Contractor articles from February 2004

Contractor archives from February 2004

Va. home has ultimate radiant, HVAC system.(Industry News)
February 1, 2004... CLIFTON, VA. -- The owners of a custom home here, through their travels to Europe, understood the benefits of radiant floor heating. As a result, they were determined to find a hydronic system that would be ideal for their 18,000-sq.-ft....

Debate rages on cost of fire sprinkler retrofits.(Industry News)
February 1, 2004... CHICAGO -- Two deadly fires that occurred in less than a week in January prove the need for federal legislation to enact laws that assist business owners who retrofit their buildings with fire sprinkler systems, the National Fire Sprinkler...

Survey tracks power tool purchases.(Industry News)
February 1, 2004... CONTRACTOR readers spend, on average, $20,000 a year on power tools, according to an electronic survey conducted among the magazine's readers in January. Most of those purchases still are made through traditional two-step distribution....

Contractors 2000 changes name to Nexstar.(Industry News)
February 1, 2004... WHITE BEAR LAKE, MINN. -- Contractors 2000 has changed its name to Nexstar, and it is changing its program content and method of delivery. The member-owned organization intends to take its extensive library of knowledge and make it easy to find...

Contractors Services becomes Success Group International.(Industry News)
February 1, 2004... ST. LOUIS -- Contractors Services, the parent company of Plumbers' Success International and AirTime 500, has changed its name to Success Group International, as of Jan. 1. "Changing our name reflects our focus on the future," SGI...

Industry champion and publisher Jeff Forker dies.(Industry News)
February 1, 2004... CLEVELAND -- Jeff Forker, former publisher of Contracting Business magazine, died at his home on Jan. 22 after a three-year battle with cancer. He was 60. His career dedicated to the mechanical contracting industry began in 1971 when he...

New MCAA president: education overcomes industry challenges.(Industry News)(Mechanical Contractors Association of America, Inc.)
February 1, 2004... LEAWOOD, KAN. -- The mechanical construction industry continues to be a challenging arena in which to do business, acknowledges Mike Gossman, incoming president of Mechanical Contractors Association of America. Consequently, the best thing MCAA...

MasterFormat 04 to split plumbing and HVAC divisions.(High Volume Air Conditioning)
February 1, 2004... ALEXANDRIA, VA. -- The Construction Specifications Institute in January completed major content development for the 2004 edition of MasterFormat, the specifications-writing standard for most nonresidential building design and construction...

Contractor Infocus.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Size of CONTRACTOR readers' truck fleet (Average number of trucks in fleet--22) 100 or more 4.7% 25-99 11.4% 10-24 15.6% 3-9 32.5% 1-2 35.8% Note: Table made from bar graph. ...

IPS innovates Museum Park Condo job in Chicago.(Industry News)(International Piping Systems)
February 1, 2004... CHICAGO -- While Chicago's Loop--the downtown area bounded by the tracks of the city's elevated train system--is famous around the world, the current buzz in the local real estate market is all about the South Loop. The area just south of...

TDIndustries.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... For the seventh straight year, Fortune magazine has named Dallas-based TDIndustries one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For." Ranked No. 7 for the second consecutive year, the mechanical contractor is the only company to maintain a top 10...

Motivational speaker Steve Sobel will address the National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers at their 2004 Awards Banquet.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Motivational speaker Steve Sobel will address the National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers at their 2004 Awards Banquet. The dinner is the centerpiece of NAOHSM's 51st Annual Convention and Trade Show May 11-15 in Hartford, Conn. At...

The Mechanical Contractors Association of America.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The Mechanical Contractors Association of America will sponsor a an intensive three-day training program that will focus on fine-tuning the consultative skills of personnel who sell service contracts. Scheduled for April 28-30 in Chicago, the...

IAPMO Evaluation Service.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The IAPMO Evaluation Service began operations Jan. 1. IAPMO ES will evaluate building products, designs and materials to the requirements of NFPA 5000 Building Construction and Safety Code. The service will be available to any individual,...

Gov. Joseph Kernan designated Jan. 30 as Delta Faucet Co. Day in Indiana in honor of the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the first Delta faucet.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Gov. Joseph Kernan designated Jan. 30 as Delta Faucet Co. Day in Indiana in honor of the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the first Delta faucet. The original Delta was a kitchen faucet with a washerless, single-handle design. Masco...

Elderly Florida man gets $925,000 in scald suit.(Industry News)
February 1, 2004... WESTON, FLA. -- A Florida jury has awarded $925,000 to an elderly man who was scalded so badly that he had to have two fingers and part of a third amputated. The injured apartment renter successfully sued his landlords Gerald and Sara Silverman...

