ISSUE 32 | SUMMER 2011

Kitchen Grease Exhaust Maintenance:

Upblast Fans

10 Ways to Lower Your Workers’ Comp

Costs

Certification FAQs

Don’t Miss: IKECA Fall Seminar

C L E A N I N G T O A H I G H E R S T A N D A R D
IN EACH ISSUE
04 Letter from the IKECA President
Doug Schuler | Bentley Resources
05 From the Desk of the Executive Director
Kenneth R. Hutton | Fernley & Fernley, Inc.
10 Association News

FEATURED ARTICLES
12 Kitchen Grease Exhaust Maintenance, Part One: Upblast Fans
Don Pfleiderer | Enviromatic Corporation of America, Inc.
14 10 Ways to Lower Your Workers’ Compensation Costs
Richard W. Shaw | CBIZ Insurance Services, Inc.
16 Start Your Engines
Richard Flint | Richard Flint Intl.
22 Selling Your Customers Rooftop Grease Containment
Skip Lewis | Omni Containment Systems, LLC

DON’T MISS IN THIS ISSUE

07 2011 IKECA Fall Technical Seminar Preliminary Schedule
09 Making Every Cleaning Count
Jack Grace | Western Commercial Services
18 Thoughts on Sunny Florida
Anne Levine | Applied Building Technologies, Inc.
20 IKECA Certification Frequently Asked Questions
23 IKECA Hosts Visitor from Japan
26 Letters from IKECA Members
“Managing Gasoline Costs”

AHJ NEWS
24 Working with AHJs: Some Tips for IKECA Members
Jim Narva | National Association of State Fire Marshals
The IKECA Journal is an industry publication for cleaners, fire marshals, insurance ISSUE 32
professionals, facility managers, vendors and other interested parties in the
commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning and inspection industry SUMMER 2011

Serving the Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Industry Worldwide

The IKECA Journal is an industry publication for cleaners, fire
marshals, insurance professionals, facility managers, vendors
and other interested parties in the commercial kitchen ex-
haust cleaning and inspection industry.

IKECA President
Doug Schuler, CECS, CESI
Bentley Resources

IKECA Executive Director

Kenneth R. Hutton

IKECA Associate Director

Gina Marinilli

IKECA Journal Editor

Heidi T. Wunder

IKECA Journal Editorial Review Board

Christoper Bisbee Bernard Besal, CECS, CESI
Neal R. Iorii, Jr., CECS, CESI Doug Schuler, CECS, CESI
Donald Pfleiderer, CECS, CESI Kathy Slomer, CECS

