Sheet Metal Journal Winter 2014

WINTER 2014

sheetmetaljournal.com

Construction Outlook 2014 Shaping the Next SMWTC 2013 Apprentice Contest VAV Reheat vs Active Chilled Beams & DOAS Low Powered Air Plasma for Ductwork Ventilation for Archaeological Monuments 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

Lara Perraton lperraton@pointonemedia.com

Winter 2014

06

EDITOR

Jessica Kirby jessica.kirby@pointonemedia.com

CONTRIBUTORS Ron Coleman Jim Colt Andrew Delmonico Essam E. Khalil Olivea Ryan Jeff Stein Bruce Sychuk Steven T. Taylor

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Lara Perraton 877.755.2762 lperraton@pointonemedia.com

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Construction Outlook 2014

Shaping the Next

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Lara Perraton 877.755.2762 lperraton@pointonemedia.com

SMWTC 2013 Apprentice Contest a Success

PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY Point One Media Inc.

Sheet Metal Journal P.O. Box 11, Station A Nanaimo, BC V9R 5K4 Toll-free: 877.755.2762 Fax: 877.796.4624 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.

Contents ©2014 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.

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VAV Reheat vs Active Chilled Beams & DOAS

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Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Circulation Department Sheet Metal Journal P.O. Box 11, Station A Nanaimo, BC V9R 5K4 email: circulations@pointonemedia.com

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Low Powered Air Plasma for Ductwork

Ventilation of Archaeological Monuments COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS

4 • SMACNA-BC Update

25 • S afety

23 • Contractors 101

26 • T ax

24 • It’s the Law

27 • A dvertiser Index

www.sheetmetaljournal.com • Winter 2014

3

SMACNA-BC UPDATE Welcome to the Winter 2014 edition of Sheet Metal Journal.

What the heck happened to 2013? Personally, it was just a blur. I guess that’s what happens when you turn 60—time seems to scream by when you really want it to, like… slow down a bit.

2013 wasn’t a bad year for the sheet metal industry in British Columbia. There was plenty of work out there; however, the work was considered anything but profitable. It appears developers are still reaping the rewards of fire sale pricing due to the lack of institutional and commercial work available in the lower mainland.

by / Bruce Sychuk Executive Director, SMACNA-BC

SMACNA-BC budgeted for a relatively flat 2013 with the end result that the association was up by 18.4%. Duly note that this increase in activity is largely due to influx in the industrial sector of the industry, finally.

relate to these types of projects. Finally, only now in this time and space, will our workforce be able to gain the “experience” needed to bring this portion of their education to fruition, and be truly well-rounded as trained professionals their trade.

Up to the past one-and-a-half to two years, the industrial market was, for the most part, non-existent in BC. The industrial market is a welcome entity to BC's economy; however, it also brings with it some challenges that the construction industry must address now and not later.

One last comment: the amount of time required to gain the onsite experience is very short; to gain the lifestyle experience, such as being away from family, participating in construction camp life, and adjusting to location, is a much longer process.

In my humble opinion the #1 challenge is experienced manpower. Back in the 70s when I first entered the sheet metal trade, industrial work was plentiful, mostly due to the pulp & paper and coal industries. Finding “experienced” workers for these projects wasn't an issue because there was an abundance of projects available in which to gain industrial type work experience.

In 2014, I think it would be safe to say a very low percentage of our workforce is up to speed or “experienced” with the varied challenges, scope, and applications related to the industrial sector. Please note that I stated our workforce may not be “experienced” in industrial sector work but I did not say they were not “trained” in industrial sector work. I cannot speak for the other trades but the SMACNA-BC contractor workforce is “trained” for this work. Through the foresight and due diligence of the Joint SMWIA Local Union No. 280 / SMACNA-BC Training Board Trustees, and the Sheet Metal Workers Training Centre, located in Surrey, BC, the apprenticeship course curriculum has maintained training our apprentices for every facet of the sheet metal industry, including industrial.

The bottom line and true benefit of the SMACNA-BC contractor workforce is that its members are trained. Along with being trained in, but not limited to, HVAC, architectural sheet metal, stainless steel, and Auto CAD, they have knowledge of fabricating the products required for the industrial sector, safety issues, welding, rigging/hoisting, cladding, decking, operation of onsite equipment, and a host of specifics that

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Sheet Metal Journal

What Will you do When the Water Comes? (For SMACNA Contractors Only) SMACNA’s Model “Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity Program” is Now Available Do you have an emergency preparedness plan? Have you thought about how you would keep your business running when disaster strikes?

SMACNA has developed the model program “Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity” to provide SMACNA contractors with a valuable emergency preparedness and business continuity program workbook. This primer offers members industry best practices and the tools to develop the best possible plan for the overall investment required.

The best offense is a good defense, and this emergency preparedness program tells you how to do just that with sections on risk assessment, forming a crisis management team, emergency preparation, recovery and resumption, and a list of useful resources.

An essential “risk matrix” table will enable you to identify the threats and hazards associated with the probability and impact of possible disasters, along with other negative incidents that could adversely affect an organization. You can choose the potential hazards that your company could be exposed to and concentrate your efforts on those issues.

This new program is available to members in SMACNA’s “Guide to Safety and Health Policies, Procedures, and Model

SMACNA-BC UPDATE Programs” on SMACNA’s Safety webpage. As with the existing document, members will be able to edit the text and make revisions to reflect the level of emergency preparedness that best fits their organization.

For questions on this program, contact Mike McCullion, SMACNA’s director of safety and health, at mmccullion@ smacna.org or (703) 995-4027.

SMACNA National Redesigning Website SMACNA is in the process of redesigning its website. As part of this process, the association is asking members to contribute ideas about how to make the site more effective/user-friendly/ valuable. Please take a couple of minutes to provide your feedback at http://www.smacna.org/survey/ 

SMACNA-BC CALENDAR OF EVENTS March 4 SMACNA-BC Board of Directors Meeting March 20 SMACNA-BC Young Executives Committee Meeting SMACNA-BC Membership Dinner Meeting, Vancouver Sheraton Guildford, Topic TBA March 25 SMACNA-BC / Sheet Metal Workers Local Union No. 280 Joint Conference Board Meeting April 4-6 SMACNA-BC Board of Directors Meeting April 17 SMACNA-BC Young Executives Committee Meeting SMACNA-BC Membership Dinner Meeting, Vancouver Sheraton Guildford, Topic TBA April 29 SMACNA-BC / Sheet Metal Workers Local Union No. 280 Joint Conference Board Meeting May 8 – 11 SMACNA-BC's 45th Annual General Meeting and Convention Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa, Harrison Hot Springs, 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 and Sheet Metal Ltd. Ames Metal Fabricators 82 Ltd. Apollo Sheet Metal Ltd. Austin Metal Fabricators L.P. BF Roofing Ltd. The Blue Collar Group 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 Bailey West Processing Inc. BGE Service & Supply Ltd. Crossroads C&I Distributors DDK Ventilation Products Ltd. E.H. Price Sales Ltd. Engineered Air ETP Energy Technology Products Ltd. (a div. of IPC, Inc.) Frost Insulation Supplies Inc. Grant Thornton LLP Intercon Insurance Services Ltd.

