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Registered Yet for GreatFutures Forum?

Come join us for the 2017 GreatFutures Forum in Indianapolis, IN at the Downtown Marriott, September 28-30. If you have not yet registered, the cut-off date is September 7.

Don’t miss this chance to be part of this unique conference that brings together MCAA members with students from major universities across the U.S. and Canada majoring in construction management, mechanical engineering, architectural engineering and other disciplines related to our industry. The conference is a great way to meet and learn more about these talented young, their interests and their career goals.

The Forum program will give all attendees lots to talk about too.

  • The Futures Fest—a career fair—kicks off the conference;
  • Educational sessions feature industry consultant Kevin Dougherty, MCAA Past President Mark Rogers and one of his project managers Ted McHugh and Futurist Thomas Frey;
  • A series of roundtable discussions, led by MCAA contractor members, about what students should expect when they begin their careers with our industry;
  • A presentation by our 2016 Student Chapter of the Year—the student chapter at the University of Missouri-Columbia;
  • The announcement of the 2017-2018 MCAA Student Chapter Competition Project;
  • The annual mini competition; and
  • A tour of the NCAA Hall of Fame.

There’s no registration fee, so don’t delay signing up for the GreatFutures Forum.  Our website provides all the conference information and the registration form.

Registration for MCAA’s 15th Annual Safety Directors’ Conference Opens October 1, 2017

MCAA’s 15th annual Safety Directors’ Conference will be presented January 23 – 25, 2018 at the San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina. Please mark your calendars so that you won’t miss this incredibly popular, world-class mechanical industry-specific safety and health education and networking conference.

Additional Offerings:

  • MCAA will present pre-conference first aid and CPR/AED classes, and first aid, and CPR AED instructor classes.
  • A post-conference Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) certification preparation workchop will be presented as well.

If you have interest in attending any of the pre or post conference classes, please let us know by sending an e-mail to pchaney@mcaa.org. Please disregard this request if you have already let us know your intentions.

MCAA Releases Safe Pressure Testing of Steel and Copper Piping Systems Worker Safety Training Video & Materials

MCAA’s new worker safety training video, Safe Pressure Testing of Steel and Copper Piping Systems, and its accompanying materials are now available to members. The video walks the viewer through the most common causes of steel and copper piping system pressure testing failures, pretest walk-downs, and general safe work practices for hydrostatic and pneumatic pressure testing.

Download or play the video

There’s More…

Accompanying materials are also available to assist you in highlighting key training points, documenting worker training and confirming that workers understand the training concepts:

Highlight key training points

Download the Pocket Guide

Document worker training

Download the Documentation Sheet

Confirm that workers understand the training concepts

Download the Test

Download the Test Answer Key

Want Even More Safety Resources?

MCAA has you covered, with a full range of resources to help you protect your workers from injury and comply with applicable safety regulations. Here’s where to find them:

On our Direct Links to MCAA & MSCA Safety Resources page, where they’re listed by category with links.

Go there now

In the Resource Center, where you can use the blue Refine Your Search bar to pinpoint exactly what you’re looking for.

Visit the Resource Center

Have questions or need personal assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Pete Chaney.

Josam Company’s Trench Drain Saves Miinc Mechanical Money, Time, and Headaches

With its light weight and easy installation, Josam Company’s Pro-Plus trench drain system not only minimized hassle for Miinc Mechanical Contractors of Dallas, TX, but it also saved them labor and installation time. Instead of using three or four workers to install the trench drain, Miinc needed only one or two workers laying the Pro-Plus system during a recent project for Southwest Airlines.

LEARN MORE

Need More Time-Saving Solutions?

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

Plus, you’ll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

MSCA CONNECT 2017 – It’s Possible to Hug Your Haters!

Jay Baer at MSCA CONNECT 2017 – It’s Possible to Hug Your Haters!

Take a sneak peek at Jay’s video to you above.

Jay Baer, author of Hug Your Haters, the world’s first modern customer service manual, shows how companies large and small can benefit from the enormous increase in online complaints and customer feedback. If it feels like there are more complaints than ever, and that you’re spending more time and money dealing with negativity and backlash, you’re right. But the rise of customer complaints is actually an enormous opportunity. In this eye-opening presentation, Jay reveals brand-new, proprietary research into The Science of Complaints – why and where your customers complain, how to embrace your complainers and turn impossible, negative situations into positive, possible solutions. Jay has spent 23 years in digital marketing and customer experience, consulting for more than 700 companies during that period, including 32 of the FORTUNE 500.

Don’t miss Jay’s enlightening session on Wednesday, October 18! Register today for MSCA 2017 using the button below.

