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Registration for Popular MSCA Service Managers Training Program Now Open

The 2017 MSCA Service Managers Training Program is now open for registration. Scheduled for March 27 – 30, 2017 in Baltimore, MD, this intensive four-day class will provide service professionals with critical management and leadership skills to enhance their performance, provide added-value to their company and ensure their success.  The program was developed with the service manager’s typical day-to-day problems in mind and will address key topics in financial management, communication, conflict resolution, leadership, coaching and motivation.  Class size is limited and program sells out quickly so register today. To download a brochure and registration form click here.

MSCA and Convoy of Hope Deliver Hope in Phoenix

Just prior to the recent MSCA conference in Scottsdale, AZ, MSCA and Convoy of Hope partnered to deliver a tractor trailer of supplies to Chrysalis, a domestic abuse, crisis and counseling center in Phoenix.  MSCA Board members and other volunteers helped unload the over 40,000 pounds of needed goods valued at over $40,000.  MSCA volunteers then assisted with various landscaping and cleaning tasks at the shelter. Take a look:
 

 
During the MSCA conference, spouses and other volunteers also packed over 15,000 pounds of pasta which will be shipped to Convoy of Hope’s Childrens Feeding Programs worldwide. This dynamic group of volunteers did an amazing job working hard while grooving to some great up-beat tunes!
 

Get Your Copy of the New Tool and Equipment Rental Guide

MCAA has released the 2016-2017 edition of its Tool and Equipment Rental Guide. The guide puts the latest comprehensive cost recovery information for commonly used tools and equipment at your fingertips. The single download includes both a PDF version and an Excel spreadsheet. The guide is free as a member benefit.

The rental rates are based on ownership and operating costs for contractor-owned equipment and are derived from formulas and data developed by the experts at EquipmentWatch and from analytic methods used in the construction industry.

Generally, these methods consider the purchase price, depreciation, maintenance and overhaul costs, indirect equipment costs and average annual use hours.

Profit, project overhead and general company overhead costs such as office facilities and supplies are not included in the rates.

Download your copy here.

It’s Not too Late to Find an Intern, and Get a Grant

MCAA_GREAT_FUTURESIf you are considering hiring an intern for this summer and you haven’t yet lined up candidates, go to MCAA’s website, MCAAGreatFutures.org.

Over 200 resumes of well-qualified students from across the U.S. and Canada are posted and they’re eager to work for a mechanical, mechanical service or plumbing contractor to learn the business.

And, once you’ve hired someone, you can apply for a Student Internship Grant from the Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation (MCERF). The grants are $1,200 each and you may apply for up two grants (if you hire two interns).

View Resumes

Apply for a Grant

MCAA Releases Safety Bulletin on OSHA’s Final Rule to Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses

MCAA has just made available its Safety Bulletin with information about the Occupational Safety & Health Administration’s (OSHA) revised recordkeeping rule to Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses.

The revised rule requires affected employers to electronically submit, annually, specified occupational injury and illness information directly to the agency. The bulletin provides information on key compliance dates and a summary of recently amended provisions in the rule (29 CFR 1904).

MCAA Safety Bulletin on Final Recordkeeping Rule

MCAA’s Construction Technology Webinar on 3D Scanning

James Benham, who led several sessions on new and emerging construction technologies and cyber security at MCAA 2016,  presented his research findings in the first of a multi-part webinar series on construction technology on April 7, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern time during MCAA’s Construction Technology Webinar.

The report, which is now available, provides a comparative analysis of 3D scanning technology. In 2016, MCAA partnered with JBK Labs to release this research.

Each part of the series evaluates and compares the benefits of specific products and software that contractors can apply in their operations.

James Benham, founder of JB Knowledge and its research wing, JBK Labs,  discusses the results of the first part of the study series on 3D Scanning Technology during this webinar. He explores and compares the differences in 3D scanning products, software and processes, also providing a glimpse of 3D scanning solutions that are still emerging.

If you missed the webinar, view our archived version here.

Download the report.

Safe Work Distance Finally Established for Service Work on Low-Slope Roofs

 

In the past, mechanical service technicians were required to have fall prevention or protection systems in place while servicing HVAC equipment on flat roofs, regardless of how far they were working from the roof’s edge. OSHA’s newly  revised walking-working surfaces rule now allows service technicians to perform their tasks without fall prevention or protection systems, but only under specified conditions.

LEARN MORE

2017 Student Internship Grants Available Through MCERF!

The Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation (MCERF) is again making available Student Internship Grants to all MCAA members who hire college students majoring in a discipline related to mechanical contracting.  The grants are for $1,000, and MCAA members are eligible to apply for up to two grants during 2017.

MCERF funds the grants to encourage MCAA members to draw student interns into our industry.  Everyone wins!  The student gains valuable knowledge from the skills and experience of the contractor and his/her team which enhances the student’s resume and may positively affect his/her future career plans.  The contractor gains from the student’s new perspective and savvy technology expertise and the grant helps cover the intern’s salary.

