IMAGE Spring 2012 by Blue Water Publishers, LLC

Bringing Style, Design, and Innovation into homes for the past 150 years

Your one-of-a-kind destination for creative inspiration 6535 Arlington Blvd. ♦ Falls Church, VA 22042 703-584-1500 ♦ WWW.SOMERVILLESHOWROOM.COM ALSO LOOK FOR OUR NEW RICHMOND LOCATION COMING SPRING 2012!

IMAGE B O A R D O F

Plumbing & Mechanical Professionals of Virginia Chairman James S. Steinle Atomic Plumbing 1377 London Bridge Rd Virginia Beach, VA 23453 757-464-2934; Fax 757-363-8403 jim@atomicplumbing.com

Vice Chair Theresa Dagenhart Long’s Corporation 11215-G Lee Hwy Fairfax, VA 22030 703-323-1776; Fax 703-385-7446 longs@longscorp.com

Past Chair Alan Givens Parrish Services 7865 Coppermine Drive Manasass, VA 20109 703-656-2008; Fax 703-656-2006 Alan@ParrishServices.com

Committee Chairs

D I R E C T O R S

Laurie C. Crigler L & D Associates, Inc. 935 Good Hope Church Rd Aroda, VA 22709 540-948-6230; Fax 540-948-5617 lcc@ldassociatesinc.com

Michael Hurt Long’s Corporation 11215-G Lee Hwy Fairfax, VA 22030 703-323-1776; Fax 703-385-7446 mike@longscorp.com

Lorrie Gore Gundlach Plumbing and Heating Company 7603 Compton Road Richmond, VA 23228 804-288-1951; Fax 804-266-9236 lgore@gundlachco.com

Dan Foley Foley Mechanical, Inc. 8390 Terminal Rd., Unit 1 Lorton, VA 22079 703-339-8030; Fax 703-339-8031 dfoley50@verizon.net

Matthew Kemp Aireco, Inc P.O. Box 414 Savage, MD 20763 703-209-7386; Fax 301-953-1962 mkemp@aireco.com

Executive Director Ali Wines PMPV-VAPHCC P.O. Box 6 Centreville, VA 20122 800-947-7450; Fax 800-947-7415 info@pmpv.org

SPRING 201@ Volume 77 / Number 1 Senior Editor - Ali Wines

SPRING 2012

C O N T E N T S

Chairman’s Report - Jim Steinle 4 Ross Fuller: The Business Maker & Money Saver Dear Ali and Jim

6 10

PMPV Committee Reports Laurie C. Crigler, Legislative Chair 11 Lorrie Gore, Communications Chair 13 Mike Hurt, Apprenticeship & Education Chair

Matt Kemp, Industry Chair 16 Dan Foley, Networking & Mentoring Chair

thank you advertisers

A D I N D E X

Aireco Supply 8 Bradford White 19 Cummins-Wagner 12 FastEst, Inc. 10 Federated Insurance 18 Hodes Company 14 Liberty Pumps 20 Rheem Manufacturing 7 Rockford Separators 12-13 Saniflo 15 Somerville 2 T & S Brass 15 TradeWraps 9 Viega 17 Washington Gas 17 Woodford 5

Image is the official magazine of the Plumbing & Mechanical Professionals of Virginia and is published four times annually. PMPV does not necessarily endorse any of the companies advertising in this publication or the views of its writers. Image 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 PMPV or Blue Water Publishers, LLC. 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

Spring 2012 | IMAGE

[3]

C H A I R M A N

The Road Ahead! Jim Steinle

ello Fellow Members! Yes, it’s me again! The PMPV/VAPHCC Board of Directors voted me in as your Chairman for 2012 and 2013! We are all in agreement that working together we can continue to improve this Association. And I want each of you to know that I plan to use my time, as your Chairman, to do just that! I am excited to say that our association has been around for almost 90 years and I look forward to celebrating the 100th anniversary in 2023. Talk about a great PARTY! Although, in order to achieve any milestone – the board needed a plan! We started with a five year plan that included a ten year scope. And like any plan the board will need to evaluate and potentially adjust every few years in order to stay above the everchanging times in which we live! The start of this plan went into effect two years ago when we restructured the board makeup to allow more involvement by and between members and contractors. We also found that running businesses, family commitments, and civic duties lessoned the amount of time any one member had to contribute to the organization so we decided to adjust the time commitment required for board positions. These simple acts have reenergized the PMPV leadership which is also funneling through both the Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia Chapters! We are off to a great start with the new structure and committee chairs. This portion of the plan has allowed us to change the way we communicate and the way we get things done. Membership numbers and participation are up, and networking opportunities abound! Another component of the five year plan includes making and keeping the association profitable while keeping quality benefits in place. We cannot offer quality benefits and products without association resources. And offering quality benefits and opportunities for members is a MUST in today’s

