Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

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Co-author byPeter SeltenrightCo-Founder& COO (PrefabPads LLC)

Gould & Ratner presents the next installment of ourConstruction Interview Series. As a continued effort to keep ourclients informed of new building techniques and processes, we willcontinue to periodically sit down with leaders at some of the mostinfluential companies in the construction industry to discuss theirinsights on relevant and pressing topics of interest in theindustry.

Patrick Johnson, a partner in the firm's ConstructionPractice, recently discussed the creation of PrefabPads as well asnew design methodologies in the construction industry focusing onpre-fabricated and modular construction with Peter Seltenright,Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of PrefabPads LLC.

Founded in 2022, PrefabPads, is focused on manufacturing anddistributing innovative prefabricated homes to the United Statesunder the My Cabin brand. Although the designs are purposely smallin footprint they provide the feel of an actual home rather thanthat of a traditional tiny home or recreational vehicle. The focusis to provide an affordable living space built with high-endmaterials and a structure that will last.

Pat: Peter, thank you for sitting down with meto discuss this interesting topic and your new endeavor. Could youtell me a little more about this new journey of yours withPrefabPads? What interested you in the prefabricated and modularconstruction sector?

Peter: Pat, thank you so much for having me.I'm always excited to chat about this new business and theproduct we're building. The long answer is that I come from afamily in construction and design of high end homes in northernMichigan so building is kind of in my blood. I had been working intech for years but I had been following the trends in prefab andmodular building, especially when it comes to quality design insmaller structures.

When Covid hit I could see the shift to remote living, morepeople looking to escape into nature, but also the need forhousing. I first explored the idea of a boutique nature resort withmy co-founder, Hemang, where we would place 8-10 very cool prefabcabins on a property for short term rental. We just couldn'tfind the property we wanted in the location we had in mind and ourfavorite designs seemed to be stuck in Europe. We then got prettylucky and found this brand, My Cabin, in a Dwell article and Iimmediately reached out to the founder. He put his trust in us tobring the My Cabin brand to North America and here we are now in30,000 sq ft of factory space in Waukegan, IL building out the MyCabin product.

Pat: Regarding the units themselves that youare currently distributing, what is unique about them and who doyou foresee as being your target customer or user? Since these arelargely prefabricated, is there any ability to customize from thefactory?

Peter: Well we were a bit naive and thought wecould just import the materials from Europe and build from theirplans right away. We quickly learned that we needed to go into anextensive engineering process to bring the units to US code. Wethen made a decision to ensure these are top of the line cabinsstructurally and also with materials and finishes. It's notthat in Europe they're building a substandard product, but weknew for the US market that high-end materials that last would beappreciated and the increased price of the units would be worthit.

While these units may have a rather traditional shape andlayout, what's really unique is that we've convertedthese to what we feel is the most structurally sound and high-endcabin on the market for this price point. Our cabins can meet130mph wind loads and comply with seismic requirements, andinsulation levels for every state in the country. It's alsojust a beautiful Scandinavian design with tons of natural light andspace. While our competition focuses on compliance with RVregulations or ease of shipment capabilities which restricts layoutconfigurations, our prefabricated design is much wider making youfeel like you're in a real home.

Our target customers range quite a bit. On one end you havesomeone trying to take advantage of Additional Dwelling Unit(ADU) regulations and placing a unit in theirbackyard for an extra bedroom or an office, we also have customerslooking for a few units for a remote property as a vacation homeand/or a rental property, and then we have conversations withdevelopers looking to build out their resort property. We'reable to cater to all of it due to our pre-fabricated designprocess.

In terms of customization, it's limited but that'sby design in a manufacturing environment like this. The dimensionsof the unit can't change as we don't want to get intoengineering changes for all projects but we can work with customerson finishes or non-load bearing items. Right now, we have twofinishes for the exterior siding color and can offer differentflooring finishes, and cabinet colors. Our design also affords usthe ability to remove kitchens and bathrooms if customers preferblank spaces and even small customizations with windows.

Pat: I have talked previously about thebenefits of using prefabricated and modular construction methodsbut I am curious as to what your thoughts are on the topic?

Peter: There are plenty of advantages to thismethod. The obvious ones are speed and price. We can build theseunits in a month and have them to you in two months (if materialsare arriving on time). Our fabrication process also allows us totake advantage of bulk ordering materials to bring price down andthe pre-fabrication process also reduces material waste in theprocess. Additionally, a key advantage is a controlled buildingenvironment. With everything happening indoors, we're able toensure that no moisture gets into the structure before it'sclosed up and finished and always be building year round. So whilewe're building the cabin, the customer can be installingtheir foundation in a parallel path, which really speeds thingsup.

