengths from 3 inches to any desired length, simply by entering the length into the...

Plumbing tools. (Products & Literature).
May 1, 2003... Brass Craft[R] offers a full line of reliable, easy-to-use, professional plumbing tools, including tube cutters, PVC saws, tube benders, faucet and sink tools, and specialty wrenches. Circle 7

Aerodynamic service body. (Products & Literature).
May 1, 2003... The Aerotech II is the next generation of Reading's line of aerodynamic bodies. The entire Aerotech line has been improved and enhanced to provide advanced locking and latching, door adjustment and superior weather protection. Featuring a...

Plastic manifolds [no photo]. (Products & Literature).
May 1, 2003... Heatlink USA'S TwistSeal[TM] (22 gpm) high capacity modular manifold is available in basic, deluxe and heavy-duty for commercial construction and snowmelting. The TwistSeal[TM] Mini (11 gpm) manifold is available in basic, standard and deluxe,...

Upgradeable drinking water system. (Products & Literature).
May 1, 2003... The AquaPure drinking water system from CUNO Inc. includes a drinking water faucet, all installation hardware and starter cartridges that delivers bottled-water quality straight from the tap. Performance of the system can be upgraded to provide...

RAD Heating Panels. (Products & Literature).
May 1, 2003... RAD Heating Panels from GCS Radiant Inc. provide more than 25 major advantages over competing products. They reduce fuel use and lower operating costs; increase comfort levels (both heat and sound); and increase personal safety (they're fire...

Tankless water heater. (Products & Literature).
May 1, 2003... Eemax Inc. has introduced its Series Twelve line of code-compliant tankless water heaters, specifically designed to provide "tepid" water (60-95 degrees F) for emergency eye/face and drench shower applications. Features micro-processing...

PopTop actuators. (Products & Literature).
May 1, 2003... The new General close-off PopTop[TM] actuators from Erie now fit in baseboard systems. Measuring 2 3/8-inch wide, they feature improved close-off ratings and are designed to fit in virtually any style of heating unit. Circle 12

Ladder rack system. (Products & Literature).
May 1, 2003... Weather Guard[R] Equipment of Knaack Mfg. Co. now offers a build-your-own rack system for ladder storage. The EZGLIDE[TM] System starts with the basic rotation rack, then adds kits and accessories to meet each user's exact requirements....

Quik Trak. (Products & Literature).
May 1, 2003... Uponor Wirsbo offers contractors more choices with QuikTrak[R], a revolutionary wood panel system designed for fast, easy and cost-effective installations with special advantages for remodeling and retrofit projects. Can be installed over an...

Full-port ball valve. (Products & Literature).
May 1, 2003... Conbraco is now producing its popular Apollo[R] 70 Series standard port and 77 Series full-port general-purpose ball valves with 6-inch female brazed extensions. The new versions provide commercial contractors with a high-quality, low-cost...

Plumbing franchises go branding: our market economy has a way of skewing perceptions of value. (Editorial Opinion).
May 1, 2003... Roto-Rooter is the only plumbing company with widespread public recognition, thanks to its famed "troubles down the drain" jingle that people cant shake out of their minds even if they want to Two of the industry's franchise operations aim to...