As we close in on the end of the year, I’d like to look back at what has happened during the last year, and thank those responsible for their assistance.
First and foremost, I’d like to thank the staff members of International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), without whose help and assistance I’d be completely lost. There are too many people to name individually, and you all know who you are. Thank you!
Next, there is the Board of Directors and the many volunteers who have aided the Radiant Professionals Alliance (RPA) in its continuing efforts to raise the bar and give the support this industry so dearly deserves and needs. The RPA is a volunteer-driven organization, without which we cannot survive. Participation is not required, but those who do participate will learn something that they can use to further themselves on a business basis. Again, too many people to name individually, but you know who you are, and I want to thank you from the bottom of our collective hearts.
The last year has been a very active one for the RPA. We held numerous, record-breaking-attendance classes during the annual AHR show this year in Orlando. Numerous classes were standing room only. The attendees gave us excellent responses, and asked us to produce even more classes like the ones our volunteers presented. Education is the primary goal of this organization, and it is very satisfying to receive this kind of feedback from members and nonmembers alike.
We coordinated with the fine folks at ASSE International and completed the development of a professional qualification standard known as the ASSE Standard 19210, Professional Hydronic Installer certification program. This has been a charge of ours for the past two years, with the culmination happening in 2016. This certification standard is unlike any other in the United States. It was put together based on many subject matter experts who volunteered their time and effort in raising the bar. It is a very comprehensive standard that covers all aspects of hydronic heating and cooling. It isn’t just about radiant, but radiant is included.
With January right around the corner, we once again will be at the annual ASHRAE Winter Conference, held in conjunction with AHR in Las Vegas this year.
Another key feature of the raising of the bar was the completion last year (2015) of the Uniform Solar Energy and Hydronics Code (USEHC). This code, an American National Standard, is the only ANSI-accredited hydronics code in North America. It is a living, breathing document and is up for review and recommended changes every three years. A technical committee has already held public comment hearings for the 2018 edition, and has begun the process of review and recommendations to this very important code. If you’ve not had an opportunity to review the USEHC, it is available in an online read-only version, available at http://epubs.iapmo.org/USEHC/. Take some time and read through the document, and I think you will agree that it is definitely a good start. No code is ever completely done, and as time goes on, fine tuning and improvement of this code will benefit our industry. Get involved. You have a voice in the RPA to express your concerns about these very important issues.
The RPA also co-produced numerous trade magazines, with you, the contracting members, in mind. These magazines are intended to keep you abreast of any changes occurring in our industry, as well as to provide assistance to you in educating the consumer about the many different ways of providing “radiant comfort,” above and beyond radiant floors. Take advantage of these, purchase some extras, and use them as handouts when you are meeting with a consumer or preparing your formal presentation. A smart consumer is a good consumer, and the investment will come back to you many times over by way of word-of-mouth referrals from other potential customers.
We also produce a monthly Internet based talk show called “HydroniX Talk.” We interview relevant guests about the nature of their products and business services. These shows are announced through our email channels. If you haven’t whitelisted the Radiantpros.org and IAPMO.org emails, you’re probably missing out on a lot. Fortunately for our members, all of these shows are archived and are available for access through the “Members Only” portal of our website. We have nearly 30 videos of interviewees up there that you can peruse at your convenience. Please check them out.
With January right around the corner, we once again will be at the annual ASHRAE Winter Conference, held in conjunction with AHR in Las Vegas this year. Please drop by the booth and say hello to our staff, and reserve the evening of Jan. 31 for the RPA Social Event, where the Who’s Who of the hydronics industry comes together to enjoy adult beverages and hydronic conversations.
Lastly, I want to thank all of our members — manufacturers, contractors, wholesalers, everyone. Without your support, we would cease to exist, and that would be a tragic scenario for the hydronics and radiant industry. Here’s to a prosperous and healthy 2017 — Happy Hydronicing in the New Year and happy holidays to all from the Radiant Professionals Alliance and IAPMO.
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