So when you hire a student intern this year, apply for a grant. It’s quick, easy and you’ll enjoy the benefits for years to come.

apply for a grant

New EPA Refrigerant Management Regulations Go Into Effect

cloudsThe new updated EPA safe handling requirements for refrigerants under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act went into effect January 1, 2017.  This includes a provision that reclaimed refrigerants, including CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs and HFOs, may not be resold unless it has been reclaimed by a certified reclaimer.  In addition, the rule requires the following:

  • Lowers the leak rate thresholds that trigger the duty to repair refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment containing 50 or more pounds of refrigerant.
  • Requires quarterly/annual leak inspections or continuous monitoring devices for refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment that have exceeded the threshold leak rate
  • Requires owners/operators to submit reports to EPA if systems containing 50 or more pounds of refrigerant leak 125% or more of their full charge in one calendar year.
  • Requires technicians to keep a record of refrigerant recovered during system disposal from systems with a charge size from 5–50 lbs.
  • Revises the EPA Section 608 Technician Certification Exam to include ODS substitutes

Download the EPA Fact Sheet for HVACR Technicians here. 

Additional information on the ruling can be found on the EPA website here.

What contractors need to know

Additional changes to the ruling go into effect on January 1, 2018 and January 1, 2019.

 

Now Available! MSCA’s Insights into Field Service Software Webinar

The Insights into Field Service Software webinar is now available to members for access. This webinar featured a discussion of the recent findings of the MSCA Field Service Software Report and its analysis of the current state of service software.

Technology expert Kelly Doyle with JBKnowledge helped participants gain a better understanding of how to identify and evaluate service software functionality — which provides the best fit for your company. MSCA past-chairman Scott Berger, Arista Air Conditioning, Long Island City, NY, facilitated the program.

The MSCA Field Service Software Report, part of the MCAA Construction Technology Research Series and the Insights into Field Service Software webinar are both available below.

Access here

MSCA’s Plumbing Service 101 Webinar Now Available

If you missed the February webinar of Plumbing Service 101, Plumbing Service Business Basics, don’t worry, you can now access the first module webinar of Plumbing Service 101 in both MSCA’s Resource Center and in Archived Webinars.

The first program module, Plumbing Service Business Basics, provides you with essential information on the value of adding plumbing services to your product offerings. Three successful plumbing service contractors discuss the opportunities and decision factors to consider when thinking about plumbing service for your company. They also review the initial resource and investment requirements needed before delving into this venture.

Each module consists of a 60-minute webinar and corresponding workbook. Webinars and workbooks are free to MSCA/MCAA members.

Access the webinar in Archived Webinars

The next webinar, Plumbing Service Markets, is scheduled for April 25, 2017 at 1:00 pm EDT.

Register for April 25th webinar here

MSCA Sales Basecamp Provides New Service Sales Professionals the Skills Needed to Succeed

If you have recently added new staff to your sales team or have members of your sales team that need a skills tune-up, register them now for the upcoming MSCA Sales Basecamp course, May 1-2 to be held in Philadelphia, PA. This popular 2 – day program will provide the skills needed to build long-term customer relationships, efficiently and effectively prospect for results, understand the MSCA Sales Cycle, prepare for that first critical meeting, and handle objections professionally during the proposal presentation.

For additional details and to download a brochure, click below.

Details & Brochure

WiMI Networking Reception at MCAA Convention Well Attended

Over 120 MCAA/MSCA women executives, manufacturer-supplier representatives, local association executives and students got together for a networking reception during the recent MCAA19 convention in Phoenix, AZ. WiMI chair Kori Gormley-Huppert kicked off the event by welcoming all the women and updating them on WiMI activities over the past year. WiMI committee members were introduced and the two Ferguson-WiMI scholarship winners congratulated. The attendees enjoyed the opportunity to meet new friends, share ideas and challenges and foster new networks of contacts.

Discover the Latest from SLOAN and Baltimore Aircoil 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:

SLOAN - MCAA Virtual Trade Show
SLOAN
Specifying the right faucet for your next commercial restroom project has never been easier. Sloan’s Faucet Finder lets you customize your perfect touch-free faucet, based on anything from spout design to spray type.

Learn More


Baltimore Aircoil Company, Inc. - MCAA Virtual Trade Show
Baltimore Aircoil Company, Inc.
The ENDURADRIVE™ Fan System Retrofit Kit is a direct drive motor system that provides 100% reliability on transmission components and a 90% reduction in maintenance costs, all while providing an increase in energy savings by 10%.

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

Would a Zero Injury Safety Award from NMAPC Benefit Your Company?

The National Maintenance Agreements Policy Committee (NMAPC) is now accepting online applications for its 21st Annual Zero Injury Safety Awards® (ZISA®), which will recognize zero-injury achievements in calendar year 2020. ZISA® celebrates the efforts of industrial business owners/clients, union contractors and building trades in achieving world-class safety performance on their projects. To be eligible, projects must be completed under the terms of the National Maintenance Agreement.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ZISA® CRITERIA

APPLY NOW