Manatee County, EPDM Gasket Exemption

Manatee County is extending the exemption on the use of factory installed EPDM gasketed PVC pipe for pipe delivered and on-site until December 31, 2023. There has been a resin shortage that impacted the availability for PVC pipes with the EPDM gaskets. However, in discussion with suppliers and manufacturers, this market is improving, and it is not expected the exemption will continue in the future. Therefore, please start making the necessary adjustments for projects approved after December 31, 2023 to install with factory installed EPDM gasketed PVC pipe.

No deviation request by the Contractor or the Engineer of Record will be required during this period of exemption. A copy of this letter should be provided to the contractor and be on-site with the other approved documents that are required to on-site (i.e., approved construction plans). During the record drawing process, please indicate this deviation on each applicable sheet.

Please contact Scott May if you have questions.

Scott May, P.E., Manatee County Engineer
Deputy Director - Engineering Services
Public Works Departments
Engineering Services
1022 26th Ave East
Bradenton, FL. 34208
Phone: 941-708-7462

Insurance companies driving leak detection technology adoption amongst consumers.

John Wallace, owner of Atlanta-based JM Wallace Plumbing, has been offering leak detection solutions since 2007, but it’s only recently during the last few years where he’s really seen the technology take off.

“We do a lot of high-end work in the Buckhead-Atlanta area in a lot of larger, custom homes,” Wallace says. “The insurance companies down here are basically requiring homeowners to have some type of leak detection technology installed in their homes, so they’re driving a lot of adoption. Basically, when you start getting into sheet rock trim, hardwood floors and all the really high-end materials and whatnot, the insurance companies really start pushing these homeowners — not the builders.”

After starting his own company in 2000, Wallace immediately recognized the benefits of offering leak detection solutions to customers.

“The work we do, everything is high-end, and with all these finishes, why not give the homeowner the option to be able to shut their water off when they go out of town? I’ve built up relationships with my customers based on trust. Why not offer them this peace of mind? A lot of homeowners don’t even think about what happens if a pipe bursts or a washing machine or water heater breaks and floods the home unless they’ve already experienced a similar situation. It saves them from having to go through tragic times dealing with flooding and the insurance companies. Though all of it is terrible and bad, water damage to me is a lot worse than even a fire.”

JM Wallace installs leak detection products in both new construction and retrofit applications. Wallace actually receives a lot of leads through FloLogic.

“FloLogic was one of the first ones on the market with this technology — they kind of spearheaded the way for other companies,” Wallace explains. “And I’m a big believer in small business — I’m a small company. If there is an issue, they are a phone call away, and they always answer the phone. They send product, no questions asked and stand behind their warranty work. FloLogic is just a great company to partner up with. There’s a lot of great products out there, and I’ve installed a lot of different ones, but FloLogic is my go-to product.”

After detecting a leak or critically low room temperature, the FloLogic system closes the water supply to minimize and prevent any damage or waste. The FloLogic mobile app sends instant alerts, providing vital information about abnormal water activity, critically low temperatures, or auto-shutoffs. Homeowners can easily forward information to a plumber, caretaker or their emergency contacts.

Wallace prefers FloLogic’s leak detection system because installation is very user-friendly.

“Every installation is different depending on the house — if you’re going back in and retrofitting it in, sometimes you have to rework a few little things here and there to make everything fit together just right as opposed to a new construction process where you just work it into the design. At the end of the day, everything is plug-and-play and self-explanatory

“The other thing I like is the whole makeup of the valve itself is all brass,” he adds. “FloLogic also comes with a battery backup. The other beauty about it is say someone forgets to shut the water off when they leave on a vacation — FloLogic automatically defaults to away mode after 18 hours of no water usage. There are still water functions, but it’s very limited. It’s really awesome technology in my opinion.”

On the other side of the country, Los Angeles-based Beagle Services has been offering leak detection solutions since its inception over two years ago.

