Contractor articles from July 2001

Contractor archives from July 2001

Honeywell/GE kaput?(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... MORRIS TOWNSHIP, N.J. -- United Technologies CEO George David may get his revenge yet. David announced on a Friday last year that Carrier Corp. parent UTC planned to buy Honeywell, but by the end of the weekend, GE boss Jack Welch had gone home...

Power plants fuel Encompass.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... HOUSTON -- Touting the diversity of its skills, Encompass Services Corp. announced that it has been awarded $89 million in new contracts in the power plant, military and industrial arenas. The consolidator, which provides mechanical,...

U.S. probes steel imports.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration on June 22 asked the U.S. International Trade Commission to launch an investigation of imported steel pipe, tube, pipe fittings and flanges. The study of these products is part of a much larger probe into...

Water heater likely started deadly blaze.(Long Island fire took the lives of three fire fighters)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... NEW YORK -- Spilled gasoline ignited by a water heater is the likely cause of a mid-June explosion and fire at Long Island General Supply in Queens that killed three New York City firefighters. Witnesses have told fire investigators that...

CONTRACTOR INFOCUS.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2001... Gas equipment shipments cool down (Total units shipped) 2000 1999 Change Residential gas 4,907,007 4,933,659 -0.5% water heaters Residential electric 4,257,433 4,281,199...

Money can motivate workers only if spent properly: expert.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... CHICAGO -- Recognizing people for a job well done is more important than money, construction industry consultant Chuck Vander Kooi told members of the Mechanical Contractors Association of America. If contractors do use bonuses and raises...

Pact safeguards Great Lakes water.(rationing proposed due to falling levels)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. -- Governors from eight states signed an agreement June 18 to stem the flow of water from the Great Lakes to inland communities. Premiers from two Canadian provinces also signed the document, which carries some urgency due...

How to get time, money by filing delay claims.(Mid-Year Education Conference of the Mechanical Contractors Association of America)
July 1, 2001... CHICAGO -- There are six phases to a construction project, said consultant Bob Vail of The Vail Network Co., Chesterland, Ohio. They are: 1. Enthusiasm, especially on the part of the owner; 2. Disillusionment, when things start going...

Health-friendly house built.
July 1, 2001... GLEN ELLYN, ILL. -- In August the American Lung Association will let the public get a look at its latest in a series of Health Houses before the home is occupied by a private owner. The 16,000-sq.-ft. Millennium II house features a raft of...

New device blocks water heater leaks.(Water and Gas Safety Valve from Taco)(Evaluation)
July 1, 2001... CRANSTON, R.I. -- One of the latest innovations in water heater technology is a deceptively simple-looking device that fits outside the water heater. The Water and Gas Safety Valve -- or WAGS -- from Taco is designed to prevent water...

New burner cuts down water heater emissions.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... ASHLAND CITY, TENN. -- State Industries is marketing an environmentally friendly gas burner that reduces water heater emissions of nitric and nitrous oxides by up to 33% compared to conventional gas-fired models, according to the company. ...

CONTRACTOR magazine captured a bronze medal in June.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... * CONTRACTOR magazine captured a bronze medal in June in the national graphic design competition of the American Society of Business Press Editors. The February 2000 front page also won a silver medal in ASBPE'S Midwest regional competition....

CONTRACTOR columnist and industry educator Dan Holohan.(seminars on steam heating planned)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... * CONTRACTOR columnist and industry educator Dan Holohan will conduct single-day steam-heating seminars Aug. 27 and 28 at the Holiday Inn in King of Prussia, Pa. All proceeds will benefit the Dave Nelsen Scholarship Fund, established by the...

The American National Standards Institute.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... * The American National Standards Institute has approved the accreditation application of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials. The procedures accredited by ANSI contemplate the continued involvement of the...

A two-day training program on how to assess and minimize the risk of legionella and other waterborne pathogens in hospitals and other large buildings will be offered Sept. 18-19 in Baltimore.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... * A two-day training program on how to assess and minimize the risk of legionella and other waterborne pathogens in hospitals and other large buildings will be offered Sept. 18-19 in Baltimore. The course is for professionals who offer services...

