Plumbing & Mechanical articles from October 2003

Plumbing & Mechanical archives from October 2003

Well-deserved break.(Letters To The Editor)
October 1, 2003... I finally got half a day off, and wanted to let everyone know I really enjoyed the article ("Meet James Boyers: Plumbing Contractor & Patriot" August 2003). It turned out very well! I have been here a month now and haven't slowed down yet. We...

AC/DC.(Letters To The Editor)
October 1, 2003... I enjoyed Carol Fey's column in August PM as I usually do ("Why The Electric Chair Is AC... And Other Mysteries"). I just wanted to write to clear up a few historical mistakes, as I am a bit of a historian. The part about Thomas Edison...

The new asbestos.(Letters To The Editor)
October 1, 2003... I have attached a photo of moisture damage from a leaking water heater. While a leaking tank cannot be prevented, the Uniform Plumbing Code has mandated a catch pan under a water heater for new tank installations (section 510.7) to minimize...

Inexpensive insurance policy.(Letters To The Editor)
October 1, 2003... As an advertiser and manufacturer of water heater stands, I feel Mr. Ballanco's column, "New Water Heater Update" (August 2003) is a bit misleading. With this new flammable vapor ignition resistant technology, when the water heater flame comes...

There goes the neighborhood.(Letters To The Editor)
October 1, 2003... I couldn't agree more with Dan Holohan's column ("New Heights." May 2003). Dan makes reference to Willis Carrier regarding lower ceilings. I would like to add that Mr. Carrier probably caused the demise of the neighborhood. Before he came...

Insurers cut back on construction defect coverage.(Around The Industry)
October 1, 2003... The impact of construction defect litigation claims on coverage availability and affordability in some states has reached crisis status, according to Ann Rudd Hickman, an analyst for the Dallas-based International Risk Management Institute....

What kind of training do you participate in the most?(PM Trends)
October 1, 2003... Manufacturer-sponsored product training 50% Off-site sales seminars/workshops 25% General business training 25% In-house sales/product training 0% Note: table made from bar graph. Each month...

Blue Dot's parent declares bankruptcy.(Around The Industry)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Electricity and natural gas provider NorthWestern Corp., parent company of Blue Dot Services Inc., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Sept. 15. While Blue Dot was not included in the Chapter 11 filing, NorthWestern said it is in discussions with...

Giebelhaus named contractor of the year.(Around The Industry)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Mark Giebelhaus, Marlin Mechanical Corp., Phoenix, Ariz., and past president of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association, was to receive Delta Faucet Co.'s Plumbing Contractor of the Year award, Oct. 2, during a lunch...

Roto-Rooter acquires franchises.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Roto-Rooter Inc. has signed a letter of intent to purchase the Roto-Rooter franchise operations in San Diego and Orange County, Calif., Eugene, Portland and Salem, Ore,; Salt Lake City, Provo and Park City, Utah; Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz.; and...

Dwyer Group forms new software subsidiary.(Zorware Inc. aquires assets of Neocom Inc.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... The Dwyer Group, parent company of the Mr. Rooter plumbing franchise, announced the formation of a new subsidiary company called Zorware Inc., which acquired the assets of Cleveland-based Neocom Inc. The company was the software developer of...

Ridgid launches power tool line.(Vendor & Supplier News)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Ridgid Inc. introduced a new line of 35 handheld, corded, cordless, bench top and stationary power tools for the professional building trades. The complete line will be available through wholesale distribution and Home Depot outlets beginning...

Delta Faucet launches new ad campaign.(Vendor & Supplier News)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Delta Faucet Co. recently debuted a new television ad campaign, "Splash," featuring a variety of scenarios with kitchen faucets, bath faucets, tubs and showers. Among the spots is one involving a little girl in a yellow rain slicker using the...

PHCC in action.(Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Dear Industry Friend, Insurance has become a very big issue in our PHC contracting businesses. Within PHCC alone, we have heard "horror stories" about members' experiences with skyrocketing premiums, mold coverage exclusions and insurance...

PHCC lobbies for Association Health Plans.(PHCC In Action: Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... To help members deal with significant increases in health insurance costs, PHCC has been busy this year lobbying for a bill that would allow trade associations to provide affordable health care insurance programs to members. PHCC lobbied...

