Organization: MCAA

Beyond the Classroom Video Series: Real-World Experience Matters

In this month’s edition of Beyond the Classroom, Peter Gebert, a Washington State University student, talks about the highlights of being involved in his student chapter and how that involvement has led to more learning opportunities, hands-on experience, and ultimately two internships with McKinstry.

Gebert’s interest in Mechanical Contracting was piqued while on a field trip to Seattle, “I’m walking through all these high rises and they are putting in all this HVAC, heating, plumbing, electrical and that really kind of got me going.” Gebert said. “Wow, there is so much you can do, there is so much going on in construction other than concrete and steel.”

Upcoming Beyond the Classroom videos will showcase how MCAA student chapter members and MCAA members alike are benefiting from the program. They will also share the opportunities available to students who choose careers in the mechanical industry.

Find the Latest from Watts Water Technologies and DEWALT Industrial Tool Company in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show

MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show connects our contractor members with the members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Participating companies highlight and link to new products, product lines, services, solutions or web pages of particular interest. Here are just a few of the recent additions:

Watts Water Technologies
Get the job done Pronto!™ Now available in Cast Iron as well as PVC, this dual adjustable floor drain from Watts® provides maximum efficiency and accuracy during installation. Designed for post-pour adjustment with flexibility in mind, Pronto! key product features save contractors time and labor costs.

Learn More

DEWALT Industrial Tool Company
DEWALT®, the leading manufacturer of power tools, hand tools, accessories and storage solutions, announces that its new ToughSystem® 2.0 Storage System, which offers improved durability and modularity versus previous units, is now available.

Learn More

Need Something Else?

Find many more smart solutions in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show!

Visit the Virtual Trade Show

Speaking of Smart Solutions

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website to learn how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with cost-saving and productivity-enhancing applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

This section of our website also includes tips and ideas to help your company save money and enhance your productivity. Don’t miss it!

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

American Bar Association Publication Highlights Loss of Productivity Methodologies

The American Bar Association (ABA) published an in depth article by Paul Stynchcomb, CCM, PSP, CFCC, Professor William Ibbs, PhD and James Newland, Esquire in the Summer 2020 edition of The Construction Lawyer. The authors dissect recent Civilian Board of Contract Appeals cases in which three MCAA member firms received substantial compensation for losses in labor productivity using a variety of quantification methodologies, including the MCAA Factors, the MCAA overtime inefficiency tables and the measured mile method.

The article titled “Preparing and Presenting Loss of Labor Productivity Claims: Analysis of the Methodologies with Two Exemplars,” is the most recent in the quarterly publication, which contains some of the most pertinent articles on contracts, recent court decisions and construction law to be found anywhere in the industry. Some of the construction industry’s most acclaimed attorneys and experts publish articles that have a direct bearing on the construction industry.

In the current COVID-19 environment, many contractors are seeking recovery of loss of labor productivity and are looking for methods of productivity impact quantification specific to the effects of the pandemic. All of the well tested methods applied to the two exemplar cases described in the article are applicable to quantifying COVID-19 impacts. 

This ABA article, coupled with the MCAA’s series of informative webinars on quantifying losses in labor productivity, including those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, provide a valuable training tool for MCAA member firms attempting to quantify and recover losses in labor productivity.

Related Webinars:

The following webinars are available as part of MCAA COVID-19 Contingency Plan Webinar Series.

Related Resource:

MCAA’s GreatFutures Virtual Fall Program Finishes Week 2

MCAA’s GreatFutures Virtual Fall Program has kicked off! Each of the 17 presentations is meant to help students navigate the proposal and bid process for the annual MCAA Student Chapter Competition project.  

Did we mention registration is free and you only have to register once for ALL of the presentations!

Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with the MCAA’s GreatFutures Virtual Fall Program website login instructions. This website includes:

  • All virtual program details;
  • Presentation descriptions;
  • Speaker overviews; and 
  • A full agenda with links to join the live sessions!

