Snips articles from March 2008

Snips archives from March 2008

Corrections.(Correction notice)
March 1, 2008... In January's Advertisers Index, the proper name of Carlisle Hardcast was printed incorrectly.

Change is in the air (ducts): association's convention evolves with industry.(National Air Duct Cleaners Association )(Conference notes)
March 1, 2008... The industry has changed a lot since the National Air Duct Cleaners Association first started in 1989. What began as an effort to remove "dirt" and "dust" from HVAC equipment has today grown to include battling bacteria and sweeping out...

Breathing easy: center ensures pool area's air quality protects residents.
March 1, 2008... Plenty of hotel guests or athletic club visitors have smelled the distinct odor of chlorine and other chemicals wafting into hallways from an indoor pool. For most people, such smells are insignificant or to some, a little unpleasant. However,...

Stars in the sun: mechanical contractors offer celebrity-packed schedule for California convention.(Conference notes)
March 1, 2008... It's common for associations to use a great location or high-profile keynote speaker to attract members to a convention. Some will add a celebrity as entertainment at the closing ceremonies in addition to numerous business-education offerings....

Duct cleaning an important part of IAQ.(tech tips)
March 1, 2008... The following is taken from the 2006 edition of Assessment, Cleaning and Restoration of HVAC Systems, published by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association. Maintaining clean heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems is an...

Software verifies resident hall's LEED rating.(applications in the field)
March 1, 2008... Arthur Rubloff Hall at Saint Xavier University in Chicago is the first university residence hall in Illinois to earn a LEED-gold level rating. Engineers at Environmental Systems Design helped achieved the Leadership in Energy and...

Manufacturer gets needed dose of dehumidification.(applications in the field)
March 1, 2008... High humidity can be a problem at manufacturing facilities, especially for makers of medications and supplements. Natural Alternatives International Inc., a contract manufacturer and marketer of nutritional supplements, had a humidity...

Contractor delivers 'green' cooling to post offices.(applications in the field)
March 1, 2008... The U.S. Postal Service is making news again, and it's not for a hike in the price of stamps. A.O Reed & Co. of San Diego installed York light-commercial air-conditioning units in 17 post offices across the San Diego and Los Angeles areas....

Alberta medical center needed duct cleaning before opening.(applications in the field)
March 1, 2008... Three years of construction at an Edmonton, Alberta, diabetes research facility had left the building's HVAC and closed-loop high-efficiency air filtration systems full of dust. Before the HVAC was to be turned on for the first time, the...

Grainger joins BOMA partnership.(association news )(Building Owners and Managers Association International. )(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Facilities maintenance supplier Grainger is the latest organization to participate in the partnership program of the Building Owners and Managers Association International. As a "cornerstone partner," Grainger is supporting BOMA...

FMA Foundation elects board of directors.(association news)
March 1, 2008... Boyd Coddington, James P. Bouchard and Delbert "Del" Mullens were elected to the board of directors of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Foundation. Each will serve a two-year term on the 15-member board. Coddington is an...

Home builders announce Green Professional designation.(association news)
March 1, 2008... Soon-to-be homeowners looking to ensure their next residence is environmentally friendly will soon have a "green" seal of approval from the NAHB to help them. On Feb. 14, as part of "Green Day" events at the annual International Builders'...

PHCC adds government relations director.(association news)
March 1, 2008... Jessica Johnson Bennett has joined the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association as its new director of government relations. The association says that Bennett is well versed in small business, construction, trade, labor...

Bird-B-Gone receives Readers Choice Award.(supplier news)(Bird-B-Gone Inc.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Subscribers to Building Operating Management Magazine decided that this year's Readers Choice Award should go to the birds. More specifically, Bird-B-Gone Inc., a manufacturer of bird-control products. The award is given to a business,...

EZ Trap signs marketing agreement.(supplier news)
March 1, 2008... EZ Trap Inc. has announced that it will market the Chem-Kleen and Wizard-Kleen products developed by Air & Water Technology. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Gerry Spanger, president of Edison, N.J.-based EZ Trap Inc., recently signed an...

Whirlpool sets environmental goals.(supplier news)
March 1, 2008... Whirlpool Corp. says it will increase the company's commitment to environmentally sound business practices by reducing total greenhouse gas emissions by 6.6 percent by 2012. The company reports that it will make these voluntary reductions...

