Plumbing & Mechanical articles from October 2008

Plumbing & Mechanical archives from October 2008

Making do.(Letters TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I agree with everything Jim Olsztynski said in his August editorial, "Making Do," except for the wording of the seventh paragraph. I would have rather seen it read as follows: Many service contractors have...

QSC: seven steps to a customer-service culture.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
October 1, 2008... Sales and marketing are good topics for any meeting of service contractors. The economy being what it is, "Maximize Your Sales and Marketing Skills" was a particularly timely theme for Quality Service Contractors' Power Meeting XXIX, held July...

Women in HVACR: education, communication, inspiration.(Around THE INDUSTRY)(Conference news)
October 1, 2008... Attendees of the fifth Women in HVACR Conference, Sept. 9-10 in Atlanta, were given a global view of energy and climate issues, insights into cross-generational communications, lessons on recruiting and training, as well as customer service...

Jory Isakson, executive director, Minnesota PHCC.(OBITUARY)(Obituary)
October 1, 2008... Jory Isakson, 57, executive director of the Minnesota PHCC and incoming president of the Association Executives Council, died July 11 at an AEC meeting. He is survived by his wife, Carole; children: Hanna Cockburn, Sarah Oachs, Gretchen...

UA locals to use internet to recruit members, get work.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
October 1, 2008... About 2,100 United Association teachers and trainers gathered Aug. 9-15 in Ann Arbor, Mich., for UA's 55th annual Instructor Training Program. The classes for instructors of journeyman plumbers and pipefitters covered a range of topics from...

About 125 plumbing industry innovators gathered in Chicago.('Green' News: Roundup)
October 1, 2008... * About 125 plumbing industry innovators gathered in Chicago Aug. 19-20 for the International Emerging Technology Symposium, co-convened by the International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials and the World Plumbing Council. PM...

Plumbing manufacturer BrassCraft has strengthened its ecological commitment.('Green' News: Roundup)
October 1, 2008... * Plumbing manufacturer BrassCraft has strengthened its ecological commitment with new streamlined packaging and energy-efficient manufacturing processes. Packaging materials supplied to BrassCraft are provided by Forest Stewardship Council and...

The U.S. Green Building Council began its "Fifty for Fifty" initiative.('Green' News: Roundup)
October 1, 2008... * The U.S. Green Building Council began its "Fifty for Fifty" initiative, working with state lawmakers in all 50 states to promote green school buildings. The council's goal is for every state legislature in the nation to have its own caucus or...

Do you ever wish you could help save the earth while going to the bathroom?('Green' News: Roundup)
October 1, 2008... * Do you ever wish you could help save the earth while going to the bathroom? Well, now you can! Watch this episode at FlushTV. corn: "Toilet Tips: The Three Square Wad." New York City graphic designer Jeff Rutzky teaches us the art of...

The National Center for Construction Education and Research has partnered with the Sustainable Facilities and Infrastructure Research Team.('Green' News: Roundup)
October 1, 2008... * The National Center for Construction Education and Research has partnered with the Sustainable Facilities and Infrastructure Research Team of the Myers-Lawson School of Construction at Virginia Tech University to create green training for the...

The International Code Council Board approved the creation of a Sustainable Building Technology Committee.('Green' News: Roundup)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... * The International Code Council Board approved the creation of a Sustainable Building Technology Committee to support its many ongoing efforts in green, sustainable and safe construction. The SBTC will provide an open forum for discussion of...

As part of its efforts to encourage water efficiency across the country, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that five builders will participate in the Water-Efficient Single-Family New Homes Pilot Program.('Green' News: Roundup)
October 1, 2008... * As part of its efforts to encourage water efficiency across the country, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that five builders will participate in the Water-Efficient Single-Family New Homes Pilot Program. The builders will...

Uponor consolidates production operations.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... In response to the prolonged downturn in the construction and building market, Uponor recently announced a plan to initiate a cost-reduction program throughout North America and Europe. To structure Uponor North America for sustained...

Chicago Faucets' ECAST line meets California lead-free standards.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)
October 1, 2008... In response to California Assembly Bill 1953, which establishes new lead content levels for faucets, pipes and plumbing fittings, Chicago Faucets introduced its ECAST line. It provides a complete offering of durable, high-quality brass faucets...

Caleffi's newest design journal features manifold distribution systems.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)(Caleffi, a manufacturer of hydronic and solar heating components)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... The fourth edition of idronics, Caleffi's semi-annual design journal for hydronic professionals, addresses state-of-the-art design techniques for applying manifold technology in a wide variety of hydronic heating (and cooling) applications. It...

