“PEX has historically been less common in commercial applications, but its use has increased due to its flexibility and lower cost compared to copper.”
-Todd Mihalchik, Project Manager
Did you have an “en suite” bathroom in your college dorm room? For some, bathroom access in the dorm means walking down the hall to a shared bathroom.
For students living in Lewis Hall at the University of Kansas, the luxury of in-room lavatories is a nice perk. And P1 has made it better - and safer - for students to use those bathrooms with a recent restroom remodel featuring PEX and PVC pipe.
The KU Lewis Hall Restroom Remodel project covered the demolition and remodel of 93 dormitory restrooms as well as installation of kitchen sinks. P1 also replaced horizontal and vertical waste lines, which provides improved drainage efficiency and helps eliminate future leaks and backups.
The star of the show is PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) pipe, a flexible, durable, and corrosion-resistant plastic piping used for hot and cold potable water plumbing, as well as heating systems.
It is widely used in residential construction due to its ease of installation, long lifespan, ability to reduce water noise, and resistance to freezing, making it a popular alternative to copper, but its use for commercial projects is growing.
P1 used PEX-a, a more flexible, kinking-resistant version that uses expansive, high-flow fittings, making it ideal for colder climates and professional/commercial installations.
Project Manager Todd Mihalchik says an installation of PEX pipe in this quantity, in the Kansas City metro area, is new for P1.
“We’ve installed smaller amounts, but this is the first time we installed this much PEX,” he said.
The waste lines used PVC pipe, with an additional safeguard: Hilti firestop collars.
The firestop collar is a specialized, engineered device designed to seal combustible pipe and cable penetrations through firerated walls and floors.
It consists of a metal housing with an inner material that expands upon exposure to heat, creating a fire, smoke, and gas barrier to prevent fire spread.
“The collars are designed for combustible pipes - like the PVC used on this project – as well as cable bundles in concrete, drywall, and masonry,” Todd added.
P1 has been a trusted partner with the University of Kansas for decades, continuing to bring the facilities that serve students and faculty to life!
• 93 restroom remodels at KU’s Lewis Hall including demo and replacement of showers, toilets, sinks, and kitchenettes
• PEX-a pipe for flexibility, durability, and corrosion-resistance
• SCH40 PVC Pipe with Hilti CP 648 E firestop collars that expand upon exposure to heat, creating a fire, smoke, and gas barrier to prevent fire spread
• Contract Amount: $1,624,684.00
GC: KBS
Engineer: Latimer and Sommers
Architect: Clark-Huesemann
Est. Project Completion: Spring 2026
Square Feet: 20,000
Todd Mihalchik, P1 Project Manager
Justin Sorem, P1 Project Engineer
Ryan Newell, P1 Foreman
Bryan Biggs, P1 Sheet Metal Foreman
FUTURE
Thank you to all who took the time to complete the recent P1 Connection newsletter survey. We appreciate your honest feedback, and with your help, we can continue to evolve how we bring P1 stories to our associates.
THERE IS NO NEWSLETTER WITHOUT
YOU
Special thanks to those who offered great ideas for stories and other features - some of those will definitely be used!
A NEWSLETTER FOR P1 PEOPLE, BY P1 PEOPLE! We are always actively looking for story ideas, but simply put, we don’t know what we don’t know, and we need your help.
If there are ways your office, trade, division, or anything else could be highlighted or better represented, please share those ideas/topics with Marketing. We’ll take it from there!
Associate participation is critical to how much we can broaden the scope of our content. The only “bad” idea is the one not shared.
Regional changing weather and temperature swings can create unexpected safety hazards leading to improper PPE selection. Stay aware of forecasts and ensure proper PPE/equipment is available.
HIGH WINDS
• Dust = eye hazards: Use goggles or foam-lined safety glasses.
• Secure materials, especially on roofs, during breaks/end of day.
• Ensure ladders are properly secured.
TORNADO/SEVERE
WEATHER
• Know the site emergency plan and notification method (siren/text).
• Use designated shelter if available.
• If not, move to interior of a solid building.
• Do NOT stay in trailers, lifts or vehicles.
• Maintain housekeeping to keep evacuation routes clear.
• Keep cords/leads off walking paths.
• Do not block exits or doorways.
RAIN/STORMS
• Muddy, slick conditions = slip hazards.
• Lightning = stop outdoor work/work in ungrounded structures.
• Be aware of reduced traction on ladders and lifts.
• Rain compromises excavation integrity: stop until evaluated/approved by a competent person.
SPRING CLEANING HAZARDS AT HOME
Spring Cleaning – Inside
• Strain from lifting/moving furniture: use proper technique or get help.
• Cleaning chemicals: read labels to avoid exposure.
• Ensure good ventilation.
