Angie Simon Is SMACNA’s First Female President
Congratulations to SMACNA President Angie Simon! MCAA and WiMI are proud of your accomplishment and all your work supporting women’s involvement in the industry.
Archives: News Items
Learn How an Award-winning Actor Became an Advocate at MCAA2020
Academy Award winner Geena Davis is one of Hollywood’s most respected actors, appearing in several roles that became cultural landmarks. Davis is not only an Oscar and Golden Globe winner, but a world-class athlete, a member of the genius society Mensa and is becoming recognized for her tireless advocacy for women and girls. She is the Founder and Chair of the non-profit Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media and its programming arm, See Jane. Davis was appointed Special Envoy for Women and Girls in ICT for the UN’s International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Davis is also an official partner of UN Women, working toward their goal of promoting gender equality and empowering women worldwide. MCAA thanks Ferguson for sponsoring this session. Find out more about Davis and our other outstanding speakers on our convention website.
Prevent Injuries During Pressure Testing with the Safe Work Practices in this Guide
MCAA’s Guide to Pressure Testing Safety highlights the safe work practices that can help prevent worker injury during hydrostatic and pneumatic testing of steel and copper piping systems.
Your workers will learn about:
- Hazards associated with pressure testing
- Common injuries resulting from pressure testing
- Seven primary causes of piping system failures during pressure test operations that can result in injury, and how to avoid them
- Safe work practices for hydrostatic testing
- Safe work practices for pneumatic testing
The guide also contains tools to help you with pre-test safety planning, including sample checklists for both hydrostatic and pneumatic testing. A sample pneumatic test permit is also included.
There’s More…
A safety training video on the topic of safe pressure testing is also available. Accompanying materials will assist you in highlighting key training points, documenting worker training and confirming that workers understand the training concepts.
Provide worker training
Highlight key training points
Document worker training
Download the Documentation Sheet
Confirm that workers understand the training concepts
Want 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.
In the Resource Center, where you can use the blue Refine Your Search bar to pinpoint exactly what you’re looking for.
Have questions or need personal assistance?
Contact MCAA’s Pete Chaney.
Discover the Latest from Omegaflex, XOi Technologies 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:
Omegaflex, Inc.
TracPipe PSII double wall piping for Natural gas or LP powered backup generators for hospitals and communication centers.
XOi Technologies
XOi Technologies is solving the skills gap while helping field service companies grow by getting your best tech on every site. XOi empowers your technicians to solve problems faster, delight customers — and increase your bottom line.
Need Something Else?
Find many more smart solutions in MCAA’s 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!
Hear from an Inventor and Technology Entrepreneur at MCAA2020
A Silicon Valley icon and philanthropist for more than thirty years, Steve Wozniak helped shape the computer industry with his design of Apple’s first line of products, the Apple I and II. Through the years, Wozniak has been involved in various business and philanthropic ventures, focusing on computers in schools, hands-on learning and encouraging students’ creativity. iWoz: From Computer Geek to Cult Icon became a New York Times best-selling autobiography when published in 2006. In recent years, Wozniak co-founded Woz U, a platform for personalized, tech-based career training. Learn more about Wozniak, and what else is planned for MCAA2020, on our convention website.
NIBCO’s Tips for Designing an Efficient Hydronic System
Designing an efficient hydronic system is no easy task. The needs of each system can vary greatly from one job to the next, although the core elements remain mostly the same. In a typical system, you will usually find a boiler, circulator pumps, an expansion tank, various heat distributors, and accessories such as vents, valves, and drains. Selecting the right components for the best installation, servicing, and control of the system and its equipment are key to the efficiency of the job.
Looking for More Smart 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.
Tech Conference Offers Innovations and Practical Solutions
The MCAA Technology Conference has always been geared to show you the next generation tools that will be used in the industry, but real-world innovations are the backbone of the conference. This year, the conference has more case studies and instruction led by contractors than ever before. If you want to learn how your peers are actually using new software, tools and processes, you need to attend this event.
