Contractor articles from December 2004

Contractor archives from December 2004

KeySpan plans sale of contracting operations.(Industry News)
December 1, 2004... BOSTON -- Finding that it's tough to make a buck in the plumbing-and-heating business, utility KeySpan Corp. said it plans to sell a significant portion of its mechanical contracting operations. KeySpan also said it recorded a $90.4 million...

Snow melt aids Vail "makeover".(Industry News)
December 1, 2004... VAIL, COLO. -- This town is undergoing what the its public relations department calls "The Billion Dollar Makeover." The five-year, multi-phase project is designed to update the infrastructure of the 40-year-old ski town, from deep utilities...

53% see construction productivity as flat or declining.(Industry News)
December 1, 2004... RALEIGH, N.C. -- Management consulting firm FMI released in October the results of its latest survey of contractor productivity, "FMI 2004-2005 Contractor Productivity Survey Results." While the report found several positive trends in...

Plumbing code questioned for kidney dialysis machines.(Industry News)(International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation Renal Disease and Detoxification Committee )
December 1, 2004... ARLINGTON, VA. -- The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials is sorting out differences with the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation Renal Disease and Detoxification Committee over water supplies...

T&S Brass founder dies.(Industry News)(Obituary)
December 1, 2004... TRAVELER'S REST, S.C. -- George I. Theisen, founder of T&S Brass and Bronze Works, has died after being in declining health for several years. T&S Brass & Bronze Works closed its doors for the day on Nov. 19 in his honor and memory. He...

CONTRACTOR readers pick year's top products.(Industry News)
December 1, 2004... DES PLAINES, ILL. -- The top products featured in CONTRACTOR's monthly Products department in 2004 are featured this month in a special section on pages 20 and 21. Readers determined the rankings of the products in both the Readers Choice...

ISH-NA shows plenty of innovation.(Industry News)(ISH North America Show)
December 1, 2004... BOSTON -- Visitors at this year's ISH North America Show in October here had much to see. In addition to the products featured in CONTRACTOR's November issue (pg. 1), here are a dozen more. Amtrol presented a couple products designed to...

California court orders PEX review.(Industry News)(cross-linked polyethylene specifications)
December 1, 2004... LOS ANGELES -- After three years of litigation, the California Court of Appeals here ruled that PEX pipe for domestic water applications must go through an environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act. The court...

Homeowner gets nothing in mold verdict.(Industry News)(Bonnici v. Forecast, et al. No. RIC361721)
December 1, 2004... RIVERSIDE, CALIF. -- A Riverside County jury returned a defense verdict in favor of a home builder in a closely watched case involving claims of bodily injury from exposure to mold in a single-family home in Menifee, Calif. Jury deliberations...

Coastal Mechanical Services.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Coastal Mechanical Services was recognized by the Melbourne-Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce at the Business Breakfast of Champions for the Associated Builders and Contractors with the Eagle Award, presented for the Florida firm's performance at...

A two-day program is open to independent contractors called Money Masters that is part seminar on the fundamentals of running a successful service business and part tour of a successful contractor's operations.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... A two-day program is open to independent contractors called Money Masters that is part seminar on the fundamentals of running a successful service business and part tour of a successful contractor's operations. The next opportunity to attend...

IAPMO.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... IAPMO is now offering an introductory program to all those eligible to join as student members. For the first year of membership, dues will be $10. Every year thereafter, so long as the member remains a student, membership dues will be...

Lochinvar Corp.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Lochinvar Corp. recently sponsored Habitat for Humanity of Wilson County's (Tennessee) second annual Black Bag Big Bass Tournament. As a gold level sponsor of the tournament, Lochinvar helped raise more than $5,000 for building new homes in...

An insurance company has sued rock musician Lenny Kravitz, saying it had to pay for more than $300,000 worth of water damage in a neighbor's apartment after one of Kravitz's toilets overflowed.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... An insurance company has sued rock musician Lenny Kravitz, saying it had to pay for more than $300,000 worth of water damage in a neighbor's apartment after one of Kravitz's toilets overflowed. Amica Mutual Insurance Co. says in court papers...

Total Comfort of Wisc. acquires Wenninger.(Industry News)
December 1, 2004... PEWAUKEE, WIS.--Total Comfort of Wisconsin has acquired Wenninger Mechanical. The transition will be finished later this year and, until that time, operations at both organizations will remain the same. The sale price was not disclosed. ...

Sexiest plumber search is on.(Industry News)(America's Sexiest Plumber Contest)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- The nation's sexiest plumbers will soon be viewed as champions of their profession as American Standard launches its Search for America's Sexiest Plumber Contest to promote its new Champion toilet and to pay tribute to the...

IAPMO seeks key positions.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... ONTARIO, CALIF. -- Due to a high demand for educational seminars in 2005 and the expansion of code development, the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials is seeking a director of plumbing and mechanical code support and...

Your people should be better and highly paid.(Schmitt On Management)
December 1, 2004... MERRY CHRISTMAS AND a most emphatically happy New Year. Over the holidays I would hope you have some quiet time to think through your goals for next year. This is an extension of Contracting Management 101. I continue to believe that you...

