Cleaning To A Higher Standard

Transcript

ISSUE 37 | Spring 2014 C L E A N I N G T O A H I G H E R S T A N D A R D How can IKECA help increase your bottom line? Expand your company’s visibility amongst customers, AHJs, Facility Managers and other key industry partners. Advertise your service areas and branches through IKECA’s online membership directory.* Learn more at www.ikeca.org *Affordable listing fees apply; discounts available based on number of certified employees. IN EACH ISSUE 06 Letter from the IKECA President 07 From the Desk of the Executive Director 08 Standards Matter: Updates on IKECA Standards 10 Welcome New Board Members 11 Association News Jack Grace, CECS, CESI | Western Commercial Services, LLC Sarah Hagy, CAE | Fernley & Fernley, Inc. 25th ANNIVERSARY ARTICLES 12 ANSI Applauds IKECA’s 25th Anniversary 13 25 Years at a Glance 14 25 Years of IKECA “Journal”-ism Neal Iorii, Jr., CECS, CESI | Olympia Maintenance, Inc. 15 Thoughts About IKECA Celebrating 25 Years 17 25 Years of IKECA Meetings 20 The Scratch Pad, Vol. 2 No. 1, March 1991 Mike Gronlund, CECS, CESI | Enviromatic FEATURED ARTICLES 26 Understanding Dampers and Fusible Links Used in Commercial Cooking Operations Michael J. Laderoute | Globe Technologies 28 Using Product Knockoffs in Your Business? Rethink the Value Brian Smith | Omni Containment Systems AHJ NEWS 31 Robert Marshall, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District The IKECA Journal is an industry publication for cleaners, fire marshals, insurance professionals, facility managers, vendors and other interested parties in the commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning and inspection industry ISSUE 37 SPRING 2014 Serving the Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Industry Worldwide The IKECA Journal is an industry publication for cleaners, fire marshals, insurance professionals, facility managers, vendors and other interested parties in the commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning and inspection industry. IKECA President Jack Grace, CECS, CESI Western Commercial Services, LLC IKECA Executive Director Sarah Hagy, CAE IKECA Journal Editor Gina Marinilli IKECA Journal Editorial Review Board Christoper Bisbee Grant Mogford, CECS, CESI Kevin Pearson, CECS Donald Pfleiderer, CECS, CESI Randy Russo, CECS, CESI Kathy Slomer, CECS Jason Wellman 100 North 20th Street, Suite 400 Philadelphia, PA 19103 Tel: 215.320.3876 Fax: 215.564.2175 Email: [email protected] The IKECA Journal is a publication of the International Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Association © 2014. All Rights Reserved. For more information or to order additional copies, contact the IKECA headquarters office. Unless otherwise noted, all images are copyright IKECA and their respective owners. Unless otherwise noted, all articles are copyright IKECA. Direct requests for reprint to the IKECA headquarters office. The International Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Association prints the IKECA Journal to provide its member and other interested parties in the commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning industry with a forum for the discussion of topics of interest to the entire industry. The ideas and opinions expressed in the IKECA Journal are solely those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent the view, positions or policies of IKECA, its members, its board of directors, officers or staff. IKECA is not responsible for any claims made in any advertisements, and does not endorse any manufacturer, supplier or vendor. IKECA does not warrant the performance of any member or member employee or subcontractor. Cover art © iStockphoto | Thinkstock Letter from the IKECA President From the Desk of President Grace: Jack Grace, CECS, CESI, Western Commercial Services To the great members of the International Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Association, our supporters, our awesome AHJ members, and all of our vital associate members, As I sit to pen what is likely my final letter to you as your president, I wish to reflect on the work of this administration in serving you as our members. Our success truly has been success for everyone impacted by the work we perform and an ever-forward push to improve our industry and, ultimately, to save lives. I also want to thank all of you who have provided me with inspiration, guidance, and support and who have proven to be invaluable role models in leading this association. The great industry leaders I have had the pleasure to serve with on the board of directors include such great leaders as Joel Berkowitz, Barney Besal, Nelson Dilg, and Jim Roberts, to name a few, as well as my mentor and a man I am honored to call a friend, Doug Schuler, and the brilliant woman who will become IKECA’S first female president at our 25th anniversary celebration to lead us into the next phase of growth and development, Kathy Slomer. To those of you who have ever served on this board, thank you. You understand the challenges of balancing so many ideas and channeling those concepts into coherent action. from our members, no matter if the message came as constructive or destructive criticism, and I have worked to make IKECA the best association, one we can all be proud to be a part of. This is our common bond, friends and friendly competitors alike, and each success and step forward is a step for all of us. I will state again my belief that we are on the precipice of a time when—quietly and without fanfare, thanks to the work of the International Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Association, our members, our friends, our supporters, and those who believe in the cause of the mission of this great association—not one more life will be lost as a result of a fire fueled by an improperly cleaned kitchen exhaust system. That would indeed be the greatest combined legacy that we could all share. I thank each and every one of you for allowing me the opportunity to serve you as president and for the countless lessons that I have learned as a result. I thank all who have served before and those who will serve in the future. May the next 25 years be even more successful than the first 25, and may this association and our membership continue to grow and prosper. Jack Grace, CECS, CESI, is President, International Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Association and Chief Operating Officer, Western Commercial Services, LLC. I am honored to have presided over a time of great financial responsibility when the board has repeatedly taken action to eliminate spending on things that do not aid our overall mission in favor of placing our resources where they will do the most long-term good. Many long-debated issues have been carefully considered and resolved, including rethinking the supplemental membership category, developing the inclusive practice of bringing in our AHJs to help educate them and to learn from them about ways our industry can better form mutually beneficial relationships for increased life safety, turning our financial picture to the positive to ensure our future and to cover the expenses of investing in the association, and even injecting a little more fun into our conventions through team-building and cross-company exercises. There is much to celebrate, but the work of this association has only just started, and it will be the next generation of leaders who will bring us to the next set of victories. As my role changes from president to past president, I will be leading the search for the next generation of leaders who have the passion and the dedication to continue the work that our board members past and present have started and that I am humbled and honored to have had a role in continuing. I have always asked for and listened to the feedback PAGE 6 | SPRING 2014 THE IKECA JOURNAL From the Desk of the Executive Director Sarah Hagy, CAE IKECA Executive Director Dear members and readers, On behalf of the IKECA management team, I congratulate IKECA and its members on attaining a huge milestone: IKECA’s 25th Anniversary! Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the founders, past presidents, board members, and other active volunteers, IKECA has and will continue to advance the mission of promoting kitchen exhaust cleaning to a higher standard while providing education, guidance, expertise, and tools to members and the industry at large to better support the work. This is truly an exciting time for IKECA, and we at Fernley & Fernley are so pleased to be a part of the start of the next 25 years! In my work with IKECA, I have learned a great deal about the kitchen exhaust industry—albeit not at the level of those who work out in the field. My expertise is in association management, and I do my best each day to bring my understanding of the key roles that an association can and should play in supporting an industry and those involved in it. Associations have existed in America since the early 1800s. Modeled after British traditions, settlers formed guilds to address common business challenges and labor issues. In fact, French statesman Alexis de Tocqueville attributed the new nation’s success in democracy to associations, as settlers were coming together to further their profession or cause in a collaborative manner.