Manufacturer: LAARS, a Bradford White Company

Acing School Installation Test with LAARS, a Bradford White Company & The Helm Group

Asked for advice on the Belvidere, IL, School District’s new boilers, the Helm Group’s Service Division recommended Laars Heating Systems Company’s MagnaTherm® FT boilers. The Helm Group was impressed with the product quality as well as Laars’ extended warranty and commitment to supporting customers. Helm Group then competed for and won the contract to install and maintain the Laars systems, successfully installing them in the strict three-month window before the new school year. LAARS, a Bradford White Company, is a benefactor of MCAA25.

Value-Driven Proposition

Heating for Illinois school districts is always a priority. Last school year, Sean Winter, facility director for the Belvidere School District, worked hand-in-hand with the school board as the district had multiple buildings with boilers nearing the end of their lifespan that needed to be replaced prior to the next school year. With a combined enrollment of more than 5,000 students in those schools that needed new equipment (of the more than 8,000 in the district overall), the consequences of a heating system failure were serious. Additionally, it was agreed that any solution chosen had to be uniform and scalable across the district.

The district put a bid out to the public for the pre-purchase of equipment. Helm Group’s Service Division provides HVAC, piping, automation, electrical, and plumbing to the Belvidere School District and also strongly advocates for the district. Because of that relationship, they were able to provide valuable guidance and insights about brand differences. They advised the district to consider the Laars MagnaTherm FT boiler. The school board discovered that this product checked all the boxes to meet the Belvidere School District’s needs: high efficiency, oxygen combustion control, and high turndown to match each school’s heating profile. However, the Laars commitment to field support with their industry-leading extended warranty proved critical in the decision-making process.

“Laars differentiated themselves not only with their product offering but with their extended warranty,” said Pattie Krippendorf, vice president of service at Helm Group. “Because that’s the type of company they are with the quality craftsmanship to stand behind their product.”

When the district chose the Laars MagnaTherm FT boilers and issued an RFP to find a partner for installation and maintenance of the new systems, Helm Group immediately responded. Highlighting their ability to take on the entire project, from assistance with acquisition of the equipment and installation to support and maintenance, plus the value of their familiarity with Laars equipment and existing working relationship with the manufacturer, Helm Group won the job.

“It’s those value-driven propositions that we all want to pursue—being a solution provider and a trusted partner,” Krippendorf said.

The work started quickly once the partnership with Laars and Helm Group was in place. Because of the synergies between the two companies, the “four-legged stool” of contractor, owner, engineer, and manufacturer provided a strong foundation for the project. As Laars sales representatives from Herkowski Stickler and Associates worked directly with the installation team on the ground, the Helm Group team members organized the many components and responded to needs in real time. This level of collaboration enabled the team to keep to the tight timeline while avoiding any major issues.

A Successful Summer

The project took place while the Belvidere School District was on summer break, giving Laars and Helm Group a strict three-month window to complete installation. They successfully stayed on target for the initial installation in six schools, and the district added a seventh school to the project upgrade. All installations were completed in advance of cold weather.

With the installation of the new systems, the district began to realize the savings. With its new, energy-efficient Laars MagnaTherm FT boilers, the school district was able to take advantage of an $80,000 gas incentive rebate from NICOR, the gas provider in the area. Plus, the long-term utility savings generated by the high-efficiency boilers will add up quickly.

“It’s gratifying to help a community organization the size of the Belvidere School District save money and provide safe conditions for students with the installation of our products,” said Chuck O’Donnell, director of marketing at Laars Heating Systems Company. “Our Laars MagnaTherm FT boilers are built to last, and we are confident the professionals at Helm Group will keep them running at optimal performance for years to come.”

In addition to the money saved through energy efficiency, standardizing equipment across a district this large will save space and money over the long run. As more boilers across the Belvidere School District near the end of their lifespan, the district will have the opportunity to standardize around the Laars brand with support from Helm Service, which means they will have to stock fewer parts for maintenance. The project represents a win for all the parties involved.

For more information, visit www.laars.com. MCAA thanks LAARS, a Bradford White Company, for being a benefactor of MCAA25 and providing the convention souvenir bag.

Building the Industry Workforce

LAARS, a Bradford White Company (and a benefactor of MCAA24), is working closely with MCAA and the United Association (UA) toward a shared vision of continuous support for a trained, skilled workforce that is committed to safety, quality, and productivity. LAARS and the UA have established more than 50 advanced water heater and boiler training labs across the United States, with many more in development.

“Training has always been important,” said Raymond Boyd, director of education and training for the UA. “It’s the life’s blood of what we do. And the most important result of training is safety. An educated workforce is a safe workforce.” Safe workers and a safe workplace are prerequisites for the quality and productivity that drive the industry.

Additionally, the industry is evolving. Dustin Bowerman, director of training services for Bradford White, explained, “The technology our products depend on and regulations are constantly in flux, and we all should commit to staying on top of those changes in order to continue meeting the needs of our customers and living up to our partner obligations.”

