SPRING 2015
sheetmetaljournal.com
HVAC FLS Best Practices Fire Dampers BCICA's QAC Specified No Shortcuts to the Top
Publications Mail Agreement # 40719512
Official Journal of Record for SMACNA-BC
PROMOTING
GROWTH AND STABILITY IN OUR INDUSTRY
Formed in 1969, the British Columbia Sheet Metal Association (SMACNA-BC) was the first international chapter of the Sheet Metal & Air-conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA). Founded in 1934, SMACNA traces its history to the National Association of Sheet Metal Contractors established in 1910, and has 2,300 members worldwide. SMACNA-BC is a member-driven association representing unionized sheet metal contractors in the Mainland of BC, and suppliers to our industry. It promotes the growth and stability of the members and industry. OUR MANDATE • To improve the financial stability and business conditions of the sheet metal industry, and to develop and promote methods to improve managerial proficiency • To improve quality, efficiency and productivity of this industry, and to implement high standards of work • To establish and maintain high ethical standards of conduct between members of the Association, and between members and owners, architects, engineers, other contractors, and the public • To study and help in the development and enforcement of governmental codes and regulations, and such legislation as may be necessary for the best interest of the public and the sheet metal industry • To promote harmony in labour relations • To exchange technical, professional, and educational information with other contractor associations in the sheet metal industry and its allied trades in Canada and other countries • To affiliate as a Chapter with the Sheet Metal & Air-conditioning Contractors National Association, Inc.
BC Sheet Metal Association (SMACNA-BC) Executive Director: Bruce Sychuk 315-15225 104th Ave. Surrey, BC. V3R 6Y8 Phone: (604) 585-4641 • Fax: (604) 584-9304 E-mail: smacnabc@smacna-bc.org • www.smacna-bc.org
in this issue... www.sheetmetaljournal.com GROUP PUBLISHER
Spring 2015
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Lara Perraton lperraton@pointonemedia.com
EDITOR
Jessica Kirby jessica.kirby@pointonemedia.com
CONTRIBUTORS Mark Breslin Andrew Delmonico Amelia Cline Norm Grusnick Chuck Holt
HVAC FLS Best Practices
HVAC Fire Life Safety Certification is one of the most successful initiatives in the history of the sheet metal industry.
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GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Lara Perraton 877.755.2762 lperraton@pointonemedia.com PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY Point One Media Inc.
Fire Dampers on the Table at Contractors' Meeting
Sheet Metal Journal P.O. Box 11, Station A Nanaimo, BC V9R 5K4 Toll-free: 877.755.2762 www.sheetmetaljournal.com While information contained in this publication has been compiled from sources deemed to be reliable, the publisher may not be held liable for omissions or errors.
Gerry Smith of E.H. Price Industries spoke to SMACNA-BC contractors about the importance of getting it right when it comes to fire dampers.
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Contents ©2015 by Point One Media Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or duplicated without prior written permission from the publisher. Printed in Canada. Postage paid at Simcoe, ON. Return postage guaranteed. Canada Post Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement #40719512. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Circulation Department Sheet Metal Journal P.O. Box 11, Station A Nanaimo, BC V9R 5K4 email: circulations@pointonemedia.com
Official Journal of Record for SMACNA - BC Find Sheet Metal Journal on Twitter and Facebook
BCICA's QAC Specified
BCICA's Quality Assurance Certificate specified in Vancouverbased Integral Group's master specifications.
COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS
04 • 05 • 06 • 07 • 22 •
Guest Editorial Coming Events Industry News Blast from the Past Technical Updates
23 • Career Profile 24 • Global Metal 25 • Engineer's Desk 26 • It's the Law 27 • Advertiser Index
In the Next Issue: Training and Labour • Business Management • Testing and Balancing
www.sheetmetaljournal.com • Spring 2015
3
GUEST EDITORIAL NO SHORTCUTS TO THE TOP
Rarely is anything in life or business accomplished in one dramatic and immediate event or effort. More often is the accumulation of many small efforts over time. Desire and ambition are fine, but without persistence and determination, they accomplish nothing. No place on earth more famously represents man’s ambition, persistence, and determination than the efforts to scale the highest peak on the planet, Mount Everest. Last year my wife Susan and I undertook a high altitude trek to Everest Base Camp. It is located in a very remote section of the country of Nepal. The trek, nothing compared to the extreme efforts of the professional Everest climbers, took us to a final altitude of 18,500+ feet. It was very cold, with primitive conditions. It was arduous and challenging. With the support of our Sherpa guides we spent several weeks slowly ascending and acclimating. It took many small steps to the reward of seeing one of the most spectacular sights in the entire world. It was daunting to see the black rock monolith of Everest towering at 29,029 feet above us, actually up in the 180 mph jet stream, with snow blasting off the peak miles, across the sky. It was hard to imagine the next 10,000 small steps that would take the serious climbers to the edge of life and death and back. I use this example as an analogy for
by /Mark Breslin
the challenges faced by our industry. There are 10,000 steps ahead for the union construction industry; upward to ultimate success or downward into irrelevance and oblivion. The fate of union construction lies in the ability of labour and management to continue pushing change forward. As you cannot run up Everest, neither can we expect immediate changes and visible results with regards to the major challenges facing union construction. However, just because our structure and relationships do not always promote rapid change, it does not affect the absolute necessity of bold action. What are these daunting challenges that should be motivating change in our industry? • More sophisticated and qualified competition • Growing competitive delta between union and open shops • Predicted consistent escalation of benefit costs • Pension liabilities • Imminent retirement of Baby Boomer craft leaders • Diminishing geographic/market relevance • Necessity of union structural consolidations and leveraging of economies of scale • Ability to attract new owner clients and new union contractors As in a serious climb, there are many routes to the same place, but standing still is not an option. On Everest, many climbers die, or are even left behind, because they simply could not move forward. It is a brutal response to a brutal environment—but when survival is on the line, talk is cheap and action is paramount. On Everest, even more climbers perish because they did not recognize the turnaround point. This is where you have to calculate the speed of your climb versus the necessity of turning around to return safely. The too-slow climber that does not realize it plays with death. Like a climber ascending too slowly, our industry has not changed quickly enough. Status quo has been enough for many, and
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Sheet Metal Journal
GUEST EDITORIAL now, as the obvious risks become apparent, finally awareness is kicking in; it’s time to get our asses in gear. That means everyone on the team – the contractors, union leaders, and especially the greater mass of union craft workers – has to accept and embrace an acceleration of change. Like right now. The lesson I learned years ago when I was a more serious climber is relevant today; you cannot move any faster than the slowest guy on your rope, but there can come a point where waiting for the other guy can really put you at risk. Here is the bottom line—we cannot go back and wait for another time to climb our mountain. We cannot wait for better weather. We cannot come back next year. And we cannot quit. This is it. As in a quest for Everest, patience, resolve, and determination are the building blocks for success. It is sometimes hard to find satisfaction or even enjoyment in the grind of each small step, but it is the foundation of any organization reaching for the summit of their ambitions. In this process there will always be major challenges, serious discomfort, and even moments of doubt. Beyond this, though, is the realization that success is almost always worth the price. It is my sincere hope that the leaders of our industry understand not only the extreme challenges of the climb ahead, but also the dire consequences of delay. In summary, for our industry, there are no shortcuts to the top. Mark is noted as the number one speaker in the US on construction leadership, strategy, and labour-management relations. He is also the author of five bestselling books that have created profound and positive change across the industry. He has spoken to and inspired more than 300,000 people during his career. Please view his latest book, The Five Minute Foreman, or his collection of five at www.breslin.biz . Ecco Supply Announces Strategic Agreement With Loren Cook Company
COMING EVENTS September 18, 2015 SMACNA-BC's 32nd Annual Golf Classic Northview Golf & Country Club 1:00 PM Shotgun Start Limited to 144 Golfers September 27 - 30, 2015 2015 SMACNA Inc. Annual Convention The Broadmoor Hotel Colorado Springs, Colorado November 27, 2015 2015 SMACNA-BC Christmas Party Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver, BC
British Columbia Sheet Metal Association (SMACNA-BC) Providing products and information related to the Sheet Metal Industry, including technical manuals and guidelines. The unmatched technical and managerial expertise of SMACNA-BC Contractors is enhanced by the talent and skills of the workforce they employ. SMACNA-BC Contractors employ only Red Seal Certified Sheet Metal Journeymen and Registered Apprentices. CONTRACTOR MEMBERS 101 Industries Ltd. Admiral Roofing Ltd. Agvale Industries Ltd. Airtek Pneumatics Ltd. All Valley Metals Ltd. Alliance Metal Fabricators Ltd. Allied Blower & Sheet Metal Ltd. Ames Metal Fabricators 82 Ltd. Apollo Sheet Metal Ltd. Austin Metal Fabricators L.P. Boston Sheet Metal Ltd. Bry-Mac Mechanical Ltd. CC Industries Ltd. Cascade Metal Design Ltd. Century Plumbing & Heating Ltd. City Sheet Metal Ltd. Crosstown Metal Industries Ltd. Downtown Custom Metal Works Ltd. Duncan’s Ltd. ECCO Supply Equity Plumbing & Heating Ltd. Haakon Industries Canada Ltd.