3M acquires Venture Tape.(supplier news)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Rockland, Mass.-based Venture Tape Corp. has been purchased by 3M Corp., the manufacturer of Scotch tape, Post-it notes and numerous other consumer and commercial products. The sale was final Oct. 1. Neither company disclosed terms. ...

Emerson marks 50 million compressor installations.(supplier news)
March 1, 2008... Over 50 million Copeland-brand CR compressors have been installed, Emerson Climate Technologies officials announced. This year, the company says it will launch into production a new R-410A based platform of reciprocating compressors named...

Munters awarded government contract.(supplier news)
March 1, 2008... The Moisture Control Services division of Munters received a U.S. General Services Administration contract to provide disaster restoration services to government facilities worldwide. The GSA is a centralized procurement and property...

Student named seventh best welder in the world.(contractor news)(Chance Pollo honored as best welder)
March 1, 2008... Chance Pollo can call himself one of the best welders in the world. The American Welding Society student came in seventh in the welding category during the 39th WorldSkills competition, Nov. 14-21 in Shizouka, Japan. Representing the...

Construction growth projected for 2008.(contractor news)
March 1, 2008... The construction industry should see 5.8 percent growth in the coming year, according to FMI Corp. In 2008, completed construction will total $1.21 trillion, about 9 percent of U.S. gross domestic product. FMI, a construction...

American Standard, PHCC award scholarships.(contractor news)
March 1, 2008... Four college students were recently awarded scholarships on behalf of American Standard Bath and Kitchen, and the PHCC Educational Foundation. The scholarships were awarded to students enrolled in degree programs and majoring in subjects...

HARDI meeting to feature political journalist.(meetings & conventions)
March 1, 2008... HARDI's first congressional lobbying day, April 30, will feature Mort Kondracke, the executive editor of Roll Call, a newspaper covering Congress. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A journalist for 45 years, 40 of them in Washington, Kondracke...

'Energy at Work' program brings HVAC to the classroom.(meetings & conventions)
March 1, 2008... Recent seminars sponsored by Johnson Controls showed science teachers how they could bring HVAC applications into their classrooms. More than 100 science teachers and technical education instructors attended "Energy at Work," which was also...

ISH-North America partners with industry associations.(meetings & conventions)
March 1, 2008... The 2008 ISH-North America show in Atlanta is adding educational and networking opportunities through partnerships with four industry associations. The ISH trade show will be held Oct. 1-3 at the Georgia World Congress Center. The show...

Husband-wife team talk 'green' at conference.(meetings & conventions)(Brief article)(Conference notes)
March 1, 2008... The National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers will welcome a couple to discuss 'green' building at its annual convention. The 55th annual NAOHSM convention will be held May 18-22 at the new Connecticut Convention Center in...

Schebler Co. names new president, CEO.(people in the news)
March 1, 2008... The Schebler Co. announced that Jim Anderson has joined the company as president and chief executive officer. Anderson recently held the positions of chief operating officer and executive vice president at Genesis Robotic Systems in Davenport,...

Hypertherm.(people in the news)(John Brennan appointed as distribution director )(Randy McMurtry appointed as national distribution development manager)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Metal cutting manufacturer Hypertherm has appointed John Brennan to the newly created position of North American distribution director and Randy McMurtry its new national distribution development manager. Both will work to help Hypertherm...

Colmac Coil Manufacturing.(people in the news)(Joe Fazzari appointed as vice president)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Joe Fazzari was named vice president of Colmac Coil Manufacturing. In addition to managing the Colmac sales and marketing departments, Fazzari handles strategic planning, business development and is responsible for new-product selection for...

WaterFurnace International Inc. recently promoted Carl Huber and Bob Brown.(people in the news)
March 1, 2008... WaterFurnace International Inc. recently promoted Carl Huber and Bob Brown. Huber was promoted to vice president of the new WaterFurnace corporate quality program. He will work closely with the company's operational teams regarding...

Mitsubishi Electric HVAC Advanced Products.(people in the news)
March 1, 2008... Mitsubishi Electric HVAC Advanced Products promoted Tony Hayes to national service director. "Tony has been instrumental in creating new, innovative ways to streamline service and technical response to our customers," says William Rau,...