We encourage you to attend as many presentations live to interact with fellow students and engage with the presenters in the presentation Q&A. If you are unable to attend any of the sessions live, don’t you worry, the recorded presentations will be posted on MCAA’s GreatFutures Virtual Fall Program website AFTER the live session.

MCAA is sending a weekly Monday reminder email to registered attendees, highlighting the presentations for that week. Don’t forget to add them to your calendar!

MCAA’s GreatFutures Virtual Fall Program is sponsored by

REGISTER NOW

MSCA Virtual Sales Basecamp

This updated program is now available virtually!

This interactive, three week virtual program will be held every Tuesday and Thursday at 2 PM EDT, starting November 3 – 19, 2020. Sales Basecamp is where it begins for entry-level service sales personnel in the HVACR and plumbing industry. This program will prepare this recent hire or employee new to a sales position with all the relevant skills necessary to confidently sell HVACR and plumbing services while creating added value for the customer. The skills and knowledge attained in this class will become the strong foundation on which you build a long and successful career in service sales.

Class size is limited, so make sure to sign-up today!

The MCAA Family Is Growing

The MCAA family is growing, with more and more companies seeing the value of MCAA membership in ensuring their productivity and profitability. Please join us in welcoming the newest members of the MCAA family.

Contractor Members

All Trades Distribution
Bensalem, PA

Beaumont Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
Lake Grove, NY

Big Apple Piping Inc.
Sound Beach, NY

Big Pipe Mechanical LLC
Brentwood, CA

BIM Designs, Inc.
Aurora, CO

Blue Bear Plumbing
Marshfield, MA

Christopherson Plumbing
Omaha, NE

City Brewery
La Crosse, WI

Colombo Sales and Engineering Inc.
Oakley, MI

Craft Mechanical LLC
Chicago, IL

DeLong Plumbing Two, Inc.
Springfield, MO

D.A. Dodd, LLC
Rolling Prairie, IN

DR Specialties
Grand Junction, CO

Emcon Services, Inc.
Peachtree City, GA

Flo-Tron Contracting, Inc.
Hunt Valley, MD

Franco Belli Plumbing & Heating & Sons, Inc.
Brooklyn, NY

Fluid Mechanical, LLC
Kennard, NE

G&G Mechanical Inc.
Lancaster, CA

General & Mechanical Services, LLC
Annapolis, MD

GJM Engineering, Inc.
Los Angeles, CA

Graycon, Inc.
City of Industry, CA

Harris Bay Area, LLC
Brisbane, CA

Herrman & Goetz, Inc.
South Bend, IN

IPC Lydon
Sayreville, NJ

Industrial Resourcing Group
St. Marys, OH

Jersey Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
Farmingdale, NJ

Keystone Fabrication, LLC
Mt. Pleasant, PA

Dorvin D. Leis Co., Inc.
Kahului, Maui, HI

Robert L. Kistler Service Corp.
Rochester, NY

Maylon Enterprises, LLC
Gambier, OH

Mel-Kay Electric Company, Inc. dba Mel-Kay Mechanical Company, Inc.
Evansville, IN

