1. WebLEM MCAA’s Latest Member Benefit
The Internet-Based Database Version of the MCAA Labor Estimating Manual

2. Presentation Content Development of the LEM Tour of the WebLEM website
History of LEM
Use of WebLEM
Definition of a Labor Unit
Tour of the WebLEM website
Organization of the WebLEM
Basic Assumptions of the WebLEM
Performance/Correction Factors
What’s new with the WebLEM committee?

3. WebLEM Committee Members
Kevin Daubendiek – Humphrey Company, Houston, TX
Paul DeBella – DeBella Mechanical, Santa Clara, CA
Bob Durr – Durr Mechanical Construction, New York, NY
David Gallo – Gallo Mechanical Contractors, New Orleans, LA
Ron King – Trimble, Toronto, Canada
Tim Moormeier – U.S. Engineering Company, Kansas City, MO
Patrick Reilly – John W. Danforth Company, Buffalo, NY
Nick Nikpourfard – Mechanical Contractors Association of America, Rockville, MD.

4. Purpose of the WebLEM Committee
This Committee exists to serve the needs of the MCAA membership. As such, we are committed to providing a resource as well as education of the MCAA membership in the areas of estimating plumbing and piping construction work. We are committed to timely responses to member questions, requests for information and recommendations.

5. Purpose of The WebLEM Committee
The Committee will research, calculate and publish labor units for new materials and methods for plumbing and piping products.
For a product to be considered for inclusion in the LEM, it must meet the following criteria:
The item must be available commercially for a period of at least two years.
The item must be nationally available to all members for the sizes listed in the product literature.
The product must be involved in work that is typically executed by plumbers and/or pipefitters.
The MCAA membership must have an interest or need for the labor units related to the product.
Any new item must be specifically different than other items currently in the LEM from the standpoint of labor units.
Naming of all items contained in the LEM will be a generic description of the material or joining method to avoid commercialism as much as reasonably possible.

6. Purpose of The WebLEM Committee
The Committee is charged with keeping historical records of the development of data contained in the LEM.
The Committee will ensure the existing labor units are kept up to date with the goal being to have accurate, consistent units for all materials and methods. The accuracy begins with utilizing empirical formulas developed over many years that have proven to generate uniform labor units for all materials and joining methods. The Committee is committed to updating or revising existing labor units for a specific product if it is determined that our MCAA members are factoring a specific material or joining method significantly different than the rest of the data in the LEM.

7. Purpose of The WebLEM Committee
The Committee is committed to providing educational opportunities to the MCAA membership on how to use the WebLEM and the information contained in it appropriately.
The Committee shall have representation from all geographical areas of the Country as well as representation from all disciplines within the plumbing and piping construction industry.

8. What the WebLEM Committee Does
Reviews and updates the information in the Labor Estimating Manual (LEM) on an ongoing basis.
We meet two times a year to review homework and publish new and corrected labor units.
The Committee makes decisions on what items should be included in the LEM.
The Committee members calculate the labor units for the LEM using empirical formulas developed and proven out over many years to be accurate and consistent.
Members of the Committee represent all areas of our industry such as commercial, industrial, plumbing, HVAC piping, industrial piping, etc.

9. What is the WebLEM?
The MCAA web based Labor Estimating Manual contains labor units for a vast variety of activities related to the mechanical construction industry specific to piping and plumbing trades.
It is not an estimating system, rather a database of labor units proven to be the most accurate and complete collection in the world for our industry.
In the past, the LEM Committee provided updates on a yearly basis. Those updates consisted of new information as well as revisions to existing information. However now, updates to the WebLEM occur on a more frequent basis.

10. WebLEM’s Key Benefits
All information in the WebLEM is fully available to any subscriber from any computer with internet access.
Much faster to locate information than former formats and includes complete search capabilities.
Updates from the LEM Committee are made real time giving subscribers instant access to new and updated information.
All data tables are downloadable in MS Excel or CSV formats for local use.
All subscribers are notified automatically via anytime a change is made to data in the WebLEM. Those s contain links directly to the specific tables and the data points changed will be highlighted for the next 12 months.

11. WebLEM Access
All MCAA Member Companies receive full access to the WebLEM free of charge as a membership benefit.
Each Company has been given a username and password for access. They have also been given a username and password for “Company Contact” user access.
The “Company Contact” is responsible for keeping the company profile information up to date in the WebLEM. This individual will also receive the “update s”.
The WebLEM will automatically change passwords for all users on a set basis for security reasons. New passwords will be ed to the “Company Contact”, who in turn will distribute to all users within your Company.

