James J. Siegel

Individuals currently holding EPA Section 608 certification with the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES) have the option of purchasing a new, more durable replacement certification card.

The General Standards Committee of the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) has approved and released an addendum to ARI Standard 550/590-1998, “Standard for Water Chilling Packages Using the Vapor Compression Cycle.”

The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) announced that the PHCC of Nevada is continuing its fight against unfair construction defect lawsuits that it says are affecting the availability of liability insurance in the state. Also, in Montana, Carl Schweitzer, state executive manager of the Montana PHCC, arranged a breakfast with Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT) to discuss concerns about fair competition between small-business contractors and utilities.

The industry-standard residential HVACR load calculation manual, Manual J™, has been completely revised and expanded for the first time in more than 15 years. The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) has scheduled a series of three-day “Instructor Certification Workshops” around the country to train contractors and trainers in the new procedure.

Management and interpersonal skills were the focus of the Mechanical Contractors Association of America’s (MCAA’s) seventh mid-year education conference.

The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) and representatives from its member companies will gather on the podium overlooking the floor of the New York Stock Exchange to ring the closing bell on Aug. 9.

Electronic copies of the technical standards and manuals developed by the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) can now be purchased in PDF format and downloaded from the organization’s website at www.smacna.org.

The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International has approved a formal association policy opposing the adoption of the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA’s) Building Code (NFPA 5000) by federal, state, and local jurisdictions.

According to organizers of the International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition (AHR Expo), the 2003 event is on track to become one of the largest gatherings when it convenes at Chicago’s McCormick Place next January 27-29.

North American Technician Excellence (NATE) has been approved under the provisions of Section 122 of Public Law 106-419 to provide certification tests to veterans and other eligible individuals. NATE had its tests specifically approved for the G.I. Bill.