2003-2004 PHCC calendar of events.(PHCC In Action)
October 1, 2003... Discover for yourself all the ways PHCC works to grow your business. Join PHCC now, and get 15 months of membership far the cost of 12 Plus, you can attend arty of these programs at member rates. Put the PHCC advantage to work for you today....

Insurance tips from PHCC members.(PHCC In Action: Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association)
October 1, 2003... Inevitably, insurance becomes a "hot topic" whenever PHCC members get together. Here are a few tips and "lessons learned" from PHCC members: "Don't file your company's small claims. Also, carry high deductibles." --Laurie Crigler, L &...

Combat rising workers' compensation costs.(PHCC In Action: Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... What Can You Do? * Train new employees thoroughly. Many accidents occur when an employee is new. * Early reporting of safety violations can avoid major injuries. * Keep good records of training, injuries, warnings and praise. ...

Think safety!(PHCC In Action: Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... PHCC members agree that effective safety programs can help reduce insurance costs. Here are samples of the types of safety programs members have at their companies. Safety Incentive Program "What I think has been the most effective...

Plumbing contractor's top 3.(PHCC In Action: Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Plumbing contractors file the highest number of insurance claims in these three areas, according to Federated Insurance: 1. Auto 2. Workers' compensation 3. Products liability

Why build a business to sell? Focusing your energies on selling out may result in a 'no sale.'.(Business Tips)
October 1, 2003... Special message for readers: If you'd to participate in or eavesdrop on a challenging discussion, be sure and check out the invitation at the end of this column. Thanks! "I want to build a sellable business" is a statement I hear quite...

Laptop vs. screwdriver: communication is the key for a new generation of control products.(Hydronics Workshop)
October 1, 2003... I'd be willing to bet that most of you hydronic pros have a least one of those little green- or blue-handled screwdrivers in your toolbox. Some of you probably have quite a collection of them by now, like the extra straws and napkins that...

Mammoth job: mam-moth (mam'eth) adj. very big; huge; enormous. That pretty much sums up the state-of-the art snowmelt job for a California ski resort.
October 1, 2003... We doubt Daniel Webster could have described it better had he been poised himself on the upper slopes of the Mammoth Mountain ski resort. This central California retreat, located in Mammoth Lake, about a half-day's drive from Los Angeles, San...

Keeping today's whirlpools clean and easy to use: cleaning systems, heaters and upgrade options are just some of the new things in the whirlpool market.
October 1, 2003... One of the biggest concerns consumers have about whirlpool tubs is bacteria. They fear that dirty bath water collecting in pipes will produce mold and bacteria to be recirculated back into the bath water the next time the tub is used. To help...

Water safety for the elderly and infirm: combining bather safety and bacterial control.
October 1, 2003... It's a classic Catch 22. Safer technology and Legionella liability have stirred a trend, moving accepted commercial and institutional plumbing toward the need for running water in excess of 140 degrees F thought potable system lines. At...

Manifold systems and scald protection: resident safety is one reason this assisted-living facility has a manifold system.
October 1, 2003... The residents of The Logan House, a new assisted-living facility in Logan, Utah, may not know a lot about plumbing, but many do remember what it feels like to be scalded in the shower if someone else should flush a nearby toilet or start a load...

Coming clean on sink specifications: the design and accessibility of hand-washing stations are important to consider in healthcare settings.
October 1, 2003... Society is increasingly becoming aware of all of the ways people contaminate their hands, but even still, many people do not wash when they know they should. For example, the American Society for Microbiology says that only two out of three...

New designs for WAGD systems: international standards have changed the way these systems are designed and installed.(Waste Anesthetic Gas Disposal systems design)
October 1, 2003... Engineers have issues with Waste Anesthetic Gas Disposal (WAGD) systems. The assumptions engineers have been using to design WAGD systems are being upset by some changes in the anesthesia machines that are being connected. Clients are calling...

Alfresco shower: want to shower outside? Make sure you think logically.(Plumbing Primer)
October 1, 2003... Being out of the loop, it surprised me to learn that the latest trend in plumbing is alfresco showers. If you are wondering what an alfresco shower is, it is a fancy name for an outside shower. Outside showers, of course, are not new. I...

