Alabama Contractor, Spring 2016 by Blue Water Publishers, LLC

ALABAMA

Spring 2016

Contractor Attract. Train. Retain. Gain.

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Spring 2016 • Alabama Contractor • www.alabamaphcc.org

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www.alabamaphcc.org • Alabama Contractor • Spring 2016

Associated Plumbing - Heating - Cooling Contractors of Alabama

ALABAMA

Contractor

The APHCC of Alabama is dedicated to the promotion, advancement, education and training of the industry, for the protection of our environment, and the health, safety, and comfort of society.

SPRING 2016

Table of Contents 6 7 8 10 12 17 18 20 21 22 23-26

From the Desk of APHCC President, Michael Dean Targets For Learning: PHCC of Alabama Apprentice Program 2016 Alabama PHCC Annual Trade Show Save-the-Date Attract. Train. Retain. Gain. Alabama PHCC Past Presidents Can You Ask for a Waiver for Workers’ Compensation Claims? A Special Thanks to Alabama PHCC Associate Members PHCC of Alabama HVAC Continuing Education Internet Course Application PHCC of Alabama Backflow Control Internet Certification Course Application Procedures for Atmospheric Testing in Confined Spaces PHCC Apprenticeship Application

www.alabamaphcc.org

Advertiser Directory APHCC of Alabama Officers PRESIDENT: Michael Dean Dean Plumbing Company 3100 Leeman Ferry Road Huntsville, AL 35801 256-883-6130 VICE PRESIDENT: Rick Thomason PHC 1634A Montgomery Highway, Suite 162 Hoover, AL 35216 205-822-0597 SECRETARY-TREASURER: Jay Wiggins Wiggins Incorporated PO Box 1507 Montgomery, AL 36102 334-235-8889 IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT: Mike Scanlon Scanlon Plumbing Services 263 Mendel Parkway Montgomery, AL 36117 331-279-8989 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Bob Mosca PO Box 36972 Birmingham, AL 35236 205-985-9488 4

Alabama 811 19 Bradford White 2 FastEst 11 Kolbi Pipe Marker Co. 11 Liberty Pumps 28

Metropolitan Industries 13-16 Saniflo 27 See Water 19 T&S Brass 6 Taco 3

APHCC of Alabama Board Christine Joiner DMJ Service, LLC 219 Oxmoor Circle, Ste 1 Homewood, AL 35209 205-362-9989

Charlie Conklin Sentry Plumbing, Heating & Air 2490 Rocky Ridge Road Birmingham, AL 35243 205-979-9864

Paula Quarles Banks Quarles Plumbing, Heating, Cooling 2501 17th Street Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 205-758-2627

Phil Smitherman AUX Mechanical Inc. 5925 Johns Road Bessemer, AL 35023 205-428-8416

James Cole Cole Sewer & Drain Services 4530 Plummer Court Montgomery, AL 36106 334-279-8919

Fred Williamson Williamson Plumbing 560 Glade Park Loop Montgomery, AL 36109

Nick Tatum Conrad Watson Air Conditioning, Inc. 4100 County Road 5 Monroeville, AL 36460 251-282-7741

Spring 2016 • Alabama Contractor • www.alabamaphcc.org

Barry Lee Birmingham Noland Company 500 35th Street North Birmingham, AL 35222 205-323-6322

Senior Editor: Bob Mosca PO Box 36972 Birmingham, AL 35236 (205) 985-9488 alphcc@gmail.com