• Do NOT mix cleaners.
• Ladders/step stools: use proper equipment; avoid standing on furniture or unstable surfaces.
Spring Cleaning – Outside
• Yard cleanup & tools:
Wear proper PPE to avoid debris injuries.
Inspect tools and avoid improper use.
Ladders for gutters/roof work: watch for unstable ground and avoid overreaching.
STRESS Awareness MONTH
MENTAL HEALTH MINUTE
April is Stress Awareness Month. But let’s face it, every month should be stress awareness month!
Understanding how chronic strain affects mental and physical health, including anxiety, heart disease, and burnout, can help you avoid these very things and promote healthy coping mechanisms like exercise, proper sleep, and setting boundaries. How many of these techniques can you implement?
• Physical Activity:
You don’t have to go nuts, even just 10 minutes of regular exercise, such as walking (especially close to nature), weights, or yoga, helps release tension.
• Mindfulness & Relaxation:
Practice deep breathing exercises, meditation, or journaling to process emotions. Feeling stressed in the moment? Breathe in for four seconds, hold for four seconds, exhale for five seconds. Repeat as needed.
• Healthy Boundaries:
“No” can be a perfectly acceptable answer sometimes! Learning to say “no” to over-commitment & protecting your personal time works wonders on well-being.
• Social Support:
In today’s “screen time” society, we find ourselves less connected with others. Make an effort to periodically connect with friends, family, or professional counselors to discuss problems and reduce feelings of isolation.
• Self-Care Routine:
Sleep has a big impact on stress and well-being, enhancing mental clarity, emotional stability, physical health, and immune function. Prioritize seven to eight hours of sleep per night. You will notice the difference!
• Hydrate and Eat Right:
These are easy to forget – both can go by the wayside quickly when we’re busy. But try to be aware of water intake, and include a meal or snack with good nutritional value each day, even if it’s just some fresh fruit or a serving of vegetables.
• Clean Up and Organize:
Just the task of organizing your workspace, a room in your house, or your desk gives a feeling of accomplishment. There’s a reason people get into “spring cleaning”!
NEW FACES/ANNOUNCEMENTS
SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITIES: Losing a child to cancer is devastating, but organizations like St. Baldrick’s Foundation raise money for the research, and someday, the cure.
The P1 Las Vegas team proudly supports long-time customer McMullan’s Pub by giving to their annual fundraiser event in support of St. Baldrick’s Foundation.
CELEBRATING IN STYLE: The P1 team in St. Joseph, MO, wasn’t going to let St. Patrick’s Day go by without a celebration, including corned beef, potatoes, cabbage and carrots. We were all a little jealous of their homemade feast.
Don’t forget to cheer on your 2026 competitors
P1 Construction Awarded Work
MARCH Highlights
These are just awarded project highlights. Every project P1 secures and works on contributes significantly to our bottom line and we thank all associates for their hard work and the relationship building it takes to keep all projects coming!
P1 OFFICE LOCATIONS
Lenexa, KS | St. Joseph, MO | Lawrence, KS | Manhattan, KS | Omaha, NE | Las Vegas, NV | Kansas City, MO
P1 GUIDING
PRINCIPLES
SAFETY FIRST, QUALITY ALWAYS : Never compromise | Safety is non-negotiable | Stop work authority
Protecting what matters most: our people | Honoring the expertise of our trades people | Go home the way you came to work
FAMILY FOCUSED: We take care of our people | Life balance | Create a personal and welcoming environment
Our people are our most valuable asset | More than a number
CREATING PARTNERS FOR LIFE : Fair & honest always | Fostering relationships with like-minded clients, vendors, and team members
Not “one & done” | Continuous support | We honor our commitments
TOGETHER WE GROW : Employees, families, clients, industry, and communities | Success happens when we work together
Invested in personal & professional success: people, systems, and processes | Embrace change & collaboration
100/0 - EXCELLENCE WITHOUT EXCEPTION : Strive for excellence | We expect to make mistakes, but never poor decisions
Perform at your highest level | Candid conversations: fair, honest, and firm when needed | Own it!
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH INNOVATIVE THINKING : Process drives results, innovation provides solutions
Complexity is welcome | We are more than “constructors”, we are “solution providers”
THE EXPERTISE OF MANY, THE POWER OF ONE : Single source provider, leveraging subject matter experts across multiple crafts
Simplified experience through unified coordination | Extensive expertise, one organization
OUR PURPOSE
P1 is built to bring trusted partnerships, facilities, and the communities we serve to life.
P1 Connection is produced by P1 Marketing.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to be the pioneering leader in construction innovation by empowering trusted partners through committed leadership while honoring the foundation of those who came before us.
We will elevate the communities we serve and shape a resilient, forward-thinking future.