“Our mission is to prevent water damage and water loss at scale,” notes Paul Vacquier, CEO, Beagle Services. “We are helping clients prevent water damage, which is the number one cause of preventable insurance claims. We also help conserve water loss due to leaks and updating plumbing systems.”

READ FULL ARTICLE FROM P&M MAGAZINE

SWFL PHCC and MACCA hold Unlicensed Contractors Activity Meeting with local Sheriff’s Departments and Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation

The Southwest Florida Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association (SWFLPHCC) and Manasota Air Conditioning Contractors Association (MACCA) held a panel discussion on May 4, 2023, on unlicensed contractors’ activity. Timothy McGrath, Tampa Field Manager-Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation; Rick Wells, Manatee County Sheriff; Lieutenant Craig Fairly, Criminal Investigations, Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and Sergeant Paul Guyton, Economic Crimes, Charlotte County Sheriff's Office were the panelists.

The panelists provided information on the current state of unlicensed contractor activity in each county/city, specifically post hurricane investigations. They also discussed the current efforts each county/city is employing to curb unlicensed contractor activity. as well as future plans for addressing this issue. and how our members can help.

The legal requirements for licensed contractors (i.e., license # on vehicles, etc.) were addressed. For instance, if a contractor carries more than one contractor license then all work vehicles must correctly display all license numbers on their vehicle. If you run across a vehicle that does not have their license number(s) correctly displayed, McGrath requested you download the DBPR Mobile App to report violations and vehicle license number issues when you are on the go. Capture as many photos as possible, including tag number, description and/or photo(s) of the person or vehicles involved in the crime, etc.

These photos can be uploaded with the report through the app. They can be done anonymously, if you do not want to receive any follow-up information on the case. You can also use the mobile app to search contractor licenses, inspections, check the status of a license.

McGrath suggested all contractors and their employees put the app on their phones.

The Sheriff’s Departments, and the Florida DBPR said they have limited resources to deal with this issue. The best way to curb the issue of unlicensed contractors within our community is to educate others through social media, educating the elderly population within the community, utilizing local resources, and being an ambassador for industry.

Please report any unlicensed activity to your County/City Police/Sheriff Departments and/or the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Hotline #1.866.532.1440, email the department at ULA@myfloridalicense.com or download the DBPR mobile app.

BECOME A SWFL PHCC MEMBER - for more information on member benefits, please visit: www.swflphcc.org

Workers’ compensation provides an important safety net for employees and business owners alike. In a nutshell, a good workers’ comp policy ensures that — should an employee ever become injured or ill as a direct result of doing their job — their medical bills and lost wages are properly compensated. Workers’ comp policies are designed to provide for employees who are subject to workplace accidents, without placing too onerous a financial burden on the business itself.

As with any good system, workers’ comp can be abused. Fraudulent claims cost businesses billions of dollars every single year. And while there is probably no way to totally eradicate workers’ comp fraud, there are a few simple strategies your business can follow to minimize these abuses.

1. Establish a safety plan.

One of the most important things you can do to minimize workers’ comp fraud is to prioritize the safety of your employees. Not only will this help you reduce the number of workplace accidents, potentially making fraud cases easier to identify, but it also earns the goodwill and trust of your employees. Create and document a full employee safety plan, including steps to audit workplace hazards, investigate any incidents, and create an employee safety team to seek continuous improvement.

2. Reinforce your safety policies.

There are a number of ways to keep your workplace safety plans top-of-mind among your personnel. Instructive signage and posters go a long way. Include safety guidelines in any employee handbook that you develop. Set company-wide safety goals and reward your employees for meeting those goals.

3. Create a fraud-free culture.

It’s also important to be direct with your employees: Fraud will not be tolerated. In employee handbooks and within all workers’ comp documents, stress your zero-tolerance policy for fraud. Encourage your employees to report any instances of fraud that they become aware of.