Overall the pre-fabrication process is environmentally friendlyand allows us to produce structures in a fraction of the time andat lower prices than a traditional stick-built home. But Iwon't say that it's all advantages. In order to makethis work we have to limit customization and we have to makechoices on the units to meet code in nearly all states. But at thesame time, the repetition of building these over and over makes usexperts on what we do compared to stick-built that essentiallyreinvents the wheel and brings in new processes and methods foreach project.

Pat: What are your thoughts on trends in thisindustry and do you think these trends will continue in the future?From your perspective, has the pandemic impacted your business atall?

Peter: It's certainly a hot industryright now and it will continue to grow as traditional builders arebacked up, building costs are up, and there's a housingshortage. We are seeing a ton of competitors popping up all overthe world and more and more in the US but you tend to see a lot ofconcepts and renderings, not an actual project built at a highscale. This industry certainly addresses the housing shortage andthe difficulties of getting things built right now but we stillhave issues with outdated zoning ordinances. ADUs are still notallowed across the country, many places have restrictive minimumsquare footage rules or even restrictions on the number ofdwellings on a property.

I think these restrictions are holding the industry back alittle bit ,but I am hopeful with all the interest this sector isseeing that these outdated codes can be updated to conform to thisnew type of construction.

Pat: Do you see any specific regions/statesutilizing these types of units more than others? Why do you thinkthis may be?

Peter: It's certainly clear thatCalifornia and the West Coast seem to be the early adopters, ingeneral they have less regulations against smaller square footageand more acceptance of ADUs. It also doesn't hurt that a lotmore of that population really wants sustainable products both inhow they're built and how they operate on the land. Most ofthe companies in our industry tend to be out there addressing thatdemand. But this will spread across the country and demand isreally taking off in the East in places like upstate New York andNorth Carolina, which is exciting for us being in a location thatcan more easily address those customers.

Pat: With the trends of people leaving citiesand things like glamping taking off, are you seeing demand fromdevelopers and hoteliers?

Peter: Yes, there's a major trend towardsunique escapes and nature focused retreats. I think we'reseeing the old campgrounds and cabin properties being updated withbetter rental units and concepts that connect people with nature inunique ways. We're seeing a lot of glamping ideas with safaritents or RV concepts and I think that now that we'reproducing unique cabins with lots of glass and exposure with thefeel of an actual stick built home rather than that of a trend,I'm certain we'll see more of a shift towardsstructures like ours.

Pat: Have you seen any pushback from anytrades/municipalities on the use of prefabricated/modularconstruction techniques?

Peter: Yes, as I previously had mentionedthere's an unfortunate misunderstanding of the product and alack of willingness to go against their outdated zoning ordinances.There's also a common confusion between modular andmanufactured homes. We build modular homes to US building code withpermanent foundations. While they're small, these are realhigh-end homes. Manufactured homes are mobile homes but it'sa confusing term as modular homes are built in a manufacturingfacility.

Pat: Many construction industry professionalsare experiencing material shortages and delays with constructiondue to a myriad of issues such as labor constraints and supplychain bottlenecks. Has your business been affected by any of theseissues from? What steps have you taken to minimize theseimpacts?

Peter: It has certainly made things moredifficult but I have been pleasantly surprised with theavailability of items that we need. Although that doesn'tcount windows and doors, the costs and lead times for those areincredibly frustrating given what has been happening in theconstruction industry. But outside of that, we have luckily had noissues with lumber, siding, flooring, cabinetry, etc.

Our method is to prefabricate the framing of the units but placelarge orders for finish materials as orders come in and those leadtimes work with our schedules. The one exception is the need topre-order windows and doors and to take on that cost upfront.

Pat: Materials selection has becomeincreasingly important and we have seen unique and specialtymaterials being specified on recent projects. Have you seen yourclients making similar requests with their designs and how doesthis impact the prefabricated nature of your product?

Peter: Customers seem educated about materialsand sort of test us on what we use. Fortunately, our choices ofhigh-end materials has made this almost a non-issue. We alreadybring in a design with European style tilt and turn windows anddoors and really high end wood paneling inside and out. Wecertainly listen to the requests of our customers and if we see acommon trend, we try to address that with changes to the product webuild moving forward. When we first started, we had to take a lotof feedback on the design from Europe and make it more US-friendly.For example, we couldn't have a tiny bathroom sink or nowashing machine for our design. Those kinds of things requiredthought and edits to the flow of the units. Fortunately, we seem tobe meeting the requests for specialty materials.

Pat: We have clients with projects all acrossthe United States. Is this sort of design methodology moreapplicable to any specific geographical region, project site, orclimate zone in your opinion?

