Indoor Air Quality Solutions, IAQS

March 21- March 24, 2011
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada

NADCA’s Annual Meeting & Exposition represents the most productive and efficient opportunity for members of the HVAC system cleaning industry to connect – all in one place, all at one time. Annual Meeting attendees include the decision makers for our industry, and they play a central role in the purchasing process for their companies.

As the main event in the global HVAC Inspection, Maintenance and Restoration Industry, NADCA’s 2011 Annual Meeting & Exposition is a the best opportunity to gain knowledge in your field and meet with other members of the Association.

We hope you will join us in Las Vegas, Nevada, 2011 for this cutting-edge event!

Come and experience the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s reputation for being one of the best hotspots in Sin City. The property’s signature party attitude along with a jolt of sexy sophistication can be felt the moment you walk through the door. A boutique-style hotel according to Vegas standards, the Hard Rock offers a fabulous casino, poker lounge, numerous cocktail lounges, Rock Spa Fitness Center and various restaurants.

During your stay, dance the night away in Vanity or catch a show at The Joint. Dine at Nobu, recognized for its groundbreaking modern and authentic Japanese cuisine or at Rare 120 for a fabulous steak. For the more budget-conscience, stop by Mr. Lucky’s for standard diner fair, Johnny Smalls for small plates and shareable dishes or Pink Taco for traditional Mexican dishes with a California spin. In your free time, lounge by pool, a tropical paradise, home of the famous Rehab pool party. Browse the retail stores for that special souvenir of your stay at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Fly into McCarran International Airport (LAS). The hotel is 10-15 minutes from the airport and cab fare is approximately $10.

HOTEL RESERVATIONS
Reservations can be made by contacting the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino directly at (702) 693-5000, toll free (800) 473-7625. When making your room reservations, please be sure to identify yourself as attending the NADCA 2011 Annual Meeting & Exposition to receive the discounted group rate. Rooms are located in the Paradise Tower, one of the hotel’s newest towers.

$126 single/double – NOTE: Room rate includes resort fee.

Buck Sheppard, ASCS

NADCA President on Dateline Duct Cleaning Expose

This week HVAC cleaning veteran Buck Sheppard will discuss HVAC cleaning issues and the recent Dateline NBC expose on duct cleaning bait and switch scams.  The news release from NADCA states “NADCA participated in an undercover investigation by Chris Hanson and Dateline NBC to expose companies that use bait and switch tactics to take advantage of consumers.  The investigation culminated in a segment that aired January 30, 2011, featuring NADCA President Buck Sheppard as the industry expert.  After witnessing one of the scam operators in action, Sheppard was taken aback.”

Join IAQ Radio every Friday at noon to LEARN MORE about HVAC cleaning, bait and switch scams, what can be done to stop them and more on IAQ Radio!

Join Now

•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
•Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
•Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
•www.Microshield-ES.com

What can I do now to prepare myself for licensure?

Because Chapter  468, Part XVI, Florida Statutes providing for licensure and grandfathering  did not go into effect until July 1, 2010, the department did not have  authority  to approve any courses or examinations prior to that  date. We have approved the Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC) exams and are now   accepting course applications. To access the applications, click this APPLY link (or use the APPLY button on the navigation menu above).

To avoid the time and expense involved with taking  a potentially unapproved course, it is recommended that persons wishing  to become licensed should wait for the  department’s approval of course applications before taking any steps toward licensing.

•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
•Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
•Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
•www.Microshield-ES.com

DESCRIPTION:
The purpose is to provide standardized procedures to be used for the investigation of educational structures for readily observable mold or conditions associated with mold amplification. The initial investigative process includes, but is not limited to, initial information gathering, documentation of relevant historical events and observations from an on-site walk-through. There are four potential outcomes: Neither mold nor associated conditions were readily observable. Mold was not readily observable but associated conditions were. Mold was readily observed but no associated conditions were. Readily observed mold and conditions. Outcomes 2, 3 or 4 may warrant additional investigation by a qualified professional.

•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
•Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
•Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
•www.Microshield-ES.com

In January, the National Safe and Healthy Housing Coalition approved its policy agenda for FY2011 to guide its policy work. The Policy Agenda focuses on three main areas: Developing National Healthy Housing Standards; Increasing Financing Options for Healthy Housing; and Integrating Energy Efficiency and Health.

