Can I make number field have decimal places?

Hi. I have a field in my SQL database that is an integer field. When I try to use this field in my form, it only allows whole numbers to be entered. How can I allow numbers with decimal points to be entered? The field name is called Eng_Hrs. Here's what I have on the Form:

<tr>

<td class="edit" align="left">Engineering Hours:    <input type="text" name="Eng_Hrs" size="12" validate="integer" <!--- required="no" ---> message="You must enter a valid number in the Engineering Hours field"></td>

</tr>

I realize I could make this a text field and it would allow decimal points, but then how could I validate this field to make sure that only whole numbers or numbers with decimal points are entered?

Thanks.

Andy