Clarity needed on temperature-control devices.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... SCHAUMBURG, ILL. -- The control and limitation of water temperature supplied to plumbing fixtures is a critical health and safety issue that the Plumbing Manufacturers Institute takes very seriously. Over the years, PMI has taken a leading role...

Grab bars in tub modules.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... MADISON, WIS. -- Thoughts from one architect on the subject of reinforcement in bathroom walls for grab bars in the recent article "From sterile to stylish; ADA-compliant bathroom products now target the majority of your customers" by William...

Most requested products.(Readers Choice Awards 2004)
December 1, 2004... 1 STAK-N-TOTES are ideal for organizing, storing and transporting small parts, fittings, screws, nuts, bolts, tools and more while taking up less space. Made of galvanized steel, each unit is durable and corrosion-resistant. When stacked, the...

Editors choices.(Editors Choice Awards 2004)
December 1, 2004... 1 THE PRONTO! ON-DEMAND TANKLESS WATER HEATER has no standing pilot light and no storage tank, eliminating the need to maintain a large supply of preheated water. The model RTG-42PV delivers up to 4.2 gal. of 100[degrees]F to 140[degrees]F...

Is a hydrogen fuel cell generator in your future?(Eatherton On Hydronics)(Column)
December 1, 2004... AS OF THIS DATE, no less than 120 companies are directly or indirectly involved in the research, development and deployment of combined heat-and-power systems based on hydrogen fuel cell technology. In this, the last of a 12-part series on the...

Steam system's secret behind the looking glass.(Hydronic Systems)
December 1, 2004... THE PHONE CALL: A commercial controls contractor called me at the supply house. The caretaker of an estate where he did the A/C work wanted him to fix the steam system. Some rooms hadn't heated well for years. There was steam pressure at the...

RPA slates Radiant Outfitters classes.(Hydronic Systems)(Radiant Panel Association)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... LOVELAND, COLO. -- The Radiant Panel Association's new Radiant Outfitters education program will begin with schools on the East and West coasts in January 2005. In the East, Gerry Hazel of Staten Island Heating and Cooling will teach the...

PHCC installs officers, board members.(Hydronic Systems)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... BOSTON -- The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors--National Association and PHCC National Auxiliary installed new officers and members of the board of directors in October at the 122nd annual convention. The new PHCC officers are:...

Office network, Web site need maintenance.
December 1, 2004... BOTH YOUR OFFICE PC and your company Web site will benefit from periodic maintenance and updating. Fortunately, software solutions for both take into consideration the technological limitations of the office crews of many small businesses. ...

Plumberex files antitrust suit.(Feldmans On Computers)
December 1, 2004... SPECIAL TO CONTRACTOR PALM SPRINGS, CALIF. - Plumberex Specialty Products has filed suit against Truebro in federal court in Riverside County, Calif., charging that Truebro is violating antitrust laws by restraining trade in the market for...

What's fair regarding additional insureds?(McGreevy On Law)
December 1, 2004... THE COST OF INSURANCE has gone up and coverage seems to be shrinking. Is it any wonder that owners and general contractors want to make sure that their insurance isn't going to be called upon to pay for what someone else did? The way they avoid...

Benefit Seminar nets $5,000.(McGreevy On Law)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... BALTIMORE, MD. -- "Oil Heat Cares," a new charitable endeavor, raised more than $5,000 at its first seminar. All proceeds from the seminar will be contributed to home heating and comfort upgrades for families in need. Oilheat industry...

Get minority discounts on your firm's stock.(Blackman On Taxes)
December 1, 2004... IT'S ALWAYS A good day when you can beat up the IRS legally. It's even better when you can pummel it with its own rules. The issue concerns the value of your business for tax purposes. Suppose you have four kids (all work in the business,...

Bradford White gives awards.(Blackman On Taxes)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... BOSTON -- Bradford White Corp. announced the recipients of its 2004 scholarship awards at a luncheon held at the 122nd PHCC-NA Convention. The winner were: Christopher Bagley, Saumderston, R.I., Timothy L. Seidel, Birdsboro, Pa., Thomas R....

Honesty and ethics are profit centers.(Craig On Project Management)
December 1, 2004... CAN YOU BE HONEST without being ethical, or most you be ethical to also be honest? These are not questions just for philosophers; they're points of bottom-line focus for project managers and others in positions of responsibility within...

Accubid releases new version of ConstuctJob.(Craig On Project Management)
December 1, 2004... TORONTO -- Accubid Systems in December released its newly acquired ConstructJob software under the Accubid brand name for the first time. ConstructJob is a Web-based project management system that allows contractors to communicate, collaborate...

Webstone marks 50th year.(Craig On Project Management)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... WORCESTER, MASS. -- Webstone Co. is celebrating its 50th year of providing products and service to the plumbing-and-heating industry. "Webstone has evolved over the past SO years to become one of the leading innovators of specialty valves...

