Contractor articles from December 2005

Contractor archives from December 2005

EMCOR Group buys Fluidics.(Company Profile)
December 1, 2005... SPECIAL TO CONTRACTOR NORWALK, CONN. -- EMCOR Group, the country's largest mechanical contractor, announced Nov. 8 that it has acquired Fluidics, a privately held mechanical services company. EMCOR said that the strategic acquisition would...

Energy law can help contractors sell.
December 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Starting Jan. 1, 2006, provisions of the first comprehensive energy legislation in more than a decade will take effect that will give incentives to consumers and contractors who conserve energy and reduce dependence on fossil...

Water utilities target 'inefficient' plumbing products.
December 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Members of the Plumbing Manufacturers Institute had water conservation of their minds--and on their agenda--during their fall meeting Oct. 16-19 here. About a dozen speakers, panelists and guests attended portions of the meeting...

Service jobs demand training, different skill sets.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
December 1, 2005... VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Contractors who operate nonresidential service companies must hire and train employees to fulfill their distinct roles within the business, consultant Kevin Dougherty told members of the Mechanical Service Contractors of...

CONTRACTOR readers pick year's top products.(2005 READERS CHOICE AWARDS)
December 1, 2005... DES PLAINES, ILL. -- The interest of CONTRACTOR readers in tankless water heaters continues to run hot. For the second consecutive year, a tankless water heater is the product that generated the most inquiries from our readers in 2005. ...

Behavior and performance top employees' attitude.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
December 1, 2005... MINNEAPOLIS -- Contractors should not put up with a worker with a bad attitude, even if they face a tight local labor market, consultant Hunter Lott told Nexstar members Oct. 1 during their Super Meeting here. "You can hire and fire on...

Millard crowned 'Fastest Plumber' in contest.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
December 1, 2005... GREEN BAY, WIS. -- Matt Millard of S-Star Plumbing in Brentwood, Calif., captured the title during the finals of the "Fastest Plumber Contest" in early November at Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers, here. Contest sponsors Kohler Co....

Industrial construction spending to rise in 2006 in nation's Heartland.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
December 1, 2005... SPECIAL TO CONTRACTOR HOUSTON -- The industrial market in the north central part of the country expects strong construction activity to start 2006 after an impressive turnaround this year, according to the market research firm Industrial...

The recently published 2006 National Fuel Gas Code contains new options for installing natural gas service and natural gas appliances, says the American Gas Association, a co-sponsor with the National Fire Protection Association.
December 1, 2005... The recently published 2006 National Fuel Gas Code contains new options for installing natural gas service and natural gas appliances, says the American Gas Association, a co-sponsor with the National Fire Protection Association. Significant...

The Fort Wayne office of Havel, one of the largest facilities services providers in Indiana, has been named a MSCA Star Contractor by the Mechanical Services Contractors of America.
December 1, 2005... The Fort Wayne office of Havel, one of the largest facilities services providers in Indiana, has been named a MSCA Star Contractor by the Mechanical Services Contractors of America. Havel is a division of Shambaugh & Son, a subsidiary of EMCOR...

Connecticut Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors.
December 1, 2005... The Connecticut Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors will present its 2006 trade show Feb 18 in the new Hartford Conference Center. The show is expected to feature more than 140 exhibitor booths.

Alfred B. Osterhout, president of Coastal Mechanical Services in Melbourne, Fla., has earned the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design professional accreditation.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Alfred B. Osterhout, president of Coastal Mechanical Services in Melbourne, Fla., has earned the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design professional accreditation. Coastal Mechanical is working with its...

Technical Concepts has become a member of the U.S. Green Building Council.
December 1, 2005... Technical Concepts has become a member of the U.S. Green Building Council. Technical Concepts' products include a line of AutoFaucets that use 70% less water than conventional faucets, the company said.

Delta Faucet awarded $5,000 to Jennifer Doby of Piedmont, S.C., the winner of Delta's "Bathroom of Your Dreams" Sweepstakes.
December 1, 2005... Delta Faucet awarded $5,000 to Jennifer Doby of Piedmont, S.C., the winner of Delta's "Bathroom of Your Dreams" Sweepstakes. Doby entered the online contest in hopes of being able to remodel her children's bathroom in the home she purchased in...

Schools spending millions on construction.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
December 1, 2005... RALEIGH, N.C. -- School systems in the United States are not only in the business of education, they are also in the construction business, according to the results of a new survey conducted by FMI Corp. in conjunction with the Council for...