RPA to host 2 RadFests.(Industry News)( Radiant Panel Association )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... LOVELAND, COLO. -- The Radiant Panel Association plans to debut two regional events this spring--a Great Lakes RadFest April 16-17 in Madison, Wis., and a Rocky Mountain RadFest May 21-22 in Loveland. Each RadFest will be a two-day...

Plumber wins Tradesman of the Year award.(Industry News)
February 1, 2004... ST. LOUIS -- Marty McClimens, a plumber and instructor for the United Association Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 562 here, has been named the winner of the Irwin Industrial Tool Co./Rebuilding Together Tradesman of the Year Award. The...

When it's time to strike out on your own.(Schmitt On Management)(Column)
February 1, 2004... AS I MENTALLY review some outstandingly successful contractor startups that I have known, one trait seems to stand out more than any other. These new businesses were typically born as the child of an unhappy relationship between a medium-sized...

Rodgers takes EMCOR post.(Schmitt On Management)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... NORWALK, CONN. -- William A. Rodgers Jr. has been elected president and chief executive officer of EMCOR Facilities Services, an EMCOR Group subsidiary located in Arlington, Va. "Bill Rodgers joined EMCOR in 2001 as executive vice president...

Service truck doesn't carry unsafe materials.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2004... VIA E-MAIL--I am an HVACR contractor who is having some problems with my township in New Jersey. The zoning official, council members or planning board and some neighbors think that my HVAC truck is not safe to park in a residential area. They...

Questions on shower pans.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2004... VIA E-MAIL--I was reading your contractormag.com Web site regarding the process of installing a shower pan. I saw on an episode of "This Old House Classics" where time state farmhouse had a rubber shower pan. (Editor's note: "Dead [shower] pan...

Yates on the mark, twice.(Letters)(Brief Article)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2004... VIA E-MAIL--I just finished reading Dave Yates' two articles in the December issue of CONTRACTOR. In the first ("The gift of Christmas past," pg. 27), Dave captured what to me is the true meaning of Christmas. In the second ("Surviving...

The future of hydronics: tin radiators to PEX.(Eatherton On Hydronics)
February 1, 2004... IN LAST MONTH'S article (pg. 30), we looked at the evolution of heat sources and distribution piping. This month, we'll look at the heat emitters. Some of the original steam heat emitters had the appearance of a metallic mattress. In fact,...

Matchmaking 101--making the connection.(Hydronic Systems)(Column)
February 1, 2004... IF IT WASN'T for subs and clients, I'd have a great business." "If I ever find a general contractor who pays me on time, lets me know when a job isn't going to be ready and appreciates how I bust my butt for his company, I'll think I died and...

Product aids service, keeps customers informed.(Feldmans On Computers)(Wennsoft's Service Management Series)
February 1, 2004... IN THE OLD DAYS, work order management software stayed put in the office, and personnel plying the keyboard used the telephone to relay information to technicians out in the field. Today's advanced service management solutions support...

Yes, you can control your insurance costs.(McGreevy On Law)
February 1, 2004... WE ALL KNOW that insurance costs are based, in part, on the claims history of the insured. Risk can never be avoided entirely in construction, and there is always some chance that a loss will occur on a project. Nevertheless, a contractor can...

IRS boosts auto mileage allowance.(Blackman On Taxes)(Internal Revenue Service)
February 1, 2004... DO YOU USE your car for business? Hate keeping records of the actual expenses you pay for the business use of your car? There's another way to deduct the business use of your car. The optional mileage allowance method is the name of this game....

Variable pay option for field employees.(Craig On Project Management)
February 1, 2004... FOR DECADES, MOST companies that employ project managers have made percent-of-earned-extra-job-profit a key part of those PMs' compensation packages. Such pay-for-excellent-performance incentives have traditionally been good for the companies...

Anvil buys Star Pipe.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... PORTSMOUTH, N.H. -- Anvil International in January acquired the assets and product lines of Star Pipe Products, Building & Construction Division, a Houston-based company specializing in internationally manufactured products for the fire...

AMPAM sells commercial unit.(Industry News)(American Plumbing & Mechanical )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... ROUND ROCK, TEXAS -- American Plumbing & Mechanical closed an agreement in mid-January to sell AMPAM Commercial Sherwood Mechanical to Sherwood Mechanical, which was formed under the existing local management group. The sale is part of...

New Apollo ball valves.(editor's choice)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... NEW APOLLO BALLVALVES feature 2" copper tube extensions specifically designed for faster, easier installation using the no-solder ProPress crimping system. The bronze-bodied, full-port valves come in six sizes from 1/2" to 2". They are equipped...

The BHE22 pistol grip rotary hammer.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... THE BHE22 PISTOL GRIP ROTARY HAMMER features a 5.2 amp motor. It is ideal for through-drilling and anchor setting in a variety of materials including wood, steel, concrete and stone. It provides a quick-change three-jawed keyless chuck system...

