1

Hotline Jan.-Mar. 2015

ACCA

Michigan Chapter

P.O. Box 23036

Lansing, MI 48909

Brindley Byrd

Executive Director

(866) 269-8486

brindleyb@miacca.org

www.MIACCA.org

Inside this issue:

From Your Director (Pg.1)

2015 Annual Meeting

April 16, 2015

12:30PM - 2:30PM (Pg. 3)

Member Highlight -

Schaafsma Heating &

Cooling (Pg. 3)

SEMIACCA Trade Show

April 16, 2015

3:00PM - 8:00PM (Pg. 4)

President’s Message (Pg.6)

Legislative Update

(Pgs. 7-8)

CSD-1 Training (Pg.9)

Michigan Code Up-

date (Pgs. 11-12)

Future HVAC Workers

(Pg. 14)

ACCA 2015 Highlights

(Pg.14)

A New Era Begins - Michigan Focused

At the ACCA 2015 conference held in

Grapevine, TX from March 15-19, the ACCA

board announced a new ‘open membership’

structure. Effective no later than June 30,

2015 all local and state chapter affiliate

charters will be terminated.

What does this mean for your membership

with ACCA Michigan and ACCA?

First, it means a reduction in dues to join the

state association. MIACCA contractor mem-

bers will no longer be required to also pay

national ACCA dues. You can choose to be-

long only to the state association.

As this announcement was made without

providing any notice to chapter executives or

boards, the MIACCA board has yet to

determine what our new dues and

membership structure will be. ACCA dues will

be a flat $450 per company — no matter

number of employees.

There will be a transition period over the next

couple months as memberships renew. Each

association will be billing membership dues

separately no later than after the June 30

deadline.

All questions regarding your ACCA national

membership should be directed to Kimya

Cajchun at kimya.cajchun@acca.org or (703)

575-4477, ext. 845.

What does this mean for the

state association?

The board is using this announcement as a

catalyst to enter a phase of strategic planning

— exploring our options and provide value to

our current and future members.

One thing is certain, we want the state

association to be more effective influencing

the state legislature and regulators to create

and advance policies and regulations that will

grow this industry.

I for one am looking forward to this

opportunity and invite any and all suggestions

to improve this association to move it forward.

Together we’ll go onward into a new era

focused on Michigan’s mechanical industry.

Brindley Byrd

Executive Director

From Your Director

Johnstone West Michigan

Behler-Young Company

Shoemaker Supply

Williams Distributing

Federated Insurance

Robertson Heating Supply

Carrier Great Lakes

Online-Access

Field Controls

Johnstone East Michigan

Wholesale Heating

Lennox

Calverley Supply

Special Thanks to Our 2014 MIACCA Partner Members

2

3

MIACCA 2015 Annual Meeting

AGENDA Includes:

I. Lunch/Networking

II. National Industry & Code Update -

John Sedine

III. Michigan Industry & Code Update -

Brindley Byrd

IV. ACCA Open

Membership Update

V. Election of Board

This board will set the mission of this association and oversee the transition to a new state association, one focused on serving Michigan’s current and

future members.

Submit candidates to:

Brindley Byrd brindleyb@miacca.org

(866) 269-8486

Artisans of HVAC the cover reads, Schaafsma Heating & Cooling is ContractingBusiness.com HVAC Contractor of the Year!

Starting with coal and oil heating service 110 years ago by Marinus

Schaafsma, this Grand Rapids based HVAC contractor now rolls out ‘Red

Carpet Treatment’ to their customers. ContractingBusiness.com recognizes

Schaafsma as, “...a regional monument to the highest ideals of excellent service

that every residential HVAC company should strive to maintain...”

According to their website, Schaafsma’s Red Carpet Plan expresses how

customers will be treated. It starts by arriving quickly to their customers’ homes

and on time. They treat their customers like ‘stars’ focusing on meeting the

comfort of their customers. This plan also provides benefits of special rates,

discounts and assurances that a regular maintenance plan reduces operating

costs.

Bill Krestakos, co-owner and Sales Manager and MIACCA board member,

see’s this award as a tremendous honor stating, “ Its validation of our business

philosophy and what we are trying to accomplish.” This 28 employee company

is not just changing boxes, it’s changing peoples’ lives with increased comfort

and health benefits that come from a customer focused, professionally

designed, installed and maintained HVAC system.

