Contractor - June 2024

SERVING PLUMBING, HYDRONIC & MECHANICAL

Brewery Turns to IFS for Automation Upgrade

BY STEVE SPAULDING OF CONTRACTOR’S STAFF

COLUMBIA, MO – Integrated Facility Services (IFS) recently automated Logboat Brewing Company’s building control system to increase operational efficiency while safeguarding the system from harsh environmental factors.

The Logboat Brewery takes its name from the dugout canoes that the native peoples of the region—mainly Osage, Missouria and Illinois—used

Department of Energy Finalizes Standards for Water Heaters

WASHINGTON, DC — The US Department of Energy (DOE) has finalized Congressionally-mandated energy-efficiency standards for a range of residential water heaters. The new standards are projected to save American households approximately $7.6 billion per

LABEL

PHCC Legislative Conference: Collaboration on Capitol Hill

FALLS CHURCH, VA — The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors–National Association (PHCC) welcomed PHCC members, chapter executives, and corporate partners to Washington, DC, May 21-22, to meet with lawmakers and educate them on energy, economic, and workforce policies that are important to the industry and consumers.

Keynote

Before heading to Capitol Hill as industry experts, members first heard from political experts: former US Congressmen Tom Davis (R-VA) and Martin Frost (D-TX). These two keynote speakers co-authored the book The Partisan Divide: Congress in Crisis. Their presentation offered an objective ➤ Turn to PHCC, page 12

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Features & Departments

PHCC Super Foremen Class Learns Strategies to Drive Success

FALLS CHURCH, VA — “More Time, More Money and More Peace of Mind” was the theme of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) Educational Foundation’s popular Creating Super Foremen class. A packed

John W. Danforth Company Reigns Supreme in 2024 Tap Takeover Event

BUFFALO, NY – The Buffalo-area construction industry came out in strong numbers recently to enjoy some friendly competition and raise money for a great cause. The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Buffalo Niagara chapter held a Tap Takeover event at Resurgence

DENVER, CO — Angi, a leading and comprehensive solution for improving and maintaining homes, today released its Skilled Trades in America Report . The report highlights a trend that stands in stark contrast to anxieties in many sectors: exceptionally high job satisfaction in the skilled trades industry.

Columnists

EDITORIAL STAFF

VP/Market Leader-Buildings & Construction

Mike Hellmann, mhellmann@endeavorb2b.com

Group Editorial Director-Buildings & Construction Mike Eby, meby@endeavorb2b.com

Editor-In-Chief Steve Spaulding, sspaulding@endeavorb2b.com

Editor-At-Large

John Mesenbrink, jmesenbrink@endeavorb2b.com

Contributing Writer Kelly Faloon

COLUMNISTS

Al Schwartz, Management

Pat Linhardt, Hydronics & Radiant Patti Feldman, Technology Matt Michel, Marketing

Art Director, Susan Lakin

Ad Services Manager, Deanna O’Byrne

Production Manager, Sam Schulenberg

Classified Production Designer, Terry Gann

Audience Development Manager, James Marinaccio

Endeavor Business Media, LLC

Patrick Rains

PHCC Foundation Foremen Workshop at the Viega Training Facility in Nashua,

Industry News

In Brief

Associated Builders and Contractors has filed a complaint in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division, challenging the Department of Labor’s final rule, Defining and Delimiting the Exemptions for Executive, Administrative, Professional, Outside Sales, and Computer Employees, which will change overtime regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Fujitsu General America, Inc. has promoted Shawn Hill to Director of Business Development from his previous position as Region Sales Manager, Southeast. In his new role, Hill is responsible for identifying and developing new distribution opportunities for Fujitsu and ensuring their success.

FORVIS, a national public accounting and consulting firm, has joined the Trimble Authorized Business Development Partner program, cementing a years-long relationship between leading construction-focused businesses. The announcement was made from the Construction Financial Management Association’s (CFMA) Annual Conference in Texas.

RectorSeal has announced that Scott Kay has joined the company as Senior Vice President, Marketing and Technology. Kay brings 30 years of experience in the building products market to RectorSeal. Kay will oversee marketing for all RectorSeal products and solutions in his new role.

Stellar Industries, an employeeowned and -operated manufacturer of high-quality mechanic trucks, cranes, tire service trucks, trailers and service truck and van accessories, has received the President’s “E” Award for Exports. This award was given to Stellar to recognize its significant contributions to an increase in US exports. Stellar was one of 30 U.S. entities recognized at this year’s ceremony.

ISH China & CIHE, the China International Exhibition for Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, Sanitation & Home Comfort System, concluded on May 13. The event attracted 75,156 attendees over its three-day run, along with 1,100 exhibitors from 18 countries and regions who showcased the latest in low-carbon and environmentally friendly HVAC products and technologies.

• Facilities Expo Announces Expansion

• Colosetti Plumbing Collaborates with Noritz to Donate Tankless Heater to Veteran

• Southern Home Services Acquires David Gray Electrical, Plumbing, Heating & Air

• Construction Employers of America Representatives Visit Capitol Hill

Videos & Media Galleries

PROVEN PERFORMANCE NEW MODERN DESIGN

Rheem® RTGH and RTG Series Tankless Gas Water Heaters

With the same performance both plumbers and homeowners trust, the Rheem® RTGH Series Super High Efficiency Condensing and Rheem® RTG Series High Efficiency Non-Condensing Tankless Water Heaters now offer a new modern design. These smaller, lighter units were designed with contractors in mind to make one-person installation and servicing even easier. Plus, enhanced features deliver the continuous hot water, and energy efficiency homeowners want.

Godin Family Gifted Well Upgrades Through Hometown H2O Initiative

STOYSTOWN, PA — A recent donation provided Jamey and Brandy Godin, along with their five children, who live in Stoystown, Pennsylvania, a water well upgrade, securing their access to safe and reliable water.

This collaborative project, completed by Xylem Inc., the Water Well Trust (WWT) and Waterboys—a charity founded by two-time Super Bowl Champion, Chris Long —provided a comprehensive upgrade including a new water well liner, pump, motor and deepening of the well, along with all necessary equipment, drilling and installation. Additionally, the project provided home improvement upgrades. Local distributor Aquaflow Pump and Supply and dealer Sperry Drilling contributed their time and services and the Vinyl Institute donated PVC piping material to help complete the project.

Giving Back

“As a well driller, our company has witnessed the impact of water scarcity firsthand, and we believe everyone deserves sufficient water access. With 56 years of experience, our team at Sperry Drilling prioritizes homeowners and their water needs, both on and off the job,” said Judy Bird, President, Sperry Drilling. “For us, it’s about giving back to our community and supporting those in need.”

In November 2023, the Godin family’s water well stopped producing sufficient clean water due to a drought on their property, compounded by a statewide drought watch in Pennsylvania starting in July 2023. The Godin’s well was showing signs of structural caving, requiring the installation of a well liner and drilling down another 100 feet to secure a reliable water source. While the well sporadically produced a small amount of water, it was not enough to sustain the family’s basic needs and forced them to seek alternatives, including showering and laundering clothes elsewhere. The Godins resorted to driving

Meaningful Impact

Xylem partners with Chris Long Foundation and Water Well Trust to solve water scarcity in rural Pennsylvania.

50 miles roundtrip to collect water from friends and family, which lasted only three days at most for drinking and hygiene.

Overwhelming Support

“The support we’ve received from Xylem and the Water Well Trust throughout this process has been overwhelming. Having water and making sure we don’t have to go without it is truly a blessing,” said Water Well Trust beneficiary Jamey Godin. “This upgrade to our well means we now have a

reliable source of water for our family to depend on.”

The Godin family’s well upgrade marks the sixteenth Hometown H2O project, an extension of its domestic water initiative working alongside WWT and Xylem to provide clean, sustainable water to communities in need. Water scarcity issues currently leave more than 2 million Americans without access to clean water, making this joint effort between Long, his Foundation’s Waterboys initiative and Xylem a vital resource for families across the country.

“Clean water access is fundamental to well-being, and at Xylem, we’re proud to play a role in initiatives like HometownH2O.” said Susan O’Grady, Senior Director of Marketing, Building Services and Agriculture, Xylem. “Our partnership with organizations like the Water Well Trust and Waterboys allows us to leverage our expertise and technology to bring sustainable water solutions to families in need making a meaningful impact on communities facing water scarcity.”

Xylem, in conjunction with its Goulds Water Technology brand, is engaged in regular water well initiatives to provide secure water access to rural areas, striving to increase public awareness of the challenges surrounding lack of water access. For more information about Hometown H2O projects, visit waterboys.org/hometown.

The Godin family with volunteers.

Navien leading the way year after year

2012

Navien makes it simple to go tankless with NPE Series condensing water heaters

TODAY

The new NPE-2 series is now even simpler with more innovations and multiple installation options versus tanks and other’s tankless units. Navien leads the way with the patented ComfortFlow® built-in buffer tank and recirc pump, dual stainless steel heat exchangers, up to 0.96 UEF and 15:1 TDR. Not to mention, simpler, faster installs with space-saving design, longer 2" PVC venting and 1/2" gas piping, field gas conversion and easy-to-use controls for set up and diagnostics.

To learn more about the best-selling condensing tankless water heaters, simply visit us at Navieninc.com.

2" PVC venting up to 75 feet

Field gas conversion from NG to LP or high altitude

EZ Nav multi-line control with Setup Wizard intuitive software

1/2" gas piping up to 24 feet (Subject to local codes)

NIBCO Celebrates 120th Anniversary

ELKHART, IN – NIBCO INC. is celebrating its 120th anniversary in 2024. For 120 years, NIBCO has stood the test of time, providing innovative and reliable products and establishing itself as leader in the manufacture of flow control products.

During 2024, NIBCO is planning celebrations for its shareholders, associates, customers and partners, which will continue throughout the year leading up to the official anniversary date on November 12, 2024. Executive team visits to each individual facility location

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to thank associates for their dedication will begin at the end of May.

Five Generations

“We are extremely proud of NIBCO’s five generations of family-owned leadership,” said NIBCO’s President and

COO Ashley Martin. “The key to our success is our rich heritage of our people who we refer to as associates because they are owners of the company. We have had employee ownership since 1924. Our core values of safety, integrity, teamwork, continuous improvement, and philanthropy strengthen our commitment to our associates and our communities where we are located.”

NIBCO is planning celebrations for its associates, customers and partners.

Privately held by the Martin Family and NIBCO associates and headquartered in Elkhart, Ind., since its founding in 1904, five generations of family leadership have developed NIBCO INC. into a leading manufacturer and distributor of flow-control products and systems for the residential, commercial, industrial, marine, irrigation and waterworks markets. With 15 manufacturing plants and 13 distribution centers, NIBCO employs 2,650 associates worldwide.

“We’re excited to commemorate this anniversary with initiatives that bring our business partners and associates together,” added Martin. “The dedication and commitment of our people are a testament to the pivotal role they play in driving our collective success.”

[The editorial staff of CONTRACTOR, which is celebrating its own 70th anniversary, would like to extend their congratulations to the NIBCO team and hopes for their future success.]

Residential Boiler Market Projected to Surpass $164B by 2035

The residential boiler market is expected to grow from its current value of $60 billion to over $164 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of around 7.6% till 2035, as per the research done by Market Research 365.

The rising demand for energyefficient alternatives and a focus on

lowering carbon emissions has led to a surge in the request for residential boilers. This trend is evident in both individual homes and larger residential complexes. Residential boilers offer numerous benefits, such as decreased energy expenditures, enhanced comfort, and lowered operational costs.

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Hi-Flo brass strainer body! Thicker, stronger crossbars provide up to 20% higher flow rates than traditional four-bar strainers*

These advantages collectively create a favorable outlook for the industry.

Reasons Why

Increasing electricity demand and the extensive use of heat-producing sources are spurring a transformation in conventional boiler technology, encouraging the adoption of residential boilers. Nations characterized by elevated energy consumption are proactively exploring energy-efficient alternatives to align with emission standards. These initiatives target emissions reduction while concurrently enhancing energy stability and sovereignty.

Self-aligning overflow ell extends through hole, eliminating leaks

The momentum behind incorporating smart technology into residential boilers is steadily increasing. The integration of smart features enables remote management, tracking, and fine-tuning of heating systems, delivering enhanced comfort, convenience, and energy efficiency. As the emphasis on decarbonization intensifies, there is a growing interest in hydrogen-compatible boilers. Engineered to adapt to the prospective adoption of hydrogen as a low-carbon fuel, these boilers offer a potential for long-term reduction of emissions.

Key players in residential boiler market are PB HEAT, Lennox International, HTP, Bradford White Corporation, Viessman, Weil-McLain, A.O. Smith, U.S. Boiler Company, NTI Boilers, Slant/Fin Corporation, ECR International, IBC Technologies, Navien Inc., Allied Engineering Company, Triangle Tube, Thermo-Dynamics Boiler Company, Granby Industries, Camus Hydronics, Baxi North America and King Heating Products.

To download the full report, visit https://www.marketresearch365.com/ industry-insights/residential-boiler-market-1162

PHCC Legislative Conference: Collaboration on Capitol Hill

Continued from page 1

view of the political landscape in order to help contractors better understand the political dynamics driving the policy process on today’s Capitol Hill.

The Chuck and Mark Show

The keynote set the stage for the Chuck and Mark Show, PHCC’s signature policy briefing tailored exclusively for PHCC members to help them prepare for their day of legislative meetings.

The Chuck and Mark Show hosted subsequent panel discussions on policy and advocacy that included PHCC’s Chuck White offering the contractor perspective, Bradford White’s Bob Wolfer offering the manufacturer’s perspective, plus lobbyists from the commercial electrical contracting community and other construction stakeholders with extensive government backgrounds in the US Congress and past presidential administrations.

Cross-Industry Networking

PHCC’s Legislative Conference coincided with Air-conditioning Heating and

Different segments of the PHCC organization, and the p-h-c industry as a whole, came together for another impactful legislative event in Washington, DC.

Refrigeration Institute’s (AHRI) Policy Forum and Heating Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International’s (HARDI) Congressional fly-in.

Plumbing and HVAC Pros Encouraged to Register for PHCC’s CONNECT 2024 Conference

FALLS CHURCH, VA — Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors— National Association (PHCC), invites plumbing and HVAC contractors to make plans now to be part of PHCC CONNECT 2024. Industry professionals are encouraged to attend for unprecedented opportunities for information, education and forming authentic connections.

The reimagined PHCC CONNECT will be held in Birmingham, Alabama, October 7-10, at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex. The theme of this year’s conference is “Authentic Connections” where building trust and growing relationships will be the primary focus. CONNECT provides an opportunity to gain expert education, build professional

relationshipsand leverage the value of both.

New Start Day

New this year, CONNECT will conveniently start on Monday, October 7, so that attendees can settle in and kick off a value-packed three days with peers at the opening reception at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. The museum is recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest motorcycle collection, plus home to other rare and unusual cars.

“Our business is all about growing relationships,” says Joe Cornetta , PHCC national president and co-owner of Cornetta Brothers, Inc., Elmont, New York. “PHCC members know that the real change happens in their businesses

by forming real relationships… getting together to share ideas, best practices and build trust with manufacturers and other industry leaders.”

The Country’s Best Kept Secret

The conference will wrap up with an Awards Breakfast on Thursday, October 10, allowing conference-goers to stay and play in Birmingham, or head back to the office to start putting all their new resources to work by week’s end.

For more details including the preliminary schedule, visit phccweb.org/ CONNECT and stay tuned to this site for unfolding information on education sessions, speakers, exhibitors, registration and hotel reservations, as well as the many attractions of Birmingham, known as “The Country’s Best Kept Secret.”

This was the second consecutive year the entire industry was present in Washington, where a joint reception was held in the historic House Caucus Room in the Cannon House Office Building. Members of Congress stopped by to network with members of PHCC and these other industry groups. PHCC is thrilled to be able to continue this collaboration between all three organizations during the three groups’ legislative events in 2025.

New to the schedule this year was a session specifically geared towards PHCC state and local executives. “Advocacy Development and Enhancement for PHCC Chapter Executives” featured advice and best practices for state and local PHCC leaders looking to build an effective advocacy program within their chapter in order to make a real impact with legislators in their state capitols. The session provided a unique forum for chapter executives to exchange ideas that could contribute to successful state-level advocacy.

Day 2

Day 2 kicked off with breakfast, another Washington insider panel, and a picture on the Capitol steps before folks headed to their respective meetings. In total, over 100 PHCC members from 27 states and the District of Columbia had over 120 meetings with elected officials and their staffs. At a closing roof-top reception that evening, members spoke in-depth about how much they valued the in-person meetings on Capitol Hill, in addition to getting to participate in the rest of the sessions as a part of this two-day event.

Sponsors, Partners and Guests

The conference was sponsored by PHCC Corporate Partner Federated Insurance and PHCC Strategic Partner Bradford White. Special guests included Patrick Cunningham of Federated Insurance as well as Brady Kroll , who will be representing the United States at the 2024 WorldSkills Competition in Lyon, France.

A group photo on the steps of the US Capitol Building.

Logboat Brewery Turns to Automation Upgrade

Continued from page 1

to travel and trade on the Missouri River. The brewery offers a wide range of year-round beers as well as seasonal specialty brews. The Logboat brewers take pride in innovating and experimenting to constantly offer their customers something new, fresh and interesting.

To that end, managing the flow and temperature of the water used in the brewing process has been essential. The brewery had been using a control panel built by Head Brewer and Cider Maker Josh Rein using over-the-counter components. But when the time came to expand the brewery (and its taproom), Rein decided to reach out to the controls and systems experts at IFS.

Integrated Facility Services

IFS is the fifth largest mechanical contractor in the St. Louis region according to the St. Louis Business Journal. Established in 1966, the company is a full-service HVAC, plumbing, piping, fire protection, and building automation firm with over 250 professional and trade employees. IFS delivers integrated mechanical engineering and construction, installation, service and planned maintenance, and energy conservation solutions to its clients.