[ 4 ] IMAGE | Spring 2012

society. We have found that getting member participation while using the benefits and resources we have makes involvement fun and enjoyable as well as profitable. If you aren’t already receiving Image magazine, please let us know. Image is one of our greatest resources to keep in touch with our members! Through this magazine we are able to keep folks informed on legislative issues affecting our industry, updates on ‘what’s hot in the association,’ and industry trends we should be aware of. Thus it is our goal to continue to ensure that EVERY member of PMPV receive this magazine! This plan is already proving to be the path to success! PMPV/VAPHCC is one of the most important assets that my company has and I use it! I call on my fellow-members all the time to discuss issues, concerns, and sometimes problems that I would like their opinions on! And in doing so my networking opportunities continue to grow! In order for this association work for your company you will need to get involved. My membership in PMPV/VAPHCC not only increases my knowledge, opportunities, and awareness but it also increases my business! The amount of additional work I receive from the relationships I have built with others in the industry continues to grow. And yes, this requires putting my time in but this is time spent growing my business while increasing my company’s name in the industry! There are no silver bullets in life that will solve all of anyone’s problems but there are golden nuggets that each member possesses. If you are willing to share some of your golden nuggets to be able to receive more in return, just simply get involved, it’s worth it. I’ll guarantee it. If you’d like more information on how to get involved simply email me at jim@ atomicplumbing.com and welcome to the start of increased knowledge and the resources needed to grow your business.

Zero or even below, the Woodford 65/67 series commercial wall hydrants will tolerate any temperatures without freezing. All drain automatically, even with a hose attached. The 67 models include an ASSE Standard 1052 approved backflow preventer connectionâ&#x20AC;Śand all come with Woodford quality, durability, and the ability to tolerate anything Mother Nature can throw at them.

WOODFORD 65/67 SERIES FREEZELESS WALL HYDRANTS

Model 67 Freezeless Wall Hydrant with backflow prevention The ASSE 1052 approved double check is field testable. Designed to complement modern architecture. The Model 65 offers the same features with an ASSE 1019 vacuum breaker.

RB67 Round Box Freezeless Wall Hydrant Fits through standard 6â&#x20AC;? diameter cored hole. Supplied with a ASSE 1052 approved double check backflow preventer that is field testable. Designed especially for tilt-up wall construction. Also available as the RB65 with ASSE 1019 approved vacuum breaker.

B67 Freezeless Wall Hydrant with double check backflow protection A rectangular version of our RB67, with backflow prevention. Also offered as the B65.

WOODFORD MANUFACTURING COMPANY

2121 Waynoka Road Colorado Springs, CO 80915 800.621.6032 www.woodfordmfg.com

Choose from backflow prevention (67 series) or anti-siphon vacuum breaker (65 series) hose connections.

Represented by Virginia Marketing 804-569-0360 Spring 2012 | IMAGE

[5]

Ross Fuller: The Business Maker & Money Saver! By Ali Wines

any of our readers know about the near-businessending experience that Theresa Dagenhart of Long’s Corporation experienced due to an employee who decided that embezzlement was more appealing than earning a day’s living the honest way – through hard work. It was through PMPV/VAPHCC that Theresa felt comfortable enough to reach out to an association colleague and say “Help! I’m bleeding money!” This colleague then connected her with Ross Fuller. Ross was able to come in and evaluate the situation quickly and in a manner that not only pin-pointed who the embezzler was but also trace back the amount embezzled to almost one million dollars as well as the amount of time (in YEARS) that the employee had been acting as a loyal friend to both the family and the business. It was because of Theresa’s experience that we have decided to interview Industry Member, Ross Fuller on important tips to keeping your business and money safe in some very uncertain times. Q1. With your experience in SAVING companies – what’s the biggest pitfall small businesses face? A1. The number one priority of a small business owner is to drive a profitable company. A successful small business will have a great “finder” of new business, a great “grinder” who is executing the business and a great “minder” of the administrative requirements of the business. The owner will often fill all these roles at the same time, or wear multiple hats. Typically no one person is good at, or can do, all of these things. Every owner knows how very difficult it is to attend to the many demands of running a business. So you inevitably delegate certain tasks. The most dangerous of these roles can be on the “minding” side when the owner delegates all accounting functions to a bookkeeper. The owner doesn’t have much time, if any, to validate and verify the accuracy of the financial records, and a small business doesn’t normally have the controls and resources to provide necessary and critical checks and balances. Add to that often times close family friends are chosen to take on this role as the thought is “oh, he (or she) is like family! He’d never do me wrong.” This line of thinking makes the company vulnerable to fraud and has the potential to consume the [ 6 ] IMAGE | Spring 2012