Join MIACCA in congratulating Schaafsma Heating & Cooling for such an accomplishment!

(See full write-up at ContractingBusiness.com)

Schaafsma Heating & Cooling:

HVAC Contractor of the Year

27777 Schoolcraft Rd, Livonia, MI

MIACCA Annual Meeting

April 16, 2015

12:30PM– 2:00PM

Free to members.

($20 luncheon fee to non-members)

RSVP to brindleyb@miacca.org

Member Highlight

Each year, our members and directors gather to reflect on the year just past, consider the one just ahead and elect our new

leaders.

This year we will be seating a new president, thanking our out-going president for his service to the association and saying farewell to other directors c h o o s i ng d i f f e r e n t

directions for themselves.

Nominations are being accepted for new direc-tors to serve on the 2015-

2016 board.

4

5

6

It’s been a year already? Boy, time sure does fly by…

When I accepted the nomination as senior vice

president back in 2013, I thought I had plenty of time

to get the hang of being president when I took over in

2014. Now that I am looking back on my year as

president I’m amazed at where the time has gone.

Certainly our largest issue faced during my term is a

change in executive directors last fall. I want to

personally thank Ron Sandelius for his years of service

to this association.

I do want to welcome Brindley Byrd as our new

executive director. He comes to MIACCA with

extensive experience with construction trade

associations and knows his way around Lansing.

The announcement of ACCA moving to an open

membership was a surprise to me. With the board’s

experience supported by our new executive director I

have the utmost confidence that the state association

can make the necessary changes and really focus on

serving the needs of Michigan’s HVAC contractors.

I leave you in good hands with Gary Shelley as your

incoming president.

I will continue serving this association as your

representative on the Michigan Mechanical Code

Review Committee.

Thank you for your confidence and support as the

2014/2015 MIACCA president.

Sincerely,

Brad Bartholomew

President’s Message

7

ProductList

SheetMetalFtg

Southwark

Gary Metal

Furnaces

HRV/ERV

Renewaire

Aprilaire

Broan

VentilationFans

Broan

S&P

ThermostatWire

OilAccessories

Beckett

Danfoss

Delavan

Comfortmaker

Tempstar

Heil*

AirConditioners

TanklssWaterHtr

Bosch

Motors

U.S. Motors

Honeywell

Grills&Registers

Hart & Cooley

Continental

HydronicAcc.

Beacon Morris

Flexcon

Bell & Gossett

Comfortmaker

Tempstar

Heil*

Boilers

Diversitech

Controls

Honeywell

White Rodgers

Dctbrd&DctInsul

Johns Manville

Tools

Malco

Grundfos

Sterling

Webstone

Uponor

Lochinvar

Burnham

Geothermal

Robert Shaw

ICM

Humidifiers

Lennox

Midwest Snips

ChimneyLiners

Tekmar

Argo

PlumbingFittings

Bard

WaterHeaters

Bradford White

Lochinvar

Honeywell

Aprilaire

General

UnitHeaters

Z-Flex

Refrigerant

Honeywell

Mini-splits

SharkBite

Legend

Mueller

Thermostats

Infra-RedHeaters

Re-Verber-Ray

CondensatePump

Little Giant

Modine

FlexableGasPipe

Tracpipe

Wal-rich

Fujitsu

TubeHeaters

Re-Verber-Ray

B-vent

Honeywell

White Rodgers

Aprilaire

Ecobee

8

New State Rep. Takes Aim at Military Vets

Freshman Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte) has introduced HB4134, a bill that clarifies

language granting credit for experience gained while in the service of the military

for individuals seeking boiler licensing.

Being a Veteran himself, and chairing the House Military and Veteran Affairs com-

mittee, Rep. Barrett see’s a huge gap in employment with Michigan’s Veterans. This

bill is one step towards higher employment and will help Michigan’s boiler industry.

On March 11, 2015 MIACCA’s executive director attended the House Regulatory

Reform committee and offered testimony in support of this bill. MIACCA recognizes

the shortage of skilled HAVC and boiler technicians and strongly supports all efforts

to employ our Veterans. The bill passed the House 110 - 0 on March 26, 2015.

