Contractor articles from May 2002

Contractor archives from May 2002

Feds indict councilman, former UA local official.(Thomas Martin, Minneapolis City Council member, former United Association Plumbers Local 15 official, indicted)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... MINNEAPOLIS -- A federal grand jury has indicted the former business manager of United Association Plumbers Local 15 here and a Minneapolis City Council member on charges of extortion, embezzlement and mail fraud. The grand jury charged...

GSW Inc. buys American Water Heater Co.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... SPECIAL TO CONTRACTOR JOHNSON CITY, TENN. -- Canadian water heater manufacturer GSW Inc. purchased American Water Heater Co. in early April from Southcorp Ltd., an Australian winemaker that now has divested all its holdings in water heater...

C2000 members hear: ways to keep people. (Industry News).(employee retention discussed at contractors conference)(C2000 Super Meeting XXI)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... TEMPE, ARIZ. -- While many contractors talk about the challenges of finding and keeping good employees, some companies inside and outside the contracting field are doing something about it. In his workshop, "Wowing Employees! How to Get...

Will home depot buy larger wholesaler? (Industry News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... TUCSON, ARIZ. -- Unless The Home Depot buys a giant wholesaler such as Ferguson Enterprises, the retailer may not increase substantially its sales to professional plumbing contractors, a consultant told members of the Plumbing Manufacturers...

9/11 attacks hike insurance costs. (Industry News).(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2002... IF YOU ARE having a difficult time getting property-and-casualty insurance coverage for projects and the availability of terrorism coverage seems to have dried up, you're not alone in these experiences. Virtually everyone is struggling. ...

Contractor's dream home radiates comfort. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... SPECIAL TO CONTRACTOR CROTON-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. -- When visitors see the mechanical room of Mike Lanzillotto's new house here, they tell him that a picture of it belongs in a magazine. "I just wanted a really super-duper heating system,"...

Frost & Sullivan.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2002... * A new report from consulting firm Frost & Sullivan, "North American Performance Contracting Markets," reveals that the industry generated revenues exceeding $3 billion in 2001 and is projected to near $5 billion by 2008. The biggest...

Four major fire protection equipment associations and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... * Four major fire protection equipment associations and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have created a voluntary code of practice to minimize unnecessary emissions of hydrofluorocarbon gases used as fire protection agents. HFCs...

Although the product isn't available here, the EPA awarded Japan's DENSO Corp. the 2002 EPA Climate Protection Award for developing and marketing the world's first mass-produced C[O.sub.2]-refrigerant, heat-pump water heater for households.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... * Although the product isn't available here, the EPA awarded Japan's DENSO Corp. the 2002 EPA Climate Protection Award for developing and marketing the world's first mass-produced C[O.sub.2] refrigerant, heat-pump water heater for households....

A Tennessee court has denied class-action status to a group of insurance companies suing Shell Oil Co., Hoechst Celanese Corp. and E.I. DuPont in an attempt to get back millions of dollars they paid out in the 1990s related to defective polybutylene plumbing pipe.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... * A Tennessee court has denied class-action status to a group of insurance companies suing Shell Oil Co., Hoechst Celanese Corp. and E.I. DuPont in an attempt to get back millions of dollars they paid out in the 1990s related to defective...

NFPA 13-D.(fire sprinklers)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... * The Village of Hoffman Estates, III., has tightened its residential fire sprinkler ordinance to require full NFPA 13-D systems in new homes The town had required a modified 13-D system that required fire sprinklers only in heat-producing...

The Bank of Canada.(plastic money)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... * The Bank of Canada is considering following the lead of Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Romania, Papua New Guinea and several other countries by printing $20, $50 and $100 bills on a polymer plastic. Australia introduced plastic bank notes...

Ed McMahon files mold suit.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... LOS ANGELES -- Former "Tonight Show" announcer Ed McMahon filed a $20 million lawsuit in April against his home insurance company, which he claimed had mishandled a repair on a broken plumbing pipe. According to published reports, his suit...

AMPAM revenue up, margins tight. (Industry News).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2002... ROUND ROCK, TEXAS -- American Plumbing & Mechanical in late March announced its operating results for the fiscal year and quarter ended Dec. 31, 2001. Revenues for the 12 months ended Dec. 31 increased 9% to $606.2 million, vs. $557.9...

Khan Scholarship Fund surpasses $120,000 mark. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... FALLS CHURCH, VA. -- The United Association of Journey-men and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry has donated $15,000 to the Imran Khan Scholarship Fund started by the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National...

Never go back to T&M again. (Schmitt On Management).(time and materials pricing system)(Brief Article)(Column)
May 1, 2002... TRY, AT LEAST once a year, to endorse flat-rate pricing. I have no direct benefit from anyone becoming a flat-rate pricing company. I do not sell a flat-rating system. I am very proud that two of the existing flat-rate systems for sale today...

RSES extends class discounts to non-members. (Schmitt On Management).(Refrigeration Service Engineers Society)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... DES PLAINES, ILL. -- The Refrigeration Service Engineers Society said it will extend discounts on RSES seminars to members of sister associations, including Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors and Air Conditioning Contractors of America. ...