Jardine, Lloyd, Thompson Canada Inc. Maxam Metal Products Modern Tool (BC) Ltd. Multicam Western Canada Pacaire HVAC Supplies Ltd. Power Suction Services Ltd. (P.S.S.) Progressive Air Products Ltd. Quote Software Samuel, Son & Co., Ltd. SPI / Burnaby Insulation Wilkinson Steel - Metals 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 • Winter 2014

5

CONSTRUCTION OUTLOOK

2014

By / Jessica Kirby

CanaData is projecting Canada’s total construction investment in 2014 will reach the $300 billion mark—a monumental figure considering exactly a decade ago total construction investment in this country was $154 billion.

Michael Atkinson, president of the Canadian Construction Association says an upward swing in the non-residential construction sector is expected to continue over the next five years, filling a lag left by a slow down in the residential sector.

The biggest drivers behind the increase are engineering construction in infrastructure development and the resource sector with utilities, oil and gas, and mining leading the way.

Natural Resource Canada said last year there were something in the neighbourhood of 600 large resource-based projects scheduled to begin over the next decade with a combined investment value of $650 billion.

Much of Canada’s infrastructure was constructed in the 60s and is in need of an overhaul.

“We forget our immigration levels over five years equal a quarter of a million new Canadians every year,” says Atkinson.

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Sheet Metal Journal

“Thirty to 40 per cent of those are in major centres, but with that kind of growth in a country of 30 million people means people need infrastructure and places to live.”

Resource-based economies like northern BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Newfoundland, and parts of Ontario are experiencing steady growth while New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and pockets of Ontario are largely plateaued.

These non-resource based areas depend on an economic turnaround in the US, which will inevitably spike activity in exports and manufacturing and the return of growth in the institutional and commercial sectors.

The condominium market in Toronto has experienced a recent boost that may or not be sustainable—to Ontario’s southwest, communities once dependent on exports remain in a lull.

“We’ve also seen, through the stimulus program and because of the need for infrastructure investment, a lot done in some parts of the country, but now that those projects have phased out those areas aren’t seeing the investment volume we saw before,” says Atkinson.

Large Projects Moving Forward

In the areas that are thriving, the stakes are huge. In the Maritimes, the Irving Shipbuilding has commenced its $300-million upgrade to the Halifax Shipyard, in anticipation of the federal government’s $25 billion contract for 21 combat vessels and six to eight patrol vessels.

The federal contract is expected to commence in 2015 and take 30 months to complete, resulting in direct and ancillary construction work both for the project and for housing and infrastructure to support the influx of workers.

Mass transit projects in Toronto and Ottawa are set go ahead, and the Energy East Pipeline will carry crude from Alberta and Saskatchewan over 4,500 km to refineries in Eastern Canada.

Northern BC has opened two mines in the past two years and has six more undergoing expansion—five more are under construction or undergoing permitting.

The US recovery, particularly in housing, is looking good, and things are on the upswing in forestry as well. Talk about resurrecting closed pulp mills in BC is encouraging, says Atkinson, and worldwide demand for resources is also strong.

“The US economy is continuing to show signs of growth and the demand for Canada’s natural resources from China, Brazil, and India continues to grow. This can only be good for construction in Canada,” says Atkinson. “And, of course, the opposite is true for how it could be detrimental if the US

economy goes south again or if demand for resources starts to decline.”

Challenges Ahead

The construction industry’s biggest challenge is capacity—not just in terms of skills shortage or mismatch, but also by way of a demographic imbalance.

Build Force Canada predicts that by 2021 the construction industry will need a quarter of a million new people to replace retirees and to keep up with demand. Of those, 150 million workers will be found locally while the rest will have to come from outside Canada’s borders.

“If it weren’t for immigration we would have a negative population growth,” says Atkinson. “In fact, the statistic is that for the next eight to ten years, every day 1,000 Canadians turn 65. In the US that number is 10,000 a day.”

Capacity is also a problem in the sense that energy resourcebased projects are large, thus requiring large scale construction firms to complete them. Statistics Canada says 99 per cent of active businesses in Canada are small businesses with less than 100 employees and 60 percent of those are micro businesses, having ten employees or fewer.

“With this in mind, how do company owners build their businesses to take on bigger projects?” says Atkinson. “Fort McMurray is urban compared to where some of these projects are so how do you mobilize or put together the labour force to do large projects in remote areas?”

Innovative Answers

The issue of building capacity and of conquering the need for skilled tradespeople presents a challenge that requires shortterm strategies, he says, one of which is securing access to foreign skilled workers.

www.sheetmetaljournal.com • Winter 2014

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construction outlook

2014

REMEMBER, AT FROST We Have You Covered ™

Another key to meeting the challenge lies in innovation. “We have to learn to do more with less and to be more efficient,” he says. “It is starting to manifest with modularization.”

Constructing multiple units in a single facility and having them shipped to large industrial or institutional projects is a trend that is expected to grow, says Atkinson.

“Prefab modularization usually results in less rework because one way we deal with it is through virtual design or building information modelling (BIM),” he says. “We are essentially building the project virtually before trying to do it in reality and finding collisions and work out the wrinkles before the project starts.”

Fierce Competition, Integrative Approach

Oxford Economics says Canada has the fifth largest construction market in the world and it will stay in the top six or seven over the next decade. This ranking has drawn the attention of large European construction firms looking to set up more profitable operations away from their own largely stagnant market.

“This presents opportunities and challenges for the industry,” says Atkinson. ‘How will we continue to be the best option facing strong competition? Because of these challenges there is a bigger appetite to embrace technology and innovation.”

The development of larger projects and the concentration of work in specific regions calls for a more integrated approach in the design-build-operational process.

Clients are leaning heavily on industry for better experience, more thorough knowledge, and, in many cases, the transfer of risk.

Frost Insulation Supplies Inc. is a proud distributor of CertainTeed Insulation products including Acoustical Liners, Boards, and Blankets.

Remember, whether it’s to site or shop, Frost always offers free local delivery.

“It isn’t enough to be a builder,” says Atkinson. “Some owners want someone to design, build, operate, and maintain, and many are looking for contractors to take on the risk.

Different delivery models including P3s are an attractive option because they are particularly effective at alleviating economic constraints on some public projects like schools.

“More and more dollars are going to healthcare, but we know infrastructure is a problem so they want to finance these projects in innovative ways and P3s are a way of doing that.”

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Sheet Metal Journal

Subtrade contractors can capitalize on civil and resourced based projects by demonstrating flexibility and establishing positive relationships with general contractors.

Ancillary work means more projects for subtrades, who are generally less affected by capacity and size challenges than general contractors might be.

“The people working on the ship building project have to live somewhere,” says Atkinson. “And more people means more activity which requires more strip malls, banks, commercial projects. This kind of spin-off work helps the entire industry.

Work Still Needed

SPECIALISTS IN COATED AND UNCOATED SHEET METAL

Another major issue affecting the entire economy including the construction industry is labour mobility, says Atkinson.

“How do we ensure that if things are slow in southwestern Ontario and there are skilled trades sitting there we make it so people want to go where the work is?,” he says.

ALL THE SELECTION

ONE SOURCE

CCA wants to ensure the Canadian construction market remains open and not protectionist between the provinces.

“We want open markets, we believe in reciprocity, and we don’t want to see walls put up,” he says.

