Your News for September 7, 2015
Register Today for MCAA's 2015 Student Chapter Summit
Registration Deadline Extended for 2015 Student Summit

If you've been thinking about attending the 2015 Student Chapter Summit (October 1-3, Cleveland, OH), you have a bit more time to sign up. The registration deadline has been extended to September 11. The program features a construction technology showcase, excellent speakers on the technologies and software that contractors are using to plan and manage projects, a tour of the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame, a visit to the Great Lakes Science Center, the annual mini competition and the announcement of the 2015-2016 Student Chapter Competition project. The Summit is also an excellent resource for recruiting interns and young professionals. MCAA student chapter members from the best construction management, M-E-P and engineering schools in the U.S. and Canada will be at the conference to learn more about our industry, network and show off what they know about mechanical systems and the business of mechanical contracting. There's no fee for this conference.
Contact the Hilgeman Group to Register
Sign Up for OSHA Confined Space Training

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) recently established confined space safety regulations for the construction industry - which includes all mechanical construction contractors - that will take effect on October 2. A training webinar is available to help prepare your affected personnel. The webinar, which takes place on September 17 (8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Eastern time), is for those employees who have the potential for entering a confined space on a job site and those who may be a confined space attendant, entry supervisor or rescue personnel. Presented by the Hilgeman Group, the course covers: OSHA's new standard; learning how to identify "confined spaces" and if they are "permit required;" understanding the responsibilities of all affected personnel; identifying when OSHA's "alternate entry" and "reclassification" procedures may be used; reviewing and understanding the "Rescue & Emergency Services" requirements; and reviewing the most common confined space mistakes.
Download the Latest Management Methods Bulletins
New Management Methods Bulletins Released

MCAA's Management Methods Committee has released three new bulletins that will help mechanical contractors plan and manage more efficient, productive and profitable projects. Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) (JM 12) discusses a project management approach that involves all the parties involved in a project - including the owner - at the earliest possible stage to enhance collaboration and minimize waste. Minimizing the Risk of Poor Site Conditions (JM 13) presents strategies for dealing with unanticipated site conditions that, left unaddressed, could significantly impact productivity. If you are considering integrating Building Information Modeling into your operations, BIM - What Is It and Is It Right for My Company? (TC 3) will help you sort out the issues that you may consider before making this technology jump. These and other bulletins contained in MCAA's Management Methods Manual are free as a benefit of MCAA/MSCA membership and available for download.
Learn Why McKinstry Is PM's 2015 Mechanical Contractor of the Year
McKinstry Co. is PM's 2015 Mechanical Contractor of the Year

Plumbing & Mechanical has named McKinstry Co. (Seattle, WA) its 2015 Mechanical Contractor of the Year. The plumbing and piping company started in 1960 with six plumbers and is now a multimillion-dollar firm (2014 revenue of $573 million) with 1,800 employees in 25 offices and performing work in 24 states. McKinstry is a design-build-operate-maintain company with 19 facility management services sites that help customers implement energy-efficient heating and cooling programs and save on utility costs. McKinstry serves its clients for the life of their buildings. This is part of what the company calls "a total commitment to collaboration," according to Dean Allen, chief executive officer. Congratulations!
Learn How to Lead through Culture
Gain Insights on Software Selection with Jennifer Davis

One of the most critical business decisions a contractor faces is the implementation of new software. There are several phases to an effective implementation, and each one is essential for the success of the overall process. Join Davisware President Jennifer Davis at MSCA 2015 (October 18-21, Colorado Springs, CO) for her presentation, Business Software Selection: The Top 10 'To-Do's and Not To-Do's' When Buying Software. During this session, Davis will explain the typical software selection pitfalls, how to choose who to have at the decision-making table and how to manage your staff and the changes inherent to the process. This interactive workshop will provide you with the tools you need to ensure the success of your new virtual business partner by addressing the language of technology and the proper way to keep everyone at the table accountable on the path to success.
Learn More About MCERF
Mid-Atlantic MCA Steps Up For MCERF

The Mid-Atlantic MCA made a unique and significant commitment to the Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation (MCERF) last week. The association made its second $5,000 contribution to MCERF in two months, bringing its total to $19,000...but that's not the biggest news! Mid-Atlantic MCA has committed to contributing $5,000 per month for the rest of 2015, and according to Executive Director Jack Weaver, will continue making the same monthly contributions in 2016, economic conditions permitting. Weaver indicated that his Board is fully supportive of the Foundation's efforts and activities, especially those that help contractors recruit and retain top professional talent. The MCERF Board of Trustees is very grateful for the support, which will help the Foundation continue its education and research activities.
Sign Up Now for Life-Saving Arc Flash Training
Sign Up Now for Life-Saving Arc Flash Training

Employees who work with or around electricity must know how to keep themselves safe from accidents, injuries or worse. The Arc Flash Safety Training Webinar provides training and information specifically designed for mechanical service employees who are exposed to electricity from HVAC work, electrical maintenance, troubleshooting, voltage testing, fuse testing, verifying a zero energy state, infrared imaging, etc. It is also designed for those employees who manage or supervise electrical workers and safety/engineering professionals who manage the company's Electrical Safe Work Practices program. Presented by the Hilgeman Group, the session covers all applicable OSHA and NFPA requirements (including the revised NFPA 70E requirements), best practices and provides participants with real-world accident information to reinforce the training. The next webinar is on September 24, 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Eastern time.
Register for the AIPM Today!
New Project Management Ideas Come from AIPM

Even if your most experienced project managers believe they know all there is to know about managing successful projects, new ideas and ways to solve job site challenges are coming along all the time. And, the Advanced Institute for Project Management (AIPM) is where those new ideas will come to light. It's designed to bring seasoned project managers up to speed on issues, practices and skills that will help them manage even more productive and profitable projects. AIPM's Class 12 will take place January 17-22, 2016 at the University of Texas in Austin, TX. Taught by top industry experts, the curriculum covers: 
  • Team building
  • Keeping customers for life
  • Legal issues
  • Staying on top of schedules and productivity impacts
  • Avoiding litigation
  • Operational management
  • Insurance and bonding
  • Goal setting
  • More
AIPM is for graduates of the Institute for Project Management with some project management experience or advanced project managers with considerable experience. This class is offered only once each year and it fills quickly.
Green Webinar to Focus on Green Building Codes

Your next sustainable building project could be impacted either positively or negatively by developments in green building codes. Make sure you're up to date on what's happening by participating in the next Green Webinar (September 24, 1:00 p.m. Eastern time), Courtney France of France Sustainable Solutions will explain how voluntary green certifications are stacking up, or lagging behind, recent developments in green building codes and standards. You'll find out how and where sustainable building design and construction standards are gaining strength in specific markets and regions across the U.S. She will also tell you how green building codes and standards are pushing sustainable building into our mainstream building delivery process throughout the country. This webinar is free as a benefit of MCAA/MSCA membership.
The MCAA National Update is a weekly publication of the 
Mechanical Contractors Association of America.
Questions? Contact Ann Mattheis, Editor, or call 301-869-5800.
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