“This is one of those projects that morphed as it grew,” Chris Ruth , Mid-Missouri Controls Manager for IFS explained. Ruth has been with IFS for nineteen years, and currently manages the company’s building automation and energy management division across most of the state.

“On the process side of the brewing, they have these big control panels that have a bunch of switches and some little temperature controllers, just small devices in them,” Ruth said. Rein told him that, for the expansion, he wanted something that looked more professional. “Our original approach was just to build him the panel that he was going to build himself, using the same parts but using our skilled labor.” But that approach changed. The

When the time came to expand the brewery, Head Brewer Josh Rein decided to reach out to the controls and systems experts at IFS.

existing set-up was a complicated affair, with multiple devices, each one monitoring the temperature against a set point, each in control of its own solenoid.

“I said, you can have a dozen of these things in this panel or we can put this on one of our building automation controllers,” Ruth said, “and instead we can have a touch screen display for it—so, an actual human-machine interface to simplify things.” As an added benefit, the final product would be a lot more impressive to people on the brewery tour.

Reliable Controls

IFS installed custom-built control panels featuring Reliable Controls, which allow real-time monitoring, regulating and adjustments of temperature, pressure and flow rates. Installation and commissioning was overseeing by Controls Foreman, Ryan Goodman. The

panels monitor and control the pumps and the valves from both existing building and their expansion.

“They are able to move the water to where they need it when they need it, depending on what which vats they’re using, depending on what product they’re brewing,” Ruth said. “Water gets used for the beer-making, but it also plays an important role in cooling. They cool the beer mash with water, and also cooling cans in part of their canning process.”

The actual control interface was finetuned to the needs of the user, who was familiar enough with building control schemes to know what he did and didn’t need.

“[Josh Rein] told me, ‘My focus is on the beer. I don’t want to spend a whole lot of time messing with stuff. I want to be able to set the temperature I want, I want to be able to tell it if I’m brewing or canning, I want to tell it what the

speed of the pump needs to be, and then I want to get back to my beer,’” Ruth said.

Finishing Touches

IFS installed Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) to direct the water flow between the brewing house and the canning lines, which can be changed on demand whenever needed. This enhancement will streamline operations and empower the brewery to meet growing consumer demands with agility and precision.

IFS selected NEMA 4 panels for the enclosures. The panels are crucial for breweries, protecting against dust, and other contaminants that can damage equipment and cause electrical failures.

Logboat can now monitor and adjust its brewing systems both onsite and remotely in real-time thanks to the new automation system, ensuring maximum efficiency in the brewing process. The upgrade provides flexibility for changing production demands, facilitates energy management strategies, optimizes beer quality and reduces operational costs.

Best of all, the brewery remained fully operational throughout the expansion project. IFS’ portion of the work took about six weeks from start to finish. The expansion saw its grand opening back in October of 2023.

“The project team brought expertise and dedication to this project,” Josh Rein said. “Their commitment to excellence and out-of-the-box thinking have truly made a difference and been a valuable asset.”

For Chris Ruth—who was a fan of Logboat beers even before coming to the job—he’s glad to have a satisfied client. “The beer still tastes great,” Ruth said, “so I guess our part of the project went pretty well.”

For more information about Integrated Facility Services, visit www.intfs. com.

For more information about The Logboat Brewing Co., visit https://www. logboatbrewing.com/.

The interior of one of the Reliable Controls panels.

A control panel from Reliable Controls. (Inset) The interface is designed with the needs of the master brewer in mind.

Omega Flex, Inc. has led the piping industry with its high-quality construction and commitment to exceed the industry’s product and safety standards. The flexibility and long lengths of CounterStrike® CSST make it perfect for remodel and repair work. It can be pulled like wire, which minimizes the need to remove and replace walls, while at the same time potentially reducing both construction cost and shortening lead times. Omega Flex currently has over 100 patents registered worldwide and is a product and engineering driven company committed to meeting our customers’ performance requirements.

PHCC Super Foremen Class Learns Strategies to Drive Success

➤ Continued from page 3

classroom of twenty-seven attendees engaged in a highly interactive and intense two-day workshop conducted May 3-4. The event was held at the Viega Training Facility in Nashua, New Hampshire, with lead instruction from Purdue University Professor Emeritus Kirk Alter

Effective time management is a direct strategy for success and Alter gave attendees an insightful introduction to some of technology’s newest offerings that can save time. By showing the class how they could harness artificial intelligence (AI) tools in their day-to-day work, he opened their eyes to the possibilities. Attendees experimented with prompts to use

in ChatGPT when starting a budget analysis and saw how the chatbot can save time when gathering project

His answer: “By solving other people’s problems.” For foremen, that means becoming effective front-line

A packed classroom of twenty-seven attendees engaged in a highly interactive and intense two-day workshop conducted May 3-4.

information, writing emails, and even creating a 5-year career plan.

Solving Problems

The second part of the theme was captured by a key question asked by Alter: “How do you make money?”

managers. “As the subcontractor business owner, I am handing my wallet to you, my foreman, every single day,” Alter explained. “If you are asking good questions, managing with numbers and making the best decisions you can with the information you

Franklin Electric Appoints Joe Ruzynski as CEO

FORT WAYNE, IN – Franklin Electric Co., Inc. (NASDAQ: FELE), a global leader in water and energy systems, has announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Joe Ruzynski as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board, effective July 1, 2024. Gregg Sengstack , who has served as CEO since 2014 and Chairperson since 2015, will continue as Executive Chairperson.

Ruzynski, 49, joins Franklin Electric from nVent Electric plc (NYSE: NVT), a global leader in electrical connection and protection solutions, where he served as President of the Enclosures Segment since 2018. Prior to that, he held various leadership roles at Pentair plc, a global water technology company, including President of Technical Solutions and President of Flow and Filtration Solutions. He has over 25 years of experience in the industrial and electrical sectors, with a track record of driving growth, innovation, and operational excellence.

A Proven Leader

“Joe is a proven leader with a deep understanding of our markets, customers, and technologies. He has demon-

strated his ability to execute strategic initiatives that enhance value for all stakeholders. We are confident that he is the right person to lead Franklin Electric into the next phase of growth and innovation,” said Sengstack. “I look forward to working with Joe and the Board to ensure a smooth and successful transition.”

“I am honored and excited to join Franklin Electric as CEO and Board member. Franklin Electric is a respected and trusted brand with a strong her -

itage and a bright future. I have admired the company’s culture, values, and commitment to excellence for many years. I look forward to working with the talented and dedicated team at Franklin Electric to deliver superior solutions and service to our customers, and create long-term value for our shareholders and employees,” said Ruzynski.

Company Transformation

“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Gregg for his outstanding leadership and contributions to Franklin Electric over the past 35 years, including as our Chief Executive Officer since 2014. He has been instrumental in transforming the company from a submersible motor manufacturer to a global leader in water and energy systems, with a diversified portfolio of products and services. Under his leadership, the company has achieved record revenues, earnings, and cash flows, while expanding its global footprint and enhancing its innovation capabilities. We are grateful for his vision, dedication, and guidance,” said Jennifer Sherman , Lead Independent Director of Franklin Electric.

have, it will absolutely show in the results for your jobs. What do think that will do to your career path at my company?”

Finally, Alter illustrated how foremen can face fewer surprises and have more peace of mind. This breakthrough came when Alter introduced attendees to the importance of using spreadsheets to analyze the status of a construction project. Groups worked independently one evening on analyzing the numbers. The next day Alter led the class through an activity where they experienced firsthand how to extract details about labor productivity, management decisions, and where things went wrong.

“You get frustrated on your jobs because of surprises, but if you know how to read the numbers, the whole story is there,” he said. “Being able to spot productivity issues or other problems early will help you to solve those issues when you still have time to recover. That is going to make your jobs and your life so much easier.”

‘Aha’ Moments

Foremen are problem-solvers who can impact a company’s success. After two days of “aha” moments, the PHCC Super Foremen class left equipped with new strategies to achieve three things that drive success: more time, more money and more peace of mind.

Viega sponsored and hosted the foremen class at their New Hampshire Training Facility, providing the training room, A/V, meals for the attendees and more. “We are very grateful for Viega’s support for this class. As in past years, the attendees expressed how great of an experience this class is and how seamless Viega makes it to learn in their classroom space,” said John Zink , Vice President of Development and Communications, PHCC Educational Foundation.

Project managers and foremen who wish to register for future class offerings of the Foundation can add their names to the notification lists at https://phccfoundation.org/essentials.

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John W. Danforth Company Reigns Supreme in 2024 Tap Takeover Event

Brewing Company in Buffalo. Hundreds of workers, representatives, and friends from across the industry were on hand as teams from John W. Danforth Company, one of the largest mechanical contractors in the northeast, and Buffalo Construction Consultants battled it out for tap supremacy. Guest bartenders from each company competed against one another to see which team could raise the most tip money, with all proceeds from the event going to the NAWIC Buffalo Niagara 2024 Scholarship Fund.

When all of the drinks were poured and the tips tabulated, the Danforth team rose to the top, beating the Buffalo Construction Consultants team. In all, the event raised more than $14,000.

Building Pathways

“The Tap Takeover event was a lot of fun with a big dose of camaraderie and some friendly competition, but it was all about continuing to build pathways for women to pursue careers in the construction industry,” said Michelle Gerace , Service

Manager, Western New York at Danforth, and Recording Secretary of the NAWIC Buffalo Niagara Board of Directors. “Everyone who was at the

people, especially younger people and women.”

In addition to the hot competition between Danforth and Buffalo

Thousands raised to support National Association of Women in Construction scholarship fund.

event shares a commitment to making our industry stronger by making sure we are introducing the benefits of a career in construction to more

Commerce Department Announces New Industry Voluntary Pledge to Bring More Women into Construction

The US Department of Commerce has announced the Million Women in Construction Community Pledge to bring more women into the construction workforce. Several leading construction companies have signed on to the Pledge, including Suffolk, Baker Construction, Gilbane Building Company, McKissack & McKissack, Mortenson, Power Design, and Shawmut Design and Construction.

In addition, US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo is making an industry-wide call for more companies, unions, and training organizations to sign on to the Pledge. By signing on to the Million Women in Construction Community Pledge, leaders in the industry are demonstrating an ongoing commitment to increase women’s access to training, jobs, and leadership opportunities. This follows an announcement made earlier this month launching the CHIPS Women in Construction Framework.

Construction companies, unions, and training organizations can join the initiative by pledging to focus on or scale up equitable hiring and workforce development efforts that create broader pipelines and opportunities for women. This industry-wide call to action encourages signers to

voluntarily take action by utilizing best practices, including building community partnerships to reach women and girls, investing in solutions that increase supportive services such as child care, and fostering safe, healthy, and respectful workplaces.

Meeting the Moment

“Right now, women make up less than 11% of jobs in construction and only 4% in skilled trades. Many of these are good-paying, quality jobs you can get without a college degree, and women deserve equal opportunity for these jobs,” said Secretary Raimondo. “If we’re going to meet this moment, we need more women in the construction, and we need an industry-wide commitment, which is why I’m calling

on everyone—contractors, labor unions, training organizations—to join our Community Pledge to commit to solutions and support proven strategies that help overcome barriers faced by women and underserved communities in construction and the trades.”

A Critical Need

“The construction industry continues to face significant labor challenges due to the aging workforce and dwindling number of young people entering the construction field. There is a critical need to attract more talent and diversify our workforce to ensure we have the resources to build our cities and grow our economy,” said John Fish , Chair of The Real Estate Roundtable and Chairman and CEO of Suffolk.

The Million Women in Construction initiative is a nationwide call to action for the construction industry—construction contractors, trade unions, and training institutions—to commit to bold steps that will ensure a robust and diverse workforce in the years ahead.

Construction Consultants and the cold drinks enjoyed by those who attended, the event also featured several cool raffles and prizes, including a set of Milwaukee tools.

The winning team consisted of Danforth co-workers Gerace, Christina Kramarz , Deanna Gokey , Kelly Cancilla, and Krystal Yernye.

NAWIC Scholarship Fund

The NAWIC Buffalo Niagara Scholarship Fund helps provide scholarships for Western New York women enrolled in or preparing to enroll in a trade program or certificate-related program for the skilled trades.

NAWIC provides its members with opportunities for professional development, education, networking, leadership training, public service and more. The Buffalo Niagara NAWIC chapter was chartered in 2021.

John W. Danforth

Founded in Buffalo in 1884, Danforth has more than 1,000 employees across a geographic footprint that includes its Western New York headquarters and operations in Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany, New York, and Columbus, Ohio. The company works collaboratively with its union labor partners including the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation (SMART) Workers, and several other labor partners across many local union jurisdictions throughout the northeast and beyond. Danforth operates an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, giving the company’s workforce an ownership stake in the company.

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Negotiating Contracts - New Wrinkles? Same Ol’ Same Ol’

The marketplace today has changed so drastically, and in so many ways, that it is difficult to form a complete list. The one constant though, is that contractors still exist (at least for the immediate future) and subcontractors still engage in commerce with them.

Contract negotiation basics have not changed very much, but the details sure have. Everyone today—the general contractor, you, your employees, the supply house, manufacturers and your sub-subcontractors—are looking for an edge. Something to give them a leg up on their competition and get more “bang for the buck” out of every move they make. If that were not the case, any or all of the above would be gone… out of business or worse.

Some Things Don’t Change

As you already know, the economic outlook, especially in this election year, is hazy and not easy to predict. You could say is has gone from cool to frigid, and is waffling around in an icy uncertainty. Whether or not it will come up from frigid back to cool—in other words on the rebound—is a matter of personal speculation. So, adaptation to the current conditions is a must for any businessperson who counts self-preservation among their daily requirements. What that means for each of us may vary, but the bottom line is the same for all.

Toward that end you might have tightened up your bidding, kept a tighter rein on your inventory and waste on the job, trimmed your manpower, vehicle(s) program, cut overhead, expanded your scope of market share and generally streamlined your business. What do you think the people you bid to have done? If they’re still around, they’ve done the same and more.

And Some Do

With the withering of the market for new work, many contractors that formerly negotiated their projects with select architects, engineers or owners

are now forced into the current competitive bidding market. Often, they are bidding against competition that could politely be described as “unqualified.” In this atmosphere a new paradigm has emerged and as a subcon -

require for a mortgage, and more. One might excuse this if it was a new subcontractor but the general contractor wanted what many consider proprietary information that a good businessman would never dream of divulging to anyone, and this from a business associate of some twenty years standing!

This plumbing subcontractor had performed flawlessly on every project, from small remodels to entire hospitals, which they had ever done for the contractor. There was never even the slightest hint of a problem with the finances, suppliers or any of the other myriad things that can plague a business.

Everyone today—the general contractor, you, your employees, the supply house, manufacturers and your sub-subcontractors —are looking for an edge.

tractor, you are the one who will be learning how to deal with it.

In the past, there was always the “low bid” criterion. That being said, once a relationship was established with the general contractor, the lowest bid requirement was moved back a notch to allow for the subcontractor’s track record to be factored into the mix. After all, what good is a dead-low bid if the sub can’t perform or pay for his material? Even the “lowest qualified bid” was subject to interpretation. Well, things have changed, and not for the better.

Recently a plumbing subcontractor [friend of many years], after bidding on and being awarded a contract for a new hospital, received a new “requirement” from a general contractor with whom he had done business for over twenty years . The requirement? The subcontractor was being asked to provide a full financial and operational disclosure including profit margin, overhead, cash on hand, labor factors, and much, much more.

The general contractor wanted all the information that a bank might

Quality work was performed on time and per contract specifications. Yet the general contractor was requiring that the plumbing subcontractor provide the information before issuing a contract for a job that was waiting to start.

The More Things Change...

What brought this about? No one knows except the general contractor, and he is not talking. We can, however, speculate as to the thinking behind this onerous new requirement. By using the requirement as a stick to the new project’s carrot the contractor was attempting to force the subcontractor into the unenviable position of providing proprietary information to the contractor. This data could, and more probably would, be used at some later point to dictate pricing on changes orders or perhaps even the next project coming up. Sort of like the fox requiring the keys to the hen-house. The subcontractor would, effectively, be giving away everything to the general. By providing the information, he would be unable to adapt or adjust to any changes in either the labor or

material market without the direct approval of the general contractor, architect or owner.

…The More They Stay the Same

Thirty years ago the practice of “sub-busting” was common in the hot markets of the rapidly growing southwest (specifically, Arizona and Nevada, parts of Utah and Colorado). This was a scheme whereby a general contractor would squeeze a new subcontractor (by withholding payment or some other such chicanery) until the subcontractor went out of business. Then the general would hire another new subcontractor, get a little more work done, and do the same thing to him. With a steady supply of new subs always available the plan worked pretty well. I know because I saw it happen more times than I care to remember.

This new “requirement” by the general contractor in the above scenario smacks of that type of thinking, albeit with a project start, in this time of shortage of available work, being the lure.

The plumbing subcontractor, in this instance, respectfully declined to provide the requested data. They were awarded the contract without providing any of the information and are presently working on the project. Remember, our industry is very unforgiving as well as ethically challenged. Negotiate with care and make sure you anticipate the pitfalls. The most important take-away from this new(?) wrinkle is... stand on your ethical principles! If you can be bullied into submitting, you won’t be in business very long.

The Brooklyn, NY-born author is a retired third generation master plumber. He founded Sunflower Plumbing & Heating in Shirley, N.Y., in 1975 and A Professional Commercial Plumbing Inc. in Phoenix in 1980. He holds residential, commercial, industrial and solar plumbing licenses and is certified in welding, clean rooms, polypropylene gas fusion and medical gas piping. He can be reached at allen@proquilldriver.com.

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New Standards for Water Heaters: What They Mean for You

CONTRACTOR speaks with experts from Rheem about what the new standards will mean for manufacturers, installers and end-users.

On April 30th, the Department of Energy pre-published the final consumer water heater Energy Conservation Standard Rule. DOE last updated residential water heater efficiency standards—which are required by Congress—in 2010. It is estimated the new standards will go into effect by May of 2029.