A.O. Smith Product. Co.(people in the news)
March 1, 2008... Thomas A. Scrimo was named senior vice president of global operations for A.O. Smith Product. Co. Scrimo will have overall responsibility for the $906 million company's electric motor manufacturing operations in the United States, Mexico,...

Meier Supply Co. Inc.(people in the news)
March 1, 2008... Meier Supply Co. Inc. announced the retirement of George Story. Story has 50 years of expertise in the HVACR industry, including experience managing the service operations of several large mechanical contractors. He holds two U.S. patents...

Being busy is no excuse for laziness.(contractor cents)
March 1, 2008... For some of you, fall was cold and kept you busy. For others, it was one of the warmest autumns seen in a while. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] But now that winter is in full gear, many of you should be busy. When you're busy, some of your...

There are traits all great contractors share.(mind your business)
March 1, 2008... I periodically get calls from market researchers asking for industry statistics or for me to explain the HVAC industry. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] One of them recently asked, "What are contractors like?" My initial response was to ask a...

NCAA adds online tutorials.(internet news)
March 1, 2008... The National Coil Coating Association has added four new online tutorials to its library. With this recent addition, visitors to the NCAA Web site now have access to 12 different tutorials. New tutorial topics include: "Many Industries...

Accurex launches new Web site.(internet news)(Website overview)
March 1, 2008... Restaurant ventilation systems supplier Accurex recently introduced its new Web site, www.accurex-systems.com. Accurex aims to meets the needs of design engineers, contractors, food service consultants and building owners who specialize in...

FMA site offers safety training.(internet news)
March 1, 2008... Information on safety training and compliance is being offered free to FMA Advantage and AdvantagePlus members. The Fabricators and Manufacturers Association reports that this new member benefit allows access to more than 90 subject areas...

Web site covers Latino market.(internet news)(Website overview)
March 1, 2008... Ricardo Gonzalez, an expert on Hispanic business trends and magazine columnist, has launched a new Web site, www.gonzalezreport.com. Aimed at those who run businesses with a large Latino customer or employee base, it offers news, reports...

Emerson publishes refrigeration paper online.(internet news)
March 1, 2008... "Annual Energy Efficiency Ratio: A Better Measure of Refrigeration System Performance," is the latest white paper from Emerson Climate Technologies. Emerson says the paper is part of the company's ongoing campaign to promote good industry...

Oldest York distributor celebrates 60 years.(wholesaler news)
March 1, 2008... The Hawkins Co., the oldest York distributor in the country, marked 60 years of business by hosting a gala event Sept. 14 in Branson, Mo. Since 1947, the Fort Smith, Ark.-based company has been providing York products to the northwest...

Trane to handle distribution in Georgia, Tennessee.(wholesaler news)(Trane Co.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Trane announced Dec. 11 it would begin taking orders directly from most dealers in Tennessee and Georgia and phase out independent distributors by the end of the month. The light-commercial and residential products were previously handled...

Hercules Industries buys Cool Zone Supply.(wholesaler news)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Hercules Industries has purchased Roswell, N.M.-based Cool Zone Supply. Terms were not disclosed. With the acquisition of Cool Supply, the HVAC wholesaler and manufacturer will now have 11 branch locations in Arizona, Utah and New Mexico....

Customer promotion is success for wholesaler.(wholesaler news)
March 1, 2008... Bruce-Rogers said its "Free Camouflage Gear & Apparel" customer promotion was a hit. The Fort Smith, Ark.-based wholesaler rewarded customers with camouflage gear and apparel for making more of their purchases at Bruce-Rogers. The...

HARDI Foundation makes leadership changes.(wholesaler news)
March 1, 2008... Mark Faessler of Ohio-based Progress Supply Inc. was elected Dec. 5 as HARDI Foundation chairman. Faessler replaces Douglas R. Young of the Young Co., who finished his term as president of the foundation. HARDI officials said many...

The Dec. 23 issue of Twist had a short interview with Michelynn Maeder.(MICHIGAN)
March 1, 2008... The Dec. 23 issue of Twist, a magazine produced by the Detroit Free Press, had a short interview with Michelynn Maeder, a 38-year-old female HVAC installer who works for Liberty Total Comfort Systems in Redford, Mich. Maeder formerly was a...