MIACCA is Roaming the Halls of Michigan’s Capitol

Having stalled in the Michigan House last session, MIACCA is working to re-introduce the package of three bills that will

streamline the HVAC industry. These bills will:

1. Remove barriers to test for additional HVAC license classifications;

2. Allow licensed HVAC contractors to pull plumbing and mechanical permits for

replacement water heaters; and

3. Eliminate restrictions of HVAC contractors to work on the load-side of HVAC equipment

shut-off box.

The original sponsors of these bills, Rep. Rob Verheulen (R-Walker), Rep. Dan Lauwers (R-

Lynn), and Rep. Roger Victory (r-Allendale) were successful at their re-election bids last fall.

They are all supportive of seeing these bills move ahead.

We have been working with the Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC) negotiating their sup-

port for the bill. Our original language would have allowed anyone with any classification test for any other classifica-

tion. Theirs provides a matrix of classifications held being granted work experience for testing for a certain set of addi-

tional classifications. This issue at play is competence being demonstrated in the new work classifications before being

granted approval by the state. The need for competence is a shared idea between MIACCA and BCC.

We have also added a provision in the work experience bill that would credit successful graduates of a recognized

trade school, community college or university HVACR program 1 year or 2,000 hours of work experience.

We look to have a favorable update on these bills by the April 16th Annual Meeting.

Legislative Update

Lochinvar Boilers

9

Over the past few weeks there has been a lot of proposals being put forth by various politicians regarding Michigan’s

future energy policy. Three different proposals have been offered thus far: two by Republicans and one by Democrats.

In one corner we have Rep. Aric Nesbitt (R- Lawton), chair of the House Energy Policy Committee who has proposed to

eliminate the retail open access option currently granting 10% of electric utility customers the ability to choose who they

purchase power from. Nesbitt proposes to freeze the 10% renewable energy standard and to eliminate all provi-

sions relating to Energy Optimization—the utility based energy efficiency programs.

In another corner we have Senator Mike Nofs (R– Barry), chairman of the Senate Energy & Technology Committee who

proposes to keep the 10% retail open access provisions, eliminate the 10% renewable energy standard, repeal the

Energy Optimization programs for electric utilities and keep them for natural gas utilities. Nofs proposes Michigan

utilities will have to meet a yet to be defined Clean Energy Standard.

Both legislators see our utility companies should be making future decisions based on what are known as Integrated Re-

source Plans. The idea here being that utilities provide regulators plans to meet their forecasted load and list the energy

resources they intend to deploy: coal, renewables, natural gas, or energy efficiency.

In the third corner, minority leaders in both the House and Senate energy committees have proposed to increase the re-

newable resource standard and energy efficiency.

In the fourth corner we have Governor Snyder who is a strong advocate for eliminating energy waste, would like to see

continued use of renewable energy and leans toward elimination of the retail open access.

With the legislator now in recess, this is a lull before the storm of bills that will drop later in April.

Michigan Legislative Update Continued

Big Changes Proposed for Michigan’s Energy Optimization Programs

MIACCA Provides CSD-1 Training

The Michigan Boiler Code Rules puts the responsibility of maintaining boilers on building owners. Each year, all commer-

cial boilers are to be inspected by a qualified person who inspects and tests the controls of the system. To be qualified,

a person must attend a CSD-1 (Controls and Safety Devices) training and be issued a certificate of completion. To be

qualified in Michigan, a person must attend a training covering ASME’s CSD-1 2009 edition.

Utilizing our ‘in-house’ expert, MIACCA has provided CSD-1 training to four classes of attendees. Two classes have

been closed enrolled offered to employees of DTE Energy and McLaren Health System. Two other classes have been

open enrollment giving boiler repair technicians the necessary training to also provide CSD-1 inspections that comply

with the Michigan Boiler Code Rules. All totaled MIACCA has trained 53 individuals to be qualifiedCSD-1 inspectors.

Thanks goes to Phil Forner, president of Allendale Heating Company for being the instructor and to Terry Tarratine,

Director of HVAC Sales at Young Supply for hosting these training sessions.

10

11

After a lull in participation in the recent years, MIACCA is

getting involved in various code processes happening in

Michigan. This year looks to be one filled with changes in

the building code as the Bureau of Construction Codes

(BCC) looks to bring the residential code, mechanical and

plumbing code onto the 2015 cycle.