`Color' column angers reader. (Letters).
May 1, 2002... CARY, N.C. -- I read H. Kent Craig's article entitled "What color is your project manager?" (February, pg. 28). Mr. Craig begins the article with"... I have yet to sit across the conference table from an African-American project manager and...

Don't ignore 50% of workers. (Letters).
May 1, 2002... RENSSELAER, N.Y. -- I was impressed and totally agree with H. Kent Craig's column in the February edition ("What color is your project manager?" pg. 28). I have been a mechanical contractor for the last 16 years and I have seen very few...

Living in interesting times: giants in the greatest diversity of markets have been able to shake off the effects of recession, but all worry about the speed of the recovery. (Book Of Giants).(Industry Overview)
May 1, 2002... The last 12 months have been challenging for the nation's largest mechanical contractors, not bad as in 1991 or disastrous as in 1982. The contractors felt the effects of the recession that started a year ago and which was exacerbated by the...

QSC members to learn `power talk'.
May 1, 2002... FALLS CHURCH, VA. -- Service and repair contractors will learn how to "power talk" Aug. 1-3 at the Quality Service Contractors' Power Meeting XVII in Kansas City, Mo. Keynote speaker George Walther's "Power Talking: The Language of...

Trouble-shooting domestic hot water systems, part 2. (Eatherton On Hydronics).(Brief Article)(Column)
May 1, 2002... IN LAST MONTH'S column (pg. 30), we began the art of trouble-shooting domestic hot water heating system complaints commonly aired by unhappy homeowners. Here is the second part of this three-part series. "The water in the shower never gets...

Peerless Heater announces seminar schedule. (Eatherton On Hydronics).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... BOYERTOWN, PA. -- Peerless Heater Co. has announced the dates and locations of its 2002 "Colors of Heat" training seminars. All the locations will feature two seminars, each with a different topic, except for the Boyertown location, which will...

Products for your books, estimating, contacts. (Feldmans On Computers).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... MASTERBUILDER 7 (Intuit Construction Business Solutions, www.construction.intuit.com, 800/726-6278) is construction management software that, with the appropriate modules, integrates estimating, scheduling, accounting, job costing, production...

Warranties differ from `correction' periods. (McGreevy On Law).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... ONE OF THE most common misconceptions in construction is that a contractor's responsibility for faulty work ends at the end of the 12-month "warranty" period. This is not just misunderstood by contractors, but by designers and owners as well....

IRS simplifies rules for IRA distributions. (Blackman On Taxes).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... READY? EVERYBODY ON your feet. A long, standing ovation for the Internal Revenue Service. For my entire professional life--50 years--I have been convinced that the guys who write IRS regulations have only two buttons: complex and more complex....

PMP certification: is it really worth anything? (Craig On Project Management).(Project Management Institute certification)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... A COUPLE DAYS ago I received an e-mail from an under-30 project manager who has a degree in construction management and five years of experience as a project manager for a larger HVAC contractor in south Florida. He asked if I thought that his...

Craig should do his homework. (Letters).
May 1, 2002... VIA E-MAIL -- I am sorry to read that H. Kent Craig has led such a sheltered life. I am the general manager of a mid-sized industrial contracting firm in Iowa. And just to list a few of our clients: Cargill, Ajinomoto, Ipsco Steel, Ralston,...

Column is offensive. (Letters).
May 1, 2002... WHITTIER, CALIF. -- I just finished reading the "Project Management" column from your February 2002 issue of CONTRACTOR ("What color is your project manager?" pg. 28). I find this column extremely offensive, and I have trouble...

Contractor complimented. (Letter).
May 1, 2002... CRANFORD, N.J. -- I have been a long-time reader of CONTRACTOR and wanted to send you a short note to express my appreciation of this publication, especially a "free" one. Over the years, I have cut out many articles for re-reading and...

Ultimate B813 flux. (editor's choice).
May 1, 2002... ULTIMATE B813 FLUX is water soluble and complaint with ASTM B813 standards. It has a very high heat stability and will stay put during soldering without running, dripping or burning off prematurely. The flux is a thick, creamy paste the goes on...

The 34B series ASSE 1016. (Products).
May 1, 2002... * THE 34B SERIES ASSE 1016 thermostatic mixing valve features a corrosion-resistant cast bronze body, a temperature-controlling polypropylene handle, EPDM O-ring, stainless steel spring and brass stem, retainer, union tail piece, union nut and...

These mini ball valves. (Products).
May 1, 2002... * THESE MINI BALL VALVES are available in 1/8"F x 1/8"M; 1/4"F x 1/8"M; 1/8"F x 1/4"M; and 1/4"F x 1/4"M. They can replace a leaky plug-type valve in many applications. Red-White Valve CIRCLE 103 ON INQUIRY CARD [ILLUSTRATION...

The konos. (Products).
May 1, 2002... * THE KONOS line of kitchen faucets features striking geometric design. They are offered in chrome and brushed nickel finishes, and have an advanced faceplate that minimizes mineral deposits. KWC CIRCLE 104 ON INQUIRY CARD ...