New Jersey General Assembly.(NEW JERSEY)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... The New Jersey General Assembly recently passed legislation requiring the public utilities board and the community affairs commissioner to adopt regulations establishing minimum energy-efficiency standards for residential furnaces and boilers....

The Bismarck Tribune reported that Roser Ave. was closed Jan. 16.(NORTH DAKOTA)
March 1, 2008... The Bismarck Tribune reported that Roser Ave. was closed Jan. 16 due to a crane that was placing HVAC units on the roof of the St. Alexius medical facility building. The paper also reported that the project closed the road through the...

Hatfield, Pa.-based Lowry Electric, Heating & Cooling received a 2007 International Best Practices Award from Nexstar.(PENNSYLVANIA)
March 1, 2008... Hatfield, Pa.-based Lowry Electric, Heating & Cooling received a 2007 International Best Practices Award from Nexstar. Lowry was selected as the highest achiever in the Nexstar Select Service recognition program. More than 400 electrical,...

Grainger reports that it will enhance service to customers by expanding its existing facilities services in Pittsburgh.(PENNSYLVANIA)
March 1, 2008... Grainger reports that it will enhance service to customers by expanding its existing facilities services in Pittsburgh. "Our local expansion is making it easier for business and government customers to get the products they need quickly and...

Enertech Manufacturing LLC broke ground on its plant expansion in Mitchell, S.D.(SOUTH DAKOTA)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Enertech Manufacturing LLC broke ground on its plant expansion in Mitchell, S.D. A ceremony was held at the Mitchell facility Dec. 13 in front of a large group of vendors, customers and government officials. Enertech Manufacturing purchased...

The United Association of Plumbers, Pipe fitters and Sprinkler fitters.(TEXAS)
March 1, 2008... The United Association of Plumbers, Pipe fitters and Sprinkler fitters announced that the state of Texas adopted its HVACR Star exam as one way of obtaining HVACR certification in the state. The acceptance of the UA Star exam is, according...

Students in the metal fabrication program at Kwantlen University College.(CANADA)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Students in the metal fabrication program at Kwantlen University College, just outside Vancouver, British Columbia, have new equipment to work on, thanks to a local manufacturer and support from the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association. ...

Fume-collection CD.(books, software & lit)
March 1, 2008... Farr Air Pollution Control has published a new CD on dust and fume collection equipment for all types of industries. The CD contains a library of technical information, case studies and articles on dust collection topics. Equipment is...

Construction survey.(books, software & lit)
March 1, 2008... FMI and the Construction Management Association of America have published the "FMI/CMAA Eighth Annual Survey of Owners." The publication is based on more than 200 responses from a wide variety of owner types and industries, and reveals that...

Damper manual.(books, software & lit)
March 1, 2008... This 24-page life safety damper selection manual explains damper application, installation and maintenance in regards to the latest building codes and National Fire Protection Association standards. The manual covers fire, smoke or combination...

Industry directory.(books, software & lit)(Sheet Metal Guy LLC.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Sheet Metal Guy has introduced an industry directory. The company says it is the most comprehensive resource for businesses in the metal forming, fabricating and welding industries. The directory provides a comprehensive list of companies...

SMACNA report.(books, software & lit)(Sheet Metal and Air-Conditioning Contractors National Association)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... The Sheet Metal and Air-Conditioning Contractors' National Association released its 2007 annual report. The reports details SMACNA products and services, including the business management graduate program, chapter education program, supervisory...

Vibration Guidelines.(books, software & lit)
March 1, 2008... Shock and vibration can be problems for data communications facilities, causing equipment and structures to degrade over time. A new publication from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers aims to help...

Welding brochure.(books, software & lit)(Esab Welding & Cutting Products (Hanover, Pennsylvania))(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... This brochure offers detailed information on Esab's new AristoRod MIG welding wires. The company says that the product was designed as a dependable, high-efficiency wire. The AristoRod features an engineered surface for consistent, trouble-free...

Cleaning tools publication.(books, software & lit)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Vac Systems International has published "Blueprint for Success--Selecting the Right Cleaning Tool for the Job." The publication examines a number of cleaning tools, how they work, their features and benefits, and where each tool works the best....