MSCA19 is Under Way!
MSCA19 is off to a great start in our fourth year at the stunning Broadmoor in Colorado Springs! We kicked off this year’s conference with a Sunday night reception for 800 attendees, hosted by Quantech.
The opening session began with a special performance of Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and James Bond by the Dallas String Quartet. Kip Bagley, Senior Vice President, Mesa Energy Systems EMCOR and MSCA Chair, welcomed the crowd to our 34th annual education conference and recapped all that MSCA has accomplished throughout the year. The D.S. O’Brien award was presented to past MSCA board member, Steve Smith from ACCO Engineered Systems, Inc. for his outstanding dedication to the HVAC industry. Opening session keynote speaker Josh Linkner captivated the crowd with his five points on how to re-innovate and outpunch the competition. He encouraged the audience to judo flip their challenges upside down in order to find a new perspective, setting the tone for an exciting and inspirational week!
We look forward to the week ahead with many education and networking opportunities for our industry members!
Discover the Latest from SPX Cooling Technologies, Watts Water Technologies 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:
SPX Cooling Technologies, Inc.
SPX Cooling Technologies has released more than 10 episodes in the ongoing video series, “How to Install a Marley® NC Cooling Tower.” These quick guides document contractor best practices for tower installation – from start to finish!
Watts Water Technologies
At Watts, earning your business goes beyond our products. Preview and download BIM & CAD drawings in a variety of industry formats including Revit, stp, dwg, and more at our BIM & CAD Drawings page.
Need Something Else?
Find many more smart solutions in MCAA’s 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!
See What Happened at MSCA19!
Couldn’t attend this year’s conference? Here’s what you missed!
Mark your calendar for MSCA20, October 11 – 14, 2020 in Scottsdale, AZ.
Hospital Cuts Energy and Maintenance Costs with Cutting-Edge Daikin Chillers
When Southern New Hampshire Medical Center in Nashua, NH, started having problems with its antiquated chiller system, the facility was eager to make an upgrade and chose Daikin chillers primarily for the energy efficiency. As a result, it has cut energy use in half and reduced maintenance costs.
Looking for More Smart 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.
MSCA and Convoy of Hope Help reVIVE Springs Mission Rescue
MSCA partnered with the Convoy of Hope at this year’s MSCA19 Education Conference to provide support to Springs Mission Rescue in Colorado Springs, CO. Volunteers helped to take care of some big projects at the Rescue Mission. Along with helping put together meals, the group helped build a new fence, painted inside, and put up new signs. The Rescue Mission said they accomplished things that would normally take several weeks in just a few hours.
A special thank you to all of our members that volunteered their time. A special thank you to Mike Frank and team at Braconier Plumbing and Heating Company, Milwaukee Tool and Home Depot.
Full HVACR101 WebBook Series Now Available
To better serve our members we have converted all our HVACR 101 modules into WebBooks. All ten HVACR101 WebBooks are now updated and live on the MSCA Resources page. MCAA and MSCA members can now access some of our most valuable publications on our new WebBook platform. You will be able to take notes, print sections, and share with colleagues. And most importantly, when we have updated content, unlike a downloaded pdf, our WebBooks can be instantly updated behind the scenes while your notes are preserved securely on your computer.
ALL WEBBOOKS NOW AVAILABLE:
- What is HVACR?
- Terminology and Slang Used in the HVACR Industry
- HVACR Basic Sciences and Formulas
- Air Conditioning Basic — Small Tonnage
- Air Conditioning Basic — Large Tonnage
- Airflow Types and Systems
- Commercial System Applications
- HVACR Support Components and Control Systems
- Heating Systems
- Focusing on the Customer
MCAA and WiMI Partner with the UA at Tradeswomen Build Nations Conference
Representatives from MCAA and its Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) initiative joined the UA at the 2019 Tradeswomen Build Nations conference (formerly Women Build Nations) for the second year. The event, which took place in Minneapolis, Minnesota, from October 4-6, 2019, was sponsored by North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU).