“Unfortunately I hear from some that it is easier to work in the US than in the neighbouring province,” says Atkinson. “We are so willing to go off and sign international trade agreements but we argue we don’t have one between provinces. We don’t have a free trade zone in Canada; how can we expect to compete internationally?

It is something we don’t spend enough time addressing.” 

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SALES, PARTS & SERVICE. SERVICING THE SHEET METAL INDUSTRY SINCE 1960. www.sheetmetaljournal.com • Winter 2014

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Shaping THE NEXT by / Jessica Krippendorf

W

illiam Bahnfleth’s 2013-14 presidential theme—Shaping the Next—focuses on embracing ASHRAE’s responsibility to fellow humans and the earth by developing the professional community and becoming more global in outlook, broader in scope, and more collaborative in approach.

In many ways, it is about establishing a connection between ASHRAE’s aspirations for the future and the present, so that, as an association with members worldwide, it is always moving intentionally toward making those aspirations real.

Cultural Relativity ASHRAE’s first chapters outside North America were chartered in 1984, and at that time the association had 139 chapters in total. Today, 36 of ASHRAE’s 175 chapters are outside of North American representing 20% of members and 40% of student members.

Developing this potential for growth is not as simple as creating a blanket international strategy or mandate because there are many communities with individual needs based on climate, geography, and socioeconomics.

The next step was Bahnfleth's appointment of a presidential ad hoc committee that would work throughout the year at positioning ASHRAE in that market.

ASHRAE’s conference on High-performance Buildings for Developing Economies will move around to address various countries and conditions – Philippines, India, and South America have hosted or will host the event and each time it moves, it focuses on regional issues.

“Under consideration is how to provide resources locally so members and organizations in each place who understand those conditions can deal with them,” says Bahnfleth. “Should they have regions develop research projects based on their own conditions? It is a real strategic issue we are looking at.”

Membership Support Outside of North America economic factors can impede membership—the $200 US annual dues can be prohibitive in developing nations so the association is looking for ways to decentralize some services to make the costs more affordable.

“We can’t presume to remake ourselves completely in 12 months, but we can articulate what the key, distinct needs are in the developing world, evaluate ASHRAE’s current capacity to meet those needs, and identify which organizations to partner with,” says Bahnfleth. “Then we can develop a road map to go forward into implementation.”

It is also looking for ways to partner with national organizations in other countries, like India’s ISHRAE. “We are striving to develop good, synergistic relationships so we can work together,” he says. “As a global society and a society with a research program, that can be helpful. We also have to be respectful of what they offer locally and how to properly serve developing economies.”

A case in point is a series of discussions instigated by pastpresident Tom Watson between ASHRAE and a board member from India; talks were centred on addressing the needs of that constituency.

Inside North America, the challenge is different. Many membership organizations that depend on volunteer efforts have had a hard time maintaining membership in recent years, but where ASHRAE may have missed opportunities to recruit

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Sheet Metal Journal

new members in the past, the association has turned the corner on reaching engineers at the beginning of their careers.

that partnership. We have a strong interest in forming technical committees in things like air system efficiencies.”

“It can be hard to get volunteers without the strong support of employers,” says Bahnfleth. “We are trying to reach out to employers and tell them it is important to support employees' participation. We try to provide maximum benefits to members at a reasonable cost and that hasn't changed throughout our history. If you look back to the 60s, there was the same 3 to 1 return on benefits ($600 in benefits for the $200 membership fee) that we have today. ”

Strategic Planning

Regional Leaders In the Leadership University program, young ASHRAE members are selected by a committee and assigned to shadow four VPs at the annual conference. Leadership Development through Regional Support (LeaDRS) expands this approach to include participants from each region to shadow a director and regional chair at a society conference.

“We had a substantial buy-in this year with about 10 regions joining the program and eight having representatives at the meeting in New York. All indications were that it was as successful as Leadership U,” says Bahnfleth.

He also says ASHRAE is doing well in supporting the development of young members, but educational systems in many parts of the world are not doing a good job of meeting the needs of society for a high quality technical workforce.

ASHRAE is currently developing a new strategic plan. Work began in mid-2013 and is scheduled to wrap up in June, 2014.

“In New York we looked at the top level of the plan and produced a one-page summary with proposed goals and objectives based on board input,” says Bahnfleth. “We have consensus to proceed from there to move to an implementation plan and a business plan to go with it.”

The strategic plan is on track to complete in June as expected, despite an enormous amount of work and commitment required by the committee.

“I give them a lot of credit for keeping on track through this difficult and enjoyable process,” says Bahnfleth. “We’ve picked up some new ideas that have been in the air and than could change some of ASHRAE’s directions.”

ASHRAE is keeping the plan’s details quiet for now, but overall, the leadership is in agreement about the importance of global effectiveness and wants to look outward and see how the association can do a better job outside of North America. 

“We must do all that we can to change this unacceptable situation,” he says. “Our industry influences roughly 40% of the world’s energy use and is responsible for a commensurate part of the environmental impact. Too many universities have little or no HVAC&R curriculum at all, or only a token one—in some cases a single course that is taught in alternate years by an adjunct professor.”

He recommends raising awareness to generate a commitment from post-secondary institutions that is proportional to the significance of what the industry accomplishes in its work.

“From Chapters reaching out to local universities to action

by Society leaders to raise awareness and garner support for building science and technology programs, we must do more,” says Bahnfleth.

Contractors Building performance is an important area of development for ASHRAE, which tends to be known for emphasizing the design end of things but is committed to becoming more involved with building performance, commissioning, and operations.

“We are looking into ASHRAE contributing to and integrating what we do,” says Bahnfleth. “SMACNA, with its role in building distribution systems and building systems, fits into

www.sheetmetaljournal.com • Winter 2014

11

SMWTC 2013 APPRENTICE CONTEST A SUCCESS

The Sheet Metal Workers Training Center (SMWTC) held its annual Apprentice Contest in November at the SMWTC facility in Surrey.

Twenty-five Local 280 participants completed the competition, which consisted of seven hours theory, layout, and shop project work, based on curriculum for each training level.

Jud Martell, training co-ordinator for SMWTC says it was another great contest. “This was perhaps the largest sheet metal competition in North America last year,” he says.

“The Level 4 winner goes to Windsor in May to represent SMACNA-BC and Local 280 in the Canadian contest.”

The 2013 Apprentice Contest winners are: Level 1 - Devon Villeneuve, Allied Blower & Sheet Metal Level 2 - Andrew Cole, Allied Blower & Sheet Metal Level 3 - James Benson, Paramount Sheet Metal Level 4 - Franco Pederzini, Apollo Sheet Metal

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Sheet Metal Journal

By / Olivea Ryan Photos courtesy of SMWTC

Adam Froelich earned the Furthest Travelled placement having made the journey all the way from Prince George.

“We had a great turn out again this year,” says Cindy Wu, SMWTC registrar. “We are quite proud of the numbers of turn out as Ontario held their contest in a mall with only about six or eight people.”

Participants who completed were each awarded with $150+ worth of prizes, ranging from cash prizes, industrial tools, and hockey/football/dinner tickets to car detailing and many others. In addition, winners of each level received a leather jacket from the Local 280.

“A special thanks to our contractors, partners, union members, and suppliers for their generous donations and in kind contributions to ensure everyone got a prize and making it a remarkable day,” says Wu.

