With the recent increase in violence in America, now is a good time to revisit MCAA’s award winning video on workplace violence prevention and protection. The principles of situational awareness presented in the video apply absolutely everywhere, regardless of whether you’re in the workplace or elsewhere.
The PCA announced the opening of a new Virtual Education Series today that goes beyond the typical Zoom meeting that we have become accustomed to. The seven-episode series features an in-depth look at JPG Plumbing & Mechanical Services, a member contractor based in Jessup, MD. Each episode is a mini case study in a different area of operations and hosted by the JPG employees in charge of the relevant work.
What makes this series different than a typical webinar is that each area of focus includes a 15-minute video to showcase the operation, a workbook that includes products, materials and costs as well as an interactive interview with the host to get more insight into functions and share attendee solutions.
“We were all set to do a similar conference on plumbing service in person,” JPG President and CEO John Geiling stated. “When COVID hit, instead of cancelling it or doing it via a PowerPoint presentation, we decided to try to figure out how to expand out the content and share even more information. The result is that instead of a 15 minute demo that we would have done in our shop, we can get into a lot more details, share more information and get insight from other members as to how their operations are different.”
Beginning on Wednesday, September 23 the series will host a live module each week until its conclusion on November 4. Each Wednesday, the session materials will be posted with a link to the live episode posted upon its completion. Materials will be available throughout the duration of the series. The schedule includes:
Registration for the series is $400 and open to PCA, MCAA and MSCA members only.
To learn more, visit the PCA Virtual Education Series Site.
Support for the series is brought to you by MCAA’s Sponsoring Benefactors.
Honeywell has issued an Immediate Stop USE Notice for certain models of Miller MightEvac and MightyLite self-retracting lifelines (SRLs) manufactured within a specific time frame. The notice only affects specifically listed models, with identified manufacturing dates or re-certification dates between October 27, 2016 and October 6, 2018. Models outside of this date range, including new units, are not affected by this notice. If your company uses these SRLs check Table 1 in the attached notice to determine whether your SRLs are affected. If so, they should be removed from service immediately. Honeywell is making arrangements for their return and replacement. That information is forthcoming.
During the height of the COVID-19 crisis in New York City in April, MCAA member Donnelly Mechanical was an integral part of converting two facilities within Queens and Brooklyn into temporary field hospitals. These hospitals were staffed with doctors and nurses from around the country who traveled to New York to help treat COVID-19 patients and to relieve the burden from the nearby, overtaxed hospitals.
Following a fast-paced, intense, competitive vetting process, Donnelly Mechanical was contracted by SLS Construction to install oxygen lines at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens. Based in Galveston, Texas, SLS Construction provides general contracting and construction management services with a specialty in aiding disaster relief efforts. Within just a few days, the combined effort between SLS and Donnelly converted a dozen indoor tennis courts into a temporary overflow hospital with 450 additional beds.
Once the hospital was up and running, Donnelly returned to the site to assist with additional work. Fully functional ventilators require high-pressure oxygen that meets precise specifications. Donnelly’s service team ran high pressure oxygen tubes to the ventilator location in Ward 1, where many COVID-19 patients were being treated. The team took every possible safety precaution, including the use of proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and HAZMAT suits.
The GC was thoroughly impressed by Donnelly’s work and quickly awarded them a similar conversion project at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. Work to install oxygen lines at the 750-bed facility started immediately.
Teams of 25-30 men worked very long shifts to successfully complete the conversion in five days.
The dedication of an incredible group of service technicians and field supervisors from Donnelly’s HVAC Service Team played a crucial role in the emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City.
The team members involved in those projects were:
MCAA thanks the Donnelly team and all of our members who have worked tirelessly to protect their communities’ safety. We’re all in this together.
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.
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.
Find many more smart solutions in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show!
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!
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:
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
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!
Make sure your service techs have the up-to-date safety training they need to protect themselves from arc flash and electrical shock hazards while working on equipment pushing 480 volts or less. The session covers all applicable OSHA requirements, NFPA 70E provisions, best practices, and real-world accident information.
The next two webinars will be presented on September 17, 2020. The first webinar will take place from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. EST, and the second is from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EST.
Take advantage of the MCAA/MSCA member discounted webinar prices below.
| # of Trainees (per company) | Cost (per person) |
| 1-5 | $200/person |
| 6-10 | $175/person |
| 11-25 | $150/person |
| 26-50 | $125/person |
| 51-100 | $ 100/person |
| 101+ | Email for Pricing |
If you can’t make it in September, the webinar will be taught again twice on October 22, 2020. Questions? Contact Pete Chaney.
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.
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
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
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:
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.)
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.
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 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.”
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.
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.
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.
Lochinvar, LLC
Lochinvar’s heat pump water heaters support sustainability and decarbonization initiatives and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Find many more smart solutions in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show!
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!
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:
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.
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.
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.
Episode 13: Getting Involved – A Past President’s Take on How, What, and Why
Friday, August 28 at 2:00 p.m. EDT
We hope you have enjoyed getting to know some of the members of the MCAA community this summer. Each of John’s guests has been an essential contributor to the organization, and it is people like these who make MCAA great.
In the final episode of the season, John will once again welcome a key MCAA player – our Immediate Past President, Mike Brandt (President & CEO, Smith and Oby Company, Inc.). Mike joins John to tell the story of how he began as a pipefitter and ended up not only President of his company, but also of MCAA. He credits his rise through the ranks to community and organizational involvement: from starting out as local Welding Technical Chair on the National Certified Pipe Welding Bureau, to getting involved in his local MCA, to serving on national committees. There are so many opportunities for networking, learning, and growth in the industry – and Mike has experience with a lot of them.
This week’s episode will explore Mike’s journey, while talking about how to take advantage of all that the national and local associations have to offer. John and Mike will discuss how to go about getting involved and how this involvement can help you, your career, and your company.
Registration for MCAA’s GreatFutures Virtual Fall Program will open on Friday, August 21 and it’s free! The program will begin September 15 and continue through November 16. MCAA will be hosting live sessions each week, available to all students, faculty advisors and MCAA members.
The program is aimed to help give the next generation of mechanical contracting leaders a deeper understanding of the industry and the ins and outs of creating a construction bid. Each session will be taught by MCAA industry leaders and navigate students through the competition project with online instructional sessions focused on components of a real-world contracting bid.
Included in this program will be the annual MCAA Student Chapter Competition, which will be released virtually to student chapters through Procore. The competition gives students the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom by creating a bid for a real-life mechanical construction project.
The fall schedule includes:
Please contact Megan Walsh if you have questions about the GreatFutures Virtual Fall Program or any of our student activities.