Alabama Contractor is the official magazine of the Associated Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of Alabama and is published four times annually. APHCC of Alabama does not necessarily endorse any of the companies advertising in this publication or the views of its writers. Alabama Contractor is designed and published by Blue Water Publishers, LLC. Articles and information published in this magazine may not be reproduced without written consent of the APHCC of Alabama or Blue Water Publishers, LLC. APHCC reserves the right in its sole discretion to reject advertising that does not meet APHCC qualiﬁcations or which may detract from its business, professional or ethical standards. The publisher cannot assume responsibility for claims made by advertisers and is not responsible for the opinions expressed by contributing authors. For more information on advertising, contact Jim Aitkins, Blue Water Publishers, LLC, 22727 - 161st Avenue SE, Monroe, WA 98272 360-805-6474 / fax: 360-805-6475 jima@bluewaterpublishers.com

www.alabamaphcc.org • Alabama Contractor • Spring 2016

From the Desk of APHCC President Michael Dean

upport for our industry is the real basis for the APHCC of Alabama organization. I personally would like to see each of us make a sincere commitment to the future of the industry which has supported our families and our lives for so many years – for several generations in some cases! Membership support can take on many forms and provide many opportunities. For example, growth in numbers can make our organization stronger with a louder voice for such things as legislative changes, development of new programs, etc. Let’s all get out there and bring in a new member in 2016. Two new members would be even better! Let us support each other as we use our membership as a networking opportunity to share ideas and concerns, and to learn from each other in all aspects of our work. When we call upon the expertise and experience of people with similar interests

we all gain and so does the industry. Collective communication with legislators, when called upon, is one great way to use our networking capabilities to the max! You can make a difference. Support the PHCC industry by utilizing the products and services of our Associate Members, and promoting these great companies with your customers. It is a great way to make the industry more visible and give some name recognition to the general public. Education and training of our employees, as well as other young people, making them the best at their craft as we can, is another area where there is tremendous need in our industry. We need to focus on our future and the labor force necessary for our businesses to prosper. LET’S WORK TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS!

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Visit tsbrass.com and learn more about how we’re partnering with contractors just like you. T&S plumbing products represented in Alabama by: Williams & Associates, Inc. - 205-833-6666 PHCC Pubs.indd 1Contractor • www.alabamaphcc.org 6 TSB_0592 Spring2015 2016 • Alabama

12/18/14 10:41 AM

www.alabamaphcc.org • Alabama Contractor • Spring 2016

Alabama PHCC Annual Trade Show October 13, 2016

SAVE THE DATE: OCTOBER 13, 2016

Place:

Old Car Heaven 2301 1st Ave S Birmingham, AL 35222

Time:

10am - 2pm (Lunch Will Be Served)

THANKS TO OUR 2015 EXHIBITORS! Will & Pierce Jones Stephen Carboni Sales Group Coleman Russell Alabama 811 Viega Mid-America Marketing VCM Sales DEC Fire & Water Tim Morales & Associates DMJ Alabama Power The Distribution Point Panasonic Duckless Noland McCain Sales Regan & Associates Jim Benton & Associates Federated Insurance Alabama Plumbing & Gas Fitters Board 8

Spring 2016 • Alabama Contractor • www.alabamaphcc.org

GETTING THE WORD OUT ABOUT YOU AND YOUR COMPANY The Board of Directors of the PHCC of Alabama is making available to all members a ten second tag advertisement at no cost to you to air after the current thirty second spot now airing. The commercials will be televised on “The Time of Your Life” TV program on Charter Cable Channel 80 at 5:00 p.m. CST, Monday through Thursday, and also on the web. Go to Alabama Cable Network.com, click on live streaming, (this can be seen anywhere in the world). Also airs on “At Your Service” TV program on WVUA/WUOA at 12:00 Noon on Sundays. You will receive over one hundred airings during the year, a $1,000.00 value. In order to make this happen, please send to the PHCC office a current commercial (if you have one) or a few pictures and info about your company. HVAC contractors need to include your certification number. This is truly a return on your membership dues: FREE TV AD’S for JUST BEING A MEMBER. Looking forward to hearing from you soon, Bob Mosca Executive Director

www.alabamaphcc.org • Alabama Contractor • Spring 2016

Attract. Train. Retain. Gain.

