By / Bruce Sychuk • Executive Director, SMACNA-BC
COVID-19 & daylight savings time both suck! Hopefully both will be ending soon.
SMACNA-BC Christmas Party – CANCELLED
Due to the obvious, we have had to cancel our annual Christmas party at the Pan Pacific Vancouver. COVID-19 restrictions limit functions to 50 people, which is a far cry from the 300 guests who attended last year’s event.
How about we put a positive spin on this? For all of those who have attended this event over the years, you have always generously supported our charity of choice, Helping Families in Need Society, which SMACNA-BC has been recognizing for well over 25 years. Usually you are asked to bring a toy for under the tree and given the option to provide a cash donation. The party is off this year, but these families are still in need. How about you take the cash your company was going to spend on the great party at the Pan Pacific and donate a portion or all of it to Helping Families in Need Society?
Ray Abernethy, president of Helping Families in Need Society, which he started 35 years ago, is the gentleman who would come to the SMACNA-BC Christmas party to gather all of the gifts and donations. He would thank all of you for your generosity and extend holiday wishes to you and your families from the families who are not as fortunate. Ray is now retired from his “day job” but continues to work full-time (for no pay) with the society.
To take a look at all that Helping Families in Need Society does and to make a generous cash contribution, please visit helpingfamiliesinneed.org/
(Tax deductible receipts are available on request. Charitable organization #86350 5657 RR0001)
SMACNA Launches System Air Leakage Testing Standard
SMACNA has officially launched the First Edition, System Air Leakage Testing Standard. This must-own publication will be an immediately welcome addition to SMACNA members’ resource libraries.
SMACNA member firms and chapters are each entitled to one free* copy of this new standard. An email went out earlier to chapter executives and member primary contacts (owners, presidents, CEOs) with a promo code that can be used to order either one PDF download or one hard copy book. Please refer to that email for information on how to get your free* copy of this standard.
Since 1965, SMACNA has included a procedure for leakage testing of ductwork (HVAC Duct Construction Standard & HVAC Air Duct Leakage Manual). This process, like many others developed by SMACNA, has evolved over time based on research and feedback from the industry, resulting in changes to both the pass/fail criteria and the application of testing.
The culmination of that feedback and research is this standard. SMACNA’s System Air Leakage Test Standard goes beyond the duct and includes procedures for any item included in a forced air system. This standard addresses leakage testing of any portion of, and up to, the entire forced air system.
The pass/fail criterions are based on sound research specific to testing conditions and distributes the responsibility of system performance equitably. The testing process is reliable, practical, and based is on decades of experience.
*Each SMACNA chapter and member firm is entitled to one free copy of the System Air Leakage Testing Standard. This free copy is limited to either one PDF download or one hard copy book. Hard copy book orders will be subject to a shipping fee.
Edge Session On-Demand for Those Who Register(ed)
Have you heard the positive buzz about so many Edge Conference sessions? Wish you registered, or wish you attended the ones you missed? No problem! People can still register to view sessions on demand, and registered attendees who missed any session during the Edge Conference can view them on-demand via the conference site smacna.org/annualconvention between now and January 11, 2021.
If you are a SMACNA-BC Contractor Member and did not register for The Edge Conference but would like access to the recorded sessions, contact the SMACNA-BC office at 604.585.4641 / smacnabc@smacna-bc.org
If you have questions or are having difficulty logging in, contact the SMACNA Meetings Department at meetings@smacna.org.
Adding Attendees
If you signed up for all-company access and would like to add employees to your registration to allow them to access the on-demand recordings, please contact the SMACNA-BC office. 604.585.4641 / smacnabc@smacna-bc.org
Additional employee access to the on-demand recorded sessions can be added through January 11, 2021, at which time the recorded sessions will no longer be available.
Contractor Operations Manual: Managing a Remote Workforce
In response to the pandemic, many contractors have decided to have their employees work remotely. While there are obvious aspects of construction that require in-person presence on a jobsite, there are many that can be done remotely.
Unlike industries where remote work has been being adopted for years, construction has been considered an in-person job. That’s begun to change.
In the latest Contractor Operations Manual, Successfully Managing A Remote Workforce: How to Maintain Productivity and Engagement, SMACNA explores the influence and impact of the pandemic; generational expectations; the advantages of remote work; how to lead, communicate and incentivize behavior; the impact of this shift on organizational strategy and culture.
CONTENT OVERVIEW
I. The Influence and Impact of the Pandemic
Demands of the Technology Generation
The Major Advantages of Remote Work
II. Use of Technology for Speed and Transparency
III. Tools, Metrics, and Reporting to Effectively
Manage Remote Workers
Transparency of Performance
IV. Best Practices in Managing Remote Meetings
Do Not Multitask During Meetings
Develop These Habits for Successful Remote Meetings
V. Leading, Communicating, and Incentivizing Behavior
Enabling Remote Employees
Create a Recurring Daily Check Meeting
Allow Different Communication Options
Recognize the Challenges of Remote Work
Allow for Flexibility
VI. Cultural Impacts
Visit smacna.org/store/product/successfully-managing-a-remote-workforce for more information. Read other SMACNA Contractor Operations Manuals by logging in to your SMACNA National account.
SMACNA-BC Contractor Industry Hour Update
Some of you might be thinking that with all that we have been going through this year, that the industry is suffering. I just wanted to let you know that SMACNA-BC Industry Hours relative to the same time period in 2019, are down 3.8%. Keep in mind that those are hours worked do not provide a snapshot of what the productivity rates are relative to profits. So as you see, the industry is not doing that bad. However, in an effort to continue this trend, all of you must impress upon all of your personnel to stay the course re: COVID-19 protocols. We must keep our people and their families safe and employed.
Stay safe! ■
