Snips articles from April 2003

Snips archives from April 2003

The long run: European folding machines gain popularity in North American market.
April 1, 2003... Long-folding machines (typically from 13- to 40-ft. in length) have hit the American architectural sheet metal marketplace. First developed in Europe more than 25 years ago, and reaching the continental U.S. in the last decade, the long folder...

A really big show: new products help make 2003 expo a record. (2003 AHR Expo).
April 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- It was a year of records for the 2003 international Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigerating Exposition. Although final numbers were not available at press time, preliminary estimates show the Jan. 27-29 event brought more...

The cutting edge: deciding on the right software critical to success at New York sheet metal shop.(plasma-cutting-system software)
April 1, 2003... WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Sheet metal company AMX Contracting Corp. had a dilemma. Last fall, officials had signed a substantial number of new contracts, all with very aggressive schedules. Tony DiGuglielmo, AMX's president, said he knew that...

'Big easy' roofing: mold, energy-efficiency popular topics at 116th NRCA convention.(National Roofing Contractors Association)
April 1, 2003... NEW ORLEANS--Metal roofing has grown so popular here, it needed its own pavilion. That was just one of the changes at the 116th convention of the National Roofing Contractors Association, a gathering that organizers said was about...

Tackling Humidity & Mold in Residential, Small Buildings.
April 1, 2003... CHICAGO--For a subject so problematic for hvac engineers and contractors as mold, they sure do like to talk about it. Some of the most popular sessions during the winter meeting of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and...

Follow OSHA guidelines to ensure safety when operating press brakes. (Tech Tips).(Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
April 1, 2003... Editor's note: The following is taken from the "Press Brake Safety Compliance Kit," employers reference manual, published by the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association. Because of the press brake's versatility,...

Former SMACNA president named contractor of the year. (Association News).(Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... CHANTILLY, Va. -- Clinton Gowan, of Houston-based Gowan Inc., was recently named contractor of the year by the Sheet Metal and Air-Conditioning Contractors' National Association. "Providing steady, dedicated leadership in whatever...

Spiral-Duct group adds new members. (Association News).(Spiral Duct Manufacturers Association)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- The Spiral Duct Manufacturers Association (SPIDA) welcomed two new companies to the 16-year-old group at its Jan. 26 annual meeting. Hamilton, Ohio-based Mantany Steel and Metal Products and Unifab Industries of Grand Forks,...

Oak Ridge National Laboratory praises Unico system performance. (Supplier News).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... ST. LOUIS--A recent study by a national laboratory revealed positive results about the performance of Unico Incs high-velocity cooling system, company officials announced. Oak Ridge National Laboratory conducted a test study to assess and...

Estimation celebrates 30th anniversary. (Supplier News).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... LINTHICUM HEIGHTS, Md.--Estimation, a TradePower Solution, celebrated its 30th business anniversary with the start of 2003. Estimation provides the construction industry with products like the Estimation estimating system and the PowerPRO...

AEC announces software now downloads to plasma cutters. (Supplier News).(AEC Design Group)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... GAITHERSBURG, Md. -- Software manufacturer AEC Design Group recently announced that its "CADPIPE HVAC 2002" fitting and straight duct reports would now be able to download directly to several plasma-cutters via a link between the CAD and the...

Honeywell building division starts new contractor-rating program. (Contractor News).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... MINNEAPOLIS -- Honeywell Building Control Solutions has launched a new designation for contractors: authorized control integrator (ACT). According to the company, this is the highest contractor designation offered through the Honeywell...

American Metal Products announces contest winners. (Contractor News).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... HOLLAND, Mich. -- American Metal Products recently announced the winners of its Amen-Pro sales contest. Drawings were held to determine the winners. The third-prize winner was Bill Craig, president of Craig's Tri-County Plumbing, Orange,...

S.I. Goldman wins Florida School project. (Contractor News).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... LONGWOOD, Fla. -- S.I. Goldman Co. Inc./Comfort Systems USA, a mechanical contractor and services company, has secured a contract to provide hvac and plumbing systems for a Lake Mary High School project. Construction already has begun on a...

Offer retail credit to hvac customers, ICP says. (Contractor News).(International Comfort Products Corp.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Editor's Note: International Comfort Products offers a consumer credit program from Citi Financial Retail Services to ICP's Arcoaire, Tempstar, Heil, and Comfortmaker dealer customers. In its dealer newsletters, ICP explained the advantages of...

Danfoss names executives to oversee supermarket division. (People in the News).(Henrik B. Christensen)
April 1, 2003... BALTIMORE -- Henrik B. Christensen has been appointed vice president of operations for the Danfoss supermarket business unit in North America. Christensen has been a product developer and project manager at Danfoss for 15 years, most...

Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute issues IAQ policy statement. (Indoor Air Quality).
April 1, 2003... (The following is taken from the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute Web site, www.ari.org.) When a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system is properly designed, operated and maintained, it can serve as a positive...