2015 Michigan Residential Code

This Hotline’s code update begins with making sure our

members are aware that Michigan will be adopting the

2015 International Residential Code (IRC) as the model

code for Michigan’s next residential code. Per a letter

issued by Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) Director

Mike Zimmer issued on January 16, 2015, Michigan will be

skipping the 2012 IRC and moving ahead with the 2015

IRC as our model code. This will be quite a jump for

building designers and mechanical contractors as the 2015

IRC has some significant differences from the 2009

Michigan Residential Code (MRC).

Chapter11 - Energy Efficiency is the one that has the most

changes. The proposed provisions in this chapter will require

that new houses have an air changes per hour (ACH) factor

of 4 (one more than the IRC), but still less than 5 ACH — the

trigger point according to ASHRAE for required mechanical

ventilation. Other provisions include required duct leakage

testing and that individuals conducting required blower-

door tests be qualified in some way by BCC.

BCC has been working for the past 19-months on updating

the MRC using the 2012 IRC as the model. Director

Zimmer’s announcement has energized the process with an

effective date of the new MRC being January 2016.

2015 Michigan Mechanical Code

Just as we were getting used to the recently adopted 2012

Michigan Mechanical Code (MMC), BCC has announced

they are moving ahead with adoption of the 2015

International Mechanical Code (IMC).

MIACCA was asked to submit a person to serve on the

MMC Review Committee which will begin a series of five (5)

meetings starting on April 16, 2015 and concluding on June

18, 2015. Out-going MIACCA president Brad Bartholomew

will be our representative on the MMCRC. These are

marathon meetings lasting 5-6 hours each. Brad will need

the support of the association and its members.

This is MIACCA’s opportunity to have an impact on

Michigan’s new mechanical code. We were not at the table

during the last round of changes. Should you have

suggested changes to the MMC, please get them to

Brindley Byrd at brindleyb@miacca.org ASAP!

Any changes are to be submitted no later than June 5,

2015.

2012 Michigan Mechanical Code

The 2012 MMC became effective in October of 2014. By

now, you should have purchased a new purple code book

and have had a chance to see the many changes it has ver-

sus the 2009 MMC.

In a quick tally MIACCA staff counted 138 changes made

to sections, definitions or tables by the International Code

Council (ICC) from 2009 to 2012. Michigan made an addi-

tional 40 changes from the model IMC. We did not count

the number of sections of the IMC not included in the MMC.

We will highlight only a couple of the most significant

changes on the next page as many of those mentioned

above are not technical or substantive. A good number of

those made by Michigan are incorporating the IRC into

Michigan’s reference system.

This being said, when it comes to codes, even small changes

can have a big impact on your business.

Michigan Code Update

12

Maintenance: Section 102.3 has required the owner or owner’s designated agent to ensure existing or new systems

are maintained in proper operating condition in accordance with the original design and in a safe and sanitary

condition. Further, this section states that the building inspector can require a mechanical system to be reinspected.

What’s new to the 2012 MMC is that such maintenance shall be done in accordance with ASHRAE/ACCA/ANSI Stand-

ard 180. This gives a strong framework for MIACCA members to structure meaningful maintenance agreements with

your customers.

Third-Party Certification: ICC has inserted new definitions on third-party validation of products and materials

installed under the mechanical code. Sections 301.3—301.5 specifically addresses use of piping, tubing and fittings

used in mechanical installations. Any of these products installed will have to be third-party certified, tested and la-

beled as such. No longer can HVAC contractors run back to their shed and grab any old piping to run as their conden-

sate line. Be aware of the products you buy that may be cheaper. Cheaper may mean that the manufacturer has not

had their product third-party certified and thus not be code compliant.

Electrical Disconnect: Michigan added language specific to electrical disconnects. New section 301.10.1 Electrical

disconnect states: The mechanical contractor shall ensure that all equipment have an electrical disconnect switch on,

or immediately adjacent to, the equipment. Hmm...this looks like our bill to allow mechanical contractors to work on

the load side of a disconnect box needs to pass or else mechanical contractors need to also have electrical licenses.