12. Accessing WebLEM
Website Address

13. WebLEM Home Page
A short Flash Demo is provided for a quick 4 minute overview of the WebLEM’s basic use.
In addition, there’s a pdf file located in the Help menu that can be downloaded or printed. It also has basic instructions on the WebLEM’s use.
User profile information can be updated from the link in the Login box.
There are several links to more information on MCAA’s website as well as interfaces you can use to submit questions electronically.
There are also Recent Updates, My Bookmarks, and Recently Viewed links located on the right side of the screen.

14. WebLEM Data Tree
All data is laid out in a tree structure, and is generally in alphabetical order.
Folder names are always in black font. Data tables and files that can be viewed are always in blue font.
Once a table is chosen, the font size can be modified if you would like it to appear larger or smaller by clicking on the + or – button on the top of every table.
Any data points that have been modified within the past 12 months will show up highlighted in yellow.
A paperclip symbol at the top of a column or above a data point indicates there is a file attached that can be viewed by clicking it.

15. WebLEM Data Tree
A “breadcrumb” is listed at the top of the page when you are viewing a table. An example of such is LEM Data->Fittings->Carbon Steel (Forged)->Buttweld. You can click any part of the breadcrumb to go back to that portion of the data tree.
Notes or diagrams pertaining to tables will be located at the bottom of the webpage after all tables are displayed. It is very important to read the notes associated with each table.
On long and/or wide tables, column and row headings are automatically repeated to keep the user from having to scroll to find the labels.

16. Searching, Downloading, Printing
A search box is always present in the upper right corner of the webpage. Even most mis-spellings and synonyms are accounted for. “Search Tips” is a link to some directions on how to use the search functionality.
You can always go back and view your last search results by clicking on the Search Results menu located on the top toolbar. This function will display the last search performed.
All data tables can be downloaded in either Excel or CSV formats by clicking on the link in the upper right part of the page.
All tables can be printed by clicking on the print link. Tables are automatically broken into pages both due to width and length.

17. WebLEM Administrative Capabilities
LEM Committee updates are made in real time.
Each change to data is logged automatically. Change logs are ed to subscribers as frequently as needed.
Reports can be generated to show most frequent searches, mis-spellings, etc. As a result, the database can be updated accordingly to make access easier for the subscribers.
Pictures, pdf files and notes can be attached to any data point, column heading or table. Other pieces of information such as administrative notes and important reference documents can also be attached to any data point for reference by the Committee.
The history of all changes made to every data point in the entire database is automatically logged and can be accessed easily.

18. Organization of the WebLEM

19. Organization of the WebLEM
Acknowledgment
WebLEM Committee Members
Introduction
Proper Use Of the WebLEM
Copyright
Basic Assumptions
OPUS
Branch Connections
Cleanroom Procedures
Computerized Estimating
Correction Factors
Excavation & Backfill
Pay close attention to the footnotes on each page

20. Organization of the WebLEM
Fittings
Flanges
Flange, Orifice
Hangers, Sleeves & Inserts
HVAC Equipment
HVAC Hook-Ups
HVAC Specialties
Instrumentation
Misc Labor Operations
Nipples
Pipe
Plumbing Equipment
Plumbing Fixtures
Plumbing Hook-Ups

21. Organization of the WebLEM
Pipe
Plumbing Equipment
Plumbing Fixtures
Plumbing Hook-Ups
Plumbing Specialties
Refrigeration Equipment
Refrigeration Specialties
Treatment Plant Equipment
Valves
Appendix
Glossary and Abbreviations
Joint Method

22. Development of the LEM Labor Estimating Manual
Ask for a show of hands on how many participants use the WebLEM
- Daily - Change orders only – Not at all

