MCABC Spring

the official publication of the mechanical contractors association of British columbia

SPRING 2014 Vol.4 No.1

Plumbing & Mechanical

PM 40063056

Coquitlam UV Disinfection Project

Profile: Radian Mechanical | Safety | Pipes & Pumps

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Contents

SPRING 2014 Vol. 4 No.1 PUBLISHER Dan Gnocato dang@mediaedge.ca Managing Editor Cheryl Mah Graphic Design Tang Creative Inc. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Robin Brunet, Jeff Lyth, Cory Norman Don Schouten, Sherezad Shafiq, Jean Sorensen B.C./ALBERTA SALES Dan Gnocato 604.549.4521 ext. 223

PUBLISHED BY

PRESIDENT Kevin Brown

Features OVER STORY 07 C

vancouver office

2221 Hartley Ave. Coquitlam, BC V3K 6W9 Tel: 604.549.4521 Fax: 604.549.4522

Toronto office

1000-5255 Yonge St. Toronto, ON M2N 6P4 Tel: 416.512.8186 Fax: 416.512.8344

The Coquitlam UV Disinfection project required large-diameter pipe work, tricky crane lifts and overcoming Mother Nature.

Copyright 2014 Canada Post Canadian publications mail sales publication agreement no. 40063056 – ISSN 0834-3357

12 PROFILE

PRINTED IN CANADA

A long-time MCABC member, Radian Mechanical is thriving and getting ready for boom times in the Okanagan.

18 Safety

Safety is Changing Stepping up to Safety

Return all undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Suite 1000 – 5255 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario, M2N 6P4

MCABC Plumbing & Mechanical Magazine is published three times a year by MediaEDGE Communications Inc. REPRINTS: No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form — print or electronic — without written permission from the publisher. Requests for permission to reprint any portion of this magazine should be sent to the publisher.

For all subscription inquiries or address changes, please contact customerservice@mediaedge.ca or call 416.512.8186 ext. 259.

20 Piping & Pumps

Making Sense of Anchoring Selecting Energy Efficient Circulator Pumps

Departments 04 Executive Vice President’s Message 05 P resident’s Message 22 Toolbox 23 Political Scene Temporary Foreign Worker Controversy

24 A ssociation Corner MCABC’s 70th Annual Conference and AGM

26 I ndustry News ON THE COVER: Lockerbie & Hole had to installed large

bore underground piping system and valves for the Coquitlam UV Disinfection project.

Dana Taylor Executive Vice President Annie Wong executive assistant and special projects coordinator Jane Andrew Director of Membership Development, Services and Event Planning Rivka Lipsey, Director of Communications and Marketing Berry Lam Administrative Assistant Mechanical Contractors Association of BC (MCABC) 223 - 3989 Henning Drive, Burnaby BC V5C 6N5 Ph: 604.205.5058 Fax: 604.205.5075 Email: staff@mcabc.org Visit us Online: www.mcabc.org

Plumbing & Mechanical magazine is the official magazine of the Mechanical Contractors Association of BC published three times a year by MediaEdge Communications Inc. Opinions expressed in the magazine are those of the authors and not necessarily endorsed by the MCABC or MediaEdge Communications. Editorial inquiries should be sent to the editor at cherylm@mediaedge.ca.

executive vice president's message

70 Years Strong 2014 Annual Convention & AGM

M

embers and their families gathered together during the first weekend in May, in the stylish comfort surrounds of Whistler’s Four Seasons Resort Hotel. Seasonend snowboarders and skiers hiked through the street and rumbled through the lobby, as golfers loaded clubs into carts while runners scampered in between. Whether loved or otherwise, the ambience of this year-round resort town draws many in need of recreation and relaxation.

At peak events, MCABC conference numbers exceeded 200 ­— a lot happens in two and a half days. Most of the MCABC executive directors and a few board members arrived Thursday afternoon to be greeted by glorious 25˚C degree sunshine… a couple of us managed to squeeze in an afternoon sizzle on the slopes. Recreation aside, our late Thursday afternoon meetings set the stage for the all important business to follow.

Friday at the MCABC Convention is always jam packed with activity, as we kick off the day in a board of directors meeting that generally takes us through until the afternoon. Each year we are joined (both at this board meeting and our afternoon AGM) by our national MCA’s chairman and president, offering national representation and updates on the events that unfold out east.

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Plumbing & Mechanical | SPRING 2014

Friday afternoon is a blitz of receptions, associates presentations, guest speakers, and an annual general meeting before blasting into the evening where our theme of “Mountaintop Mayhem” really took shape. Through it all, our welcome reception’s guest speaker Ron Coleman reminded us to find value in our relationships and principle in our purpose — he reminded us to be the best we can be. Needless to say this explained the enthusiasm that followed with that evening’s rambunctious Hillbilly Jamboree.

2014 is an election year, and this election was dutifully addressed at the AGM, resulting in the return of 14 directors, the addition of two new directors and the retirement of three past directors.

Replacing Neil Holbeche (Ipex) is Mark Humphrey, elected in advance by the MCABC associate membership. Brad Popoff (Equity Plumbing and Heating) in Prince George returns to the board after a two year hiatus, and gives us much needed representation both from B.C.’s North and Interior.

Stepping down from the current board of directors was Jeda Mechanical’s Jim Myers who had committed eight years to the job. Not to be forgotten is Kal-West Mechanical Systems Inc’s John Davina who, after more than 25 years on the board, finally chose to step down as well. John has served MCABC in every capacity, as director, vice president, president, secretary treasurer and of course director for MCA Canada, as well as numerous other committees. John is MCABC’s longest serving director in recent memory, and has backed his commitment with his time and sage counsel. John — a well-deserved departure and many thanks!

One final bit of business following our AGM is the board’s election of a new executive. The slate proposed and supported includes Wayne Davidson (Davidson Brother’s Mechanical) as president, Dean Loewen (Daryl-Evans Mechanical) as secretary-treasurer, and vice-presidents Andrew Wong (Alpha Mechanical), Dale Miller (Division 15 Mechanical), and Rob Noel (BC Comfort). I hope to tell you a little more about each of these dynamic directors as the year progresses.

Saturday afternoon included a day of recreation and relaxation. Some delegates chose golf, ATV’ing and snowmobiling, zip-lining, float plane rides, cooking demonstrations, and spa appointments, while others chose to enjoy the abundant entertainment in and around Whistler village. As the day wore on, and the skies began to leak, MCABC’s 70th consecutive AGM and convention came to a close.

