Industry News

Atlanta — ASHRAE has published a revised edition of its standard that provides a more comprehensive approach to preventing the growth and spread of Legionella.

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188-2018, Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems establishes minimum legionellosis risk management requirements for building water systems. The 2018 edition provides clarification of compliance requirements, as well as an update to enforceable, code-intended language to facilitate adoption of the standard for code and regulatory purposes.

The standard was originally developed to assist designers and building operators establish water management plans that include practices specific to the systems that exist in a particular building, campus or health care facility. It is intended for use by those involved in design, construction, installation, commissioning, operation, maintenance, and service of centralized building water systems and components.

“Standard 188 was the first industry standard in the U.S. to address Legionnaire’s disease prevention,” said Paul Lindahl, chair of the Standard 188 committee. “Since this standard centers on the development and implementation of good design, operations and maintenance procedures, it is important to make updates on a regular basis. The 2018 edition of the standard focuses on improved usability, offering better guidance to minimize the risk of this potentially fatal disease and save lives.”

The 2018 edition of Standard 188 provides:

• A description of environmental conditions that promote the growth of Legionella.
• Informative annexes and bibliography with suggestions, recommendations, and references to additional guidance.
• Minimum Legionellosis risk management requirements for buildings and associated potable and non-potable water systems.
• Requirements for Legionellosis control strategies and documentation.

The CDC estimates there are between 8,000 and 18,000 cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the United States each year – and more than 10 percent of these cases are fatal. Legionella can also cause a less-severe influenza-like illness known as Pontiac Fever. Most of those cases are the result of exposure to Legionella found in building water systems.

The cost of ASHRAE Standard 188-2018 is $75 for ASHRAE members ($88, non-members). To order, visit www.ashrae.org/bookstore or contact ASHRAE Customer Contact Center at 1-800-527-4723 (United States and Canada), 404-636-8400 (worldwide) or fax 678-539-2129.

Huntington Beach, Calif. — California Faucets celebrates 30 years as a manufacturer of artisan-crafted bath and kitchen fixtures. Over the course of three decades, California Faucets has helped shape the direction of the industry, offering a versatile mix of game-changing products that look and function better. At the same time, the manufacturer has remained true to its roots by focusing on old-fashioned customer service and efficient turnaround on custom orders of its premium-quality products.

California Faucets’ history of innovation has resulted in products and technologies that have shifted the industry’s approaches to both design and performance. Most notable among those is StyleDrain®, the first decorative shower drain with fast-flow efficiency. StyleDrain transformed a category that was once restricted to lackluster, industrial-like drains into a sleek focal point. The industry took notice of California Faucets’ innovations, recognizing StyleDrain and line extensions StyleDrain® Tile and CeraLine® with numerous awards, including three prestigious Best of Year (BoY) Awards from Interior Design (ID) magazine.

A fourth ID award was bestowed upon ZeroDrain®, the world’s first “pop-down” lavatory drain that turns a utilitarian product into a sleek design statement; the drain sits flush with the sink instead of awkwardly protruding. A one-finger touch opens and closes ZeroDrain, which makes installing and cleaning it fast and easy. Another breakthrough was California Faucets’ StyleTherm®, which brought advanced thermostatic technology, previously limited to the luxury market, into an affordable price point suitable for every bathroom in the home. Thanks to creative engineering and years of development, StyleTherm offers a range of features unavailable with pressure balance systems, including dialing-in to exact temperatures, no diverter valve required to toggle between shower applications, independent volume operation for each application, anti-scald protection, and a higher water flow rate.

Along with its reputation for innovation, California Faucets prides itself on its culture rooted in old-fashioned values and fine craftsmanship. With the mantra, “artisan hands, not mass produced,” the manufacturer continues to deliver custom-built, handcrafted solid-brass fixtures in 30-plus hand-produced finishes, even as it has gradually expanded in size and industry footprint.

The wide array of finishes, including 15 decorative PVD finishes with a lifetime guarantee against tarnishing, establish the brand as a world leader in PVD while playing an important role in the manufacturer’s ability to satisfy most any design vision. In essence, by offering the ability to customize any spout in any handle in any finish, California Faucets presents users with nearly limitless design freedom.