Congratulations to the Winners Thank you to the event's generous sponsors: SMACNA-BC & SMWIA Local 280 A.A. Audio Lab Air Liquide Canada Anonymous Local 280 members Apollo Sheet Metal BC Building Trades Canadian Business Distributors CITO Crosstown Metal Industries Custom Protect Ear Document Systems Direct ECCO Machinery ECCO Supply Lincoln Electric OHM Medical Training Services ONO Work & Safety Pacific Blue Cross Paramount Sheet Metal Quest Metal Works Raider Hansen Industrial Tools Walter Surface Walnut Grove Computers Western Technical Supply

MEETING THE LABOUR NEEDS OF OUR INDUSTRY

BY DELIVERING QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL SHEET METAL WORKERS 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 • Winter 2014

13

ENGINEERING

VAV Reheat vs Active Chilled Beams & DOAS

part 1

By Jeff Stein, P.E., Member ASHRAE; and Steven T. Taylor, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE

This article was published in ASHRAE Journal, May 2013. Copyright 2013 ASHRAE. Posted at www.ashrae.org. Used by permission granted to SMACNA-BC. This article may not be copied and/or distributed electronically or in paper form without permission of ASHRAE. For more information about ASHRAE Journal, visit www.ashrae.org.

Several recent articles claim that dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS) plus active chilled beam (ACB) systems are superior to vari­able air volume reheat (VAVR) systems on energy efficiency, first cost, air quality, etc. (Figures 1–4) The ASHRAE Golden Gate Chapter recently decided to hold a head-to-head competition to put these claims to the test.

Three mechanical engineering firms with offices in the Bay Area provided a Design Development (DD) level design for a real office building currently in design, the UC Davis Medical Center Graduate Studies Building (GSB) in Davis, California.

One firm designed an ACB+DOAS system, another firm designed a VAVR system, and the third designed a hybrid combination of these two systems. A fourth engineering firm simulated each of the three designs using the EnergyPlus energy simulation program. Finally, a major mechanical contractor provided a detailed HVAC construction cost estimate for each design.

The VAV reheat system had the lowest first costs and the lowest energy costs of the three systems. The analysis showed that many of the supposed advantages of ACB+DOAS relative to VAVR, such as improved indoor air quality and a lower floor/ floor height, also turned out to be largely overstated. Note that the results of this analysis are only strictly applicable to these three designs and this building and climate, but the conclusions also may apply more broadly.

Genesis of Competition

The UC Davis Medical Center Graduate Studies Building (GSB) will be a 56,500 ft2 (5249 m2) office building. The space program is fairly evenly split between private offices, open offices, and classroom/conference rooms. Chilled water

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Sheet Metal Journal

and hot water will be provided by the campus central plant.

When UC Davis first decided to build the GSB, it started with a traditional plans/specifications approach with Firm A as the engineer of record. Firm A, which has designed more than 1 million ft2 (92 900 m2) of chilled beam buildings, chose an ACB+DOAS design. In early 2012, when the design was in the design development (DD) stage, the owner decided to switch to a design/build approach, and Firm A’s design became the bridging documents.

One of the design/build teams bidding on the project proposed a VAVR system (designed by Firm B, the authors’ firm) and also carried the design through about the DD level in its bid.

Another bidder proposed a hybrid chilled beam + VAV reheat system, designed by Firm C. The three designs included equipment schedules, detailed equipment layouts, and zoning plans. The team with the hybrid design was awarded the job, but the project has been placed on hold since.

After UC Davis selected a design/build team, the ASHRAE Golden Gate chapter decided to use this building for a competition between chilled beams and VAV reheat since it had already been designed with both systems and with a hybrid combination of the two. All three firms were eager to participate. The results of the competition were presented at a seminar sponsored by the ASHRAE Golden Gate Chapter at the Pacific Gas & Electric Energy Center in San Francisco on Oct. 17, 2012.

Active Chilled Beam Design

The ACB+DOAS design consists of a 100% outside air, constant volume air handler serving two supply risers. The

air handler has a chilled water coil with a bypass damper and a hot water coil.

The air handler has a variable speed drive primarily for reducing fan speed when the bypass damper is open. The air handler provides the primary air to the active chilled beams. The average DOAS primary airflow rate is about 0.6 cfm/ft2 (0.28 L/ [s·m2]), which is considerably higher than the minimum ventilation in low occupant density spaces, like offices, but close to the minimum ventilation in higher density spaces such as conference rooms and classrooms. A DOAS flow rate higher than the minimum ventilation in low density spaces is often needed to meet the space loads as the capacity of the chilled beams is a function of the primary airflow rates. In densely occupied spaces, it also ensures space dew point does not rise above the surface temperature of the chilled beams, possibly causing condensation. It also improves the indoor air quality compared to code minimum ventilation.

Figure 1: Rendering of graduate studies building.

VFD HW Coil

CHW Coil with Bypass

Supply Fan Array

VFD Exhaust

CH Beam

CH Beam

T Hot water and chilled water are provided by an existing campus central plant supplying 45°F (7°C) chilled water to the buildings on campus. However, 45°F (7°C) typically cannot be supplied Figure 2: Active chilled beam design. to the chilled beams because of the likelihood of condensation and dripping.

Therefore, the ACB design includes one set of chilled water ductwork was not included for any design in the cost model pipes supplying 45°F (7°C) chilled water to the air handler or energy model for the Golden Gate ASHRAE Chapter and a separate chilled water heat exchanger and chilled water competition. pump in the building to maintain the chilled water supply temperature to the chilled beams at 57°F (14°C). The design VAV Reheat Design engineer felt that a heat exchanger was needed, rather than The VAVR design includes a single VAV air handler with just a blending valve, as an added layer of protection against a cooling coil and an airside economizer. Unlike the ACB design, which had two supply risers, the VAVR design only condensation. has one supply riser. The air handler is sized for about 0.9 Each ACB has both heating and cooling coils. The primary cfm/ft2 (4.5 L/[s·m2]), at design conditions. There is no air is maintained at 63°F (17°C), and the ACB heating and return ductwork, even in the return shaft, and building relief is cooling coils are controlled by the thermostat to maintain accomplished with two propeller relief fans. space conditions.

All zones are served by VAV boxes, most of which have The ACB design also includes a partially ducted exhaust reheat coils. Zones that serve open plan interior spaces that system—exhaust ducts extend from the air handler down the are open to perimeter zones do not have reheat coils because shafts and into the ceiling return plenum about two thirds of minimum ventilation for both the interior and perimeter can the way from the exhaust shafts to the building skin. This was be provided by the perimeter zone reheat box (Figure 5). The in response to perceived owner preference for ducted return. cooling-only VAV boxes have zero minimum flow rates. The However, neither of the other two designs in the design/build reheat boxes use a dual maximum zone control sequence5 competition included ducted return and, therefore, the return with minimum flow rates in the deadband between heating

www.sheetmetaljournal.com • Winter 2014

15

engineering, part

1

and cooling of about 0.15 cfm/ft2 (0.07 L/[s·m2]). High occupant density spaces, such as conference rooms and classrooms, have CO2 controls that also allow these spaces to have minimum flow rates in deadband of about 0.15 cfm/ft2 (0.07 L/[s·m2]) dynamically reset upwards based on CO2 concentration.