Metro Mechanical Colorado LLC
Arvada, CO

Midstate Plumbing & Heating Inc.
Fort Dodge, IA

MK Industries, Inc.
Vernon Hills, IL

F.E. Moran, Inc. Refrigeration
Lemont, IL

Northstar Refrigeration
Plymouth, MA

Ochoa Mechanical Group, LLC
Chicago, IL

O’Connor Plumbing Company
Oak Hills, CA

On Point HVAC Corp.
Ozone Park, NY

Owens Companies
Minneapolis, MN

Perrysburg Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC
Perrysburg, OH

Peterman Plumbing & Heating, Inc.
Dover, OH

Preferred Mechanical, Inc.
Bronx, NY

Prime Specialty Contracting, LLC dba Prime Mechanical Contracting
Marquette, MI

Redstar Mechanical, Inc.
Fort Lee, NJ

Rivera Equipment dba Valley Industrial Mechanical
Oak Hills, CA

S & L Plumbing and Heating Corp.
White Plains, NY

Schadegg Mechanical
South St Paul, MN

Service2.0
Monroe, MI

Solutions Mechanical LLC
Aurora, CO

Traina Mechanical, Inc.
Metairie, LA

TRS Mechanical
Spanaway, WA

Uhl Company, Inc.
Maple Grove, MN

United Plumbing & Mechanical, Inc.
Woodhaven, NY

United States Mechanical, Inc.
Circle Pines, MN

Manufacturer/Supplier Members

Lochinvar, LLC
Lebanon, TN

Procore Technologies, Inc.
Carpinteria, CA

Raken
Carlsbad, CA

Ridge Tool Company
Elyria, OH

SF&P Advisors
Boca Raton, FL

Sioux Chief Manufacturing Company, Inc.
Kansas City, MO

Sunbelt Rentals, Inc.
Fort Mill, SC

Recent Revisions to MCAA’s Model COVID-19 Return to Work Exposure Control Plan

MCAA’s Model COVID-19 Return to Work Exposure Control Plan was again revised to address changes to CDC guidance and add additional COVID-19 safety resources to the plan. MCAA recommends that you evaluate these changes to ensure that your company’s program is current.

Revisions were made to the actual MCAA Model COVID-19 Return to Work Exposure Control Plan and to the accompanying documents, including:

  1. The addition of the Temperature and Symptom Screener Training PowerPoint with accompanying instructor notes;
  2. Changes to COVID-19 symptoms;
  3. Changes to discontinuing isolation protocol;
  4. Definition of “Prolonged Period”;
  5. Changes to temperature and symptom screening protocol; and
  6. Changes to PPE requirements for screeners.

The following resources can be found in the RESOURCE CENTER and below:

MCAA Model COVID-19 Return to Work Exposure Control Plan & Checklist

MCAA COVID-19 Regulatory & Legal Guidance

MCAA Model COVID-19 Return to Work Exposure Control Plan Questionnaires – Jobsite Screening and Company Screening Questionnaires

MCAA COVID-19 Return to Work Employee Safety Training PowerPoint & Instructor Notes

MCAA Model COVID-19 Return to Work Exposure Control Plan Test & Answer Key

MCAA COVID-19 Temperature and Symptom Screener Training PowerPoint & Instructor Notes

MCAA PAC Appreciates Your Support

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the MCAA Government Affairs Committee has been working tirelessly meeting with countless Congressional and Senate offices remotely to push our agenda forward. This vital work was made possible by PAC contributions to candidates who support our positions over the long term. Please join us in thanking those who gave and consider making a contribution to support these vital efforts.

The Government Affairs Committee’s legislative and advocacy work on issues like COVID-19 cost increases on Federal projects, change orders in the NDAA, pension issues, and the PBGC just to mention a few was made possible by:

  • Robert Beck
  • Robert Bolton
  • Tim Brink
  • Michael Cables
  • Don Chase
  • Jay Chase
  • Matthew Cunningham
  • Steve Dawson
  • Jim Dougherty
  • Charles Fell
  • Lyle Ferguson
  • John Feikema
  • John Ferrucci
  • Steve Fosdick
  • Greg Fuller
  • James Gaffney
  • Michael Gallagher
  • John Geiling
  • Don Giarratano
  • Jason Gordon
  • Brian Helm
  • Scott Hinton
  • Brian Hughes
  • Jay Lusita
  • William Lynch
  • Mark Magnuson
  • Rick Moreno
  • Edward Newville
  • David Quirk
  • Mark Rogers
  • Bob Snyder Jr.
  • Lawrence Verne
  • Frank Wall
  • Scott Wallenstein

MCAA’s 2020 advocacy efforts continue to need your help. Contribute to the MCAA PAC, a critical factor to our success in moving forward legislation that positively affects your business.

(Note: In order to comply with campaign finance laws, you will need to complete a solicitation authorization form before making a contribution. Find additional details and both the solicitation authorization and contribution forms via the button below.)