The new standards are expected to save US homeowners billions on their utility bills, as well as reduce energy waste and carbon emissions. The standards were developed with input from a wide variety of stakeholders across industry and government. Incentive packages have been developed (largely through the Inflation Reduction Act) with an emphasis on affordability and accessibility.

Moreover, there are any number of initiatives moving forward at the state and local level, including bans on natural-gas fired water heating appliances.

To try and get a better grasp of what these changes will mean for the people who have to install and service residential water heaters—and as a part of that job explain the changes to their customers—CONTRACTOR spoke with two experts at Rheem.

Rheem is a company that needs no introduction, with nearly 100 years as a world-leading manufacturer of heating, cooling, water heating, pool & spa heating and commercial refrigeration products. Matthew Thornblad is the company’s Senior Public Policy and

Communications Director. Tom McConahay is Rheem’s Senior Manager, National Plumber Support.

CONTRACTOR: The new standards cover a lot of territory. As a manufacturer, are the proposed efficiencies achievable at a price point that you feel consumers are going to find acceptable?

THORNBLAD: At Rheem, we’re still reviewing the rule. But with the recent publication, what we now have is certainty around the expected compliance for the rule.

We believe in many respects the amended efficiency standards the DOE prescribed are technologically achievable and economically justified. We believe that the three-to-fiveyear runway the DOE has provided to the industry will allow manufacturers to scale and to develop consumer water heating products that will be cost competitive and meet the new efficiency standards.

As you know, the department has prescribed an efficiency standard for electric tank water heaters that will largely be met using heat pump technology. They chose to modestly change efficiency standards for gas tank products that will be achieved with noncondensing gas technology. And the department elected to remove and

defer for a later date, rather than setting a standard for gas instantaneous (tankless) consumer water heaters.

CONTRACTOR: Are there any other pieces of legislation currently moving forward, at either the city, state or federal level that you and Rheem are keeping an eye on?

THORNBLAD: One thing we would draw your attention to in particular is what we’re seeing in California. There are several local air quality management districts that are proposing low or zero NOx emission standards for commercial water heaters, boilers and consumer water heaters. Specifically, the South Coast Air Quality Management District and the Greater Los Angeles area. This would include commercial water heaters, boilers and gas-fired pool heaters with compliance beginning as soon as January 2026.

At Reem, we believe there’s going to be an acceleration of building decarbonization through electrifying space and water heating products. But that implementation will be something of a patchwork. In some parts of the country, it will depend on climate or on the prevailing electricity rates. If you look at the southeast, in the Carolinas in particular, they have very high electric heat pump penetration already.

Other parts of the country, for example North Dakota where historically gas rates have been low, there may be less market penetration with electric water heating and space heating.

We obviously remain committed to supporting our channel partners so they can succeed and grow. We are doing a lot around education for specifying engineers, architecture and engineering firms, and certainly

commercial general contractors. We are developing course curriculum— that can be delivered in person, virtually or through webinars—that will take the training that we have and deliver it to more installers, plumbers and contractors in a faster way. As product life cycles potentially shorten because of regulatory changes, we need to be sure that we can give installers and contractors the skills they need to develop and sell these products. It’s an important part of what we’ll be focusing on for the next several years.

CONTRACTOR: Which also means education will be an important consideration for anyone in the business of installing and servicing water heaters for years to come?

McCONAHAY: For plumbers to service their customers, they’ll need to better understand the products which they’re selling, installing and servicing.

Many of today’s products are now connected, which gives the customer the ability to control and monitor their water heater (from common smart devices) at their fingertips. This technology benefits the plumbers and contractors as well, when it comes to troubleshooting and servicing these smart products.

In addition, there are several rebates available for both the installing plumber and consumer to help with the adoption of these products. Whether it’s a local, utility, or federal rebate such as the IRA (Inflation Reduction Act), there are typically several available, depending on where you are located. It’s in both the plumber and their customer’s best interest to stay in the know when it comes to what rebates are available.

The good news is that there’s a lot of information available, and Rheem is committed to training today and tomorrow’s plumbers and contractors on these products.

BY STEVE SPAULDING OF CONTRACTOR’S STAFF

Under 30 All-Stars of 2024

By John Mesenbrink, Kelly L. Faloon

Where are the young people entering the plumbing trade?

They’re here! Meet three young tradesmen and hear their stories of success.

Nick Hotujec

Company: Cheddar’s Plumbing Co. LLC

Title: Owner Age: 29

New business owner Nick Hotujec is taking the plumbing industry by storm with hard work and purpose.

As a former drummer in a hard-core punk band to musical director at his local church, Nick Hotujec, owner, Cheddar’s Plumbing Co. LLC, Pittsburgh, is one to watch in the plumbing industry. With a one-year-old baby and an eight-month pregnant wife at home, you could say the new business owner has his hands full.

But it’s Nick’s wife, Jessica, who deserves all the flowers. Let’s face it, she is the one doing the real heavy lifting. In addition to running things at home, “My wife is my content strategist, HR department and moral support system,” says Hotujec.

In June of this year, it will have been two years since Nick made the leap to business ownership with Cheddar’s Plumbing, a full-service residential plumbing company in the Steel City.

But plumbing wasn’t even top of mind for Nick some 10 years ago when he was figuring out his own path. Nick was going to school for an Associate’s Degree in Accounting. “I just knew I wanted to own my own business one day,” says Hotujec.

Yet, the more time he was hanging around his brother-in-law—who happened to be a plumbing business owner—the light went on for Hotujec,

who was really inspired by his work. But there was a caveat, Nick couldn’t work for his brother-inlaw’s company; he wanted Nick to pave his own path and find employment elsewhere. And found it he did, working with a major PHVAC company in downtown Pittsburgh.

Nick began working as most have starting out in plumbing, digging holes and carrying buckets

of stone—the grunt work. But Nick always knew he wanted something bigger, so time and experience was needed to get him where he needed to go. Around the same time, Nick enrolled in Associated Master Plumbers of Alleghany County (AMPAC), two nights a week for four years. After that, another two more years for his Master’s License. “I completely immersed myself in the trades,” says Hotujec.

After working for three different plumbing employers, his last was working for a good family-owned business, which, among other things, showed him how to work with lower billable hours. “I wanted to get a realistic view of how owning a business could be,” says Hotujec.

Taking in all of the on-the-job experiences, and all the while following his brother-in-law’s advice some 10 years ago, “I wanted to take all of the knowledge and add that ever-important customer relationship and hands-on customer relationship aspect,” says Hotujec.

Nick knew it was time. He put in his two-week notice, took a vacation with his wife to Myrtle Beach, and readied himself for the “storm.” The two began working on their laptops, preparing to open a plumbing business back in Pittsburgh, setting up social media pages, creating business cards, etc., and essentially pulling the ripcord on the rest of their lives.

They returned to phone calls for work, creating that positive momentum for the new business owners they were becoming. And the rest is history, or for the last two years, at least.

Nick Hotujec and his wife Jessica.

Mentorship & Success

Two years in, the 29-year-old stout Christian credits the Lord first and foremost for his success. “I need to check myself before the Lord before anything else. The Lord has put this on my heart.”

Secondly, “You need a strong support system, and for me that’s my wife, Jess,” says Hotujec. You know what they say? Behind every strong man, is an even stronger woman. Finally, it’s that great customer relationship that Hotujec is adamant about creating and maintaining that he believes brings him continued success.

Hotujec is quick to point out the people along the way: his wife, his brother-in-law, old bosses, social media colleagues, and even some church pastors— who are themselves business owners—but does he consider himself a mentor? “I don’t know the answer to that yet.”

But, Nick says that he has more than 100 TikTok and Instagram messages asking him about getting into the trades. I think he just answered the question. Nick believes that if you have the willingness and drive to learn and work, you can be taught the trade, and be molded into the best tradesman you

can be. When asked about how to enter the trades, Hotujec says, “Go apply for a job and you will get hired. I promise.”

Challenges & Rewards

Owning your own business is not easy. For Hotujec, the challenge lies in when to turn it off. Nick says he could chase money all day and night, but realizes that being and dad and husband is priority number one. Another challenge for Hotujec is what he calls price objections, or selling his true value to clients. Enter Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey here, because the “Cheddar” is definitely worth the cheese.

As far as the reward for owning his own business, “It’s the freedom,” says Hotujec. “If I want the uniforms to look a certain way or I want a new tool … but more importantly, I can stop in the middle of the day and have lunch with my family.”

Social Media

As a single-man shop business owner, Hotujec often times looks to social media for business advice or whenever intricate plumbing problems arise. “When you work for yourself, you need an outlet, and

I’ve gained some really good connections through social media.”

But to be honest, says Hotujec, there’s not a lot of uptick with business through social media. “Google and word of mouth is good for business.” But what does work is on the content creation side. Hotujec tries to post three to four videos per week, and with more than 75,000 followers on Instagram and nearly 80,000 on TikTok (@cheddarsplumbingco for both), Hotujec is getting noticed, becoming a brand ambassador for high-profile companies in the plumbing industry such as Oatey and Housecall Pro.

Hotujec reflects the mantra, “hard work pays off,” saying, “I really want to learn how to do it; I will do anything I can to learn.” Currently, Nick is imparting his knowledge and experience on his new apprentice, “I get to hang out and teach him,” says Hotujec. “I’m excited for what the next five years will bring.”

Oh, and where did he get the name for his business? “My nickname in high school was Cheddar,” says Hotujec.

“Better than McLovin, I guess,” says Hotujec.

And, in their own words...

Nick Hotujec on a job.

Joe Jaspers

Company: Jaspers Plumbing, Cincinnati

Title: Project manager Age: 28

Istarted working with my dad at a young age and would always hear about a labor shortage coming to the trades. I loved working with my hands and finding the best way to pipe in a system like a puzzle.

Coming from three generations of plumbers before me, you could say it is in my blood. With a good work ethic and incredible mentors around me, I knew I could have a bright future in construction.

I started as a laborer when I was 12 and went fulltime in the summers at 15. As soon as I graduated high school, I became a plumbing apprentice. After completing my four-year apprenticeship, I was able to run my own jobs.

Less than a week after becoming a journeyman plumber, I was already foreman on Tiffany’s and Louis Vuitton store builds at the same mall. I would have to call my dad a dozen times a day, but through his motivation and a great relationship with the inspector, I could complete both jobs myself!

You will never stop learning in the construction industry. The key is to do things right the first time no matter how much prep work is needed or obstacles you must overcome.

Today, I do commercial, residential and

plumbing work. What I like about it is that there are new challenges every day and everywhere. In one day, I can be figuring out the most efficient venting system for a store remodel; 20 minutes later, I could be taking a sump pump apart to figure out why a residential basement is flooding.

I make a living by helping others and being a part of building something great. It’s a very rewarding career that keeps my mind and body active.

The next step is to take the Kentucky journeymen’s test, followed by the contractor’s test (commonly called master plumber) so I can pull permits in both states. From there, I debated getting my Indiana license or Ohio medical gas certification.

Competing in the Plumbing National Championship last year was a little overwhelming, especially walking out on stage with a million cameras and so many people cheering in the crowd. I was there to prove my skills in the trades and learn more about them.

Coming into the final challenge with all the same advantages and disadvantages as the others next to me creates the perfect opportunity to show plumbers everywhere what it takes to be at the top of

your field. [Editor’s note: Joe finished third in the 2023 contest.]

To this day, it is one of my favorite construction memories—right up there with getting my first sticker for passing an inspection or when I called my parents to tell them I passed my contractor plumbers test.

My future plans include running the plumbing company my dad started, building on my real estate portfolio—and starting a family with my wife!

My advice to any young people reading this— stick with it. You will have days your back can’t take any more and days where you don’t think it’s possible to fix a problem you haven’t faced before. You will solve it.

Take advantage of graduating high school with no debt and use that income in your early years to build a foundation. Use that money to buy a starter home, start a retirement fund and invest in your future.

More construction workers are retiring year after year rather than joining, so work hard and pay attention in your classes. Listen to the old guys and get any certification your company will pay for. Do this and you will love your job and make great money in less time than getting a four-year degree!

industrial Joe Jaspers competes in the Plumbing National Championship. He would go on to take 3rd place.

Joe Jaspers.

Declan McCarthy

Company: Nelson Mechanical Design, Vineyard Haven, MA

Title: Service Manager Age: 18

In the summer approaching my senior year of high school, my friend Myles had been working for his dad doing HVAC work, and I remember being interested in it. Toward the end of the summer, I was staying in Maine, and Myles had come up

to visit me. He mentioned that he was going to do a work-study during his senior year.

At my high school, we were given the opportunity to enter a work-study program, which allowed us to work two or three days a week and attend classes on the other days. Of course, being a not-so-schooloriented individual, I jumped on the opportunity.

Once school rolled around, I started my workstudy and continued it throughout my senior year. During the year, I began to really enjoy the trade and started thinking about it as an option after high school. As my senior year ended, I made plans to continue working with Nelson Mechanical Design through the summer.

Today, I’m the service manager for Nelson Mechanical Design. My job consists of scheduling work, quoting jobs, ordering parts, talking to customers and caretakers, and managing jobs and teams. I started this position late last year; I’m still learning a lot, but it’s been great.

The service department I manage does a number of things: plumbing, HVAC, water treatment, geothermal, controls, maintenance, and much more. I like being able to learn different things. I also find a lot of fulfillment in my job; being able to help people when they are in need is a good feeling.

I recently finished Sheet Metal II, so I plan to continue schooling until I get my license. I want to learn as much as possible and become better at my position.

The trades are a great place and filled with a lot of great people. College isn’t the only way to have a good career.

The Employer Perspective

Brian Nelson, co-owner of Nelson Mechanical Design, praises Declan’s enthusiasm for the work: “Declan McCarthy started as a high school intern in our new construction division working with my business partner Dave Sprague. I borrowed him one day for a chilled water rescue project and was bowled over by his work ethic and eagerness to learn and grow.

“He impressed me so much that I stole him from Dave’s new construction division and put Declan to work with me in the service department. His organization, desire to learn and intense curiosity helped him excel as an

apprentice service tech. I started to take him on all my chilled water and control rescue jobs and he got a lot of field experience installing controls and hydronic systems.

“When our service manager moved on to another company, Declan was the natural choice for his replacement. As our new service manager, he is responsible for scheduling four service teams and meeting the service needs of our 2,000 customers.

“He is enrolled in the US Department of Labor’s Controls Apprentice Program (through Distech Controls) and a sheet metal class to get his Massachusetts sheet metal license.”

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Things at the End of a (Two-Pipe Steam) Radiator

We covered a lot of ground last month, but only regarding the one-pipe steam radiator. Who knew there were so many different ways to allow the air to vent out so the steam can flow in? (And I probably forgot to mention something.)

This month, I will attempt to shed some clarity on the things you will find on the side opposite the steam supply valve on a two-pipe radiator. But first, let’s think in terms of steam up—air out—water back.

Steam Up

The first of the two pipes is the supply of steam to the radiator (steam up). Unlike the one-pipe steam connection, which has steam flowing into the radiator while the condensate flows back out of the radiator, this connection only has steam flowing into the radiator.

Since it is a one-way situation, the valve will be a lot smaller. In some very old two-pipe systems, the valve was located at the bottom of the radiator. That was back before the radiator sections were connected at the bottom and the top. On some of those very old systems with the valve at the bottom, you will find a valve on the other side, and an automatic air vent.

The steam flows in the one side, the air passes out through the vent, and the condensate has a direct connection to the wet return form the other side. The water seal of the wet return acts to keep steam in the radiator and out of the return mains. The disadvantages were all those direct connections from upper-level radiators and the vents.

This month, I will attempt to shed some clarity on the things you will find on the side opposite the steam supply valve on a two-pipe radiator.

In the more modern systems, the second pipe is for removing both the air and the condensate. Now the steam connection feeds into the top of the radiator. Since steam is lighter than air, the steam starts pushing the air to the thing on the other side that is connected at the bottom of the radiator. The air passes to the dry return and is released by an automatic air vent at the end of the dry return. The steam condenses on the insides of the radiator and flows down to the thing on the other side. It now passes through the same connection as the air to the dry return. The dry return connects vertically to the wet return, returning the water to the boiler to be heated to the temperature of steam.

Air Out

American industry developed a lot of different things for the return side of the two-pipe radiator from the early part of the 1900’s to about 1930. They all passed air (air out) and condensate (water back), but some also automatically closed at the presence of steam. We call that a radiator trap. See photos 1 and 2.

We don’t want the steam to get to the dry return, which two-pipe radiators are connected to. Steam in the dry return complicates our lives with uneven heat and water hammer.

The steam trap stays open at the beginning of a cycle to allow the air to be pushed out, then closes at the temperature of steam. The condensate then cools the trap enough to open, allowing it to pass the water, then the trap closes again at the temperature of steam. On a cold night, this silent cycling continues until the thermostat is satisfied. On a mild day, the steam may not get to the trap before the thermostat is satisfied. A half full radiator can heat a room in cool weather.

Over time, the moving part of the radiator trap will fail or it will clog. If it clogs, the radiator goes cold and gets attention. If it fails open, the steam can get to the dry return to cause problems. Repair parts or new traps are available to restore proper operation.

Vapor Systems

Sometimes the thing is not a trap, but operates on the idea of very low pressure and regulated steam flow at the radiator valve. These systems are referred to as vapor systems, operating around eight ounces of pressure. The thing on the end may look like a regular pipe fitting—since it does not have any moving parts—or it can be brand specific. See photos 3, 4 and 5.

The steam does not have to be trapped, because the radiator valve has an internal adjustment to allow a fixed amount of steam into the radiator which is equal to or less than the size of the radiator. Sometimes it was an orifice installed in the valve’s union with a specific size hole, again corresponding to the size of the radiator. Any steam entering the radiator should condense to water before it reaches the other side of the radiator.