More than 2,600 union tradeswomen came together to network and learn from each other, including more than 400 UA journeywomen and apprentices, business managers and agents supporting their locals.
UA General President Mark McManus addressed the UA group on Saturday, saying, “the diversity in our work and local unions is going to continue to grow in our United Association.” He was joined by the Laura Ceja, National Recruitment and Outreach Coordinator; Cheryl Ambrose, Health, Safety and Environmental Administrator, and Jill Timushka, National Manager of Youth, Diversity and Indigenous Relations at UA Canada.
The conference included a banner parade celebrating the skilled trades in attendance in addition to workshops addressing diversity and leadership. Mark McManus and Laura Ceja spoke to all of the attendees at Sunday’s Final Plenary Session. 
MCAA and the UA sponsored Saturday night’s event for the UA attendees at Gameworks in the Mall of America®. Members of MCAA’s WiMI Steering Committee Steering Committee attended the event, which included MILWAUKEE TOOL’s tool raffle and a photo booth sponsored by LAARS, a Bradford White Company.
MCAA and the WiMI Steering Committee look forward to continuing their partnership with the UA to support this trailblazing event next year in Washington, D.C.
IFS’ Contractor Checklist for Selecting a Field Service Management Application
Lacking a broad and powerful field service management application, trade contractors can find themselves facing a variety of business challenges. However, if your contracting business gets its operations processes right by leveraging comprehensive field service management software like that available from IFS North America, you can turn that challenge into an asset. Here are nine essential functional capabilities trade contractors need in their field service management software to make the most of service revenue opportunity.
Looking for More Smart 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.
Find Innovative Ideas for ALL Members at the MCAA Technology Conference
Whether you’re in construction, plumbing or service, you’ll find innovative ideas to move your company forward at the MCAA Technology Conference. General sessions feature content of interest to all contractors, while breakouts and workshops let you choose the education that suits your interests. Don’t miss out…join this community of innovators!
Are You Ready for MSCA19?
The 34th Annual MSCA Education Conference is underway. We have launched the MSCA19 phone app and digital program book, with access to all the details needed for a successful and inspiring experience at this year’s conference! Both the app and program book include detailed descriptions of the inspiring keynote speeches, relevant peer group topics and powerful education sessions, as well as optional activities and extras that will be available throughout this information-packed week.
We have a lot of exciting things in store for this year’s conference and we are excited to share them all with all participants in just a few more days!
MCAA2020 Hotel Rooms Are Selling Out – Book Now for the Best Selection!
The response to MCAA2020 is overwhelming! Registrations are pouring in at record rates, and hotel rooms are filling quickly. If you will be joining us in Maui and haven’t already registered, register today for the best room selection. You can find all the details and register through the convention website. We look forward to seeing you there!
The Work Practices in this Guide Help You Break the Line Safely
Safe work practices can be the difference between a safe line break and an extremely hazardous situation. MCAA’s latest guide will help you benchmark your practices and protect your workers.
Inside, you’ll find information about:
- Common line breaking hazards
- The most likely injuries from improper line breaking operations
- Common causes of line breaking incidents
- General line breaking preparations
- A checklist you can use to ensure that line breaking is done consistently
By using these tools and educating your workers, you can ensure that every line break is a safe one.
Find the Latest from LAARS, Penta Technologies 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:
LAARS, a Bradford White Company
Powerfully innovative, MagnaTherm® HTD commercial boilers and volume water heaters feature 20:1 turndown on ALL sizes. Combustion is tracked through all firing rates for unequaled efficiency optimization.
Penta Technologies, Inc.
From maintenance contracts to mobile field data collection, PENTA empowers contractors with the information they need to optimize service operations from the field to the office. Save time and increase efficiency, with PENTA.
Need Something Else?
Find many more smart solutions in MCAA’s 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!