Cynthia Crockett Named to List of Baltimore Leaders, Visionaries
Cynthia Crockett, president, Crockett Facilities Services, Inc., Bowie, MD, has been named to Baltimore SmartCEO magazine's 2011 Smart100. The Smart100 is comprised of 100 CEOs chosen by an independent selection committee based on leadership, strategic vision, and character, rather than by the growth of their organizations.
As a Smart100 member, Crockett will be profiled in the fall Smart100 Book, a resource guide for business leaders seeking inspiration from local, successful CEOs.
"We've built lasting relationships with our government and commercial property management companies by embracing our core values of reliability, integrity, safety and service," Crockett says. "It's rewarding to be recognized for our beliefs that we uphold every day."
The Smart100 companies represent a range of industries including catering services, information technology consulting, travel services, transportation, personal care, government contracting and software development. Each company boasts revenues of at least $5 million.
Crockett Facilities Services, Inc. delivers building operations and maintenance, mechanical contracting, and HVAC services to commercial and government clients.
The firm's other awards include the Blue Ribbon/Small Business Award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the 2010 Small Business Contractor of the Year Award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Research Service.
crockett-facilities.com
Shambaugh & Son EMCOR Construction Division Wins Seven School/Muny Contracts
Shambaugh & Son's EMCOR Construction Services Division, Fort Wayne, IN, was recently awarded seven new contracts to perform renovations and installations to improve the building mechanical systems and enhance energy efficiencies at 24 Indiana schools and municipal buildings.
Shambaugh and Son is a subsidiary of EMCOR Group, Inc. a Fortune 500 leader in mechanical and electrical construction, energy infrastructure, and facilities services for a diverse range of businesses.
EMCOR Construction Services (ECS) division's scope of work for each contract includes:
- Liberty-Perry Community Schools — ECS will provide construction services at two schools. The work includes installation of new unit ventilators, chillers and boilers, controls, and lighting, and performance commissioning for all the systems.
- Shelbyville Central School Corporation — construction services at the Shelbyville Middle School includes installation of new air handling units, chillers and boilers, controls, and performance commissioning forall the systems.
- City of Lafayette — ECS will provide construction services at nine city buildings. The scope of work includes the installation of T-5 high efficient lighting and HVAC upgrades.
- Wabash City Schools — construction services at Wabash Senior High School includes installation of new boilers and controls as well as performance commissioning for all the systems.
- Brownsburg Community School Corporation — ECS will provide construction services at six schools. The scope of work includes installation of new heat recovery chillers, boilers, controls, and performance commissioning.
- Mill Creek Community School Corporation — construction services at three schools include installation of new chillers and boilers, a cooling tower, gymnasium lighting, and performance commissioning for all systems. Mooresville Community School Corporation — construction services include installation of new vertical unit ventilators, chillers and boilers, controls, lighting, and performance commissioning for all systems at Northwood Elementary School, and installation of new VAV boxes, chillers and boilers, controls, and performance commissioning for all the systems at Newby Elementary School.
Earlier this year, Shambaugh & Son was awarded a contract to improve the building systems and enhance energy efficiencies at 13 Indiana schools (see http://bitly.com/shambaugh contracts).
Tweet/Garot Mechanical Achieves MSCA ‘GreenStar’ Status; One of 40 in U.S.
The Mechanical Service Contractors of America (MSCA) announced that Tweet/Garot Mechanical, Inc., Green Bay, WI, has received MSCA GreenStar designation. The designation recognizes MSCA STAR®-qualified contractors who have met stringent guidelines for environmental responsibility throughout their companies. MSCA GreenStar recognizes mechanical service contractors who have developed the skills and expertise to deliver energy-efficient, cost-effective indoor comfort solutions to their customers.
MSCA has been recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for its leadership and stewardship in advancing sustainable practices in the HVAC industry.
To qualify for MSCA GreenStar, a contractor must qualify as an MSCA STAR contractor. MSCA STAR is a qualification program recognizing contractors that meet or exceed rigorous operating and training standards set by MSCA. To achieve MSCA GreenStar status, an MSCA STAR contractor must meet the following criteria:
- Employ at least one LEED-Accredited Professional (AP)
- Be a member of the USGBC (chapter or national)
- Verify that at least 25% of its total employees have participated in a green training or education program
- Demonstrate that they promote environmental responsibility by offering specific sustainable services and recommending green procedures and equipment
- Show an internal commitment to green by attaining LEED certification of any type for their building, or through an internal green policy
- Have participated in a LEED Existing Building (EB) or LEED New Construction (NC)-registered project within the past three years.
http://www.mscastar.org/greenstar.php
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MCAA DVD Helps Supervisors Resolve Job Safety Conflicts
The Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) has released a new educational DVD to assist mechanical construction foremen and project managers in resolving safety conflicts on the jobsite.
Making It Work: Safety Conflict Resolution for Supervisors provides guidance for supervisors to address jobsite safety conflicts in the most effective and efficient manner possible.
"Safety conflicts occur daily in the mechanical construction industry," says Tom Skaggs, chairman of MCAA's Safety and Health Committee, and vice president of safety for the Murphy Company, St. Louis, MO. "This type of conflict, when not handled properly, can slow productivity, create animosity, destroy relationships, and cost employers money," Skaggs says.