When wet heat dries out: home humidification is a multimillion-dollar business--and it should be ours.(Hydronic Controls)
October 1, 2003... Every year at about this time the humidity inside the house drops. We blame it on the cooler weather and get ready to suffer the consequences. The consequences are cracked lips, dried-out skin, perhaps bloody noses, maybe cracked wood floors or...

On-the-job training: too little, too late: pre-job training will give your employees the knowledge they need before they need it.(Practical Management)
October 1, 2003... My client Dick, sent his 24-year-old plumbing foreman down to Orlando for me to train and relate the top management strategies for running his business. Ray started with Dick at age 18 and worked his way through a four-year plumbing...

Spirovent clears the air.(Product of the Month)
October 1, 2003... For more than a decade, Spirotherm Inc. has worked with top contractors and wholesalers in North America to provide customers with air-free hydronic systems. The Spirovent[R] Air Eliminator uses the original patented Spirotube[R] design to...

Spinning Showerhead.(Showerheads)
October 1, 2003... Spinning Showerhead: The 7-inch Spinning Showerhead from Danze features five pods mounted in the center that massage with water power as they spin. Available in brushed nickel, polished brass and chrome. Circle 1 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Performance showerheads.(Showerheads)
October 1, 2003... Performance Showerheads: Kohler Co. adds new performance showerheads to several of its most popular bath faucet collections. They feature 72 spray nozzles distributed across a 5 1/2 inch diameter spray face, 2.5 gpm water delivery and Kohler's...

New angled shower design.(Showerheads)
October 1, 2003... New Angled Shower Design: The RIVA showerhead from Ondine has four dial settings and three spray selections. At rule flow, the shower offers a total of 76 spray channels and can be adjusted to suit the bather's needs. RIVA also comes equipped...

Winnie-the-Pooh showerhead.(Showerheads)
October 1, 2003... Winnie-the-Pooh Showerhead: Alsons Corp. introduces showerheads for kids, The Pooh 100 Acre Showerhead is easy to install and connects directly to the adult shower. It has a 36 inch hose and two suction cups to adjust to any height. A lever...

Pivoting Wall Shower.(Showerheads)
October 1, 2003... Pivoting Wall Shower: Bradley Corp.'s Pivoting Wall Shower has an industry-unique hinge for easy access to components, saving time on installation and maintenance. All three models have Bradley's exclusive Equa-Flo pressure balancing valve and...

Stylish suite.(Showerheads)
October 1, 2003... Stylish Suite: The Parisa[R] collection from Price Pfister is a complete faucet package for the home. The tub and shower fixtures feature single-control styling and solid brass construction. They easily adapt to varying wall thick nesses and...

Exposed shower set.(Showerheads)
October 1, 2003... Exposed Shower Set: Recalling the art deco style of the 1930s, THG USA offers its Heritage series of faucetry, bath fixtures and accessories. The exposed shower set features cross handles with solid, soft-edged levers and is available in...

All-in-one shower system.(Showerheads)
October 1, 2003... All-In-One Shower System [no photo]: GROHE's Amera shower system brings the luxury of a multihead shower to almost any shower enclosure. It includes the new Sena cylindrical showerhead, Sensia dual-spray handshower, four body sprays, a...

Multihead shower system.(Showerheads)
October 1, 2003... Multihead Shower System: Symmons Industries introduces a new line of configurable, multi-head shower and tub/shower systems. Its Water Dance[TM] offers anti scald pressure-balancing valves and can be configured to the homeowner's space...

Swiss design.(Showerheads)
October 1, 2003... Swiss Design: The QBIX fine from KWC Faucets is influenced by the art deco period with its simple, geometric shape and high quality materials. Available in chrome, the bath suite features cross-handled faucets and an array of accessories. ...

Nostalgic style.(Showerheads)
October 1, 2003... Nostalgic Style: Moen's new Castleby line is simple and clean, yet features transitional looks that feel nostalgic. The one-handle Moentrol[R] pressure-balancing, volume control shower control offers a built-in, three-function transfer valve....

Body Wash.(Showerheads)
October 1, 2003... Body Wash: The BodyWash by Aquaware America Inc. allows bathers to divert the stream of water from showerhead to body bar so they can bathe without wetting hair. The body bar features 30 self-cleaning jets to facilitate the benefits of a...

