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AKRON

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3Fall 2005 • OHIO PHC CONTRACTOR

91862_bluewa.qxp 9/21/2005 4:10 PM

4 OHIO PHC CONTRACTOR • Fall 2005

President’s Message 6

A Message From the Auxiliary President 8

A Message From the PHCC National Zone Director 10

Disaster Affects Us All! 13

Contractor Spotlight - Luke Grabill 16

Health Insurance - Is Anything Being Done? 20

Build To Code - Statewide Residential Code 24

Chapter Community Service 26

PHCC Membership Application 27

PHCC Membership Benefits 28

Eight Gifts That Do Not Cost A Cent 29

PHCC of Ohio 2005 Officers & Board 30

Ohio PHC Contractor is the official magazine of thePHCC of Ohio and is published quarterly. News items

from Ohio PHCC members are accepted.For information on advertising, contact:

Jim Aitkins, Blue Water Publishers • 425-337-0103fax: 425-357-8409 • [email protected]

“Ohio PHC Contractor” is a news magazine produced by theOhio Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors.Articles published in this magazine are the views and opin-ions of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views oropinions of the Ohio Association of Plumbing-Heating-CoolingContractors. Publication in Ohio PHC Contractor should notbe construed as an endorsement by the Association.”

The Ohio PHC Contractor is the official publication ofthe Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of Ohio

18961 River’s Edge DriveChagrin Falls, Ohio 44023

800-686-PHCCFax: [email protected]

Fall 2005

Advertisers Index

Inside This Issue:

Bickert Felton Page 29Bobb Chevrolet 19Boyd Lofgren & Company 19Bradford White 7Burnham 25Cash Acme 11Champion Pump 12Cleveland Plumbing 17Copper Development 17Federated Insurance 21Frank Gates Service Company, Inc. 19Heckman Sales & Leasing 22Libb Company 29Liberty Pumps 21Pentair Water 2Promarc Sales 23ProSpec Sales 21RC Frey 29Robertson Heating Supply 3Supreme Corporation 5T & S Brass 23Taco 14, 15Takagi 31Turbonics 12Viega 32Welker-McKee Supply 17Woodford 12Zurn 9

Correction:In the summer issue of the Ohio PHC Contractor, the Backflow Rules on page 32 note: 32hours of training required prior to testing be certified. The correct number of hoursof training is 24. We’re sorry for any inconvenience this error may have caused.

On the cover:

(Back row - l. to r.) Jim Thornton and Ron Schulz,

Eastern Ohio; Chris Gates, Northeast Ohio;

Ron Schwaben, Akron; Joe Schmitt, National

Director; Ray Harner, Akron

(Front row - l. to r.) Wendell Coblentz, Akron/Ohio

President-elect; Liana Driscoll, Eastern/Ohio

President; Luke Grabill, Stark Co.;

Sandy Pogan, Executive Manager.

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Hello..

I am always looking for inspiration for these messages. I must admit this has been the most challenging part of my

presidency. The older I get, the more I try to think before I speak (words of advice my parents gave me in my teenage

years).

I was reading through The Business Journal, a locally owned publication in Youngstown, Ohio, and came across

an excerpt from the summer commencement speech at Youngstown State University delivered by Thomas Hollern. Mr.

Hollern was quoting author Kent Keith, a 1960 graduate of Harvard University. Kent Keith authored “The Paradoxical

Commandments” during his senior year. I would like to share them with you and I hope you are as inspired by them

as I am.

* People are illogical, unreasonable and self-centered -- LOVE THEM ANYWAY.

* If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives -- DO GOOD ANYWAY.

* If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies -- SUCCEED ANYWAY.

* The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow -- DO GOOD ANYWAY.

* Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable -- BE HONEST AND FRANK ANYWAY.

* The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the

smallest men and women with the smallest minds -- THINK BIG ANYWAY.

* People favor underdogs, but follow only top dogs -- FIGHT FOR A FEW UNDERDOGS ANYWAY.

* What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight -- BUILD ANYWAY.

* People really need help but may attack you if you do help them -- HELP PEOPLE ANYWAY.

* Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked

in the teeth -- GIVE THE BEST YOU HAVE

ANYWAY.

Well to members who might be thinking some of the following

thoughts:

* My contribution to the PAC fund is too small to make

a difference -- CONTRIBUTE ANYWAY.

* My volunteering for a committee will take up too much

of my time -- VOLUNTEER ANYWAY.

To contractors thinking of joining PHCC but having this thought:

* Membership is too costly -- JOIN ANYWAY.

SUCCESSFUL CONTRACTORS VALUE PHCC MEMBERSHIP!!!

OK - WHAT’S NEXT.......?