* Fast forward to 2014, and there is an association for everything. As we prepare to celebrate IKECA’s 25th anniversary, it is important to take some time to reflect on the value IKECA has brought to the industry in its role as a professional association. Through its members’ time and dedication to the profession, IKECA provides a platform for kitchen exhaust cleaners, vendors, and AHJs to come together and collaborate for the advancement of the industry. Going forward, IKECA will continue to provide education, tools, access to expertise, standards development, and promotion of the importance of proper cleanings for and on behalf of its members, and as the only trade association dedicated to fire prevention and life safety through cleaning to a higher standard in commercial kitchen exhaust systems, it will continue to raise the profile of IKECA as a resource for clients and AHJs looking for accurate information and qualified professionals. I look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas for our 25th Annual Meeting! Respectfully, Sarah Hagy, CAE * American Society of Association Executives: www.asaecenter. org/Advocacy/contentASAEOnly.cfm?ItemNumber=16341 Future Meeting Dates 2014 Annual Membership Meeting Celebrating IKECA’s 25th Anniversary! April 23–26, 2014 The Golden Nugget, Las Vegas, NV 2014 Technical Seminar November 5–8, 2014 Hyatt Regency Columbus, Columbus, OH IKECA Members Proudly Show the IKECA Logo! ACCESS PANEL Company Customized Hood Stickers Customized Access Panel Stickers Customized Grease Gauges Competitive prices Personalized service Quick turnaround Your Company Name Your Street Address Your City, US 98765 2014 2015 THE IKECA JOURNAL 2016 2017 2017 Go to www.ikeca.org, log in with your member username/password, and click on the Online Store to automatically receive member pricing/quantity options on merchandise. Call 215.320.3876 with any questions. Address City, State, Zip 888-888-8888 Inspected w w w . ik eca . o rg Cleaned Your Logo Tech. Name and/or Cert # IKECA - 215-320-3876 SPRING 2014 | PAGE 7 Standards Matter Developing and Maintaining Standards for Cleaning, Inspection, and Maintenance IKECA, the only nonprofit industry association, is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop, publish, and maintain standards for the industry. Update on Standards • ANSI/IKECA C10-2011: Cleaning Standard The ANSI-accredited IKECA standards development committee consensus body is pleased to announce that the International Code Council (ICC), at its meeting on October 3, 2013, in Atlantic City, NJ, approved the inclusion of the ANSI/ IKECA C10-2011 Standard for Cleaning of Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Systems in the upcoming edition of the International Fire Code. IKECA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute as a standards-development organization, and the ANSI/IKECA consensus body, with representatives from various stakeholders, serves as the standards committee responsible for the development of industry standards. The approved language in the International Fire Code is as follows: 609.3.3.2 Grease accumulation. If during the inspection it is found that hoods, grease-removal devices, fans, ducts, or other appurtenances have an accumulation of grease, such components shall be cleaned in accordance with ANSI/ IKECA C-10. “The commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning industry has worked for 25 years to elevate the standards of our important life safety work,” says ANSI/IKECA Consensus Body Chair Bernard Besal, CECS, CESI. “This is recognition that C10 provides an essential benchmark, which authorities having jurisdiction as well as those performing kitchen exhaust cleaning and others can rely on.” The ICC agreed with the proponent’s reason statement that the code change proPAGE 8 | SPRING 2014 vides a needed standard to assist the fire code official in determining standards of and methods for cleaning hood and duct systems. operate and maintain commercial kitchen exhaust systems by end users in the interim between professional system cleaning services. ANSI/IKECA Consensus Body Vice Chair Nelson Dilg, CECS, CESI, attended the Atlantic City meeting and spoke in favor of the proposal before the ICC voting members. The Consensus Body “We believe that adhering to this standard will help save firefighter lives,” says Mr. Dilg. The consensus body, led by Mr. Besal and Mr. Dilg, is comprised of various interest groups that guide the work. The C10 cleaning standard is on a fiveyear maintenance schedule. The public may submit proposals either to insert new text, to revise existing text, or to delete current text for the 2016 edition. Each proposal must be accompanied by a statement of the issue and the substantiation in favor of the requested change. The proposal form can be found at the back of the published standard or online on the “Standards” page of the IKECA website. Proposals are due December 31, 2014. • I10: Inspection Standard In the past two years, the IKECA standards development committee consensus body has been developing the inspection standard. This standard is to define acceptable methods for inspecting commercial kitchen exhaust systems and system components for mechanical conditions, structural integrity, fire safety, and cleanliness levels. A final draft of the inspection standard was recently submitted for public review. The committee is working with NFPA to make some additional changes.  10: User Operations and •M Maintenance Standard When the inspection standard is approved as an American National Standard, work will begin on developing the user maintenance standard. This standard is to define acceptable methods to IKECA recently participated in and successfully completed a five-year audit, the first since becoming an accredited standards-developing organization (SDO) in 2009. The ANSI audit program is intended as a quality-assurance review of an ANSI-accredited SDO’s compliance with its accredited procedures and current ANSI requirements. Additionally, it is intended, when appropriate, to offer suggestions for potential process improvements and efficiencies. The ANSI executive standards council (ExSC) has oversight of the ANSI standards developer audit program and makes all final decisions in connection with the audit and a developer’s accreditation status. IKECA’s audit was conducted by ANSI staff and consultants, and the results were reviewed and approved by the ExSC audit subcommittee. Who develops the standards? The IKECA standards development committee consists of a consensus body (CB) and a CB chair and vice chair. The CB is responsible for the development of IKECA standards in accordance with the association’s ANSI-accredited standards development procedures. The CB chair is Bernard Besal, CECS, CESI, Besal Services, Inc., and the vice chair is Nelson Dilg, CECS, CESI, Nelbud Services Group, Inc. A complete listing of the CB can be found on the IKECA website. IKECA appreciates the CB’s considerable time and investment in this vital work. The CB must be a diverse group, representing the major interest groups in the development of standards for kitchen exhaust system cleaning, inspection, and maintenance. The CB includes approximately 20 members. IKECA has currently identified 10 primary interest categories. These include 1) cleaning contractors, 2) HVAC contractors, 3) fireTHE IKECA JOURNAL Standards Matter suppression contractors, 4) the food service industry, 5) fire-analysis experts, 6) designers, 7) manufacturers, 8) fire prevention authorities, 9) Insurance companies, and 10) end users. Participation on the IKECA standards development committee, consensus body, and/or subcommittees is volunteer work; no compensation is provided. Members are responsible for their own costs associated with IKECA standards work, including travel. The CB meets at least six times annually with at least two meetings in person at the IKECA annual conference and the IKECA technical seminar and the remainder taking place via conference call. Call for Volunteers! IKECA strives for balance of all interested and affected parties, giving them an opportunity to participate in development of ANSI-approved IKECA standards. By adhering to ANSI’s due process of openness, balance and consensus, IKECA will serve and protect the public. Please contact association