The air handler supply air temperature is reset from 55°F to 65°F (13°C to 18°C) using zone feedback to provide supply air just cold enough to satisfy the worst-case zone.

Similarly, duct static pressure setpoint is reset to maintain the worst-case zone damper nearly wide open. (Figure 6)

Hybrid System

Figure 3: Typical HVAC floor plan for ACB design.

The Hybrid system includes a single VAV air handler with a Relief VFD Fans chilled water coil and airside economizer ducted Supply CHW to two supply risers. Interior zones are served by Fan Coil Array VFD conventional VAV reheat boxes because adding chilled beams to these low load zones would Return not significantly reduce primary airflow rates.

VAV Box RH Coil Similarly, conference rooms and classrooms, which have relatively high peak ventilation rates, are served by conventional reheat boxes with CO2 controls. Chilled beams are only provided in low density perimeter zones where the chilled beams allow significant reduction in the primary airflow rates. Thus about 70% of the total area is conventional VAV reheat and about 30% is hybrid VAV + ACB. The air handler is designed Figure 4: VAV reheat design. for about 0.7 cfm/ft2 (0.33 L/[s·m2]) and 55°F (13°C) supply air temperature. Like the VAV reheat design, EnergyPlus was chosen because it has an explicit chilled beam the air handler controls include supply air temperature reset module. Other simulation programs such as EnergyPro and and duct static pressure reset. eQUEST do not have a chilled beam module and, therefore, typically approximate chilled beams with induction units.

The chilled beams are two-pipe, cooling-only beams, rather EnergyPlus does not explicitly allow chilled beams served than four-pipe beams. Heating is provided by VAV reheat by VAV reheat boxes. Therefore, the hybrid design was boxes that serve the chilled beams (Figure 7). As with the approximated using two systems serving the ACB zones: ACB+DOAS Design, one set of 45°F (7°C) chilled water VAV with HW reheat boxes and four-pipe fan coil units with pipes serve the AHU and a second set of 57°F (14°C) chilled zero zone fan energy operating in sequence; whatever load water pipes serve the chilled beams. the VAV box could not meet was met by the four-pipe fan coil.

Energy Model

Each of the three designs was simulated with EnergyPlus.

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Sheet Metal Journal

Lighting power density was modelled using the prescriptive requirements of ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007. Occupant density and receptacle power density was modelled using the defaults in ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007 User’s Manual Table G-B (e.g., 275 ft2/person and 0.75 W/ ft2 for offices [26 m2/ person and 8.0 W/m2]).

Schedules for HVAC, lighting, occupants, and receptacles were modelled using the defaults in User’s Manual Tables G-E to G-M.

T

The campus central cooling and heating plants are modelled per the baseline modelling assumptions in Standard 90.1-2007 Appendix G for chilled water and hot water plants.

VAV Reheat Box

Cooling Only VAV Box

Simulation Results

The results of the EnergyPlus simulations are shown in Figure 8. The VAV reheat design uses 40% less HVAC energy than the ACB design, and the hybrid design uses 33% less HVAC energy than the ACB design. The VAV reheat savings relative to the ACB design are across the board: VAV reheat has 28% less cooling energy than ACB, 70% less heating energy, 60% less fan energy, etc. 

Figure 5: Typical HVAC floor plan for VAV reheat design.

Return Fans

VFD CHW Coil

Supply Fan Array

VFD Return

PART 2 of this article will appear in the Spring 2014 issue of Sheet Metal Journal.

About the Authors Jeff Stein, P.E., and Steven T. Taylor, P.E., are principals of Taylor Engineering in Alameda, Calif. Stein is a consultant to SSPC 90.1 and a member of SPCs 155P and 195. Taylor is a member and former chair of SSPC 90.1 and is vice-chair of T TC 4.3, Ventilation Requirements and Infiltration.

1 FLOOR PLAN LEVEL TWO 'A'

VAV Box RH Coil

CH Beam

Conference Rooms

1/4" = 1'-0"

Figure 7: Hybrid zone.FLOOR PLAN LEVEL TWO 'A'

Figure 6: Schematic of hybrid ACB + VAV reheat design.

HEALTH SYSTEM

Chilled Water

HEALTH SCIENCES GRADUATE PROJECT 9558600

30

Chilled Beam

Chilled Beam

kBtu/ft2·Year

Chilled Beam

25

0.1 2.3

20

5.1 0.1 0.7 2.6

15 10

Pumps Fans Heating District Cooling 0 1 1.5

17.9 13.6

12.8

5

Heating Hot Water

0 ACB Design VAV Box

Hybrid ACB/VAVR

VAV Reheat

Figure 8: Simulated HVAC energy use intensities (site energy).

www.sheetmetaljournal.com • Winter 2014

17

Smaller air plasma systems are the most common type of plasma used on duct systems today. These units, which weigh less than 50 pounds, operate very efficiently on single phase AC power and compressed air.

Low Powered Air Plasma

for Ductwork T By / Jim Colt Applications Technology Manager, Hypertherm Inc. Photos courtesy of Hypertherm

he first plasma systems used on early HVAC duct machines were adapted from a couple of plasma manufacturers' plasma cutting product lines. These machines were typically used for hand held cutting applications or for robotic and CNC machines used in various heavy metal fabricating applications. Since the duct cutting machines spent 99% of their productive time cutting 26 or 24 gauge galvanized steel, and most of the other plasma cutting applications in the world at the time were in the ¼” to 6” thickness ranges on steel, aluminum, and stainless

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Sheet Metal Journal

steel, plasma manufacturers like Hypertherm had to carefully look at the HVAC market to determine if a specially built, low-power plasma system designed specifically for thin materials was feasible.

Ultimately, a 40 amp air plasma system was developed that could cut 26 gauge galvanized at speeds around 350 to 40 inches per minute, using 3 phase power and standard shop compressed air to produce a high-speed plasma jet.

A plasma system uses a set of consumable parts in the torch head, typically a nozzle and electrode, that, in

conjunction with the DC power supply output, produced a high-temperature jet of ionized gas that quickly vaporized the metal plate while the CNC machine accurately moved the torch over the sheet at high speeds. The early plasma systems would typically cut 100 or so duct fittings before they were worn to the point of replacement, so often would get through 3 to 6 sheets of galvanized before the operator had to replace the consumable parts. The power supplies used for the plasma cutters in the 1980s were of a similar design to welders— they were bulky, heavy, inefficient, and

far less reliable compared to technology available today; however, these systems dramatically increased productivity and profitability.

Fast forward to today’s plasma cutters.

The latest technology used on HVAC sheet metal cutting machines provides a portable inverter based technology power supply. The Hypertherm Powermax45, probably the most common plasma cutter used on duct cutting systems today, weighs less than 50 pounds, and operates efficiently on single phase AC power and compressed air. Its torch design uses shielded technology and advanced conical air flow design that allows for cut speeds in the 450 inches per minute range, and, most importantly, provides for over 10 times the consumable life of early models. These systems are plug and play compatible as replacements for the older technology plasmas currently in use, yet produce faster cut speeds and lower operating costs, and are far more reliable under even the highest duty cycle applications.