100 North 20th Street, Suite 400

Philadelphia, PA 19103
Tel: 215.564.3484
Fax: 215.963.9785
Email: information@ikeca.org
The IKECA Journal is a publication of the International Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Association © 2011. All Rights Reserved. For more information or to order
additional copies, contact the IKECA headquarters office. Unless otherwise noted, all images are copyright IKECA and their respective owners. Unless
otherwise noted, all articles are copyright IKECA. Direct requests for reprint to the IKECA headquarters office. The International Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning
Association prints the IKECA Journal to provide its member and other interested parties in the commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning industry with a forum
for the discussion of topics of interest to the entire industry. The ideas and opinions expressed in the IKECA Journal are solely those of the contributors and
do not necessarily represent the view, positions or policies of IKECA, its members, its board of directors, officers or staff. IKECA is not responsible for any
claims made in any advertisements, and does not endorse any manufacturer, supplier or vendor. IKECA does not warrant the performance of any member
or member employee or subcontractor.
Letter from the IKECA President
The Year Ahead for IKECA
Doug Schuler, CECS, CESI
Bentley Resources
IKECA’s recent Membership Meeting
in Naples, Florida, was an outstanding
way to end my first term as your asso-
ciation president. I am truly honored to
have been re-elected as the president
of the International Kitchen Exhaust
Cleaning Association for 2011. We had
great workshops and equally great
speakers: Nancye Combs on human
resources, Bob DeStefano on website
design, and Richard Flint on customer
satisfaction and relationships. After 39 years of marriage now I
think I got the right instructions for the next 39 years.
The meeting also featured our own volunteer speakers who
always give so generously of their time. I refer of course to Bar-
ney Besal and Jim Roberts as well as first-time speakers John
Muller and Anne Levine.
Let me share a few thoughts on the work ahead of us this year.
As you know, we made the management company change in
mid-2010 and from all indications, I feel confident we picked
the right team in Fernley & Fernley. They have the same pas-
sion in management as we have in cleaning – taking their work
to a higher standard.
To better serve the IKECA membership, the board of directors
has adopted a new mission statement and a vision statement.
I encourage you to take a moment and read these, and under-
stand what they really mean and how they will better serve
you:
Mission
IKECA is a non-profit organization committed to fire preven-
tion and life safety by promoting kitchen exhaust cleaning to
a higher standard.
(Adopted by the IKECA Board of Directors as of 1/20/2011.)
Vision
By 2016 IKECA will be the internationally recognized association
directly impacting the standards and procedures for commer-
cial kitchen exhaust cleaning, inspection and maintenance.
(Adopted by the IKECA Board of Directors as of 4/6/2011.)
Along with this revised mission and vision, our 2011 Strategic
Visioning Task Force came to a consensus on three initiatives:
One — We must create a closer bond with and reach out to our
Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs). This includes:
• Advocating for favorable codes and regulations,
PAGE 4 | SUMMER 2011
• Determining how best to connect with insurance compa-
nies as well as AHJs, both locally and at the state level,
• Developing tools for members to reach AHJs, and
• Developing AHJ awareness in Canada.
Two — IKECA must champion the success the association has
achieved. Some of the steps are:
• New membership eligibility requirements that reflect the
seriousness of the requirements
• Enforcement and clarification of existing process and
procedures consistently
• Articulating membership values so more grasp/have an
understanding of what’s there
Three – IKECA must re-engage you, the member, to improve in-
teraction and communication. We’ll do that by developing:
• The IKECA website, particularly the members only
section, as a communication tool for all.
• Communication links for the board and for committees
to the general membership.
This last initiative also includes helping our members realize
that their businesses are critical components of fire prevention
and life safety, as clearly articulated in our new vision state-
ment.
Our new member goal this year is a net addition of 25 compa-
nies. IKECA will only reach this goal if all of you current members
