Industry News
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Addressing workforce shortage is industry’s top goal
With a critical workforce shortage facing the construction industry, the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors -- National Association, the PHCC Educational Foundation, PHCC chapters and the PHCC Partners for Professionalism are taking steps to provide skilled and trained employees for the future.
During a press briefing today, representatives of all groups talked about ways they are addressing the employee shortage.
“The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the plumbing and HVACR industry need more than 100,000 new workers each year to replace those that are retiring and to fill new jobs that will be created,” said 2006-2007 PHCC President Jo Wagner. “To create awareness of this problem, the PHCC leadership team has made workforce development a top priority for PHCC.”
To tackle the issue, Wagner said the PHCC and its Educational Foundation met with several national groups over the past year to stress the importance of funding for a nationwide program to find and train future workers. Also, plumbing/HVACR apprentice textbooks were updated, an instructor conference was held and career brochures and student scholarships were made available.
She said there will be several initiatives launched in 2008, including a workforce development-oriented PHCC Leadership Conference in Spring 2008, a “tool kit” for use at the state and local level, state and local pilot initiatives and representation at national meetings.
Wagner and PHCC 2007-2008 PHCC President Jim Finley emphasized that all PHCC groups and the industry must work together to solve this problem.
Two PHCC chapters gave examples of how they are promoting training. California PHCC executive director Steve Lehtonen said California has several programs under way, including concentrated apprentice training, code refresher courses, career fairs, Web site information and a new Green Plumber initiative. Texas PHCC executive director Nancy Jones said the state has a new condensed state apprenticeship program, and also is working to establish relationships with educators in high schools, vocational and technical schools and community colleges. “Our message is that careers in construction trades are not only professional, but also profitable,” Jones said.
For more information, www.phccweb.org.
‘Governator’ passes PMI bill
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the state of California have passed the Plumbers Manufacturing Institute’s (PMI) “California Toilet Efficiency Law” — Assembly Bill No. 715 CHAPTER 499 — this past October. Particulars of the inner workings of the bill are as follows:
- AB 715 establishes a reasonable and workable market transition plan to high efficiency toilets and urinals in California.
- The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI) developed the AB 715 market transition plan and requested that Assembly Member Laird incorporate this plan into his legislation.
- PMI appreciates Assembly Member Laird’s agreement to include the market transition plan in his AB 715.
- The AB 715 plan prescribes a specific timetable that will provide the industry with the necessary time to gradually convert existing 1.6 gallon per flush models to high efficiency models.
- The AB 715 plan phase-in commences in 2010, requires an increasing percentage of models to be high efficiency during a four-year period, and requires 100 percent of models to be high efficiency toilets and urinals by January 2014.
- The engineering and development work required to do this will require significant investment by every manufacturer. The structure and timing of the market transition plan established by AB 715 acknowledges the technological challenges and capital costs required to develop designs and construct new tooling for all of the configurations of toilets and urinals, in order to transform entire product lines to successfully perform using at least 20% less water.
- This plan is sound and enforceable, and will avoid a repeat of the performance problems experienced in the early days of 1.6 gallon per flush toilets when that standard was prematurely mandated.
- Individual PMI members are giving their assurances as manufacturers that we can transition the market successfully with the program proposed by this legislation.
- PMI is encouraging the AB 715 market transition plan to be implemented in other states as well as at the federal level.
NSF develops testing protocol for septic tank and grease trap separating devices
NSF International announced the development of a new protocol that addresses the health impact and environmental protection of septic tank and grease trap (solid and liquid) separating technology. Labrie Environmental Group is the first manufacturer to certify its pumping and liquid-solid separating system to the protocol.
NSF Protocol P340: Septic Tank or Grease Trap Solid and Liquid Separating Devices was developed for equipment that separate septic waste solids from liquids in septic tanks or grease and solids from liquids in grease traps. The protocol contains requirements to evaluate the materials, design, manufacturing, and performance of these types of equipment.
Typical servicing of septic tanks or grease traps involves transporting a large volume of water to a disposal facility. Technologies have been developed to separate the solids from the liquids in septic tanks and grease traps, and then return the “treated water.” P340 now provides a means to test the effectiveness and efficacy of these devices.