The earliest plasma cutters were designed with only thin gauge materials in mind. The inverter based air plasma systems available today have a much wider cutting thickness range as well, and many shops have learned to use their machines for a wider range of materials and thicknesses, allowing them to expand into different areas of accurate metal cutting. The 45 amp air plasma previously mentioned can cut up through ½” steel on a production basis, so think of the possibilities.

Hand held plasma for field installations—there are some great portable plasma cutting systems that weigh less than 30 pounds and can run on a standard 20 amp, 120 volt power outlet. These systems are the fastest way to cut galvanized steel in the field with hand held torches that are designed to drag right on the material.

The torch can be guided along the edge of a straightedge or template for vary

Plasma systems are useful both in the fabrication and installation of ductwork.

accurate cutting of additional duct or branch holes that are so often necessary.

Along with the additional capabilities, ease of use, and higher productivity levels of the CNC duct cutting machines on the market today, keep in mind that plasma cutting technology has advanced

as well. There are opportunities to upgrade just the plasma system on your existing CNC machine, or to add this technology for the field installation crews to improve their productivity and versatility. Happy cutting! 

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19

GLOBAL metal

VENTILATION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL MONUMENTS Essam E. Khalil, Fellow ASHRAE, Fellow ASME, Fellow AIAA Professor of Energy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt <khalile1@asme.org>

Egypt

was once home to the Pharaohs, one of the oldest and most sophisticated civilizations in the ancient world. Many Egyptian artifacts, treasures, and buildings are a priceless part of our world heritage.

The Valley of the Kings at Luxor is a unique and world famous site where, thousands of years ago, many Egyptian monarchs had elaborate tombs built to ensure their safe passage into the afterlife. Many of these tombs were robbed after being discovered, but others have survived and their greatest remaining treasures are the beautiful, vivid, yet fragile wall paintings and decorations that lie within.

Each year, tourists flock to Egypt to see these awe-inspiring tombs, but their visits cause a major problem for curators.

The heat and humidity given off by visitors in the enclosed chambers and passageways causes damage to the plasterwork and paintings. Hence, the ventilation system and resultant air flow patterns in a tomb are critical to the preservation of the exhibits so that they may be kept open to tourists for many years to come.

The Egyptian government and the Supreme Council of Antiquities approached ventilation experts at Cairo University for help in solving this problem for the tomb of Ramses VII. The request was to devise a climate control system for the tomb of Ramses VII, one of the smaller tombs near the entrance to the Valley of the Kings. Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) techniques, a model of approximately four million cells was created and yielded good geometric representation of the tomb passageway with the sarcophagus in the main room and a large number of visitors.

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Sheet Metal Journal

Then custom models were used to simulate human breathing and heat generation, and to consider a worst case scenario when 20 adult visitors are in the tomb at the same time.

Parametric CFD simulations were performed to predict what the relative humidity, a key variable, would be like near the wall paintings for a given air extraction system design and tomb vent locations. Their modelling work was used to determine the optimized air flow pattern for the tomb. Based on their findings, the installation of raised flow exhausts that were unobtrusive to visitors was recommended. A similar procedure was used to investigate the great Pyramid of Giza.

The levels of the air conditions to be maintained are dictated by the local environment, type and number of visitors, required climate, and the required visitors' comfort and property reservation. The present work, following other earlier similar work 1-3, made use of packaged CFD programs. The effect of excessive humidity is shown on the artifacts in Figure 1. The present article shows the applicability of the computational solver and its validation with steady state results for the tomb passage of King Ramsis VII, including different visitors (obstacles) alternative positioning to introduce the capability of the design to provide the optimum characteristics.

The primary objective of the present work is to assess the airflow characteristics, thermal pattern, and energy consumption in the different tomb ventilation configurations in view of basic known flow characteristics.

Figure 1: The effect of moisture content in the colour of artifacts.

The primary objective is to assess the airflow characteristics, thermal pattern, and energy consumption in the tomb ventilation configurations Figure 2 shows the geometrical configuration of the tomb of Ramses VII with the entrance to the left. The tomb is 44 m long and approximately 4x4 m in cross-section. Figure 3 shows the predicted relative humidity % contours all over the tomb in summer where external Rh% is 25%, while near the walls the relative humidity escalated up to 68%, which may initiate and support the growth of the fungi and mold on walls, ruin the paintings, and spoil these ancient colours. One should concentrate at the far end of the tomb nearly at the dead end of the passage.

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Sarcophagus Figure 2: The configuration of Ramses VII tomb with proposed raised floor extractions.

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79.5 85

Figure 3: Relative humidity contours, %, at walls of King Ramses VII tomb.

The ventilation of the main shaft of the Pyramid of Giza was also investigated. The Pyramid is shown in Figure 4, with the simulation indicated in Figure 5. Figure 6 shows the calculated velocity contours in the shaft to guarantee proper ventilation in the Pyramid space.

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21

ventilation of archaeological monuments

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Figure 6: Predicted velocity contours in the shaft, m/s.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

The main flow pattern of the free supplied air and floor mounted extracts is slightly influenced by the extraction ports' locations.

For each visitor group location, a corresponding proper airside design is suggested to provide the optimum utilization of the supplied air. The optimum utilization of the air movement to ventilate and reduce temperature can be attained by locating the extraction ports to minimize the recirculation zone and prevent the air short circuits. Ideally, the optimum airside design system can be attained, if the airflow is directed to pass all the enclosure areas before the extraction. Still, all shown predictions clearly indicated the usefulness of floor extracts that do not disturb the archaeological value of the tomb and do not install any artificial materials in the tombs. The influence of the recirculation zones on the visitors’ occupancy zone and also on the fresh supplied air were investigated.  REFERENCES

Labour & Management “Embracing the Challenge” - B. Flaherty, Cornell University, Syracuse, N.Y.

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Sheet Metal Journal

1.

Khalil, E. E., 2000, Computer aided design for comfort in healthy air conditioned spaces, Proceedings of Healthy Buildings 2000, Finland, Vol. 2, Page 461.

2. Khalil, E.E. , 2006,” Preserving The Tombs of the Pharaohs”, ASHRAE Journal, December 2006, pp.34-38.

3. Khalil, E.E., 2013,Gifted Designs of Archaeological 15th Century BC Tombs of the Valley of Kings, JSIGS,1, pp.10-14,June 2013.

4. Khalil, E.E., 2013, Air Distribution in Buildings, Taylor and Francis, CRC Press, 2013.

5. Weeks, K., 1999, Theban Mapping Project, AUC, Egypt.

CONTRACTORS 101 A BUDDY SYSTEM FOR YOUR BUSINESS: TAKING PART IN MENTOR/PEER PROGRAMS It is a cold and wet spring morning, and you have a tee-off time at 6:30 a.m.:

1.

Your golf buddy has cancelled and you’re considering going on your own, or 2. Your golf buddy phones you at 5:30 a.m. to make sure you’re still on and can’t wait to meet you in the parking lot.

Which date are you more likely to keep?

The commitments we make to others are far more powerful than those we make to ourselves. The proliferation of fitness centres, AA, and other support groups is due to the fact that our success rate is far greater when we commit to others. We get support and encouragement from them, and we don’t want to let them down. When we feel like giving up, our support system helps us find hidden reserves to get us over the hurdles.

by / Ron Coleman

• Start training and delegating the tasks you want assigned.