help to bring in new members. You’ll need some good tools and
action steps to go out and sell the benefits of being an IKECA
member, and here’s the first: Identify some prospects and invite
them to our Technical Seminar in Milwaukee in October. An ex-
citing and expanded program schedule is available in advance
and is the result of many hours of work with you in mind. Read
more about the Technical Seminar, starting on page 6.
Thank you for electing me to continue leading IKECA in 2011;
I’m proud to be your association president.
Robert “Doug” Schuler, CECS, CESI, is President at Bentley
Resources in Sarasota, Florida. He is serving his second term as
IKECA President. Reach him at rschuler@tampabay.rr.com.
THE IKECA JOURNAL
 From the Desk of the Executive Director
Strategic Change: High Goals for the Future
Kenneth R. Hutton
IKECA Executive Director
If you are not constantly changing, then
your leadership position is under attack.
Welcome to the business environment
of the 21st century. And, that statement
about change pertains to businesses as
well as trade associations.
Change is always challenging. It is
something which requires constant ef-
fort and leadership from management.
To be successful, change requires sup-
port from those within an organization. The good news for
IKECA is that change has been ongoing for some time now.
The first strategic change centered on ANSI, the American Na-
tional Standards Institute. Initially, the IKECA volunteer lead-
ers recognized that to truly position the Association as the true
standard bearer in the cleaning of kitchen exhaust systems
more than a certification program was needed; hence, the com-
mitment to develop a series of ANSI standards. What is unique
about the ANSI process, as noted under the Association News
section, is the involvement of constituents from across the in-
dustry to truly build a consensus standard. That first standard,
IKECA C10, is well on its way to becoming an American National
Standard.
The second strategic change occurred when the IKECA Board
decided to evaluate which association management company
might be best suited to take the organization to the next level.
As President Schuler notes in his observations under the Letter
from the President (on page 4), that change was made during
the middle of last year.
Thirdly, the new association management team implemented
the Board’s policy to insure that all companies applying or re-
newing their memberships were following IKECA’s Membership
Eligibility Requirements (or MERs). Many were not, and a grace
period until year end was granted. Indeed, the Management
Team will continue to apply the MERs rigorously to current and
prospective members. Now with consistent application of MERs
in place and a new set of membership requirements for fran-
chising operations approved, the focus in membership consis-
tency will shift to the Supplemental category.
Taken together, these six items may seem like an amazing
amount of change… and it is. But, the strategic change is by
no means over for IKECA. As many of you have already experi-
enced, the Fall Technical Seminar & Expo as well as the Annual
Conference were revamped. Now the Certification Committee
is working on a new series of exams for all the certified desig-
nations. The Canadian Chapter of IKECA has found new ener-
gy and is actively reaching out to businesses in the provinces,
telling the return on investment story of joining IKECA. A new
partnership was formed with the National Association of State
Fire Marshals (NASFM); outreach with more AHJ organizations
is needed in order to teach those influencers what proper clean-
ing of kitchen exhaust systems means when following NRPA 96.
Discussion is underway on how to reach a goal of having a certi-
fied technician in every KEC truck.
This is truly an exciting time for the kitchen exhaust cleaning
industry and its Association, as it endeavors to find more ways
to practice “cleaning to a higher standard.” I urge you to volun-
teer your time and talents in helping make that goal happen.
Please contact the Association Office and let us know where you
would like to help out if you are already a member. If your com-
pany is not yet a member, please contact us at (215) 564-3484
to discuss the requirements for membership or look at the web-
site under http://www.ikeca.org/joinIKECA.asp. In any event, I
invite you to be part of the strategic change in which IKECA is
participating.
As IKECA’s Executive Director, Ken Hutton brings forty years of
diverse business experience to his position, having managed
trade associations with a focus on manufacturing and indus-
trial distribution for the past twenty-two years. Contact him at
khutton@fernley.com.

