Around the Circuit
FMI, provider of management consulting and investment banking to the engineering and construction industry, recently announced the release of its Nonresidential Construction Index (NRCI) for the first quarter of 2012. The NRCI gained 7.8 points over last quarter to 58.1 this quarter. This positive move to start the new year is not exactly the sign of a bull market for construction, but continuing confirmation that panelists believe that the construction activity is following the lead of the slowly improving economy, according to the firm. There are good signs in hiring plans for 2012, as well as construction-put-in-place predictions. However, panelists indicate that low project pricing and high competition are still driving the market place. To read more on this story, visit EC&M's website.
How can construction productivity be lower today than it was 15 years ago? asks a new report from Stevens Construction Institute, Inc. During this recession, companies have eliminated marginal employees, leaving core ones who are now cross-trained more. With all the advances in professionalism, methods, technology, and human resource training, we should have seen an increase in our productivity as other industries have enjoyed, according to the report. However, this has not happened. Instead, with the exception of a brief upsurge in 2009, possibly attributable to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), productivity has steadily declined since 2005, currently measured to be lower than it was in 1997. How is this possible? To read more on this story, visit EC&M's website.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has published a report comparing the energy consumed over the entire life cycle for LED lamps, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and incandescent lamps. "Review of the Life-Cycle Energy Consumption of Incandescent, Compact Fluorescent, and LED Lamps" is based on existing life-cycle assessment literature of lighting products. To read more on this story, visit EC&M's website.
PV balance of system (BoS) equipment revenues are projected to increase from $17 billion in 2011 to close to $24 billion in 2016 according to a new market report from IMS Research. The report found that whilst inverters will continue to be the largest part of the market, monitoring hardware, mounting structures, and tracker systems will outpace the rest of the market to capture an increasing share. To read more on this story, visit EC&M's website.
Project Watch
The Town of Windsor, Conn., is accepting bids for architectural electrical engineering consultant services to provide the design and construction administration for the emergency power generator design installation project for Windsor Community Center. A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. EST on March 7. Bids must be submitted by 2 p.m. EST on March 20. For more information, visit the town's website.
Fischer Excavating, Freeport, Ill., is seeking qualified small, minority, and women's businesses for electrical subcontracting opportunities for Park Machesney Town Center Phase I. All interested and qualified small, minority, and women's businesses should contact Wayne Fischer in writing by certified letter (return receipt requested) to discuss the subcontracting opportunities. All negotiations must be completed prior to the bid opening date of March 13. For more information, visit the Rockford Register Star.
Web Exclusives
TekLinks, which performs co-location, hosted and managed services, network security, data storage, IP telephony, and IT engineering services to businesses throughout the southeastern region of the United States, received an overwhelmingly positive response from clients, employees, and strategic partners who toured the company's new data center. The state-of-the-art data facility was built using some of the most current green approaches available. The new lighting system, which delivers a significant reduction in energy consumption, costs, and maintenance, is a key feature of the new facility. To read more on this story, visit the EC&M website.
Two projects by Faith Technologies have been named to The Daily Reporter's 2011 Top Projects list. Thirty projects were selected from more than 100 submissions. The Top Projects of 2011 were chosen by the editors and publisher of The Daily Reporterbased on the following criteria: commitment to sustainable construction, positive impact on surrounding communities, and innovation. To read more on this story, visit the EC&M website.
The last time an electrician or communication technician for PayneCrest Electric and Communications could not report to work because of an injury on the job was Jan. 5, 2005. Seven years and more than five million total man hours later, PayneCrest is celebrating a safety achievement for an industry that is annually ranked as the most hazardous in the nation. During that span of time, PayneCrest has safely completed more than $530 million in complex electrical installations for industrial, commercial and institution projects throughout the country. To read more on this story, visit the EC&M website.
Jim Malecha, Egan Co. president and CEO, announced recently that Weber Electric, St. Paul, Minn., will become part of Egan Co., Minneapolis, effective March 2.
Founded in 1960 by Leo Weber, Weber Electric has served the Twin Cities Metro Area with electrical construction, service, and communication work for over 50 years. While Weber Electric is becoming part of the Egan Co. family, they will retain their office in St. Paul, and operate as Weber Electric - an Egan Co. They will continue to be led by brothers, Steve and Rob Weber. To read more on this story, visit the EC&M website.
Eye on Safety
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited produce company Fresh From Texas with eight serious violations for exposing workers to numerous electrical hazards at the company's facility in San Antonio. The serious violations include: failing to ensure that workers were provided with adequate working space around electrical equipment and that the working space was not used for storage; to properly cover electrical equipment such as condenser units; to ensure high-voltage equipment was not exposed to forklift traffic; to protect electrical circuits from overload to prevent a possible fire; and to remove damaged electrical cords from service. "Electrical hazards can lead to the loss of a worker's life by electrocution. OSHA will not tolerate an employer failing to take responsibility for keeping the workplace safe," said Jeff Funke, OSHA's area director in San Antonio. "Fortunately, in this case, no one was injured."
The company employs about 150 workers who package and transport produce from the San Antonio site. It faces penalties up to $40,500. but has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's San Antonio Area Office, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Shows & Events
The 23rd annual Globalcon Conference & Expo will take place from March 7-8 in Atlantic City, N.J. Topics to be presented at this year's conference include building energy management tools, energy legislation, emerging technologies, and energy efficiency. For more information and to register, visit www.globalconevent.com.
The PV America Expo West is scheduled for March 19-21 in San Jose, Calif. General sessions at the conference include "The State of the Solar Industry," "The Evolving Nature of Utility Engagement in Solar," and "Sustainable Solar in a Global Enviroment." For more information and to register, visit www.pvamericaexpo.com.
LEDucation 6 will take place on March 21 in New York. Topics included in this year's event will cover LED standards, LED control, and LED in the retail environment. For more information and to register, visit leducation.org.
|