Harbourview Sheet Metal Ltd. Horizon Cladding Ltd. Horizon Metal Systems Inc. KD Engineering Co. Keith Plumbing & Heating Co. Ltd. M&T Air Conditioning Ltd. Main Sheet Metal Works Ltd. Northwest Sheet Metal Ltd. Pacific Rim Industrial Insulation Ltd. Paramount Sheet Metal Ltd. Piedmont Sheet Metal (1997) Ltd. Quest Metal Works Ltd. R.H. Jones & Son Mechanical Ltd. Ridge Sheet Metal C.P. Smith Sheet Metal Works Ltd. Spectrum Sheet Metal Ltd. Summit Sheet Metal Ltd. Tri-Metal Fabricators Viaduct Sheet Metal Ltd. Vicwest Delta Western Mechanical Services (1977) Ltd. York Sheet Metal Ltd.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS Access Metal Products Ltd. Air System Supplies All Therm Services Inc. Bailey West Processing Inc. Brock White Construction Materials Control Solutions Ltd. Crossroads C&I Distributors DDK Ventilation Products Ltd. E.H. Price Sales Ltd. Engineered Air Envirotech Air Inc. ETP Energy Technology Products Ltd. (a div. of IPC, Inc.) Frost Insulation Supplies Inc.
Gripple Inc. Intercon Insurance Services Ltd. Manson Insulation Maxam Metal Products Modern Tool (BC) Ltd. Multicam Western Canada Nu-West Construction Products Pacaire HVAC Supplies Ltd. Progressive Air Products Ltd. Raven Hydronic Supply Ltd. Samuel, Son & Co., Ltd. Westland Insurance Group Ltd. Winroc-SPI Wm. P. Somerville 1996 Ltd.
BC Sheet Metal Association (SMACNA-BC) Executive Director: Bruce Sychuk 315-15225 104th Ave. Surrey, BC V3R 6Y8 Phone: (604) 585-4641 Fax: (604) 584-9304 E-mail: smacnabc@smacna-bc.org
www.sheetmetaljournal.com • Spring 2015
5
INDUSTRY NEWS Ecco Supply Announces Strategic Agreement With Loren Cook Company
FOR SALE: Main Sheet Metal Works Ltd.
ECCO Supply is pleased to announce it has entered into a strategic agreement with the Loren Cook Company, making ECCO Supply the exclusive distributor for the province of British Columbia
Chilliwack, Kelowna, Langley, and Victoria - to offer an expanded line of products and enhanced service with local stock on many items for quicker deliveries.
Loren Cook Company is a leader in the design and manufacture of fans, blowers, gravity vents, laboratory exhaust systems, and energy recovery ventilators. The products provide ventilation to institutional, laboratory, commercial, and industrial facilities worldwide.
About ECCO Supply
ECCO Supply and Loren Cook Company are both committed to providing exceptional customer service and this partnership is certain to complement ECCO's existing commercial, industrial, and plan and spec product offerings. The addition of Loren Cook enables each of ECCO's BC locations - Burnaby,
ECCO Supply offers heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning professionals a broad range of materials, products, and technical knowledge. Locations across Canada include fully stocked warehouses, elaborate displays, and showrooms presenting the best possible solutions to customer needs. ECCO Supply has established working relationships with contractors, installers, architects, and consultants for the HVAC and related industries for over 50 years. Visit ECCO Supply online at www. eccosupply.ca.
The business & its assets have been valued by several brokers. The most probable selling price for the business was set at $309,000. Proceeds from an auction were estimated at $115,000. The property is owned off-shore, and is currently available for continued lease. Main Sheet Metal has been a profitable custom sheet metal fabrication shop in downtown Vancouver since 1922. Meticulous business records & financial statements are maintained and available to a purchaser. The website is at www. mainsheetmetal.com. We are happy to provide more information and to discuss the business in more detail as per request. Serious consideration will be given to any reasonable offer.
Revision of ASHRAE IAQ Guideline Open for Public Comment
Public input is being sought into a proposed revision of ASHRAE’s residential indoor air quality guideline. ASHRAE Guideline 24-2008, Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings, is the companion guideline to ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2007, Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in LowRise Residential Buildings.
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A revision of the guideline is currently open for public comment until May 11, 2015. To learn more or to comment, visit www.ashrae.org/standardsactions.
CONTACT CROSSROADS C&I AT 800.663.6595 GREENGUARD® certification is not intended for residential environments. Instead, the certification is intended only for buildings meeting ASHRAE 62.1-2007 commercial building ventilation rates. This certification is proof that the product meets the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute’s indoor air quality standards and product emission standards for VOCs.
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Sheet Metal Journal
crossroadsci.com
BLAST FROM THE PAST
Above: “Dave” and “Scott” forming metal sheets on the power brake at Tacey Sheet Metal, circa 1974. Does anyone know what happened to these folks? Where are they now? Photo submitted by SMACNA-BC. Right: "Chimneysweep" by Anonymous - Unknown. Licensed under Public Domain. Chimney sweeps were the first ventilation technicians, clearing ash and soot from chimneys in the 1700s, 1800s, and even today. With the aid of “climbing boys” — young children apprenticed to climb the flues and scrub out the creosote — chimney sweeps made a lucrative living during this time and romanticized the profession. Today, chimney sweeps are still in business, with a much more sophisticated understanding of the health and safety implications of the job. Do you know anyone who worked as a chimney sweep back in the day? Send us your story and / or photos at jessica.kirby@pointonemedia.com.
Document Your Story
Have you got interesting photos and memories you'd like to share? Contact our editor, Jessica Kirby, to find out how to submit your materials for inclusion in a future issue of Sheet Metal Journal. jessica.kirby@pointonemedia.com • tel: 250.816.3671
www.sheetmetaljournal.com • Spring 2015
7
HVAC FLS
BEST PRACTICES by / Chuck Holt, director of research National Energy Management Institute Committee
N
EMIC’s HVAC Fire Life Safety Certification Program has proven to be one of the most successful initiatives in the history of the unionized sheet metal industry. Since its inception in October 2007, more than 5,900 ICB (International Certification Board) HVAC Fire Life Safety Level 1 and Level 2 Technician and Supervisor Certifications have been issued, as well as 95 for Contractors. The mission of the ICB is to direct and implement a comprehensive set of certification programs to assure sheet metal customers of the quality advantages of utilizing persons or entities certified by the ICB.