-Information provided by: Plumber Magazine, May 1, 2023

SARASOTA COUNTY / ACCELA FAQs
Accela Civic Apps for the Development Community

Why is the county switching permitting systems?
The county’s current system was installed in 2004 and last updated in 2012. It is nearing the end of its functional life, and the move to Accela will provide a standardized, cloud-based solution that is easily configured and maintained with the latest product updates.
Who else is using Accela Civic Apps?
Manatee, Charlotte, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Polk counties, and the City of Tampa all use Accela with high satisfaction.
How long will this transition last?
The county anticipates that Accela will fully launch by September 2023.
Will training be provided on how to use Accela?
Sarasota County will launch a new customer portal that will be easy to understand and use. A variety of training tools will be provided to support common questions and challenges, such as how to use the new Digital Plan Room feature. In addition, the county will keep its customers informed with progress emails throughout the process.

-Information provided by Sarasota County Accela News, Mar 30, 2023

Toilet flange extension kits save time and money on the job site.

Have you remodeled a bathroom recently? If so, maybe you’ve noticed problems with the toilet.

To get more specific: Is it rocking noisily when the homeowner takes a seat? Or maybe they've noticed water pooling at the base. Perhaps the flooring surrounding the toilet feels soft. Or water spots have appeared on the ceiling located directly below the toilet.

If any of these problems are present, chances are the toilet flange (also called a closet flange) was installed incorrectly. Most likely, the installation was done by someone lacking the necessary professional skills and experience, causing more damage on top of a poor installation that will need to be fixed later.

Mike Mistovich, owner of L&M Plumbing of Youngstown, Ohio, replaces a toilet flange.

Master Plumber Mike Mistovich, sole owner and operator of L&M Plumbing of Youngstown, Ohio, knows this pain. His shop often receives service calls from homeowners who have noticed their toilets are rocking in their bathroom — usually around six months after they've completed a renovation.

"In our area, many remodelers tend to do much of the work on construction projects themselves, avoiding contract work with plumbers or electricians to save money,” says Mistovich, who has 19-plus years of experience specializing in residential plumbing and drain services. “That, in turn, can lead to incorrect installation and negligence."

The problem? When a remodeler builds the floor up in a bathroom, the upgraded floor inevitably impacts the toilet flange height, according to Mistovich. Best practices call for the flange to be installed flush with or atop the finished floor. Placing it beneath a tile floor will cause drainage issues — especially leaks.

In addition, a toilet flange sitting below the tile will create instability for the user over time. Toilet flanges are essential in securing the toilet to the floor; if compromised, rocking and leaks will soon result, absolutely spoiling a newly renovated bathroom.

"A toilet is like a piece of furniture and should be mounted on the floor properly," advises Mistovich, who relies on Oatey's Set-Rite Toilet Flange Extension Kits to raise toilet flanges during or after a remodel. "That’s why I always have my flange extenders with me to correct an improper toilet flange height during repairs.”

The Oatey Set-Rite Toilet Flange Extension Kits include spacers in four different sizes, plus six self-tapping screws that complete the installation. For professionals like Mistovich, extending any existing flange is much easier than installing a new one.

"I can pop the spacers in and secure them to the floor, or even to old flanges," says Mistovich, who finds the kits’ versatility to be very useful.

“It's a quick repair that homeowners appreciate,” he continues. “For me, easy installation is the most important benefit. It usually doesn't require pulling up the old flange or any subfloor restoration, which saves time and money.”

Oatey Set-Rite Toilet Flange Extension Kits allow users to easily extend the toilet flange surface above the finished floor for optimum sealing with a standard wax ring. The kits can be used on existing PVC, ABS, cast iron and stainless steel flange rings. Spacers can also be combined to meet the desired height, while a foam rubber gasket seals the spacers to the new flange.

While Youngstown has no shortage of blue-collar workers with professional-level skills, it does help to have a reliable, seasoned service plumber just a phone call away. Having worked in plumbing for nearly two decades, Mistovich is no stranger to Oatey products. And he can always count on Oatey Set-Rite Toilet Flange Extension Kits to provide a watertight solution for raising a toilet flange — whether as part of a simple fixture repair or a full bath remodel.

