Contractor articles from October 2004

Contractor archives from October 2004

Hotel shower valves not maintained, vendors say.(Industry News)
October 1, 2004... CHICAGO -- Manufacturers of commercial shower valves agree that hotel shower temperatures can get out of control. An informal survey of hotel room water temperatures by Powers found scalding water in 91% of hotel rooms (August, pg. 1). ...

Students are cool at Villa Duchesne.(Industry News)
October 1, 2004... ST. LOUIS -- When the school year begins here in late August, the weather usually is still hot and muggy. Students and faculty in schools without air conditioning are more accustomed to sweat than sweatshirts. Such was not the case this...

N.Y. plumber pleads guilty to ripping off transit authority.(Industry News)
October 1, 2004... NEW YORK -- A Brooklyn plumber has pleaded guilty to charges that he overcharged the Metropolitan Transportation Authority by millions of dollars. Alex Figliolia Contracting Corp. and its principals--Alex Figliolia Sr.; his wife, Janet...

Contractor infocus.(Brief Article)(Illustration)
October 1, 2004... Residential gas water heaters First half 2004 shipments by month 2003 2004 Percent change January 419,355 369,867 -11.8 February 392,198 ...

Fire sprinkler group says Chicago is stalling.(Industry News)
October 1, 2004... CHICAGO -- Following a fatal October 2003 fire at the Cook County Administration Building here, passage of a high-rise fire sprinkler retrofit law seemed to be gaining momentum (November 2003, pg. 1). That momentum, however, is grinding to a...

Advertising myths abound, PSI members learn.(Industry News)(Plumbers Success International)
October 1, 2004... NASHVILLE, TENN. -- Too many contractors are order takers rather than marketers, John Young, one of the founders of Plumbers Success International, told PSI members meeting here in September. Their advertising shows it, he noted. Most...

Forker named 'Servant Leader'.(Industry News)(Service Roundtable)
October 1, 2004... ST. LOUIS -- Publishing executive Jeff Forker was presented with the Service Roundtable's "Servant Leader" Award posthumously in September at Penton Media's Comfortech meeting here. Mike Murphy, chief editor Jeff Forker of Contracting...

Efficiency, comfort will drive U.S. hydronics market.(Industry News)(Interview)
October 1, 2004... DEDHAM, MASS. -- Richard Trethewey probably is the most recognized proponent of hydronic radiant heating in the United States, as he marks his 25th anniversary this year on the "This Old House" TV program. He joined the plumbing-and-heating...

Take women seriously during sales calls.(Industry News)
October 1, 2004... ST. LOUIS -- Despite what may be their stereotype, women customers do not gossip; they advertise, consultant Sharon Roberts told contractors Sept. 16 at Penton Media's HVAC Comfortech here. "Women love to talk about their buying...

Retaining good employees starts at the top.(Industry News)
October 1, 2004... ST. LOUIS -- Contractors should care about employee turnover for two basic reasons: It's expensive and it involves their greatest competitive asset. "Your competitors can copy everything, including the equipment you sell," said contractor...

Johnson Controls has purchased mechanical giant Cal-Air Inc. of Whittier, Calif., CONTRACTOR has learned exclusively.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... * Johnson Controls has purchased mechanical giant Cal-Air Inc. of Whittier, Calif., CONTRACTOR has learned exclusively. Johnson may merge some of its western U.S. operations into Cal-Air. Cal-Air billed $180 million last year and may double in...

Santa Fe, N.M., may end its $350 "toilet tax" that was started in 2002.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... * Santa Fe, N.M., may end its $350 "toilet tax" that was started in 2002. Businesses building new buildings have to pay $350 per toilet, with the money used to retrofit old 3.5-gpf toilets with 1.6-gpf toilets. The city keeps $40 and plumbers...

Smarthome Inc.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... * Smarthome Inc., a seller of home automation products, has named an automated bathtub as the grand-prize winner in its "The Smarthome Automate This! Contest." The tub, conceived by Theral Mackey of Atlanta, would fill to a programmed quantity...

Executive Plumbing, Heating & Air.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... * Executive Plumbing, Heating & Air recently certified through the National Housing Quality Program's Certified Trade Contractor Program. Executive is the only plumbing and heating company to have been certified in Southern California....