headquarters if you would like to be involved and fit in the following interest categories: • End user • Restaurant industry • Fire-prevention authorities • Insurance industry • Code-enforcement authorities • Kitchen exhaust system designers, engineers, installers Standards News Around the United States and the World • ANSI Energy Efficiency Standardization Coordination Collaborative The ANSI energy efficiency standardization coordination collaborative (EESCC) is a cross-sector group of energy-efficiency stakeholders working together to develop a standardization roadmap to advance energy efficiency in the built environment. The main goals of EESCC standardization roadmap are the following: • To identify what standards, codes, and conformance programs are available or under development, what gaps exist, and what additional standardization activities may be needed • To increase awareness, adoption, and implementation of standards, codes, and conformance activities among policy makers and the market The EESCC is coordinated by ANSI and led by co-chairs from the U.S. Department of Energy and Schneider Electric. More than 50 member organizations involving 150 experts from industry, standards- and codes-developing organizations, energy efficiency–focused organizations, educational institutions, and others are currently taking part. Five EESCC working groups are addressing topics that were identified as key areas of need through stakeholder meetings that ANSI convened in 2012: WG1: Building energy and water assessment and performance standards WG2: Systems integration and systems communications WG3: Building energy rating, labeling, and simulation WG4: Evaluation, measurement, and verification WG5: Workforce credentialing The EESCC is not intended, in any way, to displace or duplicate work that is being done but rather to augment and raise awareness of individual activities being advanced by many prominent organizations. The objective is to move energy efficiency forward. The EESCC will not develop standards, nor will it assign responsibility for their development. The EESCC is developing an EESCC standardization roadmap, which outlines more than 100 recommendations to advance energy efficiency in the built environment through standards and conformance activities. Publication of the EESCC’s findings and recommendations is scheduled to be finalized in mid-2014. Interested individuals also may submit an application to [email protected]. Applicants are then presented to the CB for consideration and balloting. THE IKECA JOURNAL SPRING 2014 | PAGE 9 Welcome New Board Members IKECA welcomes Randy Russo, CECS, CESI and Alex Young, CECS to the 2014-2015 Board of Directors. Learn more about IKECA’s newest leaders below. Randy Russo, CECS, CESI General Manager National Operations Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning [email protected] Randy Russo, a native Floridian, attended Miami Dade Community College and Florida International University. Randy has been in the restaurant industry for 25 years and has experience on both the operations side as well as in sales. He understands the intricacies of the restaurant business very well and enjoys the ever changing, fast paced daily challenges in the hospitality industry. Randy started with Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning in 2008 in the role of General Manager. He is certified through The International Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Association (IKECA) in both Certified Exhaust System Inspector (CESI) and Certified Exhaust Cleaning Specialist (CECS). He believes that in learning and furthering his education, he understands what it takes to get the work done professionally across the country. Alex Young, CECS Alex Young is president and CEO of Power King Exhaust Cleaning. Alex has served in the exhaust cleaning industry for the past 20+ years at his current position. Power King was established in 1986 as a family owned and operated company. Prior to Power King Alex’s back ground was in the fire suspension and extinguishers sales and service industry. This provided a natural integration to the exhaust cleaning industry. Alex’s wife Laura and partner Ian Burgess, through hard work and dedication to customer satisfaction, have grown their small family based company to its current 13+ service crews servicing the Ontario and Quebec market places. Alex’s vision and expertise has shaped Power King into one of the largest professional exhaust cleaning service providers in Canada. He leads any new business development, manages overall operations, and guides the long term direction of Power King. Power Kings’ Portfolio of clients includes some of the most recognizable brands in the world. Over the past several years Alex has provided industry knowledge and input with the Ontario Fire Marshal and AHJ training courses provided at the Ontario Fire College located in Gravenhurst, Ontario. Power King is also involved annually with the Municipal Fire Prevention official trade show and training symposium. Alex has built this business on old time, tried and true fundamentals of honesty and integrity. Power King’s company motto was discovered and adopted thru a training symposium with the Collingwood /Barrie Fire Dept. “You are only as good as your last cleaning” PAGE 10 | SPRING 2014 THE IKECA JOURNAL Association News New IKECA Member Benefits and Information Check out some important new benefits and membership enhancements that are now available to members! Membership Updates Attention Active Members: New Advertising Opportunities Available! Active Members can now take advantage of advertising their businesses in IKECA’s online member directory. List your additional locations in the directory for more potential leads within the industry. Does your company service more than one state? Members can also list the states in which they conduct business, maximizing exposure. And wait— it gets even better! Your employees’ CECT and CECS certifications give you discounted pricing for advertising fees! Visit www.ikeca.org/active-memberadvertising for more information, and check out the “Find a Member” option right on the home page. sented in IKECA E-News on a monthly basis and archived on the IKECA website. If you are interested in sharing your story with IKECA, contact headquarters for more information. any etraintoday.com online course by using the promotional code: IKECA. OpenSesame.com is another option for earning online CEUs. It offers a wide variety of courses from safety training to honing your business skills. Certification Updates Exams Proctored by Translators For our non-English-speaking members, IKECA is now offering an opportunity to have a third-party translator proctor and deliver an IKECA certification exam in their native language. This is exciting news for any IKECA member who is in need of a translator during the exam process! For more information on finding a translator, call headquarters or visit http://www.ikeca.org/translators. New Online CEU Courses IKECA has established two new online CEU providers for members to take advantage of when earning their CEUs. Members will receive a 10% discount on IKECA Committee CEUs One of the best ways to gain the most from your membership in IKECA is to get involved! Connect with your fellow members to network, learn, and give back to your association and the kitchen exhaust cleaning industry. All members of IKECA are welcome and encouraged to join a committee! For each committee meeting in which you participate, you will be awarded .1 CEUs (or more for longer calls). To obtain a copy of the committee handbook, email us at [email protected] and specify which committee you are interested in joining. Discontinuation of Supplemental Membership The board has approved removing this membership category in a recent review of classifications. After close review and consideration, it was agreed that allowing members to voluntarily opt in to advertising their additional locations best serves members. Members will now also be able to list the states in which they conduct business (see above), widening their net of potential leads generated through our websites’ “Find a Member” section. For more information, visit www.ikeca.org/active-member-advertising or call IKECA headquarters. IKECA Member Spotlight Each month, IKECA turns the spotlight on member companies to demonstrate their values, history, and excellence in the industry and how they benefit from being members of our association. Member company submissions are preTHE IKECA JOURNAL SPRING 2014 | PAGE 11 ANSI Applauds IKECA’s 25th Anniversary PAGE 12 | SPRING 2014 THE IKECA JOURNAL 25 Years at a Glance AM = Annual Meeting TS = Technical Seminar 2010 AM - New Orleans, LA TS - Atlantic City, NJ 2014 AM – Las Vegas, NV CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF CLEANING TO A HIGHER STANDARD! 