23. History of LEM Created in 1968. Published in 1971.
Developed by a committee of contractors / prepared from contractors’ point of view
Labor units were developed from a formula, which are reviewed and proven over time
The formula was developed to obtain consistency
LEM committee is a Source for contractors questions and comments on labor man-hours
Provides a consistent and methodical method of estimating
In April 1968 at MCAA’s Annual Convention in Los Angeles, California, the Board of Directors established a committee to prepare a Labor Unit Manual for the mechanical contracting industry. Working over a period of two years the committee developed this manual to fill the need for a reference document on labor manhours for pipe, valves, fittings, specialties and equipment installed by the mechanical contractors. This manual, which is the best source of information on the subject, also serves to establish a basic mode of communication for the evaluation and consideration of concepts with regard to estimating in the mechanical contracting industry. For instance, the committee agreed that a “labor unit” for purposes of this manual would be expressed in terms of manhours to install a unit of material (such as a foot of pipe) or an individual item (such as a fitting or valve).
System created by contractors, not publishers or scholars. Thousands of hours of experience went into the thinking and design of the “Formula”.
Most referenced document in specifications for negotiation of changes.

24. Definition of a Labor Unit
An Expression in Terms of Man-Hours Required to Install a Unit of Material (i.e., Foot of Pipe), an Individual Item (i.e., Fitting or Valve), a Specialty Item or a Piece of Equipment.

25. Elements of a Labor Unit
Material Handling
Receiving, Unloading, Stockpiling, Distributing
Joining
Type Of Connection, Quantity Of Joints,
Type Of Material
“Normal” Pressure Testing
Installation/Erecting
Weight (Which Relates To The Handling)
Size (Diameter Of Pipe, Fitting / Etc.)
Expressed Simply:
Handling and erection + Joining + Hydrostatic Testing = Manhours Per Unit
Oddball items get an additional “hunt and peck” labor add:
Every item should have labor associated with it.
Can not wish items into place.
MCAA LEM is the most extensive labor estimating tool available.
In the past we did long hand estimates. We knew how long things took.
Now we can fall into the trap of “computer operator”.
Rules of thumb:
- Hours / Foot
- Labor / Material ratios
- Feet per man in pri day
- Joint / Day or Hour
- Weight

26. Basic Assumptions
What are the Basic Assumptions of your Estimating System?
What are the basic assumptions of your estimating system, give 5 minutes for the students to write.
Review answers with class on easel.
Draw a box on the easel and explain that the units in the WebLEM are “in the box”.
Correction factors are applied for units “outside the box”.
Review the need to form an understanding of the basic assumptions associated with any mechanical estimating system.
What are basic assumptions.
Basic assumptions set the standards you use in establishing your labor units, i.e., unloading, storage, delivery, height, method to hoist, joint process (SMAW, GMAW, Sub Arc), testing: in-service, air then hydro vs. hydro only.

27. Buttweld Long Radius 900 Elbow
Basic Assumptions
Labor Unit For
4” Carbon Steel Std. Wt.
Buttweld Long Radius 900 Elbow
WebLEM= 4.84 Hrs
Means = 4.65 Hrs
PHCC = 3.66 Hrs
Basic
Assumptions

28. Basic Assumptions Labor Unit For 4” Carbon Steel Std. Wt.
Buttweld 900 Elbow
Basic
Assumptions
Correction Factors Shall Be Applied For Labor Conditions “Outside The Box” As Defined By The Basic Assumptions.

29. Basic Assumptions
The Basic Assumptions Represent the Average Working Conditions Assumed to Exist at the Work Site. Thus, the User of the Manual Must Understand What Constitutes “Average Working Conditions” and Must Be Able to Anticipate Changes to These Conditions When Preparing an Actual Estimate.
Hand out the Basic Assumptions from the WebLEM
Danger is we simply look up labor – “Gospel”.
Worse – we input into computer, never see the hours that we generate.
Look at labor hours – do they look reasonable – use experience, review if you are outside of that box.

30. Basic Assumptions The Following Represents Average Working Conditions:
Working Location
Stockpiling
Installation / Surface Conditions
Worker Qualification & Productivity
Materials Handling
Inside
0-250 lbs.
251-1,000 lbs.
1, ,000 lbs.
Outside / Wide Open Spaces
Directly From Delivery Truck
Use of Power Equipment
Non-production labor is not included in the WebLEM Units
- Foremen
- Equipment operations
- Tool box safety talks
- Orientation requirements
- Drug testing

31. Basic Assumptions Special Considerations Joint Labor (Female vs. Male)
Spooled Pieces (Hunt & Peck)
Nut, Bolt and Gasket Sets
Gasketed Fittings
Back to Back Fittings
Footnotes
Footnotes must be reviewed and considered.
Back-to-back fittings (mechanical rooms) need to be considered.
Normal testing
Footnote Examples – See Fittings/Carbon Steel/Buttweld/Standard Weight

32. Correction Factors
What is the Difference Between a Correction Factor and a Performance Factor?
Correction factors are applied to adjust labor units for “out of the box” situations. Demonstrate this on the flip chart.
Performance factor is applied based on historical data from your company
Correction factors should be applied as each item is taken-off then the performance factor is applied when finished for each system.