In Person, Hands On, and Online

Classroom learning is essential to transfer the foundational knowledge and principles of the skilled trades. UA apprentices, for example, experience 216 hours of in-class instruction related to their field. A growing range of online and virtual training options have emerged to supplement traditional in-class and hands-on training. Live online training sessions allow instructors and trainees to connect and interact directly, in real time. These sessions increase efficiency and substantially minimize travel costs. New and emerging tools such as virtual reality and online simulations provide trainees with unprecedented safe and convenient access to new information. Following up virtual training with hands-on practice is essential for fully translating information into actionable skill.

Learn about LAARS Academy, which offers in-person factory and regional training, mobile demos, and videos: https://www.laars.com/laars-academy

“There’s enormous opportunity for online training, but ultimately there’s nothing like picking up tools and working directly with equipment and material,” said Eric Ortega, training coordinator for UA Local 208 in Denver. “Hands-on, in-person training with real equipment is still the foundation for the apprenticeship model, and I don’t see that ever going away.”

Steve Moruzzi, national training manager for LAARS, added, “Technicians get more out of hands-on training than other methods. They retain far more information when they’re able to physically perform an action once or twice than if they just read it or watch someone else do it.”

Real-World Learning Labs

Learning labs that simulate the real-world environment are ideal for technical training. Bradford White and LAARS subsidized the purchase of equipment for the UA as it expands and enhances its training centers across the United States and Canada to build some of the most advanced training facilities in the world. The cost and access limitations of hands-on training make industry partnerships—such as those Bradford White and LAARS maintain with MCAA, the UA, and other organizations—critical to the well-being and future of the industry. Manufacturers offer a range of training resources and platforms, including equipment, personnel, and expertise.

“We took all the equipment that was available, and then we ordered more,” said John Sullivan of UA Plumbers and Gas-Fitters Local 1 Training Center in New York. “We wanted to make sure we had everything we needed to train the next generation of plumbers. We didn’t want to just set up a showroom where they could look at the equipment while someone tells them how it works. We designed a learning lab where every piece of equipment is fully piped and working, so we can teach someone how to fire it up, how to bring it online, and how to troubleshoot. They get real-world hands-on experience with the equipment they’ll see on the job.”

Sullivan continued, “This kind of training opportunity is essential for the future of our industry. Leveraging our partnership with Bradford White and LAARS has served as a catalyst for something that will have a meaningful impact on our members and their customers for years to come. It’s also strengthened our partnership, which will ensure continuing benefits for all of us in the future.”

A culture of training ensures that proven skills and best practices are passed on. It also ensures that learning is a priority and helps inspire new generations of dedicated, expert workers who will become the future trainers and leaders of the industry.

The UA’s Boyd noted that partnering with Bradford White and LAARS “has been critical in our development of state-of-the-art, world-class training facilities for our members. And that success positions us to envision more ways to leverage our shared strengths in the future.”

For more information, visit www.laars.com. MCAA thanks LAARS, a Bradford White Company, for being a benefactor of MCAA24 and providing the convention bag.

Contractors, Suppliers Team Up with FEMA, Army Corps to Transform Chicago Convention Center into COVID-19 Field Hospital

As the coronavirus pandemic flared up around the country, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers rapidly built alternative care facilities to alleviate strain on local hospitals—and MCAA member contractors and manufacturer/supplier partners were there to help. In Chicago, Ferguson, Bradford White, Laars, and Sloan all provided needed materials in record time, and Helm Group (formerly Mechanical, Inc.) was among those working on the ground nonstop as the HVAC and plumbing contractor for the job. Ferguson; LAARS, a Bradford White Company; and SLOAN are all benefactor sponsors.

While most of the Army Corps facilities were designed to handle non-COVID-19 patients, Chicago’s McCormick Place convention center was planned to care for up to 3,000 people with mild or moderate coronavirus infection, freeing up hospital beds for more severe cases. Patients would be separated in the convention center halls by the level of care they required, spread throughout the facility’s 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space. Construction for the first 500 beds was completed April 3. (As the pandemic spread, the project was scaled back to 1,000 beds, because the state lockdown “flattened the curve”—or slowed the pace of infection—and area hospitals were able to keep up with the cases.)

Plumbing Industry Responds

As construction got underway, a plumbing contractor reached out to Ferguson Enterprises for help sourcing 17 Bradford White, 120-gallon, 54 kW, 208-volt water heaters and five LAARS Heating Systems 200-gallon jacketed and insulated vertical storage tanks to generate and store sufficient hot water for the facility. The first treatment area, with 500 beds, needed water heaters and a storage tank for the staff showers and another heater for showers that met Americans with Disabilities Act standards—all within four days.

“We didn’t know what to expect, when we got the call to help on the COVID-19 Care Center project at McCormick Place,” said Jim Kuenn, director of commercial—Central Midwest, Ferguson Enterprises. “We got involved midday on March 31 and needed to turn around a huge amount of product in just a few days. We reviewed the mechanical schedule and specifications provided to us. It was a daunting task that most of our associates had not seen before. We said ‘yes’ because we wanted to not only help our customer but also the community during this time of need.”

