Contractor articles from November 2005

Contractor archives from November 2005

Danforth creates packaged mechanical rooms for Buffalo project.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
November 1, 2005... BUFFALO, N.Y. -- John W. Danforth Co. has won a long-term contract changing out the heating systems in 77 buildings for the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority. It's two contracts, actually, one a performance contract with Seimens for the...

Higher heating bills coming this winter.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
November 1, 2005... SPECIAL TO CONTRACTOR WASHINGTON -- The Hydronics Institute Division of the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association was holding its fall meeting Oct. 12 in Absecon, N.J., just as the U.S. Department of Energy announced that increased...

Embassy to Mestek: P&F Industries sells.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
November 1, 2005... FARMINGDALE, N.Y. -- P&F Industries announced in mid-October that Embassy Industries, a wholly owned subsidiary of the company, sold substantially all its non-real estate assets to a new Mestek Inc. division, Embassy Manufacturing Inc. Mestek,...

CONTRACTOR readers' key factors when choosing a new truck.(CONTRACTOR INFOCUS)
November 1, 2005... CONTRACTOR readers' key factors when choosing a new truck (Ranked first, second, third) 1.34 Reliability 2.10 Price 2.19 Dealer 2.20 Brand 2.23 Fuel efficiency 2.25 Handling ease 2.25 Cargo area/payload 2.52...

ICC, IAPMO discuss joint plumbing, mechanical codes.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
November 1, 2005... IN RESPONSE TO the signing Sept. 28 of a memorandum of understanding, the International Code Council and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials scheduled a meeting for mid-November. The organizations have solidified...

AHR Expo to host Radiant House display.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... CHICAGO -- The Radiant Panel Association and AHR Expo will host "Radiant House" with installation demonstrations during the January 2006 show at McCormick Place in Chicago. Designed to provide attendees with the latest information on...

Weil-McLain adds jobs, operations at new North Carolina facility.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Company Profile)
November 1, 2005... EDEN, N.C. -- Weil-McLain announced Sept. 27 at the grand opening of its manufacturing plant and customer training facility here that it will expand operations and expects to create about 3S additional jobs. The planned addition of sheet...

U. of Colorado wins 2005 Solar Decathlon.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
November 1, 2005... SPECIAL TO CONTRACTOR WASHINGTON -- Eighteen colleges and universities set up solar houses on the National Mall here in October, competing to see who had the best engineering and construction students. The top objective of the 200S Solar...

Watch wording on your Website: ContractorsExchange or ContractorSexchange?(INDUSTRY NEWS)
November 1, 2005... NASHVILLE, TENN. -- David Squires thought that contractorsexchange.com would make a great name for a Website where his fellow trade professionals could swap ideas. Web surfers outside the trades, however, might find that domain name even more...

Rock Hill Mechanical wins ethanol work.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
November 1, 2005... ST. LOUIS -- A year-long effort by Rock Hill Mechanical here and United Association Plumbers and Pipefitters Local $62 has paid off with what the contractor and union hope to be a long list of ethanol plant projects. Site work has started...

Number of trucks in CONTRACTOR readers' fleets.(CONTRACTOR INFOCUS)
November 1, 2005... Number of trucks in CONTRACTOR readers' fleets (Average number of trucks in fleet = 20) 100 or more 3.5% 50-99 4% 25-49 8.4% 15-24 10.3% 10-14 11.2% 6-9 17.1% 3-5 ...

Mr. Rooter.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Mr. Rooter recently was named as one of the 2005 "Bond's Top 100 Franchises," a list created by an independent organization that evaluates more than 2,300 franchise systems without the influence of paid advertising. This is the second...

The Service Roundtable.
November 1, 2005... The Service Roundtable has introduced an "intelligent email summary digest," making it simpler for members to manage large volumes of discussion list e-mail. When members select digest mode, they receive a single e-mail containing all the...

National Fire Sprinkler Association.
November 1, 2005... The National Fire Sprinkler Association has formed the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. As a result of members' donations, NFSA will make a lump-sum donation of $20,000 to the American Red Cross.

Dennis Broderick, senior vice president/sales for In-Sink-Erator, presented $25,000 to Jim Driscoll, chairman of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Educational Foundation.
November 1, 2005... Dennis Broderick, senior vice president/sales for In-Sink-Erator, presented $25,000 to Jim Driscoll, chairman of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Educational Foundation, at the company's luncheon held Sept. 8 during the 2005 PHCC...