The event crescendo was crowned by the presidents’ Gala dinner and dance at which outgoing president Dean Loewen thanked his board and the membership for the support shown to him during his two year term. A final act was his handing over to incoming president Wayne Davidson the “virtual” gavel-recognition of the role he will assume for the coming two years. Revelers danced the night away to the rocking tunes of Vancouver band ‘Side One’, while I slipped away to reminisce on the success of one more grand occasion 70 years strong.

Dana Taylor Executive Vice President, MCABC

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president's message

A Strong Industry Presence board of directors EXECUTIVE President Wayne Davidson Davidson Bros. Mechanical Contractors Vice President, Lower Mainland Dale Miller Division 15 Mechanical Vice President, Lower Mainland Andrew Wong Alpha Mechanical Contracting Ltd. Vice President, Lower Mainland MIRA Chairman Rob Noel BC Comfort Ltd. Secretary – Treasurer Dean Loewen Daryl-Evans Mechanical Ltd. Executive Vice President Dana Taylor DIRECTORS Associates Chairman Earl Storey B.A. Robinson Associates Vice-Chairman Mark Humphrey Wolseley Mechanical Group Director Brian Bradshaw Altac Services Inc. Director Brad Haysom Tight 5 Contracting Ltd. Director Richard McLatchie Lockerbie & Hole Director Ross MacDonald Control Solutions Ltd. Director Angus Macpherson Cairnview Mechanical Ltd. Director Mike Ohlmann Fred Welsh Ltd.

Director Brad Popoff Equity Plumbing & Heating Ltd. Director Dan Taillefer Viaduct Sheet Metal Ltd. Director Len Voon Aarc West Mechanical Insulation

6

Plumbing & Mechanical | SPRING 2014

D

Dean Loewen (Daryl-Evans Mechanical) for his work as our immediate past association president. He has done an amazing job with both our board and our association, and I will be looking to him for his advice as I transition into this new role.

I am fortunate to have a long history with MCABC. Personally, my involvement in this association dates back to 1984. Professionally, my company (Davidson Brothers Mechanical) has also enjoyed a long-standing membership with MCABC since 1976. Throughout the years, my affiliation with this association has afforded me greater education, assistance with advocacy, and better opportunities for networking than I could have imagined — these membership benefits have been invaluable in my work, and have facilitated my ascension into presidency.

My goal during my term is to continue to develop a strong presence in the industry, and to foster meaningful business connections. I believe in life-long learning and professional training. Luckily, MCABC members have a direct connection to courses and training through the Canadian Mechanical Contracting Education Foundation’s (CMCEF). It is my hope that all of our members will take advantage of these opportunities.

In other news, it’s golf season at MCABC, and the warm weather we’ve been experiencing has made this time of year all the more enjoyable. Recently, I attended MCABC’s Fraser Valley Golf tournament on May 23rd. As could be predicted, it was a cold and rainy start to the day, but the afternoon sunshine was a welcome reprieve. This year’s tournament was in its 41st year and, as per usual, it was a sold out event.

Vancouver’s tournament also happened earlier this month — another exciting excuse to hit the green on a Friday afternoon. These two tournaments combined with a handful of other golf tourneys around the province help our association “give back” to our communities and local charities through fund raising efforts championed by our golf committee and sponsors.

Whether it’s an upcoming golf tournament, a chapter meeting, an educational course, or a social event, I hope you’ll take the opportunity to attend an MCABC event and meet some fellow members you might not otherwise have the opportunity to meet.

As June unfolds before us, I hope we can all anticipate a bright and sunny summer ahead.

id you join us in Whistler this past May for this year’s Annual Conference and AGM? This was our largest and most well attended conference to date. I’m not surprised…who can resist Whistler’s crisp fresh air, winter sports, and alpine views?

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you (members and industry connections alike) who came out to partake in this year’s Mountain Top Mayhem. It’s our collective effort that makes each MCABC conference better than the last! After more than 70 years, MCABC conferences are still going strong, and we look forward to seeing our members and professional colleagues each and every year.

A big thank you to the hard-working MCABC staff members who organized this busy weekend for more than 200 delegates, and executed this event without a hitch! For anyone who missed out on the fun, be sure to visit MCABC’s Flickr page for a hilarious overview of the ‘mayhem’ that ensued.

In this election year, I am honored to be named your current association president for the next two years (2014-2016). I’m pleased to see a full slate of returning board members, and the appointment of two new executives, Dale Miller (Division 15 Mechanical) and Rob Noel (BC Comfort). I have no doubt that the core strength of our 2014-2016 board will help me guide this association in the upcoming years as I work Wayne Davidson within my role as president. A big thank you to President, MCABC

cover story

massive

installation

Installation of 510 metres of fabricated piping up to 3000 mm diameter, weighing more than 550,000 kilos was required for the Coquitlam UV disinfection project.

By Jean Sorensen

L

ockerbie & Hole was engaged to take part in a major water utility HVAC systems, as well as installed all owner supplied equipment and fabinfrastructure project at the Coquitlam watershed. The existing Co- ricated piping. quitlam water treatment facilities were upgraded and an ultravioThe construction site is located close to the reservoir and the Colet light disinfection plant was added, in order to comply with new health quitlam River and Fish Hatchery. As a result all crews had to be sensitive guidelines. to the conditions of the watershed while perThe $110 million upgrade for owner Metro Vancouforming all their work.

The 3000 mm ver brought the facility to a LEED Silver standard.

The main underground valve chamber housed The main features of the project are the eight butterfly valve, weighing five 1350 mm butterfly valves, and one 3000 mm 1200 mm ultra violet reactors in the ultraviolet dis- 22,680 kilos, is estimated valve. The 3000 mm butterfly valve, weighing infection (UVD) facility. Each unit contains 40 UV 22,680 kilos, is estimated to be one of the largest lamps that will inactivate water-borne micro-organto be one of the largest Dezurik butterfly valves in Canada. isms including giardia and cryptosporidium. This In total, 19 large actuated butterfly values, rangDezurik butterfly valves ing in size from 1200 mm to 3000 mm were inwill bring clean water to approximately one-third of Metro Vancouver’s population. stalled on site. in Canada.