Liana Driscoll

91862_bluewa.qxp 9/21/2005 4:12 PM

Count on Bradford White

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So much has changed in recent years at Bradford White that we thought

it was time to re-acquaint you with everything we offer. To put it simply,

we have it all from 2-gallon compacts to industrial giants,

from super-efficient eF Series® commercial units that set

the standard in their class to large storage tanks with

capacities to more than 5,600 gallons. Our Defender

Safety System™ FVIR technology is second to none

and our new EverHot® line of tankless,

gas-powered water heaters is a huge success.

Our selection of light, medium and heavy-duty Commercial gas and electric

water heaters now rivals any line available. Residential gas and electric

models have evolved to handle any application or installation challenge.

We’ve added indirect-powered water heaters, pool heaters, instantaneous

electrics and even air handlers. Our oil-powered offerings have also grown

and now include five residential models, 18 commercial models and oil

burners in 14 different configurations.

The list of all we have for the trade just keeps growing. Our growth is a

direct result of the support you’ve shown us. Thank You. While many

things have changed, the most important reason to choose Bradford White

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GGreetings to My Sister Auxiliary Members …..

The days are getting shorter, cooler nights have returned, and I’m sure we have all been enjoying

the fresh produce we find at our local farmers markets. This is probably my favorite time of year. The

vivid colors and special smells of fall remind me of my childhood and the impending holidays. There is

nothing like the smell of autumn in the air!

Since my last letter, I conducted our annual Auxiliary Board Meeting in Millersburg, Ohio at the

beginning of August. This used to be referred to as our Fall Board Meeting but we moved it to August

to accommodate the National Convention, which is now held in early September. We had a nice group

of 12 members and one guest in attendance and I think we accomplished quite a bit of business.

After reviewing our main fundraiser at the 2005 State Convention, it was decided that we should

look into a different way to fund our commitment to the seven Ohio Ronald McDonald Houses. It was

voted on and accepted to create and market a 22Kt gold and brass ornament/sun catcher with a plumb-

ing motif. If all goes well we may even produce these as a yearly series. These would be available at

our 2006 State Convention and hopefully at next year’s National Convention. More about this later.

Dottie Schmitt announced that she has accepted the position of Zone Director for the states of

Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. We are very fortunate to have such a dynamic spokesperson for

us at the national level and I am sure she will represent our interests well. Congratulations, Dottie, and

Best Wishes!

I am happy to report that several donations have been made to the Ohio PHCC Educational

Foundation, by members of our auxiliary, as memorials to deceased members of our association and

auxiliary. To date the total amount is $410.00. I hope that this spirit of giving and remembrance contin-

ues for many years to come. I can’t think of a better way to honor our loved ones than to support the

education and growth of our young people.

That’s about all of the auxiliary news for now. Please check the minutes from our recent Annual

Board Meeting, sent to each local auxiliary president and member-at-large, for other pertinent informa-

tion. If you have any concerns or comments, don’t hesitate to call me at: (330) 499-8353 or e-mail me

at [email protected].

Keep those leaves raked and the bonfires burning.

Becky Kolp

91862_bluewa.qxp 9/21/2005 4:47 PM

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Joe Schmitt

AAs you read this report, the 123rd National Convention

will be history. This event represents the very first time

that the American Supply Association and the Plumbing

Heating Cooling Contractors have combined their annual

conventions into one value- packed event called “Network

05”.

This format brought together PHCC Contractor mem-

bers with the wholesaler, manufacturer and manufactures

representatives. This new format offered an opportunity to

really get down to business and address issues of mutual

interest.

At the PHCC Board of Directors’ meeting, the board

voted to set aside a fund to immediately provide $2,000 to

any member affected by Hurricane Katrina who requests

it. They also agreed to waive two years of annual dues pay-

ments of those members. Contributions are being accept-

ed for the fund. To contribute, call (800)533-7694, or e-

mail [email protected]. Two members have been assist-

ed by the fund as of today. Other members affected by the

hurricane are being contacted to let them know that the

assistance from PHCC is available.

In addition, a task force, which includes members

from New Orleans, has been set up to determine ways to

find jobs for those who cannot go back to work in the hur-

ricane-stricken areas. PHCC also is actively involved with

other industry associations to develop the best response for

this and other disasters.

The board also addressed the issue of waterless uri-

nals. Following discussion, it was the consensus that there

are health concerns that are best left to code development

and compliance regulations.

Jim Finley (C.N. Finley), New Orleans, Louisiana.,

was elected PHCC’s new vice president at the annual busi-

ness meeting. Jim is also a member of the Plumbing Code

Committee for the International Code Council, from where

we get our Ohio Plumbing Code. He and other new offi-

cers and zone directors were installed at the closing recep-

tion. They include: President Jim Stack, Stack Plumbing,

Kirkland, Washington; President-elect Jo Wagner, CTO,

Inc., Harlingen, Texas; Secretary Skip Pfeffer, Canton

Plumbing & Heating Co., Inc., Canton, Massachusetts;

Auxiliary President Lynn Heidler, Heidler, Inc., Annapolis,

Maryland; and AEC President Brenda Dant, CAE,

Executive Director of PHCC Indiana.