Atmospheric & gas/oil-fired boilers.(Showerheads)
October 1, 2003... Atmospheric & Gas/Oil-Fired Boilers [no photo]: De Dietrich introduces its new line of Euro design residential boilers, the GT120 gas--or oil-fired power boiter and the DTG120 gas-fired atmospheric boiler. They feature cast-iron construction...

New faucet line.(Showerheads)
October 1, 2003... New Faucet Line: Sloan Valve Co. introduces the Polaris[TM] manual faucet line. More recently known for sensor-operated Flushometers and faucets, Sloan has elected to enter the manual faucet business in partnership with T&S Brass and Bronze...

Drain cleaner stand.(Showerheads)
October 1, 2003... Drain Cleaner Stand: General Pipe Cleaners introduces the Handy Stand[TM], which turns handheld drain cleaners into counter top or floor machines. It is ergonomically balanced for maximum stability, and can be positioned either horizontally or...

Backflow prevention assemblies.(Showerheads)
October 1, 2003... Backflow Prevention Assemblies [no photo]: Available in sizes 2 1/2 to 10 inches, Watts SilverEagle backflow prevention assemblies are the lightest and most compact in the industry, included in this series are the Watts 757 Double Check Valve...

Vacuum-assist system.(Showerheads)
October 1, 2003... Vacuum-Assist System: The Vacuity[R] from Briggs' patented vacuum-assist system permits a return to larger trap-ways, deeper seals and oversized water surfaces for a quieter, cleaner, more complete flush. Compare to gravity and pressure assist...

Business software.(Showerheads)
October 1, 2003... Business Software [no photo]: WennSoft announces the release of version 7.5, an advanced version of its core product offerings. The product upgrade includes several enhancements designed to streamline the business process, improve access to...

Radiant floor heating system.(Showerheads)
October 1, 2003... Radiant Floor Heating System: The EasyFloor[TM] radiant floor heating system from The FlorHeat Co. is a snap-together system that can be formed to fit any room configuration. EasyFloor provides an even temperature and is especially effective...

Drain & purge valve.(Showerheads)
October 1, 2003... Drain & Purge Valve: The new Isolatator Drain & Purge Valve for circulator pumps Iron Webstone Co. incorporates all of the features and benefits of the original Isolator Uni-Flange Ball Valve, and adds a hose thread outlet with a drain/purge...

RAUPANEL system.(Showerheads)
October 1, 2003... RAUPANEL System: REHAU introduces its RAUPANEL system for radiant heating. Ideal for retrofit and new construction applications, the RAUPANEL system is lightweight, efficient and easy to install. It consists of REHAU's 3/8-inch RAUPEX, PEXa...

Water tempering/recirculation solution.(Showerheads)
October 1, 2003... Water Tempering/Recirculation Solution: The PowerStation from Powers is a fully assembled and tested water tempering and recirculation station for commercial and institutional facilities. It is mounted on heavy-duty welded struts and includes a...

Tempering valve.(Showerheads)
October 1, 2003... Tempering Valve: Heat-Timer's ETV Electronic Tempering Valve combines all the reliability of Heat-Timer's popular thermostatic tempering valve, but with an electronic controller and digital display to indicate temperature and adjust set points....

DVD pipe inspection.(Showerheads)
October 1, 2003... DVD Pipe Inspection: The Plumber's Elite DVD-R front Ratech Electronics is a lightweight system that incorporates DVD recording capabilities with its camera. Record and play up to six hours of inspections on a single DVD. The system includes a...

Compact tankless gas water heater.(Showerheads)
October 1, 2003... Compact Tankless Gas Water Heater: The T-K Jr. from Takagi Industrial Co. USA Inc. is the most compact, economic tankless gas water heater. It features a compact size, reasonable price and new max temperature (95-182 degrees F) and BTOH range...

Universal dies.(Showerheads)
October 1, 2003... Universal Dies: All Wheeler-Rex die heads are made with spring-loaded balls, which locate and hold dies in the correct position for fast and easy changing. No more removing or disassembling the die head to change dies. An exclusive feature,...

The few to whom we owe so much: PM will recognize those whose sacrifices largely get ignored.(Editorial Opinion)(Editorial)
October 1, 2003... The "Battle of Britain" is the term historians use to describe a series of air battles between July and October 1940 in which pilots from Britain's Royal Air Force successfully defended their nation against attacks from the Nazi Luftwaffe. ...