USGBC launches Greenbuild365.org
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), with the generous support of a $1 million donation from United Technologies Corp., has launched www.Greenbuild365.org to transform green building education through global online access. USGBC has been a leading voice for expanded green building research and education to support the exponential growth of the green building movement.
Greenbuild365.org will feature free and fee-based courses on green building technologies and innovations, along with practical training to prepare professionals to successfully apply LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification to building design, construction and operation.
The site’s debut builds upon USGBC’s success in presenting online educational courses ranging from carbon reduction strategies in the built environment to greening building operations; and will be a milestone in the worldwide availability of information on the latest green building practices.
Greenbuild365.org was launched prior to a speech by UTC chairman and CEO George David at Greenbuild, the green building industry’s annual gathering. David will address opportunities for greater energy efficiency available using today’s technology.
David’s remarks, along with those of other Greenbuild conference speakers, including former President Bill Clinton, will be available via streaming video through Greenbuild365.org, along with attendee blogs, polling tools and other information.
Peter Templeton, vice president of Education & Research, USGBC, explained, “We have the ability to accelerate change and positively influence the world for years to come; we can accomplish that through education.”
Andrea Doane, UTC director of Community Affairs and Corporate Giving, said, “Research shows many in the building industries misjudge both the costs and benefits of building green. UTC is pleased to be the founding sponsor of Greenbuild365, an important tool in raising awareness of just how much can be done to increase efficiency and reduce energy consumption.”
New Products
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Pro Series pumps While most pumps consume an average of 10 amps of electricity while they are running, PHCC Pro Series pumps draw only 4 to 5.5 amps of power. That translates to an average savings of $55 per year for most homeowners. Pumps use a unique Dual Float Switch system that activates a back-up switch if, for some reason, the first switch fails. Dual Float Switches are also mounted within a protective cage to prevent debris or other wires from interfering with the operation of the float system. Glentronics.
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FloodSafe water detector shutoff The FloodSafe Series WDS is a resettable product that not only shuts off the water supply to protect against property damage caused by a leaking water heater, but also removes the source of power to the water heater to prevent water heater explosion. If the FloodSafe detects water from the discharge of a temperature and pressure relief valve under emergency conditions, power to the water heater is removed immediately. Watts Regulator Co.
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Suspended water heater platforms Save valuable square footage with a complete line of engineered suspended water heater platforms. The QUICK STAND suspended water heater platform is built solid from galvanized steel construction, and these engineered platforms have strong four-corner attachment points that accept standard 3/8" or 1/2" all-thread rod and hardware. The water-tight suspended platforms support water heaters up to 50 gallons (or similar equipment of equal size/weight) and eliminate the need for an additional pan. Hubbard Enterprises/HOLDRITE.
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Ultra low NOx residential water heater Complete, 18-model lineup of ultra low NOx residential gas water heaters, featuring a newly developed and patented stainless steel radiant burner that slashes emissions to 10 nanograms per Joule, a 75% reduction from previous low NOx models. All of the new products fully comply with Southern California’s SCAQMD (South Coast Air Quality Management District) Rule 1121, which limits the level of nitrogen-oxide (NOx) emissions by residential gas-fired water heaters. Rheem Water Heating. |
Movers & Shakers
Jim DeBruer will be resuming his position as training specialist at Basco University, the company’s award-winning comprehensive training program that offers contractors, installers, showroom associates, and other industry professionals intensive, hands-on classes on the proper techniques and methods for best installing and selling glass shower doors and enclosures. |
Sioux Chief Mfg. Co. Inc., announced five new hires. Chase Wagner has been hired as the new marketing manager. Tegan Stuart, Nick Rew and Lisa Swartz were hired as sales staff. Sara Carr was also hired as a customer service representative. She has experience in banking, customer service and account management. |
Clockwork Home Services Inc. (Clockwork), a leading provider of home services, announced its appointment of David Bloom to vice president of franchise sales for the company’s rapidly growing franchise support group. |