The new structures built on site were a soda ash “It was an exciting project for us,” says Wayne building, a UVD building, an operations and maintenance building, one Meldrum, Lockerbie & Hole project manager, who credits the two site suvalve chamber and one quenching chamber. Lockerbie and Hole started the pervisors Phil Bilodeau and Art Cawdell plus the crew of 30 tradesmen project in August 2011 and supplied the process, plumbing, mechanical, and with carrying out the work successfully.

SPRING 2014 | Plumbing & Mechanical

7

cover story

A total of 50,000 man hours were logged without a single loss time accident, before the project completed in spring 2014. “The biggest challenge to this project was to install the owner supplied large bore underground piping system and valves, ranging in size from 1200 mm to 3000mm,� says Meldrum.

Crews constantly faced logistic problems when handling and placing the large diameter pipes used on the project. Meldrum adds the pipes had to trucked into the site, often on narrow roads with tight turns, with the weight of the large diameter pipe requiring large crane lifts.

Unfortunately, there was not one crane in the Lower Mainland that could handle the larger lifts when Lockerbie & Hole needed it, such as for the longest reach lift for the largest diameter pipe. As a result, the crew on site performed an engineered tandem lift that required two 270-ton mobile cranes supplied by Kansen Crane.

The two cranes had to work together to pick up the 3,000 mm diameter pipe and carefully place it, says Meldrum, adding it takes extreme skill by the crane operators and crew to place these large diameter pipes without incident.

Another concern on the installation of the large bore piping (2400 and 3000mm) was that it was encapsulated in concrete. The concrete could potentially cause an upward force, which could cause the pipes to float and become misaligned.

Crew supervisor Cawdell had to calculate the buoyancy of the upward force and then devise a way to anchor the large diameter pipe spools in place while the cement was been poured.

In order to meet Metro Vancouver’s requirements for quality assurance and controls on the large diameter water mains that were being welded, Lockerbie & Hole developed and executed its own best welding procedures in order to stay on schedule.

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Plumbing & Mechanical | SPRING 2014

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cover story

Of the 510 metres of fabricated piping that Lockerbie & Hole assembled, this generated more than 20,000 diameter inches of welding. The work was performed in adverse weather and required hoarding and heating to maintain conditions.

Lockerbie & Hole’s foremost priority for all employees, subtrades and suppliers is health and safety and concern for the environment. The site safety considerations included deep excavation work, high-reach work, lock-out procedures for new and existing systems, and lift and rigging plans for heavy lifts on unstable ground.

The Lockerbie & Hole Environmental Health and Safety “Redbook” provided safe work practices and procedures for these as well as for the multiple confined space requirements.

“There was lots of confined space work on site,” he says, as crews entered pipe to carry out work. “Welders had to go inside the pipes” and they were followed by other trades that sandblasted the joints and sprayed on the lining.

Throughout the duration of the job, the crews dealt with environmental conditions.

Offering employees benefits shouldn’t have to be boring or difficult.

…site safety considerations included deep excavation work, high-reach work, lock-out procedures for new and existing systems…

“The area seemed to have its own climate,” says Meldrum, who lives in the Coquitlam area.

He would arrive on site to find drenching rains or heavier snow falls than in other parts of the area. One weekend brought 150-200mm of rainfall. Freezing at the mountain’s higher elevation impacted installations during the work period.

And, then there were the bears. Bears and their cubs were frequently encountered throughout the construction site. “They always posed a concern,” says Meldrum. Bear alert signs were posted and active truck horns were used to move bears from the area.

Lockerbie & Hole, which has been a member of the Mechanical Contractors Association of B.C. for 67 years, worked on the project with general contractor Kenaidan Contracting Ltd., Ausenco Sandwell design engineers, and Aarc West (insulation contractor) ) on site.

“Everyone — including our crews — was highly skilled and the combined expertise led to the successful handling of the challenges on site and dealing with such large diameter and heavy pipe — something not often encountered,” says Meldrum. PM

10

Plumbing & Mechanical | SPRING 2014

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bracing for boom times

By Robin Brunet

P

urely in terms of its geographical attraction, many mechanical specialists would love nothing better than to ply their trade in the sunny Okanagan. As far as Brad Wightman is concerned, he can’t imagine doing business anywhere else.

But he laughs when it’s suggested that his company, Radian Mechanical Inc., is one of the region’s most dependable and sought-after businesses of its kind. “Dependable and sought after, yes, but it’s not like we can sit back on our laurels,” he says. “Especially not in this part of the province. There are 78 heating contractors alone in the Okanagan all vying for work, so the competition is fierce.”

He adds, after a moment of thought: “Plus, the economy is showing signs of a boom but the boom hasn’t arrived, yet things are cutthroat.

About the only way a contractor can stay ahead of the pack is to have meaningful client relation-

ships. Fortunately, we’ve built some great ones over the years.”

Wightman, who turns 40 this year, exhibits the business confidence of someone far older.

Shortly after joining Radian in 1994 he acquired a keen sense of what would and wouldn’t work for the company, and when he became president in 2001 he set about adjusting operations so that

today the firm is unrecognizable compared to the one launched by his uncle and long-time MCABC member, Ross Wightman.

“When I joined there were about 10 staffers and we were doing tenant improvements and retail fit-ups,” he recalls. “Today we have 41 people and our own plumbing, refrigeration and controls departments.”

As for projects, they run the gamut of everything the Okanagan has to offer: wineries (Sandhill Estates Winery and most recently the 50th Parallel Estate); big box retail (Canadian Tire in West Kelowna); restaurants (Cactus Club, Joey’s); and hospitality (Fairfield Marriott Vernon, Holiday Inn Express Golden).

Even Radian’s recent one-offs are substantial, case in point: the Salmon Arm Savings & Credit Union, which was built to LEED standards and required Wightman and his crew to provide unorthodox solutions for that facility’s heating needs.

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Plumbing & Mechanical | SPRING 2014

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Sandhill Estates Winery

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Plumbing & Mechanical | SPRING 2014

“The mechanical design was fairly complicated and involved a large volume of heat recovery,” he says. “We provided design assistance and installation of what was essentially a geothermal system but without the circulation of water. Instead, we used three large 30-inch air tubes whose air flow temperature was tempered by the earth.”

Wightman steadfastly maintains that he has no favourite type of project.