ICC offers phone seminars.(International Code Council )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... FALLS CHURCH, VA. -- Contractors can learn about changes to the 2006 International Codes while earning continuing education and learning units by participating in an International Code Council telephone seminar. Contractors can save time...

Nexstar event set.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... WHITE BEAR LAKE, MINN. -- In the Money Masters workshop conducted by best-practices group Nexstar, independent plumbing, HVAC and electrical contractors can learn the fundamentals of running a service business from owners who have done it and...

Respect for our industry starts from within.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... CAMP HILL, PA. -- I was lunching with two co-workers recently when from behind the counter, up pops a man with his back to me. His T-shirt read, "For Expert Heating & Air Conditioning Service & Installation call xxx-xxxx." Of course, the...

Estimating help offered.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- I read Bill Russell's letter in the June issue of CONTRACTOR ("Need to update estimating methods," Letters, pg. 26). Knowing Victor Ottaviano, and being a contributor to the plumbing sections of his estimating guides, I could...

PMP courses have merit.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... NASHUA, N.H. -- I read H. Kent Craig's column "PMP certification: Is it worth anything?" online at www.contractormag.com, and I would have to say that most of it is on track. The Project Management Professional certification from the...

Match profit and overhead in bids to size of job.(INDUSTRY EDUCATION)
December 1, 2005... COMPETITION IS AS tough as it has ever been. Since the mid-1960s the domestic construction market has not grown by any measure. In constant dollars (inflation adjusted), we have the same size construction market today that we did back then. ...

Premier Mechanical wins safety excellence award.(INDUSTRY EDUCATION)
December 1, 2005... PHOENIX -- SMACNA Arizona, a chapter of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association, announced that Premier Mechanical Corp. of Tempe is a winner of a 2005 Safety Excellence Award. Premier was recognized as the...

Everyone should take responsibility for training.(FORUM)
December 1, 2005... CONTRACTOR MAGAZINE published an interesting article on the federal Government Accountability Office study on apprenticeship ("Union apprentices more likely to finish training: GAO," October, pg. 1). It reveals to the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling...

Lee Brass under new owners.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... ANNISTON, ALA. -- Lee Brass, which has operated here under various owners for almost 100 years, will continue to offer a full line of products for all its seven market segments, its new owners announced. These segments are: domestic threaded...

Investment in training pays dividends.(APPRENTICE TRAINING)
December 1, 2005... (Third in a series) WHILE MANY contractors desperately need trained labor, they may not be able to make the investments of money and time necessary to meet the demand. "It's tough for small contracting firms," says Mike Mayberry,...

The prostar tankless gas heater.(Editors choices)
December 1, 2005... 1 THE PROSTAR TANKLESS GAS HEATER can be plumbed to serve a single fixture or multiple fixtures within the home. The heater is equipped with a copper heat exchanger and operates between 78% and 81% efficiency. It delivers water only when...

Floodsafe auto-shutoff connectors.(Editors choices)
December 1, 2005... 2 FLOODSAFE AUTO-SHUTOFF CONNECTORS protect against catastrophic water damage caused by burst, broken or ruptured water supply hoses and fittings. The connectors include a standard braided flexible stainless steel hose and a shutoff device...

The new V28 lithium ion battery.(Editors choices)
December 1, 2005... 3 THE NEW V28 LITHIUM ION BATTERY delivers increased power and up to twice the run time of traditional 18v models, yet weighs slightly less. The V28 line of tools includes a hammer-drill, circular saw, Sawzall reciprocating saw, impact wrench,...

The inframeter digital infrared thermometer.(Editors choices)
December 1, 2005... 4 THE INFRAMETER DIGITAL INFRARED THERMOMETER allows the user to identify heat loss from a room by aiming it at a window. Users can look for thermal striping across a radiant floor, or troubleshoot by comparing pipe temperatures to water...

The copperkey pipe-prep tool.(Editors choices)
December 1, 2005... 5 THE COPPERKEY PIPE-PREP TOOL features a ratchet-action design that requires only a few inches of clearance to prepare copper tubing and couplings. The tough tungsten carbide staples shine tubing in seconds, while an offset staple array ensure...

The new oakmont toilet.(Editors choices)
December 1, 2005... 6 THE NEW OAKMONT TOILET features Champion flushing technology to deliver a quiet, powerful flush. Champion flushing systems boast the first 3.5" flush valve for 1.6 gpf gravity-fed toilets. The toilet has an upswept deck designed to channel...