Career guide.(books, software & lit)
March 1, 2008... The American Welding Society has published a new welding career guide called "Your Career in Welding." It is available free to students, teachers, guidance counselors and parents by visiting the AWS Web site. The guide features general...

Heat transfer brochure.(books, software & lit)
March 1, 2008... The Dow Chemical Co.'s performance fluids division has introducing "Heat Transfer Fluids for HVAC and Refrigeration Systems." A free copy of the brochure can be obtained by downloading the PDF at the Dow Web site. The brochure is geared towards...

Design guide.(books, software & lit)
March 1, 2008... A new book from ASHRAE examines how building operators and designers around the world face common issues related to thermal comfort, ventilation and energy. These measures take on greater concern for buildings in hot and humid climates. The...

Energy magazine.(books, software & lit)
March 1, 2008... EnVisioneering Insights magazine is a 12-page publication that addresses the global engineering, energy and environmental challenges facing the HVACR industry. This year, half of the publication is dedicated to new codes, standards and...

Integration software.(books, software & lit)
March 1, 2008... WennSoft has released an integration tool that allows Microsoft Office Project to work with the WennSoft Job Cost products. According to WennSoft, the integration of Job Cost and Microsoft Project together will transform the way companies...

Finishing machine.(new products)
March 1, 2008... The PTX Eco Smart finishing machine has balanced straight-line handling, high torque and electronic speed control. It produces matte, satin and other fine surfaces up to a mirror finish on steel, stainless steel and nonferrous metals. The PTX...

Duct board.(new products)
March 1, 2008... The new Knauf Eclipse air-duct board is the blackest standard air-duct board available on the market, according to the manufacturer. With visibility minimized at venting points, Eclipse allows the air-duct system to be less noticeable to...

Bending machine.(new products)
March 1, 2008... The Disc-O-Bender from Wuko is a handheld, compact, portable bending machine that hems metal sheets from 90 degrees up to 180 degrees. The manufacturer claims that this tool replaces dedicated mechanical benders at a fraction of the cost. The...

PEX bracket.(new products)
March 1, 2008... The Basset Hyco PEX Bracket uses a double perforated Hyco bar configuration and secures PEX tubing at a sink, tub or water closet stub-out. The brackets are designed with an all-metal construction to ensure the bracket assembly will withstand...

Bird control.(new products)
March 1, 2008... The Bird Jolt FlatTrack is a low-profile track system that emits a mild shock to birds as they land upon its surface. The shock will not harm birds, but will condition them to avoid the area. Bird Jolt FlatTrack can be used to deter birds from...

Corners.(new products)
March 1, 2008... Hardcast introduced Dyn-A-Matic Corners, a patented product that offers universal compatibility with TDC or TDF flanges. Dyn-A-Matic Corners can also be used with Hardcast's four-bolt flange as well as most competitive bolt-on flanges....

Nut driver.(new products)
March 1, 2008... This magnetic nut driver has an adjustable shaft that lets contractors change the length of the shaft from 3 inches up to 6 inches in length. Push-button action releases the retractable shaft and locks it into position, allowing users to adjust...

Robotic system.(new products)
March 1, 2008... This robotic duct inspection, cleaning and spraying system works with rectangular, square or round ducts from 8-by-8 up to 48 inches by 48 inches. It includes up to 2 gigabytes of digital video memory. The rotating brushes and whips easily...

Plasma cutting.(new products)
March 1, 2008... Hypertherm's Centricut brand is building upon its recently introduced line of Innerlogic ProLine2200 consumables by adding a 150-amp consumable set to its list of offerings. The new 150-amp consumables join four other Proline2200 consumable...

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
March 1, 2008... MARCH [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 2-5 Purdue University and Indiana University will present its University of Industrial Distribution in Indianapolis. This is the 15th year for the event. The 2008 event will feature expanded courses,...

Wholesalers & Mfr. Reps. Directory.(Directory)
March 1, 2008... 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 these...

Taking the temperature of the industry in 2008.(editor's page)(Industry overview)
March 1, 2008... March finds me in the middle of what's probably my busiest travel season, heading off to the many trade shows and conventions held during winter's coldest months. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Fortunately, most associations and...