Independent Lab Conducts Performance and Safety Tests of Zircon® and Stanley® Stud Finders

CAMPBELL, Calif., January 7, 2009 — A comparative performance test by one of the world’s leading independent testing laboratories confirmed the accuracy and dependability of Zircon’s stud finders and other wall scanning tools, while revealing troubling safety concerns about similar products manufactured by The Stanley Works (NYSE: SWK).

SGS U.S. Testing Company Inc. Consumer Testing Services (SGS) tested each tool 28 times. In every case, Zircon’s tools performed as well as, or better than, specifications claimed by the manufacturer. While some of the Stanley tools performed marginally, SGS noted some consistent and total failures with the Stanley® Stud Sensor 200™ and the Stanley Fat Max® Stud Sensor 400 when it came to detecting “hot” electrical wires. Furthermore, total failure always occurred directly above or immediately adjacent to the hidden wire, the most dangerous spot on the wall. Such defects could result in users inadvertently nailing or drilling into hot electrical wire, with the potential to cause significant bodily harm. Additionally, other AC detection failures were identified with the Stanley® Stud Sensor 100™ and Stanley® Stud Sensor 150™.

“Zircon commissioned these tests in order to verify our own external product specifications, and to benchmark our competition,” stated Zircon President and CEO John Stauss. “We were gratified with Zircon’s performance, and dismayed by our findings with regard to our competition. Accurate AC detection and avoidance is a critical safety concern whenever a user considers penetrating a wall surface.”

SGS tested each tool to determine its ability to detect a stud and a hot electrical wire and to measure its degree of accuracy in pinpointing the target. For stud detection, the actual stud center provided the target. For electrical wires, tools were judged on their detection distance from the wire. The test compared both simple stud finders and more sophisticated tools with functions specifically designed to detect, and in some cases trace, hot electrical wire.

All tools were operated in accordance with instructions included in each product’s packaging and equipped with a new battery purchased by SGS. To ensure that testing conditions simulated actual use, the tests were conducted in a Southern California residence that utilized standard construction.

Zircon tools tested included the following: Zircon StudSensor™ i65 OneStep®, Zircon MultiScanner® i500 OneStep®, Zircon MultiScanner® i520 OneStep®, Zircon MultiScanner® i700 OneStep®, Zircon MultiScanner® Pro SL, and Zircon StudSensor™ Pro LCD. Stanley Works tools tested included Stud Sensor 100™, Stanley® Stud Sensor 150™, Stanley® Stud Sensor 200™, Stanley Fat Max® Stud Sensor 400, Stanley IntelliSensor™ Pro, and Stanley IntelliLaser™ Pro.

About SGS U.S. Testing Company Inc.
SGS U.S. Testing Company Inc. and its Consumer Testing Services division are part of the SGS Group, the world’s leading verification, testing and certification company. The company’s comprehensive services cover the entire supply chain from product development to retailing for softlines, hardlines and consumer E & E products. SGS also has a unique capability and range of services to support organization embracing the challenges of social responsibility. More information about the company can be found at www.us.sgs.com.

About Zircon Corporation
Silicon Valley-based Zircon, in business for more than 30 years, remains a privately-owned enterprise. Zircon is dedicated to delivering innovative, easy-to-use technology to the world’s toolboxes. Since 1975, the company has used patented technology to design, develop, manufacture, and market one-of-a-kind hand tools that perform critical, everyday jobs, saving users time and money. Zircon’s products include the StudSensor™ family, the original and best-selling line of stud and joist finders and the OneStep® line of scanners with patented CenterVision® technology, as well as measuring and leveling tools for almost every job. For more information about Zircon’s family of products, call 1-800-245-9265 or visit the web site at www.zircon.com.

# # #

Note: CENTERVISION, DEEPSCAN, DIMENSION PRO, EXTREME PRECISION, iLINE, iSENSOR, LASERVISION, METALLISCANNER, MULTISCANNER,ONESTEP, RADAR VISION, REPEATER, SPOTLITE, TRISCANNER, TRUCAL, ULTRALEVEL 6, VIDEOLEVEL, VIDEOSCANNER, WIREWARNING and ZIRCON are registered trademarks of Zircon Corporation. AUTOCAL, DIMENSIONATOR, EASYMARK, HYPERTAPE, LEAK ALERT, MAKE NO MISTAKE, PLUMB PYRAMID, QUBE, STUDSENSOR, STUDVISON and WINDOW-IN-THE-WALL are trademarks of Zircon Corporation. (050407). All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.

Zircon’s team of Tool Pro Experts provide superior customer service and know the ins and outs about tools, construction, and the challenges that DIYers and professionals face with a diverse list of projects. Rest assured knowing you can reach live, accessible, knowledgeable, honest people. At Zircon, we work with you.