The weatherguard line of van ladder racks.(Editors choices)
December 1, 2005... 7 THE WEATHERGUARD LINE OF VAN LADDER RACKS now feature a universal gutter clamp that can be installed on virtually any make of van. The racks now have Mylar anti-wear strips that protect ladders and building materials. Ladder guides and Velcro...

The e-series line of circulators.(Editors choices)
December 1, 2005... 8 THE E-SERIES LINE OF CIRCULATORS has been expanded to include the E12 and E14 circulators, designed for high-head, medium-flow applications. A fully enclosed motor housing means the circulators are quieter, making them ideal for radiant floor...

The bancroft suite.(Editors choices)
December 1, 2005... 9 THE BANCROFT SUITE is a complete collection of fixtures, faucets and accessories. The suite offers a broad selection of vitreous china lavatories and toilets, acrylic baths and whirlpools. The pedestal lavatory pictured offers a comfort...

Forefront management software V. 12.(Editors choices)
December 1, 2005... 10 FOREFRONT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE V. 12 offers Microsoft SQL server database structure, the ability to track minutes in its Project Management module, and new capabilities in its document imaging software. It also integrates Forefront with...

The antex pipemaster.(Most requested products)
December 1, 2005... 1 THE ANTEX PIPEMASTER is designed to solder pipe without using a torch. The electrical elements in the tool heat the heads to a temperature that allows solder to be applied to copper pipe joints. With selectable heads, it can be used on all...

The T-H1 tankless water heater.(Most requested products)
December 1, 2005... 2 THE T-H1 TANKLESS WATER HEATER features a pre-heating system with dual heat exchangers. It is capable of delivering 10.5 gpm of heated water. It has a condensation collector which captures exhaust, and a neutralizer that softens the...

The roto-kut ultra hole cutter.(Most requested products)
December 1, 2005... 3 THE ROTO-KUT ULTRA HOLE CUTTER is a heavy-duty hole-maker that can cut virtually any material up to 1" thick, including sheet metal, metal plate, pipe, iron and plastics. Easy to use, it produces clean, burr-free round holes without deforming...

The copro copper piping system.(Most requested products)
December 1, 2005... 4 THE COPRO COPPER PIPING SYSTEM allows the user to connect pipe with a push. A complete range of fittings is offered in six sizes from 1/2" to 2". The system can be used on copper, stainless steel, PEX and CPVC. There are no special...

Great white hole saws.(Most requested products)
December 1, 2005... 5 GREATWHITE HOLE SAWS cut through steel, stainless steel, plastic, wood with nails, drywall, cement board plywood and cast iron. The line includes bi-metal saws for heavy-duty cutting; carbide grit saws for smooth cuts with minimal tear; and a...

A new line of hand and swivel torches.(Most requested products)
December 1, 2005... 6 A NEW LINE OF HAND AND SWIVEL TORCHES are now available that provide maximum targeted heat output through swirl, adjustable ultra swirl and large diameter flames. The torches accommodate both MAPP and propane fuel and are ideal for...

The KWC Murano single-lever faucet.(Most requested products)
December 1, 2005... 7 THE KWC MURANO SINGLE-LEVER FAUCET delivers dramatic appearance and distinctive operation: Water emerges from the center and cascades over a glass dish when activated by the lever. An exclusive surface coating for the glass dish optimizes...

The everhot tankless water heater.(Most requested products)
December 1, 2005... 8 THE EVERHOT TANKLESS WATER HEATER has a flow-rate of up to 8.5 gpm. Both residential and commercial models are available. A highly efficient nine pass heat exchanger and self-regulating inputs of up to 180,000 Btu for indoor models and...

The new T-Drill pipe cutting system.(Most requested products)
December 1, 2005... 9 THE NEW T-DRILL PIPE CUTTING SYSTEM provides a square cut with no interior burr on pipe or tube from 1" to 8". Cuts can be made on mild steel, stainless steel, copper, cast-iron soil pipe and all plastic pipe. Intended for pipe trades as well...

Containit mold containment spray.(Most requested products)
December 1, 2005... 10 CONTAINIT MOLD CONTAINMENT SPRAY creates a temporary, safe, nontoxic seal as a line of defense against mold and other contaminants. It can be sprayed on a new installation to prevent mold growth. Alternately, it can be sprayed on moldy...

'05 Hydronic wish list.
December 1, 2005... WE INTERRUPT normal programming for a special holiday message. Six years ago, I wrote my first Hydronic Christmas Wish list. Some of my wishes came true, and some remain unfilled. Persistence is a virtue. Here is my updated wish list for...