Contribute

Law Office of Adele Abrams Newsletter – August 20, 2020

MCAA partner Adele Abrams has released the Law Office of Adele Abrams Newsletter dated August 20, 2020. The latest newsleter includes articles on OSHA Use of NWS Chart for Heat Stress Invalidated and Updates Affecting Marijuana in the Workplace.

Arden Building Companies Named Among 2020 Fastest Growing & Innovative Companies

MCAA member Arden Building Companies has been named among the Fastest Growing & Innovative Companies by Providence Business News. Arden is recognized as one of the region’s Fastest Growing Companies in the $75 million and above category based on three-year revenue growth. The company will be honored during a virtual awards ceremony on September 16, 2020. Congratulations to Bob Bolton and the entire Arden Building Companies team!

Baker Group Achieves 2.5 Million Hours Without Injury

Baker Group reached a remarkable safety milestone on August 18, 2020 when the company surpassed 2.5 million hours worked with no recordable or lost time injuries. “The successes of our employees and our projects are greatly dependent on doing work safely,” says BJ Baker, Chairman and CEO. “It’s a cornerstone of Baker Group culture.”

This milestone reflects both the high safety standards set by the company and its commitment to its clients, employees and the industries with which it connects.

This commitment shows in the awards and recognition the company has received for its safety initiatives. The two-time winner of MCAA’s highest safety award, the MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Award, has also received MCAA Certificates of Commendation for consistently earning exceptionally low occupational injury and illness incidence rates. The most recent of these was presented in 2020.

Earlier this month the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) recognized Baker Group with two prestigious national awards for 2020. These included the Zero Injury Award and the Safety Excellence Award for the lowest injury/illness rate among association participants in its highest category (over 500,000 hours of operation).

“We focus on achieving the highest levels of safe job performance as part of our planning as well as our field team operations,” notes Tracy Haus, long-time Director of Safety. “We roll it into all levels of communication, education and follow-through.”

A Commitment to Safety Behind the Scenes

In addition to Tracy’s role leading Baker Group’s safety initiatives, he is co-chair of the MCAA Safety & Health Committee. As a member of the committee for the past 10 years, he has had an active role in the development of MCAA’s extensive library of safety and health resources.

He, BJ and the entire Baker Group team of safety professionals have been instrumental in the creation of MCAA’s safety training videos. In addition to hosting all of the video shoots, the company has gone to extraordinary lengths in both the planning and execution of the “accidents” and “incidents” portrayed in the videos, procuring materials, equipment and locations as well as dedicating their time to being sure that things went off flawlessly. For example, see the recent videos on excavation safety, aerial lift safety, and workplace violence prevention and protection.

Congratulations to the entire Baker Group team on this major safety milestone and thank you for everything that you have contributed to MCAA’s Safety Excellence Initiative.

AB&I Supports Retooling Project that Extends the Life of Valuable PPE Materials

MCAA members are committed to giving back to their communities. AB&I Foundry is just one example. The company has teamed up with the California Metals Coalition (CMC), Assemblyman Rob Bonta (Alameda County), and MiraCosta College Technology Career Institute (TCI) for a “retooling” project aimed at supporting local first responders during the COVID‐19 pandemic by extending the life of their personal protective equipment (PPE).

The shortage of PPE such as 95 masks can leave health care workers, fire fighters, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) at risk. In order to help solve this problem, TCI retooled a portion of their Carlsbad, California location to manufacture portable decontamination kits. In support of their efforts, AB&I Foundry will be donating these kits, valued at $900 each, to four recipients: Highland Hospital, Alameda Hospital, San Leandro Hospital and Roots Community Health Center in Oakland.

Each kit includes a germicidal Ultraviolet (UV‐C) System, which is an environmentally friendly, non‐chemical disinfection process. The state-of-the art system is easy to use, and it is portable. It does not use any harmful chemicals, sprays or solvents, and is safe on all surfaces.

“UV-C Light has been proven to kill germs, viruses and bacteria. At AB&I Foundry we have hired a service that comes in periodically to fully disinfect the foundry as part of our routine maintenance to combat the Coronavirus,” said Michael Lowe, General Manager of AB&I Foundry. “Making this technology available to healthcare workers is our way of helping as we all navigate these difficult times,” he said.