Peter: Our designs seem widely accepted acrossall parts of the country and we have tried to create a product thatcan be installed almost anywhere. I would say that any of the hotreal estate markets seem to have multi year waits for builders sonaturally we're a great option as a quick solution. Prefabbuilding is going to succeed in those areas where wait times andcosts have gone through the roof. Also, anyone looking for an addon to their main residence would really benefit from ourmethodology. No one wants a construction site on their property fora full year just to build a few hundred square feet. Why not put inan easy foundation and have a modular unit delivered in a matter ofmonths.

On the flip side, it's only fair to note that we do havesome limitations. A prefab builder has a big challenge in creatinga product for all 50 states when addressing extreme areas likeFlorida coastal zones that require 150-180 mph wind loads,it's really not possible to expect to use our same productunless we create a completely new product for those areas. Rightnow, we don't want to do that because it would either besomething with a less desirable design or requires a design thatsignificantly increases cost while reducing aesthetic appeal. Forour design, climate zones are easier to handle and we decided toaddress that with extreme insulation that also provides betterenergy efficiency for all customers.

Pat: Although these units are largelyprefabricated off site, there is likely some additional work to becompleted prior to final completion. What additional work typicallyneeds to be completed on site before these units are ready fortheir intended use? What benefits does this provide over a moretraditional ground up construction type project of a similarfootprint?

Peter: I really do wish we had the operation tobe our customer's contractor across the country and toprovide an all-in-one service but that's just not a reality.Our customers need to work with a GC to install the pier foundationwe have designed and route their electric, water, and sewage to thecorrect locations per our design and their site layout. The greatthing about this is that they can be doing that work whilewe're building their units instead of waiting to do thatbefore construction can begin. Beyond site prep, thecustomer's GC will also need to coordinate the installationonce the truck arrives with the unit(s). This might seem dauntingbut it's really just a crane that lifts the completed unitoff the truck and it places it on the foundation where the finalconnections are made. Installation happens in a day and thenit's move-in ready.

Of course other additional work could be customizationscustomers decide to make after the unit is installed on theexterior or interior. That could be building connections betweenunits, which is yet another benefit of utilizing our pre-fabricateddesign process, or installing their own kitchen design.That's their choice.

Pat: Are there any other issues you thinkshould be considered when contemplating using a prefabricated ormodular construction type structure as opposed to a moretraditional ground up construction?

Peter: Customers need to be comfortable withminimal customization, that's the obvious drawback. Anotherkey item that could be challenging is financing. At this squarefootage it can be challenging to find a bank that will be open to ahome loan due to lack of comps. They also seem to struggle tounderstand modular vs manufactured and how exactly our constructionprocess works, which might prevent them from offering a trueconstruction loan.

Pat: Finally, before we wrap up, I wanted totouch briefly on green design. It has become quitecommon in my experience for a design to incorporate certain greencomponents, whether that be through solar panels, reflective windowpanels, innovative heating and cooling systems. I was curious whatyour thoughts were on green design. Since your unitsare largely prefabricated, do they have any greendesign aspects? Is there any ability to modify during theprefabrication process to make the unit moregreen?

Peter: We kind of ended up with agreen design without even really focusing on it. Ourhigh insulation levels, very efficient windows, energy recoveryventilation in the units and reduced building waste has all givenus a product that I would consider sustainable and highlyefficient. We're doing some initial research on LEEDcertification and I don't think we're far off. Over thenext year we also plan to address off-grid installation ideas.Solar is a no-brainer and rather simple to add and plug into ourproduct. Other items like rain water collection, gray watersystems, composting toilets, etc. are all things we'd like tobe knowledgeable on for our products. My goal is to have cleardirection on how that will work with our product line so thatcustomers know their options and what they can do.

Pat: Peter, thank you again for sharing yourknowledge and experience, especially as it relates to theprefabricated and modular construction industry. I believe thatdemand for these types of structures will only increase in thefuture and think it is important to stay abreast of innovative waysto meet this demand. Best of luck with this new endeavor andperhaps we can speak again soon to see how things are progressingin the industry.

The content of this article is intended to provide a generalguide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be soughtabout your specific circumstances.

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Innovations In The Pre-Fabricated And Modular Construction Sector - Real Estate - United States - Mondaq

When Rodger Mitchells wife started yelling something about flames rushing toward their modular home in Barrett Junction, the 80-year-old remained calm. Small brushfires are commonplace in the community east of Jamul.

However, the gravity of the situation set in when Mitchell stepped outside into whipping winds and triple-digit heat.

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The fire was rolling, creating its own atmosphere, he said a week later, looking over three obliterated metal storage containers on his property. It came through that canyon, and it wasnt waiting for nobody.

Rodger Mitchell stands next to his new propane tank he recently had installed after the original was destroyed in the Border 32 fire.

(Nelvin C. Cepeda/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

The Border 32 fire which started Aug. 31, destroying 19 homes and critically injuring at least two people was just one of many conflagrations across California ignited during a recent record-breaking heat wave.