Piping Industry Progress and Education Trust Fund.
November 1, 2005... The Piping Industry Progress and Education Trust Fund, has formed a community partnership with the Phoenix Coyotes, which will allow 200 young people to attend a game. The partnership is part of the Coyotes' "Tickets for Kids" program, designed...

Clarification.(Correction Notice)
November 1, 2005... The outer cover wrap that appeared on the October issue of CONTRACTOR was a paid advertisement and should have been labeled clearly as such. We regret any confusion that this might have caused.

Kohler opens bath, kitchen design store.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
November 1, 2005... CHICAGO -- Kohler Co., has opened a 7,000-sq.-ft. flagship store in the Luxe-Home section of the Merchandise Mart here in an effort to make bathroom and kitchen design convenient to consumers, architects and designers. Kohler's Ann Sacks tile,...

Eighth-grade project uncovers school mold.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
November 1, 2005... CHESAPEAKE, VA. -- What started out as an eighth-grade science experiment at a Virginia school became an alarming discovery: Turning down the school air conditioning system during nights and weekends was creating conditions suitable for mold...

Improve cash flow and productivity.(INDUSTRY EDUCATION)
November 1, 2005... IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS we have talked about your balance sheet and your profit-and-loss statement. I hope you have a better understanding of both of these now. This month we will discuss ways to improve your cash flow and increase the...

Reading list for PM leadership skills?(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2005... VIA E-MAIL--I came across H. Kent Craig's column while conducting an online search for mechanical contracting project management. I have been a mechanical designer for over a year now, but I have been in the HVAC and plumbing trade for a total...

UA apprentice training best.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- As a United Association apprentice instructor for the last seven years and also an instructor in the United Association Instructor Training Program for two years, I fail to see how the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors...

Big payoffs: GPS and other fleet management technology give service contractors a competitive edge.(FLEET MANAGEMENT)
November 1, 2005... A motorist called Barry Kindt one day and told him, "One of your pickup trucks just passed me, and something flew out of the back of his truck and landed on my car." The call was of obvious concern to Kindt, president of SECCO Inc. and...

Future of world housing demonstrated today.(EATHERTON ON HYDRONICS)
November 1, 2005... THREE YEARS AGO, The U.S Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory teamed up to create a contest whereby some of the world's brightest architectural and engineering...

RadFest East features technology, networking.(HYDRONIC SYSTEMS)
November 1, 2005... ABOUT 450 radiant heating enthusiasts attended RadFest East, which was held Oct. 11-12 in Chantilly, Va. The RadFest combined Radiant Panel Association member meetings, social gatherings, roundtable discussions, seminars and a trade show. ...

Make quick labels, talk to your computer.(FELDMANS ON COMPUTERS)
November 1, 2005... HERE ARE TWO "improved" solutions that simplify tedious or time-consuming tasks. The first is a nifty label printer that would accommodate almost any contractor need. The second is a highly evolved version of voice recognition software that...

Sales and marketing materials as warranties.(McGREEVY ON LAW)
November 1, 2005... I HAVE WRITTEN more columns than I can count on the need for suppliers and contractors to carefully read and negotiate the agreements that they sign. In particular, I have warned of the dangers of agreeing to warranty clauses that either give...

Get your degree to become or stay a PM.(CRAIG ON PROJECT MANAGEMENT)
November 1, 2005... YES, I AM A college dropout and successful mechanical contracting project manager and senior estimator. Yes, I do regret not taking the time out from my career to finish my degree. And, no, if you are at any point in your PM career other than...

Keep in touch with customers during holidays.(HUDSON ON MARKETING)
November 1, 2005... ONE LINE OF thinking in the contracting world is that if you do a great job on a service call, that customer will call on you again. I wish it were that simple. "Call us if you need us again," should never be the last words your customer hears...

Coastal Mechanical.(Contractors)
November 1, 2005... Coastal Mechanical is pleased to announce that Joshua Silverstein has joined the company's Project Management Department. Previously, Silverstein worked as an engineer designing and engineering full mechanical drawing sets, with typical...

Murphy Co.(Contractors)(Conrad H. Philipp promoted as vice president)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Conrad H. Philipp has been promoted to vice president at Murphy Co., St. Louis, Mo. Since 1999, Philipp has led Murphy Co.'s service division, nearly doubling the company's service revenues under his leadership from $9 million in 1999 to $17...