Terreon shower pans. (Products).
May 1, 2002... * TERREON SHOWER PANS are composed of an acrylic modified polyester resin, making them durable and vandal-resistant. They feature a textured floor to prevent slips, a ribbed bottom for added strength and a chrome-plated brass drain assembly....

The model TD-300. (Products).
May 1, 2002... * THE MODEL TD-300 with capacities up to 2,100 lb./hr. is a thermodynamic disc steam trap. It is manufactured with a stainless steel body and a removable mesh strainer. Ogontz CIRCLE 106 ON INQUIRY CARD [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

This three-way thermostatic bypass valve. (Products).
May 1, 2002... * THIS THREE-WAY THERMOSTATIC BYPASS VALVE is designed for use in either new or retrofit fin-tube baseboard installations to permit zone control of individual rooms. It is furnished with compression fittings for 3/4" copper tube. Enerjee...

The model 535. (Products).
May 1, 2002... * THE MODEL 535 automatic threading machine features a 2 hp induction motor and a three-speed transmission for increased productivity. It has a reliable automatic chuck, and threads from 1/8" to 2" pipe, including black, galvanized and...

The python. (Products).
May 1, 2002... * THE PYTHON adjustable locking cable is a practical security solution for a wide range of applications at the construction site. The tough 3/8" braided steel cable is cut resistant, and both the cable and the lock body are vinyl-coated to...

The supreme pedestal lavatory. (Products).
May 1, 2002... * THE SUPREME PEDESTAL LAVATORY features SanaGloss glazing, an ultra-smooth, non-porous surface that repels dirt and bacteria and cleans easily. The 34" high lavatory is also offered in a wall-hung version. For both, a full range of decorator...

The vic-plus. (Products).
May 1, 2002... * THE VIC-PLUS dry-lubricated gasket system reduces assembly time and eliminates messy lubricants and residue from over-lubrication. The system is dry, inert and non-toxic. The company can supply the new gaskets on most fittings up to 24" in a...

This stainless steel undermount sink. (Products).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... * THIS STAINLESS STEEL UNDERMOUNT SINK is seamless, and offered in 14-, 16-, 18- or 20-gauge steel. It is available in 20"x28", 24"x24", 20"x20", 16"x20", 18"x24", 12"x20", 14"x14" and 10"x14". Bowl depths range from 6" to 14". Advance...

The medallion bar faucet. (Products).
May 1, 2002... * THE MEDALLION BAR FAUCET has a high arch design with clean, classic lines. It features a solid brass body, ceramic disc cartridge and easy-to-install flexible color-coded connections. The faucet comes with a large, reversible mounting nut for...

This bench radiator. (Products).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... * THIS BENCH RADIATOR is ideal for a spa or gym, or for any vestibule. It is crafted to be a conversation piece and at the same time deliver a heat output of 10,383 Btuh. Myson CIRCLE 114 ON INQUIRY CARD [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The 2003 chevy express full-size van. (Trucks And Vans).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... * THE 2003 CHEVY EXPRESS FULL-SIZE VAN is now available with such improved features as all-wheel drive, left-hand-side 60/40 entry/load doors and side access panels that allow access to tools or parts from either side of the vehicle. All-wheel...

The dodge ram heavy-duty 2500/3500. (Trucks And Vans).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... * THE DODGE RAM HEAVY-DUTY 2500/3500 is available with the most powerful diesel engine on the market with the redesigned Cummins turbo diesel. It produces 305 hp at 2,900 rpm and 555 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,400 rpm, giving it a towing capacity...

The e-series van. (Trucks And Vans).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... * THE E-SERIES VAN comes standard with a 4.6-liter, 5.4-liter or 6.8-liter Triton engine. The engine features single overhead cam design and fail-safe cooling, and can deliver 90% of its torque below 2,000 rpm, making the series ideal for use...

The FE-SP. (Trucks And Vans).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... * THE FE-SP is a Class 4, 14,500 lb. GVWR truck equipped with a 145 hp intercooled, turbocharged diesel engine and 5-speed manual transmission. A 175 hp diesel engine with automatic transmission is also available. Its cab-over design makes it...

The sprinter. (Trucks And Vans).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... * THE SPRINTER includes such options as full-height rear doors with an opening angle of 270 [degrees] , sliding side doors, extra low-level access, independent front suspension, standard four-wheel disc breaks, anti-lock breaking system and...

This heating and air conditioning system. (Trucks And Vans).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... * THIS HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM for walk-in trucks can cool a typical van or truck body from 100 [degrees] F to 77 [degrees] F in just two minutes. It can also provide 70% more cooling output, significant defrost improvement and...

N- and F-series class 3-7 commercial vehicles. (Trucks And Vans).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... * N- AND F-SERIES CLASS 3-7 COMMERCIAL VEHICLES now include new NPR HD and NQR seven-passenger crew cab models for 2003. The trucks emphasize reliability, maneuverability, enhanced driver ergonomics and safety. The trucks are designed...

How contractor's Giants stay that way. (Editorial).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... OF THE 85,000 or so contracting firms in our industry, the companies in our annual Book of Giants survey represent just a handful. Of course, with the volume of work that these Giants perform, they are a VERY BIG handful. I've heard in the...