Contributions totaled approximately $110,000 for the

‘Invest in Your Future’ program. The fundraiser is a collab-

orative effort of In-Sink-Erator, the PHCC Educational

Foundation and the PHCC National Auxiliary. This year,

Ferguson Enterprises also contributed $10,000 in matching

funds. The goal was to raise a total of $100,000 to fund

Auxiliary scholarships and to help support the PHCC

Educational Foundation. Two students from Ohio were

awarded scholarships this year: Travis Cochran,

Springfield, Ohio (from Bradford White) sponsored by Jim

Allen, Norb Allen Plumbing, and Phillip Franco, Brooklyn

Heights, Ohio( from American Standard) sponsored by

Richard Willkomm, retired Ohio PHCC Past President.

More than $40,000 was raised at the PHCC Political

Action Committee auction. A highlight of the evening was

a diamond ring contest.

Debbie Tittl, our state staff and the executive secretary

for Akron & Northeast Ohio PHCC associations was given

a plaque honoring five years of participation in the

Association Executives Council. Darlene Moyer from

Pennsylvania was named Auxiliary Member of the Year.

Ohio had very good representation at the convention

including Liana Driscoll, Ohio’s President from

Youngstown and Wendell Coblentz, President-Elect from

Akron. Local association leadership included Chris Gates,

Cleveland; Ray Harner, Akron; Luke Grabill, Stark

Association; and Ron Schwaben, Akron. Also in attendance

were Bill & Chloe Becker, Cincinnati; Bernadine

Stockmeister, Jackson; Ron Schulz, Eastern Ohio PHCC;

and Sandy Pogan. A resolution supporting continuing edu-

cation requirements nationwide was offered by Ohio

PHCC and passed without objection. We remain leaders in

plumbing, heating & cooling contractor emphasis on edu-

cation and code compliance.

First-year plumbing apprentice manuals for both

instructor and students are now available. With updated

information, teaching aids and skills development, these

four-color working materials are already in their second

printing. The second and third-year rewritten manuals are

expected to be available by early spring of 2006, as will

the first and second-year HVACR apprentice manuals. A

training program for apprentice instructors is scheduled for

April 5-7 in Washington, DC, co-sponsored by PHCC,

ACCA and RSES. The PHCC Educational Foundation has

made updating and improving the manuals a top priority.

I’m proud to represent Ohio, Pennsylvania and West

Virginia on the national PHCC board of directors and urge

you to contact me at [email protected] or 937-836-

3086 with any questions, concerns or comments on our

PHCC organization. �

91862_bluewa.qxp 9/21/2005 4:48 PM

91862_bluewa.qxp 9/21/2005 4:48 PM


HHeartsick! Frustrated! Stressed!

Anxious! These are feelings we all

experience when we hear of disaster

striking in other areas of the world

and can readily see the devastation

that remains in terms of people and

structures. We try to figure out a way

we can respond with help — most

recently as Katrina pounded the

southern coast of Louisiana,

Mississippi, and Alabama. The criti-

cal question is, those people are in

need of what at what point in time?

Panic set in while the American

Red Cross and other organizations

prepared to move in immediately to

address the emergent need of shelter,

water for drinking, food, and the dis-

posal of waste. The American Red

Cross provides the first line of sup-

port and needs large sums of money

to obtain the specific items at the

right time at as low a cost as possible

to help those who have been left

without food, clothing or shelter.

Trained emergency response

personnel from EPA worked in part-

nership with FEMA to assess the

damage and prepare for cleanup,

including oil and gasoline in the area.

The EPA temporarily allowed refin-

ers, importers, distributors, carriers

and retail outlets to supply gasoline

and diesel fuels that do not meet

standards for emissions. This waiver

was effective through September 15,

2005. In early September, the EPA

estimated that the number of water

systems affected by the hurricane is

60 in Alabama, 290 in Louisiana and

130 in Mississippi.

Our PHCC members have spe-

cial expertise for addressing the safe

drinking water, and start packing

their bags to go … but where? This is

where the problems really lie — hav-

ing a plan in place to utilize these

volunteers with special talents. There

are many who remember the Xenia

tornado that left that area of Ohio

devastated and the people there in

need. Some of our members were

packed and ready to go, only to be

told to stay at home because the offi-

cials were admitting no one to the

area for weeks. There are “road-

blocks” to cleanup and restoration:

no electricity, very little communica-

tion, fuel shortages, costs to trans-

porting needed supplies, open sewers,

not to mention the equipment needed

for rebuilding and replacement of lost

items.