owner’s valuable time when something isn’t right. And time, as we all know, is a valuable commodity when running a small business. Q2. Our readers may ask – doesn’t their CPA count as the “other check” when there is only one bookkeeper “in the office?” A2. The answer is no. Unless your CPA is auditing your financial statements, which is highly uncommon for small businesses, your CPA prepares the tax returns from the financial information that is provided to them by the company. It is not the CPA’s job to verify the accuracy of the financial information provided to them. Your CPA typically has a disclaimer that the tax returns are prepared based on the financial information provided to them. If your CPA is preparing the tax returns, they can’t be expected to verify the accuracy of the financial information. A good CPA will reconcile your balance sheet and profit and loss statement and check some of the accounting methods in preparation for your tax returns, but they are not an independent check. Q3. How would/could a company who has this oneperson check & balance structure adjust at this point? Most companies can’t afford to bring someone in to serve as a watchdog over a currently trusted employee? A3. That is exactly what my services are designed to accomplish. For less than half the hourly cost of a good CPA, I provide an objective and independent check of your financial record keeping and can implement solid and cost effective controls. My services are tailored to the needs of each business. Some businesses require a couple of hours per month while others require a week or a month. It all depends on the size and complexity of each business. I’d like to pick up on the words “trusted employee” in your question. Like most business owners, you’re starting with a good assumption that your employee is trusted – they otherwise wouldn’t be employed by you. The alarming statistic is that more than 85% of fraudsters have never been previously charged or convicted for a fraud-related

90 GALLONs OF

INNOVATI N FROM A 29-GALLON TANK

With technology unlike any other water heater on the market, the Rheem XR90 outperforms standard gas water heaters nearly double its

Benefits of the Award-Winning, American-Made Rheem XR90:

capacity. It’s powerful, lightweight, slender and a quick way to increase your margins.

solutions ensures you get the product you need

• Lightweight and fits through access doors, up attic stairs, and in tight basements for easy one man installs • Uses standard Category I, double wall, “B” vent

to get the job done. You can trust Rheem to get

High Performance

the practical, hands-on training and education

• First Hour Rating (FHR): 90 Gallons • Recovery Rate: 61 Gallons per hour • 60,000 Btu/h, natural gas

Advantages of partnering with Rheem go beyond access to the innovative and one-of-a-kind XR90. Our full line of reliable and efficient water heating

65½"

Fast Installation

you need to be successful. Contact your local Rheem distributor today to learn how to enroll in the next training course.

Easy Upsell to Homeowners • XR90 offers homeowners more hot water without adding a larger tank or additional tanks • 17% lower operating costs than a standard 50-gallon model Rheem defines a standard 50-gallon gas water heater as one that features a 40,000 Btu/h input and .58 EF.

For more information, visit us online at www.rheem.com/XR90

17¾"

Rheem offers a complete line of innovative water heaters for residential and commercial applications.

Rheem.com

Q6. How often do you find this in small companies? It took Ross three days to deliver all the proof for the A6. We all want to detectives to proceed with felony charges against our believe it won’t happen bookkeeper. What I love about Ross is that he is a no to us but 1 in every nonsense kind of person and very detail oriented. If I 2 private businesses live to be 100 years old, I may never be able to convey experience fraud or my thanks and just how comfortable I feel dealing employee theft. Let with him. (And for anyone who does not know, our me say that again, 1 in every 2 private former bookkeeper was found GUILTY!) businesses experience Q4. From a business or fraud or employee theft! accounting perspective – As a small business owner, one is almost guaranteed to do you have the ability to “help them pay their bills?” experience employee theft and on average it will be greater A4. Absolutely YES! I wouldn’t be in this business if my than $150 thousand dollars and will go undetected for over 18 sole purpose was to prevent and or detect fraud. I want months. Unfortunately, small businesses with less than 100 to partner with members to make their businesses more employees suffer disproportionately large losses. If you have profitable and generate more cash. As a Chief Financial concerns or are simply looking to secure your business’s Officer of numerous small and medium sized businesses, I have improved profitability by a total of almost 400%, restored future - call me and I’ll save you a headache, or I’ll bring the aspirin if I find something. I expect that Theresa and Cheryl positive cash flows to cash flow negative businesses and successfully bought and sold businesses. In addition to being at Longs Corporation sleep a whole lot better now! a CPA, my career includes serving as the Vice President for Ross is the Managing Partner of Ross DS Fuller CFO Operations for a public investment company, consultant to Services, LLC. He can be reached at +1 240-463-5059 or by healthy, formerly distressed and emerging privately owned emailing rossdsfuller@gmail.com. companies, and been a mergers and acquisitions advisor on over 50 transactions in North America, Europe, and Southern Africa. Most small business tax CPA’s do not bring that experience to the table. offense. Wow! Temptation is a wicked thing. We all know about Eve and the apple. If you don’t inspect, there’s no respect. You need an independent check of your financial records and you need sound financial controls no matter the size of your business.