Scientists warn that humanitys ever-increasing carbon footprint is largely to blame, driving up temperatures especially in the late summer and early fall when dry conditions and high winds can turn a small spark into a deadly fire.

The best estimate right now is that global warming has approximately doubled the annual burned area in the West, said David Romps, professor of climate physics at UC Berkeleys Department of Earth and Planetary Science.

Whats terrifying to me is the trajectory were on, he added. Were not tamping down the cause of global warming. Were burning fossil fuels at an ever increasing rate.

The situation has recently taken a surprising toll on emergency crews across the state. At least 14 firefighters in San Diego County, for example, have suffered heat-related illnesses over the last week and a half, including during the Border 32, Sandia, and Caesar fires.

The high number of firefighter injuries on these incidents is not a common or typical occurrence, said Capt. Thomas Shoots, spokesperson for Cal Fire in San Diego. The long duration heat wave coupled with multiple fires in San Diego County added to the already challenging firefighting conditions.

A firefighting helicopter drops water onto a brush fire that threatend homes near Barrett Lake Mobile Home Park.

(Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

When firefighter Joshua Kremensky arrived at the Mitchells home that Wednesday afternoon it was 105 degrees. Winds reportedly blowing up to 27 mph had fanned flames through a dry creek bed filled with thick brush and cottonwood trees surrounding the structure.

When stress is at that level, Im not thinking too much about the heat, said the 30-year-old. Im hyper-focused on the fire and the structure and the safety of the civilians. But as it starts to progress, you can really start to feel the fatigue set in. Thats why its so important to be aware of hydration.

Kremensky hosed down the vegetation around the home as best he could, at one point ripping flaming brush away from a propane tank that eventually exploded with a bang, shooting a jet of flame into the air.

The fire continued to spread so quickly that many in the area were forced to shelter in place as more fire crews arrived. The Mitchells survived without injury, but up the road, others werent as lucky.

We had two victims who had sustained critical burn injuries, said Kremensky. At this point the fire was very intense and rapidly growing.

The people were treated and flown to UC San Diego Healths Regional Burn Center in Hillcrest, where they remained in critical condition as of last Sunday, according to Cal Fire. Their names were not released, and its unknown if they survived.

Fueled by a parched landscape, extreme heat and high winds, the Border 32 fire roared to more than 4,200 acres by 10 p.m. the first night. The blaze wouldnt get much larger before being completely extinguished five days later.

The rapid spread of such fires also highlights a growing concern across the state about how best to notify residents of life-threatening natural disasters. Many people have ditched their landlines in favor of cellphones, which can lose service if flames destroy the nearest cell tower. And such alerts often dont reach residents before theyre in harms way.

Mitchell said his cellphone never received an alert about the fire, which are routinely sent out by the county Office of Emergency Services. His stepson, who lives across the road, said he received one but only after he had already evacuated.

A scorched childs bicycle at Barrett Junction stands at the lot where Micael Quintanillas home was burned to the ground.

(Nelvin C. Cepeda/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

The county said it sent out a wireless evacuation order around 2:40 p.m. However, by then David Quintanillas mother was already trapped in the area, watching her mobile home burn to the ground.

She wasnt able to get any belongings, said the 46-year-old. It was seconds, and the home was engulfed.

The Border 32 fire was one of about half a dozen blazes that started in their community this summer, Quintanilla said. The first couple fires, they had helicopters and firefighters on it immediately. This fire for some reason just snuck up on everybody.

Thats probably because San Diego had enjoyed a relatively mild summer until the recent heat wave blanketed the state.

Tropical Storm Kay brought much needed precipitation to San Diego on Friday. However, any relief provided by the 1 to 4 inches of rain that fell in eastern parts of the county may be short-lived.

The rain wont have much of an impact on the live fuels, said Eric Just, unit forester for Cal Fire in San Diego, who added that vegetation will likely be bone dry again in a couple weeks.

Its not just that California is getting hotter under climate change but that temperatures are rising fastest in August through October when wildfire conditions are at their worst, said Noah Diffenbaugh, a climate scientist at Stanford University.

Were getting more severe daily-scale heat events and not just in the summer months, but critically in the fall period prior to the onset of the rainy season, he said.

Rising autumn temperatures and decreasing rainfall over the last four decades have contributed to an increase in wildfire across the state, according to a paper from Stanford and UCLA published in 2020 in the journal Environmental Research Letters. Specifically, the frequency of extreme fire weather has more than doubled since the early 1980s.

Californias warming over all 12 months, but the most rapid warming is in September, followed by August and October, said Diffenbaugh, who was a co-author on the study.