PHCC National

Association is working

with other industry-

related organizations to

coordinate relief efforts

for victims of Hurricane

Katrina through the

American Red Cross and FEMA.

Funds are being collected by PHCC

and also by the enhanced service

group, QSC (Quality Service

Contractors) to help those PHCC

members who have experienced loss-

es. One member contractor offered to

financially assist relocation efforts

and provide a job to workers who

choose to move to a new city and

work for his company. Other PHCC

members opened their homes to

accommodate members and/or their

families.

You can help! Reach out to help

our distant neighbors as you would

want them to do for you by donating

$$ to the American Red Cross.

www.redcross.org; 1-800-HELP

NOW (435-7669). If you want to

help in person, please go to:

www.phccweb.org and/or www.icc-

safe.org to learn the skills needed at

the time they are needed. Another site

worth checking out:

www.epa.gov/Katrina.

DISASTERAFFECTS US ALL ! DISASTERAFFECTS US ALL !

FEMA; Liz Roll Photographer

FEM

A; M

ark

Wol

fe P

hoto

grap

her

Continued on page 15

91862_bluewa.qxp 9/21/2005 4:49 PM

91862_bluewa.qxp 9/22/2005 9:34 AM


YOU can also help yourself by preparing a disaster plan for your com-

pany. It could happen, and those who are prepared will be in a better posi-

tion to “weather the storm” and make sure your business continues.

From Entrepreneur.com, such a small business plan includes:

Step 1. Determine what can go wrong. (a) Learn the threats and risks

your business faces (your people, processes, reputation, technological

threats, human threats/stealing) and (b) determine how vulnerable you are

to them. i.e., how reliable is your backup system in the event of a power

outage? Determine what your most vulnerable areas are and what measures

are needed to protect them. (c) rank your threats in order of frequency; for

example, computer failure costs $___ per hour. The higher the risk expo-

sure, the more it’s worth your while to protect yourself from that threat.

Step 2. Develop a plan. An emergency action plan is a written proce-

dure manual for dealing with the threats you’ve identified in step one.

Some of the components of your plan will be prescribed by law, regula-

tions or good business sense (i.e., OSHA-directed evacuation plan).

According to the National Safety Council, emergency action plans should

contain the following minimum elements in writing:

a. Clear written policies that designate a chain of command, listing names

of those who are responsible for making decisions.

b. Names of the people responsible for assessing the degree of risk to life

& property, and who should be notified for various types of emergen-

cies.

c. Specific instructions for shutting down equipment and stopping busi-

ness activities.

d. Evacuation procedures including a designated meeting site outside the

facility and a process to account for all employees after an evacuation.

e. Specific training, practice schedules and equipment requirements for

employees who are responsible for rescue operations, medical duties,

hazardous responses, fire fighting and other responses specific to your

work site.

f. The preferred means of reporting fires and other emergencies.

Step 3. Be ready to respond. Tell your employees! Make sure they

know what’s expected of them.

Step 4. Get back to business. Take time to think about a worse-case

scenario and make plans for how you’ll recover. A new location?

Replacement equipment? Who will clean up? How will you recover your

critical data? How will you reach your people - and how will they reach

you? What if your suppliers weren’t prepared? What programs are avail-

able to help your business (Federal Emergency Management Agency -

FEMA, SBA) and your people (American Red Cross, Salvation Army).

Spend more time planning for the future of your business than you

spend “planning the company picnic.” You may never need it but if disaster

strikes, you will more likely stay in business.

Prepare a Disaster Plan for Your Company

Continued from page 13

91862_bluewa.qxp 9/22/2005 9:34 AM


Luke Grabill, Grabill Plumbing & Heating

AA recent survey by the PHCC educational foundation

revealed that Ohio contractors value networking and men-

toring with peers in the business as the best benefit experi-

enced by membership in PHCC. Ohio PHCC’s 2005

Contractor Service Award winner, Luke Grabill, of Grabill

Plumbing & Heating, supports those findings 100 percent.

Q. Tell me about your business.

A. Grabill Plumbing & Heating started in 1965 in Beach

City, Ohio, by Luke’s father. A family man with a family

business, Luke’s father brought him in to be a helper start-

ing at the age of ten. With no formal training, Luke was

mentored by the older technicians and started working full

time right out of high school. Since that time, he has edu-

cated himself through seminar attendance and reading

PHCC and other industry-related books as well as study-

ing other business-related resources.