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Studies have found smoke and fire dampers experience a failure rate of up to 60%. Most of them could be found, repaired, and prevented by a proper hands-on inspection by ICB Certified HVAC Fire Life Safety professionals.
The certification program’s success is due, in large part, to one simple fact: it works. ICB Certified HVAC FLS Technicians and Supervisors have demonstrated that they possess the proper skills to inspect, test, maintain, and repair fire and smoke dampers, as well as smoke control systems, according to NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) codes and standards. During an event such as a fire or other emergency that introduces pollutants into the air, HVAC ductwork can act as a “freeway,” circulating smoke and toxins throughout a structure, even to offices far away from the flashpoint. That is exactly what happened during Las Vegas’ infamous MGM Grand fire in 1980, where 85 people perished because of failure of fire and smoke dampers.
As an added competitive edge, ICB Certified FLS Level 1 and 2 Technicians and Supervisors are the first and only ANSI-accredited HVAC fire life safety professionals in the HVAC industry, positioning them as leaders in meeting specification requirements. ANSI, the American National Standards Institute, is the private nonprofit organization that has overseen the development of voluntary consensus standards for products, services, processes, systems, and personnel in the U.S. for nearly a century. ANSI provides credible independent third party validation that the ICB HVAC FLS personnel certification program is operating under ISO Standard 17024, which provides an international benchmark to ensure that personnel certification programs operate in a consistent, comparable, and reliable manner. ANSI does not issue these accreditations lightly. They are the result of a rigorous and extensive review process, as well as an annual impartial and independent audit. In ICB’s notification letter from ANSI’s Vijay Krishna, Ed.D., Director of Personnel Certification Accreditation Programs, he wrote, “I would like to extend our congratulations on this significant achievement.”
Overall, studies have found that smoke and fire dampers experience a failure rate of up to 60%. Most of them could be found, repaired and prevented by a proper hands-on inspection by ICB Certified HVAC Fire Life Safety professionals, preventing a nuisance fire from becoming an uncontrollable catastrophe. The HVAC FLS certification program has created new career opportunities for workers, and has opened doors to new business for contractors by providing a much-needed service to commercial building owners and occupants. But success doesn’t happen by accident. In market after market, forwardthinking sheet metal Locals, training centers and contractors have been carrying the message to target audiences such as fire officials, building owners, legislators and the general public through a variety of innovative methods. It began more than a decade ago in Houston, when sheet metal contractor Clinton Gowan first recognized the importance of HVAC fire life safety inspections and modifications. Customers were coming to Gowan for help in scrutinizing and testing the operability of safety measures in their commercial buildings in case of a fire. He quickly realized, by working with local fire marshals, there was more training and information behind the skills than initially envisioned. He asked for training and marketing help from the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association and the International Sheet www.sheetmetaljournal.com • Spring 2015
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hvac fls best practices
Metal Workers’ International Association (now SMART), and a few years later, he was in possession of a certified, trained workforce. “It required a lot more formal approach than the industry had been doing. There were people doing observations instead of true inspections, and there were problems with the product produced by those just performing observations,” said Gowan, past president of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association. “I think it’s moving at a very good pace, and it’s being done the right way. I felt it was worthy of the time being spent to do it right. There were lives at stake.”
Frazier, training director of Sheet Metal Workers Local No. 24’s training center in Dayton, Ohio, along with Bob Pope, executive vice president of the Sheet Metal and Roofing Contractors Association/Dayton SMACNA affiliate of Miami Valley, Ohio, have joined forces to bring sheet metal work, and HVAC fire life safety in particular, into the public vernacular one event at a time. With the help of Scott Hammond, Local No. 24’s business manager, fire chiefs, inspectors and directors have toured the facility and attended classes at the training center in HVAC Fire Life Safety, including the proper installation and inspection of fire and smoke dampers.
In 2010, Gowan predicted, “I think it’s going to mushroom overnight. The need is there.” And that’s exactly what has happened in cities across the U.S. From Sacramento, California to Indianapolis to Cleveland, local unions, training centers, and contractors are experiencing significant increases in man hours due to opportunities provided by HVAC fire life safety. As Jerry Steinbrecher, an ICB Certified contractor in Austin, Texas, said, “There are plenty of customers in the HVAC fire life safety market. One project can create hundreds of hours of jobs for sheet metal workers. It keeps my business growing and my employees happy.”
“Scott made it possible for us to start at the top with the mayor, city manager, fire department director, and fire inspector director,” Pope said. “And they’re very receptive to coming back now and putting on classes.”
Educating stakeholders has proven to be the key. Eugene
“We’d been developing our HVAC Fire Life Safety program, and we felt it was important to start with governmental bodies. We wanted to raise public awareness,” said Mike Coleman, business manager for Sheet Metal Workers Local No. 33.
Meanwhile, 200 miles away in Garfield Heights, a suburb of Cleveland, an ordinance passed in June, 2013, calling for the inspection of fire and smoke dampers in commercial buildings every four years by technicians and contractors certified by the ICB. Garfield Heights was the first city in the United States, but not the last, to initiate this requirement.
The ordinance in Garfield Heights, as well as in other municipalities around Cleveland, had been in the works since 2011 when the training center developed a mock-up to show fire marshals and building inspectors the importance of fire and smoke damper inspections.
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“We came in offering a solution to a problem rather than creating a problem just to get work,” said John Nesta, training co-ordinator for Local No. 33’s training center. “We didn’t want to overload the fire inspectors. We didn’t want to add to their work. We wanted to offer a solution to a problem.’
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“The mock-up is essential. The firefighters needed to see it. All the public officials needed to see it in order to understand. I think these dampers are as important as a sprinkler system in regards to getting people out of a burning building,” Coleman added. “This is a no-brainer. It’s not a union issue. It’s not a non-union issue. It’s a public safety issue.”
2532 Davies Avenue, Port Coquitlam British Columbia V3C 2J9 Phone: 604-942-1611 Fax: 604-942-1453 craig@paramountsheetmetal.ca
Getting into the fire damper inspection business wasn’t too difficult a decision for union contractors John Sickle, co-owner and president of Duct Fabricators, Inc. and vice president of Ohio Fabricators, and Tom Martin, Jr., president of T.H. Martin Inc. The new regulations on the books meant
Sheet Metal Industry for 34 Years!
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Sheet Metal Journal
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“Once we get in and do some work at a facility, they ask us if we can fabricate, install, design and provide HVAC ductwork and service. This opens up avenues for more work.”
there was writing on the wall – HVAC Fire Life Safety was here to stay and it was only going to grow. “It hit home,” Sickle said. “It only made sense. If we were installing the fire dampers, why aren’t we inspecting them?” In 2011, the first year Sickle began offering fire damper inspections, the service accounted for 400 man hours. In 2012, it jumped to 1,000 man hours and has increased steadily by 1,000 hours every year since. The 3,000 man hours in 2014 were enough to employ one sheet metal worker full time and one part time to complete the inspections. Additional man hours are used to complete any installations and repairs. “It’s growing steadily and has become 5 percent of our workload,” Sickle said. “You always have to look forward. Not only are you doing the work, it’s growing, and you’re gaining relationships with customers you didn’t have before.