The Plumbing Contractors of America will hold its second annual conference Sept. 13-15 in Cleveland.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... * The Plumbing Contractors of America will hold its second annual conference Sept. 13-15 in Cleveland. PCA is part of the Mechanical Contractors Association of America. Call Linda Fiedler at 800/556-3653 for more information about the meeting.

The Mechanical Contractors Association of North Central Wisconsin.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... * The Mechanical Contractors Association of North Central Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Fox Valley Sheet Metal Contractors Association and the Insulation Contractors Association of Northern Wisconsin raised $1,200 for local charities at a golf...

Watts buys filtration firm.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... NORTH ANDOVER,. MASS. -- Watts Industries has bought Premier Manufactured Systems, which manufactures water-filtration systems for residential and commercial applications. Its product line consists of reverse- osmosis filtration systems...

You can overcome the Rodney syndrome.
July 1, 2001... As A YOUNG man I had the thrill of having a young lady tell me gently that there could be no future in our relationship if I intended to be a plumber for the rest of my life. It was, as I clearly recall, our last date. The image problem is...

LETTERS.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... Advice is sought on `pumping away' LANSDOWNE, PA. -- I really appreciate Mark Eatherton's hydronic heating columns in CONTRACTOR magazine. They have helped us to improve the quality of our installations. I have a question concerning...

unWired.
July 1, 2001... With no clear technological leader, contractors are using a wide range of wireless devices. IT WOULD BE a good idea for contractors to wear both a belt and suspenders so they don't unexpectedly flash customers because of all the...

Wally on the Web.
July 1, 2001... WALLY THOUGHT he should have a presence on the World Wide Web. He liked the way that sounded. Presence. If you advertised in the Penny Saver you had an ad. Same thing with the Yellow Pages. But with the World Wide Web a company has got to have...

Air traffic control with a bypass valve.(Column)
July 1, 2001... AT THE END of last month's column, I asked the question about what one should do with all the pent-up energy that a properly sized circulator has when only one small zone is calling for heat. Here's the answer. Install an adjustable...

Software may be Wright for commercial jobs.(Wrightsoft Corp.'s Right Suite Commercial for Windows software)
July 1, 2001... WHEN SIZING SYSTEMS for air conditioning, guesstimates are OK for giving clients a rough idea of what's involved. For getting the sizing just right, with no undersizing or oversizing, exact calculations work best. While a pencil and a...

Can architect be liable for approving payment?
July 1, 2001... IT IS NOT OFTEN that architects or engineers are found by courts to be liable to subcontractors or suppliers, but if the facts are right, a firm that has been left unpaid by a general contractor might have another pocket to reach into. In...

New PMI lobbyist to address legislative, regulatory issues.(Plumbing Manufacturers Institute )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... SCHAUMBURG, ILL. -- The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute has retained the government relations services of Frederick R. Eames of Balch & Bingham in Washington. PMI's former representative, Cece Kremer, ended her eight years with the trade...

Avoid divorce devil when kids own stock.
July 1, 2001... ARE YOU THINKING of transferring stock to your kids or to one or more of your kids who already owns stock in your closely held business? Beware: You, your family and your business could be starting on a dangerous trip. But take heart. There's a...

Metrics to evaluate people management.
July 1, 2001... OF THE THREE core components that are part of project management -- financial, material and people -- managing the personnel end is always the most difficult. Capital assets, as in money, are a static tool that is there to obey every whim...

Holohan pairs owners, contractors.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... BETHPAGE, N.Y. -- CONTRACTOR columnist Dan Holohan now offers contractors the opportunity to showcase their work on his Web site, HeatingHelp.com. After clicking on the site's new button, "Find a Contractor," an owner will type in a zip code...

Peerless Heater opens new distribution center.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... BOYERTOWN, PA. -- Cast-iron boiler manufacturer Peerless Heater Co. recently moved into its new Peerless Headquarters/Kite Warehouse. The building, set on 7.7 acres, is the new home to Peerless Heater's shipping department. Opened in March, the...