Hydronics keeps Vail's streets clear.(HYDRONIC SYSTEMS)
December 1, 2005... THE DAYS OF roughing it in the Rockies are long gone. For the folks who choose to live on the slopes and in the valleys, life is similar to the lives of "flatlanders" who dwell in the big cities, such as Denver and Boulder, Colo. The big...

Residential plumbing estimating; smart scans.(FELDMANS ON COMPUTERS)
December 1, 2005... FASTPIPE RESIDENTIAL (FastEst Inc., www.fastest-inc.com, 800/ 828-7108) is a clever and quick drag-and-click estimating program for residential and light-commercial plumbing work that estimates room by room. The solution, which takes advantage...

Who should pay for material price increases?(McGREEVY ON LAW)
December 1, 2005... MATERIAL PRICE increases are not new. Normally, sellers are expected to absorb and/or manage the risk of fluctuations in pricing when conducting their day-to-day business. When a material price increase comes as a result of, or in conjunction...

The best way to attract and keep great people.(BLACKMAN ON TAXES)
December 1, 2005... MOST OF MY consulting time is spent putting together wealth transfer plans for successful business owners. Invariably, about half my clients bring up two critical and related operational problems: "How do I keep my top executives?" (The...

Aloha plumbing named 'best-in-business'.(BLACKMAN ON TAXES)
December 1, 2005... GOLDEN, COLO. -- ServiceMagic (www.servicemagic.com), an Internet marketing resource for residential contractors, named Aloha Plumbing, a full-service plumbing company based in Colorado, its October Best-in-Business winner. The award...

Where are all our great field guys coming from?(CRAIG ON PROJECT MANAGEMENT)
December 1, 2005... OUR INDUSTRY IS engaged in perpetual hand wringing over the lack of qualified field personnel. To that constant moaning, I say, "Bull!" Plenty of qualified field personnel are out there; it's just that they're in hiding, at least from the...

Reno Bros. joins LINC Service Network.(CRAIG ON PROJECT MANAGEMENT)
December 1, 2005... NEW BRIGHTON, PA. -- Reno Brothers Inc., a northwestern Pennsylvania firm based here, is the newest mechanical contractor to join the 130-plus Linc Service Network. With a start-up meeting in mid-October, Reno Bros., located 40 miles north...

Siemens unveils first wireless BAS.(CRAIG ON PROJECT MANAGEMENT)
December 1, 2005... BUFFALO GROVE, ILL. -- Siemens Building Technologies in mid-November introduced the industry's first wireless building automation system, the company said. Based on mesh topology, APOGEE Wireless field level networks can provide facility...

'Word-of-mouth' marketing that works.(HUDSON ON MARKETING)
December 1, 2005... LOTS OF US have heard the phrase, "I'm building my business by word of mouth"--and even said it. (One time a guy told me he got all his business by "mouth to mouth" but I think--and fervently hope--he was temporarily confused.) Anyway, let's...

Pa. courses to cover codes.(HUDSON ON MARKETING)
December 1, 2005... HARRISBURG, PA. -- Contractors can take advantage of two training classes on the International Codes, one on the mechanical aspects of the International Residential Code, the other on the International Mechanical Code. A class to help HVAC...

Waste is everywhere but isn't inevitable.(BEST PRACTICES)
December 1, 2005... WASTE IS NOT desirable, especially in construction. To be more competitive we need to drive waste out of our operations. Most of us recognize waste in the form of defects and scrap. But this is just the tip of the iceberg! In Lean...

Bottled water is gold.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... MILWAUKEE -- Amen to Dave Yates' writing about bottled water ("Want liquid gold? Turn on your tap," October, pg. 30)! We live east of 124th Street in West Allis, Wis., a western suburb of Milwaukee. We get our water from Lake Michigan. The...

Don't break up articles.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... WINNIPEG, MANITOBA -- I like the CONTRACTOR publication, but please stop breaking up articles on three different pages throughout. When I am forced to hop around to read an interesting piece, I will opt to forget the piece and toss the whole...

Coastal earns accreditation.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
December 1, 2005... MELBOURNE, FLA. -- Alfred B. Osterhour, president of Coastal Mechanical Services here, has demonstrated the skills and expertise necessary to participate in the green building design process and has earned the U.S. Green Building Council's...

T-Drill complies with standard.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... NORCROSS, GA. -- T-Drill announced recently that it is in compliance with the newly issued ASME B31.9--2004. Section 930.2 Mechanically Formed Extruded Outlets in Copper Tube specifies the process and also provides reference to ASTM F 2014 and...