Occasionally that thing with no moving parts will clog up and prevent the

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2024 IAPMO Solar, Hydronics and Geothermal Codes Now Available

ONTARIO, CA — The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO ®) has published the 2024 editions of the Uniform Solar, Hydronics and Geothermal Code® (USHGC) and Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code® (USPSHTC) in both hardcopy and electronic versions, completing a three-year consensus development cycle accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). These publications may be purchased through the IAPMO web store at the following URL: https://iapmomembership.org/store/

The USHGC is a model code developed by IAPMO to govern the installation and inspection of solar, hydronic, and geothermal energy systems as a means of promoting the public’s health, safety and welfare. The 2024 USHGC addresses the latest provisions and technology paving the road to zero net energy and for the safe installation of solar, hydronics and geothermal energy systems.

Key Provisions

Key provisions of the 2024 USHGC and changes from the 2021 edition include:

• New hanger and support requirements for PE-RT and PEX in support channels

• New requirements addressing protective barriers for energy storage systems installed in garages

• New requirements for hydronic system fluids, addressing heat transfer fluid quality, freeze protection, disposal, protection of the potable water supply, identification of chemical additives, and makeup fluid

• Updated requirements for expansion tanks and engineered fluid expansion storage systems

• Updated material requirements and joining methods for hydronic, solar thermal, and geothermal system piping, tubing and fittings

• Updated provisions addressing oxygen diffusion corrosion in hydronic systems

• New minimum bend radii for polyethylene pipe and tubing installed in hydronic systems

Codes are available in both hardcopy and electronic versions, completing a three-year consensus development cycle accredited by the American National Standards Institute.

• New minimum floor surface temperature for radiant cooling systems

• Updated insulation requirements for radiant wall and ceiling panels

• Updated insulation requirements for solar thermal piping

• Updated requirements for geothermal energy system design, such as site surveys, makeup water quality, and heat pumps

• Updated requirements for geothermal energy system installation, such as setbacks, shutoff and bypass valves, and tracer and warning markings

• New requirements addressing distributed energy systems including ambient temperature loops, thermal resources, thermal metering, system assets, and performance

• Updated solar photovoltaic (PV) provisions to correlate with the latest NFPA 70-2023

• Updated installation guidelines for solar PV systems for commercial buildings

• New Appendix C addressing solar

ready construction for low-rise residential buildings

• New Appendix E providing recommended configurations for closed-loop hydronic systems

• New Appendix F addressing net zero energy and net positive energy buildings

The USPSHTC is a model code developed by IAPMO to govern the installation and inspection of both public and private swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs to increase the safety of their operation. The 2024 USPSHTC addresses the latest provisions and technology for the safe installation of swimming pools, spas and hot tubs.

Key provisions of the 2024 USPSHTC and changes from the 2021 edition include:

• Additional requirements for flood resistant design and construction for flood hazard areas

• New provisions for construction site fencing

• Inclusion of additional applicable material standards for building supply, water distribution, and circulation systems

• New provisions for transportation conveyor systems

• New requirements for slip-resistant walkway surfaces for wave pools, interactive water play venues, and decks

• New lighting requirements for aquatic venues and underwater lighting

• Updates to swimming pool finishes and surfaces

• New requirements for deck slopes, material, and spacing

• New provisions for primary disinfection, secondary disinfection, and supplemental disinfection

• Water chemistry table has been updated to include new parameters

• Updates to surge tank storage capacity

• New requirements for turnover times

• Updates to equipment rooms

• New requirements for solar pool, spa, and hot tub heaters

• New provisions for alarms for automatic and rapid detection of emergencies

• Updates to barrier requirements

• Provisions for entrapment prevention have been updated

• New provisions for interactive water play venues

• New provisions for artificial white-water courses, float tanks, surf pools, artificial lagoons, and lazy rivers

Development

IAPMO first developed the USPSHTC in March 1967 and the USEHC in September 1976. The provisions of these codes apply to the erection, installation, alteration, repair, relocation, replacement, addition to or maintenance of any solar energy, hydronic heating/cooling, swimming pool, spa or hot tub system. For questions about the USHGC, please contact Taylor Duran at 909/218-8126 or t aylor.duran@iapmo. org. For questions about the USPSHTC, please contact Enrique Gonzalez at 909/230-5535 or enrique.gonzalez@ iapmo.org.

Our crew stands behind you.

We get it. With relationships built for the longhaul, our pros are determined to help you find the right fit. Our trusted PEXa plumbing system has choices that set you up to win big. na.rehau.com/plumbing

Tricky Hydronic Install? Press Systems Can Make it Possible

But watch out! Techs need to anticipate trickery from the press process.

BY BRIAN NELSON, SPECIAL TO CONTRACTOR

Arecent boiler retrofit project highlighted the incredible benefits of the press fitting process while illustrating some of the potential concerns that might arise while using this system.

We received a last minute request from a homeowner (in the middle of winter!) to replace two existing non-condensing boilers with two new Viessmann condensing boilers. As we were in the middle of the heating season there wasn’t a lot of time to consider different approaches to this situation—this became a moot point as the homeowner insisted on using the Viessmann boilers that his engineer had specified.

The existing boilers were nearing the end of their service life and their connection to the existing heating loop didn’t make much sense—all loop water flowed directly through the boilers even when they were inactive. So we scrambled to design and install a boiler system that would successfully integrate the new Viessmann boilers with the existing

heating loop within the existing space.

A significant part of the success of any retrofit project is to understand the constraints that will end up driving the design and choice of materials and

joining methods. We knew that we had to use press fittings due to the time constraint; boiler venting would end up dictating boiler height and spacing; the available height would drive the choice of piping and connections; and creating a strut jig for the piping and press fittings would be critical to make the

Parts and Equipment

• Viessmann boiler

• Duravent PolyPro PPE boiler vent piping

• Milwaukee press system

• Viega press fittings

• Apollo press fittings

• Spirovent air separator

• Grundfos circulators

• Webstone circulator isolation flanges

• Trerice pressure gauges

• Weiss thermometers

• Hydrazorb cushion clamps

• Superstrut strut fittings and channel

installation presentable and able to fit within our space constraints.

Demo of Old Boilers

We drained the heating loop and demo-ed the existing non-condensing boilers. We had to cut out the old propane gas lines and heating supply and return lines; we ended up cutting the boilers apart on-site and removing smaller chunks of boiler through the finished basement space. With a blank slate we could now consider how to make the two Viessmann boilers fit into our available space.

Old boilers and breeching in the mechanical room.

Boiler piping complete.

Cutting up the old boiler for removal.

Boiler Choice Drives our Space Constraints

Because the boilers had been specified for this project, we had to work within their dimensional and technical constraints. This led to an interesting cascade of decisions that ultimately dictated the design and installation of the entire project.

The existing boilers had steel smoke pipe breeching into a masonry chimney up through the center of the house. Because the two new boilers were condensing, we had to line the chimney with PPE flexible boiler vent piping. We struggled for a bit (we discovered that there was an undocumented jog in the chimney flue) and finally installed the two 50 foot flexes and connected them to their special transition fittings at the base of the chimney.

These fittings would now give us our vent height and be used to make the transition to rigid PPE vent pipe for each of the two boilers. With this vent height we were able to work backwards to figure out the maximum height of the two boilers. The first venting elbow dictated the right boiler location and the piping between the boilers dictated the left boiler location.

New Boiler Wall for Two Viessmann boilers

With this information we were able to frame up a wall faced with plywood upon which we would install the two new Viessmann condensing boilers. The length of this wall was determined by the size of the mechanical room that had enough height for the two boilers as the other mechanical spaces were too low. We now had our blank slate with which to design and assemble the piping that would connect the two boilers to the existing heating loop.

Time Constraint and Press Considerations

We had arrived at a design for the two new boilers based on the venting height constraints and the boiler height requirements as dictated by the bottom supply and return connections on each boiler.

Now we had to address the time constraint—if we could press this system together it would greatly speed up this project. Based on the size of the piping (copper tube ranging from 1-1/4” to 3”) it would be possible to solder all of the fittings but it would be quite challenging.(Full disclosure—I only have soldered connections in my hydronic system at home with copper tubing

ranging from 1/4” to 2”—I almost never have leaks in the smaller sizes but have been known to have a few leaks in 1-1/2” and 2” joints.)

We had a fixed amount of space between the two boilers so we mocked up both copper press fittings and sweat fittings and confirmed that both

would work within the given space. At this point, going with press seemed to be a no-brainer; if we went with

➤ Turn to Trickey Install, page 57

Mounting the right boiler based on vent height.

New air separator pressed in with strut cushion clamps for support and location.

Pressing large fittings in the correct order to avoid getting pressed into a corner.

Loop supply and return piping installed to permit pressing.

Left and right boilers mounted.

Strut framework anchored to the floor for assembly of boiler piping.

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• Robust stainless steel heat exchanger for longer life

• Residential and Commercial applications (Indoor/Outdoor)

• Cascade and common venting between standard and recirculation models

• ENERGY STAR® certified and Certified Green Product™ by the Green Restaurant Association

Patti Feldman

Residential and Commercial Software for Efficient Operations

ThermoGrid Field Service

Management Software (www. thermogrid.com ) is a web-based and mobile platform for use by small to medium sized residential HVAC and plumbing and electrical contractors to engage customers, oversee service, and empower technicians in the field.

It is designed to enact expedient and efficient resource allocation, provide customers with accurate appointment scheduling windows, and maintain real-time communication with the customer when the tech is on the way. ThermoGrid has the ability to give small business owners greater insight into profitability, providing tools to optimize areas that affect profitability, such as job costing, dispatching, or inventory management.

Using VOIP, upon a customer call, the software recognizes customer phone numbers, automatically pulls up associated data including location and displays the client information and can dispatch the best technician with respect to such factors as availability, skill level, and distance. It uses GPS to help each team clock-in and clock-out and to inform dispatchers who is where, when.

The software features one-step invoicing and the ability for customers to sign off on the job, receive an electronic invoice and select from multiple payment methods.

The mobile app enables a technician in the field to pull up customer service history, add photos and notes, and create and process invoices and payments on completed jobs. (When there is no Internet connection, all data is saved and automatically syncs with ThermoGrid contractor dispatcher software when connection is regained.) Invoices can be shared with QuickBooks if app users enter the API key to connect. The software also includes the ability to send marketing emails or texts to drive new business.

The software can generate daily management reports on truck inventory, facilitating item restock/replenishment, and reports on orders, payroll, daily

Reviews of ThemoGrid field service management software and the RedTeam Flex cloud-based solution.

activity, equipment age, payments, and more. The technician can search inventory to see what equipment or parts are available or on back order. It can also initiate messages and marketing emails and messages, for example notifying customers of renewals, specials, and discounts.

Pricing: upfront fee + monthly fee. The SaaS license includes estimates, quoting and service agreements; scheduling and dispatch; customer management; inventory management; reporting; custom workflows; mobile app; 14-day free trial. (Free training available via live classes or class recordings + access to customer support for troubleshooting. VOIP services carry an additional fee based on the volume of calls.)

RedTeam Flex

RedTeam Flex ( http://www.redteam. com/product/redteam-flex/ ) is a cloudbased solution for end-to-end construction management of commercial construction projects, featuring a connected stream of data from preconstruction to project closeout.

RedTeam Flex is designed to facilitate real-time collaboration and financial transparency, improve efficiency and reduce risk for contractors and owners

using any project delivery method.

For those overseeing Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) projects will find many features that make the complex “open book” process easy and efficient. Access to real-time project information and the ability to work simultaneously on documents extends to all project stakeholders, including subcontractors, architects and engineers via the collaborative console. The collaborative console preserves the history and metadata of all project communication and remain available after a project is closed out.

RedTeam Flex supports three main types of proposals, which can be generated from the data entered during preconstruction: Fixed Price, Time & Materials and Construction Management for new projects and change order proposals. Standard pricing details and any negotiated rates and agreed-upon fees are automatically included, reducing risk and the need for manual input.

RedTeam Flex combines all critical project setup and preconstruction tasks in one step-by-step guided workflow, providing a central place for all project information. The cost estimate in RedTeam Flex supports hard bids and negotiated pricing for construction

managers. The spreadsheet-style interface with unbreakable formulas and simultaneous calculation of cost and price minimizes the need for offline or supplemental manual computations, streamlining updates to preconstruction pricing scenarios.

To simplify the bid solicitation process, users of RedTeam Flex can create bid packages consisting of one or more cost codes and leverage an advanced bidder search to identify the right subcontractor for the job. Once a bid package has been created, vendors can submit their quotes online to bid for the project.

Bid leveling capability provides efficient comparison of vendor quotes side by side, with “quote cards” summarizing comparative cost analytics and comparisons. Support for multiple awards, split assemblies and selection of best quotes simplifies incorporating vendor pricing into cost estimates, with best quotes instantly updating project cost and pricing.

The solution also features comprehensive Gantt Scheduling tool, AIAstyle Progress and Cost Plus Billing, WIP-reports and multiple financial overview reports. Drawing management tools include the ability to upload plans and specs, automated naming of drawings via OCR and an intuitive hyperlinking feature. Users can annotate drawings and use overlay comparison to verify changes between revisions.

Office and field teams can draft and send RFIs from the web or on a mobile device, and create punch or safety lists to communicate project tasks. The solution also affords the ability to generate detailed, configurable daily progress reports to keep superintendents and other stakeholders informed.

Pricing: per month, billed annually, plus implementation and onboarding fee.

Patti Feldman writes articles and web content for trade magazines and manufacturers of building products. She can be reached at productpad@yahoo.com

The TheromGrid dashboard.

The industry is evolving, and we’re leading the way. Our new foundry in Oakboro, North Carolina, is a $460 million investment set on about 700 acres — making it one of the largest and most modern foundries in the world. The opening of this state-of-the-art foundry ushers in a new era of growth for Charlotte Pipe and Foundry and demonstrates our care and commitment to our associates, the plumbing industry, and American manufacturing.

Matt Michel

Plumbing With a Purpose

You pulled the trigger, hung out your shingle, and transformed from plumber to plumbing contractor! Now what?

The first thing a new contractor runs into is the need to make the phone ring. You’ve got to book jobs to make a little bank to pay the unrelenting bills. It’s probably not too much of a problem because chances were good that you were doing a little work on the side, preparing for this day.

Let’s say you’ve got some business coming in. You’re paying the bills. You figured out how to file the myriad of federal, state, and local government forms and reports. You probably drafted your spouse to handle the bookkeeping (without pay, of course… and unfortunately).

Things start trucking along. You hire an apprentice or another plumber. It’s not bad, but it’s not great. You find, after a little time that it seems you are just going through the motions. Something is missing.

What’s missing is purpose. Oh sure, you’re providing for your family. But while that is purpose, you could do that working for someone else with less risk and a lot less paperwork. No, you need something bigger, a real purpose, something to drive you, something to compel you to leave your safe and familiar comfort zone. You need something to energize you.

Big Questions

Why are you doing this? What do you want your business to do for you? For your family? What do you want it to become? What is the end game? What do you want out of life that your plumbing business can provide?

There’s an old parable about a small boy who asks a stone mason what he’s doing. The mason says, “Can’t you see? I’m laying stones. It’s miserable, back breaking work.”

The boy walks up to another stone mason working nearby and asks what he’s doing. The mason says, “I’m building a wall. It’s hard work, but it pays well and allows me to put food on the family table and keep a roof over our heads.”

Finally, the boy walks up to a third

You need something bigger— something to drive you, something to compel you to leave your safe and familiar comfort zone.

stone mason and ask him what he’s doing. With a dreamy look and sparkle in his eye, the mason smiled broadly and said, “Can’t you see? I’m building a cathedral.”

The third mason had purpose. He was fulfilling a dream and it inspired him.

Dream big. Dream about a lifestyle you want for your family. Describe it. Envision it. Find pictures online of the type of house you want, the bass boat you crave, the vacations you dream about, whatever it is that you want. Quantify everything. What do they cost? Don’t worry how much it adds up to. Whatever the amount, the business can provide it… if you’re willing to build the business big enough. Instead of squeezing your lifestyle down to the profit the business throws off today, figure out the lifestyle you want. Then, build a business suffi -

cient to support that lifestyle. How big will you need to grow? What will a company of that size look like when you’re done?

Maybe material things aren’t that important. Maybe you want to build a business that makes a difference in your community, in the lives of your employees. Terrific. What does that company look like? Describe it.

Something Bigger Than Yourself

Purpose can result from lifestyle goals, service goals, or pure financial goals. Ultimately, lifestyle goals and service goals are financial goals. You just have to quantify them. Some contractors build magnificent companies to enable them to life a desired lifestyle. Some build significant companies to enable them to support mission work overseas. Some just want to build a

company to sell to create generational wealth. All are okay.

Whatever your purpose, it should be bigger than you. It should be compelling, a reason to get up and get after it every day. Making payroll is not it. Paying the bills is not it. That’s like a stone mason laying stones. Build your cathedral.

Until you figure out the purpose of your business, something will always be missing. Your business will essentially be a job. If that’s all you want, if your business adequately supports your current financial needs and you’re happy with that, great. Stay the course. But if, after years of running a plumbing business, something is just not right, maybe you lack purpose for the business.

Plumbing is a great trade. It’s an essential service. The country can’t function without plumbers. You deserve all of the success and satisfaction you can get. It starts when you begin plumbing with a purpose.

Order Matt Michel’s new book, “Contractor Stories” on Amazon. See him speak at the Service World Expo in October. Learn more at www.ServiceWorldExpo.com.

Cathedral on the Piazza del Duomo in Milan, Italy.

Cementing Legacies

When you choose Oatey, you choose a name backed by more than a century of excellence in the plumbing industry. With specialty formulas that address the needs of every solvent weld application, Oatey gives you the confidence in knowing you’re not just welding pipes –you’re creating a bond for life.

by Candace Roulo TECHNICAL WRITER

Driver Safety and Training Top of Mind for Owners and Employees

As a plumbing or mechanical contactor business owner, you are focused on a safe workplace / workspace and want to ensure your employees are as safe as possible when servicing the community. Plus, you want to keep your liability risks as low as possible.