While the factory could not supply the heaters in the timeframe required, one of Bradford White’s consigned inventory warehouses in Atlanta, GA, had a sufficient number in stock. The heaters were delivered within 17 hours of ordering. The plumbing contractor and sales representatives credit their long history and experience with Bradford White, along with a vast local and national distribution network, as crucial to overcoming the logistical challenges.

In addition to the water heaters themselves, conversion kits were flown by next-day air from Bradford White’s Middleville, MI, manufacturing facility.

A Team Effort

Those on the scene were impressed to see representatives from every trade working side by side with representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and construction managers coordinating efforts. They would gather together throughout the day to reassess, resulting in constant coordination with FEMA.

“It was impressive to see everyone working together to get this project done quickly,” said Brian Helm, Helm Group (formerly Mechanical, Inc.) CEO and MCAA president. “You need to remember that this was the earliest stages of COVID-19 in the U.S., when we really didn’t know how the virus spread and what the mortality rate was. The trades saw it as their mission to get this facility built, and that’s exactly what they did.”

Helm Group (formerly Mechanical, Inc.) rapidly installed ductwork for the Chicago field hospital, recognizing that good ventilation is key to protecting against transmission of COVID-19.

Helm pointed out that the 500 people working in the space had to remember to stay at least 6′ apart at all times. “The biggest challenge was that all the trades were learning how to do their jobs while staying apart,” noted Helm. “For people’s entire careers, it was always the opposite—help someone out, watch out for the other guy, lift with a buddy, etc.”

As each stage of work was completed, FEMA required testing to make sure that everything worked, so the contractors coordinated with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and others. Challenges arose, but the plumbing crews succeeded in providing enough hot water to service 3,000 beds. Some described themselves as proud to be able to respond during a time of crisis and noted that plumbing is essential to public health.

Ferguson Enterprises, Bradford White, Laars, and Sloan all provided needed materials in record time to contractors like Helm Group (formerly Mechanical, Inc.) to stand up a field hospital in Chicago’s McCormick Place convention center in just 4 days. Photo courtesy of Ferguson.

“The Ferguson team in Chicago stepped up to the challenge, rolled up their sleeves, and worked 24/7 to make it happen,” Kuenn stated. The tight deadlines were met because, Kuenn said, “everyone—from contractors like Helm Group (formerly Mechanical, Inc.) to various vendors—found a way to say ‘yes.’ I get prideful chills from what was accomplished.”

Bradford White supplied water heaters for several major field hospitals, including Javits Convention Center in New York City and McCormick Place, according to Mark Taylor, executive vice president and general manager at Bradford White.

“We are extremely proud of the work being done by our reps, as well as our wholesaler and contractor customers, who are making sure that medical facilities have the hot water they need to combat the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Taylor. “Hot water is critical for cleaning, sanitizing, and hygienic purposes, and it’s important for us to do our part to support the health care workers on the front lines.

“In Michigan, where our water heaters are produced, we reached out to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and offered to provide products for any temporary field hospitals in the state of Michigan that need water heaters to help address the pandemic. Michigan is one of the states hit particularly hard by COVID-19,” Taylor noted.

Todd Young, vice president of commercial, Ferguson Enterprises, noted the crisis has undoubtedly changed the way everyone lives and works. “We’ve implemented new processes in order to help our customers and communities during this time,” he said.

“To support local hospitals and pop-up facilities across the country, we’ve organized a new response and product procurement system to handle the many inquiries coming in—because it’s the right thing to do,” Young explained. “From delivering jobsite trailers and emergency water heaters to providing products for field hospitals at facilities like CenturyLink Field and Sleep Train Arena, we’re working with a variety of essential businesses in different industries to help our communities push forward … and we’re happy to do it.”

Hygiene Is High Priority

Sloan provided touch-free commercial restroom products to the McCormick Place convention center to facilitate hygiene-friendly handwashing without the risk of cross-contamination.

Sloan also joined the effort, providing its touch-free commercial restroom products to the McCormick Place convention center to facilitate hygiene-friendly handwashing without the risk of cross-contamination.

“At Sloan, we understand that the touch-free products we manufacture across the entire commercial restroom play an essential role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Graham Allen, Sloan co-president and CEO. “We are proud to support those in our backyard of Chicago … and anyone in need across the country, and we will continue to do everything in our power to supply sensor-operated products.”

Plumbing requirements at McCormick Place called for over 200 Sloan sensor faucets in handwashing stations, and Sloan partnered with local suppliers to deliver these hygiene-friendly solutions.

Sloan Outfits Yale Gym with Touch-Free Fixtures

In New Haven, CT, Yale’s Payne Whitney Gym was also converted to a temporary field hospital and needed to retrofit its existing manual faucets and flushometers to provide a more sanitary environment for the influx of patients. The facility removed its existing faucets and replaced them with Sloan sensor-operated faucets, while also installing new Sloan sensor flushometers to provide a touch-free experience.

For more information, visit www.bradfordwhite.com; www.ferguson.com; and www.sloan.com. MCAA thanks Ferguson; LAARS, a Bradford White Company; and SLOAN for being benefactor sponsors.

Portions of this feature were adapted from a story in Plumbing & Mechanical magazine.