“We do custom homes all the way to industrial work, the latter of which we’re outfitted for with a plasma machine and other equipment in our 6,000 square foot shop,” he says.

If Wightman has broken with family tradition in reinventing Radian to flourish in the 21st century, he abides by at least one long-standing tradition.

“I became an MCABC member in 2006, following in Ross’s footsteps and that of my grandfather Harold, who was a member back in 1958 and whose certificate I still have,” he says. “I strongly believe that being a member shows we’re committed to bettering ourselves and the industry overall.”

Bettering oneself is a family trait first exhibited by grandfather Harold and his company Wightman Plumbing & Heating, which boasted a fleet of service vehicles. Similarly, Ross Wightman owned and operated Wightman Mechanical through the 70s and early 80s before the downturn in the early 80s. He returned to the Okanagan and started with Radian as an employee before taking over the firm in the late 1980s.

By contrast, Brad applied his skills in different sectors upon graduating high school. “I even followed my father into the grocery trade, but that didn’t last long,” he recalls. “I was mechanically inclined, so I became an apprentice for my uncle, whose company was strictly into sheet metal during the 1990s.”

The small company enabled Wightman to quickly acquire a wide range of skill sets: “It was a great environment. I did a lot of work in the shop, but I also

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Plumbing & Mechanical | SPRING 2014

gained field experience, saw how the office end of operations functioned, and even got a taste for estimating.”

When the economy tanked, Radian downsized to only five employees including office staff; by the time Wightman took over the firm he was determined to expand business in different directions.

“I was young and had a bigger appetite for risk than Ross did,” he explains.

Essentially, Wightman worked with local plumbers and put proposal packages together. “This enabled us to successfully bid on bigger projects.”

So successful was this strategy that when the economy rebounded, Radian’s growth rate became difficult to control. But rather than downshifting, Wightman recruited people with specific business skills and retained consultants to ensure that everything stayed on the rails.

“By the time the big recession of `08 came along we didn’t take much of a hit at all, because we were no longer involved in open bid opportunities,” he says. “Instead, we were working directly with developers who had a lot of projects on the go.”

Radian maintains that approach to securing projects today, and Wightman discusses his company while crews are completing phase one of the SOPA Square mixed use facility in Kelowna, for which they have provided all the plumbing, sheet metal and refrigeration for the hybrid Mitsubishi VRF system.

“We’re busy, no question about it,” he says. So busy that apart from enjoying downtime with his wife Nycole and their two children, he rarely has time to indulge in his passions for fishing and snowmobiling.

But even though a boom is coming, Wightman is careful not to let his guard down.

“Low pricing among the competition is our biggest challenge, so we stay on our toes,” he says, adding that he hopes MCABC will further assist his business model in the future. “It would be good if they could aggressively market its members to prospective contractors and owners looking for mechanical partners. That would be of enormous benefit to people like us in the Okanagan.” PM

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safety

Safety is Changing Why Bill 14 is about more than bullying and harassment.

by Jeff Lyth

N

ovember 1st 2013 was the deadline by which time all employers in B.C. were required to have policies in place to prevent bullying and harassment at work. It meant that WorksafeBC was now enforcing rules about how we behave and how we talk to one another in the workplace.

Some felt that on top of all the existing safety requirements, that was just going way too far.

This article aims to provide some background as well as an update on Bill 14 so an informed decision can be made about these new requirements and about safety in workplace in general.

Firstly, bullying and harassment was not the focus of the Bill itself.

What the Bill did was change the rules around workers making a compensation claim for psychological disorders caused by work. Workers have always had the ability to file a claim for this, but the courts determined that the former rules were unfairly restrictive and not consistent with how WorksafeBC insures physical injuries arising from work, so they were expanded somewhat.

In the same way the WorksafeBC creates rules (such as fall protection) to prevent physical injuries (such as broken legs from falls), they have also created rules aimed at preventing a major cause of work-related psychological injury. Specifically bullying and harassing conduct is defined as: ‘any inappropriate conduct or comment by a person towards a worker that the person knew or reasonably ought to have known would cause that worker to be humiliated or intimidated.’

Some of us remember a time in construction when it was not unheard of for two guys to settle their differences by duking it out after work — or sometimes during. Later on, name-calling became the next best way to get at someone. But we learned the Human Rights Tribunal didn’t find hurtful nicknames based on age, sex, religion, or physical differences funny at all. In fact a few construction employers paid hefty settlements for what they had previously considered ‘joking around’.

These new provisions are really just the third chapter in the evolution of acceptable workplace conduct, and it is no longer acceptable to “intimidate or humiliate” anyone at work, whether its supervisor-to-worker or even worker-to-worker.

Some construction employers were very concerned about these new developments, because they knew they had people that used loud, aggressive, or intimidating behaviours to get the work done. This has gone on in our industry for a very long time, and some even consider those people their most productive bosses. However study after study has revealed that there are far more effective ways to motivate staff.

These old habits still exist for two main reasons. One is that we learned from the older generation that taught us, and standards of behaviour that were acceptable and tolerated years ago have been passed down to present day leaders. The other reason is that we haven’t had many options for how to train supervisors in better ways of interacting with people until recently.

In 10 years, it is estimated that 75 per cent of the workforce will be Generation Y, aka the ‘millennial generation’. It is imperative that companies who want to remain competitive and viable in 10 or 20 years start to adopt strategies to attract, engage, and retain the best people. Treating people with fairness, dignity and respect will go a long way towards having a committed and engaged workforce, right now and especially in the future.

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Plumbing & Mechanical | SPRING 2014

Secondly, safety isn’t just about following the rules.

Safety at work as we know it began almost 100 years ago. People were different then, the world was very different then, and most importantly what we know about ourselves as people has grown immensely. For example ‘phrenology’ (determining personality and character by reading the bumps on a persons head) was recognized as science in the early 1900s. We’ve come along way to say the least.

Our understanding of safety has come along way too. What passed as scientific analysis 100 years ago shaped how we’ve tried to manage safety (and business) ever since, but we are now at a point in history where we can make a course correction and realize better outcomes.

We’ve fallen into the assumption that safety will be achieved if we follow all the rules. Safety rules are very important (workplaces would be far more dangerous without them); and they are ‘necessary but insufficient’.

For example you would never plan to win a hockey game by merely following the rules, you need strategy and skills to play an excellent game. So why do we think that rules are sufficient to create safety at work? We need strategy and skills to do excellent, error-free work.