In 1981, Luke took over

the reins of the company

consisting of his father and himself - a company that had

on occasion up to six employees. Today, he manages the

commercial side of the plumbing and hydronics business

including a 3000 sq. ft. kitchen and bath showroom, plus

2000 sq. ft. in offices and a 12,000 sq. ft. warehouse, shop

area and 12-bay truck garage. Grabill Plumbing & Heating

has 32 full-time employees and 15 trucks on the road serv-

ing customers in a six-county area: Stark, Wayne, Summit,

Holmes, Tuscarawas and Coshocton. His son, Grant, man-

ages a branch in the Cleveland area, primarily serving

Cuyahoga County customers. Kitchen and bath remodeling

are guided through the Grabill Gallery of Kitchens &

Baths, which includes KraftMaid cabinets for which they

are a dealer.

Typical of so many of our PHCC companies, family is

involved in the business: Karla, his daughter, is office

manager; son, Grant, manages the Cleveland branch;

David, his brother-in-law, is a partner in the business han-

dling the residential end, and his wife works in the show-

room.

Q. What type of training is provided for your employ-

ees?

A. We have no formal training program for our employ-

ees. At this time, we have monthly meetings when we

spend a couple of hours going over any problems they

have encountered and learning about new products. Our

employees learn a lot through experienced technicians

mentoring helpers.

We are located too far from any current formalized

training program, which is why I am chairing a PHCC

committee pursuing a recognized concentrated apprentice

training program that we hope will begin with a first year

class in the Akron area no later than January of 2006.


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The concept, originally used in California, will place

our employees in a focused learning situation for one full

week every quarter, from 8:00 am -5:00 pm, spending half

their time using written resources and half in hands-on lab

situations. This program will be available to a far greater

geographic area since the techs don’t have to drive there

after work and get home late, only to get up early the next

morning to show up at the shop for a full day of work.

Q. Why PHCC?

A. Luke became involved in PHCC in the early 80’s after

taking over the business from his Dad. He was personally

invited, encouraged and exposed to PHCC through Mose

Gingerich, a long-time member of PHCC. Luke attended

the Akron PHCC meetings where he “rubbed shoulders”

with more experienced contractors and also learned from

the meeting topics, always taking something away from

each meeting.

And PHCC benefited from Luke’s leadership when he

accepted board and officer positions including President in

Akron PHCC. The Stark Association is geographically

closer and when the opportunity arose, he joined that

chapter, becoming involved and currently serving as presi-

dent. The national association exposure has been through

leadership conferences and national convention attendance

where his “rubbing shoulders” expanded to include leaders

from other state and local chapters. Luke attended a QSC

(Quality Service Contractors) meeting and learned even

more, but since his business is primarily new construction,

that program didn’t fit. Luke will facilitate a round table at

the 2006 PHCC-ACCA Ohio Convention on new con-

struction.

Q. What other organizations & interests do you have?

A. Grabill Plumbing & Heating helps to sponsor their

church’s food bank, and Luke credits his wife, Karla, with

the “physical work.” The program collects food twice a

month, which serves more than 100 families.

The company is also a member of the Homebuilders

Association in Stark & Tuscarawas Counties.

Personally, Luke plays racquetball on a regular basis

(twice a week) and enjoys riding Harley motorcycles. He

loves to travel and does so quite often. Luke and Karla

completed a three week motorcycle trip through the states

of South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Nebraska

in August of this year. Never far from the business, or his

responsibilities as President of Stark PHCC, Luke takes

his laptop and cell phone along (he completed arrange-

ments for a chapter meeting speaker while in Wyoming

having breakfast). They did have some excitement - nar-

rowly missing by one-half hour a tornado that wiped out

trailers and another time riding through hail. They saw a

“ton” of wildlife along the way: moose, antelope, coyotes,

bear, prairie dogs and more.

A country boy at heart, he’s familiar with the interests

and understands the needs of his customers, most of who

are in the more rural areas of eastern Ohio.

Grabill Plumbing & Heating is located in Beach City,Ohio and on the web at www.grabill.com


91862_bluewa.qxp 9/22/2005 9:34 AM


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91862_bluewa.qxp 9/22/2005 9:35 AM


TThe spiking cost of healthcare concerns all of us — and

especially our members and other small businessmen.

Pieces of legislation have been introduced in Ohio and on

the Federal level but nothing has passed as of September

1, 2005. We keep trying! And there’s still hope.

National: On 7/25/05 the House passed the

Association Health Plans legislation, 263-165, the highest

tally of support for the bill thus far. The legislation will

now be considered by the Senate.

On the Senate side, Lake Coulson, PHCC

Government Affairs Vice President, said Senate Health,

Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Mike

Enzi (R-WY) has offered principles for any Association

Health Plan legislation, but specific legislation has not yet

been offered. Enzi wants to allow associations to offer

health care, but also supports state control of health

insurance. “Preempting the states and providing for

federal oversight is a key component of the legisla-

tion, so it is unclear how both of Enzi’s goals can

be attained,” Coulson said.

