RMHPBA September News Flash 2015

NEWS FLASH<br />

The <strong>RMHPBA</strong>’s Monthly Update<br />

<strong>September</strong> <strong>2015</strong><br />

In this Issue<br />

Colorado Stove<br />

Change Out Meeting<br />

Overview<br />

Page 1<br />

2016 HPBExpo<br />

Page 2<br />

HPBExpo Education<br />

Program<br />

Page 3<br />

New Research<br />

Program<br />

Page 3<br />

Upcoming Events<br />

Colorado stove change out meeting Sept. 16<br />

Comin’ Up In October<br />

2016 Member<br />

Reception<br />

Page 4<br />

Government Affairs<br />

Update<br />

Page 5 & 6<br />

<strong>RMHPBA</strong> Board Meeting<br />

<strong>September</strong> 28, 2016<br />

2016 HPBExpo<br />

March 16-19, 2016<br />

2016 Member Reception<br />

March 16, 2016<br />

Member directory on<br />

<strong>RMHPBA</strong>’s website<br />

Find a dealer & find a retailer<br />

locator<br />

October <strong>News</strong>letter

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Colorado stove change out meeting overview<br />

Thank you to HPBA Barbecue’s Director of Public Affairs John Crouch, <strong>RMHPBA</strong> board members,<br />

American Lung Association (ALA) representative and the 27 members who attended the Colorado<br />

stove change out meeting <strong>September</strong> 19. A big thanks goes out to RW Specialites, Inc. for hosting the<br />

meeting. Keith and his staff were a great help. We would also like to thank all the people<br />

who took time off from work to be here for the meeting.<br />

Until the final plan gets approved by EPA, the <strong>RMHPBA</strong> will need to wait to really publicize it<br />

until that time. The change out program will be happening soon, and it may include more counties than<br />

originally planned (Boulder, Denver, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld), but this is why we need to wait until<br />

the official announcement. One thing is for sure, it will be a wonderful boost to our members business!<br />

With the money set aside for the change out, we think there could be around 500 stoves changed out,<br />

which means 500 units sold. The <strong>RMHPBA</strong> will keep you posted to what’s going on as soon as we hear<br />

about it.<br />

Background information:<br />

There is approximately $1 millon set aside for the program with some of that money going to the<br />

ALA to run the program, some money for advertising it, and the rest for the change out with some of it<br />

designated for low income persons. This program should be very similar to the one Larry worked with<br />

in Arizona a couple of years ago.<br />

The change out may include replacing the wood stoves with gas units or pellet units, and might<br />

require that someone who is NFI certified in the fuel type of the unit (wood, gas, pellet) installed to<br />

install the unit.<br />

Please contact Larry Grogan at rmhpba@outlook.com with questions or concerns.<br />

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2016 HPBExpo registration is OPEN<br />