Being able to show your due diligence in complying with the Workers Compensation Act is one thing, called ‘compliance’. Everything we do to make sure projects operate efficiently, productively, with quality and with safety is called ‘prevention’. Well-planned and executed work prevents losses to budget, schedule, quality, and of course safety.

So with that in mind, compliance with the bullying and harassment requirements is relatively easy. WorksafeBC has created an excellent toolkit full of resources that all employers can use to show diligence in regard to bullying and harassment. As long as you practice what you preach and do not engage in (or turn a blind eye to) humiliation or intimidation, you’ll be fine.

However, true prevention of counter-productive workplace conduct opens the door to a new era of high performance operations. It consists of developing contemporary leadership skills, managing your corporate culture, and creating an atmosphere in the company where all the people feel ‘psychologically safe’ enough to ask questions, suggest better ways of doing things, and to fully engage in and be a part of achieving the goals of the organization. PM Jeff Lyth is owner of QSP Leadership. He has more than 20 years of experience in occupational health and safety.

safety

Stepping up to safety

By Don Schouten

L

adders are one of the most commonly used pieces of equipment on a work site. But did you know they can also be one of the most dangerous, if used incorrectly?

In fact, falls from ladders are one of the leading causes of injuries in construction — seeing 995 reported falls from ladders from 2011 to 2013. Often the cause is the lack of proper training or that safe work practices are not followed. We use ladders so often that we don’t usually think about how to use them safely.

Falls from ladders aren’t just something workers bounce back from either; they usually take a person off the job for an average of 96 days. In some cases, falls from ladders can cause life-changing injuries — even death. These serious incidents affect more than just the worker. The consequences can impact their family, their coworkers, the work site, and the industry as a whole.

So, before starting any project which may involve a ladder, determine whether a ladder is the best tool for the job? Or would a properly constructed work platform such as scaffolding be a safer choice.

Have a proper set up

If a ladder is used, it’s important to choose the right one for the job at hand. It must also be inspected before each use to confirm that it’s in good condition and strong enough for the job so it can handle the load it must carry. Ensure the ladder is secure at the top and the bottom so it won’t slip and is angled at a 4:1 ratio — for every four feet up, place the ladder base one foot out from the wall. If the ladder is made out of aluminum or has metal reinforcements, it should also be kept far away from electrical hazards.

Climbing up and down a ladder

Once the ladder has been properly inspected and set up, it’s important to remember to always face the ladder when using it and to keep your weight between the ladder supports. Need specific tools? Ensure workers make use of their tool belt or use a hand line so they’re able to maintain three points of contact with the ladder at all times.

Mechanical Contractors Insurance Program The Aon/MCAM program was built specifically for mechanical contractors in Canada.

• Tailored coverage for Mechanical Contractors not provided by any other insurers in Canada • Discounted rates for MCA members • Claims-free bonus • Dedicated claims support • Bonding relationship with all Surety companies throughout Canada To find out more and for a no obligation quote, contact us today.

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Step-ladder safety

Think only extension ladders are potential hazards? Step ladders may not seem dangerous but serious injuries and even deaths can occur from falling even a short distance from the ground. The same inspection, setup, and usage steps should be followed before beginning work from a step ladder, to help get the job done, safer.

Ladders may be an important part of getting the job done on the work site, but nothing is as important as staying safe. No matter what type of project you’re doing, always plan for safety like you plan any other part of the job by making sure you have the right tools and equipment. PM

Dean Wade Surety Account Executive dean.wade@aon.ca 604.443.2403

Don Schouten is s the industry and labour services manager for construction at WorkSafeBC. For resources and more information on how to prevent falls from ladders, visit the Safety at Work section on worksafebc.com.

SPRING 2014 | Plumbing & Mechanical

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pipes + pumps

Making Sense of Anchoring

By Cory Norman can produce consistent performance in cracked and uncracked concrete conditions for tensile strength and displacement.

Unrelated to code and testing, drop-in anchors also require correct use of a setting tool to function properly.

Issues

T

his article gives an overview of the changes in the codes and state-of-the-art anchor design affecting drop-in anchors, and the key factors related to the transition from dropin anchors to other means of attaching threaded rods to the underside of concrete slabs.

Code

The 2012 British Columbia Building Code (BCBC) 4.1.8.18 (8d) states that no drop-in anchors or power-actuated fasteners can be used for resisting seismic tension loads. The 2006 BCBC 4.1.8.17 (8d) clause matches that of the 2012 BCBC clause.

When an anchor is fastened to the underside of a slab, any gravity load becomes a tensile load that may or may not be subjected to a seismic tension load depending on the design of seismic bracing used. Absent unique circumstances, the overhead suspension of non-structural building components is an application impacted by the BCBC clause. This clause is found in Division B, Part 4 of the BCBC and it is suggested that the code is read in its entirety to understand the context of the clause. This clause is especially important for plumbing contractors. Sprinkler contractors also have another code to consider: NFPA 13.

Sprinkler contractors are required to follow the design methods of NFPA 13. Under the requirements of NFPA13, a listed anchor must be used for suspending sprinkler piping. This is an additional requirement that sprinkler contractors must be aware of when selecting an anchor, in addition to not using drop-ins for seismic tension applications.

The 2013 edition of NFPA13 requires that all anchors used to support sprinkler pipe be tested to ACI 355.2. Although it will likely be some time before the BCBC references this latest edition of NFPA13, it gives an indication of the direction the required anchor qualification will go. It is strongly encouraged that contractors confirm with local authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ) whether a similar testing criteria has been implemented.

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Plumbing & Mechanical | SPRING 2014

For many years, in designing anchorages, designers and contractors alike used allowable stress design (ASD) data with global safety factors imposed on the ultimate loads found through testing. Allowable stress design assumes the concrete is unreinforced and uncracked. As the understanding of anchor behavior and testing methods improved, the evolution of anchor design started to shift from allowable stress to limit states design (LSD).

The LSD testing criteria for mechanical anchors, ACI 355.2, incorporates a more comprehensive analysis of anchor performance, such as the inclusion of concrete reinforcement, concrete cracking through the plane of the anchor, and seismic testing. The testing required for LSD is a more refined representation of what occurs in the real world and provides visibility into more failure modes of the anchor. As anchors were tested to ACI 355.2, many were unable to satisfy some of these additional requirements, including the drop-in.