Building on those fundamental positions, the Board knew that

a new strategic visioning session was needed. After two days of
hard work in January, three strategic initiatives were outlined.
Also from that work, a renewed focus arose on what the mis-
sion and vision for the Association should be (again, see the
president’s message and the IKECA website for further details).

THE IKECA JOURNAL SUMMER 2011 | PAGE 5


October 19 – 22, 2011 | The Intercontinental Hotel in Milwaukee, WI
*schedule as of June 15, 2011 is subject to change
Note: All speakers are affiliated with Active Members unless other-
wise noted.
Workshops are sub-divided into tracks:
•1 00 Series intended for but not limited to Introductory or
Novice Technician Level
•2 00 Series intended for but not limited to Advanced or
Experienced Technician Level
• 300 Series intended for Owner/Operator
•S ome 100 and 200 Series tracks may be combined or offered
twice.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011 CEU
7:30 am – 12:00 pm ANSI Consensus Body Meeting 1.0
(Breakfast served at 7:00 am)
8:00 am – 6:00 pm Registration Open
8:00 am – 9:00 am Full Breakfast .1
(OSHA & First Aid Trainees plus Directors)
9:00 am – 4:00 pm OSHA 10 Hour Training: Part I** .6
(Includes 1 hr lunch break) Eric Scolari
9:00 am – 4:00 pm Emergency First Aid & Adult CPR** .6
(Includes 1 hr lunch break) Joanne Sieloff
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Board of Directors Lunch -
(with OSHA & First Aid Trainees plus AHJs)
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Fire Authority Training .3
(AHJs & Insurance Agents only)
Bernard Besal and TBD
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm IKECA Board of Directors Meeting -
4:15 pm – 5:45 pm Committee Meetings as needed -
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Welcome Reception 3:30 pm – 6:15 pm  orkshop 103:
Thursday, October 20, 2011 CEU
8:00 am – 6:00 pm Registration Continues & Booth
Program Open
8:00 am – 9:00 am New Member/1st Time Attendee Breakfast
with IKECA Board of Directors -
8:00 am – 9:00 am Opening Breakfast with Exhibitors -
7: 45am – 12:00 pm OSHA 10 Hour Training: Part II** .4
Eric Scolari
8:45 am – 2:15 pm Vendor Demonstrations
8:45 am - 9:45 am Opportunity #1
1:15 pm - 2:15 pm Opportunity #2
1:15 pm - 2:15 pm Opportunity #3
THE IKECA JOURNAL
2011 Fall Technical Seminar & Expo
9:00 am – 9:45 am Roundtable Discussions with .1
Topics & Industry Leaders
Including Green Best Practices
9:45 am – 10:00 am Networking Break
10:00 am – 10:30 am Welcome Remarks & Opening Comments .05
by IKECA President & Association Leaders
10:30 am – 12:00 pm Opening General Session— .15
Keynote Speaker
Mike McNeel of Gaylord Ind. on branding–
invited
12:15 pm – 12:45 pm Meet & Greet Lunch
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Workshops
Workshop 101: First subject for novice technician: .1
Understanding Access Panels/Hinge Kits & More by Dave Nowak
Workshop 201: First subject for experienced technician: .1
Pressure Washer Maintenance by Randy Rauth
Workshop 301: First subject for owner/operator: .1
How Software and Technology Can Help Streamline Company
Revenues by David Kaszovitz of FieldOneSystems and Kevin Pearson
2:00 pm – 2:15 pm Networking Break -
2:15 pm – 3:15 pm Workshops
Workshop 102: Second subject for novice technician: .1
Pressure Washer Maintenance by Randy Rauth
Workshop 202: Second subject for experienced technician: .1
Access Panels/Hinge Kits/Fan Belts by Dave Nowak
Workshop 302: Second subject for owner/operator: .1
Add – On Services by Jesse Getz
3:15 pm – 3:30 pm Networking Break
W .3
Tech and Code Review: Part I
(Intended for exam candidates and others)
Bernard Besal and James Roberts, Jr.
3:30 pm – 4:45 pm Workshops
Workshop 203: Third subject for experienced technician: .125
Service & Safety Up on the Rooftop by Jason Wellman of
The Grease Box LLC
Workshop 303: Third subject for owner/operator: .125
OSHA Updates by Richard Shaw, Insurance Provider
4:45 pm – 5:00 pm Networking Break -
5:00 pm – 6:15 pm Workshops
Workshop 204: Fourth subject for experienced technician: .125
Winterizing Equipment by Kevin Pearson
Workshop 304: Fourth subject for owner/operator: .125
Top Ten Reasons your Company May Not Survive an IRS Audit
by William Barnes, CPA
Continued on next page
SUMMER 2011 | PAGE 7
2011 Fall Technical Seminar & Expo
October 19 – 22, 2011 | The Intercontinental Hotel in Milwaukee, WI
Continued from previous page
Friday, October 21, 2011 CEU
8:00 am – 6:00 pm Registration Continues & Booth Program
Open
8:00 am – 8:40 am Workshop Breakfast & Roundtable .1
Discussions with Topics & Industry Leaders
8:45 am – 11:30 am Vendor Demonstrations
8:45 am – 9:45 am Opportunity #1 -
8:45 am – 9:45 am Opportunity #2 -
10:30 am – 11:30 am Opportunity #3 -
8:45 am – 10:15 am & Workshop 104: .3
10:30 am – 12:00 pm Code and Technical Review: Part II
(Intended for exam candidates and others)
Bernard Besal and James Roberts, Jr.
8:45 am – 10:15 am Workshops
Workshop 205: Fifth subject for experienced technician: .15
Why Do We Need to Charge So Much? by Kevin Pearson
Workshop 305: Fifth subject for owner/operator: .15
HR Basics & You by Nancye Combs, AEP, SPHR of HR Enterprise, Inc.
10:15 am – 10:30 am Networking Break
10:30 am – 12:00 pm Workshops
Workshop 206: Sixth subject for experienced technician: .15
Quality Control through Pictures by Don Pfleiderer & Jack Grace
Workshop 306: Sixth subject for owner/operator: .15
Advanced HR & You by Nancye Combs, AEP, SPHR of HR Enterprise, Inc.
12:05 pm – 12:45 pm Workshop Lunch -