2012 2013 AM - Chicago, IL AM - Naples, FL TS - Indianapolis, IN TS - Phoenix, AZ ANSI/IKECA C10 Cleaning Standard Wins Approval for the International Fire Code (October 24, 2013). 2011 AM - Naples, FL TS - Milwaukee, WI ANSI/IKECA C10: Standard for Cleaning of Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Systems - 2011 Edition. Approved as an American National Standard (Dec 14, 2011). Requirement of system inspectors to be certified. 2003 TS - Chicago. IL 2005 2006 AM - Las Vegas, NV AM - Key Largo, FL TS - Chicago, IL TS - Forth Worth, TX 2004 TS - Fort Worth, TX Depth gauge comb added to annex. Downdraft ventilation systems added to NFPA 96 2009 AM - Las Vegas, NV TS - Louisville, KT IKECA becomes an accredited ANSI standards development organization. 2008 AM - Fort Myers, FL TS - St. Louis, MO Ultra-violet hood systems added to NFPA 96, new requirements added for documentation of system cleaning and maintenance 2007 AM - San Diego, CA TS - Louisville, KT Tai Ho fire (Aug 29, 2007) Killed two firefighters causing City of Boston to begin requiring exhaust cleaners be certified. 1996 TS - Louisville, KT 2002 AM - Key Largo, FL TS - Louisville, KT 2001 2000 AM - Nassau, Bahamas TS - Chicago, IL TS - Chicago, IL NFPA 96 signifigantly reorganized. Bernard Besal represents IKECA on NFPA 96 technical committee The Scratch Pad becomes The Journal 1997 AM - Ft. Lauderdale, FL TS - Forth Worth, TX 1998 AM - New Orleans, LA Text of "Properly trained, qualified and certified company or person(s)" added to NFPA 96 and Fire-extinguishing equipment (Chapter 7) completely revised 1991 New NFPA 96 1989 IKECA Founded 1990 AM - Chicago, IL First issue of The Scratch Pad 1993 TS - Ft. Worth, TX 1992 AM - Ft. Lauderdale, FL TS - Forth Worth, TX 1994 AM - New Orleans, LA TS - Fort Worth, TX Chapters on Solid Fuel and Recirculating Systems added to NFPA 96 Thank you to the volunteers who helped to create this timeline. Know more about IKECA? Contact HQ to add your “piece of history” to our clean ductwork tale! THE IKECA JOURNAL SPRING 2014 | PAGE 13 25 Years of IKECA “Journal”-ism An Editorial of IKECA’s Editorials By Neal Iorii, Jr., CECS, CESI, Olympia Maintenance About Me I work with my father, Neal Iorii, Sr., at Olympia Maintenance, Inc. The company was founded by my father more than 45 years ago. We provide kitchen exhaust cleaning (among other services) to Chicago and the greater Chicagoland area. As the son of a kitchen exhaust cleaner (KEC), I was born into this industry and at 38 years of age, IKECA has been a part of my life longer than it hasn’t. As I began my journey in the KEC industry, I decided to get involved with IKECA (like my father) and have served on the board for seven years as a director. So when I was asked to lead the charge in collecting historical items, I jumped at the chance to go back in time and reminisce about the early days of IKECA. Barney Besal sent me a stack of past issues of The Scratch Pad (the journal before it was the Journal—see the first edition republished in this issue); what a blast from the past! I thought I would take a few moments to share with everyone some tidbits from my walk down memory lane. What I Found 1990: George Bush, Sr., was the U.S. President, I was a freshman in high school, and IKECA released The Scratch Pad. It was a three-page, 8.5 × 11” black-and-white production, and by today’s standards, it looks like it came from a museum and should have had a “Wanted Dead or Alive” picture on the back page. By no means was it the full-color magazine that we have come to expect today. It read more like a bulletin than anything else: meeting updaters, dates for future meetings (IKECA’s and other organizations), and requests for members to send in “camera ready” logos and to recruit more members. However, considering it came out one year after the organization was founded, it was fantastic. By volume two, only one year later, it was six pages long. It contained articles written by members with technical tips and IKECA membership and meeting updates as well as NFPA 96 updates and letters from members commenting on the previous IKECA conference, which occurred in Phoenix. As I read through the following years’ issues, it seemed we were writing about the same topics over and over again (i.e., membership growth, certification growth, connecting with AHJs, and so on). There were, of course, some snippets of new subject matter that would pop up from time to time, but it seemed as if we constantly fell back on the same themes. Even though I knew I was wrong, I began thinking to myself that it doesn’t seem as if we have come very far at all; according to our own writings, we are still talking about the same issues today that we were talking about in 1992. Then I reread a very small article in the May 2000 issue from the IKECA president at the time, Tim Greene (Airways Cleaning & Fireproofing, Ft. Lauderdale, FL), about NFPA approaching IKECA for insight on improving their 96 Standard. After reading Mr. Greene’s article a second time, I began to realize that even though we were discussing the same subPAGE 14 | SPRING 2014 jects, it was the contents within those subjects that showed how much our association and, by extension, our industry was growing and the strides IKECA has made. The 2000 article came only two and a half years after an article by Rod Getz (Getz Fire Equipment, Peoria, IL) in 1997 about NFPA not even acknowledging any of the issues IKECA representatives had brought to NFPA’s table. Even though both articles were about NFPA, the contents of the two were completely different. But it made me stop and think about how much of the content in NFPA 96 came from collaboration with IKECA. And today, NFPA 96 2014’s annex references IKECA’s own ANSI standard, ANSI/IKECA C10-2011 Standard for Cleaning of Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Systems. It hit me like a ton of bricks. IKECA has accomplished an astonishing number of the goals it set out to achieve! Our certification program started in 1996 with only 39 people receiving their CECS, compared to hundreds of CECSs, CESIs, and CECTs around the world in 2014. Our membership growth has been constant and stable throughout the years. We currently have AHJs who are members, some of whom come to our conferences not only to speak, but also to gain valuable industry information from IKECA. In 2002, Bernard Besal (Besal Services, Inc., Atlanta, GA) wrote an article for the Journal (The Scratch Pad became the Journal in 2001) about the need for a kitchen exhaust cleaning standard. Less than a decade later, IKECA released its very own ANSI Standard (ANSI/IKECA C10)! Moreover, in this issue of the Journal, readers will learn more about the adoption of ANSI/IKECA C10 in the International Fire Code. The achievements made by IKECA, clearly documented throughout the years in The Scratch Pad and Journal in 25 short years, are simply amazing! To some of our newer members or newer companies out there, this might not seem like too much to accomplish in 25 years. You have to keep in mind, when IKECA started, very few people knew the KEC industry even existed. There were very few standards and even fewer regulations. IKECA was not spawned by another association with a baseline of how to operate. It was started by 12 individuals who saw a need for organization and standards within the industry. They only had notes and white paper scribbling on how the association should be operated and what its mission and purpose should be. IKECA persevered through good and bad economic times, continuing the work set forth by the founders. What I Learned In the end, as much fun as I had looking at the old publications—laughing to myself at how they were printed, seeing the old pictures of who had dark hair and now has gray hair (Jim Roberts) or who had hair and no longer does (me)—this little project really opened my eyes to the accomplishments this young association has made. Having been on the “inside,” Continued on page 16 THE IKECA JOURNAL Thoughts About IKECA Celebrating 25 Years By Mike Gronlund, CECS, CESI, Enviromatic With IKECA celebrating its 25th year of promoting better KEC, I too have been reflecting on the past couple of decades and comparing them to our current procedures. I began my KEC career more than 34 years ago as an 18-yearold. I, of course, like all other 18-year-olds, knew everything about everything—both at home and at work! After all, you can’t teach someone what they think they already know, right? Well, of course, I was not nearly as wise as I thought I was, and it took parents, siblings, coworkers, friends—and maturity—to figure that out. “Slinging grease” in the ’80s was not much different than it is now, in principle. You start at the top and work your way down! I always thought we did