Construction is the most important industry in the American economy. It has surpassed agriculture and unlike the automotive industry it is not dominated by a few huge corporations. It is loosely organized but achieves unity by the willing pursuit of a common objective. As long as the economy is sound construction will remain that way. The importance of building to all people, sociologically and economically, is accepted as a matter of course.

When is an Insurance Company’s Exclusion Not an Exclusion?
An owner of a theatre construction project purchased a builder’s risk policy. Heavy rains damaged a partially completed building. The policy contained an exclusion for damage by rain. A court held the exclusion did not apply because the damage and predominating cause of loss was not by rain but by failing to cover the roof prior to the rain.

Accept No (Untested) Substitutes
There was a case where the design professional relied on a manufacturer’s representative in substituting a tubing material in a hospital radiant heating project. The design professional accepted it, the design professional’s heating expert accepted it and the owner accepted it. The design professional did no independent testing and placed his reliance completely on the manufacturer’s representation. The tubing eventually failed. The court said the DP should not have relied on the manufacturer’s representation and found him liable for failing to make an independent test. The court said…it ill behooves a man professing professional skill to say they know nothing of an article that they are called upon to use in the practice of their profession.

How are Firms Meeting the Challenge of the Shortage of Engineers?
Here are the responses from ACEC’s industry trends survey —

• Develop relationships and activities with colleges and universities
• Hire recruiters
• Offer recruitment bonuses to staff
• Internet searches
• Expand intern program
• Expand HR department
• Hire outside field – other science backgrounds
• Targeted ads in areas of high unemployment
• Coaching current staff to recruit and mentor
• Modified benefits

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