ASHRAE to provide guidance on odor control in smoking spaces. (Indoor Air Quality).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers will move forward with publication of an addendum to its ventilation standard that will make the standard's requirements apply only to nonsmoking spaces...

EPA approves new antimicrobial for Air-Duct systems. (Indoor Air Quality).(Environmental Protection Agency)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... TAMPA, Fla. - BBJ Environmental Technologies Inc. has announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has granted a registration for BBJ Microbiocide for Air Ducts, the company's new antimicrobial product for use in air-duct systems....

American Standard adds New York and Missouri distributors. (Wholesaler News).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... TYLER, Texas -- American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning recently announced distribution agreements with firms in New York and Missouri. Capital Winair and Comfort Winair will distribute American Standard unitary products in greater...

Utah executive first to complete ASAEF program. (Wholesaler News).
April 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- The American Supply Association Education Foundation awarded its first "Essentials of Profitable PHCP Distribution" certificate of completion to Brad Zarbock, FNW/Ferguson Enterprises of Sandy, Utah. Zarbock, who completed his...

Hamlin Sheet Metal announces new representative. (Wholesaler News).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... GARNER, N.C. -- Tom Barrow Co. has been appointed the exclusive manufacturer representative for Hamlin Sheet Metal in Orlando, Tampa, and Ft. Myers, Fla. Recognition was given at Hamlin's recent sales meeting. Tom Barrow Co. is currently...

Calhoun Community College. (Regional News: Alabama).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Calhoun Community College has been granted national accreditation for its hvacr program. The program was granted a six-year accreditation, the highest level awarded by HYAC Excellence. HVAC Excellence granted the accreditation after...

Hobaica's Refrigeration. (Regional News: Arizona).(Air Conditioning Contractors of America-Arizona Chapter)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Air Conditioning Contractors of America-Arizona Chapter held elections for 2003 board of directors. The following were elected. President, Paul Hobaica, Hobaica's Refrigeration; vice president, Don Petty, W.D. Manor; and...

California employers. (Regional News: California).
April 1, 2003... With the new year, California employers are required to allow current and former employees to inspect or copy certain payroll records. The information that could be requested includes the itemized statement that is commonly attached to the...

Louisiana Community and Technical College System. (Regional News: Louisiana).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The Louisiana Community and Technical College System has standardized its curriculum for hvacr education and begun the process of accrediting its programs. HVAC Excellence, the accrediting body, will review the application of each school...

Emerson Climate Technologies. (Regional News: Oregon).(Refrigeration Service Engineers Society)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Emerson Climate Technologies and the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society recently presented a one-day seminar on hvacr flow controls and components. The seminar will took place on March 6 at the Shilo Inn Suites Hotel in Portland. Led...

Western Pennsylvania Air Conditioning. (Regional News: Pennsylvania).(refrigerant-recovery training program)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... A refrigerant-recovery training program for hvacr technicians will be held April 12 and June 14 at R.E. Michel Co. offices Pittsburgh. The program is sponsored by the Western Pennsylvania Air Conditioning Contractors of America using course...

Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors. (Regional News: Wisconsin).
April 1, 2003... Steve Schneider was elected to serve on the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of Wisconsin board of directors. Schneider is a Plumbing Estimator and project manager with Tweet/Garot Mechanical Inc. Mark Van Schyndle was named...

Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors of Canada (HRAI). (Regional News: Canada).(president lobbies Ontario for tax rebates)
April 1, 2003... Warren Heeley has forwarded a letter to Ontario Minister of Energy John Baird requesting that a recently announced provincial sales tax rebate on Energy Star-rated appliances be extended to heating and air conditioning products. Heeley is...

Wind-resistance CD-ROM. (Books Software & Lit.).(from the American Society. of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers and the Sheet Metal and Air-Conditioning Contractors' National Association )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Properly designed and installed seismic and wind restraints reduce the possibility of injury and the threat to life as well as long-term costs due to equipment damage and downtime. A new CD from the American Society. of Heating,...

Radiant basics. (Books Software & Lit.).(Radiant Panel Association)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The Radiant Panel Association has developed a home-study version of its popular Radiant Basics classroom presentation 'Radiant Basics HS' features John Siegenthalet, P.E. author of Radiant Basics and Radiant Precision. He was filmed during an...

Assembly kit. (New Products).
April 1, 2003... The Wall Support Assembly Kit from this Cleveland manufacturer allows condenser units to be mounted on a building's outside wall. Made from 18-ga. Hot-dipped galvanized steel, it comes packaged in a box with each set of arms nested together...

Polyurethane hoses. (New Products).
April 1, 2003... This company recently announced the addition of two new products to their line of polyurethane hoses, Flx-Thane LD and Flx-Thane HD. Flx-Thane LD is a lightweight hose that offers an alternative to a heavy-walled PVC or TPR in many...