Lasco Bathware.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... * Lasco Bathware, a manufacturer of fiberglass bath fixtures, recently signed a national product agreement with The Home Depot. Lasco's ready-to-install showers and tub/ showers as well as its remodeling line will be available in all 1,600...

The World Plumbing Council and WorldSkills, a nonprofit group that provides a means of exchange of competency standards in the industrial trades and service sector, have signed a memorandum of understanding that allows both organizations to cooperate on plumbing training issues.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... * The World Plumbing Council and WorldSkills, a nonprofit group that provides a means of exchange of competency standards in the industrial trades and service sector, have signed a memorandum of understanding that allows both organizations to...

NAOHSM emphasizes educational effort.(Industry News)(National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers)
October 1, 2004... EAST PETERSBURG, PA. -- Working with Penn State University, the National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers is developing a new certification program for its members. President David Bessette introduced the Professional Service...

ASHRAE to host satellite broadcast on mold.(Industry News)(American Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air Conditioning Engineers )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... ATLANTA -- Concerns about mold in the building environment are no longer limited to just humid environments or North America. Mold is now a global concern for designers, contractors, building owners and operators as well as building...

I'll take a businessperson over a craftsman.(Schmitt On Management)
October 1, 2004... ONE OF THE greatest impediments to successful contracting businesses is the total lack of business training on the part of anyone involved in administration. The more intensively people were trained in the skills of the trade, the less likely...

Emergency equipment needs custom solutions.(Forum)
October 1, 2004... URBAN LEGEND HAS it that the emergency equipment industry was started by an industrious plant engineer who couldn't live with the status quo, whatever that was before the advent of the eyewash. So, he coupled standard drinking fountain bubblers...

Tips on tracking tools.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2004... JACKSONVILLE, TEXAS -- I just finished reading H. Kent Craig's column "Protecting tools, materials from jobsite theft" (May, pg. 56). I wanted to ask him if he is using any type of inventory management software, barcode tracking, etc., for his...

Understand hot-work hazards.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2004... RICHMOND, CALIF. -- The hot-work article recently posted on CONTRACTOR's Website, www.contractormag.com is outstanding (also see "Hot-work fires: devastating but preventable, September, pg. 26). At ChevronTexaco, we have been emphasizing...

Foremen must get serious.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2004... LANHAM, MD. -- I agree with the letter to the editor about foremen having little accountability when it comes to problems on the job ("Do foremen need a tighter rope?" September pg. 66). I have seen the trend where it's "estimating bad...

Industry faces 'perfect storm'.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2004... FRANKLIN, TENN. -- I have been intently reading H. Kent Craig's columns on "The new project management paradigm" (June, pg. 52) and "Maybe you shouldn't be a project manager" (August, pg. 50). I can't agree with him more on these topics. I...

Pennsylvania homeowners wrest control from Old Man Winter: radiant heat replaces heat pump system that couldn't handle frigid northern winters.
October 1, 2004... There's one thing many professionals in the HVAC industry usually agree on: in tire northern reaches of the country, standard heat pumps are outmatched by cruel winter temperatures. The Hammer family of Manheim, Pa., fought back and, this time,...

Ground-source heat pumps.(Hydronics)
October 1, 2004... IN THIS MONTH'S column we will begin looking at ground source heat pumps as a means of providing efficient heating and cooling to buildings of all shapes and sizes. Ground source heat pumps (GSHP) have been in use for many years. Although...

The case of the misplaced blame.(Hydronic Systems)
October 1, 2004... THE PHONE CALL: It was strange for summer. A service manager was concerned about repeated automatic water feeder failure on the steam boiler at the home of one of his "good customers." These calls usually come into my office at the supply house...

Buderus joins fuel cell effort.(Hydronic Systems)(RWE Fuel Cells)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... BEND, ORE. -- IdaTech has announced that German heating equipment manufacturer Buderus Heiztechnik GmbH, a company of the Bosch group, has joined RWE Fuel Cells in its program with IdaTech for the development of a commercial 5-kW combined heat...