In 2010, the Coalition made the case for effective healthy housing policy in meetings with Congressional and Obama Administration leaders and in comments on emerging health, environmental, and housing programs and regulations. The Coalition:

• Advocated for Senator Jack Reed’s healthy homes legislation (S.1658 and H.R.3891) grants for community-level code enforcement (S.970 and H.R.2246) resulting in their introduction in the House and their inclusion in broader legislation for livable communities and green affordable housing.
• Countered attacks on EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP) with calls for improved capacity and implementation without delay.
• Held its first annual meeting, bringing together a diverse group of practitioners and advocates to consider the next steps in advancing healthy housing.
• Hosted briefings for US House and Senate staff in the Capitol that highlighted breakthroughs in federal policy and at the local community level.
• Continued to convene working groups to focus on essential targets for policy action.

To review the full the FY11 Policy Agenda, please  click here.

•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
•Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
•Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
•www.Microshield-ES.com

On January 12, 2011 the Department of Energy (DOE) issued new Health and Safety Guidance for its Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) grantees. The new guidance provides recommendations to grantees as they develop their health and safety plans and procedures. When making decisions on how to address health and safety issues during weatherization work, this document will be a critical reference.

Here are some of the highlights of the guidance regarding specific health and safety activities and allowable costs:

Asbestos/Vermiculite – When vermiculite is present, unless testing determines otherwise, take precautionary measures as if it contains asbestos; do not use blower door tests or personal air monitoring while in attics. Encapsulation by an appropriately trained asbestos control professional is allowed. Removal is not allowed.  Testing: Assess whether vermiculite is present. Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 (AHERA) certified prescriptive sampling is allowed by a certified tester.

• Mold – Remediation of conditions that may lead to or promote biological concerns is allowable; visual assessment required; provide client education. Where severe mold and moisture issues cannot be addressed, deferral is required. Testing: Visual assessment is required and diagnostics such as moisture meters are recommended prior to final inspection. Mold testing is not an allowable cost.
• Building Structure and Roofing:  Building rehabilitation is beyond the scope of WAP. Homes with conditions that require more than incidental repair should be deferred. Testing: Visual inspection. Ensure that access to areas necessary for weatherization is safe for entry and performance of assessment, work, and inspection.
• Combustion Safety – Proper venting to the outside for combustion appliances, including gas dryers is required. Correction of venting is allowed when testing indicates a problem. Testing: Combustion safety testing is required when combustion appliances are present. Inspect venting of combustion appliances and confirm adequate clearances. Test naturally drafting appliances for draft and spillage under worst case conditions before and after air tightening. Inspect cooking burners for operability and flame quality.
• Formaldehyde, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and other air pollutants – Removal is allowed if required and if there is a risk to workers; client education is recommended.
• Injury Prevention – Take reasonable precautions to prevent worker risks; conduct minor repairs when needed to weatherize homes; client education is recommended.
• Lead-Based Paint– Follow EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) guidelines. Testing is an allowable expense. Note: This guideline is a change.
• Pests – Pest removal is allowed where infestation would prevent weatherization. Screening windows and points of access allowable to prevent intrusion (see Table for allowances); assessment of pest presence recommended.
• Radon – When conditions permit, exposed dirt must be covered with a vapor barrier except for mobile homes; in homes where radon may be present, precautions should be taken to reduce the likeliness of making radon worse. Testing: may be allowed in locations with high radon potential. Training recommended.
• Smoke/CO Alarms – These are allowable expenses; client education is recommended.
• Spray Polyurethane Foam – Must use EPA recommendations when working within the conditioned space. Click here for full list of EPA recommendations.
• Ventilation – Following 2010 American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASRAE) 62.2 is required to the fullest extent possible; ASRAE 62.2 is not required where acceptable air quality exists as defined by 62.2. The 2010 update encourages home retrofits to improve indoor air quality through allowance of alternative methods for meeting the current standard requirement of having exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom. Testing: 62.2 Evaluation; fan flow; then conduct follow up testing.

Click here for the complete guidance.

•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
•Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
•Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
•www.Microshield-ES.com