Industry News

New Gen-Eye® USB video inspection system from General Pipe Cleaners lets you record videos and photos on popular USB flash drives. General’s top-of-the-line system includes all the features you need in a compact, lightweight package.

The Command Module features a USB port to store video or still images (up to 128 GB capacity), a 10.5” LCD color monitor for crisp, clear pictures, and a full-size, waterproof keyboard for on-screen titling, footage counter, date and time stamp, and voice-over microphone. All are safely contained in a heavy-duty Pelican case that weighs just 12 lbs.

General offers three models of the USB series: The Gen-Eye USB, the USB-W with Wi-Fi inside to record inspections on your smartphone or tablet, and the USB-P premium inspection sytem that includes all the features of the USB, plus a sunlight readable screen and a 4 hour battery for remote operaton, as well as the Wi-Fi transmitter.

Full size reel units include 200 ft. or 300 ft. of Kevlar®-reinforced Gel-Rod™ for troubleshooting 3” to 10” lines – and a Self-leveling color camera. Mini-Reel models include either 100 ft. or 200 ft. Kevlar®-reinforced Mini Gel-Rod™ for 2” and 3” lines – and a Mini Self-leveling color camera. Both include trap skids and 512 hz transmitter for precise camera tracking.

General’s Gen-Eye Hot Spot® digital pipe locator makes locating easier than ever. Its total field antenna array and on-screen icons lead you right to your target, without the long learning curve. No need to interpret numbers and bar graphs. Arrows point you in the right direction and the Camera icon confirms you’re over the target.

For more information, contact the Drain Brains® at General Pipe Cleaners at 800-245-6200 or 412-771-6300, or visit www.drainbrain.com/geneye.

The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), which represents manufacturers of heating, air conditioning, commercial refrigeration, and water heating products and equipment, is disappointed in the decision announced by President Trump to impose additional tariffs on steel and aluminum. As we made clear in letters to the President, and to Commerce Secretary Ross and U.S. Trade Representative Lighthizer, AHRI does not support additional tariffs on steel and aluminum due to their impact on manufacturers and consumers.

“As major users of steel and aluminum, we have been proactive in explaining to the administration that the HVACR and water heating industry would be negatively impacted by an increase in tariffs, as would the consumers that rely on the products we manufacture,” said AHRI President & CEO Stephen Yurek. “While we have been pleased with the Trump Administration’s enthusiastic support for manufacturing, we believe this step to be injurious, rather than helpful, to our efforts to increase American manufacturing and create jobs,” he added.

Atlanta — ASHRAE received a final determination issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Building Energy Codes Program stating that ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2016, Energy Efficiency Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, would achieve greater energy efficiency in commercial buildings subject to the code. Standard 90.1-2016 was published in October 2016.

The standard achieved this determination through DOE analysis indicating that buildings meeting 90.1-2016 (as compared to the previous 2013 edition) would result in national energy cost savings of approximately 8.2 percent, as regulated by the model code.

“Standard 90.1 has been a trusted source of guidance on energy efficiency requirements to built-environment professionals for more than 40 years,” says Bjarne W. Olesen, Ph.D., 2017-2018 ASHRAE President. “DOE’s final determination serves to reinforce the standing of 90.1 as the U.S. commercial building energy efficiency standard.”

The follow are DOE’s estimates of national savings in commercial buildings:
8.3 percent energy cost savings
7.9 percent source energy savings
6.8 percent site energy savings

This 2016 version of 90.1 is the 10th edition published since the original standard was first published in 1975 during the energy crisis of the United States. Standard 90.1 provides the minimum requirements for energy-efficient design of most buildings, except low-rise residential buildings. It offers, in detail, the minimum energy efficiency requirements for design and construction of new buildings and their systems, new portions of buildings and their systems, and new systems and equipment in existing buildings, as well as criteria for determining compliance with these requirements.
States are required to certify that the provisions of its commercial building code regarding energy efficiency have been reviewed and, as necessary, updated codes to meet or exceed the updated edition of Standard 90.1.

More information on DOE’s determination, along with supporting analysis and public comments received, is available at energycodes.gov/determinations.

Falls Church, Va. — Thanks to PHCC Corporate Partner Federated Insurance, members of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) now have access to customizable tools to start building a company safety program.

The “Management Commitment and Employee Involvement” safety resources—accessible at www.phccweb.org/CompanySafetyProgram—offer guidelines, training, checklists, logs and other valuable resources related to hazard prevention and control, safety and health planning, and other construction-specific safety topics (such as eye protection, electrical and tool safety, material handling, etc.). In addition, a section on workplace analysis offers employers forms and reports on construction site inspections, vehicle accident reporting, risk tolerance and more.

“PHCC members can customize these basics of a safety program to begin building a company program that fits their needs,” says PHCC President Laurie Crigler. “Not only will this formalized process help them comply with laws and regulations, it also sends a positive message to their employees that ‘we’re a culture that cares about our employees, and here’s how we do it.’ “

Recognizing that industry segments may not have the same safety requirements as others, Federated developed the resources to be modified and adapted for an individual contractor’s needs. “This sample introductory program, extracted from a comprehensive safety program available to Federated clients, is a great starting point,” says Dave Szymanski, First Vice President and Director of Association Risk Management Services for Federated Insurance. “January 2018 marked the 30th anniversary of our partnership with PHCC—perfect timing to provide this complimentary safety resource to these professional p-h-c contractors who are dedicated to the safety of society and their employees.”

The PHCC Insurance, Safety & Risk Management Committee was a resource during the development of this new PHCC member benefit. “This offering is another example of the teamwork between our two organizations,” says committee member Nathan S. Oland, Federated Senior National Account Executive. “PHCC’s Insurance, Safety & Risk Management Committee does a great job of prioritizing our partnership resources based on the needs of their members.”

For additional information, contractors can connect with Federated Insurance by using the “Locate Your Representative” on the company’s home page or by calling Federated’s Client Contact Center at 888-333-4949.