San Diego is now gearing up for its traditional fire season, when Santa Ana winds start blowing in from the east. Another extreme heat wave under those conditions could trigger a disaster on a scale the region hasnt seen in over a decade.

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San Diegos recent wildfires a harrowing harbinger of global heating - The San Diego Union-Tribune

To work in the electrical construction trade in Washington, you must have a valid electrician certificate issued by L&I.

The electrical construction trade includes, but is not limited to, installing and maintaining:

All electricians must meet the experience and training requirements to qualify for examination. There are two levels of certification for electricians: general journey-level and specialty electricians. Each has different qualification requirements.

A general journey level electrician (EL01) is certified to work in commercial/industrial and all specialty electrical categories.

In general, Oregon reciprocal licenses are available to those who obtained Washington (01) general journey level electrician certificates after completing 8000-hour Apprenticeships requiring at least 576 classroom hours of education and passing Washington exams. Anyone having a master (01) general journey level electrician certificate is also eligible. If this does not describe you, you are not eligible.

For Washington licensing verification, mail your Oregon Reciprocal License Verification Form along with a completed Request for Electrical Licensing Verification (F500-128-000) and fee of $27.90 to the address shown in the top left corner of the request form. We will fill out your verification form and mail it back to you. Mail is the only option, do not send anything by email or fax.

Washington reciprocal certificates are generally available to those electricians who obtained their Oregon general journeyman electrician (J) licenses after completing 8,000-hour Apprenticeships requiring at least 576 classroom hours of education and passing Oregon exams. Anyone having an Oregon General Supervising Electrician (S) license obtained by Oregon examination is also eligible.

If this describes you, and you have never held a Washington (01) general journey level electrician certificate before, or failed to pass an exam for one in the last two years, and you are not otherwise disqualified by conditions in WAC 296-46B-942(20), you are likely eligible.

For licensing verification from Oregon, submit Part C of the Washington reciprocal application to Oregon as follows:

By mail:

Department of Consumer and Business ServicesBuilding Codes DivisionPO Box 14470 Salem, OR 97309

By fax: 503-378-2322

Oregon charges no fee to process verification requests. Once completed, the original form will be returned by mail if you do not provide instructions requesting it be returned by fax and a fax number to send it to. Please direct questions about Oregon licensing verification to: license.bcd@oregon.gov.

No other reciprocal agreements exist.

There are 14 specialty categories in the electrical construction trade, each with a specific scope of work. Depending on the specialty, there are different experience and training requirements.

The following specialties require at least 4,000 hours of work experience in a selected specialty as an electrical trainee. Trainees must be supervised by an electrician certified in the same specialty or a by journey level electrician, be supervised a minimum of 75% of the time, and complete 48 hours of basic classroom instruction.

The following specialties require at least 2,000 hours of work experience in a selected specialty as an electrical trainee. Trainees must be supervised by an electrician certified in the same specialty or a by journey level electrician, be supervised 100% of the time, and complete 24 hours of basic classroom instruction.

Depending on the date you pass the examination and your birthdate, your initial certification will be good for a minimum of 25 months up to a maximum of 36 months for journey level or specialty electricians.

Learn how you may qualify see the flowchart on this form: Out-of-State Application for Electrical Examination (F626-009-000).

Determine where you fit best. If you are not a 01 general journey level candidate, see if specialty work scopes in Chapter 296-46B-920 WAC match your experience. Apply accordingly.

Include documentation with your application proving you meet the requirements for experience and education referenced in the flowchart.

Mail everything to the address on the form in a single envelope. Include the application fee see form. There are no online payment or submission options.

Do not email anything. Use our Verify tool to keep track of your status.

Before you apply, complete your hours of approved electrical basic trainee classes 96 for (01) exams, 48 for 4000 hour specialties.

Use our Verify tool to confirm that you have enough hours of work experience on record to qualify for examination. When you do, apply online.

If you are sending affidavits at the time of application, submit them along with an In-State Application for Electrical Examination (F626-001-000) form.

Mail everything to the address on the form in a single envelope. Include application fees see forms. Use certified mail if you want to track receipt. There are no online payment or submission options.

Do not email anything. Use our Verify tool to keep track of your status.

The road to examination for 2000 hour specialties requires documenting hours of work experience while supervised by an electrician 100 percent of the time.

Learn about experience requirements and how to qualify for examination: Application for a 0% Supervision Modified Electrical Training Certificate & Specialty Examination (F500-097-000).

Mail everything to the address on the form in a single envelope. Include the application fees see forms. There are no online payment or online submission options available.

After you pass your exam, we will send you a nonrenewable 0% supervision modified training certificate that allows you to work without supervision in the specialty you applied for until it expires.

Complete 24 hours of hours of approved electrical basic trainee classes. Submit an Application for a 2000 Hour Specialty Certificate (F500-098-000) when you have 2000 hours of experience.

