The annual World of Concrete Show — coming to the Las Vegas Convention Center Feb. 1 – 5 — boasts a wide range of educational seminars, demonstrations, and exhibitors. Owned by the same company that publishes PUBLIC WORKS, the show also features the Most Innovative Products contest.

Now in its eighth year, the contest showcases tools, equipment, and materials that help make jobs easier for those working in concrete, masonry, and general construction, as well as in facilities maintenance and operation. The complete list of products will be on display at the show and at www.mip2010.com. Show attendees and online visitors can vote for their favorite candidates through Feb. 8, and winners will be announced in March. The following are just a handful of products in the running.

ADA detectable warning system

Designed for the visually impaired to feel the raised, truncated domes with their feet, the Ultra-ADA Pad Composite Model can alert people to a different surface than the surrounding concrete sidewalk when using a tapping cane. The flexible construction forms fit dips, slopes, and inclines in sidewalks and walkways. Available in three colors (safety yellow, black, and brick red) and four sizes (2x2, 2x3, 2x4, and 2x5 ft), it can be installed as part of new construction or a retrofit. Ultratech International. www.constructioncompliance.com. Booth S13050. Circle 1.

9-in-1 tool

For work on chainsaws, cutoff saws, trimmers, and blowers while in the field, the Pocket Wrench contains a large screwdriver for bar and belt adjustment, a T27 star screwdriver for bolts on Stihl chainsaws and cutoff saws, a small screwdriver for fuel and bar oil adjustment, a bar groove cleaner, a 4-mm hex key for most saws, and a 13-mm (½-in.) socket that fits a bar nut and blade nut on half- or full-wrap-handle Husqvarna, Jonsered, and Partner saws. The other end has a 19-mm deep socket for Stihl bar nuts and fits spark plugs on most saws; it can be reversed with a 10-mm socket for Echo bar nuts. All tools are easily replaceable. Top Saw Tool. www.buytopsaw.com. Booth S13446. Circle 2.

Low-emission muffers

GESi mufflers are equipped with the Dry Selective Catalyst (DSC) system to reduce up to 99% of the carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emitted by commercial fuel-burning engines. DSC technology can be installed on any rotary, spark, or compression engine running on gasoline, propane, natural gas, diesel, or biodiesel fuels. The three-way catalytic converter includes a reduction catalyst that reduces NOx emissions and an oxidation catalyst that reduces unburned HC and CO molecules. Bartell Morrison. www.bartellmorrison.com. Booth O30426. Circle 3.

       

Building product search engine

BPM Select is a free Internet-based building product search engine, developed exclusively for personnel in the construction industry —architects, engineers, owners, facility managers, and design-build staffs — who need to quickly find building products, product information, and manufacturers. The Blue Book. www.thebluebook.com. Booth: S11419. Circle 4.