News
Utilizing Peak Water Demand Calculator benefits developers, builders and residents.
CPC Appendix M or the Water Demand Calculator (WDC) provides a method for estimating the demand load for the building water supply, principal branches, and risers for single family and multifamily dwellings. The peak water demands derived using CPC Appendix M inform the recommended diameter of water supply pipes. The alternative approach of using CPC Appendix M methodology in conjunction with CPC Appendix A or pipe sizing yields lower design flow rates and smaller distribution piping when compared to
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Breakthrough Permit Resolution in Novato Offers a New Model for Marin County
Novato, CA — June 15, 2026 — A complex red-tagged property in Novato has successfully achieved FEMA compliance, removed a red tag, and avoided costly structural elevation or reconstruction, creating a potential model for resolving similar permit challenges for other Novato Homeowners. The project was led by Clare Michael, who coordinated the effort to navigate regulatory requirements, technical challenges, and stakeholder alignment. Referred by Denise Athos, long-time realtor and Novato City Councilmember,
Heat Illness - Warning Signs
Understanding Heat Illnesses In the construction industry, heat illness isn't just a matter of discomfort - it is a critical safety hazard that can escalate from fatigue to a life-threatening medical emergency in a matter of minutes. Because heavy physical labor, direct sun exposure, and personal protective equipment (PPE) drastically accelerate dehydration and core body temperature, proactive intervention is essential. Heat illness occurs when your body gets too hot and can no longer cool itself. It
Safety & Training Shorts: Driving Ergonomics
Objective: To reinforce ergonomic principles for working with vehicles.Ergonomic Risks for Driving a Vehicle If you’re someone who drives a lot, ergonomics and injury prevention matter. Prolonged sitting in a static posture is a common ergonomic issue for many workers. However, sitting in a vehicle is different than sitting at a desk — your hands, feet, and focus in a vehicle are not in the same positions as when you’re in a desk chair. Driving takes you over various road conditions — bumpy or uneven
Safety & Training Shorts: Cycle Safety
Cycling is the most common form of transportation in the world: There are one billion bicycles worldwide, which is more than double the number of automobiles. Because there are few formal training systems in place and cyclists share the road with cars, trucks and other motorized vehicles, cycle safety is a major concern. The dangers of cycling:Cycling has many inherent dangers due to a lack of protection in crashes and the level of skill required.Cycling dangers become more serious in urban areas when
Help Your Clients Build and Sell Safer Homes
New Resources for Builders & Realtors In wildfire-prone communities like Marin, small construction details can have a major impact on safety, durability, and long-term property value. Fences and gates are often overlooked, but when combustible materials such as wood connect directly to a home, garage, or deck, they can create a direct flame pathway to the structure during a wildfire. Non-combustible alternatives like steel, aluminum, and fiber cement can help reduce ignition risk while improving
Warning to MBA Members: Businesses Being Targeted in New Website Privacy Lawsuits
Dear Members, We want to make you aware of a growing legal issue impacting businesses across California, including companies in the construction industry. One of our members was recently served with a lawsuit related to the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA). The claim alleges that the company’s website used a tracking pixel or similar website technology without obtaining proper visitor consent. Like many businesses, the member was unaware that their website configuration could create potential
Sands Anderson -- Ten Common Employment Law Mistakes That Get Employers Sued (a Management-Side Perspective)
Most employment lawsuits don’t start with dramatic misconduct or bad actors. They start with small, avoidable decisions that no one thought would matter—until they did. In my experience representing employers, the practices that cause the most damage are rarely exotic or cutting‑edge. They’re the routine, “we’ll get to it later” items: missing documentation, inconsistent discipline, outdated policies, or decisions made out of frustration instead of process. Employment law rewards preparation and
Hammerloop looks to go national after reaching 1000 users in just a few months
Published by Under the Hard Hat April 30, 2026 Written By Alexis NicolsHammerloop is on a high-velocity journey to transform how the construction industry hires. By reaching 1,000 worker signups in just three months and surpassing its goal for contractor involvement, the platform is proving that workers are ready and willing to build. This milestone shows that the real issue in our industry is not a lack of people, but a lack of modern ways to connect them with the right jobs. Hammerloop founders Chris
How to Select a General Contractor: 9 Smart Ways to Avoid Costly Mistakes by Eric Rogers, Wagstaff + Rogers Architects
How to Select a General Contractor: 9 Smart Ways to Avoid Costly Mistakes Marin County homeowners are taking on projects of every size, from bathroom remodels and exterior upgrades to ADUs, additions, and whole-house renovations, and choosing the right general contractor remains one of the most important early decisions in the process. In a new article, “How to Select a General Contractor: 9 Smart Ways to Avoid Costly Mistakes,” Eric Rogers, AIA, of Wagstaff + Rogers Architects offers practical guidance
Call 811 Before You Dig to Avoid Repair Costs Averaging $3,500
Planning an Outdoor Digging Project this Spring? Call 811 Before You Dig to Avoid Repair Costs Averaging $3,500 In 2025, there were over 1,200 incidents in Northern and Central California where underground utility lines were damaged due to digging OAKLAND, Calif. — Every year during spring and summer months, many California homeowners and residents turn their attention to yard improvement projects that involve digging. Whether it’s repairing or replacing a fence, planting or landscaping, or installing