The opportunities exist and are favorable for the release of other types of service work to the customers.” Martin has seen the relationships between customers and T.H. Martin grow since the company began offering certified fire damper inspection in 2012. T.H. Martin is a mechanical contractor that offers a variety of services from fabrication to service. While the man hours for the inspections totaled 588 for 2014 – a small percentage of the 100,000 total man hours generated last year – the opportunities the inspections have presented are immeasurable. “Once we get in and do some work at a facility, they ask us if we can fabricate, install, design and provide HVAC ductwork and service. This opens up avenues for more work,” Martin said. “You get into a facility and it’s on us to establish a relationship, to be a preferred bidder on all HVAC work, including fire life safety. As a contractor, that’s all we can ask for.” Both companies have found relying on their employees to promote and sell fire damper inspections to existing customers has yielded the most successful results. Everyone from installers to TAB technicians have been educated to get the word out, and more importantly, point out to customers when dampers have been neglected, are malfunctioning or improperly installed.
Warm up to a cool idea
lation Contra Insu cto rs bia m
tion cia so As
Briti sh Co lu
Never settle for imitations. Only a BCICA member can offer you the BCICA Quality Assurance Certificate. The very best materials; Red Seal certified installations; purpose-trained independent inspectors. Ask for the QAC on all your projects.
Find out more.
www.bcica.org 604.438.6616
brian.bcica@telus.net
www.sheetmetaljournal.com • Spring 2015
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hvac fls best practices
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Sheet Metal Journal
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“We have continuous results when our employees talk to the owners on the job, even if he’s installing duct work."
“We have continuous results when our employees talk to the owners on the job, even if he’s installing duct work. I can talk to them business owner to business owner, but we don’t find it as effective,” Sickle said. “A customer gets more of a good feeling when a technician doing the work talks to the customer because he’s hands-on.” Additional work means fewer unemployed sheet metal workers in Cleveland. In total, Local No. 33 saw approximately 18,000 man hours used for fire damper inspections in 2014, equivalent to putting nine people to work full time for the entire year. At the national level, the Building Inspectors Program, a course developed by the International Training Institute (ITI), the education arm of the unionized sheet metal industry, helps increase communication, respect and relationships between sheet metal contractors, and building and fire inspectors. “It’s more of an awareness class for the building inspectors, so they know what’s out there,” said Larry Lawrence, ITI instructional development specialist and field representative. “They just need to know if the systems are installed correctly.” The program brings local building inspectors into the training center to discuss the proper installation of HVAC systems,
including Fire Life Safety and how to spot improper installations of smoke and fire dampers. The ITI trains instructors and training directors to host the Building Inspectors Program at their local schools to educate and build relationships with the inspectors in their communities.
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Tim Myres, training director at Local No. 20, has successfully hosted the program. “It’s such a good tool,” Myres said. “We found out the inspectors were calling us and asking us questions. They’re trying to do their jobs, and they have questions. They’re like anyone else — they look to an expert for advice — so we do receive calls. It’s a win-win.” The program has enjoyed success in Pennsylvania, Ohio and in Phoenix, Arizona. Property managers, building owners, maintenance managers and anyone who has to do with the air delivery system in a building can attend. Any Local JATC or SMACNA Chapter interested in the HVAC FLS Certification Program can call the NEMIC office at 703-739-7100 and a representative will contact them to set up a seminar. The seminar lasts two hours and is presented by a NEMIC staff person and a contractor working in this field. The seminar covers codes, standards, training needs, business opportunities, marketing, bidding and more. Questions are always welcome.
Frost is proud to announce our new partnership with Manson Insulation Products as a Full Line Distributor. Please contact us for ALL your HVAC needs. Remember, whether it’s to site or shop, Frost always offers free local delivery.
Are you working on an interesting or challenging project? Tell us about it. Contact our Editor, Jessica Kirby, at 250.816.3671 or email jessica.kirby@pointonemedia.com
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www.sheetmetaljournal.com • Spring 2015
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Fire Dampers on the Table at Contractors' Meeting Gerry Smith, BC business
development manager for E.H. Price Industries, recently gave a talk to SMACNA-BC contractors about some of the issues suppliers and sheet metal contractors have experienced over the past two to three years with the increased use of dynamic style fore dampers where they are not necessarily required. “I'd say that during this time, some suppliers have been providing nonapproved, multi-section dampers,” said Smith, “while others have been bearing all the costs associated with having to supply the more expensive, multi-blade style dampers to meet the UL-555S requirements.” According to Smith's notes from the presentation, UL-555S evaluates staticrated fire dampers for HVAC Systems Automatically Shut Down in the Event of a Fire or for Transfer Openings in Walls or Partitions. The HVAC systems must be automatically shut down either through a loss of power or an automatic smoke sensing device such as a smoke detector. These systems do not require the use of dynamic-rated dampers.
UL-555S evaluates dynamic-rated fire dampers for HVAC systems that are operational during a fire. Dynamic fire dampers are tested at a minimum of 2,000 fpm and 4” static pressure and a maximum of 4,000 fpm and 4” static pressure. Dynamic-rated dampers can be used in both static and dynamic systems. Maximum single and maximum multiple curtain type dampers are not the same for dynamic-rated dampers as for static-rated dampers. Maximum multiple section sizes for curtain-style dynamic-rated dampers are smaller than those available as static-rated dampers. Special note: Support mullions may only be used with static-rated fire dampers – they cannot be used with dynamic-rated dampers or fire / smoke dampers. In a nutshell, said Smith, what this means is that were an over-sized dynamicrated damper is required, the opening must be separated into multiple “rated openings.” This work should be carried out by forces other than the sheet metal trade. Please refer to chart below:
Cost Comparisons (based on a size 24” x 24” damper) Static-rated, Curtain-style Static-rated, Curtain-style Static-rated, Curtain-style Static-rated, Curtain-style
VA VB HA HB
$11.00/sq. ft. $15.00/sq. ft. $10.00/sq. ft. $18.00/sq. ft
Dynamic-rated, Curtain-style Dynamic-rated, Curtain-style Dynamic-rated, Multi-blade
VA/HA VB/HB VB/H
$18.00/sq. ft. $24.00/sq. ft. $49.00/sq. ft.
“We're seeing a couple of growing trends in the US that, as far as I know, have not yet been transferred to Canada,” said Smith.”The first is that in some areas, consulting engineers are specifying multi-blade style dampers only on their projects—I'm not 100 per cent sure why, but some US reps have told me it's to eliminate the hat sections on type B dampers, which allows for smaller openings. “Others have told me that some sheet metal contractors say it causes less confusion because all the dampers will come in the same style regardless of sizing.” There has been some confusion, he added, when the sheet metal worker sizes an opening for a type B damper and a multi-blade damper has to be supplied because of a sizing restriction with Curtain-style dynamic-rated dampers. “The second [trend] is that reps in the US find it more cost effective and convenient to stock only one style of damper,” he said. “When I raised the question of the significant cost difference I was told that since the cost of fire dampers on a typical project is a very small portion of the contract value, it hadn't been an issue.”