MSCA 2017 Conference Website

Discover the Latest from DEWALT, FastEST and More 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:


DEWALT DCC2560DEWALT Industrial Tool Company

DEWALT announces the new FLEXVOLT® 60V MAX* 2.5 Gallon Cordless Air Compressor (DCC2560). Made in made in Jackson, TN with global materials, it is part of the growing FLEXVOLT® System from DEWALT.

Learn More

 

FastEST, Inc.
FastPIPE®, FastDUCT®, and FastWRAP™ — accurate, fast, and easy-to-use mechanical estimating software

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

Craft & Son Find EVAPCO Cooling Towers a Perfect Fit for Gettysburg Hospital

Only EVAPCO, Inc. had cooling towers with a small-enough footprint, yet large-enough capacity, to meet WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital’s need for upgraded towers that would lend themselves to future expansion. Manchester, PA-based James Craft & Son Inc. worked closely with EVAPCO to find the perfect solution to a challenging installation.

LEARN MORE

Need More Solutions for Challenging Installations?

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

Plus, you’ll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

Metropolitan Mechanical Contractors Cuts Installation Time in Half with Uponor’s PEX Pipe

Metropolitan Mechanical Contractors (MMC) of Eden Prairie, MN, found that using Uponor’s AquaPEX® crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) piping for the risers and the unit piping in a new hotel saved crews about two to three days of installation per floor. On a 13-story project with 50 units per floor, that adds up to almost a month of installation time savings.

LEARN MORE

Looking for More Solutions for Quick Installation and Maximum Savings?

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

Plus, you’ll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

Do You Have the Skills to Keep Workers Safe While Maintaining Profitability? MCAA’s Video Will Help Get You There!

MCAA’s Safety Management for Supervisors Training Video follows a seasoned mechanical construction supervisor as he leads a new colleague through the skills that are critical for effective safety management on mechanical construction projects.

The video, which was produced specifically for mechanical industry project managers, foremen and other jobsite supervisors, describes the key management skills that enable supervisors to keep employees safe and help maintain project profitability, including:

• Pre-task planning;
• Leadership;
• Hazard recognition;
• Auditing for compliance;
• Addressing safety concerns;
• Loss control;
• Recordkeeping; and
• Conflict resolution.

Download or Play

MSCA CONNECT 2017 Education Conference Spotlight

Julie Williamson – MSCA CONNECT 2017

Bringing The Possible to Life: Influencing Decisions Across Your Business 

Julie Williamson, Vice President of Strategy & Research for Karrikins Group (founded by Peter Sheahan, a popular presenter at MSCA conferences) has worked nationally and internationally with companies both large and small, helping them execute a strategy for transformation.

Have you ever found yourself frustrated by people not getting aligned behind an investment or a strategic direction you want to make for your business? Perhaps you have a modern technology to implement, but people continue to find ways to use the old system. You need to get people to make different decisions about their everyday behaviors – how they show up, and what they do to deliver on your organizational commitments. That means you need to disrupt the ‘same old / same old’ thinking that drives most of their decisions, and you need to create new responses that are better aligned with your business goals.

In Julie’s engaging and energizing Education Session, she will dive into the 5 Drivers of decision making and how you as a leader can use them to drive your strategy forward bringing “The Possible” to your business.

Take a peek at Julie’s message below:

For additional information, click on the buttons below:

MSCA 2017 Conference Website

 

Mechanical, Inc. Makes Additional Contribution to MCERF

Mechanical_IncMechanical, Inc. of Freeport, IL has contributed an additional $5,000 to the Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation (MCERF).  This contribution brings Mechanical, Inc.’s total MCERF contribution to $22,500.  President Brian Helm said this contribution is a “…show of support for the the Foundation’s efforts to support industry education, especially those in career development and internships.”

Mark Rogers, MCERF’s President, thanked Brian for Mechanical, Inc.’s support.

For more information on MCERF, contact Dennis Langley (dlangley@mcaa.org).

Find the Latest from Anvil International, Metraflex Company and More 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:

Anvil Gruvlok Hydronic Hook-Up KitsAnvil International
Gruvlok® Hydronic Hook-Up Kits are Pre-engineered taking the guess work out of HVAC Connection Systems. Speedy Installation & Superior Efficiency resulting in a Labor Savings up to 80%! At Anvil we are Building Connections That Last.

Learn More

 

Metraflex LPD-Y StrainerMetraflex Company
Metraflex energy-saving LPD-Y-Strainer dramatically reduces pressure drops. ROI within 1 year. Larger screen with more holes. Re-engineered to reduce turbulence.