Depending on how large your company’s service area is, driving to jobs could be a few miles or 50 miles or more for your employees. While they are on the road, they may come across some dangerous driving situations. Also, it is easy for us to become complacent regarding driving and safety. We are all so accustomed to our own driving style that we may be taking some unnecessary driving risks, and we don’t even realize this until an accident happens. None of us want or need a traffic accident to be our wakeup call.

Resources to Stay Safe Behind the Wheel

The Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors (PHCC) Association shares information on a regular basis with its members about the importance of driver safety. The association supports various distracted driving awareness initiatives, such as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month every April by the National Safety Council (NSC). Although it is past April, if you are a member of the NSC you can still obtain tips and best practices to implement at your company. Also, June is National Safety Month and weekly safety topics include Roadway Safety, Safety Engagement, and more. Also, PHCC Corporate partner Federated Insurance offers DriveSAFE Telematics to association members. The Federated DriveSAFE program leverages technology to give plumbing contractors consistent feedback about their driving habits, enabling your employees to stay safe on the road every day. The feedback will make your employees more aware of their driving habits and can help decrease accidents, injuries, litigation, reputational damage, and many expenses associated with a crash.

None of us want or need a traffic accident to be our wakeup call.

The Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) also offers members resources for safe driving. The association offers many articles and videos on driver safety best practices—from how to limit drivers’ distractions to protecting your business from risky drivers. With these resources, you will learn the importance of a fleet management system.

Accountability

Fleet management systems can help reduce your exposure to negligent entrustment, which can stem from employees driving company-owned vehicles, their personal vehicles, or other vehicles on company business. Negligent entrustment is a legal concept that holds someone responsible for entrusting another person with a dangerous object, such as a vehicle or firearm, that causes harm to a third party.

According to the article Protect Your Business from Risky Drivers, your fleet management program must be followed and documented, and management must be held accountable for implementing the fleet management program.

The areas your company’s fleet management program should focus on include:

• Driver selection procedures that

include review of employee motor vehicle records.

• New employee orientation and training.

• Ongoing driver training on safe driving behaviors.

• Post-incident or post-accident review and training.

• An enforced policy limiting driver distractions, such as cell phone usage and texting.

• A drug and alcohol testing program.

• Adherence to local, state, and federal laws.

• An enforced disciplinary procedure for violations, which includes reviewing of driving privileges.

• Reviewing motor vehicle records for all drivers on an annual basis; and removing the employee from driving positions if he or she develops an unacceptable driving record.

Building a Safe Driving Culture

There are many telematics companies to pick from that focus on driver training and safety. For example, with GeoTab you can set up a fleet safety program. Beyond keeping your employees safe, a well-executed fleet safety program can greatly reduce costs associated with accidents. The GeoTab solution is just one

part of the program—a culture of safety needs to be promoted amongst company employees and they need to have the attitude that safety comes first.

In the Geotab blog How to build a fleet safety program—A step-by-step guide , it is suggested that companies set up a Safety Council as a best practice. The safety council can meet on a regular basis to analyze all collisions—both preventable and unpreventable—as well as all exceptions outlined in the fleet safety policy.

Driver coaching and telematics can help you identify at-risk drivers that you can then work with, according to Mix by PowerFleet. You can assign your employees a safety score and rank them based on events that you define, like speeding, harsh braking, and more. This enables you to identify high-risk drivers and provide them with the coaching they need to improve their driving skills.

Telematics apps, such as MyMiX, track driver performance and give them access to the results, so they can see if they have improved or not. This app can motivate drivers to improve because they can see their scores and compare them to their previous results. They are also ranked against other drivers, which can promote a competitive spirit. This can motivate employees to build better habits and improve scores.

Employee attitudes are most important when it comes to driving and safety, according to Kenny L. Calkins , president and owner of Cloverdale Plumbing, Boise, Idaho. “We do a drivers check before hiring someone and our insurance also monitors them, along with GPS. We let them know when we see problems and we work with them to fix driving issues. Driving school for our employees is not necessary since it’s more about their attitude than anything else.”

Candace Roulo, a graduate of Michigan State University’s College of Communication Arts and Sciences, is a technical writer covering topics in the mechanical contracting, manufacturing and supply chain industries.

by Lynn Karam FOUNDER AND CEO OF LEK MANAGEMENT INC.

Beware These 5 Cash Flow Killers

ash flow is the lifeblood of every business.” There’s a lot of truth in that simple statement. However, some contractors don’t realize the importance of cash flow management until it’s all too late. We cannot over-emphasize the role that cash flow management should play in the everyday decisions made by contractors, in order to ensure business operations won’t be halted. Poor cash flow can result in the inability to meet obligations such as payroll or paying suppliers’ invoices, causing costly delays and adversely affecting the reputation of the business. In inflationary environments, the lack of cash flow management will expose weaknesses quickly, resulting in mounting pressure on daily business operations.

When analyzing the most common Cash Flow Killers at any business, there are five main suspects: Failure to negotiate contracts from a cash flow perspective, incorrect timing of cash inflow and outflow, utilization of automatic vendor payments, excessive overhead expenses, and utilizing predatory business loans.

Identify Issues That Hurt Cash Flow

The effects of the failure to negotiate contracts from a cash flow perspective is commonly overlooked. Sometimes contractors are anxious to secure a contract and they do not consider how the terms of the contract can affect their cash flow. Take, for example, the “pay when paid” clause in a contract, which enables the prime contractor the right to wait until they get paid before having to pay a sub-contractor’s invoices. Clearly this clause puts the sub-contractor at the mercy of the prime contractor. The sub-contractor may wait months or even a year after they have performed the contracted job to get paid.

At the heart of cash flow management is the timing of cash inflows and outflows. Incorrectly calculating the timing for customer and vendor payments can be detrimental to a contractor. Negotiating terms with vendors and sub-contractors is advisable to obtain favorable terms for the

We cannot over-emphasize the role that cash flow management should play in the everyday decisions made by contractors.

contractor, particularly while negotiating customer payment terms; it’s important to keep track of the dates when payments are due, and to diligently follow up, in order to accurately manage cash flow.

Automatic payments have been encouraged to avoid late payment fees and maintain good relationships with vendors. However, setting up automatic payments could result in a loss of control over the timing of the payments.

While there are benefits to reducing accounts payable, it is advisable to pay your tier one vendors prior to paying tier two vendors. There are advantages to categorizing vendors by tiers. Create a series of tiers to which you assign vendors. Those who would cause the most disruption to your operation should be assigned to Tier One, and must always be paid first. Other vendors should be assigned to subsequent tiers based on their likelihood to affect operations. This strategy will enable contractors to take better control of their cash flow, and help prevent or

minimize issues with daily operations. Excessive overhead can put negative pressure on cashflow. Setting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for operating expenses will set a target for the business expenses. Contractors should constantly monitor changes in expenses to find opportunities to minimize overhead, which will in turn improve cash flow.

In inflationary environments, such as the one we are currently experiencing, being proactive by taking action, such as approaching current vendors for better terms and seeking new vendors with more favorable terms, will help mitigate overwhelming cash obligations.

Do You Really Need Another Loan?

Contractors who have challenges securing conventional loans sometimes become victim to predatory loans with high interest rates and weekly or daily repayment terms. These types of loans can put excessive pressure on contractors to allocate loan

repayments immediately and consistently. Many times these lenders require automatic payments from contractors, which subsequently causes them to further lose control of their ability to manage cash flow.

Revitalize Your Cash Flow

A strong cash flow management system can take time to create and implement, but when contractors experience the benefits of accurate cash flow management, they often wish they had implemented an effective system sooner. Speak to an accounting or finance professional to assist with the implementation of a cash flow management system in your business. This is one system that will consistently produce great results.

Founder and CEO of LEK Management Inc., Lynn Karam has two decades of experience in finance, operations, and strategic planning. Karam is an Enrolled Agent authorized by the United States Department of the Treasury to represent clients who are undergoing an audit and to negotiate with the IRS on her clients’ behalf. Her success rate in resolving even the most challenging of IRS scenarios has become the cornerstone of her success. As CEO, Karam uses her financial expertise to establish sustainable strategies that result in significant business growth for her clients.

by Heather Ripley FOUNDER AND CEO OF RIPLEY PR

Spinning Community Involvement Into Public Relations Gold

While spinning straw into gold is unfortunately only possible in a child’s fairy tale, the ability to take something we use for one thing and repurpose it into something beneficial elsewhere is a talent that few have.

But that’s exactly what an effective public relations strategy can do for your home service company’s community involvement.

Studies have shown that younger generations expect that the companies they do business with give back to their community. They want to know that the companies they patronize have a purpose beyond simple capitalism.

And, while many companies have seen the writing on the wall and have started promoting their corporate giving to entice customers, that really shouldn’t be why you choose to give back. And, if that’s all you’re doing, consumers will figure it out and take their business elsewhere.

Hopefully, you are already donating time, money or services to a local charity or nonprofit that you truly care about. You have a vested interest in your service area, and supporting the needs of your neighbors allows you to make the personal connections that strengthen your role in the community.

So, how do you let consumers know about your service without being self-serving?

Be Genuine

Consumers are smart. As mentioned above, they know when you’re simply fundraising for a charity to get good press coverage. You don’t want a black mark in your community.

That’s why you need to consider supporting nonprofit organizations that you are passionate about. Or you could involve your employees in choosing a project they will be passionate about. If your staff enthusiastically support your cause by posting on their personal social media channels or are seen in the community donating time, potential customers will take notice.

Supporting the needs of your neighbors allows you to make the personal connections that strengthen your role in the community.

You can also evaluate the real needs in your community and choose a charitable organization that addresses those needs. If homelessness is the biggest problem, align yourself with a group that offers help to the unhoused. Or, perhaps stray animals are in abundance in your town. If so, working with humane groups to find homes for these animals while providing for spay and neuter clinics may be the best fit.

You should also consider donating your services. Nonprofits and charities have infrastructure issues, too, so offering to donate repair and maintenance services or products aligns perfectly within your industry.

Finally, you can consider charities that align with your company’s long-term goals. If your goal is to attract more professional tradesmen, then you can help local trade schools. Or if you are a member of GreenPlumbers®, you may donate time cleaning up local waterways.

Enhance Your Brand

In the trades, your company’s reputation can be the reason a customer picks

you over your competition. And, by getting involved in your community, you can show customers in your area that you are committed to giving back.

If your team is planning to volunteer at a local shelter or you’re running a drive or holding an auction to raise money for your nonprofit of choice, you should make sure that the community is aware of your efforts.

Issue a press release and post it on your blog and social media channels. These all help you build relationships with your local media and with other people in the community who hold similar values.

You shouldn’t focus on what you are doing but on how what you are doing helps the community.

PR is the art of telling a story and building relationships. If you make sure that you are serving the needs of your community, you’ll build relationships with the local media and others who can help you spread the word about your fundraising events.

This, in turn, allows you to garner positive exposure and solidify your good name in the community. It’s a

win-win for your company and for the people you are helping.

Build Content

In addition to all the goodwill you are spreading, you’ll also give your PR and marketing teams a chance to turn your efforts into a content development boon.

The information, images and videos that can be gathered at fundraising and volunteer events are like gold for content development. Not only will there be a pre-event press release, but there are also opportunities to post about the event while it’s going on and chances to talk about the problems your event will help solve after the event.

Images of people being helped by your work or your team being immersed in giving back are always great to have on hand to use on your website, blogs, social media and even in your advertising and customer outreach.

Build Relationships

Your involvement in your community will also help you build relationships with other business owners. Not only can you plan to partner with likeminded businesses to sponsor bigger and more diverse events, but you can also build up a referral network.

Having other well-respected business owners in your community vouch for you and your services is the kind of word-of-mouth advertising all companies wish they had.

You are also sure to run into your local media while out in the community, and the relationships you build with them reap the rewards of being considered a go-to expert on the plumbing and trades industries when they need a quote. They know you, so they think of you when developing their stories.

But juggling all this could prove to be difficult, particularly if you don’t have a dedicated employee on staff to help you develop content and develop relationships with media outlets and

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by Ron Piester VICE PRESIDENT OF MEMBERSHIP & STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT FOR THE INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL

Building Safety 101: Understanding the Basics for a Safer Tomorrow

Building safety includes a wide range of best practices, including implementing fire suppression systems, conducting regular inspections on existing buildings, providing clear access to emergency exits, employing sustainable water and energy usage and more.

By understanding and adhering to these practices, communities can mitigate the risk of accidents, and promote sustainable development and resilience efforts against potential disasters—ultimately creating a secure environment for everyone.

Every year during May, the International Code Council holds its Building Safety Month campaign to help raise awareness about the importance of building safety and educate the public on how to ensure their communities are resilient and sustainable.

Responsibility for building safety is crucial for us all, starting with understanding the basics and keeping our friends, families and neighbors safe.

Understanding Building Codes and Standards

Modern building codes and standards help ensure the design and construction of safe, sustainable and affordable buildings.

These codes are developed through careful deliberation and expert insight, created to safeguard lives and property in the face of potential hazards. Understanding where they come from can help us see why they’re important, however, the true strength of building codes lies in their adoption and proper implementation.

At the forefront of these efforts are organizations like the International Code Council, whose code development process for the International Codes® (I-Codes) has provided the highest level of safety in the world for more than 90 years.

You can contact your local building department to understand which building codes and standards have been adopted in your community. Embracing the importance of these codes

means prioritizing safety and resilience, laying the foundation for a secure built environment for generations to come.

Building Safety at Home

Building safety isn’t just the responsibility of code officials and industry professionals, it’s something every person can actively contribute to as well.

Small actions at home, such as installing smoke alarms and carbon dioxide detectors, can make a big difference in preventing disasters and protecting lives. These devices can be literal lifesavers, alerting you to danger before it’s too late.

It is also important to educate yourself and your family about fire safety

together, communities can promote these codes, fostering safer environments for all. Also, engaging in disaster preparedness initiatives at the community and individual levels is vital for minimizing potential risks.

Additionally, advocating for accessibility features in buildings is crucial to ensure equal access and inclusion

Responsibility for building safety is crucial for us all, starting with understanding the basics and keeping our friends, families and neighbors safe.

protocols. Knowing what to do in an emergency can be the difference between panic and a quick, safe evacuation. Maintaining a clear escape route is crucial to ensure there are no obstructions in case of an emergency, especially during a fire.

By taking these individual actions, you not only safeguard your own home but also contribute to a safer environment for everyone.

Building Safety in Your Community

Community involvement is essential for ensuring building safety, as it empowers individuals to actively contribute to the resilience of their neighborhoods.

Advocating for the adoption and implementation of modern building codes, such as the I-Codes, is a crucial step in this process. By working

for all members of your community, including those with disabilities. These features not only enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities but also benefit everyone such as parents with strollers or elderly individuals with mobility limitations.

Building codes incorporate accessibility features by mandating specific requirements for things like automatic doors and bathroom facilities, ensuring that new and existing buildings are accessible to all.

Building Safety Careers and Membership Organizations

Helping to make communities safer begins with active participation, and becoming a building safety professional can give you the opportunity to make a real difference. A career in building safety allows individuals to

play an indispensable role in ensuring the buildings in their community meet specific safety standards. To learn more about the different career opportunities within the industry, check out week three of the Code Councils Building Safety Month campaign at www.iccsafe. org/advocacy/building-safety-month/ bsm-week-3/.

Additionally, by joining a building safety member organization, like the Code Council, individuals gain access to a wealth of resources, networking opportunities and professional advancement. However, the benefits extend far beyond personal growth, as community involvement lies at the heart of these member organizations.

Building Safety Education and Awareness

Building Safety Month serves as a platform for raising awareness about the importance of building safety in communities. A key aspect of its mission involves educating individuals about various building safety measures and practices.

Through this annual campaign, individuals can gain access to a wealth of educational resources aimed at enhancing their understanding of building safety best practices. From informative brochures to practical tip sheets, Building Safety Month provides a range of tools to empower communities to prioritize safety in their built environments. By utilizing these resources and understanding building safety, individuals can make informed decisions and take proactive steps to ensure the sustainability and resilience of their surroundings.

Ron Piester is Vice President of Membership & Strategic Engagement for the International Code Council. To learn more about building safety and how to ensure you are taking proactive steps to ensure the safety of your home, check out the Code Council’s Building Safety Month website at www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/ building-safety-month/buildingsafety-month/.

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by A. J. Gajdosik

SENIOR LOSS CONTROL REPRESENTATIVE AT ACUITY INSURANCE

How a Loss Prevention Strategy Can Help Plumbing and Hydronic Heating Contractors

According to Bloomberg, the United States will be short of approximately 550,000 plumbers by 2027. Amid this labor shortage, skilled trade professionals now have more employment flexibility than ever before. To keep up with this change, business owners are finding it necessary to prioritize employee retention efforts. While fair compensation is an important piece of retaining top talent, it is likely not the only factor employees are considering when choosing to stay or leave. Prioritizing an environment focused on safety can signal to employees that they are cared for and valued.

Loss prevention, a risk management method, is the process of identifying, assessing and controlling a business’s risks, including factors that impact workplace safety, profitability and a business’s reputation. Through your insurance provider, you most likely have access to loss prevention resources that may come in the form of a person, department or resources to help you reduce your risk.

In my experience in loss control over the last 30 years, I’ve worked with hundreds of contractors with the purpose of improving business’s processes so they can work safer, have fewer incidents and meet their loss prevention goals. Following a loss control process can help you make informed decisions about where to focus your resources to reduce the frequency of exposure, the likelihood of an incident when an exposure can’t be avoided and the severity of the outcome if an incident occurs.

Potential Areas of Improvement

When it comes to plumbing and hydronic heating professionals, the areas of interests to help increase safety include falls, vehicle safety, ergonomics and tool safety. Here are a few reasons why:

• Falls are the most frequent cause of fatalities in the construction industry, and fall protection, 29

Following a loss control process can help you make informed decisions about where to focus your resources.