a good job of policing ourselves, but frankly, to today’s standards, we too were somewhat lacking. Our services, as we all know, are more hidden than most jobs. We work while others are sleeping; they trust we are doing our jobs correctly and rely too much on hope! Some companies still take way too many shortcuts and leave customers at risk. I’m not sure I will ever see the day that this behavior is totally eradicated, but we are definitely making improvements! When IKECA was being formed, most of us were taking filters—often aluminum mesh at that—leaning them against the curb, and blasting them clean under the stars. The runoff was not something people were concerned with back then. The first time I recall it being an issue was when we were cleaning a kitchen in a large office building. They had a beautiful duck pond with a fountain in the middle of it. We cleaned the filters outside and, an hour later, noticed foam and bubbles coming up from the fountain; the runoff had gone into the pond and created a bubble-making machine. I also remember the cost of time and material it took to normalize the pH level of the duck pond. Today, this mistake would be unheard of! Most of us won’t dump a clean water reservoir outside let alone allow chemicals into the rainwater system. This is one very large improvement that we, as an industry, have taken great steps to make happen. Most of us old-timers have seen many nearly unbelievable situations over time, such as wooden and cardboard access panels, fans swimming in their own grease, electrical nightmares of all kinds, grease build-up that looked like the entrance to underground caves, and systems with no fire suppression. And let’s not forget the old fire-suppression systems; setting one off was equal to shaking a 20-pound bag of flour in a kitchen. Safety is another area that has greatly improved. I can remember stacking milk crates up instead of using a step ladder, eye protection was for wimps, and chemical burns were way too common. Luck alone was the reason many of us survived those more careless years. Today, our attention to safety is much more dedicated than I ever thought it could be. This is a huge and proud achievement brought on by dedication and learned methods though networking, seminars, and numerous safety programs. For a while, I thought restaurant managers from back in the day knew more about their stores than the managers of today. The GM used to be responsible for everything; now things are divvied up with facility specialists and middleman service companies handling various maintenance responsibilities, making our jobs to educate the customers that much more important. We may train one manager about properly inspecting his or her Continued on next page We also ran into so many duct systems that appeared to have been constructed with an assortment of metals and bolted, glued, caulked, or folded together. Grease would be leaking severely into attic areas, saturating wood beams, and ceiling fans would have the bare wires running right up through a hole in the duct that looked like it was chewed open by a German shepherd. I distinctly remember one customer storing a case of matches on top of his horizontal grease duct. Mushroom downblast fans would turn roofs into mushy, destroyed material that you would swear would have you falling through to the attic with one false move. Hood stickers were unheard of, and access panels, if installed at all, may have been on the bottom of the duct screwed in with 50 machine screws and made of material not much stronger than foil. THE IKECA JOURNAL SPRING 2014 | PAGE 15 Continued from previous page restaurant, and that manager, in turn, may work for 10 different restaurants in his or her career, continuing to spread that learned knowledge to other members of each organization. The respect of our industry is, to me, by far the most important aspect our organization has improved. Customers, AHJs, and other trades have a much better attitude toward our cleaners. Authorities having jurisdiction have made some of the greatest strides in the past 25 years. Many of us have taken their attention to fire safety and gotten them to focus much more on the nuances of our work. We have taken them under our wing, often one at a time, and worked in unison to make inspections and requirements much more effective. This and, of course, the very successful work done with ANSI and NFPA to change requirements have strengthened the organization to a place many thought was unreachable. So I guess as long as scrapers remain sharp, chemicals continue to cut grease, and techs are willing to work while the world is at rest, we will continue to succeed in an industry that is gaining respect every year. As technology changes and adds to our tasks with pollution-control devices, rooftop grease-retention systems, wastewater restrictions, and other challenges for us to keep clean kitchen exhaust systems, we collectively will always find a way to tackle the problems. What the next 25 years will bring is yet to be seen, but I do know that, every year, our level of pride has grown for the contributions and positive strides that we have taken as fire-safety professionals. Another change that I have observed is the respect our crews now receive from our customers. We used to be looked at as “bottom-feeders,” if you will, people looked down on us because of (mostly) our appearance, which was a result of what it took to accomplish our tasks. IKECA as a group has improved the perception of field crew members as essential fire-prevention specialists instead of just dirty guys working in their kitchens. Mike Gronlund, CECS, CESI, is the operations manager and safety director for Enviromatic Corporation of America. Continued from page 14 I have come to realize that we, as a relatively young organization, have accomplished a lot in promoting life safety and fire prevention by kitchen exhaust cleaning to a higher standard. I want to thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope you had as much fun reading this as I did writing it. Next to being on IKECA’s ANSI consensus body, this has been the best project I have ever worked on for IKECA! A special thanks to Barney Besal for sending me the past publications and to my dad PAGE 16 | SPRING 2014 for joining IKECA all those years ago. I can’t wait to see what the issues of the Journal from the next 25 years brings! Neal Iorii, Jr., CECS, CESI, currently serves on the IKECA board of directors and is a member of the certification committee. THE IKECA JOURNAL 25 Years of IKECA Meetings 1997 Tech Seminar - Forth Worth More than 80 people attended the 1997 Technical Seminar 1997 Tech Seminar - Forth Worth Jim Roberts, CECS, demonstrates duct access door installation 2001 Tech Seminar - Chicago Attendees had the opportunity to meet with Exhibitors at Friday’s luncheon. 2001 Tech Seminar - Chicago Chuck Samples of Sani-Vac and Harris Rothenburg at the Airways Supply Booth. 2001 Tech Seminar - Chicago Information and ideas were exchanged among members and program speakers at the technical sessions. 2001 Tech Seminar - Chicago Saturday’s product demonstrations gave members the opportunity to try out various types of pressure washing equipment. 2001 Tech Seminar - Chicago David Nowack, Fat Free Systems; Neal Iorii, Sr. and Jr., Olympic Maintenance, and Tim Greene, Airways Cleaning & Fire Proofing enjoy catching up with each other at the Welcome Reception. 2001 Annual Meeting - Bahamas Bernard Besal is presented with a plaque for his service to IKECA by President Tim Greene. 2001 Annual Meeting - Bahamas Members enjoy catching up with each other at the IKECA Reception. 2006 Annual Meeting - Key Largo Harris Rothernberg, Past President. 