Do estimating and more with handhelds.(Feldmans on Computers)
October 1, 2004... HERE ARE THREE uncomplicated new software solutions that, like Dr. Seuss's Horton the Elephant, pretty much say what they do and do what they say: MyInvoices & Estimates Deluxe (www.avanquestusa.com, 800/325-0834) enables users to create...

Computer product news.(Feldmans On Computers)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... ENGLEWOOD, COLO. -- QuickPen has released Version 3.5 of Pipe Designer 3D. The update features easy-to-use libraries, palettes and menus as well as very tight integration with AutoCAD 2004. With the new version, designers can use all the...

Must you wait when a sub can't perform?(McGreevy On Law)
October 1, 2004... EVERY ONCE IN a while you may find yourself in a subcontract with someone who shows signs of not being able to perform. Sometimes it's very clear-cut--the firm just disappears or announces that it is closing its doors. Sometimes it's not so...

How to really create a charitable endowment.(Blackman On Taxes)
October 1, 2004... WHEN I ASK my clients, "What is your charitable. intent?" most of them respond with something like, "Nothing significant." But when asking the same clients, "What is your level of interest if I can show you how to use the tax law to enrich...

IAPMO adds chemical lab.(Blackman On Taxes)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... ONTARIO, CALIF. -- IAPMO Testing and Services LLC opened its new chemical testing laboratory in September. Combined with its mechanical laboratory, the chemical lab will be equipped to test products to ANSI/NSF 61 and provide manufacturers...

How to properly document accident reports.(Craig On Project Management)
October 1, 2004... IT'S AN OLD but true cliche in our profession that if you work long enough in the trade, it's not a matter of if you'll get hurt hut when you'll get hurt. Except for heart attacks and strokes from job-related stress, this isn't as true for...

Flat rate is common sense for service business.(Best Practices)
October 1, 2004... YOU HAVE ALL heard the analogies--"You charge like a plumber." Or the old plumber jokes where the punch line is, "I never made that much either when I was a brain surgeon." Comical or not, there is a degree of truth. Part of the reason is...

Apartment meters cut water use 15%: study.(Columnists)
October 1, 2004... WASHINGTON -- A two-year study of water billing practices in the multi-family residential sector has found that the practice of installing individual water meters on multi-family apartment units and billing based on actual consumption results...

U.K. utility unit buys RSG.(Schmitt On Management)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... STAMFORD, CONN. -- Direct Energy announced at the end of September that it has agreed to acquire Residential Services Group (RSG), the collection of contracting businesses that are the remnants of Encompass Services. RSG provides plumbing and...

The Promax XL circulating loop heat exchanger.(editor's choice)
October 1, 2004... THE PROMAX XL CIRCULATING LOOP HEAT EXCHANGER is designed for use with residential gas water heaters to provide domestic hot water plus an isolated source of hot water for radiant floor heating, fan coil heating, hydronic air handling units and...

The GTS gas-to-steam humidifier.(Products)
October 1, 2004... THE GTS GAS-TO-STEAM HUMIDIFIER is now streamlined, with all components contained inside the cabinet for easy installation and maintenance. It features broad capacity range, indoor and outdoor mounting options and precise microprocessor...

Millhog boiler tube expanders and rolling motors.(Products)
October 1, 2004... MILLHOG BOILER TUBE EXPANDERS AND ROLLING MOTORS feature precise torque control from 25 to 325 ft./lbs, to provide the proper amount of expansion required to assure a tight, uniform bond between the tube O.D. and tube sheet. Pneumatically...

The PakMaster XL Plus series of plasma cutting systems.(Products)
October 1, 2004... THE PAKMASTER XL PLUS SERIES OF PLASMA CUTTING SYSTEMS includes the 50XLP, 75XLP and 100XLP machines with respective output currents of from 15-40 amps, 15-60 amps and 15-80 amps. Genuine cut capacity for the three machines are 12mm, 20mm and...

Thermal track modular radiant heating panels.(Products)
October 1, 2004... THERMAL TRACK MODULAR RADIANT HEATING PANELS are for use in under-floor systems. The grooved panels hold 3/8" cross-linked polytheylene tubing. The panel itself allows for the efficient transfer of heat to the floor. The panels snap together...