Making It Work: Safety Conflict Resolution for Supervisors highlights the reasons behind most safety conflicts: personal differences, misinformation, incompatible roles, and work stress. The DVD teaches supervisors the five approaches most frequently used when attempting to resolve safety conflicts, and which one typically provides the best opportunity for effective and efficient safety conflict resolution.
The DVD is available from MCAA's Bookstore at mcaa.org/store.
RSES Announces New CM/CMS Status Members
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES) has announced the names of members who were awarded RSES Certificate Member (CM) and Certificate Member Specialist (CMS) status in July 2011.
In order to become a CM, a RSES member must first pass a rigorous examination that tests the knowledge required to install and service refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. CM-level members are recognized industry-wide as having achieved a superior level of HVACR knowledge. The RSES CM exam is based heavily on theory and practical applications.
Douglas S. Pope, CM, of the Kirksville Chapter, Kirksville, MO, passed the CM exam in July 2011.
To obtain CMS status, an RSES member must first pass the CM examination. CMS status is earned by passing one or more of the eight specialist examinations available. Specialist exam categories include: commercial refrigeration; commercial air conditioning; heating; controls; domestic service; HVACR electrical; heat pumps; and dynamic compression.
Andrew J. Greene, CMS, of the National Capitol Chapter, Washington, D.C., passed the CMS exam in domestic service, also in July of this year.
For additional information, contact RSES at 800/297-5660.
The 74th Annual RSES Annual Conference and HVACR Technology Expo will be held in conjunction with the 22nd RSES Annual Mid-Southeast Regional Association Educational Conference, Nov. 2-5, 2011, Norfolk, VA. The 2011 conference will focus on education and industry-related topics. rses.org
THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT!
Trane has launched Fast Find, a mobile web application optimized for smartphones and tablet devices, which gives service technicians, contractors, and other customers the ability to access information about Trane solutions everywhere they use their mobile devices.
Fast Find users can quickly reach product-specific information directly from their mobile devices. Data on solutions from Trane, a leading global provider of indoor comfort systems and services, and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, is easily accessible.
Users can easily access data such as filter dimensions, minimum circuit amps (MCA) and maximum over-current protection (MOP). Service technicians, contractors and other customers can confirm unit efficiencies, weights and dimensions – all without ever opening a catalog or plugging in a laptop. Technicians, contractors, and other customers can contact their local Trane representative to gain access to Fast Find.
ASHRAE SEEKS PAPERS ON COLD CLIMATE APPLICATIONS
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and various colleagues will host the seventh International HVAC Cold Climate Conference, Nov. 12-14, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
In preparation for the event, the ASHRAE planning commitee is seeking papers featuring innovations in cold-climate HVAC design.
Cold Climate HVAC 2012 will provide elements of a strategy by which scientists, designers, engineers, manufacturers, and other decision makers in cold climate regions can achieve good indoor environmental quality with a minimum use of resources and energy.
The range of topics includes energy and sustainability in arctic environments; building technology for people in the arctic; indoor environment and health; challenges for remote areas; cold climate building envelopes and moisture management; HVAC system operation and maintenance; and cold climate standards, codes, regulations and requirements.
Visit ashrae.org/ColdClimate for submission information.
AGC SAYS PRICING REMAINS UNCERTAIN
The Associated General Contractors reported last month that the amount contractors pay for construction materials and charge for completed projects both increased in July. Firms were finally able to charge more for work, according to an analysis of producer price index figures. Association officials said it was too early to tell whether contractors will continue to be able to raise prices in the face of declining public sector investments in construction.
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"Contractors will have a hard time increasing, or even holding the line on bid levels if the federal government continues to cut investments in infrastructure and construction," said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. "That being said, anyone looking for a good deal for new construction should act now in case prices continue to increase."
The index for new construction — what contractors charge for construction projects — increased between 1.0 and 1.3% in July and from 2.3 to 3.1% for the year, depending on building type. With the exception of school construction, the monthly increases are at their highest rate of growth in two years, and the annual increases for all types of new construction are all at two-year highs.
THIS MONTH IN CB HISTORY...
1994: Based on his presentation at the Mechanical Service Contractors of America 1994 Conference, Gary Saxon wrote about consultative service selling. To be successful with today's astute building owners, service contractors must provide more than simple maintenance or repair — they must add value to their sales proposals. Approach the customer on a "systems solutions" level, not with a "PM/repair the chiller" mentality. The sales process should include the following steps:
- Target account definitions
- Contact name and numbers
- Collection of data
- Identification of risks and concerns for that customer.
- Presentation style/apporoach
- Initial commitment measurement
- Solution identification
- Partnership plan to complete solution and demonstrate value
- Finalization of the sale
- Steps required to develop a long-term relationship.
SMACNA MEMBER COMPANIES PLAY IT SAFE
Each year, the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA) recognizes its members for their outstanding safety and health performance through SMACNA's Safety Excellence Award Program (SSEAP). Following a recent trend towards increased participation, the 2011 safety awards program indicates that safety and health remains a top priority for SMACNA members, as 350 members participated in the survey. The results represent nearly 70 million man-hours worked in 2010. For the 2011 program, more SMACNA contractors reported "zero injury incidents" over 2010 as 130 member companies reported zero injuries compared with 113 last year. In addition, the average OSHA injury/illness incidence rate decreased from 3.84 in 2010 to 3.46 this year, another indication that SMACNA contractors take safety seriously.
SMACNA will acknowlege the 2011 safety program winners at SMACNA’s 68th Annual Convention, Sept. 25-28, in Colorado Springs, CO.