FIRE DAMPER SIZING CHART CURTAIN STYLE - STATIC RATED
E.H. PRICE
RUSKIN
NAILOR
Single Section - Vertical
60" x 60"
33" x 72", 48" x 30", 36" x 36"
60" x 60"
Multiple Section - Vertical
120" x 120"
120" x 72"
120" x 120"
48" x 48"
30" x 45", 33" x 38"
60" x 60"
96" x 48", 120" x 40"
90" x 91", 114" x 38"
102" x 60"
Single Section - Vertical
60" x 55"
33" x 65", 48" x 26", 36" x 32"
60" x 54"
Multiple Section - Vertical
96" x 48", 74" x 74", 120" x 40"
120" x 65"
120" x 114"
Single Section - Horizontal
48" x 48"
30" x 40", 33" x 33"
60" x 54"
Multiple Section - Horizontal
96" x 42" x 120" x 36"
90" x 81", 114" x 33"
102" x 54"
Single Section - Vertical
53"
31"
53"
Single Section - Horizontal
42"
64"
53"
E.H. PRICE
RUSKIN
NAILOR
Type A - Blades In the Airstream
Multiple Section - Horizontal
Type B - Blades Out of the Airstream
Type C - Round, Blades Out of the Airstream
CURTAIN STYLE - DYNAMIC RATED Type A - Blades In the Airstream Single Section - Vertical
36" x 36"
33" x 36"
36" x 36"
Multiple Section - Vertical
72" x 48", 60" x 60", 120" x 30"
72" x 48", 48" x 72", 120" x 24"
72" x 24", 36" x 48"
Single Section - Horizontal
30" x 30"
24" x 24"
24" x 24"
Multiple Section - Horizontal
48" x 36"
36" x 48", 48" x 36"
Information Not Available
Type B - Blades Out of the Airstream 36" x 31"
33" x 32"
36" x 32"
Multiple Section - Vertical
Single Section - Vertical
72" x 45", 60" x 56", 120" x 26"
72" x 45", 48" x 69", 120" x 21"
72" x 21", 36" x 45"
Single Section - Horizontal
30" x 26"
24" x 21"
24" x 21"
Multiple Section - Horizontal
48" x 33"
36" x 42", 48" x 32"
Information Not Available
Single Section - Vertical
30"
31"
31"
Single Section - Horizontal
25"
20"
20"
E.H. PRICE
RUSKIN
NAILOR
Single Section - Vertical
36" x 36", 32" x 50"
36" x 48"
36" x 48"
Multiple Section - Vertical
128" x 100"
120" x 48", 72" x 96"
72" x 48", 96" x 96"
Single Section - Horizontal
36" x 36", 32" x 50"
36" x 48"
30" x 40"
Multiple Section - Horizontal
128" x 100"
120" x 48", 72" x 96"
60" x 40", 30" x 80:
Type C - Round, Blades Out of the Airstream
MULTI-BLADE STYLE - DYNAMIC RATED
The information shown was taken from the manufacturers' websites on February 8, 2015, and is accurate to the date the information was posted. No guarantee the The information shown was taken from the Manufactuere's Websites on February 8, 2015 and is accurate to the date the information was posted. No guarantee that this information is current or accurate to what might be available but is not shown on the manufacturers' websites.
informatin is current or accurate to what might be available but is not shown on the Manuracturer's Websites.
www.sheetmetaljournal.com • Spring 2015
15
Photo courtesy of Istockphoto.com
BCICA's QAC Specified by / Jessica Kirby
The BC Insulation Contractors Association (BCICA) is pleased to announce the association's Quality Assurance Certificate (QAC) Program has been specified in at least one engineering firm's master specifications. Under the QAC, the mechanical insulation contractor who was the successful bidder on the project registers the project with the BCICA, who assigns a Certified Insulation Inspector (CII) to oversee the work. CIIs must complete a specialized mechanical insulation inspector training program through BC Institute of Technology
[
]
“Jobs specified to meet the QAC criteria must be performed by BCICA contractors, because member contractors are bound by specific bylaws relative to the QAC program.”
Vancouver-based Integral Group added the QAC to its master specifications, meaning any job that comes out with the Integral Group will require a BCICA Quality Assurance Certificate, said BCICA member, Chris Ishkanian.
(BCIT). Once the CII has successfully completed the BCIT training courses, they apply to BCICA for designation. BCICA has a one-day inspector training course and exam focusing on the logistics and the inner workings of the QAC program. If the applicant successfully completes the BCICA course their application is presented to the BCICA board of directors for approval. Once given designation, assigned inspectors will be responsible for ensuring the work complies with the project specifications. BCICA currently has five designated inspectors.
“We’re early in the program and haven't done any inspections yet on Integral projects, but there are three or four projects registered with the BCICA office,” he says. “Some projects have not yet been awarded or have not started.” Any number of issues including improperly finished vapour barriers on cold pipes, loose insulation with silver taped elbows and fittings, rather than properly mitred, and purpose-formed insulation sections, prompted Integral Group to implement the QAC. The team wanted a defined, reviewable standard of quality by which they could enforce quality standards, said engineer Geoff McDonnell. www.sheetmetaljournal.com • Spring 2015
17
bcica's qac specified
SPECIALISTS IN COATED AND UNCOATED SHEET METAL
ALL THE SELECTION
ONE SOURCE
Photo courtesy of Istockphoto.com
Vancouver Talmud Torah School and UBC's Quantum Matter Institute—two of Integral Group's registered projects—are currently under construction, and about 12 more are entering the design and construction stages. “Jobs specified to meet the QAC criteria must be performed by BCICA contractors, because member contractors are bound by specific bylaws relative to the QAC program,” says Ishkanian. “There are procedures within the bylaws to deal with discrepancies between the specifications and the work being performed. BCICA has the mandate within their bylaws to intervene on a project if all other avenues to agree on a solution have been exhausted,” he says, adding BCICA has no leverage over non-member companies, and will therefore not offer inspection services on work performed by non-BCICA companies. Another of the QAC's stipulations is that one person on the job must be Red Seal certified or TQ designated. To complete the inspection, the CII, specifically designated to inspect mechanical insulation, must perform a preconstruction meeting with the insulation contractor, a series of site inspections (the number of which is determined by the size of the project), and a final inspection.
www.cmetals.com DELTA LANGLEY EDMONTON CALGARY SASKATOON BRANDON WINNIPEG LONGVIEW SEATTLE PORTLAND NAMPA VANCOUVER SPOKANE
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Sheet Metal Journal
All reports are submitted to the BCICA office with copies distributed to all the stakeholders—insulation contractor, mechanical contractor, and engineering firm. “An independent, properly trained, third party inspector is ensuring the work is done to spec,” said Ishkanian. “It provides
the mechanical engineer and the owner the piece of mind that the work has been performed to proper standards.” BCICA has both union and open-shop members and will accept applications from dedicated mechanical insulation contractors that meet the association's minimum requirements for proving itself a reputable contractor. BCICA is also partnering with BCIT to deliver four mechanical insulation inspection courses. Although all courses are available online, the fourth course requires a hands-on practicum at BCIT. These courses were developed by BCICA in conjunction with BCIT and are designed to inform individuals in the MI Industry about MI materials as well as the best practices for the installation of MI. The completion of the first two courses should be a prerequisite for anyone working in sales and distribution in the MI industry. Completion of all four courses is the basis for obtaining “designated inspector” recognition from BCICA for individuals accepted to inspect work specified under the BCICA QAC program.
Insulation. We have it all wrapped up.
lation Contra Insu cto rs bia m
tion cia so As
Briti sh Co lu
Only a BCICA member can offer you protection this reliable. The BCICA Quality Assurance Certificate gives you the comfort of knowing that your expectations are not only met; they’re exceeded. The very best materials, Red Seal certified installations, purpose-trained independent inspectors. Doesn’t that feel good? Ask for the QAC on all your projects.