Differential controller. (New Products).
April 1, 2003... Thermo Technologies offers the USDT 2001, a universal differential controller. A microprocessor-based temperature controller, it regulates, monitors and displays supply and return temperatures in heating systems. A green LED comes on when the...

Gas furnace. (New Products).
April 1, 2003... The top-of-the-line Heil QuietComfort VS two-stage gas furnace has 92% AFUE efficiency and a high-efficiency variable-speed blower in a compact design that can be installed in up-, down-flow, or horizontal-left or right configurations. The...

Auto humidifier. (New Products).
April 1, 2003... The Aprilaire-brand Model 400 automatic humidifier uses a patented water-delivery system that includes a small float chamber, electronic water-level sensors and a wicking water panel. The use of the float chamber eliminates the need for a...

New coupling. (New Products).
April 1, 2003... Company officials say their Klo-Shure insulation coupling reduces the time needed to install closed-cell, elastomeric insulation on copper tubing by up to 60%. It creates a 360-degree vapor barrier, and improves finished appearance by...

Blower module. (New Products).
April 1, 2003... This miniduct hvac system manufacturer says all blower module motors are now located in the center, directly in the air stream. Mounted using the company's "twist and lock" design, they say it makes service work easier for the contractor. If...

Power MIG. (New Products).
April 1, 2003... The Power 300 MIG from this well-known company offers many process capabilities, including GMAW, GMAW-pulse, FCAW, stick and TouchStart TIG. It uses the company's "Chopper Technology" for a smoother, more stable arc, better starts and a wider...

Flexible manufacturing unit. (New Products).
April 1, 2003... The Finn-Power Express is a flexible manufacturing unit that allows full-size sheets to be automatically loaded onto the table of a turret punch press, punched, formed and unloaded. The Finn-Power Express is available with a 25-ton machine with...

Duct sealant. (New Products).
April 1, 2003... This company's Foil-Grip 1402 181BFX duct sealant is UL-listed, and offers contractors an excellent means of sealing ducts for both the interior and exterior of any building, according to company officials. They describe Foil-Grip as a...

Click Strip System. (New Products).
April 1, 2003... Company officials say their new Click Strip System combines the benefits, the aesthetic effect and the option of using a rainproof longitudinal seam connection without the need for additional sealing measures. Instead of using a wooden strip...

Mounting supports. (New Products).
April 1, 2003... Equipment mounting supports have a high load-bearing capacity attained by a system of internal bulkheads welded into position at specific intervals along the length of the rails. Three basic styles of supports are offered: TEMS-1, TEMS-2, and...

Roof curb. (New Products).
April 1, 2003... A new roof curb with integral 1-to 3-in, deflection isolation is introduced. Each isolation roof curb has external spring access for easy field adjustment and is shipped one-piece up to commercial carrier limitations. Options include seismic...

Quiet air conditioner. (New Products).
April 1, 2003... The most quiet and efficient central air conditioner, according to manufacturers' published ratings, has been introduced. The HSX1 9 is the latest addition to the "Signature" Collection. It has an efficiency rating of 19.20 SEER and a two-stage...

Utility clamp. (New Products).
April 1, 2003... Fully modular utility clamp can be set up in many ways for any clamping application. By pressing the spring button at the end of the clamp, the clamping arm can slide off and be reversed for spreading applications. By sliding on the patented...

IAQ monitor. (New Products).
April 1, 2003... The "AirBoxx' is a 1-lb. hand-held IAQ monitor, The base unit includes C02, CO, temperature, relative humidity, and four additional channels for user-specified electrochemical sensor confirmations, PID option, or external analog input options....

CNC plasma cutter. (New Products).
April 1, 2003... This Texas company recently added its "A Series" plasma cutter to its line of CNC machinery. The cutter includes dual drives, a custom-engineered aluminum extrusion frame, 25-mm bearings, Hypertherm plasma units and the company's patented...

Duct beader. (New Products).
April 1, 2003... The "General" duct beaders now offer adjustable bead rolls along the length of the shaft, on both the 16-gauge and 20-gauge models. Company officials say it allows accurate beading of shorter lengths of duct. Upper and lower rolls are powered...

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
April 1, 2003... APRIL 4-5 The Refrigeration Service Engineers Society, the New England States Association and Tecumseh Products Co. will present "Indoor Air Quality: Beyond the Basics, Including Mold Remediation" at the Clarion Hotel and Conference...

Wholesalers & Mfr. Reps. Directory. (National - Mexico & Foreign).(Directory)
April 1, 2003... The following is a paid directory of distributors, wholesalers and manufacturers representatives, listed by state. To have your company included in this list, please call Sally Fraser at 248-244-6240. We urge our readers to contact...

Positive outlook of companies contagious at trade shows. (Editor's Page).(Editorial)
April 1, 2003... It was hard not to be optimistic about the U.S. economy after visiting the international Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigerating Exposition, Jan. 27-29 at Chicago's McCormick Place convention center. Besides the record-setting...