Exhibition: March 17-19, 2016<br />

Education: March 16-19, 2016<br />

Get ready for HPBExpo in New Orleans taking<br />

place March 16-19, 2016, at the Ernest N.<br />

Morial Convention Center. Hear what HPBA<br />

Chairman Jess Baldwin and other members<br />

are saying about the show and why you need<br />

to be there next year in this quick video filmed<br />

at the <strong>2015</strong> Expo!<br />

Most of the city’s restaurants, attractions,<br />

tours, accommodations and event venues<br />

are within walking distance of each other,<br />

it’s easy to get around the “Big Easy” and is<br />

the perfect setting for networking. Within the<br />

12-blocks of the historic French Quarter, come<br />

enjoy the charm of New Orleans, all while<br />

attending a successful meeting in the Crescent<br />

City.<br />

New Orleans combines big city choices<br />

with small town friendliness. Need more<br />

ideas? We’ve got the information you need on<br />

getting around and what to do while in New<br />

Orleans. Don’t forget to bookmark the HPB-<br />

Expo’s website as show information for next<br />

year will continually post throughout the year.<br />

Registration, Education & Housing<br />

Opens<br />

Register online for show badges, education,<br />

hotel reservations, flights and car rentals<br />

today!<br />

Be advised that onPeak is the official<br />

HPBA housing partner - don’t be fooled by<br />

other travel companies claiming to be affiliated<br />

with HPBA. Through onPeak, HPBA is able<br />

to secure the lowest rates, best hotels and the<br />

most complimentary amenities during your<br />

stay in New Orleans, exclusive only to<br />

HPBExpo guests.<br />

It it should be a great show with lots of exhibitors<br />

based on the current numbers. Click here<br />

for the full list of current exhibitors.<br />

Updated floor plans and exhibit space contracts<br />

are now posted online.<br />

Thank you to our <strong>2015</strong><br />

sponsors!<br />

Associated Energy Systems<br />

Olympia Chimney Supply, Inc.<br />

Majestic Hearth<br />

M&G DuraVent<br />

RH Peterson CO.<br />

RW Specialties, Inc.<br />

Valor<br />

Join <strong>RMHPBA</strong>’s<br />

Board of Directors!<br />

Would you like to become a <strong>RMHPBA</strong><br />

Board Member? If you are an engaged and<br />

committed individual and enjoys<br />

volunteering, then we<br />

encourage you to apply!<br />

Fill out the boad member application<br />

Please contact rmhpba@outlook.com with<br />

questions<br />

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HPBExpo Education<br />

Program<br />

National Fireplace Institute (NFI)<br />

The HPBExpo Education Program is one of the<br />

high points of the show each year, drawing attendees<br />

with sessions on technical training, sales and<br />

marketing, safety, manufacturer-specific education,<br />

and more. Once again, there will be two and a half<br />

days of education sessions at the 2016 HPBExpo in<br />

New Orleans with great topics presented by some<br />

of the industry’s brightest speakers.<br />

Ted Topping, a perennial favorite at Expo from<br />

Creative Insights, will be back to deliver a series of<br />

eight classes. He will cover topics including “How<br />

To Retain Exceptional Employees” and “Professional<br />

Service is Profitable.” He will also lead a<br />

panel discussion on “Making the Transition to<br />

Management.” This session is designed for the new<br />

generation of owners and managers who are taking<br />

control of retail stores in the hearth industry.<br />

Tom Parks, from Coastroad Hearth and Patio, will<br />

present two classes designed to clear up some of the<br />

most confusing aspects of hearth appliance installations.<br />

“NFI Math” will review those pesky formulas<br />

we use every day but may not truly understand.<br />

Tom will also lead, “Things No One Else Teaches,” a<br />

discussion on all those little details that are covered<br />

in the Reference Manual, yet no one else covers.<br />

Tom will focus on those neglected topics and help<br />

clear the smoke.<br />

HPBA Announces New<br />

Research Program<br />

In HPBA’s <strong>September</strong> Hot <strong>News</strong>, it was announced<br />

that a new structure for market research has been<br />

established.<br />

Kate Fritz joined HPBA as Director - Membership<br />

& Affiliates in January. In addition to membership,<br />

she served as the director of market research at her<br />

previous job, The Association for Manufacturing<br />

Technology (AMT), and holds a Master of Library<br />

Science degree from the University of Maryland -<br />

College Park. In an effort to provide synergies across<br />

programs at HPBA, particularly in recruiting new<br />

members and participants in research surveys, Kate<br />

will also be responsible for research programs. Her title<br />

is now Director - Membership & Affiliates, Market<br />

Research.<br />

In addition, HPBA hired Cameron Downs as the new<br />

Manager - Market Research. He will start on <strong>September</strong><br />

14th. Cameron has a Master in Anthropology<br />

degree from American University and over five years<br />

of experience in market research. He has developed<br />

and produced surveys of all kinds, and conducted<br />

both qualitative and quantitative research on myriad<br />

topics, including manufacturing and business logistics.<br />

Cameron joins HPBA from the United States<br />

Pharmacopoeial Convention. Prior to that position,<br />

he worked for Kate Fritz at AMT.<br />

Cameron will be reachable at (703) 522-0086 x110<br />

and downs@hpba.org.<br />

Your involvement in the HPBExpo Education<br />

Program will be time well spent. When booking<br />

your trip to New Orleans, plan to arrive on Tuesday<br />

March 15th, so you are ready to learn bright and<br />

early on Wednesday morning. Three-day Education<br />

Passports are again available for $129 if you<br />

purchase them before January 1st. There is no other<br />

educational program that offers you the opportunity<br />

to learn so much for so little.<br />

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2016 <strong>RMHPBA</strong> HPBExpo Member Reception<br />

Good times with great people!<br />

The Big Easy just keeps<br />

getting better!<br />

The <strong>RMHPBA</strong> is getting excited for the 2016<br />

HPBExpo member reception! The reception will<br />

be a joint event with affiliates including SCHPBA,<br />

AHPBA, OHPBA, NWHPBA, and HPBA Pacific!<br />

The combined reception will have 18 states, with<br />

hundreds of awesome members present.<br />

Details:<br />

Wednesday, March 16, 2016 6-8 FULTON ALLEY<br />

600 Fulton St., New Orleans<br />

(One half block from host hotel)<br />

Stay tuned for<br />

registration to<br />

open!<br />

Photo courtesy of www.fultonalley.com<br />

Sponsorship<br />

So far we have sponsorships from:<br />

Olympia Chimney, Jotul,<br />

RH Peterson, Amantii<br />

Electric Fireplaces,<br />

Morso, and Sierra Flame.<br />

Please thank them if you see their representative<br />

at your store!<br />

Do you want to sponsor<br />

this event, too?<br />

Contact Larry Grogan at rmhpba@outlook.com<br />

or 480-772-2169 with any questions or interest.<br />

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HPBA Government Affairs Update<br />

