Industry News
We would like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to this month's sponsor -- Caroma, leaders in high efficiency dual flush toilets (HETs) and urinals (HEUs). New Caroma Smart Technology provides significant water savings, averaging 0.9 gallons/flush, saving up to 44% compared to 1.6 gpf and 74% compared to 3.5 gpf toilets. The Smart technology is also used in the recently introduced waterless and 1 pint urinals. All Caroma toilets have a large trapway, virtually eliminating blockages. With 41 WaterSense labeled toilets, Caroma provides exceptional performance while conserving valuable water resources. www.caromausa.com
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The Plumbing Museum reopens in Watertown
Watertown, Mass. -- A Worcester landmark, the American Sanitary Plumbing Museum, has officially reopened in its new home along the Charles River in Watertown. Carefully presented inside the confines of a 150-year old ice house, the Plumbing Museum combines the craftsmanship of past industry with the luxuries of modern, everyday life. The museum’s collection is comprised of claw-foot bathtubs, ornate water closets, and antique sinks. It also features a large library of turn-of-the-century trade magazines and newspapers, and a circa 1910 plumbing shop with original tools and equipment. While the museum is entrusted to Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors of Greater Boston (PHCC), it lies on the property of the Watertown-based mechanical contracting firm J.C. Cannistraro, LLC. John C. Cannistraro, Jr., the company President, has worked closely with the collection to create its new look. “The museum tells the story of American industry,” explained Cannistraro. “With the help of the Artists for Humanity, Cambridge Seven Associates, and the PHCC of Greater Boston, this collection will bring a fun, educational, and historical offering to the Watertown community.”
New director enhances Code Council PMG mechanical expertise
Bob Guenther, International Code Council Senior Technical Staff has accepted a new position with the Code Council’s Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas (PMG) group as Director of Mechanical Programs. He will expand and enhance Code Council mechanical products and services, and bring a new level of expertise and credibility to the Code Council in the HVAC and energy marketplace.
Industry mourns loss
The PHC industry mourns the untimely death of our friend, teacher and colleague, Roscoe King. Roscoe passed away after suffering a heart attack on January 12, 2009.
In an industry with many jobs subject to a customary level of boredom while attending various meetings, conferences and seminars, often held in windowless rooms, it is indeed a rare treat to find something or someone that brings humor or energy into such functions.
In addition to his various plumbing and contractor licenses, Roscoe was a member of several vital committees representing the City and County of Los Angeles, and his was easily one of the loudest voices for IAPMO and safe plumbing standards in Southern California.
Never one to keep his wealth of knowledge to himself, Roscoe shared his experience in the classroom, as well, instructing engineers, building officials, field inspectors and office managers on code changes on behalf of IAPMO, and teaching courses for the Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors of the Greater Los Angeles Area.
With the County of Los Angeles Building & Safety Division, he developed and implemented plumbing and mechanical code training for all county combination building inspectors and provided technical support for field inspectors on plumbing and mechanical issues.
Roscoe recently won the IAPMO Government Person of the Year Award and his capable hands guided IAPMO’s Southern California Chapter for five years.
House stimulus proposal ‘encouraging,’ but work needs to be done
According to the Associated General Contractors of America’s (AGC) chief executive officer, Stephen Sandherr, “Newly released details of the proposed stimulus package provide encouraging signs that Congress is willing to make significant, but essential, investments needed to rebuild our aging infrastructure and inefficient public buildings while repairing America’s ailing economy. In an environment where almost 900,000 construction workers have lost their jobs, the construction community has the capacity to do even more work than is currently being considered. That is why we will continue to work with our 33,000 member companies, Congress and the new Administration to identify additional measures to put more of the nation’s construction workers back on the job, stimulate immediate economic activity and build an economic foundation that benefits generations to come.”
New Products
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Extreme water-conserving high efficiency toilet www.caromausa.com The Sydney Smart high efficiency dual flush toilet from Caroma utilizes breakthrough technology for optimum performance and water conservation. The Sydney Smart provides significant water savings over other toilets: 1.28/0.8 gallons per flush (full/half flush), averaging 0.9 gallons per flush, saving up to 44% more water than a single flush 1.6 gallon toilet and up to 74% more than a 3.5 gallon toilet. All Caroma toilets have a large trapway, nearly double the industry average, virtually eliminating blockages. Caroma. |
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Handheld pressing tool |
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Wet rotor circulators for DHW |
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ProPress butterfly valves |
Movers & Shakers
“Bringing in highly successful, experienced executives to provide fresh ideas and other-industry perspectives is a great idea for any family-owned business. But, for our business, in the growth mode we’re currently in, it is critical to accelerated success,” said Sallie R. Haws, the company’s president. |
As part of its continuing effort to enhance operations and grow the business, the Haws Corp. announced the addition of two outside members to the company’s Board of Directors. The appointments of Charles A. (Chuck) Dowd and Dr. H. Dean McKay became effective several months ago.