Holiday cards to customers make a difference.(Guest Columnist)
December 1, 2004... SINCE I WAS 14 YEARS OLD, I have always had a plan. while in my youth, I forgot the plan and was temporarily sidetracked. More on that later. After leaving the military, I still had a dream of becoming an HVAC technician, a skill that no one...

Flush valve, water heater win green awards.(Guest Columnist)
December 1, 2004... PORTLAND, ORE. -- BuildingGreen Inc., publisher of the GreenSpec Directory and Environmental Building News, selected its Top 10 green building products of 2004. The third annual award, announced in November at the U.S. Green Building Council's...

Taking a chance pays off for firm that hires Apprentice of the Year.(PHCC News)
December 1, 2004... LIKE MOST P-H-C companies these days, Kramer & Sons Plumbing Services in Alexandria, Va., struggles to find good, qualified employees. But taking a chance on a new employee has paid off. Last year the company hired Danilo Rivera, who would...

Tour Andover Controls formed by Schneider Electric.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... BOSTON -- Schneider Electric has merged its controls operations, Andover Controls and TAC (formerly Tour & Andersson Controls) into Tour Andover Controls. Schneider purchased TAC in June 2003 and acquired Andover Controls in August 2004. ...

T-Drill president retires.(Industry News)(Bill Holyoak )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... NORCROSS, GA. -- Bill Holyoak will retire from T-Drill Industries at year's end after 24 years as the company's president. Holyoak joined T-Drill when it was reorganized in 1981, and he oversaw its growth in the tube and pipe industry. ...

The new torpedo level.(editor's choice)
December 1, 2004... THE NEW TORPEDO LEVEL is constructed of cast aluminum for durability. Measuring a compact 9" long, the level is sturdy enough to be dropped from a 10' height without being damaged. It features strong earth magnets (rather than man-made strip...

Hush heat trap fittings.(Products)
December 1, 2004... HUSH HEAT TRAP FITTINGS have a newly-designed ball which reduces the possibility of "rattle" in water heaters. They feature steel-to-plastic construction that creates a non-corrosive waterway lining. They are self-cleaning, thanks to an inert...

The model CTV-F valve.(Products)
December 1, 2004... THE MODEL CTV-F VALVE is designed for winterization protection of condensate return lines, steam tracing and instrument tracing or other systems requiring protection below 125[degrees]F. Typical set points are 70[degrees], 105[degrees] and...

The caddy speed link support system.(Products)
December 1, 2004... THE CADDY SPEED LINK SUPPORT SYSTEM features all-steel construction for fire resistance and is available in a stainless steel version for use in more corrosive environments. The system both ensures stability and allows for the adjustment of...

The neorest toilet.(Products)
December 1, 2004... THE NEOREST TOILET has a modern low silhouette that results from the elimination of the tank and the integration of a warm water personal cleansing unit. The lid automatically opens when a user approaches it, and the lid closes and the toilet...

The FBV-3-SS brass ball valves.(Products)
December 1, 2004... THE FBV-3-SS BRASS BALL VALVES are manufactured with a 316 stainless steel ball and stem. The valves are offered in "" and 2" sizes, with both threaded and sweat connections. They have a two-piece, full port design, an adjustable stem packing...

The P1000 hammer-driven powder tool.(Products)
December 1, 2004... THE P1000 HAMMER-DRIVEN POWDER TOOL uses .22 caliber loads ranging from gray to yellow, and can set .300" or 8mm head drive pins up to 3" in length. The load is set by a single hammer blow on the back end of the tool, and sets the pin flush. It...

The EX8006 portable compressor.(Products)
December 1, 2004... THE EX8006 PORTABLE COMPRESSOR delivers 27.2 SCFM at 90 psi to run a wide variety of tools and provides 30 gal. of air storage to support multiple projects. Made to mount permanently to a work truck, it uses an electric starter to power up a 13...

The Beverly 4040 soaking tub.(Products)
December 1, 2004... THE BEVERLY 4040 SOAKING TUB is available in over 23 standard colors. The tub measures 40" X 40" round and is 32" deep. Optional accessories include an in-line water heater, tough control, jumbo jets, grab bars, mood light and more. ...

This carbide tipped hole saw.(Products)
December 1, 2004... THIS CARBIDE TIPPED HOLE SAW is constructed with tungsten carbide tooth tips and precision ground teeth to help contractors create holes quickly and with a better finish. The saw has a 1 9/16" cutting depth for greater capacity. The saw is...

Push 'n go quick connect fittings.(Products)
December 1, 2004... PUSH 'N GO QUICK CONNECT FITTINGS features a fast, easy-to-use, tool-free pipe connection design that reduces field service time and eliminates training and specialty tools for radiant heat and potable water installation, hot or cold water...

Bottom-line opportunities in productivity gains.(Editorial)(Editorial)
December 1, 2004... I'VE SUSPECTED FOR years that several utilities and consolidators got into the mechanical contracting business for some of the same factors revealed in FMI's "2004-2005 Contractor Productivity Results." The consulting firm's research...