The bill, called the Small Business Health

Fairness Act (H.R. 525), will significantly expand

access to health coverage for many of the 45 mil-

lion Americans who are currently uninsured. The

bill creates association health plans (AHPs), which

allow small businesses to band together through

associations and purchase quality health care for

workers and their families at a lower cost. The AHP bill

would increase small businesses’ bargaining power with

health care providers, give them freedom from costly

state-mandated benefit packages, and lower their overhead

costs by as much as 30 percent - benefits that large corpo-

rations and unions already enjoy because of their larger

economies of scale.

“Until now, only the big corporations and unions have

been given the benefit of insurance arrangements like

those PHCC seeks under the Association Health Plan leg-

islation,” Tim Williford, PHCC Government Affairs

Chairman, said. “Today, the U.S. House took the first bold

step to leveling the playing field for small business. We

now urge the Senate to do their part and to move quickly

to pass a similar measure that has been pending for far too

long.”

HEALTHINSURANCE -HEALTHINSURANCE - Is Anything Being Done

??

Make sure Ohio Senators Mike DeWine and George

Voinovich know your concerns and how the high cost of health

insurance has made an impact on your business. Contact them at:

Senator Mike DeWine

140 Russell Senate Office Bldg.

Washington, DC 20510

[email protected]

ph: 202-224-23315

Fax: 202-224-6519

Senator George Voinovich

317 Hart Office Bldg.

Washington, DC 20510

www.voinovich.senate.gov

Ph: 202-224-3353

Fax: 202-228-1382

Members of PHCC can go directly to the national PHCC web

site: www.phccweb.org and click on government affairs.


91862_bluewa.qxp 9/21/2005 4:56 PM


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91862_bluewa.qxp 9/21/2005 4:56 PM

In Ohio: Senate Bill 5 and House Bill 5 address

Small Business Health Care Reform. Designed to permit

small employers (defined as at least two but no more than

50 employees) to offer health care plans with dollar limits

on mandated services otherwise required by statute, to pro-

vide for the operation of health savings accounts consis-

tent with federal laws, and to limit the amount of co-pay-

ments and deductibles paid by persons insured by health

benefit plans were introduced in January of 2005 by

Senator Jay Hottinger and Rep. Jim Raussen. The sponsors

are working hand-in-hand meeting with interested parties

and resolving issues. A substitute bill was accepted in the

Senate on 6/21.

In the proposals, one of two conditions must be met to

qualify a small employer to participate:

(1) any portion of the (health benefit) plan’s premium

or benefits is paid by the small employer, or any covered

individual is reimbursed, whether through wage adjust-

ments or otherwise, by the small employer for any portion

of the plan premium, or

(2) the plan is treated by the employer or any of the

covered individuals as part of a plan or program for pur-

poses of computing federally taxable income. Under con-

tinuing law, a “health benefit plan” excludes policies that

are for limited care such as dental or vision care. In this

law, a new “flexible health benefit plan” has been defined

and the insurance carrier would be required to give notice

to the insured what is and is not included in the plan.

S.B.5 appears to be carrying the legislation and is

expected to pass the Senate in late fall or early winter. It

will then have to be considered in the House whose mem-

bers have already been alerted to its provisions through

H.B.5. The Ohio Department of Insurance notes that this

legislation is one piece of its effort to find lower-cost

health insurance alternatives and provide coverage to more

Ohioans.

High Risk Pool for health care coverage to people

who have serious chronic health conditions is being

explored by the Ohio Department of Insurance, Ann

Womer Benjamin, Director. (Director Benjamin held an

“early riser” seminar during the 2005 PHCC-ACCA Ohio

Convention in early April.) Through a federal grant, a

health care actuarial firm conducted a study to determine

if a high risk pool is an appropriate mechanism for provid-

ing health coverage to federally eligible individuals and

uninsured Ohioans. At this time, funding of such a pool is

a major concern, especially among the insuring compa-

nies, but there is also consideration of having employers

help “foot the bill.” The projected monthly premium at

this time would be in the $600 range - not designed to

reach the poor, but those who simply can’t find insurance

coverage. At this time, there are 1.3 million uninsured

Ohioans; the study estimates that membership in such a

high-risk pool would commence at 2,800 the first year,

growing to approximately 13,000 individuals by the fifth

year and maxing out at 17,250. With 30 other states offer-

ing high risk insurance pools, a wealth of information and

guidance is available to Ohio leadership.

Ohio Hospital Association has created a web site just

for consumers. Addressing the quality and cost of medical

care, especially in hospitals, you can find out more about

the providers of your healthcare by clicking on

www.ohanet.org/portal.



91862_bluewa.qxp 9/21/2005 4:56 PM


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91862_bluewa.qxp 9/21/2005 4:56 PM


OOn or soon after May 27th, 2006, a statewide residential

code will be adopted. The Residential Construction

Advisory Committee, established as a result of HB175

passed during the last General Assembly, met and

reviewed the options and took into consideration the rec-

ommendations from interested parties, including PHCC.