Attracting & Training Top Industry Talent: What Can You Do Now?

he projected worker shortage in the p-h-c industry is staggering. According to PHCC, the trades will need 21 percent more plumbers and 21 percent more HVAC technicians by 2022 … in addition to replacing workers who retire! Many companies already are facing problems finding qualified workers, and there are more challenges to come. PHCC and the PHCC Educational Foundation have implemented a special task force to assess ways p-h-c businesses can attract, train, and retain the next generation of skilled workers. In the meantime, here are some suggestions on how you can develop the workforce you need … now and in the future. ATTRACT Things you can do in your area! • Share your passion with local schools: lead a Career Day presentation and spark an interest in a student who hadn’t considered a plumbing or HVACR career; head a discussion on trade occupations at a PTA or PTO meeting; establish a co-op plumbing program in your local high school. •

Talk with school officials about the importance of career and technical education.

•

Mentor students of all ages; start with your local Scouting troops (Boy Scouts of America offers merit trade badges, including plumbing, welding, drafting, and – coming soon – HVAC; learn more at www. meritbadge.org).

•

Invite students and young adults to “shadow” you for a day to get a real-life perspective of a “day in the life” of a p-h-c professional. Partner with your local community and technical colleges on developing a shared vision for student

Spring 2016 • Alabama Contractor • www.alabamaphcc.org

outcomes and collaborating on both curriculum and instructor training. •

Bring industry partners into the conversation; work with manufacturers, wholesalers, etc. on establishing a relationship with a school by donating equipment, materials, or classroom assistance time.

•

Educate your elected officials about the critical need for Career and Technical Education (CTE) and workforce program funding; call their offices or write a letter.

•

Use social media. This popular marketing platform is a great way to promote why people should consider choosing the p-h-c profession – education alternatives, solid wages, comfortable living, contributions to public health and safety, opportunities for hands-on work, emerging high-tech possibilities, etc. When possible, add photos and video for added impact.

•

Promote technology in the trade. Heightened energy efficiency standards have dictated even more high-tech products and tools in the industry, perfectly suited to today’s young people.

•

Show career growth opportunities; the construction industry not only presents prospects for business management and ownership but encompasses multiple career paths, such as accounting and marketing, even technical writing and law.

•

Support and tap into the PHCC Educational Foundation’s scholarship program, this year awarding $77,500 in scholarships to apprentices or students entering a course of study directly related to the p-h-c industry.

TRAIN The PHCC Educational Foundation has proven tools designed to help contractors train the next generation of skilled workers. Put these resources to work for you: • A complete four-year series of plumbing and HVACR textbooks (using Dept. of Labor-approved curriculum); also available in eBook format. •

A four-year plumbing and HVACR online eLearning program designed for students who cannot attend a traditional classroom setting.

•

A series of plumbing assessment tests for each year of apprenticeship in a traditional four-year program; also can be used as an entry-level journeyman test.

•

Plumbing and HVACR competitions, including SkillsUSA (www.skillsusa.org) and the PHCC Educational Foundation’s popular apprentice contests at the annual CONNECT conference.

•

An instructor training program: the HVACR & Mechanical Conference for Education Professionals.

RETAIN Once you recruit and train skilled workers, how do you keep them? • Make sure your company has the perfect system for employee development and the right type of work environment to keep new and existing employees. •

Serve your community … because you’re a part of that community; get involved in local charities and needs, and model that commitment to your employees.

•

Share your craft with the next generation, and pass on the traditions and pride built in this trade!

WE ALL GAIN! You have the power to keep our industry strong, but you must get involved! A little work goes a long way in protecting you, your company, your family, your future. Start attracting and preparing the next generation of skilled workers … today! PHCC and the PHCC Educational Foundation can provide everything you need to get started … plus watch for new strategies and tools coming soon. Visit www.phccweb.org, or e-mail membership@naphcc.org to find out more about PHCC!