Theresa Dagenhart had this to say about Ross:

Q5. I’m sure that many of our readers will want to know what you were thinking when you started to uncover that there was serious embezzlement going on at Long’s Corp? A5. That is a great question. Uncovering fraud is quite unlike any other experience I have had. I imagine it is a lot like being a private detective. It’s fraught with a combination of an adrenalin rush when you first get an inkling of what is going on, dogged determination to keep plowing through the detail to confirm what is actually going on, excitement in finding all the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle, disappointment in having to deliver the bad news to the victim, careful and deliberate interrogation of the perpetrator, concern for one’s personal safety, the administrative tedium of the termination, legal, insurance and often criminal process that follows and sadness at the whole situation. [ 8 ] IMAGE | Spring 2012

for as low as /MO*

to get 0%

m 6 3 r o f g n ci n a n i f e s u o in-h

Specializing in fleet wraps Providing 3M graphics Certified installers Nationwide

*Subject to credit approval

Dear Ali & Jim

Send your questions to askaliandjim@gmail.com

A G M S Y

Dear Ali and Jim,

I have only been in the industry for a few years and worked for the same company the entire time. Or I guess I should say the entire time until the business was forced to close a few months back… Since then, I have been applying for positions on a regular basis and on every application I have put in – I have been called back for in-person interviews but inevitably I don’t get the job. This past week, as I was walking out of yet another interview wearing my normal business suit – I heard one of the office staff remark “did that guy know the job he was applying for was as a tech?” I have always been told that you should dress to impress during an interview – is it possible to be overdressed? Just Wanna Impress

Dear Just Wanna Impress,

What a great question! Jim and I knew what we thought but we were actually wondering what the average business owner thought of this question so we took it to the state board meeting and asked some owners. The answer was simple, ‘yes you CAN be overdressed.” It’s like anything in life – you have to think about your audience. For example you wouldn’t recite Shakespeare to a room full of kindergartners. Nor would you expect to have a lengthy conversation with a vegetarian on how to prepare deer meat. You could however read “Go Dog, Go” to the kindergartners or participate in a conversation about the health benefits of being a vegetarian because these topics are geared toward your audience. Thus your appearance should be as well. If you are going to apply for a position which requires you to wear a uniform or jeans – chances are the person that you are interviewing with will NOT be wearing a suit. And while you want to make a great impression – you don’t want to out dress the boss either (again, know your target audience). A more appropriate dress would be a nice pair of pants (not jeans) and a button down shirt tucked in. Thus, you are being

A F K P U

B G L Q V

C H M R W

[ 10 ] IMAGE | Spring 2012

D I N S X

E J O T Y

B H N T Z

C I O U

D J P V

E K Q W

F L R X

respectful of the position for which you are applying, not out dressing the boss, and representing yourself in a clean, tidy, and professional manner. And like any interview you should always remember to speak clearly, look people in the eyes as you address and speak with them, and make sure to focus on your skills, interest in the position, work ethic, and ability to get the job done! Good Luck, Ali & Jim

COMMITTEE REPORT: Legislative Committee By Chairwoman, Laurie Crigler

PMPV Continues to Fight to Preserve Your Livelihood

ell, what can I say? When you ask the plumbers for help because their livelihood is at stake, they come out of the woodwork. I have been very impressed with the numbers of contractors, and the professionalism of those contractors, who are truly concerned about wanting to remain within the legal parameters of their licensing categories. This is such an honorable profession and I truly appreciate all of you members (and even a few non-members) who have been calling me about how this affects you and your businesses. I think the best words to use would be Thank You! THANKS! Thank You! Thanks… and still THANKS! First, thanks to all who participated in Legislative Day-onthe Hill and were able to see your association in action while experiencing legislative visits. We had a great group and we did see a number of legislators, including both incumbents and new-comers. It was evident again this year that we continue to make an impression on them, even when we don’t have legislation issues, per se. Next, let me thank those of you who came, again to Richmond, earlier this year to testify at the Board for Contractors Committee and the full Board for Contractors meeting. We were well prepared with documentation and testimony that supported our contention that plumbers ARE allowed to install submersible pumps inside of the well casing. The Committee and the full Board agreed that enough “confusion” exists to warrant an inquiry to the Attorney General. And at the time of this printing that is where the issue stands now. We are all waiting on the interpretation from the Attorney General. The good news is that the Board for Contractors voted to suspend the “policy” in question until that determination has been rendered. Therefore, until we hear otherwise, plumbers are allowed to legally install submersible pumps… This is your association at work protecting your livelihood! If you are reading this and are not a member – YOU NEED TO BE! The next Board for Contractors meeting is in April (2nd/3rd) and we should have that opinion rendered by then. IF we are successful in having this “policy” reversed permanently, we will/should be done. Having said that, there is no cause for celebration as of yet. IF we are unsuccessful, then we will have to take the next step in getting something put together so that plumbers ARE allowed to continue to