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

With Victaulic Couplings, Arden Meets Tight Timeline, Saves $100,000 on Overall Costs

Contracted to design and install the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems for a massive renovation, Arden Building Companies faced a tight timeline, a tight space, and a tight budget—all of which made welding a poor choice for completing the mechanical room. Using Victaulic’s easy-to-install grooved connections, Arden joined, hung, and installed pipe quickly and efficiently once it was lowered into the mechanical room. Arden estimated that the speed of installation reduced overall costs by approximately $100,000.

LEARN MORE

Looking for More Solutions that Speed Installation and Maximize Savings?

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

Plus, you’ll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

Regulatory Update

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) internet reporting rules and overtime pay regulations are under review by the Department of Labor, but two other Obama Administration rules of interest to the industry remain in uncertain status—the non-discrimination and affirmative action requirements for registered apprenticeship programs and the paid sick leave (EO 13706) rules for direct federal prime contractors and subcontractors.

The registered apprenticeship program rules remain only partially in effect awaiting additional guidance from the Labor Department. The Obama paid sick leave requirement was set for implementation in federal contract solicitations issued on or after January 1, 2017. So far, MCAA contractors have not encountered the required EO 13706 contract clause required in project specifications – so it remains unclear what course the Administration will take with respect to the new paid sick leave requirements.

Going Retro – The Art of Retrocommissioning in HVACR

In the HVACR industry, most know all about the commissioning process but a new resurgence of retrocommissioning is making a comeback in the HVACR industry.

Properly commissioning an HVAC installation is a necessary process that ensures newly installed systems operate as intended and since many existing buildings are in poor shape, through retrocommissioning, contractors are trained to identify problems and offer solutions.

The process of retrocommissioning refers to identifying improvements that can increase the energy savings and performance of existing buildings. Considering that about half of all commercial buildings in the U.S. were constructed before 1980, it’s easy to see why there is a growing demand for contractors who offer retrocommissioning.

Some of the problems that Richard Starr, President and CEO, Enterprise HVAC Service and Control, Twinsburg, Ohio, and former national chairman of Mechanical Service Contractors of America (MSCA), has uncovered during retrocommissioning include improper air pressures (zones that should be positive but are negative and vice versa), a lack of proper air changes per hour, and building controls that are not calibrated properly.

Ongoing retrocommissioning is absolutely vital to the performance of a building, said Thom Brazel, General Manager, Ruthrauff Service, Pittsburgh, PA, and former national chairman of MSCA.

For the full article in The News, click the button below.

Click For Full Article

 

Egan Realizes Rapid ROI with KEY2ACT’s MobileTech

Egan Company installed the MobileTech solution from KEY2ACT, slashing billing time and eliminating time-consuming paperwork. Chris Yelle, Egan’s service operations manager, estimated that Egan will see its return on investment (ROI) within 18 months of implementing MobileTech, which connects field staff to the back office, providing instant access to the information and enabling both sides to easily manage service calls and appointments.

LEARN MORE

Looking for More Solutions that Deliver Quick ROI?

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

Plus, you’ll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

Your Unique Management Idea Deserves an Award

Your business has been thriving because you came up with a great idea that solved a technical problem, or made an operation work more smoothly and efficiently or worked out a jobsite difficulty. That unique, amazing idea deserves the industry’s attention and the E. Robert Kent Award for Management Innovation, one of MCAA’s most distinguished honors.

MCAA created the award to spotlight innovations, developed by our members, which help our entire industry move forward. The winning MCAA member gets well-deserved recognition, but the publicity surrounding the award brings the idea to the industry and becomes a new component of our culture.

So… if you found a new way to solve an old problem, bring it forward.  The E. Robert Kent Award will shine a light on your company and you’ll make a positive difference for other companies in the industry.

Nominations are due by October 6, 2017.  The innovation must be unique; no commercial products please, regardless of how new and innovative they may be.  More information about the Award and the nomination form are available through the links below.

Download the Brochure

Download the Nomination Form

Questions?  Please contact Ann Mattheis.

All Roads Lead to Great Futures at MCAA’s 2017 GreatFutures Forum

Whether you’re coming from the East, West, North or South, you’ll find the talent, energy, knowledge and eagerness to learn among students from the best colleges and universities across the U.S. and Canada at the MCAA 2017 GreatFutures Forum (September 28-30, Indianapolis, IN).

Students majoring in construction management, mechanical engineering, architectural engineering and other industry-related disciplines will gather at this annual forum to meet MCAA members, learn about our industry, share ideas and, hopefully, secure future internships and full-time employment.