Find out more.
www.bcica.org 604.438.6616
brian.bcica@telus.net
www.sheetmetaljournal.com • Spring 2015
19
FEATURE FOCUS STREAMLINE YOUR ESTIMATING PROCESS WITH FASTEST, INC.’S NEW AND IMPROVED PROGRAMS Contractors of all types and sizes, from one-man plumbing shops to some of the Top 100 mechanical contracting firms in the country, are successfully using FastEST's award-winning estimating software programs to bid jobs faster, easily, and more accurately than ever before. Completely overhauled versions of the FastPIPE and FastDUCT programs were built utilizing one of the newest programming frameworks, resulting in improved graphics, more intuitive and helpful features, and most importantly, faster takeoff speeds . This results in a more efficient estimator that bids more jobs, and books more jobs, improving your company’s cash flow and bottom line. FastEST programs' edge is in their development—a mechanical estimator with 30 years experience combined forces with a computer programmer to bring the benefits of tangible field experience to digital form. This means FastDUCT, used for commercial, industrial, and residential HVAC ductwork estimating, and FastPIPE, for estimating all things piping-related, include practical, evidence-based solutions to solve real-life problems.
The same is true for FastWRAP, the company's newest product, which offers an expansive database of piping and ductwork insulation, geared for use by mechanical insulation contractors. Each product's signature technology is the award-winning On-Screen Digitizer, which allows users to take off piping, ductwork, or insulation right on the monitor. As they mark their imported digital plan on the screen, a cumulative material and labour count is simultaneously added to the takeoff list.
Easy-to-use and accurate mechanical estimating software that can help improve both the speed and efficiency of your estimating process, and your company’s bottom line
Many FastEST users in the company's extensive Canadian and US network tried other estimating software programs before moving to FastEST, while others made the seamless transition from manual estimating. One customer in Florida had previously estimated by hand for more than 40 years, and was off-and-running with the FastPIPE program after just one online training session. As a company, FastEST, Inc's. pride is the programs’ easeof-use, and unmatched, reliable customer support. Estimating software is an important investment, and FastEST assures users are adept and comfortable with the programs, so the investment can pay dividends.
www.fastest-inc.com 800.828.7108
20
Sheet Metal Journal
Contact FastEST today to find out more about FastDUCT, FastPIPE, and FastWRAP programs, and to schedule a free online demonstration at your convenience. Explore the company's affordable purchase or lease options, which are both backed by a 60-day money back guarantee. Simply visit http://fastest-inc.com, or call at 800-828-7108 for more information.
FEATURE FOCUS NEW APPROACHES TO COMBUSTIBLE DUST SYSTEM DESIGN
From a design standpoint, Allied Blower & Sheet Metal Ltd. (“Allied”) was quite excited to work on the Lakeland project. Following the tragic events at Lakeland and Babine, Allied felt that a re-think of our combustible dust designs was in order. To meet this objective, five different new approaches to design for managing the risk of combustible dust were employed: 1. Integrated Design: containment, capture, transportation, and storage of combustible dust were addressed very early in the design process. Accordingly, Lakeland facilitated full design interaction between key equipment vendors to ensure best practices were met. 2. Current & Highest Standards: Lakeland is designed & constructed to the following standards and regulations: • NFPA 68 “Standard on Explosion Protection by Deflagration Venting” • NFPA 69 “Standard on Explosion Prevention Systems” • NFPA 77 “Recommended Practise on Static Electricity” • NFPA 91 “Standard for Exhaust Systems for Air Conveying of Vapour, Mists, and Non-combustible Particulate Solids” • NFPA 499 “Recommended Practice for the Classification of Combustible Dusts and of Hazardous (Classified) Locations for Electrical and Chemical Process Areas” • NFPA 654 “Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids” • NFPA 664 “Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities” • API 650 “Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage” • WorksafeBC OHS Regulations • BC Fire Code Division B Part 5
team collaborated to develop several new approaches to combustible dust mitigation: • New bag fabric which allows air from the baghouses to be returned to the mill while meeting WorksafeBC standards for return air of softwood dust • Increased use of point source dust collection • Push pull methodology for duct capture • Dust containment at the source
Allied congratulates Lakeland for employing the collaborative approach outlined above to build its state-of-the-art new sawmill.
40 Years of Industrial Ventilation
3. Verification: P.Eng verified the final design/installation met or exceeded above standards 4. Spark/Fire/Explosion Mitigation: multiple levels of protection have been employed to mitigate the eventuality of fire: • Grecon spark detection • CO monitoring inside the baghouses • Reduced explosion path venting distance through special modifications to the baghouses • Chemical supression for explosion mitigation • Fully grounded and bonded dust collection system 5. Innovations vs. Legacy Designs: Lakeland and the design
Surrey • Vernon • Williams Lake • Edmonton • Prince Albert
www.alliedblower.com www.sheetmetaljournal.com • Spring 2015
21
TECHNICAL UPDATES SMACNA INTRODUCES NEW CHANGE ORDERS GUIDE A must-have for contractors interested in compensation and survival Many factors can result in project changes. A poorly-defined scope of work or gaps in the scope may mandate corrective changes. Unforeseen conditions or delays related to the conduct of other parties may trigger significant changes in schedule or cost. A redesign can radically impact the scope. A subcontractor may go bankrupt and its work be reassigned to other project participants. SMACNA’s latest publication Guidelines for Change Orders is free to SMACNA members and $75 to non-members. A contractor’s biggest challenge is the inevitability of workplace changes and obtaining proper change orders. Handling a change order properly and getting paid is a big challenge, explained Rick Freeman, executive vice-president, of Stromberg Metal Works, of the Washington D.C. metro area. “The HVAC ductwork contract drawings a contractor receives in a lot of cases have not been compared and co-ordinated with the structure to make sure there is sufficient ceiling space for these systems. In some cases this requires the HVAC
SMWIA Local Union No. 280 /SMACNA-BC Partnership
ductwork contractor to go back and make the necessary adjustment to the systems to fit in the allotted ceiling space. As a result, the contractor becomes a problem-solver, recordkeeper, communicator, and negotiator in order to receive compensation for this additional work.” SMACNA’s new publication gives contractors all the information they need to make a change order. “In addition, it provides the data necessary to sell the change order to management,” said Freeman. This 56-page guide is available free to members at the SMACNA bookstore. It will serve as both a useful reference for the experienced contractor and a training tool for those entering the complex and constantly evolving construction industry. It recommends construction contract forms and procedures that if carefully and pragmatically applied to individual project circumstances, put the subcontractor in a more favorable position to pursue fair compensation for changes. Topics covered include: • The Need for a New Approach (Construction Trends) • Common Triggers for Change Orders • Classifying Changes • Understanding Contract Change Provisions • Assessing the Risk • Documenting and Pricing the Change • Benefits of a Standardized Approach • Impact of Technology on Change Orders (BIM) • Negotiating and Confirming the Change (Preserving the Subcontractor’s Rights) et your free PDF copy today in the SMACNA bookstore at G www.smacna.org/store.
Coming in Summer: Training and Labour Market Business Management Testing and Balancing
Labour & Management “Embracing the Challenge” - B. Flaherty, Cornell University, Syracuse, N.Y.