This stainless steel farmhouse sink.(Products)
October 1, 2004... THIS STAINLESS STEEL FARMHOUSE SINK is available with a convenient utility center with a cutting board, grids and basket. Designed to match the stainless steel exterior of many modern kitchen appliances, the curved-apron front sink is...

The Silver Eagle series of backflow preventers.(Products)
October 1, 2004... THE SILVER EAGLE SERIES OF BACKFLOW PREVENTERS come in sizes from 2 1/2" to 10". The valves are light and compact and include double check valve assemblies, double check detector assemblies, reduced pressure zone assemblies and reduced pressure...

The TE 16 and TE 16-C rotary hammer drills.(Products)
October 1, 2004... THE TE 16 AND TE 16-C ROTARY HAMMER DRILLS feature an optimized, regulated motor, improved gearing, and a compact design for good balance. Recessed, conveniently placed controls minimize damage, and low vibration transfer increased user...

The USL-08 Ex luminaire.(Products)
October 1, 2004... THE USL-08 EX LUMINAIRE is designed to provide illumination for the interiors of tanks, vessels, mixers, pipelines and visual flow indicators. It is available equipped with built-in reflectors for ratings of 35 or 50 W, spot or flood using a...

European styled column radiators.(Products)
October 1, 2004... EUROPEAN STYLED COLUMN RADIATORS resemble the traditional steam radiators of the Victorian Age. They are designed for a closed-loop hydronic heating system, and are manufactured using a laser welding system that eliminates the weld line for a...

This underground protected steel storage tank.(Products)
October 1, 2004... THIS UNDERGROUND PROTECTED STEEL STORAGE TANK is for use in water and wastewater applications. Factory applied NSF interior coatings and rugged exterior corrosion protection systems are available. Sizes range from 300 gal. to 60,000 gal. Custom...

Dura-PEX cross linked polyethylene piping.(Products)
October 1, 2004... DURA-PEX CROSS LINKED POLYETHYLENE PIPING provides "green" contractors with an energy-thrifty alternative to copper piping. It requires only about 4,000 Btu per ft. to produce, as opposed to 100,000 Bth per ft. for copper pipe. During home use,...

Large diameter injection-molded fittings.(Products)
October 1, 2004... LARGE DIAMETER INJECTION-MOLDED FITTINGS are now available in more configurations. 10" and 12" PVC DWV fittings now include test tees. They deliver a high degree of structural integrity. The test tees are also compact to better accommodate...

The estate series of bath and kitchen fixtures and accessories.(Products)
October 1, 2004... THE ESTATE SERIES OF BATH AND KITCHEN FIXTURES AND ACCESSORIES includes the Britani faucet. Along with faucets, the series also includes showerheads, robe hooks, toilet paper holders and Roman tub fixtures. All combine graceful lines with high...

The Aurora tankless water heater.(Products)
October 1, 2004... THE AURORA TANKLESS WATER HEATER is rated to provide a continuous 4 gpm supply of hot water at 77[degrees]F rise. Recommended for low-to-medium demand applications, the heater is equipped with a copper heat exchanger and operates between 78%...

Unitized low-intensity U-tube gas heaters.(Products)
October 1, 2004... UNITIZED LOW-INTENSITY U-TUBE GAS HEATERS are ideally suited for high air change environments commonly found in warehouses and plant facilities to help create an efficient and comfortable atmosphere. These heaters are rated at up to 130 Btuh,...

Nitrogen-charged Cerropure ACR tubing.(Products)
October 1, 2004... NITROGEN-CHARGED CERROPURE ACR TUBING meets the maximum allowable residue limit of 0.0035 g/sq. ft. of interior tube surface area established in both ASTM B280 and ASTM B819. It meets the extreme cleanliness needs of medical gas systems and a...

The SC-25-HU stumpbuster stump grinder.(Products)
October 1, 2004... THE SC-25-HU STUMPBUSTER STUMP GRINDER is fully compatible with popular Bobcat skid steer loader models. It provides excellent maneuverability and power. It can easily grind a 45" swath though even tough hardwood stumps. A large 24" cutting...

The twist 'n seal pipe sealing plug.(Products)
October 1, 2004... THE TWIST 'N SEAL PIPE SEALING PLUG is used to stop water flow while soldering or cementing pipe or fittings. Simply install the plug, replace the ball or gate valve and remove the plug. It requires no tools to operate. Parts are all stainless...