2006 Annual Meeting - Key Largo Rose and Neal Iorii, Sr. 2012 Annual Meeting - San Francisco Barney Besal, Kathy Slomer and Jim Roberts at 2013 Tech Seminar - Phoenix 2013 Tech Seminar, Group Dinner - Phoenix Understanding Dampers and Fusible Links Used in Commercial Cooking Operations By Michael J. Laderoute, Globe Technologies There has been much evolution in ventilation systems designed to capture and remove cooking grease–laden vapors from the kitchens of our restaurants. NFPA 96, Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations, Section 3.3.33 defines a hood as a device provided for a cooking appliance(s) to direct and capture grease-laden vapors and exhaust gases. Although a simplistic definition, this apparatus has become quite sophisticated over the years. Today’s ventilation systems include variable-speed exhaust fans, duct-temperature sensors, integral water wash, ultraviolet technology, air- and/or exhaust-control dampers, and fresh-air makeup, just to name a few. Like all mechanical devices, it is imperative that ventilation systems be maintained in order for them to function properly. Periodic inspection and cleaning of a ventilation system is necessary to avoid grease buildup, which could fuel PAGE 26 | SPRING 2014 a fire should one occur. NFPA 96, Table 11.4 offers a recommended inspection schedule, and if the exhaust system is found to be contaminated with deposits from grease-laden vapors, the contaminated portions of the exhaust system shall be cleaned by a properly trained, qualified, and certified person(s) acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction. Additionally, some components within the ventilation system may require maintenance or replacement at regular intervals. One such component is the fusible link that may be part of a damper assembly within the exhaust or fresh-air makeup ducts. The exhaust damper is designed to prevent fire from propagating down the duct. The fresh-air damper is designed to close off the fresh air to the ventilation system so as not to fuel a fire should it occur. NFPA 96 provides guidance as to when these dampers require maintenance or when fusible links, if used, need replacement. Section 11.3.1 states fusible links on fire damper assemblies shall be replaced at least semiannually or more frequently as necessary. NFPA 96 also serves to remind us, in Sections 11.6.6 and 11.6.7, that cleaning chemicals shall not be applied on fusible links. If it is suspected that any fusible link has been exposed to solvents, cleaning aids, or chemicals, fusible link replacement is necessary. 11.3.2.2 states replacement shall be made by a certified person acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction. It is common within our industry for this maintenance to be performed by the contractor who performs periodic cleaning of the exhaust system. Just as common is this maintenance being performed by the contractor responsible for the semiannual inspection of the fire-extinguishing system. Regardless of who performs this required maintenance, it is imperative it be performed THE IKECA JOURNAL Continued from previous page by trained and certified person(s) who are knowledgeable about dampers and their designs, operations, and installation requirements. Fusible links are available in many different shapes, sizes, temperature ratings, construction, and load ratings. Each fusible link is individually UL-listed for use with the damper assembly. Before replacing a fusible link as part of a damper assembly, be sure that any replacement meets the requirements of the original and that the fusible link is listed for the application. These fusible links are designed to operate at lower temperatures than are customary in the typical fireextinguishing system, so don’t be fooled thinking all fusible links are the same. All dampers must operate prior to any operation of the fire-suppression system as designed. Dampers can prevent fire from propagating into the duct work or shut off fresh air supplied to the ventilation system during a fire. The fusible links above have different characteristics even though they may look similar. Not only is the temperature rating of the fusible link important, but the load rating is as well. Note, one fusible link is designed with a three-pound minimum load rating, and another is designed with a five-pound minimum load THE IKECA JOURNAL rating. Additionally, the same is true for the maximum load rating. Note that one fusible link is designed with a 10-pound maximum load rating, and another is designed with a 45-pound maximum load rating. These load ratings play an important role in how the fusible link will behave should it ever be called upon. Too little minimum load rating can affect the performance of the fusible link as it may take much more heat to cause separation. Any unnecessary delay in a fusible link separating or a damper closing can have an effect on the end result. Too much maximum load rating can also affect the fusible link as it may take much less heat to cause separation. Premature separation of the link could result in unwanted or undesired operation of the dampers, resulting in ventilation system shutdown during normal cooking conditions. In each case, the results are not as intended, and because the minimum and maximum load ratings are not within the specification for the damper or of the fusible link, performance and operation of the damper is unknown. Proper fusible link selection is critical to the overall success of the ventilation system and damper assembly working as designed. The key to that success is properly performed maintenance by a trained and certified person(s) as well as using recognized, approved, listed com- ponents to assure proper operation of the damper and the ventilation system. IKECA members are fortunate as the association provides a certification program to its members. Additionally, associate members of the association make available products, specifications, bulletins, manuals, and technical support should it be requested by the members of the association. Knowing where and how to find answers to your questions is right within your association. IKECA is also in the development of ANSI standards that will guide you in the months and years ahead. Globe is proud to be a member of the ANSI consensus committee as well as an associate member of IKECA. Through product knowledge, educational training, and maintenance, damper assemblies within ventilation systems can function as intended for many years to come. Michael J. Laderoute is vice president of sales, Globe Technologies. Globe is a U.S. manufacturer of fusible release devices. Laderoute has more than 47 years’ experience in all aspects of fire protection for commercial cooking operations. He has served as a technical committee member of NFPA 1, 10, 17, 17A, 96, 101, 505, and 5000. SPRING 2014 | PAGE 27 Using Product Knockoffs in Your Business? Rethink the Value By Brian Smith, Omni Containment Systems Most of us do not think about who owns the intellectual property of the products and materials we use in our daily lives. But the truth is patent infringement and the manufacture and distribution of knockoff products is a crime against the inventor, the manufacturer, licensed distributors, and installation companies as well as the end users. In addition, you could potentially be endangering the public and property by not using proper materials and/or procedures designed for the patented product. This unethical and illegal practice could result in a failure that creates safety issues for the public. Knockoff products are not limited to Rolex watches or movies on DVD; many products used by both personal and business consumers can be copied and sold to unsuspecting consumers. These items can include chemicals, mechanical devices, or even products needed for compliance or certification. product but not a knockoff or altered product. Also, products that are not serviced correctly or have improper replacement parts can cause residual long-term liabilities that include property loss, safety, or other legal compliance issues. The liability trail begins with the consumer end user when dealing with a knockoff product that fails. When a malfunction occurs, the consumer is likely left with a failed product and a damaged facility in addition to the possibility of injuries. When the consumer learns that a system has failed, he or she, in turn, blames the installer or the manufacturer. When this occurs with an OEM product, the product liability insurance covers failure of their product. All credible service companies carry liability insurance that covers any failure caused by work they perform. The issue becomes increasingly complex if the insurance carrier determines that it was not the product or that it was a lack of proper maintenance of the product that caused the failure. At this point, all bets could be off for the service company and the end user. Who is ultimately responsible for patent infringement violations? The answer might not be as simple or as clear as it seems. With complicated supply chains and the use of expanded distribution networks, many times we are buying products through companies that are far removed from the manufacturer. We may also come across a particular system at a customers’ site and think we can do better than what the manufacturer recommends or that we can reduce costs by making our own improvised service plan for a particular product. One question you should ask yourself is this: Will my business liability insurance cover me if a product I design, sell, or install fails at my customers’ business? Also, by altering the original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM’s) system, you take on the liability of failure if the product does not perform as it was intended, one of the many potential negative consequences of altering OEM equipment or making your own. Manufacturers carry specialized product liability