Delta Faucet Company and the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors--National Association have announced the 2005 Plumbing Contractor and Plumbing Apprentice of the Year.(Contractors)
November 1, 2005... Delta Faucet Company and the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors--National Association have announced the 2005 Plumbing Contractor and Plumbing Apprentice of the Year. Milton Frank was named Contractor of the Year and Matthew Vaughan was named...

The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association Safety Excellence Award Program is proud to announce its 2005 winners.(Contractors)
November 1, 2005... The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association Safety Excellence Award Program is proud to announce its 2005 winners. More than 280 firms participated in the SEAP, representing more than 59.1 million man-hours worked in...

Watts Water Technologies.(Manufacturers)
November 1, 2005... Watts Water Technologies has announced the appointment of Lynn A. McVay as president of the Retail Division. McVay had previously served as the company's executive vice president of Wholesale Sales since March 2003. He has over 15 years of...

BrassCraft.(Peter Kattula promoted to vice president)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... BrassCraft has announced the promotion of Peter Kattula to vice president-Supply Chain and Planning, from his previous position of vice president--Operational Planning. He will also retain responsibility for his current operations strategy...

Gerber opens Western warehouse.(Gerber Plumbing Fixtures)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... LA MIRADA, CALIF. -- Gerber Plumbing Fixtures has opened its Western distribution center here. Located in a 200,000-sq.-ft. facility near Long Beach, the center will serve the West, Northwest and Southwest and brings the number of Gerber...

Learn more about Charlotte Pipe's new ChemDrain[TM] CPVC.(LITERATURE SHOWCASE)
November 1, 2005... LEARN MORE ABOUT CHARLOTTE PIPE'S NEW CHEMDRAIN[TM] CPVC Chemical Waste Drain System product offering in this brochure. The ChemDrain system offers a safe, durable and economical alternative for the disposal of a wide variety of chemicals in...

Milwaukee Valve's new butterfly valve.(LITERATURE SHOWCASE)
November 1, 2005... MILWAUKEE VALVE'S NEW BUTTERFLY VALVE turns high-pressure applications into low-risk decisions. This high-performance butterfly valve line is designed for the elevated temperature and pressure requirements found in rigorous commercial and...

The resources section of Heat-fab's website.(LITERATURE SHOWCASE)
November 1, 2005... THE RESOURCES SECTION OF HEAT-FAB'S WEBSITE lets the company's engineering experience and application knowledge serve the installer or specifying engineer on a 1-to-1 level. Detailed information for each AL 29-4C[R] Special Gas Vent product...

BorZit lays pipe under sidewalks, driveways or landscaping faster with less effort for $265 including a 2" bit and FREE ground shipping!(LITERATURE SHOWCASE)
November 1, 2005... BORZIT LAYS PIPE UNDER SIDEWALKS, DRIVEWAYS OR landscaping faster with less effort for $265 including a 2" bit and FREE ground shipping! Powered by a 1/2" drill, the tool can bore up to 60' at 1' per minute with amazing accuracy. It can bore a...

Anvil offers new Gruvlok[R] Catalog.(LITERATURE SHOWCASE)
November 1, 2005... Anvil International, the word's largest manufacturer of piping connections and support systems, has released their new Gruvlok[R] Catalog featuring its wide range of grooved-end and plain-end products, butterfly and check valves, pump...

The dollars & "sense" of choosing a duct system.(LITERATURE SHOWCASE)
November 1, 2005... Get more profit out of your jobs! The "Contractor's Guide" from SEMCO Duct & Acoustical Products contains an economic analysis to help you gain a competitive advantage and reduce cost overruns by selecting the most labor efficient duct system...

The copperkey pipe-prep tool.(LITERATURE SHOWCASE)
November 1, 2005... THE COPPERKEY PIPE-PREP TOOL features a ratchet-action design that requires only a few inches of clearance to prepare copper tubing and couplings, inside or out. The tough tungsten carbide staples shine tubing in seconds, while an offset staple...

The Trinity Ti from NTI.(LITERATURE SHOWCASE)
November 1, 2005... THE TRINITY TI FROM NTI is the ultimate in quality and efficiency. Installers appreciate the Trinity Ti's advantages: easy installation, state-of-the-art, propane or natural gas, ultimate efficiencies, wall mountable, easy venting, reduced...

This cast iron technical and installation manual.(LITERATURE SHOWCASE)
November 1, 2005... THIS CAST IRON TECHNICAL AND INSTALLATION MANUAL from Charlotte Pipe and Foundry provides detailed installation data, product fact sheets, information on testing cast iron systems and a list of the advantages of using cast iron pipe and...