The Super-Size induced-draft gas water heater is offered in a 75 gal./ 80,000 Btuh model and a 100 gal./100,000 Btuh model to meet the demands of even the largest upscale homes.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... The Super-Size induced-draft gas water heater is offered in a 75 gal./ 80,000 Btuh model and a 100 gal./100,000 Btuh model to meet the demands of even the largest upscale homes. The induced-draft design uses a factory-installed blower to create...

The EX-Sweat ball valve features a detachable copper tailpiece that eliminates potential valve seat damage incurred from high soldering temperatures.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... The EX-Sweat ball valve features a detachable copper tailpiece that eliminates potential valve seat damage incurred from high soldering temperatures. The copper allows for a faster, simpler installation than brass or bronze which require higher...

The 30-Gallon Short water heater has a low profile design for tough installations where tight space a low ceilings can be a problem.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... The 30-Gallon Short water heater has a low profile design for tough installations where tight space a low ceilings can be a problem. With a 48 3/8-in. floor to centerline vent height and the flexibility for on the spot replacements of both...

The Pure Touch AquaSuite with under-sink water filtration system provides filtered water to the kitchen or bath.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... The Pure Touch AquaSuite with under-sink water filtration system provides filtered water to the kitchen or bath. The system uses an easy-to-install throwaway filter cartridge. There are no parts to clean or disinfect, an no tools are required...

The Memoria acrylic claw foot bathtub features an ultra-smooth exterior.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... The Memoria acrylic claw foot bathtub features an ultra-smooth exterior. The side-mounted spout allows bathers to comfortably recline at either end of the tub. It measuring 66-in. long by 32-in. wide by 24-in. deep, and the traditional-style...

The Generation II packless valve features a forged brass body for strength and rigidity.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... The Generation II packless valve features a forged brass body for strength and rigidity. The stainless steel spring is corrosion resistant for long life. Large diameter diaphragms of dissimilar metals permit greater lift and aid flow. A raised...

The Model G37-200, the latest addition to a line of heavy-duty gas-powered commercial water heaters.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... The Model G37-200, the latest addition to a line of heavy-duty gas-powered commercial water heaters, is a 35 gal. booster available in natural gas and LP. It is designed to minimize the difficulty of replacing failed booster water heaters and...

The 35-70 is a 120 VAC direct spark ignition device for controlling a gas valve.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... The 35-70 is a 120 VAC direct spark ignition device for controlling a gas valve, monitoring flame and driving a combustion blower to ignite LP and natural gas. The microprocessor-based control is designed for applications in construction...

The Maytag Performa residential water heater is backed by a six-year warranty against tank leaks and parts failures.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... The Maytag Performa residential water heater is backed by a six-year warranty against tank leaks and parts failures. Models in the line include gas, electric, direct-vent gas and power direct-vent gas. Most models feature a polymer dip tube...

These Termomix valves are available in 3- and 4-way pattern, in sizes 1/2-in. to 1 1/2-in. in both cast iron and brass body construction with NPT connections.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... These Termomix valves are available in 3- and 4-way pattern, in sizes 1/2-in. to 1 1/2-in. in both cast iron and brass body construction with NPT connections. The 4-way brass valve is also available with solder connections, which eliminates the...

This sensor faucet can be ordered individually, or as part of a package with institutional wash sinks, service sinks and lavatories.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... This sensor faucet can be ordered individually, or as part of a package with institutional wash sinks, service sinks and lavatories. The package ships sinks, sensor faucets, mixing valves (if specified) and accessories together in one box....

The Royal Flushometer diaphragm-type flushometer delivers water from 15 psi to 100 psi while providing water economy and long life.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... The Royal Flushometer diaphragm-type flushometer delivers water from 15 psi to 100 psi while providing water economy and long life. It is offered in a wide variety of preset flushing volumes to meet the needs of both new and existing fixtures....

How one small business gets taken to the cleaners.(Column)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... A FEW YEARS BACK, I had a position teaching an editing class in the graduate school of a Big Ten university known for its journalism program. I hesitate to use the word "job" because the pay was laughable but the prestige was high, and the...