22
Sheet Metal Journal
To book your ad space in the next issue or future issues of Sheet Metal Journal call Christina at 1.877.755.2762 or email ctranberg@ pointonemedia.com
CAREER PROFILE SHEET METAL WORKER: HVAC INDUSTRIAL What is a sheet metal worker? What do sheet metal workers do? The trade is diverse and varied, requiring a specific and technical skill set. From a practical angle, sheet metal workers use metal to create roofs, siding, ventilation / heating / air-conditioning duct work, and rain gutters. They fabricate vehicles, restaurant equipment, precision equipment, handrails, column wraps, outdoor signs, and other metal items. The trade can be loosely divided into specialties. HVAC sheet metal workers are skilled in fabricating and installing heating / ventilation / air-conditioning in commercial, industrial, and residential buildings, and oversee the systems' indoor air quality, energy management, service, and repairs. Testing, Adjusting, & Balancing sheet metal workers service and maintain mechanical systems, testing, adjusting, and balancing as needed. Architectural sheet metal workers take on the preparation, repair, and fabrication of metal roofing components, metal walls, and other exterior components. From the bird's eye view, sheet metal workers plan and envision, fulfilling and essential component of the building process. As one of the construction industry's highest skilled crafts, sheet metal work is about creating something long lasting that provides many people a better quality of life.
up activities are in motion. Once complete, it will increase the smelter's current capacity by 48 per cent to approximately 420,000 tonnes per year. Most of the sheet metal work on the project is cladding, roofing, and decking, installed by Fuller Austin. Dust Suppression, Prince George & Northern BC Dust accumulation at several BC sawmills has led to the advancement of regulations focused on improved industrial ventilation systems. Babine Forest Products near Burns Lake and Lakeland Mills in Prince George are just two sites of deadly explosions where dust played a significant role. Allied Blower is a key manufacturer of systems designed specifically for this application.
Top Producers
Agvale Industries Ltd 95% Airtek Pneumatics Ltd. 80% Allied Blower and Sheet Metal Ltd. 95% Bry-Mac 65% CC Industries 80% City Sheet Metal 90% Horizon Cladding 80% Smith Sheet Metal Works Ltd. 70%
Career Profile: HVAC Industrial
Industrial HVAC systems include heating, ventilation, and refrigeration in large industrial settings like mining operations, oil & gas facilities, and other industrial process environments. Components are under strict tolerances for heat and cooling, meaning industrial HVAC is manufactured with strict safety and performance standards, and a great deal of it is custom work.
MEETING THE LABOUR NEEDS OF OUR INDUSTRY BY DELIVERING QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL SHEET METAL WORKERS
ISM News
Kitimat Modernization Project, Kitimat, BC The KMP Project is a $US3.3 billion, fully modernized aluminum smelter owned by Rio Tinto, which proceeded with construction in 2011. This is the project's big year as the project is 82% complete at the time of this writing, and start-
Are you working on an interesting or challenging project? Tell us about it. Contact our editor, Jessica Kirby, at 250.816.3671 or email jessica.kirby@pointonemedia.com
TRAINING C E N T R E S O C I E T Y The Sheet Metal Workers Training Centre Society’s mission is to provide the highest quality of training and upgrading to sheet metal apprentices and journeypersons in the Province of British Coumbia by delivering the highest standards of instruction and utilizing the most up-to-date teaching methods. For more information Tel 604.882.7680 Fax 778.298.0656 or Email registrar@smwtcs.ca Check us out on the web at www.smwtcs.ca 19077 - 95A Ave. Surrey, BC CANADA V4N 4P3 www.sheetmetaljournal.com • Spring 2015
23
GLOBAL METAL NATURAL REFRIGERATION GAINS GROUND, BUT OBSTACLES REMAIN by / Andrew Gaved | RAC magazine | www.racplus.com
Natural refrigeration technology is gaining traction technology. Even without the extra elements – such as glass with end-users, according to speakers at the Atmosphere doors and LED lighting – the net saving is still 13 per cent Conference in Brussels in March from the refrigeration system, Mr Fleury reported. Despite technological successes, there are still challenges But arguably more impressive than the energy saving is the to overcome in the form of regulatory obstacles and skill proposed cost saving: Carrefour estimates that Alzira will save shortages. €792,000 over a ten-year period, despite an increased capital expenditure for the equipment of €94,000. Supermarket end-users reported a key development, with the first successful year’s operation of transcritical carbon Its Alzira store uses so-called parallel compression technology, dioxide refrigeration systems in warmer climates. Ambient which overcomes the inefficiencies associated with carbon temperatures above 20 degrees C, previously considered dioxide in warmer ambients. unfeasible for transcritical CO2, now appear to be not only achievable but cost-effective, thanks to recently developed But Mr Fleury said that another trial store in the region, at Castellon, which uses proprietary ejector technology as well parallel compression and ejector technology. as parallel compression, is expected to provide additional Major European retailer Carrefour is spearheading the drive energy savings over the Alzira store. with trial stores in Spain. Asset manager Jean-Michel Fleury reported that the trial store in Valencia, which has now been Gabriel Romero of the Auchan group also reported successful running a transcritical system for 15 months, is showing an operation of a transcritical booster system in the retailer’s Simply supermarket in Bilbao, Spain. Operating since last astounding return on investment of 1.2 years. July in ambients of 19 to 20 degrees C, the system’s energy The store, which uses a range of energy-saving technologies performance has so far been similar or better to conventional to augment the transcritical system, has posted operational systems, he said. energy savings of 47 per cent over like-for-like conventional
Continued on page 27
Loren Cook – Now Available at our BC Branches Cook Fans are known for their superior quality and rigid product testing. This ISO certified company can be counted on for their quick turn around on standard and special orders. ECCO Supply™ – for all your design build and Bid & Spec projects.
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www.eccosupply.ca Burnaby 604-420-4323 Chilliwack 604-702-4400
24
Sheet Metal Journal
Langley 604-530-9755 Kelowna 250-860-6451
Victoria 250-361-3395
FL240 0315 E&OE
Contact your ECCO Supply™ Sales Representative for more information.
ENGINEER'S DESK FAN INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
To ensure the proper fan performance as catalogued, caution must be exercised in fan placement and connection to the ventilation system. Obstructions, transitions, poorly designed elbows, improperly selected dampers, etc., can cause reduced performance, excessive noise, and increased mechanical stressing. For the fan to perform as published, the system must provide uniform and stable airflow into the fan. The proper way of installing a fan is something very basic but very often overlooked. We know that a fan performance curve is a graphical representation of the operating capability of a fan, usually at a defined operating rotational speed. Also this very same fan, if operated at a higher rotational speed, would have a higher output volume, higher pressure generated, and more power consumed. (This can be predicted from the FAN LAWS.) Fans in our industry are tested and certified by AMCA – Air Movement and Control Association International - see www. amca.org. They are set up for testing with the best possible inlet and outlet conditions. As the fan is tested with the best airflow inlet and outlet conditions, the fan should also be installed on the job with equally good airflow conditions. Surprisingly, a large number of contractors seem to fail to make this connection, or worse, simply ignore it. There are others still who say, “Yeah, but you don’t ever get ideal lab conditions in the field.” There is a logic fault in this kind of thinking. For a successful fan installation, a good, smooth flow of air in and out of the fan is essential if the fan is to deliver the desired performance. Providing enough room for the fan and its connecting ductwork can be a problem if the designer has not allowed sufficient space. Unfortunately, lack of space for ductwork is a common oversight. If the problem were electrical it would be relatively easy to just reroute the wiring. When we try to move and re-align ducts, the situation is very different; every elbow, offset, and additional duct length creates resistance to airflow, resulting in an increased load on the fan system. While it is true that installation space is very often a problem, it hardly seems sensible that the solution to a space problem is to simply cram the fan and its connections into whatever space is available. Every effort should be made to provide the fan/ductwork with the airflow conditions needed to do the job. The first step in providing good airflow for the fan is at the equipment selection stage of the design process, which means providing enough space in the mechanical rooms for the equipment that is to be installed. Cramming or shoe-horning fans and ductwork into too small a space is false economy when one considers the operational problems and associated costs that result: a poor installation is an inefficient installation for the
by / Norm Grusnick
owner. The price of an inefficient installation, even if it is able to function marginally, is a higher operating cost and operational problems with the fan equipment for the life of the installation. Figure 1 shows correct and incorrect fan installation guidelines for Centrifugal Fan Conditions.