www.alabamaphcc.org • Alabama Contractor • Spring 2016

PAST PRESIDENTS of The APHCC of Alabama

2014-2015

Mike Scanlon, Montgomery

1965-1966

W.H. Bowles, Anniston

2012-2013

Phil Smitherman, Bessemer

1963-1964

Ferrin C. Smith, Florence

2010-2011

Paula Quarles, Tuscaloosa

1961-1962

Doy H. Hammond, Montgomery

2008-2009

Charlie Conklin, Birmingham

1960

Elmer Russell, Florence

2005-2006

Fred Williams, Montgomery

1959

John W. Dill, Tuscaloosa

2002-2005

Rick Thomason, Birmingham

1958

Raymon E. Allison, Anniston

2001

Charles (Buddy) Parkes, Muscle Shoals

1956-1957

Harry L. Eskew, Birmingham

1998-1999

George Brickley, Scottsboro

1954-1955

Alex Pate, Birmingham

1997

Phil Smitherman, Bessemer

1952-1953

James B. Donaghey, Mobile

1996

Rick Hamm, Florence

1951

Fitts Smitherman, Birmingham

1995

Mike Scanlon, Montgomery

1950

Bob L. Murphree, Tuscaloosa

1994

Brad Hinton, Hueytown

1948-1949

Ray W. Stewart, Gadsden

1993

Gary Pettus, Muscle Shoals

1947

Sam K. Bodie, Mobile

1992

Conrad Watson, Monroeville

1945-1946

Stansel A. Brown, Birmingham

1991

Mark Slimer, Birmingham

1943-1944

Jack M. Main, Montgomery

1989-1990

Jim Early, Decatur

1942

Guy Acton, Birmingham

1988

Tom Michael, Birmingham

1940-1941

Lester Ray, Dothan

1987

Wilbur Doonan, Birmingham

1939

J. L. (Buddy) Pope, Montgomery

1986

Walter Parkes, Muscle Shoals

1935

Charles Bailey, Montgomery

1985

Barney Knight, Birmingham

1933-1934

Joseph W. Pate, Birmingham

1984

Billy Guin, Birmingham

1932

George H. Russell, Florence

1983

J. D. Keller, Birmingham

1931

Harmon Williams, Montgomery

1982

Hubert Howard, Birmingham

1930

Charles A. Mandy, Birmingham

1981

Roy Deerman, Birmingham

1929

J.L. (Buddy) Pope, Montgomery

1980

Tommy Shaw, Montgomery

1927-1928

S. E. Scholze, Birmingham

1979

Bill Early, Jr., Birmingham

1924-1926

W. T. Perry, Montgomery

1978

John C. Dill, Tuscaloosa

1922-1923

E. Daniels, Birmingham

1977

Barnett L. Banks, Birmingham

1920-1921

Joseph W. Pate, Birmingham

1976

Hubert Howard, Birmingham

1918-1919

C. W. Spangler, Birmingham

1975

Dave Nuckols, Tuscaloosa

1916-1917

R. P. Reeves, Montgomery

1974

John Jackson, Montgomery

1914-1915

H. Hines, Birmingham

1973

Walter Parkes, Florence

1911-1913

Chris Bailey, Montgomery

1972

Lynoid Vaughn, Montgomery

1910

Charles Barnetz, Birmingham

1971

Bob Quinn, Huntsville

1906-1909

William Wilby, Selma

1970

John Spearman, Birmingham

1898-1905

T. J. Young, Mobile

1969

Tom Neville, Montgomery

1897

D. A. Ferrell, Anniston

1967-1968

Edward Briggs, Florence

Spring 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ Alabama Contractor â&#x20AC;˘ www.alabamaphcc.org

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Spring 2016 • Alabama Contractor • www.alabamaphcc.org

Can you ask for a waiver for

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CLAIMS? Question: Can the company request an employee, includ-

ing a pregnant worker, to sign a waiver from liability, due to potential danger of on-the job injury sustained or harm sustained, at the hands of a mental health patient who is a resident of our facility? Would a request for waiver of liability expose the company to pregnancy discrimination, based on terms of employment, work conditions, or any other employment terms?

