Contractor articles from April 2002

Contractor archives from April 2002

Latest `Mills' retail site: lands outside Denver.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... LAKEWOOD, COLO. -- Although the warm winter wasn't welcomed by many contractors around the country, the unseasonable temperatures benefited Natkin Contracting. The Englewood, Colo.-based mechanical contractor has been working on a $6.5 million,...

Feds indict 13 Philly inspectors.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... PHILADELPHIA -- A federal grand jury has indicted 13 current or former Philadelphia plumbing inspectors for taking bribes from plumbing contractors for as long as 20 years. The inspectors, who worked for the city's Construction Services...

Contractors to feel ripple from tariffs.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... WASHINGTON -- Mechanical contractors likely will feel the impact of the tariffs on imported steel announced March 5 by President Bush. The administration imposed tariffs that range from 8% to 30% on a wide variety of steel products that were...

Homeowners win $23 million in Entran II suit. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... DENVER -- A state court jury has awarded a group of Colorado homeowners more than $23 million in a class-action suit against Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., agreeing with plaintiffs that Entran II hydronic heating hose produced by Goodyear is...

Haberberger completes utility dust-suppression system. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... ST. LOUIS -- Haberberger Mechanical has completed the installation of a dust-suppression system at Ameren UE's Meramec power plant. The system is part of a $40 million project being managed by commercial/industrial general contractor...

Goodbye to Division 15? (Industry News).(Construction Specifications Institute standards)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... ALEXANDRIA, VA. -- By December 2003, mechanical contractors might not be bidding on Division 15 work. The Construction Specifications Institute's executive committee recently approved a concept for revising and expanding the organization's...

Radiant floor job uses DX heat Rump system. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... MONTROSE, COLO. -- Colorado homeowner Joe Patterson has enjoyed the comfort of radiant floor heating in his home for six years. "Radiant floor is the best!" Patterson says. "It's always comfortable and warm on your feet during the winter."...

PMI questions annual format of ISH-North America. (Industry News).(Plumbing Manufacturers Institute)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... TUCSON, ARIZ. -- At its spring meeting March 19 here, the Plumbing Manufacturers Institute re-emphasized its commitment to consolidate several current industry trade shows into one event. PMI said it felt the need to reiterate its position...

RPA annual conference, trade show to promote `green' theme. (Industry News).
April 1, 2002... LOVELAND, COLO. -- With the country focusing on less dependence on foreign energy and healthier indoor environments, the Radiant Panel Association's conference and Radiant Expo has adopted the theme "It's good to be green... Radiant Green."...

The Mechanical Contractors Association of America.(Distinguished Service Award)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... The Mechanical Contractors Association of America awarded its Distinguished Service Award to Frederick S. Oyer, vice president of International Piping Systems, Schaumburg, Ill., in February during its annual convention Boca Raton, Fla. The...

Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at the University of Georgia.(alternative fuels research)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Researchers in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at the University of Georgia have retrofitted a large steam boiler to burn chicken fat. The research, funded by the Georgia-based U.S. Poultry & Egg Association and the...

Major-league managing in a Little League world. (Schmitt On Management).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... LAST MONTH WE compared your growing, evolving contracting company to a number of other businesses ("Some people just need firing," pg. 14). The point was to convince you that it was worth the effort to field an all-star, major-league team. If...

Trouble-shooting domestic hot water systems. (Eatherton On Hydronics).(plumbing and the contractors role)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... OFTENTIMES WHEN WE, as hydronic heating contractors, get the opportunity to supply and install a companion domestic hot water heating system, our responsibility stops at the hydronic connections. The plumber on the job has the task of making...

Building traffic on your Web site. (Feldmans On Computers).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... AN INFORMATIVE company Web site delivers basic and in-depth information about your firm to existing and potential customers. To help build clicks to your home page, spread the word widely that your site exists. Include your Web site URL...