Here’s how it works: The UV-C light is a short-wavelength, ultraviolet light that breaks apart germ DNA, leaving it unable to function or reproduce. In other words, UV-C light is a germicidal that kills or neutralizes “superbugs” like the Coronavirus, germs or any other pathogens on surfaces. The system plugs in to any standard outlet, and within a 2- to 4-minute disinfecting process it can sterilize PPE equipment thus extending the service life of PPE gear. This compact disinfecting kit is 16”x20”x8” and it’s easy and safe to use – just place an item inside the box, close the lid, and the system starts the process of disinfecting. An added safety feature automatically turns off the system if the lid opens.

ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force Releases Updated Building Readiness Guide

As many buildings are preparing to reopen during this pandemic, the ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force has updated its reopening “Building Readiness” guidance for HVAC systems to help mitigate the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Specific updated recommendations to the building readiness guidance include the following: Pre- and Post- Flushing Strategy, Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) Systems Operation, and Building Readiness Modes of Operation for the Building.

Find the Latest from Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co.® and Lochinvar, LLC in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show

MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show connects our contractor members with the members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Participating companies highlight and link to new products, product lines, services, solutions or web pages of particular interest. Here are just a few of the recent additions:

Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co.® a Member of Morris Group International
Trap primer adapters are connected to the floor drain outlet prior to the P-trap. They can be rotated in any direction prior to bonding providing a quick and cost-saving installation. Available in multiple connection types and sizes and made from either PVC or ABS.

Learn More

Lochinvar, LLC
Lochinvar’s heat pump water heaters support sustainability and decarbonization initiatives and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Learn More

Need Something Else?

Find many more smart solutions in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show!

Visit the Virtual Trade Show

Speaking of Smart Solutions

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website to learn how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with cost-saving and productivity-enhancing applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

This section of our website also includes tips and ideas to help your company save money and enhance your productivity. Don’t miss it!

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

UA TRAINING COURSE: Safe Handling of Mildly Flammable Refrigerants

The UA is offering a free program open to all MSCA/MCAA contractors and UA members on the latest information on emerging low-GWP refrigerants for residential and commercial comfort cooling and commercial refrigeration. The course will be taught by Mike Schmidt, UA Local 597, Woody Woodall, MSCA, and Jason Obrzut, ESCO Group. Objectives include:

  • Chronology of refrigerant development and application.
  • Identify the make-up of non- flammable A1 refrigerants.
  • Identify the make-up of mildly flammable A2L refrigerants.
  • Compare and contrast non-flammable A1 to mildly flammable A2L refrigerants.
  • Define the best practices for: transportation, tools and equipment, work environment, refrigerant recovery, leak checking and repair, and evacuation.
  • Evaluate any concerns of servicing a piece of equipment based on best practices.
  • Discuss the proper procedures for servicing an A2L refrigeration unit.

August 26, 2020 from 2 PM – 4 PM EST 

https://zoom.us/j/97736243044
Meeting ID: 977 3624 3044

There is no pre-registration for this course. Attendance is limited to 400 people
and will be  on a first come, first serve basis. 

VIEW PROGRAM BROCHURE

MCAA Featured in Article on Remote Training

MCAA President Brian Helm spoke with Kelly Faloon for a recent Contractor magazine article on “Training in the Age of COVID-19.” The article highlights the ways in which associations, manufacturers and suppliers have adapted their education and training programs for virtual presentation. MCAA members Uponor, Inc. and Xylem Inc. – Bell & Gossett are among those highlighted.

8/17 Alston & Bird Coronavirus Flash Update

Alston & Bird have released their August 17 COVID-19 update, including the latest news on emergency funding, administrative and regulatory actions, workplace and home issues, and many other topics, as well as to links to all their past updates.