Response: We do not recommend requiring (or even re-

questing) that employees sign any sort of “release” or “waiver” against future workers’ compensation claims. If an employee sustains an injury or illness within the course and scope of his or her employment, generally he or she would be entitled to exercise his or her rights to file a workers’ compensation claim. An employee cannot be required as a condition of employment to waive this right (and even if he or she did sign such a waiver, we are not aware that it would enforceable). Certainly employees should be informed at the outset of employment or any time their position or duties changes of the nature of the job, and employers can take measures to ensure that employees are fit for the jobs for which they are hired or into which they are transferred, promoted, etc.. The employer must be careful when making inquiries about medical or health conditions, however, to avoid violating the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please see the guidance published at http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/ guidance-inquiries.html and http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/ preemp.html for information relative to when inquiries are, and are not, permitted under federal law. The employer must of course ensure that it protects the safety and security of its employees (although admittedly some risks may not be able to be avoided, such as those that may occur at the hands of mental health patients who may exhibit unpredictable behavior, and with whom employees may work or come into contact). The employer certainly should consult with its workers’ compensation and general liability carriers

relative to these risks and how best to protect employees who are exposed to them. Regardless, the employer should not single out women who are pregnant for any special treatment in the workplace. Federal and state discrimination laws prohibiting the employer from discriminating on the basis of pregnancy. In this regard, the employer cannot and should not assume that women who are pregnant are any less capable of performing their duties than any other employee who is not pregnant, nor should the employer speculate or assume that pregnant employees are at greater risk of exposure to “potential danger of on-the-job injury.” Unless and until an employee indicates that she is or may be unfit for duty due to her pregnancy and/or is not able (or does not want) to continue to perform her job duties (and in either situation the employer can require that she present documentation from her physician to support her assertion), the employer should not speculate or assume that a woman who is pregnant requires any special treatment in the workplace. To do so (regardless of any benevolent intent) creates significant exposure to the employer for a pregnancy discrimination claim and thus is ill advised. The employer should further avoid speculating or assuming that an employee may become injured at work based on her pregnancy as this, too, can create exposure to the employer for discrimination and/or retaliation claims, as noted. To the extent the employer requires employees to sign documents relative to risks in the workplace (such documents should be drafted by counsel to ensure they are valid and enforceable), this should be required of all employees, not just women or those women who are pregnant. © 2014 Advisors Law Group, All Rights Reserved To learn more about the Federated Employment Practices Network®, contact your local Federated Marketing Representative, or visit www.federatedinsurance.com. www.alabamaphcc.org • Alabama Contractor • Spring 2016

Special Thanks To APHCC of Alabama Associate Members

JimBentonAssociates

Mid-America Marketing Clark Williamson 205-879-3469 clark@midameramktg.com

The Distribution Point Cole Conner 866-837-2550 cole@distributionpoint.com

Carboni Sales Group Roger Daniel 423-499-3888 rdaniel@shupecarboni.com

Noland Barry Lee 205-323-6322 bwlee@noland.com

DEC Fire & Water Jay Compton 205-940-9913 jcompton@DECconstruction.com

VCM Sales Inc Dewitt McDonald 205-325-0663 dewhittmcdonald@vcmsales.com

Weathertech Spencer Atkins 205-956-5400 sgatkins@weathertech.net

Ferguson Chris Chiles 256-858-5801 chris.chiles@ferguson.com

DMJ Christine Joiner 205-362-9989 christiner@dmjservices.com Alabama 811 Annette Raburn 811 mlyvers@al811.com

Federated Insurance Garrett Pepper 404-497-8871 18

Will & Pierce Terry House 251-621-1550 dwalker@willandpierce.com

Sunbelt Marketing Nelson Randolph 205-767-6339 nrandolph@sminc.net

Coleman Russell Ronnie Holmes 205-833-0700 ronnie.homes@colemanrussell.com Viega Russell Olive 205-383-5236 russell.olive@viega.us Southern Marketing Terry Falkner 205-276-9051 tjfalkner@yahoo.com

Spring 2016 • Alabama Contractor • www.alabamaphcc.org

Jim Benton & Associates Jim Benton 205-664-1221 jim@bentonandassoc.com

Alabama Power Company Michael Gordon 205-226-1039 mgordon@southernco.com

Tim Morales & Associates Tim Morales 251-602-8333 barry@timmorales.com McCain Sales Eric McCain 205-967-4095 eric@mccainsales.com

