Industry News
We would like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to this month's sponsor -- 3M. 3M is a world leader in filtration products for homes, restaurants, laboratories and manufacturing facilities. For household uses, their water filtration and treatment products are the clear choice of plumbing professionals. 3M's patented and proprietary features help deliver superior performance and convenience that is unmatched in the industry.
To find out more about special e-newsletter advertising opportunities, please contact your Phc News sales rep by visiting www.phcnews.com.
WEBCAST: Solar radiant & DHW system for Habitat LEEDs home
Don’t miss the next webcast from Phc News! On Thursday, July 10, starting to 7:00 p.m. CST, watch Bob “hot rod” Rohr demonstrate the installation of a radiant floor heating system in a small Habitat for Humanity home. This project was designed and built by the Drury University, Hammond School of Architecture.
Possibly the first LEEDs Platinum project for Habitat Missouri, or the country, this home has radiant in the slab and transfer plate application for the upper level. Evacuated tube solar collectors will supply a portion of the home’s heat and DHW. You don’t want to miss this one!
Register at www.hvactv.com today!
Construction Safety Act could cost Illinois consumers, employers without improving safety
A construction worker fails to perform his work properly, falls during the course of his duties, and sustains injuries. He receives restitution through Workers’ Compensation – but that is not the end of it. He still sues numerous businesses involved in the construction project for millions in damages, even though the accident was caused by his own neglect.
That distressing scenario could become a possibility if a new amendment is passed in the Illinois legislature. An amendment to House Bill 2094 was filed on April 8, 2007, to create the Construction Safety Act, which essentially would reinstate the Structural Work Act (SWA) repealed in 1995.
According to the Alliance to Help Employment and Development (AHEAD), the passage of the Construction Safety Act would only bring back the problems inherent in SWA. The Alliance is composed of more than 30 different organizations opposed to the new legislation.
“Reinstatement of SWA is neither a safety issue nor a worker’s right to compensation after injury issue,” said Evan Williams, Vice President of External Relations for the Mechanical Contractors Association of Chicago, a member of AHEAD. “The SWA will only serve to increase costs on owners, consumers, and contractors on all types of construction throughout Illinois.”
For more information, including a complete list of AHEAD organizations, visit www.buildingillinois.com. For more information on the Mechanical Contractors Association of Chicago, go to www.mca.org.
MEP Jobs helps entry-level workers join the MEP industry
MEP Jobs announced a new careers Web site to help students and entry-level workers enter the mechanical, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing industries. Start Your MEP Career! (http://start.mepjobs.com) provides articles, search tools, and many other career resources.
“The single largest challenge for the MEP industry is lack of skilled, qualified employees”, said John von Harz, president of MEP Jobs. “Luring new talent to the industry is critical for our thousands of employers. We built Start Your MEP Career! to address this need.”
Chicago Faucets offers $500 savings bonds, again
Chicago Faucets has brought back a popular promotion that offers licensed plumbing contractors a $500 U.S. Savings Bond when they purchase and install $5,000 of Chicago Faucet products in a school project. The promotion applies to minimum orders of $5,000 that are placed and installed between May 1, 2008 and September30, 2008.
“We implemented this promotion last year because we wanted to offer something to contractors other than the typical premium”, said John Fitzgerald, Director of Marketing at Chicago Faucets. “The tremendous response, combined with the fact that college costs just keep on escalating, convinced us to bring it back.”
The promotion is only open to plumbing contractors or plumbing contractor companies and is restricted to installations in educational facilities that are for $5,000 or more. There is no limit to the number of savings bonds a contractor can obtain as long as the orders are placed and the products installed between May 30, 2008 and September 30, 2008. Entry forms and rules for qualification are available at participating wholesalers, from Chicago Faucets sales reps or by visiting www.contractorsforeducation.com.
New Products
 |
Water filtration system The new 3M Whole House Sanitary Quick Change (SQC) filtration system is the industry’s first water filtration solution that truly addresses water quality and convenience in a single unit. It’s a high-performing multi-tasking filter that helps reduce sediment, dirt and rust, as well as chlorine taste and odor. Easy to install, maintain and change out, it also has incredible staying power, with each patented quick-change cartridge designed for 100,000 gallons or a full year of daily use. 3M. |
 |
Sump pump series runs cooler The 450-series is the industry’s newest 1/2-hp sump pump featuring a finned aluminum motor housing for improved cooling. This new housing design transmits heat away from the motor 200% more efficiently than cast iron bodied pumps — extending motor and pump life. The powerful 1/2-hp motor draws only 7.5 amps and boasts a maximum pumping head of 34 feet and maximum flow rates of 54 gallons per minute. Other features include a quick-disconnect power cord, vortex style impeller and removable base allowing the unit to pump down to 1/8" of the floor if required. Liberty Pumps. |
 |
Air separators for solar heating Air separation dramatically increases the life of a solar heating system by continuously eliminating air, including microbubbles, from the primary circuits. Removing dissolved gases from a solar primary circuit is an essential process in a solar heating system, as these gases can rapidly cause corrosion in collectors and heat exchangers. Air separators remove corrosive gases mechanically in an efficient process. The air vent capacity of these devices is extremely high so the system works under optimal conditions without noise, corrosion, local overheating or mechanical damage. Caleffi. |
 |
Pipe installation The 260 Insulation Saddle System (260 ISS) a revolutionary product for installing insulation. Used for copper and steel pipe systems, the 260 ISS dramatically saves time and money by eliminating the wood block and shield as well as costly hanger adjustments. This new system proves ideal for use with chilled and hot water systems ranging in temperature from 40 F to 200 F. Anvil International.
|
Movers & Shakers
Lawler Manufacturing announced Matthew (Matt) James Lunn has been appointed as the company’s national sales manager. Lunn joined Lawler Manufacturing in 2008 and began his senior management position working side-by-side Lawler’s dedicated employees in the manufacturing plant. |