do this work. This work is, after all, the bulk of the livelihood of many a plumbing contractor in the State of Virginia. The PMPV Legislative Committee is putting together ideas in case that happens. However, let’s think positive that the Attorney General agrees with us! Third, there are a couple of pieces of legislation that I have been following closely and wanted to alert you on (note – due to the printing schedule of the magazine, the General Assembly will be over when you receive this magazine, thus if you would like additional information please feel free to contact me). HB1262 (Delegate Poindexter Patron). This bill, yet again, has to do with the licensing categories. This time it is for the Board for Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators and Onsite Sewage System Professionals. Essentially this law, if passed, divides sewage system installers into two classes, one for installers of conventional onsite sewage systems and the other for alternative sewage systems. It allows that for those installers that strictly install conventional sewage systems, an exam is not needed if the installer can show that he/she has been doing this work for at least 10 years within the 15 year period preceding his/her application for licensure. This just helps out the contractors that have been doing this work forever and now must come into compliance with this licensing category. At the time of writing this, it has passed through the House and now it goes on to the Senate. If it passes both the House and the Senate, then the Governor will be asked to sign it. HB1277 (Delegate LeMunyon-Patron). This is a contractor-friendly bill, I believe. It simply states that localities may adopt an ordinance that requires that a home improvement contractor be able to show the proper licensing and has the proper insurance and/or bonding. This protects the consumer and it helps to level the playing field for those of us who have, for a long time, been required to show our licenses and adhere to the insurance/bonding requirements. The sooner the consumers get wise to the fact that they have every right to request a license from the folks who are in their homes, the better off they are and the better off our industry is for having pushed this concept for such a long time. Finally, I want to reiterate something I mentioned earlier. The Legislative Committee and every other committee in our PMPV Association work very hard to protect this industry from unnecessary regulations, from unfair practices, and try to elevate the plumbing & HVAC contractors to where Spring 2012 | IMAGE

[ 11 ]

they should be by providing training and education so they can be the “best-of-the-best.” It is obvious that you are reading the magazine by the number of phone calls I have received regarding the pump issue. I said earlier that this is an honorable profession and the contractors I have met and talked with have the highest regard for the laws which govern them. If you are NOT a member of this association I ask you WHY NOT? We have been fighting a HUGH issue with regard to this “pump issue” which affects the livelihoods of a whole lot of contractors. I can promise you, we would have a MUCH bigger impact on legislators and regulators if we had 15,000 plumbing and HVAC contractors all across VA. So, if you are not members - get on the phone or e-mail and ask for a membership package. Those of us who ARE members are working extremely hard to make sure no one takes away our businesses! Don’t just call when there is a crisis and you need an organization to stand behind become a member NOW to help make a better life for your business and the next generation of contractors. Thanks for your support and I look forward to your comments and participation. Laurie C. Crigler Legislative Chair, PMPV 540-948-6230 (Office) 540-718-3000 (Cell) lcc@ldassociatesinc.com

Call today – you’ll like our customer service.

Tap into 40 years of engineering experience.

The Smartest Choice for Condensing Boiler Performance • STAINLESS STEEL FIRE TUBE HEAT EXCHANGER • SMART SYSTEM OPERATING CONTROL FEATURING A BUILT-IN CASCADING SEQUENCER • 7 MODELS: 55,000 – 399,999 BTU/HR • FIRING RATE MODULATION TO 5:1 • LESS THAN 20 ppm NOx • DIRECT VENT FLEXIBILITY TO 100 FEET by:

For more information or details contact . . .

10901 Pump House Road Annapolis Junction, MD 20701 Baltimore: 410-792-4230 • Washington: 301-953-9370 TOLL FREE: 800-966-1277 • Fax: 301-490-7156 www.cummins-wagner.com

Select from our extensive inventories...

Put highly productive capabilities and people to work on your custom project...

COMMITTEE REPORT: Communications Committee By Communications Chairwoman, Lorrie Gore

Could we be Linkedin Together?

ave you joined PMPV on Linked in yet? Or better yet, are you even on LinkedIn? If not, Why? In the era of social networking – no company should be without it! There are so many benefits to being on this site. Perhaps there is a remodeling contractor or a builder that you want to meet, did you know you can use LinkedIn to help have an introduction made on your behalf? You can also have your commercial customers make a recommendation on why someone should do business with you and your company. As you can imagine this feature alone is priceless! PMPV/VAPHCC wants to help you stay on the cutting edge! We are also aware that some in the industry may be intimidated by this explosion of contacts or others may simply not understand how to join or what to do once you are on. If any member is unsure of how to get started, email me at:

Contact your local rep: Duhart Company 1225 Mall Dr Richmond, VA 23235 804.379.0150 theduhartco@worldnet.att.net www.duhartco.com

lgore@gundlachco.com and we can set a time where we can both be in front of our computers and I can help you get started. This tool is a wonderful and FREE resource! Let’s all use it! And for those who are already on Linkedin, please join your professional association’s group page. In your search box drop down menu, pick group, and then search for PMPV. Send a request to join. We are just getting started with this page but it’s a good place to begin a discussion about an issue you may be having and chances are it will likely lead to a solution that will help both you and your business. Now that we are prepared to be Linkedin together – we would love to recognize your company or even one of your employees if awards have been earned, articles written, or someone has done something outstanding that deserves recognition. Join us on LinkedIn today, and start sharing YOUR story.

Need faster, more dependable performance from your separator source? For 40 years, we’ve focused solely on separation. Our team is experienced in building custom, engineered-specific designs for customers that expect the best, whether it’s for a Las Vegas casino, new 5-star restaurant, mall food court, or your neighborhood quick lube shop. We move faster than our competition, with better, more reliable products, service and support. Call us today. We’re ready to deliver.

Meet our people. Visit www.rkfdseparators.com

5159 28th Avenue, Rockford, IL 61109 • www.rkfdseparators.com Any size – from 1 gallon to 50,000 gallon, including double-wall construction!

815.229.5077 • 800.747.5077 • Fax 815.229.5108

[ 13 ]

COMMITTEE REPORT: Apprenticeship & Education Committee Apprenticeship & Education Committee Chairman, Mike Hurt

Take Continuing Education With PMPV Online!

ello everyone welcome to spring edition of the Education Committee Report. We have some exciting things going on which includes accomplishing our biggest goal to date: ONLINE Continuing Education Classes (CEU)!!! Yes, our online continuing education program is up and going. It was a rather lengthy process but we have succeeded! We are pleased to offer HVAC, Plumbing, and Gas Fitting courses which fulfill the state CEU requirements while also being competitively priced against industry standards. No longer do you need to register for a class a month ahead of time, drive there, and sit in a class while thinking about the many other things you need to or could be doing. Instead, you can register and take the class without having to make a special trip anywhere. Whether it is from your office computer or from the comfort of your home – PMPV has tried to make this as easy and convenient as possible! (Note: the class instruction is still being offered on a quarterly basis at varying locations for those who still prefer the in-person instruction.) PICK PMPV ONLINE! Anyone that has had a license coming up for renewal has gotten a card from companies offering classes. Now my question to each of you is: What has that company done to help you or the industry? PMPV’s purpose is to support the people that support our organization, hence the pricing and convenience factor. The one hour gas class is twenty-five dollars. It satisfies the state requirement for CEU credits for Gas Fitter, Natural Gas Fitter and Propane Gas Fitter. The three hour plumbing class as well as the three hour mechanical class are forty dollars each. That’s only one hundred and five dollars for all three classes. I have seen other organizations charge over three hundred dollars for all three classes. A great savings especially in this economy and to make it even better you never have to leave the comfort of your home! The classes are easily found by logging onto the PMPV website (www.pmpv.org). Once you complete and pass the class you will be able to print out your certificate and your information will be forwarded to DPOR certifying that you have successfully completed the CEU requirements. Up and Coming Events. The State Apprenticeship competition is coming up fast. The competition will be held at Serv-Pro of North Prince William County training facility located at 11430 Balls Ford Road, Manassas, Virginia, [ 14 ] IMAGE | Spring 2012

20109, on Wednesday, April 11, 2012, in conjunction with the VAPHCC/PMPV Spring State meeting, as well as the NOVA PHCC Monthly Board Meeting and General Membership Dinner Meeting. This is always a fun time for the Education Committee as we watch the State’s top apprentices compete for a chance to win a trip to compete in the National Competition which will be held at the PHCC Connect Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania October 3rd-5th. Registration for the PMPV State Apprenticeship Competition is still going on for any 3rd or 4th year plumbing apprentices that may be interested in competing. Anyone interested in competing should feel free to contact me (mhurt@longscorporation.com or (571)2209270) for more information, but register as soon as possible as space is limited to the first 10 competitors. Hope to see you and the next state apprentice there!

Install a complete bathroom anywhere you need! Two service panels for easy accessibility to main components

3/4" discharge pipe for ease of installation Pumping distance of up to 15' vertically and/or 150' horizontally

Microswitch and capacitor

Blade

Three inlets to accommodate a toilet, sink and tub/shower

2-YEAR WARRANTY

Rubber membrane

Plumbing can be hidden behind the wall using Saniflo’s extension pipe

1-800-571-8191 The only above-the-floor macerator with dual accessibility! www.saniflo.com

What do the Beach Boys, Mickey Mouse, and T&S low-lead faucets have in common?