Danfoss symposium to focus on energy-efficient built environments.(Vendor & Supplier NEWS)
October 1, 2008... Danfoss has set the date and location for its ninth Envisioneering symposium, titled "The Challenge: Will Business Create an Energy-Efficient Built Environment?" This third symposium in the 2008 EnVisioneering Symposia Series will be held Nov....

My financials are good ... compared to what? Owners should be as comfortable around the numbers in financial statements as they are around tools.(The BOTTOM LINE: NEW COLUMNIST!)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A basic financial commandment is that companies must produce an accurate and timely profit and loss statement and balance sheet each month. My role as a business coach for Nexstar gives me the opportunity to review...

A simple method to compensate excellent performance: re-think labor costs, production measurements and selling prices to find the right compensation plan for your business.(Business TIPS)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Last month, Sam, a fictitious contractor, was trying to balance rising overhead costs with his commission-based compensation system. He finally decided to shield some overhead costs the sales commission, but that met...

Ticked off, part 1: reducing noise from heat transfer plates within radiant panels.(Hydronics WORKSHOP)(Formula)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Imagine your family just moved into a new home with radiant floor heating. During your first night, the heating system turns on at 3 a.m. You don't hear a thing because you re sound asleep. However, within a few...

Mastering the mixing valve.(RADIANT & HAYDRONICS E-NEWS: THE GLITCH & THE FIX)
October 1, 2008... Overview: An installer has decided to use a four-way motorized mixing valve to interface between a conventional gas-fired cast-iron boiler and a low-temperature radiant panel system. The system is installed as shown. The mixing valve is located...

Protecting the 'industrial athlete'.
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FINGERS AND THUMBS are the Top Ten tools contractors couldn't stand to be without. Recently, Tweet/Garot Mechanical Inc., Green Bay, Wis., had an increase in the number of "recordable incidents" with more than...

Joe Schmitt: 'PHCC makes our industry better': improve not only your business, but yourself as well.(NEWSMAKER PROFILE)(Interview)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Joe Schmitt started his business in 1955 as a one-man shop. Today, he has changed the name of his Englewood, Ohio, company to Joe Schmitt & Sons to reflect the fact that his sons--Joe Jr. and Ron--now work with him....

How to choose--and use--ergonomic hand tools: thirteen expert tips on what makes a hand tool ergonomic, and how to choose the right one for your body and the job.
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ergonomically enhanced tools can include helpful features like angled handles, padded handgrips and nonslip coatings. However, no matter how impressive a tool's design is, it's almost impossible for it to be...

No more 'sleeping at the wheel".(TRUCK OF THE MONTH)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Nagy Service Company Inc. is more than 60 years old and is deeply rooted in Northeast Ohio. It has a loyal customer base, and for many years relied solely on Yellow Pages display ads and referrals. But a few...

Green plumbing opportunities for healthcare facilities: reducing water use is not only the socially responsible thing to do, it also makes economic sense for healthcare facilities.
October 1, 2008... The scale and complexity of hospitals and healthcare facilities, combined with their 24/7 operation, equals significant water and energy use. Depending on size, location and other factors, water use in healthcare facilities can range from...

Green plumbing in healthcare: merging efficiency and hygiene: proper plumbing system design and placement can meet sustainable objectives while reducing germs transmission.
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Hygiene and cleanliness are naturally top considerations when designing plumbing systems for hospitals or other medical facilities. With the green movement gaining momentum in the healthcare market, professionals...

HET--high efficiency or headaches expected? The drains we install could be affecting water closet performance.(Plumbing: PRIMER)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mention the acronym "HET" in a room full of older plumbing contractors and stand back to see the reaction. Many will grumble about another water closet fiasco just like the mandate of 1.6 gallon per flush water...

Surprise days: do the words, 'the job's done,' really mean that the job is absolutely 100 percent done?(Managing YOUR BUSINESS)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] How many times does a day seem to take you and your staff by surprise? I understand as a former contractor how this happens. I wasn't born a consultant. I have sat in your chair, and I know how easy it is as a...

Customer communication: talk is cheap, but you cannot afford it--document everything.(Practical MANAGEMENT)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] There is an old saying that used to be posted on the walls of retail stores: "The Customer Is Always Right." That concept was very effective in enticing customers to return and continue buying at that store. I'm...