Fan Basics
Fan Installation Guidelines
Centrifugal Fan Conditions Typical Inlet Conditions Limit slope to 15° converging
Correct Installations Limit slope to 7° diverging
Cross-sectional area not greater than 112-1/2% of inlet area
Cross-sectional area not greater than 92-1/2% of inlet area
x Minimum of 2-1/2 inlet diameters (3 recommended)
Incorrect Installations
Turbulence
Turbulence
Typical Outlet Conditions Correct Installations
Limit slope to 7° diverging
Limit slope to 15° converging
x Cross-sectional area not greater than 105% of outlet area
Cross-sectional area not greater than 95% of outlet area
Minimum of 2-1/2 outlet diameters (3 recommended)
Incorrect Installations Turbulence
Turbulence
14 with a situation in which a fan Let us assume that we are faced is crammed into too small of a space. What are we to do? Well, we are not powerless; there are several ways to cope with the problem. They are listed here in their order of effectiveness:
1. Make the necessary room. This is not always easy, but is best for all concerned.
Continued on page 27
www.sheetmetaljournal.com • Spring 2015
25
IT'S THE LAW DO YOUR DILIGENCE: POTENTIAL PROBLEMS IN RELYING ON “CONCEALED OR UNKNOWN CONDITIONS” CLAUSES In the recent case of Cranbrook (City) v. Gabriel Construction (Alberta) Ltd., the Court found that a contractor’s discovery of unanticipated site conditions after signing a contract did not entitle it to any increase in the contract price. This case is a clear warning about the importance of conducting proper due diligence before bidding on a job.
The Facts
This case involved a breach of contract dispute between the City of Cranbrook (the “City”) and one of its contractors, Gabriel Construction (Alberta) Ltd. (“Gabriel”). The original contract documents provided by the City did not contain specific geotechnical information relating to subsurface site conditions. Gabriel was aware of this fact when it bid for the contract. However, after being awarded the contract, Gabriel obtained a geotechnical survey showing adverse site conditions that it believed could increase its scope of work. Based on these survey results, Gabriel refused to continue work without a significant increase in the contract price. Gabriel relied on a clause in its contract that allowed for
by / Andrew Delmonico and Amelia Cline Kuhn & Company
changes based on site conditions that differed “materially” from those disclosed in the tendering documents. The City refused to approve the increase in the contract price, instead hiring a new contractor to finish the job. As it turned out, the new contractor did not have any difficulty completing the project because of subsurface soil conditions. The City sued Gabriel for failing to complete the contract, and Gabriel countersued the City for the profits it lost in not being able to complete the contract.
The Decision
Gabriel denied repudiating its contract with the City, arguing that it had encountered a “concealed or unknown condition,” that required the City to agree to an increase in the contract price. The Court did not agree, finding that the geotechnical survey obtained by Gabriel only suggested the possibility of poor site conditions. Gabriel could not rely on an assumption that it would encounter adverse site conditions, when it had not even attempted to perform the work. The Court went on to suggest that even if the contract had become more difficult than originally anticipated, this would not automatically serve as a justification for Gabriel to refuse performance without an increase in the contract price.
Business Manager & F.S.T. Assistant Business Manager
James Paquette Dan Burroughs
Business Representative
Greg Mooney
Business Representative
Ken Elworthy
6188 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC V5J 1H5 Phone 604-430-3388 or 1-800-242-8645 Fax: 604-431-1864 Email: agents@smw280.org 26
Sheet Metal Journal
Lessons Learned
1. Do your due diligence before bidding on a job, because discovery of adverse site conditions after a contract is signed will not necessarily justify an increase in the contract price. If the contract documents provided do not contain detailed information about site conditions, it may be worthwhile to obtain a geotechnical survey to make sure you are accounting for unknown conditions before you sign a contract. This article was written by Andrew D. Delmonico, a lawyer, and Amelia G. Cline, an articled student, who practice in construction law with the law firm of Kuhn LLP. This article is only intended as a guide and cannot cover every situation. It is important to get legal advice for specific situations. If you have any questions or comments about this case or other construction law matters, please contact us at 604.864.8877.
ADVERTISER INDEX GLOBAL METAL
Continued from page 24
Mr Romero said that the cost of components and the lack of skilled maintenance engineers remained serious obstacles to progress. Mr Fleury called on national associations, governments and the supply chain to encourage appropriate training of the installers, and he urged suppliers and installers to invest the time and technology into improving the installations for warmer climates. Michel de Rooj of the Ahold group added that the next challenges for his group were to find the appropriate natural refrigerant solution for small-store footprints and for AC systems. There was more encouraging news from the Belgian market though, where Georgios Patkos of the Delhaize group reported that the price gap was narrowing between natural components and the norm. The cost of installing a CO2 transcritical booster system is now just 4 per cent higher than an efficient HFC system running R407F, he said. The supermarkets were of a consensus that finding a standard natural solution for the HVAC system was more of a challenge. Regulations limiting charge size and use of flammables in buildings are restricting use of hydrocarbons in some countries, and there have been calls for the EC to make more concessions to hydrocarbons in its regulatory framework.
Supermarket managers were agreed that harnessing waste refrigeration heat and using absorption or adsorption chillers was one way of providing HVAC from the transcritical systems. The scale of the task facing those who have to comply with the F-Gas regulations in Europe was demonstrated by Olaf Shulze of German retail chain Metro. Mr Shulze outlined a ten-year programme of 483 European store upgrades as part of its F-Gas exit plan – a programme that will cost more than €1 billion. But as an indication of how CO2 technology is being exported around the world, he reported that among the upgrades planned this year are installations in Metro stores in China and Russia.
ENGINEER'S DESK
Continued from page 25
2. Re-configure the inlet/outlet ductwork. If physically possible, rearrange ductwork to improve fan performance. 3. Provide guidance to the airflow inside the ductwork. This can be done using strategically placed turning vanes, splitters, and other such devices. 4. Rearrange the fan. This is most costly, but long term improved operating and maintenance costs may justify this solution. The best solution is to allow for sufficient space in the design/ layout stage to have the fan and related ductwork perform at their best.
advertiser index advertiser
page
phone
101 Industries Ltd.
12
877.632.6859
www.101industries.com
Allied Blower
21
604.930.7000
www.alliedblower.com
11,19
604.438.6616
www.bcica.org
Cascadia Metals
18
604.946.3890
www.cmetals.com
Crossroads C&I Distributors
6
800.663.6595
www.crossroadsci.com
ECCO Supply
24
604.530.9755
www.eccosupply.ca
FastEst Inc.
20
800.828.7108
www.fastest-inc.com
Frost Insulation Supplies, Inc.
13
604.535.7272
www.frostinsulation.com
KD Engineering
12
604.872.8651
www.teamkd.com
Paramount Sheet Metal
10
604.942.1611
www.paramountsheetmetal.com
Sheet Metal Workers Training Centre Society
23
604.882.7680
www.smwtcs.ca
22, 26
604.430.3388
www.smw280.org
IFC, 05, 22
604.585.4641
www.smacna-bc.org
The HVAC Warehouse
19
888.927.6247
www.thehvacwarehouse.com
Winroc / SPI
4
604.430.3044
www.winrocspi.com
BCICA
Sheet Metal Workers Int’l Local 280 SMACNA-BC
website
www.sheetmetaljournal.com • Spring 2015
27
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