Milwaukee Valve's complete line of valves.(LITERATURE SHOWCASE)
November 1, 2005... MILWAUKEE VALVE'S COMPLETE LINE OF VALVES is available FREE on CD. The electronic catalog includes information on the company's complete line of bronze, iron, butterfly, commercial and industrial ball, cast steel, dry bulk, transformer and fire...

Elkay expands offering of Quick-Clip sinks to meet contractor demand.(LITERATURE SHOWCASE)
November 1, 2005... Elkay's Quick-Clip[R] above-the-counter sink installation system has been so successful for contractors that the company has doubled its offering of this time-saving technology to more than 1,100 sink models. The patented design is easy to...

For almost a century, Jay R. Smith Manufacturing.(LITERATURE SHOWCASE)
November 1, 2005... FOR ALMOST A CENTURY, JAY R. SMITH MANUFACTURING has manufactured products for the specification plumbing and drainage industry. From Sales Engineering to Shipping, we take pride in delivering professional grade products. Every day at Jay R....

Electronic FlowHood.(LITERATURE SHOWCASE)
November 1, 2005... The new electronic digital readout FlowHood offers increased accuracy and speed in the measurement of air flows from 30-2,500 cfm. Software automatically corrects for back pressure and density changes due to altitude. Direct readout, supply or...

This brochure.(LITERATURE SHOWCASE)
November 1, 2005... THIS BROCHURE gives the top 10 reasons to do business with T&S Brass, including their exclusive 24-hour Quick Ship program, custom engineering and modifications, quality and innovation and extensive plumbing product lines. To order a copy of...

The J-2512 typhoon trailer jet from general pipe cleaners.(LITERATURE SHOWCASE)
November 1, 2005... THE J-2512 TYPHOON TRAILER JET FROM GENERAL PIPE CLEANERS is able to clear blockages in big lines and long runs. The jet delivers 12 GPM at 2,500 psi to remove grease, sediment and debris. The 200-gal. holding tank carries enough water to...

Premier Faucet announced the immediate availability.(LITERATURE SHOWCASE)
November 1, 2005... PREMIER FAUCET ANNOUNCED THE IMMEDIATE AVAILABILITY of its new full-line faucet catalog. The 72-page catalog highlights more than 130 kitchen, lavatory, tub/shower, and bar faucets. Now, Premier has expanded its faucet line to include new...

The Spartan service van.(editor's choice)
November 1, 2005... THE SPARTAN SERVICE VAN is designed to help contractors work more efficiently. It sports numerous compartments and shelves for organizing and transporting tools and cargo. It features durable, single-wall construction for larger compartments...

The heritage cargo van.(TRUCKS)
November 1, 2005... THE HERITAGE CARGO VAN features strengthened doors, a 1 1/8" laminated hardwood floor with I-beam cross members and galvanized steel Z-posts. It is available in 10' through 16' lengths and 72" to 96" interior body heights. The van includes a...

The W42 walk-in truck diesel platform.(TRUCKS)
November 1, 2005... THE W42 WALK-IN TRUCK DIESEL PLATFORM is offered with gas engine options that include the GM Vortec 4.8 L and 6.0 L powerplants. The diesel platform features the new International VT 275, a 4.5 L V6 premium 200 HP engine. High-performance...

The N-series trucks.(TRUCKS)
November 1, 2005... THE N-SERIES TRUCKS use a cab-forward design for improved maneuverability and maximum visibility. The unified structure of the cab eliminates cracks and crevices where corrosion could form. A tilt-telescopic steering column adjusts up or down,...

The sprinter van.(TRUCKS)
November 1, 2005... THE SPRINTER VAN is offered with a choice of three wheelbases and two roof heights, providing a maximum of 73" of interior height. When properly equipped, it can provide as much as 473 cubic feet of load area, with a maximum payload capacity of...

The E-350 commercial van.(TRUCKS)
November 1, 2005... THE E-350 COMMERCIAL VAN features a 5.4 L EFI, power steering, 4-wheel ABS, a hinged side cargo door and second-generation front air bags. Options include a 5.4 L natural gas engine, a 6.0 L DI turbo diesel engine, and a clean fuel fleet LEV....