What constitutes a designer's approval? (McGreevy On Law).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... WHERE AN ARCHITECT or engineer is involved in a construction project, it is not unusual to find a contractual requirement that the contractor has to submit samples, shop drawings or other "submittals" to the designer for review before they can...

Manning-down the job in difficult times. (Craig On Project Management).(mechanical contractor on management)(Brief Article)(Column)
April 1, 2002... THE TIME WAS the mid- to late-'70s. The entire country was in the middle of a thrashing recession. Inflation was escalating and new construction was going on here and there as people sought protection in real estate from the ever-decreasing...

A new line of water coolers and drinking fountains. (editor's choice).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 1, 2002... A NEW LINE OF WATER COOLERS AND DRINKING FOUNTAINS are single lever, barrier-free and ADA-compliant. They are designed specifically to meet both Child ADA and Texas Accessibility Standards. The line features curved corners and a "slimline"...

Metering faucet. (Products).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 1, 2002... THIS METERING FAUCET is ADA-compliant and suitable for commercial and public facilities. The lever handle activates with just 5 lb. of pressure, and features a streamlined, rounded design. It is constructed of chrome-plated solid brass...

The Vallarta. (Products).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 1, 2002... THE VALLARTA aluminum alloy bowl has a 7" depth and measures 14 1/2" by 17 1/2" outside and 11 1/2" by 14 1/2" inside. Molded from solid metal, it is designed for drop-in or over-counter applications. Bates and Bates CIRCLE 103 ON...

The Europa Vanity. (Products).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 1, 2002... * THE EUROPA VANITY has a bow-front design that features a 1 1/2" ogee edge. Top, bowl and backsplash are a single, integral unit offered in 30 colors. Swan CIRCLE 104 ON INQUIRY CARD [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The vehicle management information system. (Products).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 1, 2002... THE VEHICLE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM is a GPS-based fleet management product that provides users with detailed reports showing how to save and make money. A data collection unit in the vehicle relays information to a control center, from...

The Mini-Rooter XP. (Products).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 1, 2002... THE MINI-ROOTER XP drain cleaning machine features a new, upright frame design with roll bars to protect the motor when taking the machine up or down stairs or loading it into the back of a truck. A variable speed power cable feed allows the...

The Contour Series. (Products).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 1, 2002... THE CONTOUR SERIES bi-level drinking fountains and water coolers is an ideal way to meet requirements of both the physically challenged and the able-bodied in a single unit. Models in the series requires only one drain and only one water...

The TE 6-A. (Products).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 1, 2002... THE TE 6-A 36 v. cordless rotary hammer drill features an electropneumatic hammering mechanism and a universal charger. It can drill anchor and through-holes in concrete, stone and masonry using bits ranging in diameter from 3/16" to 5/8". It...

Micro-Flex. (Products).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 1, 2002... MICRO-FLEX T-pipe and tank wrap provides a durable, flexible alternative for insulating large diameter pipes and tanks. It has a homogeneous, random fiber orientation and factory applied jacket. It can be cut to size and cut around protrusions...

Universal Slider Brackets. (Products).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 1, 2002... THESE UNIVERSAL SLIDER BRACKETS solve many of the problems involved in bracketing CTS pipe. They can secure tub or shower valves, shower risers, tub drops and almost any hot or cold water supply stub out in new construction or repair/remodeling...

Regaline Sinks. (Products).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 1, 2002... REGALINE SINKS are offered in one, two, three and four compartments with one (right or left) or two drainboards. Bowls are constructed with 304 stainless steel. Advance Tabco CIRCLE 111 ON INQUIRY CARD [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

HPS Series 25 Biopharm. (Products).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 1, 2002... HPS SERIES 25 BIOPHARM fittings are a line of clamp fittings and buttweld components manufactured for the biotechnology and pharmaceutical processing industries. Manufactured to strict tolerances, they are made from 316L stainless steel and...

Tra-Cast 9182A. (Products).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... * TRA-CAST 9182A is a medium viscosity epoxy designed for flame resistance and flexibility. It meets UL94 V-O requirements for flame resistance. It is ideal for absorbing stress on components in many applications. It features an easy mix ratio...