Permanent Ladders: This one is tricky...At the Mechanical Inspectors Association of Michigan conference held in

Clare, MI on March 26-27 (MIACCA’s executive director attended) it was presented that section 306.5 Equipment and

appliances on roofs or elevated structures requires that for any unit that is more than 16-feet above grade be

equipped with a permanent ladder for access and service. It does not matter if that access is on the interior or

exterior. This section does specifically state, “Such access shall not require the use of portable ladders.” The section

goes on further to state that, “Permanent ladders installed to provide required access shall comply with all of the

following minimum design criteria,” which is that stipulated by OSHA. The tricky part is that this section does not

specifically state a permanent ladder is required. More clarification on this section should come from your local in-

spector when replacing a unit that is 16-feet above grade. You don’t want to be surprised to have to install a perma-

nent ladder.

Ventilation Intake Openings: Changes were made to the minimum distances for air intake openings. Now,

according to section 401.4 intake openings cannot be any closer than 10-feet from lot lines or adjacent buildings.

When intake openings face a street or public way, the distance shall be measured from the closest edge of the road,

rather than from the center of the road. Lastly, should the 10-foot minimum distance not be achievable and adjacent

to a street, alley, parking lot or loading dock the intake opening must 25-feet vertically above such locations.

Michigan Code Update Continued

13

14

MIACCA Supports Future HVAC Workers

Soon after hearing the news of ACCA dismantling the federation on our first night, the MIACCA

contingent followed the lead of our incoming president, Gary Shelley on his quest to continue

adding to his collection of Hard Rock Café shot glasses. This was the first time he’d been near

Dallas when the Hard Rock was open for business. So, being dutiful supporters of our soon to be

new leader we ventured off to downtown Dallas.

Ed Bartram, Phil Forner, John Hall and myself noticed the cab ride was taking a while. Gary

noticed the fare ticking upwards. You’ll have to ask him how much that shot glass cost. The

Gaylord Resort in Grapevine is not close to downtown Dallas. It turned out to be quite an

evening getting an up close look at Dealy Plaza asking the driver to give us a tour. Thanks

Gary!

With the shot glass secured, the business of the conference began. It was my first time attending the ACCA conference.

Sure, I’ve been to many an industry conference in my day. It was good to see what the HVAC industry had to offer. In

between my attending chapter executive meetings and scheduling special MIACCA board conference calls I did manage

to attend a couple breakout seminars. One was on seven habits of successful commercial contractors. I spend time on the

floor learning about brazing rods, refrigerant capture systems and the many different software management tools avail-

able to HVACR contractors. Getting MIACCA members to fully embrace digital technology is something this association

can work on.

My final take away came from keynote speaker Michael Gerber, author of The E-Myth Revisited. In what was a

rambling talk between his experience learning how to play the saxophone and pitching his book, Gerber did manage to

express four key words that entrepreneurs need to have for their enterprise: dream, vision, mission and purpose. This

made me think that our association needs to embrace these four

words as we set our new course ahead.

Thank you to the membership for granting me the chance to repre-

sent you at the ACCA 2015 Conference.

ACCA 2015 Highlights

One direct benefit of membership in MIACCA has been this association’s support of the Ferris State University HVACR program. By providing financial support for travel to the ACCA national convention and meeting with students one on one, we can directly impact these future workers giving them real-world advice on how to

succeed in this industry. Doing so helps to keep the plenum of future workers full.

Additionally, each year MIACCA provides a scholarship award to one student who

shows a strong desire to achieve and advance in his HVACR career.

At the February 19th General Membership meeting held at the Granger Center in Big Rapids, Brad Bartholomew

recognized the 2014 MIACCA Endowed Scholarship Award recipient.

Francisco Iniquez is the 2014 Scholarship recipient. He transferred into the HVACR program from engineering school in his junior year. Conversing with him about why he made the change he indicated that a career in the HVAC industry

would give him a chance to work with his hands, not just his brain.

We wish Francisco the best of luck as he continues his career path in the HVACR industry.

Brad Bartholomew, MIACCA president

presenting the 2014 scholarship award

to Francisco Iniquez, 5th year senior at

Ferris State University

Gary Shelley showing off

his very expensive Dallas

Hard Rock Café shot glass.

15

16

P.O. Box 23036

Lansing, MI 48909

Phone: (866) 269-8486

Fax: (866) 471-6413

Website: www.MIACCA.org

ACCA Mi ch ig an Cha pter

AIR CONDITIONING CONTRACTORS OF AMERICA - MICHIGAN CHAPTER

Hotline Jan.-Mar. 2015

P.O. Box 23036

Lansing, MI 48909