This single-handle basin mixer is part of the Citterio, the newest addition to the Axor collection of designer bath products, which includes faucets, showers and accessories.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... THIS SINGLE-HANDLE BASIN MIXER is part of the Citterio, the newest addition to the Axor collection of designer bath products, which includes faucets, showers and accessories. While all items in the line are available in chrome, the company also...

The seeknake plus video pipe inspection system.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... THE SEESNAKE PLUS VIDEO PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEM now features an improved camera head that is 26% smaller for increased maneuverability in tight locations. The unit's stainless steel construction and a thicker light shield ensures longer camera...

The steel force service body.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... THE STEEL FORCE SERVICE BODY features 12-gauge safety tread plate steel floors and a 14-gauge steel front bulkhead with a solid sliding center door. The steel floor provides solid support for any load and the bulkhead allows cargo area access....

The X-plore series of masks and filter respirators.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... THE X-PLORE SERIES OF MASKS AND FILTER RESPIRATORS provide comfort and protection from hazardous compounds. An X-guided strap ensures an even distribution of the mask against the face without unwanted pressure. The compact, low-profile design...

This 1/2" dual torque hammer drill features a rotating brush plate that allows the tool to offer equal power in forward and reverse for backing out bound-up bits while extending the life of the brushes.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... THIS 1/2" DUAL TORQUE HAMMER DRILL features a rotating brush plate that allows the tool to offer equal power in forward and reverse for backing out bound-up bits while extending the life of the brushes. The tool is powered by an 8.5 amp motor,...

These cold weather work gloves have reinforced double stitching throughout.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... THESE COLD WEATHER WORK GLOVES have reinforced double stitching throughout. They feature a breathable mesh back, a shock absorbing padded palm, Thinsulate lining, and adjustable wrist closures for a snug fit. They are available in medium,...

The ATR heavy-duty truck rack.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... THE ATR HEAVY-DUTY TRUCK RACK is made from anodized aluminum and available in two models for full-size and compact pickups. It mounts to the top of a bed rail to store ladders and other materials, keeping the bed clear for additional cargo. The...

The E480 series lavatory tempering valves.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... THE E480 SERIES LAVATORY TEMPERING VALVES can provide temperature control at flows as low as 0.5 gpm, well exceeding the current 2.5 gpm standard. It provides protection at the point of use, allowing facilities to distribute water at higher...

The total massage model luxury bathtubs.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... THE TOTAL MASSAGE MODEL LUXURY BATHTUBS are equipped with whirlpool massage and bubbling air massage. The equipment components offer the bather a wide variety of control, including water pressure and variable massage. Clarke Products ...

Undercounter cast iron sinks.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... UNDERCOUNTER CAST IRON S]NKS provide a clean, minimalist look with a hint of color. They are easy to install and coordinate well with popular granite countertop materials as well as stainless steel appliances. Several cast iron colors are...

Series GGME gauge guards.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... SERIES GGME GAUGE GUARDS protect ultra-pure liquids from contamination and protect sensitive gauges from corrosion, clogging, instrument failure and resultant system downtime. A flexible, durable diaphragm in the guard serves as a barrier...

The statesman SSE series commercial electric water heater.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... THE STATESMAN SSE SERIES COMMERCIAL ELECTRIC WATER HEATER is offered in ten tank sizes from 5 gal. through 119 gal., with input ranges from 3 Kw to 90 Kw. A glass-lined tank comes standard, with silicon bronze and stainless steel tanks...

The EF77 high-performance vortex flowmeter.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... THE EF77 HIGH-PERFORMANCE VORTEX FLOWMETER incorporates a durable capacitive sensor which generates accurate volumetric flow rate measurements of gases, liquids, saturated and supersaturated steam. It provides accuracy to within +/-1% for gases...

The gen-ear acoustical leak detection system.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... THE GEN-EAR ACOUSTICAL LEAK DETECTION SYSTEM quickly and accurately locates leaks in PVC, cast iron, copper and steel lines. It also pinpoints problems in a wide variety of work, soil and surface conditions. A digital spectrum analyzer with 16...

The Victorian single-hole lavatory faucet.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... THE VICTORIAN SINGLE-HOLE LAVATORY FAUCET offers classic vintage styling with cross handles with hot/cold insignia. It is shown with the lifetime-guaranteed PermaBrass finish. Harrington Brass CIRCLE 117 ON INQUIRY CARD ...

Transparent duct tape.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... TRANSPARENT DUCT TAPE is strong enough to tackle almost any repair project around the job site. It is less noticeable when applied. It is water- and UV-resistant for both indoor and outdoor use. It has been created with easy lengthwise and...

The Tiburon and Montara faucets.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... THE TIBURON AND MONTARA FAUCETS offer stylish, contemporary designs. The graceful spouts are further enhanced by a clear water stream. The Tiburon with cross handles and the Montara with lever handles are both available with a complete array of...