Complete in 120 days.

• Develop monitoring system to ensure all the tasks are getting done. Complete in 150 days.

• Implement monitoring system and tweak as needed so that you’re now spending just five hours monitoring the 25-hours worth of tasks you had delegated. Complete in 180 days.

Actively participating in your local association is a great start, but to be really successful you should take it to the next level.

It’s time you created, or participated in, your own support system.

You will likely fall off the wagon if you try this whole process on your own, but with a mentor by your side, you are more likely to reach each and every milestone on time.

The best insights you can get on your business are likely from other contractors rather than an independent consultant. Most of my business is consulting and I certainly believe (and so do my clients) that I add value, but in many cases there is great information available from other contractors who face issues similar to yours. Here is how you could benefit substantially from one of these processes.

A peer program tends to be a lot more sophisticated and

Peer Program

continued on page 27

Mentoring Program

A mentoring program could be as simple as establishing some goals then deciding on actions with timelines. Give a copy to your mentor, so he can hold you to those deadlines.

Example Your goal is to reduce your workweek from 60 hours to 40 hours over 180 days.

Your plan of action • Identify what you do during each of the 60 hours. Complete in 30 days.

• Identify tasks that you can immediately delegate to others.

Complete in 45 days.

• Identify tasks that you can document into systems before hiring and training others to do them for you. Complete in 75 days (total tasks identified should eliminate 25 hours of work).

• Hire part-time staff to perform the tasks that take up your or your employees’ time. Complete in 90 days.

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Email: jim@summitsheetmetal.ca #68 - 1833 Coast Meridian Rd. Port Coquitlam, B.C. V3C 6G5

www.sheetmetaljournal.com • Winter 2014

23

IT'S THE LAW GOING GREEN THE SMART WAY – AVOIDING LIABILITY IN GREEN-LABELLING Greater demand from consumers and regulators in British Columbia for environmentally sustainable or “green” building practices suggests potential benefits for business that can set themselves apart as “green contractors.” A common strategy for marketing a business as a green alternative is to adopt a labelling system that advertises compliance with defined environmental standards. Common examples of green-labels used in B.C.’s construction industry include the Energy Star label and the Built Green seals, which advertise to the public that construction has met certain standards in terms of energy efficiency or environmental sustainability.

Green-Labelling - How it works

Green-labels are frequently used to signify compliance with performance criteria established in various environmental rating systems. Rating systems use standardized measurements, checklists, and criteria to evaluate a product’s performance with defined sustainability goals, such as energy efficiency or water conservation. If a product meets the criteria contained in the rating system, it can be marked with a corresponding label signifying this fact to potential consumers.

Exposure to Liability in Green-Labelling

There are numerous potential benefits for a business in

by / Andrew Delmonico Kuhn & Company

choosing to adopt a green-labelling system. For instance, a label signifying that a home is energy efficient or environmentally sustainable may increase its marketability to a consumer base that is highly motivated by environmental issues. The fact that, in many cases, energy efficiency translates into lower utility costs may be an additional selling point.

These benefits notwithstanding, choosing to participate in a green-labelling system can also expose a business to increased liability. As such, it is a business decision that should be made with due consideration of the potential risks, and only after careful investigation as to the credibility of the particular label or rating program under consideration.

A significant source of liability that arises in relation to greenlabelling programs is that the potential benefits of a home associated with that label can be overstated. For instance, a contractor who overstates the potential cost-savings associated with purchasing a green-certified home could be sued for negligent misrepresentation. Similarly, a contractor who fails to build a home that fully performs with the sustainability requirements associated with a particular label could face a potential claim that the home purchased by the consumer is materially different from the product bargained for.

Tips for Minimizing Your Exposure

The best way to minimize your liability when participating in a green-labelling program is to ensure that proper due diligence is undertaken before a label is chosen. When selecting among competing brands, look for labels that measure performance according to credible scientific methods. Also, consider whether the body administering the label employs independent evaluators, as this will help to minimize the potential for conflicts of interest.

An additional step that can be taken to minimize exposure after a label is selected is to make sure that risk is properly allocated in your building contracts. As a means to avoid claims stemming from oral representations, it is prudent when contracting with a homeowner to include a clause stating continued on page 27

24

Sheet Metal Journal

SAFETY BCCSA ENDORSED EDUCATION FOR HEALTHY WORKPLACES The BC Construction Safety Alliance is offering two Endorsed Education courses over the spring focused on creating and improving healthy working environments for people in the construction industry.

Safe and Sound: Bill 14 and Beyond

Co-developed with the Canadian Mental Health Association, the workshop provides insight into Bill 14’s revisions to the Workers’ Compensation Act. It also addresses bullying and harassment, and how to support a psychologically safe and healthy workplace.

This course makes the case for why contractors and construction leaders need to address psychological health and safety in the workplace—for the benefit of workers, supervisors, leaders, the bottom line, and for families and communities.

Against the backdrop of the new National Standard on Psychological Health and Safety in the workplace, participants emerge with a greater understanding of how they can and must identify and remove workplace hazards to psychological safety for all.

Instructor: Margaret Tebbutt is a senior consultant, Workplace Initiatives, Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division. She delivers conference presentations on strategic issues in workplace mental health at the organizational level, and workshops to help managers and union leaders develop the knowledge and skills to more effectively deal with mental health issues. Prior to joining CMHA in 2005, she held positions as senior advisor, executive development for the University of British Columbia Sauder School of Business; director, Client Service Delivery with Western Economic Diversification Canada; and in Canada’s foreign service at embassies abroad.

Supervisors Bootcamp

The Supervisors Bootcamp is a Gold Seal certified and BCCSA endorsed workshop designed specifically for front line supervisors to gain practical leadership tools. Instructed

by BCCSA's own Regional Safety Adviser Jeff Lyth, CRSP, CHSC, the workshop earns 1 Gold Seal credit. The course is recommended for companies looking to provide training for their supervisors that takes into consideration physical health and safety and newly legislated mental health and safety. The course is being hosted by BCCSA partner organizations. See below for dates and registration information.

Instructor: Jeff Lyth, CRSP, CHSC, has been a safety professional for 20 years. He has been the in-house regional safety adviser for the BCCSA since 2010 and helps refine and enhance courses for owners, managers, supervisors, and workers. Prior to his work with BCCSA, Jeff was director of corporate health and safety for the ITC Construction Group for seven years, during which time he was a facilitator of their leadership development program. An in-demand speaker at home and abroad, he has given workshops and presentations on safety in locations as far away as China.

To learn more about the Supervisors Bootcamp contact Jeff Lyth at jlyth@bccsa.ca or 778.834.0872 

To learn more, about the Safe and Sound course contact Julia Kaisla at julia.kaisla@cmha.bc.ca or call 604.688.3234.

Business Manager & F.S.T.

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

Assistant Business Manager

James Paquette Dan Burroughs

Business Representative

Greg Mooney

Business Representative

Ken Elworthy

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25

TAX LET THE CANADA REVENUE AGENCY HELP YOU PRACTICE YOUR TRADE WITH ALL THE RIGHT TOOLS As a skilled tradesperson, improving your craft is no easy feat. Every day, you try hard to be the best and prove your ability. You’re hands-on, dependable, and take pride in your workmanship. You’ve built up your reputation with clients and associates. You have the qualifications and you have the skills, but do you have the tools when it comes to filing your tax return?