Article courtesy of: www.pmmag.com

https://www.pmmag.com/articles/104747-master-plumber-relies-on-extension-kits-to-correct-toilet-flange-elevation?oly_enc_id=3457H7813212E9H

Tort Reform in Florida

Earlier this month members of the Florida House of Representatives introduced a tort reform bill, H.B. 837. Since then, both the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate have passed the provisions. The bill was officially signed into law Friday, March 24, 2023 by Gov. Ron DeSantis and will become effective on or around July 1, 2023. This bill makes significant changes to the Florida Insurance landscape.

Key provisions in the bill:

• Repeals one-way attorney fee provisions. This could result in claimants owing the carrier's defense costs.
• Reduces the statute of limitations from four years to two years excluding medical malpractice claims.
• Changes Florida’s comparative negligence system from a “pure” comparative negligence system to a “modified” system so that a plaintiff who is more at-fault for their injuries may generally not recover damages.
• Eliminates fee multipliers, which have allowed plaintiffs’ attorneys to use a multiplier on top of a “Lodestar” fee thereby securing higher fees when they prevail in litigation.
• Policy limits equal damage limits. The claimants will be entitled to a prorated share, as determined by the court or arbitrator in the case.
• No more attorney-client privilege on treating physicians for plaintiffs. There is no attorney-client privilege when a communication is relevant to the lawyer’s act of referring the client for treatment by a health care provider.
• Medical costs must be real. If the injured party has health care insurance, the amount paid by insurance should be explained and damages should not be based on unsupported medical estimates.
• Letters of protection. All letters of protection, would be divulged in the personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit proceedings. Doctors’ bills would have to be itemized and must include procedure codes where possible.
• Bad-faith claims. Mere negligence would not be sufficient to sustain a bad-faith action. It requires a good faith effort for a claimant to furnish information.

As a result, plaintiffs’ attorneys have been filing lawsuits in the thousands prior to the July 1st effective date.

-Information provided by BKS Partners, 3/29/2023

Click Here for HB 873 Bill

Resources and more information:

https://www.insurancejournal.com/

https://www.flsenate.gov/

From jetters to high-speed drain cleaning machines, here’s a rundown of the type of work each tool is best suited for

Drain cleaning with ease and efficiency starts with selecting the right tools for the job. With the type of drain cleaning options on the market continuing to grow, understanding the difference in drain cleaning machines and how to select the best option for the job is essential.

Currently, there are four main categories of drain cleaning equipment: jetters, sectional machines, drum machines and high-speed drain cleaners. Understanding when it’s best to use each can be the difference between a frustrating day on the job and being able to clear a drain quickly. 

Here’s a breakdown of the basics of each type of machine, their best uses and some things to keep in mind when using each: 

Jetters 

Jetters utilize high-pressure water to clear a drainline and are effective at removing grease and soft blockages. The addition of a powerful nozzle can also help cut through roots quickly while cleaning out a root-infested line. There are four types of jetters — electric, portable gas-powered, trailer/rack-mounted and sink. 

Things to consider: 

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• If you are in a building and cannot leave the power unit outside, you will have to use an electric jetter. With electric-powered jetters, the amount of pressure you can generate is also limited, making them best for smaller lines and ideal for sink and tub drains.  
• The portable gas-powered jetter can operate at high psi and flow rates, but the tradeoff for that added power is that they are heavier and must be operated outdoors because of the exhaust. However, since many drains are accessed from inside a building, detachable hose reels and remotes allow for gas-powered jetters to be kept outside while working on a line indoors. They are ideal for commercial and industrial applications.
• A trailer- or rack-mounted jetter can be used on a wide range of lines at high pressures and high flow rates. They are ideal for mainline city sewer drains and laterals. This type of jetter requires water reservoirs as a buffer against outpacing the water supply that can be found on the job site.
• While not a standard in the industry yet, a new trend is the introduction of new, smaller sink jetters. These generally only work well on small sink lines because of their low psi and flow.  However, they are convenient because they are easy to carry in and out of a job and might be another good option to consider for drain cleaning projects.