25C Tax Credit<br />

As previously reported, the 25C tax credit for 75 percent<br />

efficient or higher biomass stoves has been included<br />

in Senate bill S. 1946, the “Tax Relief Extension<br />

Act of <strong>2015</strong>,” which was introduced by Senator Orrin<br />

Hatch (R-UT) during the first week of August. The<br />

Senate bill will move to the Senate floor next for continued<br />

discussion and a vote, possibly later this month.<br />

The tax credit is also included in House legislation,<br />

H.R. 2517, the “Powering American Jobs Act of <strong>2015</strong>”<br />

introduced by Congressman Mike Kelly (R-PA-06) in<br />

May. This bill is on a slower track than the Senate bill,<br />

as it still needs to be considered by the House Ways<br />

and Means Committee.<br />

The language in both bills would extend the tax credit<br />

for two years, retroactive to<br />

January 1, <strong>2015</strong>, i.e., for all <strong>2015</strong> purchases as well as<br />

for purchases made in 2016. The current language<br />

specifies higher heating value (“HHV”) as the metric<br />

to measure stove efficiency. HPBA is working with<br />

Congressional offices to pass a clean extension of the<br />

tax credit, without specifying an efficiency measure.<br />

Keep in mind that, until a bill is signed by President<br />

Obama, the efficiency method has not been finalized<br />

and knowing which appliances would qualify remains<br />

uncertain. Please contact Rachel Feinstein if you have<br />

any questions.<br />

Are You Ready for the New EMV<br />

Chip Card Requirements?<br />

U.S. credit card companies are now making the transition<br />

from magnetic stripe technology to credit cards<br />

with chips. Starting on October 1st, the liability for<br />

certain types of fraudulent credit card charges will shift<br />

from banks to businesses that do not have chip card<br />

processing machines. EMV, which stands for Europay,<br />

Mastercard, and Visa, is a safer form of payment for<br />

both consumers and businesses, and is currently used<br />

in over 80 countries. If a customer uses a chip-enabled<br />

card in your store and you don’t have a chip processing<br />

machine, you, the retailer, will be responsible for<br />

fraudulent expenses, not the card owner’s bank. The<br />

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has prepared<br />

extensive guidance on this issue for small businesses.<br />

SBA has made public a PowerPoint slide-deck,<br />

a recording of a June <strong>2015</strong> webinar on the topic, and<br />

a factsheet on the new chip technology. Additional<br />

information and downloads can be found on SBA’s<br />

website.<br />

NFPA 211<br />

Following an unusually circuitous balloting process, all<br />

problem items in the most recent National Fire Protection<br />

Association (NFPA) 211 ballot have now been<br />

resolved. As you may recall, the NFPA 211 Committee<br />

had several proposals that were threatening the use<br />

of aftermarket products for repair and replacement of<br />

existing fireplaces,chimneys and accessories, as well as<br />

proposals to restrict new installations, in particular of<br />

gas log sets in new fireplaces.<br />

In the maintenance portion of the standard, the committee<br />

will now allow for the approval by a Qualified<br />

Agency (such as NFI or CSIA). The first draft language<br />

created by the NFPA 211 Committee for the maintenance<br />

portion of the standard only allowed listed and<br />

approved products or approval by the Authority Having<br />

Jurisdiction (AHJ/Building Inspector). Without<br />

this wider approval authority, confusion could arise.<br />

For example, in situations where installations include<br />

products from a manufacturer who later went out of<br />

business, and/or the original parts became unavailable,<br />

fireplaces would be condemned for lack of relevant<br />

parts, even though comparable parts are available on<br />

the market.The adopted change gives those Qualified<br />

Agencies the ability to make educated decisions on the<br />

use of comparable parts.<br />

For the new installation portion of the proposals, the<br />

Committee’s first draft proposed language would have<br />

unnecessarily restricted the installation of a number of<br />

products due to a requirement that products be listed<br />

and approved for “specific fireplaces.” This would have<br />

required all gas log sets, for example, to be listed and<br />

approved for each fireplace for which they could be<br />

installed. Up to this point, the requirements for gas<br />

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HPBA Government Affairs Continued<br />

logs in UL 127 fireplaces were typically limited only<br />

by Btu output. HPBA saw this as unnecessary and<br />

overly restrictive. After two ballots carrying proposed<br />

changes in language were defeated, the end result is the<br />

same. The existing language that has been in the code<br />

for over 15 years will stay in effect.<br />

If you have any questions on the requirements, results<br />

or details of the NFPA 211 vote, please contact Tom<br />

Stroud at stroud@hpba.org.<br />

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