News

Fire Life Safety is Rolled Out to Fire Marshals

In February, the SMACNA Mid-Atlantic Chapter hosted supervisory classes for Fire Life Safety Level 1 and Level 2. With properly trained and tested technicians, SMACNA Mid-Atlantic Contractors are well positioned to begin inspecting area buildings and hospitals.

 More importantly, FLS certification allows them to diversify their businesses and create a new revenue stream with only a minimal investment. It gives the contractor entry to doing business directly with the building owner or manager. 

 The chapter has also met with local fire marshals and code officials.  More than 50 fire code officials attended a three-hour presentation at the Washington, D.C. Fire Department to learn more about the NFPA’s Act 105. This code states that, “Smoke dampers shall close upon the detection of smoke in the duct system or from the actuation of area smoke detectors. At least every 4 years, fusible links (where applicable) shall be removed; all dampers shall be operated to verify that they fully close; the latch, if provided, shall be checked; and moving parts shall be lubricated as necessary. The owner shall maintain a written record of testing and maintenance.”

 Just prior to the meeting with DC Fire Code Officials SMACNA’s Executive Director of Technical Resources Eli Howard did a one hour presentation with Prince George’s County Maryland Fire Officials.

 Fire Life Safety is not only new to sheet metal contractors, but is also new to fire code officials and building managers.  Because they are unfamiliar with the various codes, they need our assistance in gaining a better understanding of the products and the inspection process.

 At the same time, the chapter has reached out to local BOMA chapters in Washington and Baltimore. 

While some building managers may see this only as another expense and headache, our goal is to convince them this is only a small price to pay in order to prevent a disaster.  After all, we have seen what happens in a building when fire safety systems are improperly installed or fail to operate as designed.  Not only are the occupants or residents of a building put at risk, but so are the lives of the first responders. 

SMACNA Mid-Atlantic Chapter’s Fire Life Safety Committee of Bill Mould, Frank Battaglino, and Rob Delawder have led the effort.

Hiring D.C. Residents Pays Off! 

The District of Columbia’s Department of Employment Services (DOES) recently won a competitive $627,753 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to implement an innovative On-the-Job-Training (OJT) initiative.  This program reimburses employers 50 percent or more of a new DC hire’s gross wages during the training period.

 Purpose

 The goal of this program is to increase employment and training opportunities for unemployed District residents that will lead to full time employment with a career path.  The program is funded by the U.S. Dept. of Labor.

 What is On-the-Job-Training?

 The District’s OJT initiative is a pilot program that reimburses employers a significant portion of wages paid to hire, train, and retrain currently unemployed District of Columbia workers.

 Who can participate?

 Eligible employers include both private sector and non-profit organizations. Participating OJT employers define the job, interview candidates, and make all hiring and retention decisions.

 What is the Reimbursement Schedule for Participating Employers?

 The training wage reimbursement is based upon the size of the employer:

 Small employers (under 51 employees) are reimbursed 90% of wages paid during training;

  • Medium sized employers (between 51 and 250 employees) are reimbursed 75% of wages paid during training:
  • Large employers (over 251 employees) are reimbursed 50% of wages paid during training.

 Companies may recruit their own candidates or contact DOES which has 11,000 eligible candidates.

 The OJT participant is hired as permanent full-time employee (just as a DC Step-Up Apprentices are) receiving the same rate of pay and benefits as other employees doing similar work. 

 Does it work with First Source?

 Yes!  Companies may apply for those individuals being hired under the First Source program.

 Who in the District of Columbia can Participate?

 To qualify, a person must be a resident of the District of Columbia have been laid off after January 1, 2008, currently unemployed for 22.5 weeks (six months), and ready, willing, and able to go to work.

 Interested employers should contact DOES On-the-Job Training Coordinator at 202/698-5146 or by emailing does.ojt-initiative@dc.gov to discuss creating an On-the-Job Training opportunity. For more information go to http://does.dc.gov.

 There is a two page application that must be completed and processed. Process time is estimated to be approximately two weeks.

  

SMACNA and SMWIA Local Reach Agreement on Four Year Deal

SMACNA Mid-Atlantic Chapter  Contractors and Local 100 negotiators reached a tentative four-year agreement on Thursday, June 23rd on a four year agreement for contractor's in Baltimore region. The unions members will vote  Saturday morning on the new contract.

                                     Increase           %         Total package 

1st year                         $1.00               2.2%    $45.64 

2nd year                        1.30                 2.8%    $46.94 

3rd year                        1.50                 3.2%    $48.44 

4th year                        1.70                 3.5%    $50.14 

Special thanks to Richard Titus, Stan Fleischer, Joe Weisman, and London Anthony who represented the organization during negotiations. 

Also, it was announced that a new labor agreement in Richmond was ratified Wednesday night, June 22nd. Congratulations to Bob Gawne and Mike Pantele who negotiated this agreement.

 

Save the Date!

Be sure to mark your calendar for April 12 – 14, 2012 for the next Northeast Sheet Metal Coalition Meeting!  The meeting will take place at the Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort in Marco Island, Florida! This is a fabulous opportunity to meet with industry members, network, and exchange ideas.  Rooms are $279 single or double! Additional information to follow!

Local 100 Adopts Code of Excellence

Members of SMWIA Local 100 recently adopted the SMWIA Code of Excellence.

The basic tenets of the Code of Excellence Program shall be to provide to the SMWIA, the employer and client:

  • Members of the SMWIA who provide the highest level of quality at the highest level of performance;
  • Who use superior craft skills; and
  • Who have proven best work practices.

The Code of Excellence Policy is therefore a written policy of the culture of the SMWIA designed to instill a sense of pride and professionalism in the industry. When adopted and implemented, the uniformity of this Code of Excellence Policy shall demonstrate to employers and their clients that contracting the services of SMWIA members is synonymous with contracting excellence.

SMACNA Mid-Atlantic Meets with Maryland Fire Marshals

On Wednesday, April 18th SMACNA Mid-Atlantic will be briefing Maryland State Fire Marshals on Fire Life Safety. ITI's Chuck Holt will be presenting information along with Frank Battaglino.Bill Mould, and Bernie Brill. Having addressed fire marshals in the District of Columbia and Prince George's County, the association is also speaking with other groups.