The sandpiper series of faucets.(Products)
October 1, 2004... THE SANDPIPER SERIES OF FAUCETS offer linear simplicity in solid stainless steel. Pictured is the single-control column with elongated reach and optional side hand spray. The line also includes a single control column with a pull-out aerator....

The MCH-100C battery powered heat gun kit.(Products)
October 1, 2004... THE MCH-100C BATTERY POWERED HEAT GUN KIT is for testing heat sensors without open flames or using electric heal guns with their cumbersome power cords. The kit has a lightweight, hand held tool that reaches 1,100[degrees]F and has a built-in...

The GR8 duct system.(Products)
October 1, 2004... THE GR8 DUCT SYSTEM is wrapped in a blanket of R8 fiberglass insulation, and meets the R8 codes in states requiring such installation in unconditioned spaces. The duct comes complete with fitted elbows and T-joints as well as insulated jackets...

The Hydroguard E700 bath and shower valve.(Products)
October 1, 2004... THE HYDROGUARD E700 BATH AND SHOWER VALVE on the company's HydroPanel line of stainless steel, surface mounted shower systems meets the requirements of ASSE 1016--Type T/P for protection against temperature and pressure changes. Because the...

The DR20 pressure reducing valve.(Products)
October 1, 2004... THE DR20 PRESSURE REDUCING VALVE is able to meet the needs of any small to mid-sized steam application. It features superior flow characteristics through the use of a flow-up design, as well as a flat valve and plug arrangement to promote...

The Catalina bath and kitchen faucet suite.(Products)
October 1, 2004... THE CATALINA BATH AND KITCHEN FAUCET SUITE has recently added a line of accessories that includes double and single towel bars, robe and towel hooks and a toilet paper holder. Price Pfister CIRCLE 125 ON INQUIRY CARD [ILLUSTRATION...

The Micropac Plus carbon dioxide monitor.(Products)
October 1, 2004... THE MICROPAC PLUS CARBON DIOXIDE MONITOR is a compact gas measuring and warning device for carbon dioxide in the 0-5% volume range. The maintenance-free instrument features a fully functional LCD concentration display with audible, visual and...

A new version of the PIT Plus sewage removal system.(Products)
October 1, 2004... A NEW VERSION OF THE PIT PLUS SEWAGE REMOVAL SYSTEM is pre-assembled with high performance 9S and 10S series sewage pumps. The system is equipped with a 16-bolt steel cover, a 2" schedule 80 PVC discharge pipe and check valve. It has a large...

The BSP 18 Plus cordless drill/driver.(Products)
October 1, 2004... THE BSP 18 PLUS CORDLESS DRILL/DRIVER has an improved motor that offers up to 575 in./lbs, of torque. It features a two-speed gearbox, 20 torque settings and variable speed technology to match the tool's performance to the job. Metabo...

This single-hole mount vessel sink faucet.(Products)
October 1, 2004... THIS SINGLE-HOLE MOUNT VESSEL SINK FAUCET is part of the company's Parma collection. The spout rises 12" above the deck surface to reach over the rim of mounted lavatory basins. The single control handle is easy to reach and operate. It is...

A series of miniature pick-up filters.(Products)
October 1, 2004... A SERIES OF MINIATURE PICK-UP FILTERS are designed to eliminate contamination on pick-up lines. The filters feature a standard 40 micron nylon filter, and are clearable and easy to service. The screens can be replaced simply by rotating the...

The Gen-Eye3 video pipe inspection/location system.(Products)
October 1, 2004... THE GEN-EYE3 VIDEO PIPE INSPECTION/LOCATION SYSTEM is for use in sewer and drain lines, septic tanks, heating and cooling ducts, crawlspaces, attics, chimneys, wells and much more. It can troubleshoot 1 1/2" to 12" lines and features a...

'Don't expect me to listen to your rage'.(Editorial)(Editorial)
October 1, 2004... IN THE PAST MONTH, I've heard a well-known political commentator and a highly regarded economist tell two different groups in tire plumbing industry how well the economy is doing right now. Both speakers agreed that the recession ended sometime...