“Thanks to my father, Fred Silverstein, California Faucets was founded in 1988 with core values of delivering high-quality decorative faucets in a timely fashion supported by superior customer service. Thirty years later, these principles remain the core of our company culture,” says Jeff Silverstein, President & CEO. “Of course, while the DNA of our company hasn’t changed, we’ve evolved immensely in terms of innovation, technology, and design,” he says, noting that three family members are by his side in their dedication to ensuring the handmade faucet company his father built continues to evolve and thrive. In order of seniority, they include Jeff’s cousin Noah Taft, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales; his sisters, Tina Silverstein, who handles the company’s digital marketing and Sue Cuthbert, who recently joined as the new product launch coordinator. “Overall, we’ve created a formula that has gratifyingly resulted in stellar growth and an ability to continue delivering our luxury designer fittings on a grander scale. I’m proud that we’ve accomplished this growth and continue to be a leader in innovation all while sticking true to the roots my father established three decades ago.”

Fred Silverstein’s cultural vision also is reflected in the company’s devotion to its Huntington Beach home base, where it employs 180 people and has earned the coveted, “Made in California” designation. “We’re extremely proud to do all of our own design, engineering, finishing, and assembly right here in Huntington Beach,” says Noah Taft, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales. “In fact, California Faucets employs more American labor per faucet sold than almost any other faucet manufacturer, a detail that is just as important to the company’s legacy as our reputation for innovation and craftsmanship.”

To see more innovations and artisanship from California Faucets’ storied history, visit www.californiafaucets.com.

QSC @ CONNECT, a three-day experience during CONNECT 2018, Oct. 10-12 in Albuquerque, will equip plumbing and HVACR service and repair contractors with real solutions to transform their businesses. Set against the majestic backdrop of the Sandia mountains and the International Balloon Fiesta, this targeted program is powered by Quality Service Contractors (QSC), an Enhanced Service Group of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association (PHCC).

“QSC looks forward to providing a comprehensive program developed specifically to meet the challenges service and repair contractors experience every day in their businesses,” says QSC Chair Dan Callies. “Besides a full-day business strategy workshop, we’re really excited about two brand new education and networking opportunities that will be offered: a Service Contractor Central and Service Contractor Solutions Pavilion. With all of these expanded chances to share ideas and best practices, contractors are definitely going to find solutions to their hot-button issues—what I like to call ‘all meat’ … no filler, no theory, no fluff … just real-world answers to their top concerns.”

Pillars of Success (with Secrets from Farmers!)
Owners and managers will get a unique, personalized opportunity to enhance their business strategy and create a strategic plan for their companies during Pillars of Success, a specialized workshop on Oct. 10. Based on the revolutionary Pillars of Success system, this highly interactive program will break down the concepts and process and help participants understand the components of a powerful and winning strategy.

Also, as part of the workshop, author and entrepreneur Mike Michalowicz will reveal what he calls “the pumpkin plan,” a simple strategy for growing a remarkable business, inspired by those he believes hold the secret to explosive growth: pumpkin farmers!

Solution Labs and Roundtables
On Oct. 11 and 12, QSC will facilitate business coach-led “how to” sessions and peer conversations tailored specifically to topics that service and repair contractors want most. Among the solutions: the do’s and don’ts of vehicle marketing, what drives customers’ decisions, 7 keys to unlocking hidden profits, and how to ensure long-term engagement and success among employees. The venue for these sessions is just as impressive, set to take place in QSC’s new Service Contractor Central, a “home away from home” conveniently located at the heart of CONNECT where contractors can network, grab snacks, and relax with their peers.

Also New This Year
QSC will give service and repair contractors a place to make the most of their time in the CONNECT exhibit hall at its new Service Contractor Solutions Pavilion. Filled with the best products and services for service contractors, this hub brings together top suppliers with solutions specifically geared for this audience.

QSC @ CONNECT is open to all CONNECT registrants, but advance registration is required because space is limited. Learn more about QSC programs at CONNECT 2018 at https://www.qsc-phcc.org/events/qsc-connect. And, check out the full CONNECT program at www.phccweb.org/connect.

Milton, Mass. — MacDougall Plumbing and Mechanical announced that they have recently re-launched their website, www.macdougallmechanical.com.

The focus of the redesign was to create a platform with a sleek, modern layout that allows users to easily access information about MacDougall’s many services which includes plumbing, heating, A/C, indoor air quality and more. Large format photos beautifully showcase the firm’s commercial and residential work in collaboration with some of the premier builders, architects and interior designers in New England.

“We are thrilled to finally have a website that we feel is on par with our brand,” States Paul MacDougall JR., Operations Manager. “MacDougall has always put our clients first and we are excited to offer them a more accessible website that we feel truly embodies who we are.”

To visit the new website, visit www.macdougallmechanical.com