What anchors can be used has proven to be complicated due to the various codes governing the different trades. Understanding the relevant testing and approvals required by the governing code(s) for one’s trade is paramount to making the best anchor choice.

In the case of sprinkler contractors, ULC listed anchors are currently being accepted for hanging sprinkler pipe. In addition to 2013 NFPA 13 not yet being adopted, the criteria for cracked concrete and seismic testing is contained in CSA A23.3, Annex D (CSA A23.3 is incorporated by reference in the BCBC). Although most designers use Annex D due to its many advantages, it is not mandatory at this time.

The site driven requirement for shallow embedment seems to pose a natural limitation on available choices as well. The lower mat of rebar and the plethora of services commonly tied to it can rest as close as 1� to the underside of the slab. Not to mention post-tension cables. In a case where the anchor embedment creates a risk of hitting something in the concrete when drilling the hole, hand held ground penetrating radar devices may help the installer make informed decisions about where to drill. Most manufacturers offer anchor solutions to suit any of the above.

Drop-in Anchor Performance

Process vs Product?

The drop-in anchor has been on the market for decades. The shallow embedment and internal threading made it a popular choice of the mechanical trade to suspend mechanical pipe overhead with threaded rod. While the drop-in anchor has enjoyed a high level of adoption and successful use, the continued advancement of codes and testing is forcing the industry to look closer at these anchors when used in overhead applications.

The current mechanical anchor testing method of ACI 355.2 subjects anchors to stringent tests in cracked, uncracked, and seismic applications. The drop-in anchor, in its common form, has not been able to pass these tests in cracked concrete or seismic conditions to a satisfactory level of performance, regardless of the manufacturer. A potential reason is the drop-in anchor lacks the ability of follow-up expansion, which is how certain wedge, undercut and screw anchors,

It is important to keep in mind that the use of anchors is changing and evolving. An anchor that may be suitable on one project may not on another.

Although most contractors are only interested in what anchors they can use, during this time of transition it is better to have a solid process in place that allows for communication with the design and enforcement community from bid to build.

The surest safeguard from costly rework will be the diligence of the contractor to work with their preferred manufacturer, engineers and AHJ as early as the bidding procedure. A formal submittal to the designer is strongly recommended. This will lead to proper identification of the anchor solution early in the process. PM

Anchor Testing History

Cory Norman, E.I.T, is a field engineer at Hilti, providing direct support to engineers and architects throughout B.C.

pipes + pumps

Selecting Energy Efficient Circulator Pumps

By Sherezad Shafiq

M

any government agencies, utilities, and commercial facilities have aggressive targets to reduce energy use.

Much of the “low hanging fruit” has been picked when it comes to energy reduction. To continue to reduce energy use we must expand our efforts into previously untouched equipment within our buildings.

Pumps are a prime opportunity for reducing energy usage. It has not been so straightforward in the past in selecting efficient pumps. Often a pump is selected based on a single operating point; however, the pump may only operate at this duty for a short period of time if ever as pumps are often oversized to ensure they meet the comfort demands. Using peak efficiency, or best efficiency point (BEP) does not provide the whole picture for selecting the most efficient pump. To best select an efficient pump we should look at the load profile and energy use across the load demand.

Europe has taken a new approach leading the way for pump efficiency standards. After studying the pumps on the market the European Union (EU) set requirements for the energy use of a circulator over a standardized load profile to ensure minimum efficiency standards for a pump across duty range rather than at a single point of operation. This new measurement is called the Energy Efficiency Index or EEI. The EEI calculation compares the average power consumption of a circulator used across a load profile to the reference power input of a standard circulator today.

In the European Union, circulators must achieve an EEI of 0.27 or better since January 2013. It is no longer legal to sell circulators in the EU that do not achieve this standard. This requirement becomes more stringent in 2015 reducing the EEI down to 0.23. Any circulators achieving a 0.20 or lower are considered to be the benchmark for best in class efficiency.

Achieving these levels of efficiency is not easy but it is very possible as every circulator manufacturer selling into the EU must meet it today. To achieve these levels the circulator must be variable speed and have very efficient motors (typically permanent magnet) and hydraulics (3D impeller designs). This technology is readily available in the North American market today with varying levels of adherence to the EEI requirements.

Permanent Magnet motors come in different magnetic materials each offering their own pros and cons. Some are available with ceramic based magnets which are typically cheaper

State-of-the-art circulators from Grundfos meet and exceed EEI standards.

but come at the cost of weaker magnetism and thus lower efficiency. On the other end of the spectrum the permanent magnets may be neodymium which are extremely strong providing highest efficiencies but are a little more costly to produce.

Hydraulic efficiency of circulators has mostly remained stagnant over the past few decades.

Modern day design tools allow for creating hydraulics optimized for increased efficiency across partial load demands. As most pumps operate the majority of time at partial load, having a circulator with the latest advances in hydraulic efficiency can result in great energy savings.

Variable speed control provides many options for controlling the pump and system. The EEI calculations are based on proportional pressure control. In proportional pressure, the pump speed is reduced at low flows to further reduce the amount of pressure delivered by the pump.

In heating and cooling applications there is typically less friction loss and thus less pressure required at low flows.

Most circulators of this type also offer constant pressure control which is not as energy efficient as proportional pressure control, but is the best option in systems that have little pressure loss change due to varying flows. Some of the more advanced pumps offer further adaptive

modes, temperature control, as well as monitoring functions to report data back to building management systems.

It is also very important to note that simply selecting the right circulator is not going to ensure the highest level of efficiency. How the circulator is controlled in the system is substantially important. Most circulator manufacturers have acknowledged this and come out with localized control features which ensure that the circulator is able to best control itself based on changes in the system and in some cases, they are smart enough to automatically “adapt” to changes in the system without much external influence.