Sectional Machines 

Sectional drain cleaning machines work by coupling sections of cable, typically of 7 ½-foot or 15-foot lengths, together one at a time and feeding them down a pipe to scour the inside as they spin. This allows a user to take only the necessary amount of cable to a job site. Sectional machines also have a smaller profile than other drain cleaning machines that service similar size pipes. This is an advantage for the technician if they need to access a cleanout in a cramped workspace such as a crawlspace.  A benefit of a sectional machine is that if a cable kinks or breaks, you are only out that section of cable and not the complete cable. They are effective at cleaning roots, blockages and heavy debris. 

Things to consider: 

• All sectional machines operate in the 400-700 rpm range. To create the rotation, sectional machines feature a hand-operated clutch that causes a set of jaws to clamp down on the cable when engaged. When the clutch is released, rotation of the cable stops immediately. This element of control on the cable is particularly beloved by sectional machine advocates.
• Different types of sectional machines will have different capacities in terms of the size of drain they can clean. This is a result of both clutch jaw sizes and motor power; they must work in conjunction. A large capacity set of jaws does no good if there is a weak motor to power the unit. Likewise, having an overly powerful motor for smaller cable sizes can increase the risk of damaging the cable.

Drum Machines 

Drum machines operate in a similar manner to sectional machines with the main difference being that the entire 100 feet or more of cable is stored on the machine and must be brought to every job. Where sectional machines focus on speed and rpm to cut through roots, drum machines rely on the torque the cable builds up to break through blockages. It comes down to personal preference on whether you prefer a drum or sectional machine. Drum machines are effective at cleaning roots, blockages and heavy debris. 

Things to consider: 

• Drum machines often feature an integrated transport cart with stair climbers that can help transport the full length of cable.
• Autofeed technology is common in drum machines that can help automatically feed and retract the cable, thus reducing user fatigue.
• Drums can be fully or partially enclosed, which keeps debris from getting around the workspace.  This is why drum machines are popular in finished basements.

High-Speed Drain Cleaners 

High-speed drain cleaning machines thrive on speed, not torque. They clear drainlines wall to wall with the use of specialty chain knockers and allow for a camera to be in-pipe simultaneously. This is the newest type of drain cleaning machine option. They are effective at clearing scale, grease, sludge and soft blockages.

Related: Examining Drain Clog Culprits

Things to consider: 

• There is a learning curve when switching from traditional drain cleaning cable to high-speed cable. Understanding speed and finesse is key to having the machine last. Keeping water running and cleaning from downstream are also important to note as this keeps the end of the cable spinning as freely as possible. One more important piece of information for models requiring a drill is drill settings: Be sure to follow the recommended settings in the manual so the drill and high-speed cable work most safely and effectively.
• Two basic types of chain knockers to invest in initially are standard and carbide chain knockers. Standard chain knockers are ideal for softer-walled pipes (such as PVC) and soft blockages like grease. Carbide chain knockers can be used in harder-walled pipes (such as cast iron) to clean smaller roots as well as scale. 
• High-speed drain cleaning is not effective on heavy, dense roots or harder substances that require torque to break through. A jetter, drum or sectional machine are more effective for these blockages.  

Each of these drain cleaning tool options has benefits and drawbacks. Knowledge of the basic differences of each, paired with your professional experience, will ensure selection of the most appropriate tool for any blockage you face.  

Article Courtesy of:  Alex Meyer / Plumbers Magazine

March 29, 2023

About the Author 

Alex Meyer is a product manager for RIDGID, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio that also includes the Greenlee brand. RIDGID is a global manufacturer of more than 300 dependable and innovative tools, trusted by professional trades in over 100 countries. Learn more at RIDGID.com. 