They all got their start in California, and they all swept the nation. Although California led the way with the AB1953 legislation mandating low-lead faucets, it’s only a matter of time until they are required in all states. And T&S is ready — all of our faucets are low-lead compliant and are available across the country. And, as always, T&S faucets are as rugged and reliable as they come, and meet the requirements of the Buy America Act. Contact your sales rep for more information.

contributing to LEED certification

w w w. t s b r a s s . c o m • 8 0 0 . 4 7 6 . 4 1 0 3

T&S plumbing products represented in Virginia by: RepSouth - 804-550-0025

Mickey Mouse® and the Beach Boys® are trademarks of Disney Enterprises, Inc. and Brothers Records, Inc., respectively, and T&S Brass has no affiliation with either such entity.

TSB-437 Low Lead PHCC Ad PUBS R1.indd 16

6/20/11 Spring 2012 | IMAGE

9:07[AM 15 ]

COMMITTEE REPORT: Industry Committee By Industry Committee Chairman, Matt Kemp

R-22 in 2012

f you have not thought about a plan for transitioning away from R-22, chances are that changed in January 2012. While there have been memorable changes in our industry over the past several years in efficiency standards and R-22 equipment manufacturing and servicing regulations, this past January is a month to remember thanks to a rule proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that is designed to significantly reduce the amount of R-22 that can be produced or imported in 2012 through 2014. R-22 will continue to be produced until 2020 and it will continue to be available beyond that. In an effort to allow for a smooth transition to alternative refrigerants, the quantity of R-22 allowed to be produced and imported is being reduced each year. The quantity that can be produced or imported is determined by EPA and they issue an allocation to permitted producers and importers. As of January 1st EPA had yet to determine what the allocation for 2012 would be. Lacking a ruling, manufacturers and importers were prevented from producing or importing R-22. Happy New Year!! It was not until January 20th that the EPA allowed production and import to resume but still without finalizing the allocation for the year. In the absence of a final rule, manufacturers and importers are limited to a provisional production level that is a 45% reduction from 2011 levels. Which brings us to where are today. The price of R-22 has definitely been affected by this lack of uncertainty caused by the unexpected reduction in the production and import allocation. And EPA’s timing for this proposed reduction does not help matters as our industry is well under way into the busy air conditioning season. The reduction in the allocation does not mean that there will not be enough R-22 to satisfy servicing needs. It just means that not every refrigerant seller will have R-22 to sell or they won’t have as much as they used to depending on which refrigerant manufacturer they purchase from. R-22 is not going anywhere but it is always best to understand your options. Instead of guessing what those options are the best thing to do is go right to the experts. We asked National Refrigerants, Inc., a worldwide distributor of refrigerants and related services, about the R-22 issue. National’s “R-22 Options & Retrofit Issues” information is [ 16 ] IMAGE | Spring 2012

below. You can also visit their website at www.refrigerants. com for more complete technical and product support. RECOMMENDATIONS: • Don’t panic- there is & will be R-22 available for a long time but not every wholesaler will have it. • Keep using R-22 if the system is not leaking and is running well...the system will run best on the refrigerant it was designed for. • Even with the increase in the price of R-22, it is still the best technical and economical option. • Beware of deals on R-22 that appear “too good to be true”…make sure you are buying from a well-known reputable refrigerant supplier who will guarantee that their R-22 meets AHRI700 standards. • There is no ‘drop-in’ replacement for R-22 regardless of what any marketing material may say. • There will be a trade-off of some kind if an R-22 system is switched to another refrigerant. • Replace seals, orings and gaskets when using HFCs in R-22 systems to avoid leaks. • A partial charge of POE oil will ensure proper oil return and system lubrication. • Learn about alternative refrigerant options and understand all the technical factors that need to be considered when choosing a HFC refrigerant. • Look at the whole economic picture, including material and labor costs, not just the refrigerant price. • Be sure that the refrigerant you choose is approved for use by EPA. HFC REPLACEMENTS FOR R-22: • R-407A- low & med temp; most like R-22 in physical properties; only partial POE oil needed for good oil return; 30 degree lower discharge temp than R22; can use existing TXV; proven performance; no capacity loss; widely available. • R-407C- med temp & AC; most like R-22 in physical properties; only partial POE oil needed for good oil return; can use existing TXV; proven performance; no capacity loss; widely available.

Natural Gas. Efficient by Nature.

Introducing Viega’s newest

12,550

press system: Made in the USA

Viega PEX Press in polymer

Ways to

boost your business.

Reduce installation time with Viega PEX Press polymer fittings Viega PEX Press polymer fittings are the newest PEX joining system on the market, suitable for potable water and radiant applications. Viega PEX Press polymer fittings are the first and only PEX joining method to offer the patented Viega Smart Connect® feature, which helps installers easily identify unpressed connections.