The result of their deliberations most likely will be a rec-

ommendation to the Ohio Board of Building Standards to

adopt the OBOA (Ohio Building Officials Association) 1-

2-3 Family Code with some modifications. This code is a

modified [Ohioized] version of the International

Residential Code. For plumbing contractors, the residential

code references the “gray book” - the current Ohio

Plumbing Code. Sections of the Ohio Building Code,

especially Chapter 27, will be referenced, and the mechan-

ical code provisions are spelled out in the residential code.

Some sections of the electrical code, especially those deal-

ing with equipotential bonding grids for swimming pools,

will be recommended to be altered based on new language

released in an NFPA 13 Tentative Interim Amendment

(TIA).

Dateline: Residential Code adoption is expected to be

the subject of a public hearing on November 4 at the

Board of Building Standards meeting in the Division of

Industrial Compliance building 6606 Tussing

Road, Reynoldsburg. In the meantime, rules will

be developed and filed with JCARR (Joint

Committee on Agency Rule Review), and adop-

tion by the Board (OBBS) to take place on

December 16. Thereafter, the official effective date for

using the statewide code will be 5/27/06 - also the date

when building departments will begin assessing a 1% fee

for all plans submitted. Building departments will also

have one year to come into compliance with certified per-

sonnel and review ordinances to insure no conflicts with

the new code are present.

Caveat: Once adopted, the Ohio Residential Code

will be the standards and requirements for building one,

two and three-family dwellings throughout the state. All

municipal, county, and township building departments

must be certified for residential enforcement and in areas

where a residential building department has jurisdiction, it

will be required to enforce the new code. Under the law,

local residential building regulations may not differ from

the state residential building code unless a regulation

addresses subject matter not addressed by the state code or

a “conflict” procedure specified in the law is followed to

permit an exception. The simplest way to understand the

law is that if a jurisdiction wishes to enforce a residential

code, it must be the same as the state code; if it does not

wish to enforce a residential code, then none will be

enforced. Building departments may be certified for resi-

BUILD TO CODESTATEWIDERESIDENTIAL

CODE

91862_bluewa.qxp 9/21/2005 4:57 PM


dential enforcement only if the local government requests

residential enforcement. Those currently enforcing a resi-

dential code will have one year to become certified by the

BBS. A local government may contract with another gov-

erning body’s certified building department to enforce the

state residential building code within its jurisdiction, but it

is not required to do so. The Board of Building Standards

will certify building departments and personnel choosing

to enforce the state residential code, which may differ

from nonresidential certification.

Plan approval: An owner of a residential building

must submit plans for approval only if there is a building

department certified for state residential building code

enforcement. If no such building department exists, the

owner is not required to submit the plans for approval. The

seal of an architect or engineer is not required for residen-

tial building plans.

Existing structures codes: Townships and counties

may adopt, administer and enforce an existing structures

code within their unincorporated areas. These township

and county codes pertain to the repair and continued main-

tenance of structures and the premises of those structures.

Under the law, these existing structures

codes (property maintenance codes)

may not address subject matter

addressed by the state residential build-

ing code and may not conflict with that

code. Enforcement must be by trained

and qualified personnel.

Right to Cure: Before commenc-

ing arbitration proceedings or filing a

“dwelling action” against a residential

contractor to recover damages or

indemnity for a construction defect,

homeowners who have entered into a

contract for construction or substantial

rehabilitation of a residential building

must follow a procedure outlined in the

law. Included in that procedure is the

residential contractor’s requirement to

provide the owner with notice of the

contractor’s right to offer to resolve

any alleged construction defect before

the owner may commence action

against the contractor. Detailed guide-

lines and time-specific action requirements are included in

the Law.

Energy conservation rules: The Act repeals the man-

date for the BBS to establish energy conservation rules

that apply to one, two and three-family dwellings. It does,

however, require that the state residential building code

relate to energy conservation.

Licensing: Sec. 3781.102: Licensing is not required

by this Act. However, the Act specifies that any county or

municipalities may require licensing for residential con-

tractors. In that event, they may NOT require any specialty

contractor who holds a valid and unexpired license issued

pursuant to Chapter 4740 of the Ohio Revised Code

(licenses issued by the Ohio Construction Industry

Licensing Board - OCILB) to successfully complete an

examination, test, or demonstration of technical skills in

order to engage in the type of contracting for which the

license is held. A registration fee, however, may be

imposed before the licensed specialty contractor (plumb-

ing, hydronics, HVAC, refrigeration, or electrical) may

commence work. �

91862_bluewa.qxp 9/21/2005 4:57 PM


AAugust 20, 2005 - Akron, Ohio. The

Akron Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling

Contractors along with several suppli-

ers and manufacturers have once again

donated their services and materials

for plumbing a Habitat for Humanity

new home.