CRF 1926.501, was the most frequently cited Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard. Some areas to audit may be in walking on wet or slick surfaces, ladder safety, clearing walking areas, and covering holes.

• Driving is one of the most dangerous things we do. In addition to training on safe driving practices and reducing distractions, it may be worthwhile to check in on what you’re carrying in your vehicle. In those situations where you may need to stop suddenly, or turn quickly, your cargo items may end up feeling more like missiles. Load securement efforts may be able to help in this area.

• Working with plumbing and piping often requires workers to put themselves in awkward positions, lift heavy items and use a wide variety of tools. Training on ergonomics and tool safety can help with these concerns. When developing your loss prevention plan, consider your employees, procedures and tools. Loss prevention plans are not a one-size-fits-all item!

Communicating Safety

No matter what risks you’re trying to

mitigate, communication will likely be at the core of your loss prevention efforts. Through clear communications, contractors can set expectations and guidelines that not only can help keep their employees safe but also may reduce operational setbacks that impact the bottom line. A few communication touch points to consider include:

• Daily prework planning meetings — These can come in the form of safety talks, or daily huddles may look different based on the work being done, the team involved and the work environment. Some questions to consider when planning for these meetings are: Is there anything new or different about the site being worked on compared with others? What are the risks of the job being done that day? Have you had turnover since the last time a critical topic was discussed? These conversations can be tailored to the work the team will be completing that day, but they are also a good opportunity to revisit evergreen safety topics.

• Intentional two-way communication — Establishing a culture of listening and sharing can strengthen collaboration,

facilitate feedback loops and improve information exchange. It also can help build transparent relationships between leaders and their skilled workforce. Hydronic heating is specialized work, and your employees may be uniquely qualified to identify issues in the course of their work. Their feedback may be able to be incorporated to improve processes and safety.

Accidents Can Still Happen

Some risk is unable to be fully eliminated or controlled. In the unfortunate cases where incidents happen, it’s best to have a plan in place to respond. Your insurance company may be able to provide you a detailed incident reporting guide to follow, but some elements to consider incorporating are as follows:

• Sometimes the difference between an accident and a near miss comes down to fractions of an inch. These near misses can sometimes provide as many takeaways as an accident without as much lost in the process. Taking account of these and treating them with care can provide valuable information to employees and supervisors about their duties and responsibilities and how to respond.

• Investigate as soon as possible after an accident. Being timely in your investigation means better and more accurate information may be available, as conditions surrounding the accident may be able to be observed. It also shows concern for the safety and well-being of employees and supervisors.

• Investigate the who, what, when, where, why and how of each incident. Learning the specifics of the incident can help identify the root cause(s) of the accident and may provide insight into how to avoid this happening in the future.

• Use what you learned to take action. The appropriate action may

➤ Turn to Loss Prevention, page 58

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by J.P. Cahalan

SENIOR PROCESS ENGINEER AT XOI TECHNOLOGIES

Your Most Important Asset

Technicians are the face of any contracting business. Throughout the mechanical, electric and plumbing industries, the performance of technicians in the field is a critical element of a company’s reputation.

It’s not just the skill and expertise they bring to the job, though those are essential. In many cases, technicians are the only people representing your company that customers will ever see.

Successful contractors recognize the value of their technicians. They consider the real-world experience of their team members, who perform difficult tasks in demanding environments, and look for ways to empower them and ensure they have everything they need to complete the job successfully.

Many of the technology-based solutions have failed to enhance the experience of techs in the field.

That’s prompted widespread adoption of digital field solutions over the last decade. Employers are investing in tools intended to enhance the experience of the hard-working men and women on the front lines of our industry.

Living Up to the Promise

Unfortunately, many of the technology-based solutions that have emerged in recent years have failed to enhance the experience of techs in the field.

The digital transformation of the trades promised to streamline processes and communication, but many technicians feel overburdened by the amount of documentation and data entry that is now required for every job. Some technicians report using as many as nine different applications in a single day just to complete straightforward jobs.

In an increasingly competitive industry facing a chronic labor shortage and

the radical disruption of supply chains, it’s important to search for solutions that truly empower technicians, the people who are the heartbeat of field service.

Tech-Enablement Solutions

Tech-enablement solutions that put field workers first, allowing them to work better and more productively, are redefining how skilled trade workers interface with technology on the job and are producing dramatic results.

Tech-enablement solutions give technicians in the field the information they need to get the job done in a quick, safe, and accurate manner. Equipped with the right tools for the tasks, technicians can deliver better results in a more efficient and satisfactory way which allows them to be better at the jobs at hand.

Truly innovative platforms deliver support and equipment information in formats designed to elevate technician skills, not just provide a quick fix in order to close out a call. Every time a tech troubleshoots a new issue or solves a problem, that becomes a data point for that company. No other company has it, and that team has instant, democratized access. And the tech has added to his or her knowledge of the field with firsthand experience.

Features That Enable

Streamlined mobile access: Technicians need access to data in the field. Mobile-first user experience means designing software and applications for mobile devices first and then scaling up to desktop devices. The streamlined mobile-first user experience enables field service technicians to access critical data, such as service history, manuals, and customer information, with just a few taps. With mobile-first technology, field service technicians can work faster and more efficiently, reducing downtime and increasing productivity.

Advanced analytics: Tech-first technology must be able to examine large amounts of data quickly to

identify patterns and draw insights. It enables field service technicians to identify service and sales opportunities that might otherwise go unnoticed. For example, advanced analytics can help field service technicians identify patterns in equipment, such as when a particular machine breaks down frequently. This information can be used to recommend upgrades or replacements, increasing sales and improving customer satisfaction.

Optical character recognition technology: OCR functionality allows field service techs to instantly capture equipment and service data that can be accessed by other members of their team or on future jobs.

Knowledge management: Knowledge management is the process of capturing, organizing, and sharing knowledge within an organization. It enables field service technicians to access the information they need to solve problems quickly and efficiently.

For example, if a technician encounters a problem they have never seen before, they can quickly access relevant information, such as manuals, videos, and expert advice, through a knowledge management system. This approach enables field service technicians to solve problems faster, reduce downtime, and increase customer satisfaction.

The Training Advantage

From a training perspective, tech-enablement tools offer inexperienced technicians a quicker path to working

more independently. When technicians have reliable access to powerful AI- and data-based tools, they can save valuable training and support time. New technicians can become job-ready more quickly than they can with traditional training alone.

Facing the ongoing labor shortage, contractors can hire for attitude, not aptitude. They can prepare the new but inexperienced talent by training them with the tech-enablement tools. This allows the new talent to become more confident in the trade and to get out on the job faster.

By taking less time to prepare a new technician to become productive in their new trade, business owners can now recruit from a wider pool of talent, accelerate their onboarding process, and reduce their turnover rate.

Workforce Multiplier

A related advantage is that experienced technicians can remain productive, instead of serving as mentors to newer technicians who are learning on the job. When new technicians have tools that empower them to work independently in the field, experienced workers can be more productive.

As the market for skilled labor continues to present a challenge, employers may feel compelled to hire anyone, simply to meet customer demand. But it’s important to remember the value of effective technicians. Their performance in the field drives every facet of business.

You may not be able to hire a full team of experienced and fully trained techs today. But investing in your team and ensuring they have the proper digital tools to power extraordinary performance can enhance their experience—and empower them to deliver world-class service that helps set your business apart.

J.P. Cahalan is senior process engineer at XOi Technologies and he’s responsible for helping customers find multi-layered value and success with the XOi platform.

Oatey Becomes WiPP’s 15th Founding Sponsor

AURORA, CO — Women in Plumbing & Piping (WiPP) has welcomed Oatey Co., an industry-leading manufacturer of plumbing products, as its 15th founding sponsor, forming another strategic alliance with the aim of creating opportunities and fostering a supportive community for women in the plumbing and piping industry.

Since its establishment in 2022, WiPP has been committed to cultivating a vibrant and inclusive environment for women in plumbing and piping. With Oatey Co. joining as the 15th founding sponsor, WiPP celebrates another significant milestone in its journey, recognizing the pivotal role that our sponsors play in shaping the plumbing landscape.

Since its establishment in 2022, WiPP has been committed to cultivating a vibrant and inclusive environment for women in plumbing and piping.

Oatey Co.

Oatey is committed to supporting the vitality of the skilled trades, using its initiative The Fix to promote trades careers, debunk stereotypes and inspire the next generation of essential trades professionals. As part of The Fix, Oatey produces a podcast of the same name, featuring guests from across the industry with a shared commitment to improving the pipeline of skilled trades talent.

“At Oatey, we are passionate about spotlighting the rewarding careers available in the skilled trades,” said

Katherine Lehtinen , Senior Vice President of Marketing at Oatey and co-host of The Fix podcast. “That’s why we’re so pleased to partner with Women in Piping and Plumbing. By reaching traditionally underrepresented groups like women, we can tap into a new talent pool that will make a difference in our communities for generations to come.”

As one of the final spots at this exclusive level, Oatey Co. joins a select group of industry leaders dedicated to championing the advancement of women in traditionally male-dominated fields. Lehtinen emphasized the importance of involvement from manufacturers and companies like Oatey in movements like Women in Piping and Plumbing: “As manufacturers, it’s critical that we each do our part to combat the skilled trades shortage. Together, we can truly make a difference.”

Building Bridges

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Oatey as one of our final founding sponsors. With their support, we’re building bridges for women to excel in traditionally male-dominated fields,”

says Kim Gill , Executive Director of Women in Plumbing & Piping. “This partnership exemplifies our joint dedication to creating tangible opportunities and fostering a supportive community where women can lead and inspire.”

In addition to the founding sponsorship, Oatey Co. sponsored a WiPP panel at last year’s PHCC Connect Conference, further solidifying its commitment to supporting women in the trades and providing them with valu-

able opportunities for networking and professional development.

As a founding sponsor, Oatey Co. joins WiPP in its ongoing efforts to provide women with the resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities needed to excel in their careers and drive positive change within the industry.

For more information about WiPP and remaining sponsorship opportunities, please visit: https://www.womeninplumbandpipe.org/partner-program.

New Angi Report Finds Nearly 90% of Tradespeople Satisfied in Their Careers

➤ Continued from page 3

While concerns about AI replacing jobs are prevalent across industries, skilled trades professionals report feeling secure. According to Angi’s data, a staggering 90% of tradespeople are satisfied with their careers, a number that has grown since the pandemic. This high level of satisfaction stands out when compared to other industries.

“Jobs across industries–from software development to media to research to education–could face job loss as a result of AI, but skilled home professionals are resting easy,” said Angie Hicks, Co-Founder of Angi. “The significant majority have no concerns about AI taking over their jobs; in fact half of the pros we surveyed are excited to see how AI innovation can help them serve homeowners better.”

Key Findings From the Report

• Safe from AI: While new AI technology is expected to disrupt many industries, 65% of surveyed pros believe that their job in the trade labor market is safe from being threatened by AI while only 11% have concerns.

• Job satisfaction: Job satisfaction in the trades remains remarkably high, with nearly 90% of tradespeople satisfied with their choice of work, increasing from 83% since

the labor shortage as a problem vs. 77% since the pandemic. Workers aged 25-44 tend to be more optimistic about the future of the shortage, yet they are more

Other findings: 65% of surveyed pros believe that their job in the trade labor market is safe from being threatened by AI.

the pandemic. Pros cited finding meaning and value in their work, the overall compensation and flexible work hours.

• Labor shortage woes: Over 66% of pros agree that they would be able to grow their business if they could find more quality skilled workers, and nearly 40% of pros said they could not find employees to fill open positions. In order to attract employees, pros said they were offering incentives like health insurance, above average wages, and flexible work schedules.

• Younger generation outlook: Nearly 70% of tradespeople view

likely to say younger people are not joining the trades due to stigmas surrounding trade roles.

• Solutions: Pros cited the top two reasons for scant entrants to these fields as a lack of exposure to trade careers paths in high school and historical stigma. Sixty-five percent of pros said increased investment in high school trade preparation programs would help address this; 54% felt more should be invested in trade schools.

The Report identifies a pressing challenge—a skilled labor shortage impacting the industry. To address this gap, Angi has launched the Angi Trade Up

Fernox Celebrates its 60th Anniversary

Born from a light bulb moment by German engineer Peter Muetzel , Fernox has evolved exponentially over the years to what it is today: a global company that applies its knowledge to the local market, to provide an extensive range of chemical water treatments and filters for both traditional and renewable heating systems. This is thanks to its extensive research and development capabilities and a team of dedicated scientists and engineers that work to bring innovative solutions to market.

“We are so proud to celebrate such an incredible milestone,” said Ernie McDonald, Director at Fernox. “60

years strong and we have a great future ahead, with lots of innovations in the pipeline and exciting activities to celebrate our diamond anniversary. Although it’s important to look back and acknowledge everything we have

achieved, for the team this year, it really is all about the future— and we remain absolutely committed to the environmental efficiency agenda.”

Fernox has long been committed to training for installers and apprentices; continuing to lobby for the correct use of water treatment and implementation of industry best practice processes.

Now in its 60th year, Fernox has lots to look forward to with the launch of new products and technologies, customer engagement activities and continuing to work with charity partners.

For further information visit: www. fernox.com.

Initiatives, a comprehensive program designed to attract new talent to the trades:

• Angi Trade Up Scholarship Program: Providing scholarships for students pursuing construction-related trade school training programs, addressing the lack of exposure and potential financial barriers highlighted in the Report.

• Angi x BlueRecruit Partnership: Connecting job seekers on the trades job platform BlueRecruit with pros in the Angi network, tackling the issue of limited recruitment pipelines identified by surveyed professionals.

• Angi Trade Up PSA Campaign: Webinars, podcasts, and social media content aiming to raise awareness about the benefit of skilled trade careers, directly combating the stigma around the trades and lack of exposure cited in the Report.

Continued Hicks: “These are highly satisfying and secure jobs, critical to America’s infrastructure and economy. More people are starting to recognize this, but we need to continue to educate new job seekers about the incredible potential a career in the skilled trades holds. Through our Angi Trade Up Initiatives, we’re working to bridge the gap and ensure a strong future for the skilled trade industry.”

“We don’t want to be a country that has homes, but no plumbers. Yards, but no landscapers,” said Hicks. “Behind every home in America is a team of people taking care of it from the HVAC tech to the general contractor. That’s why Angi is so committed to addressing this challenge and getting more folks into the trades.”

Read the full Skilled Trades in America Report at research.angi.com/research/__skilledtrades/.

Learn more about how Angi is supporting the trades by visiting https:// b2b.angi.com/tradeup. More information about scholarships can be found at https://www.angi.com/articles/tradeup-scholarship.htm.

Department of Energy Finalizes Standards for Water Heaters

year on their energy and water bills, while significantly cutting energy waste and harmful carbon pollution.

The final standards for residential water heaters align with recommendations from various stakeholders, including efficiency and environmental advocates, the Consumer Federation of America, and a leading US water heater manufacturer. The standards would require the most common-sized electric water heaters to achieve efficiency gains with heat pump technology, helping to accelerate the deployment of this cost-effective, clean energy technology while also reducing strain on the electric grid.

Over 30 years of shipments, these updated standards are expected to save Americans $124 billion on their energy bills and reduce 332 million metric tons of dangerous carbon dioxide emissions—equivalent to the combined annual emissions of nearly 43 million homes.

Compliance by 2029

“Almost every US household has a water heater, and for too long outdated energy efficiency standards have led to higher utility bills for families,” said US Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm . “The Biden-Harris Administration is continuing to put American consumers first with new, effective rules—supported by industry—that save both energy and money.” DOE last updated residential water

heater efficiency standards, which are required by Congress, in 2010. Compliance will be required starting in 2029 for the new standards, which would result in over 50% of the newly manufactured electric storage water heaters to utilize heat pump technology, compared to 3% today. Replacing common-sized traditional electric resistance storage water heaters with electric heat pump water heaters meeting the new standards would save consumers approximately $1,800 on their utility bills, on average, over

Confidence in the Industry

The amended standards for electric storage water heaters in the most common sizes reflect the efficiency level of an entry-level heat pump storage water heater. These standards will more than double the efficiency of electric storage water heaters relative to today, while allowing for new product innovation in the heat pump water heating market such as the recently introduced 120-V heat pump water heater. DOE is confident in the industry’s ability to ramp up capacity to produce the volumes

The new standards are projected to save American households $7 billion in utility bills annually.

the life of the appliance, with total savings helping low-income households, who spend a higher percentage of their income on utility bills in particular.

Water heating is responsible for roughly 13% of both annual residential energy use and consumer utility costs, and these new standards will provide a savings of 10% of this usage relative to products currently on the market. The energy savings from this final rule over 30 years of shipments is 17.6 quadrillion British thermal units—the largest savings ever from a single DOE efficiency standard, representing more than the energy use of the entire US residential building sector in a single year.

necessary to support the heat pump water heating market that will be required by the amended standards, as demonstrated by a major manufacturer signing on to the joint stakeholder recommendation.

The amended standards represent a moderate increase in efficiency for gasfired, oil-fired and larger electric storage water heaters. DOE is still considering amended standards for gas-fired instantaneous water heaters, which are not addressed by today’s final rule.

Strengthening Congressionally-Mandated Energy Efficiency Standards for Appliances DOE continues to carry out Congressional mandates for energy savings that maintain

Watts Celebrates 150th Anniversary with Bell Ringing at New York Stock Exchange

Watts Water Technologies, a leading global manufacturer of plumbing, heating, and water quality solutions, rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Monday, May 6th, 2024, in celebration of their 150th anniversary.

The bell ringing symbolized Watts’ 150 years of service and innovation while also serving as a token of

appreciation to all the employees, investors, and customers who have played a role in shaping Watts into the industry leader they are today.