The EEI standards and benchmark levels are based on proportional pressure control as this is the most efficient control method in most applications and is available from nearly all circulator manufacturers. There are some more advanced control methods available that can result in even greater savings. When searching for a new circulator look for one with the lowest EEI possible and offers all the monitoring and reporting features required for integrating into the building management system to ensure on going energy optimization. PM Sherezad Shafiq is Grundfos Canada regional sales manager, Western Canada sales team. www.grundfos.com SPRING 2014 | Plumbing & Mechanical

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tool box

BOILER CONTROL

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VIPER TOILET

Compact and high efficiency, Gerber’s Viper toilet at 1.28 gallons per flush uses 20 per cent less water than standard 1.6-gallon toilets and meets the EPA’s WaterSense standard. gerberonline.com

MAGNA3 ROTARY HAMMER

At only 10” long and 3.9 lbs, the Milwaukee 5/8” SDS Plus Rotary Hammer provides performance and run time that is comparable to a much larger tool, at a fraction of the size and weight. milwaukeetool.com

Designed for commercial hydronic applications, MAGNA3 is an energy optimized, variable-speed wet rotor circulator that features a permanent magnet motor design that will reduce power consumption up to 85 percent, as compared with other circulators in its class. grundfos.com

KOHLER SENSATE

A touchless faucet featuring an underside sensor, activates in 20 milliseconds. ca.kohler.com

RESIDENTIAL HEATING CABLES

AHB residential water pipe heating cable that automatically protects water pipes from freezing. AHB pipe heating cables are available in lengths from 3 feet to 80 feet in wattages ranging from 21W to 560W. easyheat.com 22

Plumbing & Mechanical | SPRING 2014

political scene

Temporary Foreign Worker Controversy Minister Kenney vows to get tough on companies abusing temporary foreign worker program.

Employers could face fraud charges and jail time.

By Michael Geoghegan

I

n the wake of recent stories about Canadian workers being laid off and their jobs replaced with temporary foreign workers, Canada’s Employment Minister Jason Kenney has warned that employers who abuse the program could face fraud charges and jail time.

“Obviously, in some small numbers, there are cases of abuse, and we don’t tolerate those; we intend to crack down on them severely,” Kenney recently stated.

“The more important thing is that we prevent abuse in the first place and that’s why we’ve tightened up the rules, and we’ll continue to do so.”

He made good on his word on April 24th when he took action by banning restaurants from accessing the program. Minister Kenney issued the moratorium mere hours after the C.D. Howe Institute released a study into the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program that concluded it had spurred joblessness in B.C. and Alberta, two valuable Conservative strongholds.

On the day previously, McDonald’s of Canada had announced it was putting on hold its participation in the program pending a third party audit. The fast-food giant has been in hot water for hiring so many temporary foreign workers at some of its Canadian franchises most notably here in Victoria, B.C. There has been a significant increase in the number of hotels and restaurants accessing the program even though the program was originally designed to address shortages of skilled workers, not low skilled and entry level labour.

Don Drummond, an economist who wrote a report for the government five years ago on labour markets, said there’s no hard data to back up Ottawa’s insistence that a persistent skills shortage justifies the use of such workers.

“They keep saying we don’t have any trades people, but in the latest data for every available construction job in Canada, there’s eight unemployed construction workers. Even when you look at the data over the summer — a busy time in construction — overwhelmingly, there are unemployed people in construction as opposed to job vacancies.”

Kenney, who met with Drummond last fall has acknowledged the government needs to do a better job compiling meaningful labour market data. The minister has also hinted that he’s mulling over restrictions that would make it more difficult for fast-food restaurants in urban areas to apply for temporary foreign workers amid a spate of alleged abuses of the program by restaurant owners.

Employers need to keep in mind that 2015 will be a federal election year and as such those that most egregiously abuse the TFW program may find themselves being made an example of given a government that is eager to be seen as protecting Canada’s middle class.

The political importance of the middle class here in Canada cannot be over stated. In Canada, where there are strict campaign spending limits and both union and corporate donations have been made verbotten, politicians of all political stripes chase middle class votes and donations.

Contrast that with the United States where the absence of campaign spending limits has led to a situation in which a recent Princeton University Study concluded that the United States has become an oligarchy where government represents the interests of the wealthy rather than those of the majority.

Naturally when you have policies that favour the wealthy over those of the poor and middle class it will eventually have a real impact on a nation’s income distribution. That is why on April 22nd, the New York Times reported that America’s middle class is no longer the most affluent.

That distinction now goes to Canada.

Minister Jason Kenney was quick to tweet this fact out, not only out of a sense of national pride, but in response from political attacks from both the NDP and Liberals that have called into question how Canada’s middle class have been doing under the Conservatives.

The answer it would seem is, pretty good. From 2000 until 2010 median income in the United States stagnated while in Canada it increased by 20 per cent. The data also suggests these trends have only continued since then putting Canada’s middle class solidly ahead of the one in America.

It is for this reason that the Harper Conservatives, while wanting to be responsive to the needs of the business community, do not want to be seen as the government that killed off your kid’s chances to land an entry level job in high school or a mortgage paying job in the construction and resource sectors.

Thus any company making use of the TFW will likely be subjected to much greater scrutiny and if abuse has been found, it is more than likely they will be made an example of by the government.

The view and opinions expressed herein are those of the author.

They are not endorsed by MCABC and do not necessarily reflect the views of MCABC, its board or executives.

…for every available construction job in Canada, there’s eight unemployed construction workers…

PM

Michael Geoghegan is a government relations consultant based in Victoria B.C. you can follow him on twitter @BCLobbyist SPRING 2014 | Plumbing & Mechanical

23

association corner

2014 Annual Conference and AGM

T

his spring marked MCABC’s 70th Annual Conference and AGM — some would argue that this is the MCABC event of the year. On May 2nd and 3rd, delegates gathered in

www.div15mechanical.com 604‐214‐8730

Whistler, B.C. at the Four Seasons Hotel & Resort, ready for some serious “Mountaintop Mayhem”.

This year’s conference boasted 196 attendees, 67 conference first-timers, and 19 table top

presenters. Needless to say, this was the biggest conference ever! The weekend was jam-packed with business meetings, social events, guest speakers, outings, tasty food and libations, costumes and camaraderie. We look forward to this time next year, when we assemble for the next big annual conference once again.

While, another successful conference weekend event has come to a close, the photos (only some shown here) we’ve captured will certainly provide ever-lasting memories and enjoyment. Many thanks to Michael Overbeck (michaeloverbeck.com) for his skillful photography and participation.