The switch-n-go detachable truck body system.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... THE SWITCH-N-GO DETACHIBLE TRUCK BODY SYSTEM transitions the roll-off concept to medium-scale trucking. It allows the user to load heavy cargo from ground level without a lift truck, and provides full dump capability just like a dedicated dump...

The Millhog air clamp system.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... THE MILLHOG AIR CLAMP SYSTEM installed on the Millhog right angle welding and end-prep tool replaces the manual draw rod clamping assembly for automating repetitive applications. The pneumatic cylinder actuates the clamp ribs for securely...

This PVC saw features a tool-free blade set up that allows for quick and easy blade replacement.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... THIS PVC SAW features a tool-free blade set up that allows for quick and easy blade replacement. The specially-designed handle allows the user to position the blade for flush cutting without an adapter. The saw has a built-in belt/ladder hook...

The ZF-TC tronic transmission system.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... THE ZF-TC TRONIC TRANSMISSION SYSTEM offers more precise control over heavy-duty vehicles weighing up to 250 tons. It allows for smoother, more stress-free starting of extremely heavy vehicles with electronically controlled diesel engines. It...

This new line of protective eyewear meets ANSI and OSHA requirements and is CSA-certified.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... THIS NEW LINE OF PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR meets ANSI and OSHA requirements and is CSA-certified. The line features anti-fog, scratch-resistant, anti-UV lens coatings, adjustable temple lengths, and stylish wrap-around designs. AII three of the lens...

Suregrip temperature probes.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... SUREGRIP TEMPERATURE PROBES are fitted with soft rubber handles and easy-to-grasp shapes that help reduce operator fatigue while improving contact with target surfaces. The probes are ideal for taking measurements of air, liquids, large...

The model 1120 mini-widespread lavatory faucet.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... THE MODEL 1120 MINI-WIDESPREAD LAVATORY FAUCET has a curved deckplate to match the contours of the sink. It features solid brass construction and ceramic disc washerless 1/4-turn valves. It is available in over 35 designer finishes and 17...

This circular saw features the Quik-Change system that allows for a fast, keyless blade change, saving time on the job site.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... THIS CIRCULAR SAW features the Quik-Change system that allows for a fast, keyless blade change, saving time on the job site. It has a magnesium housing that is both lightweight and durable for extended life and less operator strain from...

MSDS binderworks.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... MSDS BINDERWORKS is designed to be the industry standard in Material Safety Data Sheet management. The subscription system helps reduce costs and save time associated with inventory preparation and maintenance, and helps keep the compliance...

The posi-lock 1/4" universal shank hole saw arbors.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... THE POSI-LOCK 1/4" UNIVERSAL SHANK HOLE SAW ARBORS feature positive lock, non-slip jaw slots that accept the jaws mechanism on power drill chucks. The arbors fit 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" chucks and 9/16" to 1/16" and 1 1/4" to 2" saw sizes. The...

The Hobo 4-channel data logger.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... THE HOBO 4-CHANNEL DATA LOGGER can accept up to four external sensors for measuring AC current, DC voltage, temperature and carbon dioxide. This enables contractors and maintenance technicians to affordably solve a broad range of monitoring...

The metroflush manual flush valve.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... THE METROFLUSH MANUAL FLUSH VALVE is a piston-operated brass flush valve with a polished chrome exterior. It is ADA-compliant with a no leak handle. It features siphon-guard backcheck protection, vacuum breaker, flush tube wall escutcheon and...

The isolator family of uni-flange ball valves.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... THE ISOLATOR FAMILY OF UNIFLANGE BALL VALVES provide an easier, faster, more affordable method for installing and servicing circulator pumps. Webstone CIRCLE 132 ON INQUIRY CARD [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

A new line of safety products.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... A NEW UNE OF SAFETY PRODUCTS from the company includes N-Specs safety eyewear, NS hand protection, and ActivGard full-body protective wear. All products are subjected to rigorous quality control. Northern Safety CIRCLE 133 ON INQUIRY...

This electrofusion joining system is designed to join polyvinylidene fluoride acid waste pipe and fittings using the Rionfuse electrofusion processor.(Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... THIS ELECTROFUSION JOINING SYSTEM is designed to join polyvinylidene fluoride acid waste pipe and fittings using the Rionfuse electrofusion processor. The system joins fittings from 1 1/2" to 6". It utilizes a fusion coil made from heavy-duty...

Keeping current with contractors' needs.(Editorial)
February 1, 2004... JEFF FORKER, my former boss who died Jan. 22, used to have a saying : "If it's the right thing to do for the readers, it's the right thing to do for the magazine." Advertisers pay our bills and trade associations usually share our same...