12:50 pm – 2:10 pm Meet the AHJs from Across the Country &
Local Depts.—All Attend .15
2:15 pm – 3:15 pm Workshops
Workshop 105: Fifth subject for novice technician: .1
Winterizing Equipment by Kevin Pearson
Workshop 207: Seventh subject for experienced technician: .1
Supervisory Development Part I: So, You Want to be a Manager?
By Jack Grace
Workshop 307: Seventh subject for owner/operator: .1
Rooftop Warranty & Liability: Exposure for Your Company
by Jason Wellman of The Grease Box LLC
3:15 pm – 3:30 pm Networking Break 12:15 pm – 1:30 pm Getaway Lunch and Final Thoughts: .075
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm Vendor Demonstrations Membership Report
Opportunity #1 -
Opportunity #2 -
PAGE 8 | SUMMER 2011
3:30 pm – 4:15 pm Workshops
Workshop 106: Sixth subject for novice technician: .1
Why Do We Need to Charge So Much? by Kevin Pearson
Workshop 208: Eighth subject for experienced technician: .1
Supervisory Development Part II: Managing Teams by Jack Grace
Workshop 308: Eighth subject for owner/operator: .1
Crew Leader Safety & Responsibilities by Neal Iorii, Jr.
4:15 pm – 4:30 pm Networking Break
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm Workshops
Workshop 107: Seventh subject for novice technician: .1
Basics of Air Cleaning Technologies by Joel Berkowitz
Workshop 209: Ninth subject for experienced technician: .1
Crew Leader Safety & Responsibilities by Neal Iorii, Jr.
Workshop 309: Ninth subject for owner/operator: .1
Knock, Knock – It’s OSHA! Excelling in Your Inspection by Jack
Grace
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Workshop 108, 210, & 310: .1
Manufacturer, Vendor & Supplier
Roundtables + Networking Social Hour
(All are invited to attend to share a beer
& a brat)
6:30 pm Booth Program Closes
Saturday, October 22, 2011 CEU
8:00 am – 9:00 am Final Workshop & Certification Breakfast -
8:45 am – 9:00 am Exam Registration -
(pre-registration at discounted fee;
on-site registration available)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm Workshop 109, 211 & 311: .3
Duct Wrapping Certification (or Equivalent)
Ryan Fenstermaker or TBD
Following continual attendance, certificate
will be issued to each attendee signifying
proper installation of 3M fire wrap was
learned.
9:00 am – 12:00 pm IKECA Certification Examinations** -
12:00 pm – 12:15 pm Networking Break -
Annual Meeting Planning and
Jack Grace, Kevin Pearson, and Ken Hutton
*CEU credit of 0.1 provided at registration for all the networking
breaks with Exhibitors.
**Sessions are not included in the conference registration fee. Additional regis-
tration fees are applied to these sessions.
THE IKECA JOURNAL
Making Every Cleaning Count
Jack Grace, CECS, CESI
Western Commercial Services
How many times have you been asked, “What is the value of I am proud to see the growth and development of our industry.
IKECA?” or “Why should I hire an IKECA certified contractor?” I am proud of our member companies that are working every
day to improve their systems of delivering cleaning to a high-
The answer to those simple questions reflects the core values er standard. I have seen innovative and creative new ways of
that we as IKECA Members represent. The companies that form quality control and inspection develop alongside technology.
our association have made the investment in education, cer- I must say that seeing exhaust cleaners spending more time
tification, and taken an oath to live up to our standards. The behind computers and cameras has been an interesting devel-
answer to questions like these is the reputation that each ex- opment, but I cannot deny the fact that all of this technology
haust cleaning company has built for itself, one scrape at a has helped our industry to grow and prosper. So the next time
time, joining together to form something greater than the sum you or one of your teams is gearing up for a long battle with a
of our parts. sadly neglected horizontal duct, remind them of why they, and
thereby we, are the best. As a proud member of the Interna-
There are companies in IKECA with fifty or more years of ex- tional Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Association, you are making
haust cleaning experience side by side with companies that are every cleaning count!
just starting to discover the joy of cleaning a neglected wok fed
duct. We all share a common responsibility to one another to
live up to our belief in cleaning to a higher standard and instill-
ing these values in each member of each of our teams. We must Jack Grace, CECS, CESI, is serving as the Vice President of IKECA.
walk the walk of excellence in our dealings with our clients and Jack is the chief operating officer of Western Commercial Ser-
regulating authorities. All of our actions will prove that as we vices in Las Vegas, Nevada. Jack has been actively involved with
grow as an association and an industry only the best and the IKECA for nearly a decade, and frequently provides educational
brightest cleaners are a part of IKECA. programs for AHJs and other interested parties on the benefits of
hiring an IKECA member.
Every cleaning counts, every single time. When you place an
IKECA logo on a properly cleaned exhaust system you have
demonstrated to the world that you are one of the best and
why you belong with the best – whether this is your first year
or fiftieth year of exhaust cleaning. It does not matter the size
of the job or the notoriety of the client or facility you are work-
ing in, it only matters that you make every cleaning count every
single time.