33. What Items Affect a Job’s Productivity?
Geography
Labor Availability
Logistics of Job Site
Customer Requirements / Relations
Adverse Temperature or Weather
Schedule / Crew Size
Design Completeness / Complexity of Job
Stacking of Trades
Morale and Attitude
Reassignment of Manpower
Crew Size Inefficiency
Dilution of Supervision
Bring up the Management Methods Bulletin PD1 and PD2 and go over the first two pages of PD2.

34. What Items Affect a Job’s Productivity?
Learning Curve
Fatigue / Overtime
Weekly Jobsite Meeting
Multitude Of Change Orders
High Absenteeism / Turnover
Inadequate Lighting
Material Shortages
Jurisdictional Disputes
High Accident Rate
Availability of Skilled Labor
Uncontrolled Breaks / Lunches, Early Starts / Quits

35. What Items Affect a Company’s Productivity?
Project Management System
Preplanning Process / Handoff / Post-Job Review
Safety Policies of Your Company
Company Expertise
Condition of Tools - Age
Company Culture - Motivation Level
Geography
Usage of Fabshop
Training
Fabshop
Develop typical subassemblies for shop fabrication
Use your ingenuity in creating fabrication jigs to ensure uniformity
Fabricate as far as possible, assemblies are not attractive to thieves.
Bag and tag material by sketch number
Develop transportation carriers for sub assemblies
Make it like an erection set
Training
Foreman training
Superintendent training
PM Training – Scheduling, cost control, estimating, business writing

36. Labor Tables and Factoring
Labor is to be factored for abnormal installation conditions, for example:
Hazardous working conditions
Weather
Working heights above and below grade
Shop pre-fabrication
Repetitive installations

37. Correction Factors Review the WebLEM Corrections Factors
Review the MCAA Correction Factors.

38. Overtime Impact on Productivity
Review the WebLEM “Table For Calculation Of Premium Time & Inefficiency On Overtime Work”
Overtime Multiplier (1-1/2 Time)
Overtime Multiplier (Double Time)
Go over the MCAA overtime multiplier tables for time and 1-1/2 and double time.
112

39. Overtime Impact on Productivity
SCHEDULE OF EFFICIENCY LOSS FOR
VARIOUS LENGTHS OF WORK WEEKS
NOTE: This chart was compiled from statistics contained in Dept. of Labor Bulletin No. 917 entitled “Hours of Work and Output.”
108

40. Overtime Impact on Productivity
1st Week 4th Week
6 – 10’s 92% 81%
7 – 10’s 80% 62%
109

41. Overtime Impact on Productivity
CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF OVERTIME ON PRODUCTIVITY
50 AND 60 HOUR WORK WEEKS
5-10’s versus 6-10’s over 12 week period.
5-10’s over 12 weeks = 73% effective.
6-10’s over 12 weeks = 65% effective.
110

42. Calculating Your Company’s Performance Factor
Dual Estimates
Comparison to Completed Projects
Using Estimating Software with Multiple Labor Table Capability
Question – Who is here to find out the “magic” performance factor? There is no correct answer for everyone in this room. Many factors about your individual company affect that answer.
Example: If you include purge in your units, the performance factor can account for this.

43. What’s Next for the WebLEM?
In May of 2011, the WebLEM Committee proposed to the MCAA Board of Directors that we should develop and publish an entirely new method of estimating mechanical piping systems and components that we termed the “Joint Method”. The MCAA Board of Directors approved the proposal and since then our committee has been working on this new development.

44. What is the Joint Method?
The joint method will consist of counting and laboring the number of joints in a system, and adding labor of the installation of items and assemblies based on the “equivalent length” of the item or assembly.

45. Why the Joint Method vs. the Fitting Method?
The joint method better supports the ability of contractors to identify labor associated with the different labor components of fabrication and installation than the fitting method. See example to explain better. Example Drawing Spool Example Take-Off Presentation