insurance that not only protects them, but also protects you and your customer in the event of a failure. Product liability insurance is voided or nonexistent for knockoff or altered products. Another area in which product infringement can become an issue is with safety. Products not manufactured with the proper materials can fail, which may cause slip-and-fall and/or fire hazards in a business environment. Products built as copies or with substandard practices can also cause other systems to fail, creating residual liabilities that may be covered by an OEM PAGE 28 | SPRING 2014 THE IKECA JOURNAL Continued from previous page Companies may also use OEM replacement parts not manufactured by the original manufacturer. The question a consumer or service company must ask is does the use of a non-OEM part negate my original warranty or cause potential liability if the system fails? Most OEM replacement manufacturers carry additional warranties and/or make additional assertions that sometimes supersede and exceed the OEM system’s protection. Make sure, if you’re using OEM replacements, that you’re using them from a reputable company that stands behind its product in the event of a failure. Another liability that comes with using unauthorized replacements is potential patent law violations. The use of products that infringe on a patent can cause losses that exceed the original cost of the product. End users and the companies that install infringing products can be held liable to replace the product and for any damages caused. These types of actions can also lead to costly legal fees and loss of time as you try to unravel how a product was used that violates patent law. You also run the risk of ruining your personal reputation and that of your company when a customer learns that he has liabilities because a knockoff was used on his property. Brian Smith is chief operating officer of Omni Containment Systems, a leading manufacturer of products for the restaurant and industrial hood and facility maintenance industry. He has spent his 26-year career consulting to the industry around the world and holds a Ph.D. in industrial psychology, a M.S. in information management systems, and a B.S. in accounting. Smith is also a Master Six Sigma Black Belt and has served on numerous educational and charitable boards and is a Rotarian. ©Individual Advantages, LLC. 2014 Using Product Knockoffs in Your Business? Rethink the Value. It may appear that you are doing a service to your customers by saving them money when installing nonOEM products or replacement parts during routine service intervals. In reality, cutting corners with non-OEM products creates undue risk for your customers and for your own company. The smart move, and the ethical and legal option, is to make sure you are using OEM or advertised OEM replacement materials when servicing your clients’ locations. Request clarification from your distributor and/or manufacturer on the products you’re buying, so you know you and your customer are backed by proper product liability insurance and product warranties and that you’re buying a product that does not violate intellectual property laws in the United States. THE IKECA JOURNAL SPRING 2014 | PAGE 29 Welcome New Members New Members Active Members AAA Backflow Prevention Service, Stockton, CA Northern Industrial Services Group Inc., Timmins, ON Tecnaclean, Inc., Warrenton, VA American Technologies, Inc., Hayward, CA J.T. Martin Fire & Safety, Clarksburg, WV International Members Boongalla Group Pty Ltd, Bayswater, Australia Top United Interior Decor & Contracting Co, Salmiya, Kuwait IAQ Diagnostics SDN BHD, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Kleenduct Australia Pty Ltd., VIC, Australia AHJ Members Raymond Jean- Guy, Saint-Jerome Fire Dept, Saint-Jerome, Quebec Aspiros Sylvie, Saint-Eustache Fire Department, Saint-Eustache, Quebec Bell Stephane, Saint-Eustache Fire Department, Saint-Eustache, Quebec Gatien Steve, Saint-Eustache Fire Department, Saint-Eustache, Quebec Toddy Nathalie, Saint- Eustache Fire Department, Saint-Eustache, Quebec Caya Sylvain, Sécurité incendie, Ste-Anne-des-Plaines, Quebec Coté Jacques, Sécurité incendie de Blainville, Blainville, Quebec Faber Douglas E, Fort Eustis Fire & Emergency Services, Ft Eustis, VA Lafleur N., Ville de Sainte-Thérèse, Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec Lauzon Robert, Sécurité incendie ville de St-Jérôme, Saint-Jérôme, Quebec Ouimet Mélanie, Sécurité incendie de Blainville, Blainville, Quebec Touchette Julien, Sécurité incendie Mirabel, Mirabel, Quebec Laska Michael, City of Eauclaire Fire Department, Eauclaire, WI Anderson James, Collinsville Fire Department, Collinsville, IL Zoda Vincent, Pyramid Management Group, LLC, Poughkeepsie, NY Hangge Michael, City of Ellsworth Fire Department, Ellsworth, ME Lafond Frank J.E., Greater Toronto Airports Authority, Toronto, Ontario DuBois Dan, Gilbert Fire Department, Gilbert, AZ Allen Matthew, Massachusetts State Fire Marshal, Stow, MA Beaudin David J., Massachusetts State Fire Marshal, Stow, MA Melillo Robert, Mount Kisco Building Department, Mount Kisco, NY Emmel David, Nassau County Fire Marshal, Westbury, NY Has Your Information Changed? Member contacts can easily change the information on their membership record by logging in to Members Only on www.ikeca.org, or contact association headquarters. IKECA 100 North 20th Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19103 (215) 320-3876 [email protected] PAGE 30 | SPRING 2014 THE IKECA JOURNAL AHJ Corner Exhaust Cleaners Need Partners in Fire Prevention Efforts By Fire Prevention Officer Robert Marshall Captain Marshall is the Fire Prevention Officer at the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District in California. As a member of an authority having jurisdiction, kitchen exhaust cleaning had always perplexed me. The Fire Code says the ducts and hoods need to be clean but offers little guidance beyond that. Oftentimes, the call for the AHJ is easy. Seeing streaks of grease running down the baffles is a pretty good indication that the cleaning program is ineffective. But what if you can barely see the grease on the stainless steel? How much is too much? Now, after taking some of the AHJ training offered by IKECA in San Francisco, it is no longer a mystery. During this same training was when I was introduced to ANSI/IKECA C10. The training, in conjunction with the newly introduced standard, opened my eyes to something I had always suspected. I was doing it wrong. Bigger than that revelation was understanding that the proper cleaning of ducts is the key to ensuring the fire-protection systems required by AHJs all over the country depend on the cleaning of the hood and exhaust ducts. THE IKECA JOURNAL As inspectors, we typically see these systems during, for lack of a better term, the heat of battle. The systems are always hot, cooking in full swing. We don’t usually have the ability to see the systems when they are cold, when we can take the baffles out and use our flashlights to inspect the ducts on the inside. We typically do not carry ladders with us so we can access the roof and check the exhaust termination. There is not a way for us to know what state of cleanliness the exhaust system is in beyond what we see on the outside although we may suspect otherwise. We know when there are problems with the cleanliness because we get fires. Unfortunately, fire-protection systems are not 100% effective. Our best defense would be to ensure a clean hood and duct. So there are two areas in which hood cleaners can help us as code enforcers. The first is to ensure a thorough cleaning. Both scraping the duct surfaces and cleaning the entire duct (including the roof components) go a long way toward reducing fire risk. Probably the most important aspect here for the AHJ is to ensure that the label stating the date the duct was cleaned is placed on the hood. This is key for us to make sure that the hood is being cleaned regularly and to evaluate if the duct is being cleaned often enough. The fire code allows the AHJ to adjust cleaning schedules if grease buildups are excessive. The label helps us tell if the grease we see is the result of two weeks of buildup, or five months of buildup. Another way cleaners can help AHJs is to take photos of the condition of the duct before and after cleaning. This is important for two reasons: First, you, as the cleaners, are the only ones who will be able to see the condition of the inside of the duct. When an AHJ goes for an inspection, the hood is in use, so photos taken during a shutdown are our only way to see inside. The second reason is related to cleaning frequency. Photos can help us better evaluate time between cleanings and can also give us an idea of the long-term issues related to cleaning. For example, is the heaviest