Rodenhiser buys Medfield.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(mergers and acquisitions)(Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning)(Medfield Plumbing and Heating)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... HOLLISTON, MASS. -- Andy Rodenhiser, president of Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, has announced the company has completed an asset purchase of Medfield Plumbing & Heating. Brian Benson, the former owner of Medfield Plumbing &...

Comfort conditioning Rocky Mountain homes.(HYDRONIC SYSTEMS)
December 1, 2005... COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION is not the only growth bonanza in the Rocky Mountains. Each year more people are making the choice to build second homes there, and the area is experiencing tremendous growth in the residential construction market. R&H...

Keep industry standards for professionalism high through PHCC membership.(PHCC NEWS)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... HAVE YOU EVER lost a job to a less than professional contractor who just does not follow good business practices? And then do you hear that the same contractor is charging phenomenally low rates to his customer--rates that really drive down the...

The temp-gard III shower valve.(editor's choice)
December 1, 2005... THE TEMP-GARD III SHOWER VALVE is a single-handle pressure-balancing mixing tub and shower valve with a heavy-duty ceramic control cartridge and stainless steel balancing piston. The valve also features a built-in reverse connection capacity....

The KN 6875 14-gauge nibbler.(PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2005... THE KN 687514-GAUGE NIBBLER cuts all types of sheet metal without deformation. It is easy to operate with one hand, and a metal strip on top of the body serves as a rest when not in use. It offers a maximum torque of 53 in.-lbs, and delivers...

These power-return rules.(PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2005... THESE POWER-RETURN RULES feature magnetic dual-end hooks and double-sided blades. They are available in four sizes, 16', 25', 30' and 7.5 m/25'. They allow for precise measurement, marking and drawing, and are easily used by one person. A true...

The razorback wrench.(PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2005... THE RAZORBACK WRENCH allows the user to remove shower or sink drains from top to bottom with just one hand. Ideal for use in tight spaces, the wrench fits most shower and sink drains and eliminates the need for "box end" wrenches previously...

Superlock machinery adhesives.(PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2005... SUPERLOCK MACHINERY ADHESIVES provide reliable locking and sealing of nuts, screws, studs, bolts and other fasteners. They require no primers, exhibit excellent capillary action and gap-filling, cure rapidly and resist chemicals and corrosive....

The winter pro 475 glove.(PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2005... THE WINTER PRO 475 GLOVE has a microporous liner that is 100% waterproof, yet allows hands to breathe. A textured outer layer helps the user maintain a grip on tools or materials even when wet or icy. The glove features Thinsualte insulation...

The hot-shot 400 pipe thawing machine.(PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2005... THE HOT-SHOT 400 PIPE THAWING MACHINE is able to electrically thaw pipes in minutes, eliminating the need for tearing up floors or breaking through walls. With 400 amps of power, it can clear 1 1/2" frozen lines up to 175' long. General...

The radiant extrol diaphragm expansion tank.(PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2005... THE RADIANT EXTROL DIAPHRAGM EXPANSION TANK incorporates a plastic barrier liner and butyl diaphragm for maximum resistance to corrosion. It is compatible with all propylene and ethylene glycol antifreeze solutions and offered in 2, 4.4 and...

The magnestar non-intrusive liquid level gauge.(PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2005... THE MAGNESTAR NON-INTRUSIVE LIQUID LEVEL GAUGE provides accurate level indications in a wide range of critical applications. It protects operators from high pressure/high temperature fluids in a tank, process vessel or boiler. It eliminates the...

Weatherguard steel truck boxes.(PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2005... WEATHERGUARD STEEL TRUCK BOXES enhance jobsite security and productivity. The locking mechanism retracts for improved tamper resistance, and an internal torque ring eliminates common keyhole break-ins. The boxes are available in six styles to...

The A127 LF series pressure reducing valve.(PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2005... THE A127 LF SERIES PRESSURE REDUCING VALVE handles the widest possible flow range. Its design combines a regulator bypass and a pilot-operated main valve with two smaller PRVs and a strainer. Applications include high-rise and commercial...

KRS releases SF On-Demand.(service first )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... BUDA, TEXAS -- KRS Enterprises now offers SERVICE FIRST! On-Demand, a Web-based dispatching and customer relationship management solution designed for service businesses. SF On-Demand enables users to manage customers, sales opportunities, work...

Be ready to harness market forces in "06.(EDITORIAL)
December 1, 2005... AS WE END 2005 and look forward to the new year, we can't help but observe that market forces are lining up in ways that favor plumbing-and-heating contractors. You have to make sure that you have the marketing programs and properly trained...