We’re offering 12,550 rebates totaling nearly $1,000,000

Viega PEX Press polymer fittings: • Make secure, reliable connections even in cold weather • Allow installers to pressure test the system with no waiting required

Washington gas is taking the lead in offering your Virginia customers

• Provide the Viega Smart Connect feature to help installers identify unpressed connections

• Water Heaters

• Tankless Water Heaters

• Boilers

• Programmable Thermostats

substantial rebates on energy-efficient natural gas products and more:

• Heating System Checkups

www.viega.com | 1-800-976-9819 The Energy Efficiency Program is designed to get you more business

Viega PEX Press polymer fittings The Smart way to Connect PEX tubing.

and to put a little money in your Virginia customer’s pocket. these rebates are available in limited quantities and only until april 30, 2013.1 for details and a complete list of eligible products go to WashingtonGasRebates.com/Plumbers.

The global leader in plumbing, heating and pipe joining systems 1

rebates are available to Washington gas Virginia customers only. Spring 2012 | IMAGE

[ 17 ]

COMMITTEE REPORT: Networking & Mentoring Committee By Networking & Mentoring Committee Chairman, Dan Foley

Let’s Avoid Mistakes Together!

t is hard to believe that it has been ten years since I started my company. In that time, I have made just about every mistake a business owner could make. I have learned from my mistakes as I strived to better my company. Many times I have called on my fellow contractors and associates for advice. I was never ashamed to ask for help when I needed it. The list of people that have helped make my business successful would be too long to list but they know who they are. As chair of the Networking and Mentoring Committee, we were tasked with formalizing a list of mentors to assist our membership. The committee has worked hard to compile a list of industry experts and mentors our membership can call of for advice. No one member has all the answers but collectively we have tapped a huge resource. No matter what the issue, problem or question, I guarantee one of our members has expertise in this area. The PMPV members on this list have graciously volunteered their time to share their area of expertise. Don’t be shy – ask for their help. Likewise, if you have a specialty and would like to help other PMPV members, please contact me so we can add you to this list, which will be updated periodically. You don’t have to go at it alone. If you have a problem someone has an answer. Please visit our website (www. pmpv.org from the Education menu click Mentors) for a complete mentor list with contact information. [ 18 ] IMAGE | Spring 2012

ONE Call, ONE Company

Your Federated representative, along with a dedicated support team, has access to a wide variety of products and services. Discover the value of being able to access all of these services—with only one call—using one company. Visit www.federatedinsurance.com to find a representative near you.

It’s Our Business to Protect Yours

Federated Mutual Insurance Company • Federated Service Insurance Company* • Federated Life Insurance Company Home Office: 121 East Park Square • Owatonna, Minnesota 55060 • Phone: (507) 455-5200 • www.federatedinsurance.com *Federated Service Company is not licensed in the states of NH, NJ, RI, and VT.

For the fifth straight year, Bradford White is the tank water heater brand most purchased by professional contractors. And again, we are the most recommended brand.

www.bradfordwhite.com

“We made the switch to Bradford White almost 15 years ago when we started having problems with another brand. Our reputation depends on the products we recommend so quality and reliability are critical. We couldn’t be happier. Bradford White is loyal to the plumbing profession. Their products and people are top notch.” Kevin and Ryan Carney - Carney Plumbing – Heating – Cooling, Line Lexington, PA

The results of the 2010

And now our support for you gets

CLEAReport*, an independent water

even better. Bradford White has

heater study by Clear Seas

just opened a 24/7, factory-based

Research, revealed that product

call center.

quality, service, technical support,

This fully staffed technical service

and the fact that Bradford White is

team is there when you need it,

not sold in retail stores were the

anytime day or night.

most important factors to

We’re making it easy for you to

contractors when selecting a

be a Bradford White contractor.

brand of tank type water heater.

Built to be the Best™

To Find A Wholesaler Call

800.523.2931

*Ranking is based on the 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 CLEAReports by Clear Seas Research. Please visit www.clearseasresearch.com for additional information. © 2011, Bradford White Corporation. All rights reserved.

Spring 2012 | IMAGE

[ 19 ]

PMPV-VAPHCC PO BOX 6 Centreville, VA 20122

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit No. 592 Pontiac, Illinois

Liberty pumps offers 6 different series of sump pumps to meet your specific pumping needs. All feature energy efficient motor designs that minimize energy consumption. For the absolute best in basement groundwater protection - look no further than Liberty Pumps!

8 0 0 . 5 4 3 . 2 5 5 0 www.libertypumps.com 280/290Series 450-Series

S30-Series

240-Series

250-Series

230-Series

One of Americas fastest growing, privately owned companies.