Advanced Mechanical Solutions

UPCOMING EVENTS Find complete events listing at www.mcabc.org/events July 29th MCABC Associates Only Golf Tournament August 2014 — Date TBA MCABC’s Annual Summer Event September 5th MCABC’s Victoria Golf Classic Tournament

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Plumbing & Mechanical | SPRING 2014

association corner

SPRING 2014 | Plumbing & Mechanical

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industry news

Proponent selected for Victoria Wastewater Treatment Plant

Harbour Resource Partners (HRP) has been selected as the preferred proponent to design, build and partially finance the planned Wastewater Treatment Plant at McLoughlin Point, the Victoria Harbour Crossing and the Marine Outfall.

Selecting the Preferred Proponent is the first stage of reaching a final agreement for the McLoughlin wastewater treatment plant.

The Treatment Plant is the keystone facility for the Seaterra Program and will provide enhanced primary and secondary treatment for the region’s core area wastewater. This represents a huge step forward from the current level of treatment and will bring the core area into compliance with provincial and federal government environmental regulations.

HRP’s proposal complies with the design and architectural guidelines that were developed with input from the municipalities of Esquimalt and Victoria and approved by the Esquimalt council.

The new facility will be designed to include innovative wastewater treatment options, including heat recovery for the plant and administrative buildings. The administrative buildings will also be built to a LEED Gold standard.

HRP represents top-tier global expertise in wastewater treatment plant financing, design, construction and operations coupled with local knowledge and experience gained on past CRD projects. These prominent firms are also included in HRP — AECOM Canada, Graham Infrastructure, CEI, SENA, Gracorp and Michels Canada.

The Seaterra Program will provide cost-effective wastewater treatment for the core area that meets all regulatory requirements and is flexible to adapt to new technologies and higher levels of treatment in the future. The practice of dumping raw sewage into the ocean is no longer acceptable and by 2018, Greater Victoria will no longer be releasing untreated wastewater into the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Massey Tunnel contracts awarded

Four contracts have been awarded for engineering, technical and community relations work leading up to construction of the Massey Tunnel project in Vancouver.

An engineering contract worth $24 million has been awarded to MMM Group Limited and Sun Coast Consulting have been named as technical advisors with a contract of $22 million.

Hemmera EnviroChem Inc. are environmental advisors (contract: $9 million) and Lucent Strategies Inc. were awarded a $6 million contract to handle community relations.

Construction is slated to begin in 2017.

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Plumbing & Mechanical | SPRING 2014

Canada Ranked No. 1

New ITA board of directors

A new board of directors for B.C.’s Industry Training Authority (ITA) has been appointed by BC minister of jobs, tourism and skills training and minister responsible for labour Shirley Bond. The board will be responsible for building stronger partnerships with industry and labour to deliver training and apprenticeships as part of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint.

Gwyn Morgan, the founding CEO of EnCana Corporation, will be the chair of the ITA. Others joining Morgan on the board include: Tom Sigurdson, the executive director of the BC Building Trades; Andre Calitz VP of LNG Canada; and Barj Dhahan, the CEO of the Sandhurst Group of Companies and Also on the board are Gordon Grant, communications coordinator for the First Nations Employment Society; Lindsay Langill, a professor and the dean of School of Trades and Technology at Thompson Rivers University; Rick Kasper, a retired bricklayer and stonemason; Jonathan Whitworth, Seasapn CEO and MJ Whitemarsh the former CEO of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association British Columbia.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has released its list of the top 10 countries for LEED outside of the United States, on which Canada ranked No. 1. The list demonstrates the global reach of the movement that is transforming the built environment into healthy, high-performing structures that benefit the planet.

“The global community is increasingly recognizing the imperative for action as we combat the extraordinary challenge of worldwide climate change,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. “LEED’s success in Canada represents not only a growing recognition of its demonstrated benefits for human health and operational cost savings, but also its unparalleled potential to be part of the solution to a warming planet and rising sea levels.”

The list of the top 10 countries for LEED reflects the global adaptability of the world’s most widely used and recognized system guiding the design, construction, operations and maintenance of green buildings. To date, project teams in more than 140 countries and territories have implemented LEED in their building projects, taking advantage of its global, regional and local applicability to create structures that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions; create healthier indoor environments for workers, students and community members; and lower utility bills for building owners through reduced energy and water use.

correction In the MCABC Winter issue, the contractor working on the district energy system piping was incorrectly identified

P3s boost Canada’s economy

Public-private partnerships (P3s) generated $51.2 billion for the Canadian economy between 2003 and 2012 according to The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships. P3s also created 290,680 direct full-time equivalent jobs.

The economic impact study by InterVISTAS found that P3s play a major role in boosting Canada’s economy. The report notes: “With the public sector facing aging infrastructure, population growth and budget constraints, P3s are bringing together the expertise of both the private and public sector to expand the number and scale of infrastructure investments for public benefit.”

There are currently 206 P3 projects in Canada and those under construction or in operation are worth more than $63 billion.

in the Telus Garden project article.

Division 15 Mechanical Ltd, Vancouver’s leading district energy system provider, was selected to build the underground distribution piping of the DES, which connects the office and residential towers along Richards Street.

This underground distribution piping system (DPS) is comprised of a complex array of both pre-insulated steel and HDPE piping used for heating and cooling purposes.

Georgia Mechanical is doing work on the residential tower component.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

2014-2016

MCABC BOARD MEMBERS President Wayne Davidson Davidson Bros. Mechanical Contractors

Executive Vice President Dana Taylor

Vice President, Lower Mainland Dale Miller Division 15 Mechanical Ltd.

Vice President, Lower Mainland Andrew Wong Alpha Mechanical Contracting Ltd.

Secretary Treasurer Dean Loewen Daryl-Evans Mechanical Ltd.

Vice President, Lower Mainland MIRA Chairman Rob Noel, BC Comfort Ltd.

Associates Chairman Earl Storey B.A. Robinson

Associates Vice-Chairman Mark Humphrey Wolseley Mechanical Group

Director Brian Bradshaw Altac Services Inc.

Director Brad Haysom Tight 5 Contracting Ltd.

Director Richard McLatchie Lockerbie & HoleÂ

Director Ross MacDonald Control Solutions Ltd.

Director Angus Macpherson Cairnview Mechanical Ltd.

Director Mike Ohlmann Fred Welsh Ltd.

Director Brad Popoff Equity Plumbing & Heating Ltd.

Director Dan Taillefer Viaduct Sheet Metal Ltd.

Director Len Voon Aarc West Mechanical Insulation

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