The conference kicks off on Thursday evening (September 28) with Futures Fest, a career fair event.  If you’re in the business of mechanical contracting, mechanical service or plumbing or a manufacturer-supplier, you’re invited to attend.  This is the best time of year to meet the top students from MCAA’s many student chapters.

That’s not all…our educational program will feature popular industry consultant Kevin Dougherty, who will share insights about how to communicate effectively on the jobsite.  Former MCAA President Mark Rogers and his project manager Ted McHugh will take you through a typical day in the life of a contractor with all its challenges, surprises and solutions.  Futurist Thomas Frey will give you a glimpse into how our industry’s future may evolve…and the career choices it may offer.

There’s still more…the announcement of the 2017-2018 Student Chapter Competition, a look at how an exceptional young student chapter exceeded everyone’s expectations by winning the Student Chapter of the Year Award (University of Missouri-Columbia Chapter of the Mechanical Contractors Association of America) and the much anticipated, always exciting Annual Mini Competition.  And, if you enjoy college sports of all kinds (and who doesn’t), be prepared for an incredible evening at the NCAA Hall of Champions learning about the history and amazing accomplishments of inter-collegiate athletes and athletics.

So plan to make tracks to Indianapolis where you just may meet your company’s destiny.  Learn more about the program and then register.  There’s no fee, just the promise of a great time.

Arden Building Companies LLC Make New Contribution to MCERF

arden2Arden Building Companies, LLC (Pawtucket, RI) have contributed an additional $2,500 to the Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation (MCERF), bringing their updated total contribution to $7,700.  Robert Bolton, President of Arden, says that he and all the Arden companies stand firmly behind MCERF’s efforts to “support industry education, particularly their emphasis on student and faculty internships.”

MCERF President, Mark Rogers, thanked Robert and all Arden associates for their support of the Foundation.

For more information on MCERF, contact Dennis Langley (dlangley@mcaa.org).

MCAA Releases Robotic Total Station Report

While the basics of heating and plumbing haven’t significantly changed in a century, the tools and processes used to build have evolved exponentially in just the past few years. One such evolution is the development of total stations to assist contractors in more rapidly and more accurately laying out systems on the jobsite.

This sixth report in the MCAA Technology Research Series provides an introduction for members who are considering their first layout system purchase. It is also a valuable evaluation tool for those who are considering an upgrade to their existing system.

Like the other reports in MCAA’s Technology Research Series, the report was written by our partners at JBKLabs exclusively for MCAA.

Download the Report

Play the Companion Webinar

Additional Research Reports Help You Keep Up with Technology

3D Scanning

Forecasts point to increased use of 3D scanning for its ability to precisely measure an existing site, component or assembly and bring that information into a BIM model. It can save tremendous time in measuring, taking notes, designing, documenting conditions and rebuilding a BIM model. This report canvases 3D scanning technology. Included is an assessment of various laser, non-laser scanning and photogrammetric hardware and software tools for mechanical contractors.

Download the Report

Play the Companion Webinar

BIM Software – A Comparative Analysis

BIM technologies can expedite construction and maintenance work, increase precision, and prevent mistakes. This report explores scanning, tracking, layout, design and fabrication technologies using BIM and other software tools. Focusing on MEP, the report includes an assessment of various BIM software for BIM model authoring, model review, construction management, and analysis software tools for mechanical contractors. This snapshot evaluated the products as of the second quarter of 2016.

Download the Report

Play the Companion Webinar

BIM to Field Software – A Comparative Analysis

This report focuses on applications that can be used to allow access to BIM models and data from the field. These applications empower the remote mobile device to have access to the same data as the powerful BIM workstation in the office.

Download the Report

Play the Companion Webinar

Field Service Software

Service software is a foundational tool for running a service business. At the core of your business is the call, quote, work order, invoice and payment workflow. Now weave in the transactional relationships that interconnect with that core workflow and it becomes clear that efficient visibility and management of that complexity is key. This report analyzes the current state of service software deployment and helps demystify the process for evaluating and implementing service software in your organization.

Download the Report

Play the Companion Webinar

Safety Apps Report

This report evaluates numerous applications on the market for safety professionals and foremen. Most of these apps, it finds, are geared towards documentation. Contractors are using analytics on this data to identify root causes and trends. Predictive analytics, which analyze historical data, current projects and weather can be used to predict higher chances of incidents happening, thus providing powerful tools to help prevent them from occurring.

Download the Report

Play the Companion Webinar

Want More? Additional Reports Are On the Way!

Watch our website and social media feeds for announcements when they’re available.