Classroom sink bubbler. (Products).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... * THIS CLASSROOM SINK BUBBLER features a heavy Type 304 cast stainless steel body. It is more durable than brass, and its finish will not peel and pit over time as chrome-plated brass can. The vandal-resistant bubbler includes an integral pin...

Fire Stop silicone sealant. (Products).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... * FIRE STOP SILICONE SEALANT is classified for sealing non-combustible penetrations and construction joints in horizontal and vertical fire separations. Its elastomeric qualities make it suitable for sealing joints and it is capable of 25%...

Fire Barrier Duct Wrap. (Products).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... * THIS FIRE BARRIER DUCT WRAP has passed the rigorous UL 1978 and AC 101 internal grease duct fire tests. It provides a compact and affordable alternative to gypsum chase construction for contractors and installers. It is made of a non-asbestos...

Jamesbury ball valves. (Products).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... * THESE JAMESBURY BALL VALVES feature flexible lip seals for expanded performance in temperature, pressure and cycle life. The seats are made from a proprietary fluoropolymer-based blend The valves are available from 1/4" to 3" threaded end,...

Fire Protection Fittings. (Products).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... * THESE FIRE PROTECTION FITTINGS quickly and economically end branch lines using a standard wrench. Designed to install with standard firelock couplings, these end-of-run fittings allow direct head connections, sprigs and drop. They are...

Seal-less water circulation pump. (Products).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... * THIS SEAL-LESS WATER CIRCULATION PUMP is magnetically coupled, eliminating all seals and inherent seal leakage. It is constructed of brass and is available in 12 and 24 VDC versions with identical flow ratings and multiple inlet and outlet...

The Belneo Cella bathtub. (Products).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... * THE BELNEO CELLA BATHTUB features an old-world clawfoot design combined with the latest in air jet hydromassage. It features 40 air jets; a 1-hp motor with air heating system and three heater levels; a multi-feature electronic control with...

35FV series valves. (Products).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... * 35FV SERIES VALVES provide automatic air venting for both hot and cold water distribution systems. They use a float-actuated sealing device to prevent liquid from leaking out of the air exhaust orifice. They are built to conform to ANSI...

The series BRV combination ball valve and relief valve. (Products).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... * THE SERIES BRV COMBINATION BALL VALVE AND RELIEF VALVE provides a low-cost solution for thermal expansion relief in domestic water heating systems. The small, compact valve provides tight shutoff for the supply to the water heater. It...

The 006 self-lubricating circulator. (Products).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... * THE 006 SELF-LUBRICATING CIRCULATOR features an integral inline flow check. Two direct-drive, low-power sizes are available with 1/2" and 3/4" sweat connections. It is designed for hot or chilled water circulation in open or closed loop...

Thermal Expansion Product guide. (Literature Showcase).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... THIS THERMAL EXPANSION PRODUCT GUIDE features a description of thermal expansion, the problems it causes in domestic hot water and hydronic heating systems, types of expansion solutions available and how to select thermal expansion relief...

Four-color brochure. (Literature Showcase).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... THIS FOUR-COLOR BROCHURE describes the properties and applications of AlumiPex composite tubing. It describes such features as durability, ease of installation and impermeability to gases such as oxygen. It pays particular attention to the...

Liquid Ring Pumps and Systems Catalog. (Literature Showcase).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... THIS LIQUID RING PUMPS AND SYSTEMS CATALOG is also an instruction manual for Atlantic Fluidics expanded line. It includes performance curves with considerable space devoted to describing the principles of operation and outlining examples of...

`Good guys' hurt plumbing industry's image. (Editorial).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... BEING FROM CHICAGO, I wasn't exactly shocked when I heard the news that all but one of Philadelphia's plumbing inspectors had been indicted for taking bribes from plumbers. That's not to cast aspersions on plumbing inspectors in Chicago or...