Key Watts personnel were present at the bell ringing, including the Watts Board of Directors, CEO Robert Pagano , the Watts Global Leadership Team, select employees, and valued customers. The event served as a

reminder of Watts’ rich legacy and commitment to innovation, excellence, and customer satisfaction over the past century and a half.

To see pictures and videos of the event, visit Watts’ Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn pages.

reliability and performance across household appliances and commercial and industrial equipment. Today’s actions are part of a suite of energy efficiency standards advanced by the Biden-Harris Administration this term that DOE projects will together provide nearly $1 trillion in consumer savings over 30 years and save the average family at least $100 a year through lower utility bills. DOE also estimates that these standards, once finalized, will cumulatively reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2.5 billion metric tons or more—an amount roughly equivalent to the emissions of 18 million gas-powered cars, 22 coal-fired power plants, or 10.5 million homes over 30 years.

These actions reinforce the trajectory of consumer savings that form a key pillar of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda while lowering costs for American families and businesses.

Incentives

The Inflation Reduction Act also expands the accessibility and increases affordability of heat pump water heaters through tax credits, rebates, and other incentives, making it easier for families across the nation to switch to a more efficient model when deciding to replace a water heater—and benefit from years of utility bill savings as a result.

For more information on cost-savings resources, consumers can utilize DOE’s Energy Savings Hub—an easyto-use online resource consumers can use to access the cost-saving benefits of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda

The website outlines clean energy tax credits and forthcoming rebates, helping people take control of their energy costs and have cleaner and more efficient options as a consumer. To learn more visit www.energy.gov/save.

DOE’s Building Technologies Office implements minimum energy conservation standards for more than 60 categories of appliances and equipment. To learn more, visit the Appliance and Equipment Standards Program homepage.

Try Rinnai Tour Kicks Off in California

PEACHTREE CITY, GA – Rinnai America Corporation—manufacturer of the number-one-selling brand of tankless gas water heaters in North America— kicks off its 2024 product launch with the unveiling of the newest addition to the “Try Rinnai Tour” fleet, a 26-foot long mobile showroom van equipped with the company’s latest product innovations. The launch events will take place on May 22 and May 23 in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Professional plumbers and contractors will gather for food, music, prizes, and in-person product training. These events will be the first of many in the US and Canadian markets throughout the remainder of the year. “We understand that our PROs are very busy running their businesses and often can’t leave their market for training,” said Frank Windsor , President, Rinnai

America Corporation. “The Try Rinnai Tour has been an extremely effective way to bring our products and services to the trade in their own markets. Rinnai’s brand promise of Creating a healthier way of living is at the forefront of our company’s efforts. By continuing to educate and train PROs on the latest technologies, Rinnai is aiding in providing homes and commercial buildings with energy-efficient hot

water options for cleaner and healthier living.”

New Innovations

Originally introduced in 2017, the Try Rinnai Tour will continue to traverse the country, providing in-person product training and educational opportunities for Rinnai’s PROs. The new product assortment will be included in the Try Rinnai Tour van fleet, comprising eight mobile display vans leveraged to introduce and train PROs on Rinnai products. Rinnai America announced in January 2024 four new product innovations in the water heating category, expanding the company’s product line to include electric solutions in addition to enhancing its highly efficient gas solutions with launches of new tankless

water heaters and condensing boilers. California played a significant role in the design of the products as several were developed to meet the specific needs of this important market, including the new Electric Heat Pump Water Heater.

Over the past few years, Rinnai has invested significantly in product innovation, opening its state-of-the-art innovation center in Peachtree City, Ga. The company’s innovation team, comprised of engineers, product directors, and lab technicians, worked in tandem to develop the products being launched by Rinnai in 2024.

To learn more about Rinnai’s products, built for the PRO, by the PRO, please visit www.rinnai.us.

Get more done with fewer parts in pool heaters, packaged units, water heaters, unit heaters, infrared heaters, gas furnaces, boilers and cooking equipment. And the White-Rodgers Connect app takes the guesswork out of configuration with hundreds of OEM factory settings preloaded, for quick and confident work on every call.

One of the tour’s 26-foot long mobile showroom vans.

Kohler Unveils AZ Manufacturing Facility

KOHLER, WI — Kohler Co., a global leader in kitchen and bath products headquartered in Kohler, Wisconsin, officially opened the doors to its new manufacturing facility in Casa Grande, Arizona, with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting event hosted by company leadership. Among those in attendance were Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs , some of the new Kohler associates filling more than 400 fulltime administrative and production positions, state and local officials, and Kohler customers.

The facility produces STERLING brand bath and shower fixtures and is approximately one million square feet on 216 acres with room for future expansion. The multi-million dollar capital investment features an innovative manufacturing facility, ancillary warehouse, distribution center, office space, and cafeterias. The site also includes a best-in-class showroom for customers and visitors to view leadingedge products.

Rapid Growth

“Arizona is a recognized hub of excellence for manufacturing, innovation, and sustainability, all of which are enhanced by the addition of Kohler’s new state-of-the-art facility,” said Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs. “As one of the world’s most recognized brands known for its commitment to sustainability and innovation, Kohler strengthens Arizona’s rapidly growing manufacturing industry.”

“We welcome our new associates to Kohler Co. and look forward to being an active participant in the greater Casa Grande community, contributing to its growing economy and quality of life, providing good-paying jobs and benefits, and offering opportunities for career development and advancement,” said Norbert Schmidt, President-Kitchen & Bath North America for Kohler. “The new plant provides the capacity to support our strong growth projections for STERLING to better serve our customers with the highest level of quality and delivery. We thank our loyal customers and partners who have been crucial in helping to build our STERLING business to what it is today.”

Greenfield plant produces STERLING brand bathing and showering products to meet growing demand and enhance customer experience.

Smart & Sustainable

The plant incorporates smart factory elements and production technology that create durable and stylish baths, shower receptors, and bath/shower walls. The company will also track key sustainability measures to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, water use, solid waste, as well as energy efficiency.

In March, Kohler was selected by the US Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations to

begin award negotiations for up to $51.2 million, matched by company investment, to demonstrate a commercial scale decarbonization solution at the Casa Grande plant.

Kohler is pursuing an electric boiler and microgrid system and expects the upgrades to prevent at least 7,865 MT CO2e from being released annually. This represents a reduction of at least 90% of the pressing process emissions by eliminating CO2e emissions from

natural gas boilers. Kohler will incorporate electric boilers, install a 21MW solar array microgrid, utilize long-duration energy storage (LDES) batteries with 68MWh of storage, and install 12MW of HVO-capable KOHLER industrial backup generators. The LDES batteries coupled with advanced microgrid controls eliminate all possible solar curtailment scenarios and enable the facility to run the boilers on renewable energy while performing solar smoothing, thereby reducing carbon emissions.

Additionally in 2023, Kohler supported a multi-year project led by Bonneville Environmental Foundation, Arizona State University, and Bridgestone to convert high water use crops to low water use crops to alleviate water stress on the local aquifers.

Win-Win

“The City of Casa Grande welcomes Kohler Company with open arms and is pleased that the organization has invested in us for the long-term. A global force in kitchen and bath, Kohler has established itself as a highly successful forward-thinking organization that cares for and contributes to its local communities,” said Craig McFarland, Mayor of Casa Grande. “We are proud to have Kohler as an integral member of our community.”

“Kohler’s new facility is a significant win for Casa Grande and Arizona,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “Kohler’s sustainable manufacturing facility showcases Arizona’s attractiveness as a premier global destination for advanced manufacturing. We’re grateful an iconic company like Kohler is investing in our state while creating hundreds of skilled jobs in rural Arizona.”

“In opening this massive factory in Casa Grande, Kohler is capitalizing on the advantages Greater Phoenix offers in serving its customer base in the western US,” said Chris Camacho, Greater Phoenix Economic Council President & CEO. “This globally recognized brand has found a home for manufacturing, warehousing and office space, and we’re thrilled to officially welcome them into the market.”

The ribbon-cutting ceremony included Governor Katie Hobbs and Kohler Co. Chair & CEO David Kohler.

The exterior of the new facility.

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US Water Heater Market Projected to Reach $5.08 Billion by 2029

DUBLIN, IRELAND —(BUSINESS

WIRE)— The “US Water Heater Market - Industry Outlook & Forecast 2024-2029” report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering.

The US Water Heater Market was valued at USD 3.45 billion in 2023, and is projected to reach USD 5.08 billion by 2029, showcasing a CAGR of 6.66%.

The competition among vendors in the US water heater market is quite intense. This market is highly fragmented, with many companies competing for market share. The rapidly changing technological environment could adversely affect vendors as customers expect continual innovations and upgrades. The three major vendors in the US water heater market are A. O. Smith, Bradford White Corporation, and Rheem Manufacturing.

The Midwest is the most significant contributor in the US water heater market, generating over USD 1 billion in revenue in 2023. The Midwest US is a large region encompassing many states, each with its own market dynamics and consumer preferences. Further, the more individuals and families settle in urban areas, the more reliable and efficient water heating solutions become dominant for daily living. In addition, the Midwest’s diverse climate, depicted by cold winters, necessitates using water heaters to provide warm water for domestic use, including bathing, cleaning, and cooking.

Trends and Opportunities

Rising Popularity of Tankless Water Heaters

The popularity of tankless water heaters is rapidly increasing in the US water heater market due to their several advantages. Their on-demand heating system makes them significantly more energy-efficient than traditional water heaters, lowering utility bills. This efficiency can also lead to eligibility for tax breaks and energy incentives in certain locations, encouraging homeowners to switch. In addition, the longer lifespan of tankless water heaters, often exceeding 20 years, appeals to those seeking

Research and Markets’ study finds the market is highly fragmented, with many companies competing for market share.

durable and cost-effective solutions.

The Popularity of Electrification Heaters in Commercial

The growing popularity of electric water heaters in commercialization in the US water heater market has been driven by their environmentally friendly attributes. Their easy installation process makes them convenient for various commercial settings. Moreover, using electric heaters contributes to decarbonization efforts.

Industry Restraints

High Installation Cost

The installation cost of a water heater includes various factors, making it essential to consider both labor and materials. The average installation costs range from USD 900 to USD 3,000, typically around USD 1,400. Furthermore, the hourly rates for local plumbers typically range from USD 50 to USD 200, with additional charges, such as electrician work, costing between USD 50 and USD 150 per hour. Apart from labor, the expenses include parts and materials necessary for

a successful and efficient installation. These materials include pipes, fittings, pipe thread compound, pressure release valves, solder, venting pipes, connectors, and water & gas piping. The complexity of the installation increases the demand for additional materials, impacting the overall replacement cost.

Insights by Product

The US water heater market by product is segmented as gas and oil, electric, heat pumps, and solar. The gas & oil segment accounted for the highest industry share in the product type segment. Gas & oil are highly popular among end-users and have a wide customer base due to the low cost of natural gas. Gas and oil water heaters use gases such as natural gas and LPG, requiring a gas line hookup. Gas water heaters come in various sizes, ranging from as small as 20 gallons to as large as 100 gallons. Also, they boast an energy efficiency of more than 80-85%. By the end of the forecast period, gas & oil are expected to continue their dominance in usage and acceptance among

end-users and account for the largest market share in 2029.

Insights by Category

The US water heater market by category is segmented as storage and instant. In 2023, the storage segment held the most significant U.S. water heater market share. The surge in demand is attributed to the popularity of the storage water heater, which is driven by affordability, versatility, easy installation, high flow rate, and the ability to store hot water efficiently for long durations.

These features collectively contribute to the segment’s significance, reflecting the market’s preference for reliable, cost-effective heating products. Furthermore, the instant segment market growth can be attributed to factors like the increasing emphasis on energy efficiency, the low maintenance requirements, and the assurance of a continuous hot water supply.

Insights by End-User

The US water heater market by enduser is segmented as residential and commercial. In 2023, the residential segment accounted for the highest share in the end-user segment. The surge in demand can be attributed to a growing population, rising building permits, and continuous innovation in water heating technologies. Collectively, these drivers contribute to the sustained growth and prominence of the residential water heater industry. However, the commercial segment is projected to witness faster growth in the US water heater market during the forecast period.

With the rapid shift towards urbanization, significantly rising infrastructure, and increasing number of corporate offices, hotels, and restaurants, demand for water heaters is growing considerably from the commercial sector. Also, the healthcare sector substantially increases the demand for water heaters due to its stringent hygiene, sanitation, and infection control requirements.

Hydronics & R adiant

Presented in partnership with Radiant Professionals Alliance

Tricky Hydronic Install? Press Systems Can Make it Possible

Continued from page 33

with press we would have the boilers up and running in a fraction of the time it would take to solder all of the fittings… but what were the pros and cons of our situation?

Advantages of the Press System

The Press system had tremendous advantages. Techs that didn’t have solder skills could be successful installing press fittings, soldering large fittings was inherently challenging, there was no need to completely drain any pipes, press was very fast and rarely leaked, and press could be used for gas fitting too!

We ended up using Viega Mega Press fittings to do the gas piping for the two boilers. The existing black malleable iron piping was 1-1/4” for the main and each boiler was served with 1” pipe. We cut and pressed that in a fraction of the time it would have taken to cut and thread all of those pipes and nipples. Much cleaner too, with no cutting oil mess.

Drawbacks of the Press System

The Press system did have some notable drawbacks. Techs needed to anticipate treachery from the press process; there was no going back after it was pressed, and betrayal seemed to lurk with every press of the button. If the piping assembly was not successfully constrained then a plumb, level, and square piping assembly was seldom possible. Press fittings were more expensive than solder fittings, they couldn’t be reused, and you couldn’t heat up and realign a pipe or fitting to make it perfectly plumb or level.

Because the way in which an assembly would shift or move when pressed was inherently unpredictable, techs in the field could perceive that it wasn’t possible to make their work plumb or level or beautiful. With press you had to be absolutely confident that the press tool would be able to get to each fitting to

press it—which meant that now there was a critical sequence of which fittings to press and in what order so that you didn’t press yourself into a corner! Ha!

If you pressed the fittings in the wrong order you might end up with a fitting that you couldn’t reach with the press tool, and that would mean cutting out some of your work to get to that inaccessible fitting.

With soldering you could establish the highest standards of perfection in terms of plumb, level, and square and techs could build their skills with heat control and layout over many years of practice to arrive at mastery.

Press, to have same high standards of perfection as soldering, would require complete support and constraint of all fittings and pipe in all directions.

Strut to the Rescue – the speed of Press but still Plumb, Level, and Square

Our approach with our techs was simple: press was here to stay and few jobs moving forward (besides

Things at the End of a (Two-Pipe Steam) Radiator

➤ Continued from page 28

radiator from heating, but what can screw up this type of system is changing the radiator valve. A new valve in the wide-open position will allow too much steam into the radiator, which allows steam to get to the dry return to complicate our lives. To solve, close valve completely, slightly open, then tell homeowner to leave alone.

Unique Systems

There were many manufacturers in the steam heating business and there were many ways to design the home heating system around the components they produced. To list and explain every different system/ component configuration would take years.I try to understand these unique systems that I encounter by

tracing the paths of the steam, the air, and the water because the fundamentals can’t be ignored. Every system can be broken down into those three paths. If the system doesn’t work, start with the path of steam—sometimes it’s as easy as cleaning the boiler waterline. If the system needs improvement, start with the path of air—sometimes it’s as easy as adding air vents. If the system is noisy, start with the path of the water—usually it’s a clogged wet return.

Patrick Linhardt is a forty-year veteran of the wholesale side of the hydronic industry who has been designing and troubleshooting steam and hot water heating systems, pumps and controls on an almost daily basis. An educator and author, he is currently Hydronic Manager at the Corken Steel Products Co.

repairs) would be soldered. They could still achieve mastery and be capable of plumb, level, and square piping projects, but they would need to learn how to control and constrain the movement of the pipes and fittings during the Press process.

Our approach was to set up a framework of strut to which they could clamp their piping assemblies—this gave them the ability to constrain the piping. For this project, we set up a strut frame on the concrete floor—we then used cushion clamps to hold the piping perfectly square and level so that nothing could move during the press process.

How and where to install the cushion clamps was dictated by the experience gained from previous press betrayals. It would take more time to install additional cushion clamps, but that avoided a crooked assembly after pressing.

Press Makes the Project Possible

With all of our thinking and layout done, we were able to build the strut framework, press up our boiler piping subassemblies, connect them to the two boilers, connect the two boilers to the existing loop via closely spaced tees, and press up the gas piping in a fraction of the time it would have taken with soldering and cutting and threading pipe. We filled up the system and fired up the boilers and got the heat back on. No leaks and the boilers ran well.

Boiler piping almost done.

Bradford White Supports Home Repair Program

AMBLER, PA — Bradford White Corporation, an industry-leading manufacturer of water heaters, boilers and storage tanks, announced today a charitable donation of $10,000 to Home Repair Services (HRS) of Kent County, a nonprofit organization that offers income-based services to vulnerable homeowners in

the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. The donation will be directed to the repair program, one of HRS’s three key organizational pillars. The program is designed to address and resolve health, safety and sanitation concerns in area homes, such as water heater repair and replacement.

Assisting Families

“This funding will help provide essential hot water to improve the

How a Loss Prevention Strategy Can Help Contractors

➤ Continued from page 46 be different in each incident. Some examples of actions you could take after an accident are: discuss the accident and corrective action at the next safety meeting; develop a new or modified safety rule to address the cause; retrain employees on necessary information; include the hazard in a routine inspection checklist;

and add a new procedure to your training or orientation program.

• Avoid placing blame during the investigation. That may encourage employees to react defensively or hide information to avoid being blamed.

Check for Partnerships

While a well-developed, quality, loss prevention strategy may help you

Save Water, Save Energy.

NEOPERL®

reduce costly setbacks, insurance coverage can provide an additional layer of protection if things go wrong. Some insurance companies go a step further to provide services with the goal of proactively creating your safety programs, reducing claims and letting you focus on your work. If you’re interested in implementing a loss prevention program but unsure where to start, it may benefit you to contact your insurance company’s loss prevention department. This can help you identify risks and best practices that can reduce risk in your business.