If you bought new tools for work this year, you may be able to claim a tradesperson's tools deduction of up to $500 on your tax return. You may also be allowed a GST/HST rebate. To find out more about deductions and tax credits for employed tradespersons, go to www.cra.gc.ca/trades.

Don’t forget that the deadline to file your income tax and benefit return is generally April 30. However, if you, or your spouse or common-law partner, are self-employed, the deadline is June 15. As June 15 falls on a weekend, the filing deadline has been extended to Monday, June 16, 2014. If you have a balance owing for 2013, you still have to pay it on or before April 30, 2014.

Filing electronically with NETFILE is easy, secure, and allows the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to process your return much faster. If you use NETFILE and are expecting a refund, your money will be directly deposited in your account in as little as eight business days (weeks faster than if you

file on paper). For a list of software and web service choices, including some that are free for everyone, go to www.netfile. gc.ca/software.

While you are visiting the CRA's website, be sure to sign up for My Account, which allows you to follow the progress of your refund, change your address, check your benefit and credit payments and your registered retirement savings plan limit, set up direct deposit, and so much more.

Employers can benefit too. If your business hires a qualified apprentice working in an approved Red Seal trade, you may qualify to claim the apprenticeship job creation tax credit. This non-refundable investment tax credit is equal to the lesser of $2,000 or 10 per cent of the eligible apprentice salaries or wages. Don’t need to use the whole credit amount this year?

Carry the unused amount back three years or carry it forward up to 20 years. For more information on the apprenticeship job creation tax credit and other investment tax credits, go to www.cra.gc.ca.ca/smallbusiness and select Investment tax credit.

You can also stay on top of the latest CRA news or tax tips by following @CanRevAgency on Twitter. 

SHARE YOUR NEWS AND IDEAS Got news? Sheet Metal Journal represents diverse voices in the sheet metal / HVAC industry and we’d like to hear yours. We are actively seeking ideas and suggestions for upcoming stories, articles, and project highlights. If you have significant project underway or recently completed or the inside scoop on an industry issue then you have something to contribute to Sheet Metal Journal.

We take your ideas and set our editorial team to work on developing high-quality, informative news stories and photography that fully explore your ideas. Telling us what is important in your industry ensures Sheet Metal Journal is always timely and relevant, and representing your projects in print showcases your workmanship and expertise in a straightforward, credible manner.

the opportunity to review the article for technical accuracy before it goes to press. So what are you waiting for?

What’s in it for you: • low time commitment: interviews by phone or email require a 15- to 20-minute time commitment • “show don’t tell”: marketing tells people how great you are; editorial coverage shows your expertise • simple process: call or email your idea and we will followup within 24 hours • editorial accuracy: you will always have the opportunity to review the article’s technical accuracy • cost-free: contributing to news and project stories doesn’t cost a dime. In fact, your company benefits from the exposure

It’s easier than you think. We accept pre-written articles or, take five minutes to call in or email your idea and why Share your ideas with Jessica Kirby, editor, at 250.816.3671 it’s important and we will do the rest. You will always have or jessica.kirby@pointonemedia.com.

26

Sheet Metal Journal

ADVERTISER INDEX CONTRACTORS 101

continued from page 23

time consuming, but at the same time very rewarding. Many of these programs have been started by contractors for contractors, and tend to attract progressive members who understand the value that can be derived.

You see, if I give you a dollar and you give me a dollar, we both still end up with just one dollar; but if I give you an idea and you give me one, we both walk away with two ideas.

A number of years ago, I worked with a peer group in the States that limited itself to six contractors; they met every three months at one of the members’ locations and did a total analysis of his business for two days, then spent the third day reviewing their findings with him. Everyone got great ideas. The group developed a formal binder of policies and procedures, with sections on each of the main areas of their businesses that each contractor had to complete over a 12-month period.

I have worked with three peer groups here in Canada, and they are a joy to work with. They are motivated and successful.

They all have their own unique approaches. They have the same bottom line—they want more money and more fun.

Again, it is very time-consuming for them, but very rewarding.

IT'S THE LAW

continued from page 24

that the only representations or warranties made in relation to the building are those explicitly contained in the written contract. You can also minimize your exposure to potential litigation costs by including a clause mandating that any claims stemming from the use of the label be resolved through

It Need not be Lonely

It can be lonely as the owner of your own business. Who can you talk to? Your partner might get spooked, your spouse likely doesn’t understand your business enough, and your employees have their own concerns. Could you talk to your banker or your suppliers? Your accountant often doesn’t have a real grasp of the issues you face, but another contractor— one who has gone (or is going) through similar scenarios—not only understands, but is able offer ideas and, in all likelihood, solutions.

The smaller your business is the lonelier it can be. It doesn’t have to be that way. Forge alliances!

Ron Coleman helps make the ownership transition of trade and specialty contracting companies more successful. He ensures that businesses are attractive to buyers so that both seller and buyer enjoy a win-win situation.

His book “Becoming Contractor of the Year” will show you techniques you can use to make more money, have more fun, and make your business more saleable.

His book “Building Your Legacy” has more than 40 great ideas for helping you work smarter, not harder, and create a legacy of which you can be very proud.

Ron is a professional accountant, a certified management consultant, and a professional member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers.

Need a speaker for your next conference? Give Ron a call.

Visit Ron at www.ronaldcoleman.ca and review his other publications and resource materials for contractors.

mediation or binding arbitration, as opposed to using the more expensive court process.  This article was written by Andrew Delmonico, lawyer with the law firm of Kuhn LLP. It is only intended as a guide and it is important to get legal advice for specific situations. If you have questions or comments about this case or other construction law matters, please contact Ian or Andrew at 1.888.704.8877.

advertiser index advertiser

page

phone

101 Industries Ltd.

22

877.632.6859

www.101industries.com

Cascadia Metals

09

604.946.3890

www.cmetals.com

Crossroads C&I Distributors

19

800.663.6595

www.crossroadsci.com

ECCO Supply

21

604.530.9755

www.eccosupply.ca

FastEst Inc.

24

800.828.7108

www.fastest-inc.com

Frost Insulation

08

886.913.7678

www.frostinsulation.com

KD Engineering Co.

21

604.872.8651

www.teamkd.com

Modern Tool (BC) Ltd.

09

604.472.1444

www.moderntoolbc.com

Sheet Metal Workers Training Centre Society

13

604.882.7680

www.smwtcs.ca

22, 25

604.430.3388

www.smw280.org

IFC, 5, 22

604.585.4641

www.smacna-bc.org

Summit Sheet Metal Ltd.

23

604.941.9339

www.summitsheetmetal.ca

Winroc / SPI

11

604.430.3044

www.burnabyinsulation.com

Sheet Metal Workers Int’l Local 280 SMACNA-BC

website

www.sheetmetaljournal.com • Winter 2014

27

So much more than just a trade publication, Sheet Metal Journal is your voice in the sheet metal industry. We bring you online and in-print coverage of the latest news, projects, technical information, and market updates affecting the western Canadian industry.

Get involved today. Participate in editorial, submit suggestions, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, visit our website. No matter how you call it, we're here and ready to be your voice in the industry. So what are you waiting for?

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