OSHA audits can happen at any time, sometimes with little or no advance warning.

Because you never know for sure when an inspector will show up at your place of business, it’s imperative to be ready at all times.

1) Know what to expect.

First things first: If an inspector does arrive at your place of business, ask them to show you their credentials. If they are unable to do so, or if you have any concerns at all, don’t hesitate to call the area OSHA director for confirmation.

Once the inspector arrives, it’s OK to put them in a waiting room or conference room for a few minutes while you alert others, informing them that an audit is taking place.

Most OSHA inspectors will begin with a quick huddle or conference, during which they should explain the reason for their presence. It can be helpful to know whether it’s a random inspection, or a response to some specific complaint or incident.

When talking with your inspector, always be professional and polite but don’t overshare or volunteer more information than is requested.

2) Know your rights.

Be advised of certain rights you have as a business owner. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to consult your attorney. A few specific rights to note:

You have a right to keep all employee interviews private, as opposed to having interviews conducted in front of the entire team.

You have the right to keep the inspection during a reasonable timeframe (that is, during your normal operating hours). You should not have to stay late, or ask employees to stay late, to accommodate the inspector.

Your inspector should keep trade secrets as such, handling photos and documents with discretion.

3) Assign a point person.

Someone at your company should be responsible for meeting with the inspector and guiding them through your facility. This might be the business owner, a safety officer, or someone else. Just make sure it’s someone who knows where all relevant company policies and documents are kept.

Additionally, it might be wise to select a backup person, just in case the normal point person is out sick when the inspector comes knocking.

4) Be diligent in training.

One of the best ways to prepare for surprise inspections is to make sure employees are regularly trained on how to assess, mitigate, and respond to hazards at the job site.

Also be sure that there is evidence of your training throughout the workplace, specifically that up-to-date OSHA signage is prominently displayed.

Finally, be sure to keep good records of your training and have them readily available when the inspector shows up.

5) Perform audits of your own.

One last way to be ready for inspections is to hold inspections of your own. Perform routine audits of your workplace and all equipment. Interview employees about safety protocols. Double check your signage. Be vigilant, ensuring you find and address any issues before the inspector comes calling.

Article courtesy of: PlumberMag.com, Amanda E. Clark

https://www.plumbermag.com/how-to-articles/training-safety-osha-education/preparing-for-a-surprise-osha-audit?ref=registered

Workforce Program Wins in FY23 Budget

Just after midnight on Tuesday, Dec. 20, Congressional leadership released the text of the FY2023 omnibus spending bill, which will fund federal government operations through Sept.30, 2023.

The 4,155-page spending bill comes in at over $1.6 trillion, split between $772 billion in non-defense spending and $858 billion for the military. The Senate will vote first on the legislation before sending it to the House and, upon passage, it will arrive at the White House in time for the president’s signature before the current continuing resolution funding government expires at midnight on Friday, Dec. 23.

PHCC legislative affairs worked tirelessly since late summer for inclusion of the National Apprenticeship Act in the final spending package. They also advocated for the inclusion of the JOBS Act, which would funnel Pell Grant monies to short-term job training programs that would create another avenue to careers in the HVAC space. However, neither the JOBS Act nor the National Apprenticeship Act was included in the final spending bill due to pressure to minimize non-defense legislative priorities.

HOWEVER, there have been substantial increases in workforce funding expected to benefit newcomers to the plumbing and HVAC trades. The Department of Labor’s registered apprenticeship program will be funded at $285 million, its highest level of funding ever. Additionally, Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA) grants will be funded at over $2.9 billion, providing money to fund training programs in high-demand fields such as HVAC and plumbing (the article below is for PHCC state executives wanting to learn more about how they can leverage WIOA). Perkins Career and Technical Education grants will be funded at $3.5 billion, helping secondary school students explore the building trades as a career option.

By Mark Valentini, Director of Legislative Affairs