After we record your hours, we will mail your certificate to you.

Do not email anything. Use our Verify tool to keep track of your status.

You must renew your electrician certificate every 3 years. It expires on your birthdate. Renewal fees double after expiration. Not renewable if expired more than 90 days; retest is your only option.

To change your address or renew online, you will need the following:

Fees are payable by credit/debit card or electronic check.

Before you renew, make sure you're eligible:

When not working in Washington, you can pay your renewal fee without completing education requirements. This places your certificate into inactive status until you meet education requirements or expire.

Having trouble? Contact us at ElectricalProgram@Lni.wa.gov. Please provide your certificate number and let us know what you are experiencing.

Mail a renewal letter to you that acts as your certificate for 30 days. Your card should arrive in about 30 days. Nothing will arrive if you do not have your address up to date.

Changing your address? Make sure to change it on every license or certificate you hold.

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Electrician - Washington State Department of Labor & Industries

Back in 2003, Electrical Contractor magazine wrote about an impending electrician shortage, warning that it was too late to avoid it.

Now, almost 20 years later, its clear they were right. Employers have struggled to fill electrician positions for years long before national labor shortages made headlines this past year.

But whats causing the electrician shortage, and whats changed with the COVID-19 pandemic? As we enter 2022, heres an overview of the current state of the electrician shortage and what the future may hold.

Like many economic issues, the electrician shortage is the result of a mismatch between supply and demand.

On the supply side, not enough younger electricians are entering the industry as experienced electricians are retiring. On the demand side, more electricians will be needed to meet the ever-increasing electricity needs of our nation.

From a big-picture perspective, there are three main causes behind the electrician shortage.

The first cause behind the electrician shortage is experienced electricians leaving the industry. While many of these retirements are part of the normal cycle of employment, some are premature departures.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated retirement timelines for Baby Boomers across all industries. Pew Research reported that the percent of retired people over age 55 increased in both 2020 and 2021.

On the bright side, the trend of early retirement may not last. In all age groups over age 55, the BLS projects that more people will be working in 2030 than in 2020.

However, this doesnt completely solve the problem. All Baby Boomers will be age 65 or older by 2030. Since Baby Boomers represent such a large portion of the population, their absence from the workforce will be felt more deeply than previous generations.

Electricians leaving the industry wouldnt be an issue if new electricians were rising up to replace them. Unfortunately, they arent.

One potential reason for this change is that younger generations arent as interested in skilled labor. Only 16.7% of high school and college students say they want to work in construction compared to 76.5% who want to work in technology.

Instead of attending a trade school or finding an apprenticeship, young adults are enrolling in two- or four-year colleges and universities. Members of Gen Z, the generation behind Millennials thats now entering the workforce, are more likely to enroll in college than any previous generation.

Gen Z workers also value flexible hours and remote work, and those accommodations arent always possible on tight job site schedules.

The pandemic had an interesting effect on students career ambitions, however. In a survey published in February 2021, 25 percent of Gen Z teenagers said they were more likely to attend a career and technical education school due to their experience with COVID-19.

But striking an equilibrium between retirements and new hires isnt the answer, either. We need more new electricians than the number that are leaving.

Electrical work is a growing field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, electrician jobs are expected to grow by 9.1% from 2020 to 2030. This is higher than the 7.7% growth rate projected for all occupations.

The increase in demand is largely driven by an increase in devices, buildings and vehicles that rely on electricity. From 2021 to 2022 alone, total electricity consumption in the U.S. is expected to grow by 1.4%.

People are using more electricity than before, and more electricians are needed to install and maintain these electrical systems.

Not all industries are experiencing the electrician shortage in the same way. While overall demand for electricians is on the rise, some industries are growing more than others.

The construction industry employs the most electricians at about 516,600. That number is expected to grow by 9.9% between 2020 and 2030. Electrician employment in the utility industry, on the other hand, is expected shrink by 4.1%.

With these numbers, its important to note that the differences between current and projected electrician employment are not representative of a shortage.

In making projections, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics always assumes that the supply of electricians will meet the demand. The above numbers estimate the future demand for electricians among various industries. They dont make predictions about the supply side of the equation.

Except for utilities and a few smaller industries, well see more electrician jobs added over the next 10 years. However, the complex nature of the COVID-19 pandemic means the numbers above dont tell the whole story about the electrician shortage.

The most recent BLS projections were released in September 2021 and are based on the year 2020. This makes data interpretation tricky. As we all know, 2020 wasnt a typical year by any measure.

Nationwide employment plummeted in March and April 2020. While jobs rebounded faster than expected, they hadnt fully recovered by the end of 2020. Nearly 10,000 less electricians were working at the end of 2020 compared to the previous year.