Alabama Plumbing and Gas Fitters Board David Wilcox 205-945-4857 davidh.wilcox@pgfb.alabama.gov

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Spring 2016 • Alabama Contractor • www.alabamaphcc.org

www.alabamaphcc.org • Alabama Contractor • Spring 2016

Procedures for Atmospheric Testing in Confined Spaces Atmospheric testing is required for two distinct purposes: evaluation of the hazards of the permit space and verification that acceptable conditions exist for entry into that space.

confined space is one that is large enough to enter and perform assigned work in; it has limited or restricted ways to enter or exit the space; and it was not designed to be occupied continuously by a worker.

in the following order: (1) for oxygen, (2) for combustible gases, and then (3) for toxic gases and vapors. The resting results - - the actual test concentrations - - must be recorded on the permit near the levels identified for safe entry.

Evaluation Testing The atmosphere within a confined space must be tested using equipment that is designed to detect the chemicals that may be present at levels that are well below the defined exposure limits. Evaluation testing is done to: determine what chemical hazards are or may become present in the space’s atmosphere, and identify what steps must be followed and what conditions must be met to ensure that atmospheric conditions are sage for a worker to enter the space. The testing results and the decisions about what steps must be followed before entry must be evaluated by, or reviewed by, a technically qualified professional like an OSHA consultation service, a certified industrial hygienist, a registered safety engineer, or a certified safety professional. The technically qualified professional must consider all of the serious hazards in his/her evaluation or review. A permit space is a confined space that has one or more of the following features: It has or may contain a hazardous atmosphere; it contains a material that can engulf a person who enters; it has an inside design that could trap or asphyxiate a person who enters (inwardly converging walls, or a floor that slopes downward to a smaller section); or it has any other serious safety or health hazards.

Duration of Testing For each test required on the permit, you must allow enough time for the air from the space to be drawn into the equipment and for eth sensor (or other detection device) to react to the chemical if it is present. This is considered the “minimum response time” if you have attached hosing or a probe extension to the inlet. The additional time is needed to allow the air from the different depths of the space to be pulled into the equipment inlet.

Verification Testing Before a permit space that may have a hazardous atmosphere can be entered, the atmosphere must be tested using the steps identified on the permit (developed during evaluation testing). Verification testing is done to make sure that the chemical hazards that may be present are below the levels necessary for safe entry, and that they meet the conditions identified on the permit. Test the atmosphere

Article courtesy of Quality Service Contractors– An Enhanced Service Group of PHCC 180 S Washington St, Falls Church, VA 22046 USA Phone: (800) 533-7694 Outside USA: (703) 237-8100 Fax: (703) 237-7442 Visit our website www.qsc-phcc.org

Spring 2016 • Alabama Contractor • www.alabamaphcc.org

Testing Conditions in Spaces that May Have Layered Atmospheres For permit spaces that are deep or have areas leading away from the entry point, the atmosphere may be layered or may be different in remote areas. For these spaces, testing must be done in the area surrounding the worker, which is considered four (4) feet in the direction of travel and to each side. IF a same probe is used to do the testing, then the worker must move slowly enough so that testing is completed, keeping the equipment “response time” in mind, before he/she moves into the new area. Retesting the Space During Entry or Before Re-Entry Test the permit space routinely to make sure that the atmosphere conditions continue to be safe for entry.

www.alabamaphcc.org • Alabama Contractor • Spring 2016

Spring 2016 • Alabama Contractor • www.alabamaphcc.org

www.alabamaphcc.org • Alabama Contractor • Spring 2016

Spring 2016 • Alabama Contractor • www.alabamaphcc.org

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• Cost-effective solution for above the floor bathroom installations • Dual access covers for easy maintenance • Only 3/4" or 1" diameter discharge pipe Blade that never needs replacing!

1-800-571-8191 www.saniflo.com

• Pre-assembled unit with two extra inlets for the addition of a sink, tub or shower. • Available in round front and elongated ADA compliant bowl styles (includes soft-close toilet seat)

A PUMP COMPANY SINCE 1958