LEED for healthcare draft may promote greater efficiencies.
October 1, 2008... Four years in the making, LEED for Healthcare will make its debut later this year. Based on LEED for New Construction Version 2.2 and the Green Guide for Healthcare Version 2.2, LEED-HC will address the distinctive needs of the healthcare...

One-man band.(FIRST PLACE)
October 1, 2008... 1st This is an easy way for one person to anchor a hose spray on a kitchen faucet. Put putty on the base flange of the spray hose holder, and set the flange in place. Place an extra 1 1/4-inch plastic nut over the threaded shank, but above...

Don't be a dope.(tool tips)
October 1, 2008... Sometimes there's a need to do some drilling through steel on the job. Everyone knows drill bits don't last very long without a little oil. If you ever find yourself without any oil, I know you must have some pipe dope. It has enough of an oil...

Bubbling up.(tool tips)
October 1, 2008... When looking for gas leaks, I ran out of leak detector. Windex, Palmolive and other similar soaps are corrosive to metals. I found children's bubbles to be very sensitive, even for detecting the smallest leaks. It is also noncorrosive, nontoxic...

Copper Tubing Cutter.(Products & LITERATURE)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Copper Tubing Cutter: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. introduces its M12 Copper Tubing Cutter specifically designed for cutting copper with the speed and versatility that plumbers, mechanical contractors and remodelers...

Solar-Powered Flushometer.(Products & LITERATURE)
October 1, 2008... Solar-Powered Flushometer: Sloan Valve Co. offers solar-powered, sensor-operated Flushometers. Sloan Soils Flushometers for water closets and urinals provide groundbreaking water efficiency and use state-of-the-art photovoltaic technology. It...

'Green' Lilac Pipe.(Products & LITERATURE)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 'Green' Lilac Pipe: Aquatherm Lilac pipe for recycled and reclaimed water is developed exclusively for greywater applications, such as toilet/drain water, rainwater collection, laundry/ cleaning, irrigation and...

Software upgrade.(Products & LITERATURE)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Software Upgrade: Cloversoft announces Version 4.30 of its popular software. Inventory is easy and intuitive with reorder points, automatic restocking orders and true inventory value. Users view PricePoint's built-in...

Keep seats tight.(Products & LITERATURE)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Keep Seats Tight: Bemis Mfg. Co.'s new commercial toilet seat fastening system puts an end to costly callbacks for loose seats and prevents over-tightening while delivering labor savings with quicker installations....

PEXa pipe.(Products & LITERATURE)
October 1, 2008... PEXa pipe [no photo]: RAUPEX[R] by REHAU is a specially formulated PEXa pipe that is highly durable and flexible, and features enhanced temperature and pressure capabilities as well as long-term strength. RAUPEX is four times lighter than...

Tankless water heater.(Products & LITERATURE)
October 1, 2008... Tankless Water Heater [no photo]: Noritz America Corp. released the N-0751M-DVC concentric venting heater, a continuing extension of the company's 751M series that enhances the capabilities of customers to deliver endless hot water in an air-...

Variable voltage circulator.(Products & LITERATURE)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Variable Voltage Circulator: Taco Inc. offers an all-in-one pump/control variable voltage version of its Variable Speed 00 circulator for a wide range of commercial building HVAC applications. It has been designed to...

Claw-foot tub.(Products & LITERATURE)
October 1, 2008... Claw-Foot Tub: This cast-iron Slipper Bathtub with claw feet from Barclay Products Ltd. is 60 inches in length and is available with or without deck holes. Outside may be painted white or unfinished. Claw feet finishes include white, polished...

Recirculation.(Products & LITERATURE)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Recirculation: The Navigator[R] NRS recirculation station by Bradley Corp. takes the guesswork out of installing a thermostatic mixing valve in a recirculation system. The preassembled, pretested recirculation...

Countertop drain cleaning.(Products & LITERATURE)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Countertop Drain Cleaning: The new Electric Eel Model CT countertop drain cleaner features unique variable speed motor control that gives the operator maximum cable control and exceptional cleaning power from 75 to...

Oil-less threading machine.(Products & LITERATURE)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Oil-Less Threading Machine: The new lightweight RIDGID Model 1210 oil-less threading machine for 1/2 to 1-inch diameter pipe allows clean, high-quality threads at the installation site without making a mess....

Five tips for surviving in bad times: this is not a time to erect barriers between customers and your business.(Editorial: OPINION)(Editorial)
October 1, 2008... We are in a terrible economic environment and many of you are feeling the pinch. There's nothing you can do to increase demand for your work, so the focus needs to be on landing a larger portion of the work available. Here are some ideas for...