This means that a large portion of the expected growth over the next 10 years will be devoted to replacing the jobs we lost during the pandemic. In fact, when you exclude estimated increases due to pandemic recovery, the projected growth rate for all occupations drops from 7.7% to 1.7%.

In 2020, the 10-year growth rate for electrician jobs increased from 8.4% to 9.1%. The future seems crystal clear: Demand for electricians is only going up.

No one can deny that the field is growing, but when we look at pre-pandemic data, the picture gets fuzzier. Projections based on 2019 data estimated 801,400 electricians in 2029. If that growth rate had continued, the estimate for 2030 would be near 808,000 electricians.

Yet in the most recent report, the projection was only 795,700 electricians for 2030. Why did that number fall?

According to the BLS, Demand is the key determinant in explaining future jobs. So, while we dont know the exact reason, we know the pandemic impacted demand for electricians somehow.

The change was slight demand for electricians is still growing, after all but its enough to make you wonder how the pandemic may be changing the electrician shortage forever.

No matter what the future holds, the electrician shortage isnt going anywhere soon. Here are a few things you can do to cope with the repercussions:

While skilled labor shortages are an enormous problem, acting in these ways can help you reduce their impact on your business.

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Why You Cant Afford Not to Use Parallel Wire Reels

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This article was originally published on April 13, 2021. It was updated and republished on January 4, 2022.

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Two more subcontractors face fines for violating federal workplace safety laws in connection to the February explosion of an Aspen area home that was under construction.

A plumbing, heating and cooling company in Glenwood Springs has agreed to pay $30,000 in penalties to the Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration. And a Gypsum firm that specializes in VAC, electrical, water heating, and automation services faces $10,773 in fines, according to public records.

It was reported last week that two the projects general contractor and subcontractor had agreed to pay separate fine totals of $27,000 and $40,000.

The combined fines levied against all four companies now amount to $107,773.

Four workers on the project site, 173 Slalom Path Road, were hospitalized from the Feb. 3 explosion. Ambulance personnel had to remove one worker with leg injuries from the kitchen area inside the collapsed home, according to an investigation report. Four others were treated on the scene for less serious injuries. Close to 30 workers were on the site.

Investigating agencies included Aspen Fire Protection District; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Colorado Department of Fire Prevention and Control; and OSHA.

An investigation led by Benjamin Smith, deputy fire marshal for the Aspen Fire Department, concluded the explosion was accidental and originated in the homes crawl space where natural gas had built up. The explosion resulted in damage to windows, doors, flooring, and both interior and exterior walls.

The release of natural gas into the confined space below the kitchen reached the explosive range, said Smiths investigation report.

The two-level, 8,250-square-foot single-family home was one of three luxury homes under construction on Slalom Path. The homes designs called for a media lounge, wine storage, a gym, a mudroom, a powder room, a sculpture garden and other features.

Based on the systematic fire scene examination, analysis of witness statements, fire and heat patterns, explosion effects and the application of fire / explosion dynamics, it was the unanimous opinion of the fire investigators that the fuel-air explosion originated in the south crawlspace, located adjacent to the gym and underneath the kitchen and family room, according to an investigation report from the ATF.

A plumber and electrician were in the crawl space when the explosion occurred. The plumber said he saw a flame emanate from a switch or switch plate after the electrician touched it.

The plumber told investigators the electrician was in the same room with me. All pumps in mechanical room were on. As soon as (the electrician) turned the switch off to one of the pumps I saw a flame coming from the switch he touched that caused the explosion. We were pushed back by the pressure. I was able to exit the room through the existing access facing the basement gym. As drywall was collapsing (the electrician) and I made our way out from the basement as we were screaming for everyone to get out, thats when I noticed he was bleeding from his hand. We proceeded to exit the building. I borrowed a crescent wrench from one of the workers to shut off the gas at the meter.

The investigations could not conclusively determine the cause of the ignition.

The plumber describes bleeding the gas line in the confined space as he was trying to attach the gas lines to the boilers and furnaces, the ATF report said. The combination of the natural gas atmosphere and an ignition source resulted in the explosion. The gas line valve in the basement is observed to be fully open, indicating that the gas could have been flowing. The exact ignition source cannot be proven.

Smiths report drew a similar conclusion: An unidentified ignition source came in contact with the natural gas. The air fuel mixture resulted in the explosion. It is the opinion of Aspen Fire Protection District and Deputy Fire Marshal Smith that the explosion was not suspicious.

The fined parties were cited for or violating OHSA regulations related to workers entering confined areas, like a crawl space; not having an employee evaluate the crawl space for any potential hazards; not communicating about the required permit space program; or not having properly trained employees on the site.