The Sierra 1500HD.(TRUCKS)
November 1, 2005... THE SIERRA 1500HD boasts a towing capacity of up to 10,300 lb., with a payload of up to 3,129 lb. It comes standard with a Vortec 6000 V8 engine with 300 HP and 360 lb.-ft, of torque. It features an exclusive automatic locking rear differential...

The model FE145.(TRUCKS)
November 1, 2005... THE MODEL FE145 features a turbocharged 4-cylinder diesel engine that is quiet while delivering plenty of torque. It is available with a 5-speed manual transmission, or a 6-speed automatic transmission. Its minimum wheelbase turning diameter is...

The class V power pull Xtreme hitch.(TRUCKS)
November 1, 2005... THE CLASS V POWER PULL XTREME HITCH is a receiver hitch rated for 12,000 lb. weight carrying and 15,000 lb. weight distributing capacity. It features all-steel construction and a 2 1/2" receiver opening. It is finished in a powdercoated...

These ergonomic gloves.(PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... THESE ERGONOMIC GLOVES are designed specifically for contractors. They feature magnetic fingertips to help secure small screws and nails. (Trip-seamed fingers prevent unraveling if the magnetic fingertips are removed by the user.) Palms are...

The model 150 and 150-L tubing cutters.(PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... THE MODEL 150 AND 150-L TUBING CUTTERS can cut close to the flare on copper, aluminum, brass and stainless steel tubing. Using a constant swing radius design, the cutters are useful for work in tight spaces. An enclosed feed-screw design...

Root force foaming root destroyer.(PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... ROOT FORCE FOAMING ROOT DESTROYER is a blend of surfactants, fillers and active root destroying chemicals that kills existing growth within pipes and helps resist the formation of new roots. Affected roots wash away without injury to the main...

The metro-rooter drain clearing machine.(PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... THE METRO-ROOTER DRAIN CLEARING MACHINE has a capacity of 75' of 5/8" Flexicore wire rope center cable to clear roots and other tough stoppages in 3" through 6" lines. The machine is light and compact, with a narrow profile ideal for use in...

The mighty-miter recip saw accessory.(PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... THE MIGHTY-MITER RECIP SAW ACCESSORY consists of a V-shaped vise securing the product to be cut with a quick clamping system. The vise and clamping assembly swing up towards the reciprocating blade which cuts almost any material perfectly...

The MHE 65 SDS-MAX chipping hammer.(PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... THE MHE 65 SDS-MAX CHIPPING HAMMER is ideal for sizing concrete openings, chasing cracks on floor repairs, or embedding pipe and conduit into concrete or block walls. The 10.5 amp motor provides 1,325 to 2,650 bpm. Electronic speed control...

Piranha low pressure systems.(PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... PIRANHA LOW PRESSURE SYSTEMS are for use in new residential developments and existing homes that require field treatment upgrades. The sewage pumps have a patented rotating and stationary cutting system, impeller, and specialty control panel...

These anti-seize compounds.(PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... THESE ANTI-SEIZE COMPOUNDS facilitate the assembly and disassembly of a wide range of threaded connections. They are specially formulated to extend maintenance intervals and simplify makeup and break out operations associated with the most...

The adult heavy-duty drinking fountain.(PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... THE ADULT HEAVY-DUTY DRINKING FOUNTAIN is made from 14 gauge stainless steel with a satin finish that is resistant to stains and corrosion. It is ADA-certified and vandal-resistant, making it ideal for most institutional applications. The...

The Cardiff faucet series.(PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... THE CARDIFF FAUCET SERIES is inspired by old English faucets of the early 1900s. The model shown is an upgrade of a classic British tap from the 1920s with a graceful high spout, flat-blade crosshandles and faceted handle escutcheons. The...

A complete selection of heavy-duty fittings.(PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... A COMPLETE SELECTION OF HEAVY-DUTY FITTINGS made from reinforced nylon is now available. The chemically-resistant fittings handle up to 200 psi at temperatures to 140[degrees]F. Suitable for air, vacuum and liquid systems, the series offers a...

This line of heavy-duty drinking fountains.(PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... THIS LINE OF HEAVY-DUTY DRINKING FOUNTAINS has been expanded to include two new adult ADA-compliant models. The fountains are made from 14 gauge stainless steel, and are available as both a single and as a bi-level barrier-free unit. The...

Higher heating bills let the sun shine in.(EDITORIAL)
November 1, 2005... A TURN OF a couple pages in this month's issue will take you from where this country is today with our energy supply to where we likely will be in the future. You go from a front-page story on sharply higher heating bills to a story about...