cleaning needed during the summer? Can we adjust the cleaning schedule to better reflect how that kitchen is used? Both examples illustrate why we need cleaners as our partners in fire prevention. With the adoption of ANSI/IKECA C10 into the 2015 International Fire Code, AHJs have a powerful new tool to help us with our efforts. The details within C10 regarding qualifications will help us to know those qualified to do the work will know what the AHJ expects of them, providing accountability. The safety considerations will help us to know that the cleaning is being done safely. The detailed explanation of what is to be cleaned helps us know that the whole system will be cleaned, not just those parts we can see with our boots on the ground. Last, the provisions for labeling help us to know that the system was cleaned on a schedule as required by the fire code, but it also helps the AHJ know if more frequent cleanings are required. As you can imagine, AHJs have tremendous responsibility to ensure that those businesses and their patrons within our jurisdictions are safe. If a business has a fire, it affects us all, whether from the loss of income to the business, the loss of revenue to the jurisdiction, or the loss of a favorite restaurant for the patron. But while the enforcement responsibility falls to the jurisdiction, the prevention of a fire cannot occur without the partnership of the kitchen and exhaust cleaners giving us a helping hand. SPRING 2014 | PAGE 31 New Certifications Congratulations to those who achieved their certification this year! CECS Certified Exhaust Cleaning Specialist PECT Professional Exhaust Cleaning Technician (designation) • Avi Shendy United Hood Cleaning, Inc. • Ali Hussein Nelbud Services Group, Inc. • Bernard Kailey Kailey Services LLC • Antonio Rodriguez Nelbud Services Group, Inc. • Carlos Roque American Technologies, Inc. • Brian Copland Power King Exhaust Cleaning • David Ridenour J.T. Martin Fire & Safety • Dennis Allen Allen Commercial Cleaning Services • Edwin Acera Mheadstar Philippines, Inc. • Brian Beals Nelbud Services Group, Inc. • Carlos Aponte Nelbud Services Group, Inc. • Eric Kral Western Commercial Services • Chris Donkers Power King Exhaust Cleaning • Freddie Williams Triple B Cleaning, Inc. • Christopher Dozier Nelbud Services Group, Inc. • J. Steven Collender ASAP Fire and Safety Corp. • Daniel Shirey Grease Stop, LLC • Jason Watt Hood Steamers • Devon Roberson Nelbud Services Group, Inc. • Jim Simmons Commercial Services, Inc. dba Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning, Inc. • Edwin Martinez Nelbud Services Group, Inc. • Jordan Lee AAA Backflow Prevention Service • Emily Maywood Pressure Kleen Services Company, Inc. • Justine Cloutier Northern Industrial Services Group Inc. • Garrett Arai AQUA PRO Inc. • Lane Corley Blast Masters, Inc. • Hugh Brown Interstate Fire & Safety • Larry Gwin Gwin’s Steam Cleaning, Inc. • Thomas Boylan Building Maintenance & Management Service, Inc. • Thomas Lucci ASAP Fire and Safety Corp. • Travis Simmons Hardgrove Fire Protection and Hoodcleaning PAGE 32 | SPRING 2014 Equipment Company, Inc. • Jason Gustavson Service Tech Corporation • Jawad Abdulrahman Nelbud Services Group, Inc. • Jean Chalonec Interstate Fire & Safety Equipment Company, Inc. • Michael Andreacchio Grease Stop, LLC • Mick Lester Nelbud Services Group, Inc. • Mike Yoder AQUA PRO Inc. • Mike Williams Nelbud Services Group, Inc. • Jeffrey Gilfillan, III Grease Stop, LLC • Raymond Johnson Nelbud Services Group, Inc. • Joe Gutierrez Service Tech Corporation • Ricardo Williams Nelbud Services Group, Inc. • Jose Duque Interstate Fire & Safety Equipment Company, Inc. • Richard Trangucci Interstate Fire & Safety Equipment Company, Inc. • Josue Martinez Nelbud Services Group, Inc. • Scott Rhoads Nelbud Services Group, Inc. • Kyle Brudy A.B.C. Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning, Inc. • Shahbaz Ahmad Pressure Kleen Services Company, Inc. • Landon Johnson A.B.C. Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning, Inc. • Terrell Monette Derby Pressure Wash • Luis Molina Nelbud Services Group, Inc. • Matt Kaufman Power King Exhaust Cleaning • Tyler Beimler Nelbud Services Group, Inc. • William Altman Grease Stop, LLC BCCS Boston Certified Cleaning Specialist • Robert Cumming One Call Ventilation • Corey Murphy Air Duct Services • Sovina Vat Cochrane Ventilation, Inc. • Mark Jordan Air Duct Services • Cory Olenik CS Ventilation • Kiefer Koester Tri State Hood and Duct, LLC • Steven Barbosa Omni Pro, Inc • Graham Cochrane Cochrane Ventilation, Inc. • Andrew Navarro One Call Ventilation THE IKECA JOURNAL CECT Certified Exhaust Cleaning Technician • Curtis Kidd Protect Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning, LLC • Emmanuel Alcana Airways Systems, Inc. • Ismael Benitez Airways Systems, Inc. • Ruben Covarrubias Airways Systems, Inc. • Anthony Foster Sani-Vac Service, Inc. • George Johnson Airways Systems, Inc. • Bret Nicol The Steam Guy • Nafez Hassan Airways Systems, Inc. • Raul Garcia Airways Systems, Inc. • Frank Moreno Airways Systems, Inc. • Celestino Alvarado Airways Systems, Inc. • Jacobo Zarinana Airways Systems, Inc. • Reginaldo Benitez Airways Systems, Inc. CESI Certified Exhaust System Inspector • Edwin Dominguez, Triple B Cleaning, Inc. • Curtis Kidd Protect Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning, LLC • Eric Kral Western Commercial Services • Jeff Veitch Hardgrove Fire Protection and Hoodcleaning • Francisco Mendez Triple B Cleaning, Inc. • Pacheco Osiris Triple B Cleaning, Inc. THE IKECA JOURNAL SPRING 2014 | PAGE 33 IKECA Board of Directors 2013-2014 Submit an Article for the IKECA Journal Contribute to the conversation in the commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning industry – write an article for the next issue of the IKECA Journal. Articles should be on current subjects of interest to those in cleaning and inspection, including contractors, fire authorities, insurance providers, facility managers and owner/operators. PRESIDENT Jack Grace, CECS, CESI (2014) Western Commercial Services Las Vegas, NV [email protected] PRESIDENT-ELECT * Your perspective on today’s industry topics Kathy Slomer, CECS (2016) Kool Kleen Inc. Murrysville, PA [email protected] * Share your story with an innovation or new device or procedure TREASURER * Your personal experience that offers lessons learned * Best practices on maintenance or repair * Frequently asked questions that you want to answer * Personnel or staffing tips that you’ve learned Details • View IKECA’s full Article Submission Guidelines for all details. • Email complete articles to [email protected] • Articles should be between 750 and 2,000 words (between 1 ½ to 4 typed pages) • Charts, tables and photos are welcome, subject to editorial approval • Include a short biography of the author (50 words) • Articles must be educational and informative in nature, and must not be advertisements for specific good or services. All are subject to review, approval and editing before publication. Share your Ideas Not sure about writing an article? Our professional staff will help you “polish” your article. Don’t let the thought that “I’m not a writer” stop you from sharing your ideas or perspective. Need more incentive? Earn CEUs! Need continuing education credits to maintain your certification? Earn 0.3 CEU for submitting an article for publication in the IKECA Journal. DIRECTORS Bill Doherty, CECS, CESI (2014) Pressure Kleen Services Company, Inc. Toronto, Ontario Canada [email protected] Anne Levine, CECS (2015) Applied Building Technologies Baltimore, MD [email protected] Jesse Getz, CECS (2014) Getz Fire Equipment Co. Peoria, IL [email protected] Frank Mitarotonda, CECS, CESI (2015) Chief Fire Prevention Mount Vernon, NY [email protected] SECRETARY Grant Mogford, CECS, CESI (2015) Flue Steam, Inc. Culver City, CA [email protected] Randall Rauth, CECS (2014) Hood Cleaning, Inc. Waukesha, WI [email protected] IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Robert D. Schuler, CECS, CESI All Clean Pro Services Sarasota, FL [email protected] Don Pfleiderer (2016) Envormatic Corporation of America Minneapolis, MN [email protected] Neal A. Iorri, Jr. (2016) Olympia Maintenance, Inc Melrose Park, IL [email protected] Your Ad Here How many potential customers might you reach through an advertisement in the IKECA Journal? Advertise in the IKECA Journal Published – two times per year Circulation – 500+ IKECA member and industry companies. Published online and accessible by IKECA members Editorial includes Feature Stories, How To Articles, Educational opportunities and much more! Contact [email protected] for a rate sheet and advertising specifications. Questions? Call IKECA at 215-320-3876 or email [email protected]. PAGE 34 | SPRING 2014 THE IKECA JOURNAL