|
|
Around the Circuit
Sales of
Single-Family Homes Sets Record
Improving economic conditions, a favorable financing
climate, strong population growth, and the investment potential of new
homes has fueled the continued surge in housing demand, according to
the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The Commerce
Department reported that June sales of new single-family homes reached
a
seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.326 million units, which was only
slightly below the May record of 1.337 million units and more than 11%
above
June 2003 sales. "Buyer demand for new homes remains quite strong as
job growth proceeds and consumer confidence builds," says Bobby
Rayburn,
president of NAHB. "NAHB's Housing Market Index, based on our monthly
surveys of single-family builders, indicates that the perception of an
improving economy is helping to drive the market."
ADVERTISEMENT
 Insulation Testing Just Got Easier!
AEMC Instruments' Megohmmeter Model 5070 is the only fully automated
5,000V graphical insulation tester, which provides insulation
measurements to 10Tohm. Test results include DAR, PI, DD, Capacitance,
Leakage Current as well as programmable temperature correction of
resistance readings. It offers the ability to program up to three step
voltage profiles (40 to 5,100V), each containing up to five steps. It
has
an RS-232 interface and an extensive memory function, which permits
storage results in files specific to the device under test. Includes
DataView Lite software for data storage, analysis and report
generation.
Visit www.aemc.com to learn
more.
Government Works to
Decrease
Hispanic Worker Fatalities
The number of workplace fatalities among Hispanics
dropped for the first time in seven years in 2002. To protect the 17.5
million Hispanic workers in the United States, representatives from
government, community and non-profit organizations, industry, academia,
and organized labor came together on July 22 in Orlando for the first
Hispanic Safety and Health Summit for Progress. Attendees learned how
to
reduce
workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities and discussed gaps in
communication, training, and outreach for Hispanic workers. The
Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Hispanic Alliance
organized the event in partnership with the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce. U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine Chao discussed efforts to further
drive down workplace fatalities of Hispanics, who make up less than 13%
of the workforce but accounted for 15% of the workplace fatalities in
2002.
EC&M
Announces the Last Call for 2004 Top 50 Surveys
If you think your electrical contracting firm is one of
the largest in the country and have 2003 annual sales of at least $50
million, take the opportunity to give your company the recognition it
deserves within the electrical industry by taking EC&M's
2004 Top 50 survey online. If you have any questions or would like
to complete an electronic version of the survey, please e-mail Amy Fischbach. The
deadline for submission of the survey has been extended to WEDNESDAY,
AUGUST 4. See the 2003 list of
the nation's largest electrical contracting firms.
ADVERTISEMENT
 We're Bending the Rules of Wire
Strippers...Again.
The new Kinetic™ Reflex® Wire Stripper has all the
forward-thinking features of the renowned Kinetic™ Super with the
addition of the same ergonomically designed handles that made the
original Reflex® so popular. Other new features like an improved
Pocket-Locket help define it as the superior all-purpose wire stripper
on the market. Visit www.idealindustries.com
for a complete product profile.
Project Watch
Albany, N.Y.
Seeks Contractors to Perform Electrical Work on State Office
Building
The Office of General Services (OGS) has issued a call
for bids for the renovation of Building No. 8 on the State Office
Building Campus in Albany, N.Y. Contracting firms must submit their
proposals by 2 p.m. on Aug. 4 to the Office of General Services, Design
and Construction Group, Contract Administration, 35th Floor, Corning
Tower, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12242. The scope of work will
include HVAC work, electrical work, and elevator rehabilitation.
Prospective bidders are invited to visit the site at 10 a.m. on July
27.
For questions about the site visit, call David Sperbeck at (518)
457-2290. To order bidding and contract documents, download the OGS
form.
City of Boston
Calls for Bids for Facility Upgrades to Fire Houses
The City of Boston is planning facility upgrades to
Boston Fire Houses, Engine Numbers 9, 18, 24, and 30. The scope of work
will include general renovations including the upgrading of electrical
and mechanical services. Bids are due at noon on Aug. 17 at the Bid
Counter, 26 Court St., 10th Floor, Boston, MA 02108. For more
information, read the bid
notice.
ADVERTISEMENT
 Contractors Earn Free Merchandise From
B-Line
Introducing the Great GearSM program, a way to acquire free
gifts by collecting and redeeming
B-Line Bucks found on
B-Line's
fastener product boxes. Simply remove your B-Line Bucks from the box
label and use them to select from a wide assortment of gear in B-Line's
Great Gear catalog. To obtain a catalog and order forms, see your local
B-Line distributor, or visit our Web site at www.b-line.com
Zone Exclusives
On the Job and Out to
Lunch
Everyone makes mistakes. Some are just funnier than
others. Got a story about a jobsite blunder you'd like to share? Send us your
story of embarrassing on-the-job mistakes for use in EC&M's new
column called Short Circuits. If we publish it, we'll send you a check
for $25. Read the latest stories
from your fellow readers.
Eye on Safety
Electrical construction firms can improve jobsite
safety by learning from other companies' mistakes. The Rocky Mountain
chapter
of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) has recently
launched a Near Miss Safety Information program as part of the
chapter's alliance with the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration
(OSHA)'s regional office. Following a near miss accident, a company
representative records the information and sends the report to the NECA
chapter office. The chapter's Safety Action Committee then reviews the
incident reports, compiles them, and distributes them on a quarterly
basis to all NECA member companies as well as the electrical
apprenticeship program.
ADVERTISEMENT
.jpg) NIMBUS™ Offers 190 Insulated
Connectors.
Configurations include single-sided or dual-sided multi-tap connectors
as well as in-line or offset splicer-reducer connectors. Dual rated
for
copper or aluminum conductor, the offering is UL Listed and features
removable plugs for entry port closure. Visit our web site at www.ilsco.com for additional product
information.
Shows and Events
EGSA Fall
Technical and Marketing Conference
The Electrical Generating Systems Association (EGSA)'s
Fall Technical and Marketing Conference will focus on technical
presentations and marketing efforts. EGSA invites speakers from
utilities, research firms, and government agencies to deliver
presentations at the conference, which will take place from Sept. 12-14
at the Myrtle Beach Marriott at Grand Dunes in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet with manufacturers in
an exhibition setting at the Manufacturers Forum. Visit the EGSA Web
site
for more information.
Call for Speakers for
Lightfair International
Electrical and lighting professionals who would like to
serve as speakers for Lightfair International 2005 must submit their
proposals online by midnight on Aug. 16. The submittals must include a
75-word description, complete contact information, presentation method
of teaching, a proposed timeframe for the discussion, speaking
experience, presentation details like A/V needs, a speaker bio, and two
references. For more information, visit the Lightfair Web site.
|
|
You are subscribed to this newsletter as <*email*>
For questions concerning delivery of this newsletter, please contact
our
Customer Service Department at:
U.S. Toll Free: (866) 505-7173
International: (402) 505-7173
or custserv@newsletter.primediabusiness.com
Primedia Business Magazines & Media
9800 Metcalf Avenue
Overland Park, KS 66212
Copyright 2004, PRIMEDIA. All rights reserved. This article is
protected
by United States copyright and other intellectual property laws and may
not be reproduced, rewritten, distributed, re-disseminated,
transmitted,
displayed, published or broadcast, directly or indirectly, in any
medium
without the prior written permission of Primedia Business Magazines &
Media Inc.
|
|