A. J. Gajdosik is a senior loss control representative at Acuity Insurance. He is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), and he earned the Associate in Risk Management and Associate in Risk Management for Public Entities designations from the Insurance Institute of America. AJ is an OSHA-authorized outreach trainer for construction and general industry and teaches classes for the Great Plains OSHA Education Center.

health, safety and sanitation of homeowners in Kent County, many living on fixed incomes or facing any number of hardships,” said Rebecca Owens , senior manager of communications for Bradford White. “We’re proud to be part of this commitment to assisting families in the area live more comfortably in their own homes.” Home Repair Services completes over 2,000 critical repair jobs for low-income families each year, with over 150 of those repairs dedicated to mobile homeowners living with an average income of $21,929. There is no dedicated municipal funding to support these services. This donation will be used to address urgent water heater repairs, enhance the overall quality of housing in the county and create manageable, safe, and sustainable environments for homeowners and their families. “Bradford White’s donation will make a tangible difference to Kent County mobile home owners in need,” says Joel Ruiter, executive director at Home Repair Services. “Over the last four years our organization has helped 425 homeowners acquire new water heaters, ensuring critical access to hot water. Thanks to this donation, we’re confident we’ll be able to extend our efforts to even more families in the region.” To learn more about Home Repair Services (HRS) visit www.HomeRepairServices.org. To learn more about Bradford White Corporation visit www.BradfordWhite Corporation.com.

Community Involvement is PR Gold

➤ Continued from page 42

podcasters in your industry.

That’s where a PR agency comes in. Hiring communication experts that understand your industry and how your charitable support affects your community may be necessary to build a long-term plan. If you hire the right PR partner, your name will become synonymous with pride in the community and a willingness to help.

Spinning your philanthropic actions into PR gold doesn’t happen overnight, but having a long-term

public relations strategy in place helps you turn your good deeds into positive awareness.

Heather Ripley is founder and CEO of Ripley PR, an elite, global public relations agency specializing in the home service, franchising and B2B tech industries. She is the author of “NEXT LEVEL NOW: PR Secrets to Drive Explosive Growth for your Home Service Business,” which is now available on all audiobook platforms. For additional information, visit www. ripleypr.com.

IAPMO Supports Bill That Would Address Water Access Gap Affecting Underserved and Tribal Communities

WASHINGTON, DC — The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO®) is proud to voice its enthusiastic support for the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Access Data Collection Act of 2024 (WASH Access Data Collection Act), introduced in the US Senate Wednesday to study and devise solutions to the lack of running water and basic indoor plumbing that affects more than two million Americans.

Co-sponsored by US Senators Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon), and Ben Ray Lujan (D-New Mexico), the bill would establish an interagency Water and Sanitation Needs Working Group to conduct surveys and develop reports no less frequently than every five years and mandate development of a cost estimate for capital improvements necessary to ensure that all US households have access to reliable drinking water and adequate sanitation.

water is vital to the health and safety of all communities in Oregon and the United States. So many underserved communities lack access to safe basic necessities—this is wrong. The WASH Access Data Collection Act prioritizes data collection on water access needs across our country, which will help us address and eliminate the water access gap once and for all.”

Because no singular federal entity collects data on the scope of the water access gap, underserved communities such as people of color and lower-income residents of rural area and tribal lands often do not benefit from federal investments in water and sanitation infrastructure, with some even losing the limited access they do have.

Vital Legislation

“IAPMO is proud to once again support the WASH Access Data Collection Act,” said Dain Hansen , IAPMO executive vice president of Government Relations. “This vital legislation is designed to bridge significant gaps in our national water access data. It also establishes a federal interagency working group to enhance coordination and cooperation across the federal government, tackling water and sanitation needs more effectively. We look forward to working with Congress, federal agencies, and industry partners to better understand and to help close the water and sanitation access gaps so many communities across our country get the water and sanitation services they need.”

“IAPMO is profoundly committed to ensuring that every American has access to safe and reliable water and sanitation” said Dave Viola , IAPMO CEO. “The Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Access Data Collection Act of 2024 is a critical step forward in identifying the challenges and solutions needed

The bill would establish an interagency Water and Sanitation Needs Working Group to conduct surveys and develop reports.

to address the pervasive issues of water accessibility in our nation.”

Joining IAPMO in endorsing passage of the bill are the American Business Water Coalition, DigDeep, the Rural Community Assistance Partnership, Universal Access to Clean Water for Tribal Communities, the U.S. Water Alliance, and members of the Center for Water Security and Cooperation, Community Engineering Corps, GreenLatinos, Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health, Pacific Institute, Moonshot Missions, and Water for People.

Comments From the Sponsors

Sen. Wyden: “Access to clean drinking water is a human right. Yet, communities in Oregon and nationwide have repeatedly been left with contaminated water or none at all. Making sure there is accurate data that reflects the needs of all communities—and keeping agencies in lock step—is a crucial first step in closing the water access gap forever.”

Sen. Merkley: “Reliable access to clean drinking

Sen Lujan: “Every community in New Mexico and across the country, especially those on rural and Tribal lands, deserves reliable access to water. In order to make this a reality, the federal government needs the most accurate information to understand gaps in water access. That’s why I’m introducing this legislation that will improve federal capabilities to collect data on water access needs across the country.”

To read the bill in its entirety, visit: https://www.wyden.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/wash_ access_data_collection_act_legislative_text.pdf

For more information on the legislation, contact Dain Hansen at 202/445-7514 or dain.hansen@ iapmo.org.

US Senate Building, Washington, DC.

NEW FACILITIES SHOW LAUNCH

The facilities expo team is excited to announce that the Facilities Expo is coming to Reno, Nevada on August 21-22, 2024! It was decided to expand the facilities expo to Reno, NV due to the increasing demand in the growing market and the positive feedback received from existing exhibitors. The decision was made to tap into the potential of the Reno area and provide a platform for businesses to showcase their products and services in this thriving region.

DATE: AUGUST 21-22, 2024

VENUE: GRAND SIERRA RESORT AND CASINO

The Facilities Expo provides valuable FREE learning and networking opportunities in a unique format serving the Northern Nevada and Tahoe region. The Reno Facilities Expo attracts a diverse audience of facilities managers, maintenance managers, and energy managers from a wide variety of industries including education, entertainment, fi nancial services, government, healthcare, hospitality, logistics, manufacturing, technology, utilities, and others.

Here’s what you can expect at the Reno Facilities Expo:

• Exhibits: Explore a wide range of exhibits featuring the latest products, technologies, and services in facility management. Discover solutions to enhance productivity, sustainability, safety, and efficiency in your organization.

• Educational Seminars: Attend thought-provoking seminars and workshops led by industry experts. Gain knowledge and valuable insights on important topics such as energy management, predictive maintenance, safety codes and regulations, and more.

• Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow professionals, exhibitors, and industry leaders. Exchange ideas, collaborate, and expand your professional network throughout the expo.

• Product Demonstrations: Witness live demonstrations of innovative facility management solutions. Get hands-on experience with state-of-the-art equipment and technologies and learn firsthand how they can benefit your organization.

Don’t miss out on this exceptional opportunity to stay ahead of the curve in facility management. Join the facilities team at the Facilities Expo in Reno, Nevada on August 21-22, 2024.

Water Heaters

editor’s choice

AEROTHERM SERIES WATER HEATERS from Bradford White come in 50-, 65- and 80-gal. capacities. They feature an integrated smart control panel with full diagnostics, plus five operating modes: heat pump, hybrid, hybrid plus, electric and vacation. The control panel provides diagnostic information. The Energy Star-certified units offer Vitraglas lining, an engineered enamel formula that provides tank protection from the corrosive effects of hot water. Microban, an antimicrobial product protection, helps prevent the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew on the surface of the tank lining.

Bradford White Corp.

WWW.BRADFORDWHITE.COM

▲ NCC199CDV COMMERCIAL CONDENSING WATER HEATER provides a compact and versatile rack system that combines up to six tankless water heaters in a compact rack. The plug-and-play design simplifies installation, ensuring minimal disruptions to construction projects, retrofit operations or system upgrades. It features modulating burners and precise temperature control. Noritz America.

WWW.NORITZ.COM

1AURA HYBRID HEAT PUMP WATER HEATER

from

American Standard Water Heaters features i-Memory, a habitlearning algorithm that ensures hot water when needed and energy savings when it is not. Five unique operating modes are offered. With a Universal Energy Factor up to 4.01 and noise rating of only 49.1 dB, the unit also features one powered and one magnesium anode rod for dual cathodic protection.

American Standard Water Heaters

WWW.AMERICANSTANDARD WATERHEATERS.COM

is offered in two configurations: NHW-AI for interior installations and NHW-AE for exterior installations. Both are offered in 160,000 Btu/hr., 180,000 Btu/hr. and 199,900 Btu/hr. sizes in either natural gas or liquid propane fuel operation. Models feature the patented ComfortFlow recirculation pump and buffer tank, helping to eliminate the “cold water sandwich” and resolving low flow rate issues. Navien WWW.NAVIENINC.COM

ADAPT SERIES CONDENSING GAS TANKLESS WATER HEATERS

feature universal indoor and outdoor installation, 2and 3" dual pipe venting, ½" and ¾" gas lines and an indoor/outdoor power cord. The residential unit can be converted in the field from natural gas to liquefied petroleum gas with the included kit.

The single stainless-steel, heavy-duty heat exchanger design is paired with X3 scale prevention technology.

A. O. Smith

WWW.HOTWATER.COM

▼ HOMEADVANTAGE II TANKLESS ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS

from Eemax are engineered for optimal performance in new construction and residential applications, including point-of-use installations. Available models include the 8 kW, 11 kW, 13 kW, 18 kW, 24 kW, 27 kW and 36 kW. Compact and ideal for tight spaces. Features include zero standby heat loss when installed near the point of use, and a UEF up to 0.94. Eemax

WWW.EEMAX.COM

INTELLIHOT ELECTRON IE1 uses eco-friendly CO2 as a refridgerant. The no-storage, tankless, heat-on-demand unit is suitable for use in highpressure, multistory buildings. It is compact, lightweight, gridenabled, and offfers 24/7 factory monitoring via cellular connectivity. It can be installed indoors or outdoors. Intellihot

WWW.INTELLIHOT.COM

PROTERRA HYBRID ELECTRIC WATER HEATER delivers hot water faster than standard electric water heaters and offers the widest ambient operation range in its class, 37° F to 145° F. The unit also allows timeof-use scheduling and energy usage tracking through the EcoNet Wi-Fi technology system that connects directly to a mobile phone. Choose from five operation modes.

Rheem Mfg. Co.

WWW.RHEEM.COM

REHP SERIES ELECTRIC HEAT PUMP WATER HEATER from Rinnai delivers consistent hot water by extracting heat from the surrounding air and converting it to hot water while producing zero emissions. The micro channel heat exchanger condenser with the integrated heat pump water heater is designed to optimize heat transfer and enhance overall energy savings.

Rinnai America Corp.

WWW.RINNAI.US

GREENTRONIC 7000 T HYBRID ELECTRIC WATER HEATER features efficient heat pump technology integrated into an electric storage water heater. Available in 50- and 80gal. models, the residential unit is an ideal replacement for electric storage water heaters. Backup heating elements with 4.5 kW each are integrated into the unit. Bosch Home Comfort

WWW.BOSCH-HOMECOMFORT.COM

New Products

editor’s choice

LECTRUS LIGHT COMMERCIAL ELECTRIC BOILER

from Lochinvar is designed to fit a variety of residential and commercial installations. Available in a range from 15 kW to 150 kW, the unit can be installed in any indoor environment without losing performance—even in belowfreezing ambient conditions. Cascade up to eight units of varying sizes to create a system that best suits application needs. The SMART SYSTEM LCD operating control platform allows for modulation and staging of the elements to operate within the full kW range of the boiler. A fully modulating element bank allows for precise temperature control and close to 100% turndown.

Lochinvar

WWW.LOCHINVAR.COM

NEO

EXHILARATION FILTERED HANDHELD SHOWERHEAD from Speakman is made to remove bacteria and chemicals out of shower water. Available in polished chrome with flow rates of 1.75 gals./ min. and 2.0 gpm. It offers four distinct functions, pause control and a corrosionresistant finish. It features the patented Reaction spray with turbine impellers.

Speakman

WWW.SPEAKMAN.COM

THREE-PRONG ELECTRICAL CORD LOCK from Lock Socket is designed for use on sensitive equipment that needs to always remain plugged into a power source, such as construction sites. It fits around standard-size male electrical cord plugs. Remove the original outlet screw from the wall plate, plug in the cord, and secure the lock to the wall outlet using the proprietary security screw and provided Allen Key.

Lock Socket

WWW.LOCKSOCKET.COM

HYDROFLO VT SERIES VERTICAL TURBINE SUBMERSIBLE PUMPS

provide quiet, dependable performance for a wide range of applications. With fiveinch to 16" bowl diameters, they can serve applications where 100 to 5,000 gals./min. are needed, or five to several thousand feet of head are required.

Taco Comfort Solutions

WWW.TACOCOMFORT.COM

▼ CTC MIDI/TSC 55 ENERGY SET COMBO KIT from Festool is a limited edition cordless combi kit featuring the CTC MIDI cordless compact dust extractor coupled with the latest generation TSC 55 K cordless track saw. Fitted with an Energy Set Systainer exclusive to these combo kits treamlining workflows by providing constant charging.

Festool

WWW.FESTOOLUSA.COM

▲ EVANSTON WORK BOOT from Keen Utility offers the protection of a work boot with the feel and flexibility of a sneaker. Features a responsive KEEN.ReGEN cushioning that provides up to 50% energy return with every step, and carbon-fiber safety toes that are unobtrusive and 15% lighter than steel. The waterproof, breathable membrane and full-grain leather upper protect against job site messes.

Keen Utility

WWW.KEENFOOTWEAR.COM

▲ EZRA KITCHEN AND BATHROOM COLLECTIONS offer sharp lines, soft curves and ceramic disc valves that deliver long-lasting performance while uplifting any space. The kitchen collection offers two single-handle kitchen faucets and one single-handle bar faucet. The bath collection offers two lavatory faucets.

Peerless Faucet Co.

WWW.PEERLESSFAUCET.COM

▼ SENSOWASH CLASSIC from Duravit includes a wrap-over lid that integrates a full package of functionality. Features premium odor extraction with a filter that can run for 100,000 hours before replacement, seat heating, automatic lid opening, and more. It can be controlled by the fixture’s touch buttons, or via the remote.

Duravit

WWW.DURAVIT.US

▲ PU130 ELECTRIC

EQUIPMENT

MOBILE CHARGING UNIT enables off-grid rapid recharging of electrified construction equipment. It includes 48 V direct-current, fast-charge technology to service a full workday and beyond. In addition to recharging at a 20 kW charge rate, it can simultaneously provide 40 kW of jobsite power to support tools, lighting, office trailers, and more.

Volvo Construction Equipment WWW.VOLVOCE.COM

▼ COLD-SHOT PIPE FREEZING KIT uses carbon dioxide in dip-tube cylinders to freeze liquids in steel, copper, cast iron, aluminum or plastic pipe— diameters from 1/8" through 2"—in minutes.

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by Steve Spaulding

Why Don’t the Kids Want to Work?

This month I attended two very special meetings I always feel privileged to take part in.

The first was the Eighth Emerging Water Technologies Symposium, which brings together some of the finest minds in the industry to share problems, solutions and discoveries that are on the cutting edge of science and policy.

The second event, co-located with the EWTS, is the Plumbing Industry Leadership Coalition. Since so many representatives of the top water organizations attend the Symposium, why waste the opportunity to get them all in a room to discuss the industry’s top concerns?

Attending organizations for the PILC included PMI, IAPMO, the RPA, ASSE, the PHCC-NA, ARCSA, ASPE, and the WQA, with special presentations from the EPA and NIST. (For those unfamiliar with all the acronyms I’m sorry I don’thave more space!)

My coverage of the EWTS and the PILC are going to have to wait for next month’s issue. But here I want to

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talk about a sentiment I encountered several times during both meetings— and at lunches and around the hotel bar—a sentiment I’ve heard from readers and from many columnists over the years: why don’t the kids want to work?

In attempting to address the skilled workforce shortage there have been lo-

First, I would like to point out that that attitude is not universal. Our Under 30 All Stars feature starting on pg. 24 highlights some young people (one only 18!) who are making careers and excelling in the plumbing trade.

But, for many young people, there is a strong perception—and remember, this is

It looks like a hopeless situation— and if it’s hopeless, why bother?

If you’re over fifty and talking to potential hires is part of your job you’ve probably sat across from a young person and felt the resentment coming off them and wondered, “what is this kid’s problem?” The problem is they see zero chance of ever owning a home, starting a family, or having something that resembles a meaningful life—and they probably blame you.

cal, state and federal programs. There have been private programs, union programs, association programs. And they all seem to hit the same stumbling block: young people who are apathetic; who don’t want to show up on time; who don’t want to learn; who quit at the drop of a hat. The way I’ve heard it phrased is, “we can teach everything but attitude—but without the right attitude we can’t teach anything.”

So where is this bad attitude coming from?

a perception, although based in reality— that they are inheriting a series of dysfunctional systems from the generations that came before. Climate change is a big factor, but so are the skyrocketing costs of healthcare, education and housing.

So then, the odds already set against them, they enter the workforce. And there they see a system that does not seem set up to benefit them, or to benefit their communities, but seems instead set up to benefit only a tiny segment of the ownership class.

Like I said, this is a perception, and perceptions can be changed. But it isn’t enough to say, “this isn’t that kind of job,” or “I’m not that kind of boss.” They need to be shown a better life is possible. So talk to them about your own journey in the trades. Talk about the hours you’ve put in, but also about what you’ve been able to get back—the nice car, the boat, the lakehouse—and about what you’ve been able to give back—the little league team you sponsor, the company food drive, the charity installation work. The kids these days do want to work— but they need something to hope for.

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