Nine member companies were

represented with a total of twelve men

and one young man. The official work

start time was 8:00 a.m.. Tom Shuman

of Shuman, Inc. as our crew leader

arrived shortly after 7:00 a.m. and

placed materials in the home. As

members started to arrive, work began

in all of the various levels. With much

fellowship, the work progressed and a

little kibitzing helped the high heat

and humidity to not be as noticeable.

By 10:30 a.m. the drains and vent

piping were all installed, the water

piping was installed in the basement,

nail and BOCA plates were on, and

materials were all removed from the

site. After the job was swept clean,

most had a last donut and all were on

their way.

The opportunity to serve others

and provide safe plumbing for the new

owners gave each of the participating

contractors the continued sense of

pride in our PHCC membership.

CHAPTER COMMUNITY SERVICE

Contractors participating were:

Schuman, Inc. Tom & Jack Shuman

Portage Plumbing Bob Palmer & Bill Feetterers

Finley Plumbing, Inc. Tim & Tim II Finley

Powers Plumbing Services Dan Powers

Frecka Plumbing Rick & David Frecka

Harner Plumbing Ray Harner

Advanced Plumbing Mike Musci

Haas Plumbing Jay Haas

Schwaben Plumbing Ron Schwaben

Suppliers were:

Moen Faucets

Wolff Brothers Supply

Lasco Bathware

91862_bluewa.qxp 9/21/2005 5:00 PM


91862_bluewa.qxp 9/21/2005 5:01 PM


8 GIFTS THAT DO NOT COST A CENT

� The gift of listeningBut you must really listen. No interrupting, no day dreaming. No plan-ning your response. Just listen.

� The gift of affectionBe generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back andhandholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have forfamily and friends.

� The gift of laughterClip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, “Ilove to laugh with you.”

� The gift of a written noteIt can be a simple “Thanks for the help” note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remem-bered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.

� The gift of a complimentA simple and sincere, “You look great in red,” “You did a super job” or “That was a wonderful meal” canmake someone’s day.

� The gift of a favorEveryday, go out of your way to do something kind.

� The gift of solitudeThere are times when we want nothing more than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give thegift of solitude to others.

� The gift of a cheerful dispositionThe easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind “Hello” or “Thank You” to someone.

91862_bluewa.qxp 9/21/2005 5:01 PM

30

TreasurerJack Shuman

Shuman, Inc.330-688-2322Fax: 688-3151PO Box 373Munroe Falls, OH [email protected]

Doug McIntire

McIntire Plumbing330-339-1539Fax: 339-6945842 Cookson Avenue SENew Philadelphia, OH [email protected]

Joseph Schlueter

Schlueter Plumbing Co.513-771-7588Fax: 771-91152533 E. Sharon RoadCincinnati, OH [email protected]

Zone 3Joseph Schlueter

Schlueter Plumbing Co.513-771-7588Fax: 771-91152533 E. Sharon RoadCincinnati, OH [email protected]

Bob Palmer

Portage Plumbing & Heating330-626-3404Fax: 626-54999657 St. Rt. 43Streetsboro, OH [email protected]

Zone 2Mike Waker

Waker Plumbing Inc.937-434-2678Fax: 434-16741760 E. David RoadKettering, OH 45440-1670

Zone 7Dan Powers

Powers Plumbing Service330-920-9861Fax: 330-922-5544620 James AvenueCuyahoga Falls, OH 44221

Zone 6Richard E. Willkomm

Willkomm & Sons Co.216-486-7633Fax: 486-7633353 Dumbarton AvenueRichmond Heights, OH [email protected]

PresidentLiana Driscoll

The Neff Co.330-533-5559Fax: 533-366855 Lisbon StreetCanfield, OH [email protected]

Zone 9Dave Keister

Keister Plumbing & Heating330-895-4256Fax: 330-895-47911215 Aurora RoadMinerva, OH [email protected]

Sandy Pogan, CAEExecutive Manager

Debbie Tittl

Executive Assistant

Zone 8Jim Thornton

Thornton & Son330-793-9768Fax: 793-59141005 N. Meridian RoadYoungstown, OH [email protected]

Zone 5Bruce Dunkle

Mr. Plumber614-235-8128Fax: 237-83812020 Zettler Rd.Columbus, OH [email protected]

Sarah Shafer Dornan

Director of 1st Impressions

18961 River’s Edge Drive, Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44023 Phone: 800.686.PHCC Fax: 440.543.1699Email: [email protected] Web: www.phccohio.org

President- ElectWendell Coblentz

Coblentz Plumbing330-877-8989Fax: 877-8525PO Box 884Hartville, OH 44632-8927

91862_bluewa.qxp 9/21/2005 5:02 PM

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