Withum COVID-19 Bill Update – 8/13/2020

Final PPP Statistics:  As many of you know the PPP loan program is officially closed, it is certainly possible that it can be extended via the next stimulus bill, however that has been delayed and it is unclear what changes to the PPP (if any) will come as a result of the bill and when. The SBA has been consistently publishing PPP loan statistics, and this link provides what is effectively the “final” results as we know them. Some general observations:

  • $133 billion of funds allocated to the program went unused.
  • NY, CA and TX were the largest recipients of loans.
  • Over 87% of the total loans issued were below $150k.
  • Chase, BOA and PNC were the top three lenders (by dollars).
  • Healthcare, professional services and tech were the top three beneficiaries (by dollars).

New Clarifications/FAQs on How to Calculate Forgiveness: The SBA released new FAQs recently, Withum has written an in-depth analysis on each one within this article. The FAQs do not present major shifts in how we view the mechanics of forgiveness but do help provide further detail and clarity on topics such as how to calculate the maximum forgivable salary for owner/employees based on entity type (LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp and how to account for benefits paid within and outside of the covered period among other topics. As borrowers begin working on their applications, understanding these nuances is important. 

PPP and M&A: Withum often gets questions regarding how the sale or a business or the acquisition of another entity may impact a borrowers PPP loan and ability to obtain forgiveness. Withum has put together an article addressing some of the complexity that may arise from these transactions, as well as how they impact the employee retention tax credit.

Reminder Section:  (what should I be doing):

  • Talk to your payroll company about claiming the employer payroll tax deferral and employee retention credits (ERC) that were made available in the CARES Act.
  • Talk to your payroll company about claiming the qualified sick/family leave refundable tax credits (from FFCRA, passed prior to the CARES Act).
  • Consider speaking with your lender to discuss changes to terms of existing debt facilities.
  • If you have already received a PPP loan, start forecasting how you intend to spend the funds and how you can qualify for the highest amount of loan forgiveness possible. If you are not forecasting 100% loan forgiveness, then most likely you should seek assistance regarding your particular situation. Withum believes the vast majority of borrowers should expect and plan to receive 100% loan forgiveness.

Sloan Deploys Mobile Restrooms to Support Communities in Need

MCAA members are committed to supporting their communities. For example, Sloan recently dispatched one of its Mobile Restrooms to assist when a Denver, Colorado-based Catholic Charities chapter lost access to the restroom and handwashing facilities it relied on to serve the area’s homeless population.

The Sloan Mobile Restrooms provided a quick solution to an immediate need. “In the midst of frantic searching for alternative resources, a colleague in Denver alerted us to an opportunity for a mobile restroom unit from Sloan, which we gratefully accepted,” said Joe Domko, Regional Director Larimer County, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Denver. “Sloan’s team was gracious, accommodating, kind, and quickly delivered an immaculate mobile restroom to support our most vulnerable and marginalized citizens. This, to us, is the very definition of charity and solidarity.”

The fully-equipped Mobile Restrooms were developed specifically to support communities affected by natural disasters, emergencies, and catastrophic incidents like the COVID-19 pandemic.

The facilities combine comfortable and customizable hardware with easy-to-maintain design to deliver a hygienic, clean, and welcoming experience. The ADA-compliant facilities are designed for universal accessibility, with each unit split into men’s and women’s areas.

“Portable restrooms often come along with the stigma of being unsanitary and uncomfortable,” said Parthiv Amin, Sloan’s Chief Sales and Marketing Officer. “Sloan’s new Mobile Restrooms offer first responders, healthcare facilities, FEMA workers in natural disaster recovery areas, and communities in need with a restroom environment that is clean, comfortable, safe, and hygienic.”

The restrooms are outfitted with Sloan vitreous china floor-mounted pressure-assisted water closets and vitreous china water-free urinals (in the men’s unit only), along with vitreous china drop-in lavatories, Optima® faucets, and Sloan deck-mounted foam soap dispensers. All water closets are powered by Flushmate technology for energy-efficient, single flush performance.

For more information, or to bring a Sloan Mobile Restroom to your community, visit Sloan’s website.