Category: Uncategorized

When Fire Hits, Whats in the Smoke

June 28th, 2017 6:30 PM

As I sat in my office this afternoon in Dorchester I could hear fire truck after fire truck going by the office on Massachusetts Ave. Knowing that something was going on we found out there was a major fire at a project under construction in the 1900 block of Dorchester Ave.

Hearing that the fire had reached 6 alarms in a short time I could only think that I was in that building just over a week ago. Members of Plumbers Local 12 have been on that job for about a year and thankfully were not on the site today. The building was just about finished.

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Impressive gas meter installation at Ashmont Tire Project

As I started to get pictures of the fire texted to me I thought about the smoke that I was looking at. I was thankful to see our friend Boston Fire Commissioner Joe Finn saying that it was a job for them fighting the fire from the outside of the building. As of 6:25 pm thankfully there has been no injuries reported

As the firefighters fought the blaze from the high ladders I also thought about all of the PVC that had been installed in the building. When that product burns it turns into cyanide gas. Under more perfect conditions if the sprinkler system was working in an occupied building the fire may have been contained to its original source area.

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View of the gas piping from the parking garage at job at the Ashmont Tire project

However in this case where the building is burning out of control with no sprinklers the firefighters/neighbors are getting some dose of hazardous material sent their way. Speaking with the leadership of the firefighters union we agree on the terrible toll that cancer has taken on their ranks.

In a state like Massachusetts we should not be looking to increase materials like PVC, in any way shape or form in building construction, not just because of the fact that the firefighters are exposed to the smoke, but to the chemical exposure to the plumbers and other tradesman that have to install these materials for a living.

It’s really too bad that the fire happened at this site today because it was another great plumbing job done by the E M Duggan Company and reflected the great workmanship of the men and women of Plumbers Local 12.

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Plumbing and Entrepreneurship

 

Small business isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s for the brave, the patient and the persistent. It’s for the overcomer. – Unknown

Recently in the United States the Small Business Administration celebrated Small Business Month. The plumbing and heating business is an industry where the entrepreneur spirit is alive and well. Here in the metropolitan Boston area we have a thriving community of great small businesses that are affiliated with Plumbers Local 12.

SBA_logoWhile some of our contractors today employ sometimes many more than 150 plumbers there are many that employ less than 10. This provides the backbone of an organization that is over 125 years old. Plumbers Local 12 will soon be hosting our own new business seminar to help fuel that great entrepreneurial spirit.

Uniform pay, benefit administration, concentrated training, and access to an extremely well-trained workforce by the union allow new contractors the ability to grow during those critical first years which in turn will help them become the future employers of hundreds of employees.

We salute the Small Businessmen and Women and their entrepreneurial drive that makes our industry great!

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Plumbing is Great Industry in MA

I just left the annual Massachusetts PHCC trade show in Marlboro MA. This show continues to showcase what a great industry we have here. Plumbers and apprentices from across the state come to interact with the suppliers of basically anything that has to do with the business.

This year we, Plumbers Local 12 was the proud sponsor of the very popular code seminar put on by the Massachusetts State Plumbing Board. At least 700 people filled the conference room to exchange ideas, concerns, and to get clarification on a host of issues. Chairman Paul Kennedy did a great job answering or getting the right person to answer whatever the audience timg_2980hrew at them

The important take away is the fact that a strong license and a strong code is the key to keeping the plumbing industry here a great business not only for the license holders but the consumers as well.

Congratulations to all at the MAPHCC on another great show.

 

 

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Plumbers Local 12 Proud to be part of Boston First night 2017

Plumbers and Gasfitters Local 12 is once again proud to be a sponsor of Boston’s First Night Celebration. This is a great Boston tradition that provides a lot of fun for anyone that lives anywhere near Boston.

This year’s event is mostly focused on the Copley Square and as of 9:00 AM looks ready to go. The ice sculptures are going up and the stage is set for the music and after the parade from Copley to the Common probably one of the best fireworks show you will ever see will happen.XSTU1128.JPG

The members of the Plumbers Union is so proud of our part in building Boston as well as maintaining many of the properties in and around Copley Square that we are happy to be sure that this wonderful family event lives on.

A special thanks to Conventures and in particular Dusty Rhodes who has made sure that the citizens of New England have a first class night in a first class city to ring in the New Year.

The weather looks great and we look forward to seeing everyone tonight, Enjoy!

 

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