The general contractor, Basalt-based Brikor Associates, agreed to pay five separate fines of $8,000. Carbondale-based R&A Enterprises agreed to pay three separate fines of $9,000 to OSHA as part of an informal settlement agreement. Young Services LLC accepted five penalties totaling $30,000; and Gypsum-based Skyline Mechanical Inc. has two fine amounts pending in the amount of $10,773.

The home was owned by RBR 4 LLC and insured by Cincinnati Insurance, according to the investigation reports.

rcarroll@aspentimes.com

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OSHA fines over winter home explosion top six figures - The Aspen Times

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Frank Lloyd Wrights Hollyhock House has opened its doors to visitors for the first time since the start of the pandemic following a two-year restoration.

The Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) has hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially reopen the landmark property, which is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Los Angeles.

Built in 1921 for oil heiress Aline Barnsdall, it is considered to be among the most important of Lloyd Wrights works and a prime example of the Mayan revival style which became popular in the 1920s and 1930s.

The house was added to the UNESCO list in 2019 along with seven other buildings designed by the architect.

These included Fallingwater, a 1935 riverside home in Pennsylvania which was named by the American Institute of Architects as the best all-time work of American architecture.

Hollyhock House was closed throughout the pandemic, during which time DCA staff carried out transformative restoration work on the buildings cast stone, ornate windows, woodwork and landscapes.

Hollyhock House is a prime example of the Mayan revival style which became popular in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s

Structural restoration work was also undertaken on Residence A, a smaller building on the grounds which was in a state of disrepair.

The DCA said new digital resources will now be offered to visitors, including QR codes which can be scanned to provide more details on the house and its restoration.

A harbinger of California modernism, Hollyhock House continues to inspire artists, architects, and the public at large, Hollyhock House curator Abbey Chamberlain Brach said.

Were eager to welcome visitors back inside Hollyhock House to experience firsthand Wrights dramatic expression of California, which feels as modern now as it did upon its completion 100 years ago.

The house was Lloyd Wrights first commission in Los Angeles, and was originally intended to be the centrepiece of a 36-acre arts complex which was only partially completed.

The architects later Mayan revival works in the city include Ennis House, Storer House, Millard House and John Sowden House, the last of which was once owned by a prime suspect in the notorious 1947 Black Dahlia murder case.

John Sowden House, built in 1926

Ennis House, built in 1924

Fallingwater, built in 1935

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Frank Lloyd Wright house reopens to visitors following 'transformative' restoration - Building Design

A delegation of Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) led by its president Altaf Bukhari on Sunday submitted a memorandum to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan in Srinagar, demanding the restoration of J&Ks statehood. They have also demanded the fast-tracking of recruitment processes for unemployed youths.

Lt Governor Sinha said that Home Minister Amit Shah has made a detailed statement on the floor of Parliament that the statehood would be restored at an appropriate time.

On the issue of recruitment processes, Sinha said that due to irregularities in the examinations of Sub Inspectors, Junior Engineers and Finance Account Assistants, the inquiry of all these three exams has been handed over to the CBI and fresh examinations will be conducted by October.

The vacancies of different posts in various government departments would be advertised in the coming two months, added the Lt Governor while interacting with the members of the delegation.

The Lt Governor also assured them that the other issues raised by the delegation will also be addressed promptly based on their merit.

He urged the members of the delegation to continue with their endeavours of public service for the welfare of the people of Jammu Kashmir.

Among those who were part of the delegation included senior vice president of JKAP Ghulam Hassan Mir; senior leader Dilawar Mir; vice presidents Ajaz Ahmed Khan, Zaffar Manhas and general secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir.

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Apni Party submits memorandum to L-G for restoration of J&K's statehood - The Statesman

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LA PORTE, Texas (KTRK) After over 70 years at its home at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site, the 110-year-old vessel Battleship Texas departs Wednesday for repairs.

The tow from La Porte to Galveston will happen from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.

This means parts of the San Jacinto Battleground Historic Site and parts of Independence Parkway will be closed during that time until the ship has moved past the Lynchburg Ferry, which will also be closed.

The repairs will happen at the Gulf Copper Dry Dock & Rig Repair.

If you want to see the move happen there will be some viewing locations for the public. Those include Texas City Dike, Pier 21, Bayland Island, and Seawolf Park for a more up-close look.

The Coast Guard will enforce a safety zone to ensure the safety of the public and the vessels in the Houston Ship Channel. Water traffic will be restricted in the ship channel and the safety zone.

The only U.S. ship that survived in both World War I and World War II. In addition, its really the first ship that the Navy ever retired as a memorial or museum and is the last of the dreadnought battleships, Bruce Bramlett with Texas Battleship Foundation said.

So how much does all of this cost? $35 million.

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110-year-old historic vessel Battleship Texas moving to Galveston for restoration - KTVZ