THE IKECA JOURNAL SUMMER 2011 | PAGE 9

Association News
Strategic Visioning Focuses on
Member and Industry Needs
Every good association periodically re-
views its mission, vision and strategic di-
rection. Every great association conducts
a continuous dialogue among staff and
volunteers about the association’s direc-
tion and priorities.
IKECA held a Strategic Visioning session
in January in Philadelphia at the new as-
sociation headquarters, facilitated by Ex-
ecutive Director Ken Hutton. A member
needs analysis survey conducted in late
2010 of IKECA members gave important
feedback and context in answer to such
questions as: What do you expect from
IKECA as your professional trade associa-
tion? Is the association meeting those ex-
pectations? How can IKECA better assist
your company?
The dozen members of the Strategic Vi-
sioning Task Force comprised of regular
members and board members spent
more than 10 hours on the task of re-
viewing past strategic planning, the
member needs analysis, and the current
mission and vision of the association –
all with the intent of moving IKECA for-
ward. Based on intense discussions, the
following strategic initiatives for the
next three years were adopted:
• Celebrate and promote IKECA successes
• Increase communications to members
• Continue to build relationships with
fire marshals and other authorities
having jurisdiction over the work ac-
complished by kitchen exhaust spe-
cialists.
At the conclusion of the meeting, “This
is why I am proud to be an IKECA mem-
ber,” was the phrase around which the
task force rallied. The strategies’ imple-
mentation is integral to newly focused
mission and vision statements.
Members can view the results of the
member needs analysis by logging in to
the web site and clicking on IKECA Mem-
bers Only Area/Strategic Vision.
PAGE 10 | SUMMER 2011
IKECA Web Site Redesign to Begin
Redesigning the IKECA Web site is an es-
sential part of implementing the 2011 –
2013 strategic initiatives. The project is
being led by the Marketing Committee,
chaired by Kathy Slomer, Kool Kleen. The
committee evaluated vendor proposals
and selected SVM E-Business Solutions to
undertake the comprehensive redesign
– from “look and feel,” site structure and
navigation to search engine optimization
and social media strategies. The Board
of Directors approved the funding at a
March 2011 meeting and the months of
behind-the-scenes work has started.
The primary objective of the Web site is
to provide information, benefits and ser-
vices with a clear, visually contemporary
and compelling design and navigation
to a variety of interest categories in the
commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning
industry. It will also help educate those
with an interest in institutional or com-
mercial kitchens about the importance
of proper exhaust system cleaning as
well as the general public. Metrics are
being taken to help assess the accom-
plishment of an improved Web presence
to increase the number of members, vis-
itors, and interested responses. The tar-
get date for the launch of the improved
IKECA Web site is August 2011.
2011 Technical Seminar: Expanded,
Three-Track Program Will Debut
New to the Technical Seminar in 2011 is
an expanded schedule of 25 workshops.
The richer, more plentiful and diverse
three-track program schedule is target-
ed at three audiences:
• “Basic” Commercial Kitchen Exhaust
Cleaning Specialists
• “Master” Commercial Kitchen Exhaust
Cleaning Specialists
• Owner/Operators
The Conference Committee, chaired by
Jack Grace, Western Commercial Ser-
vices, with the support of Kevin Pearson,
Grime Stoppers, and Randy Rauth, Hood
Cleaning – tasked with developing the
program for this meeting in particular
– has worked diligently to answer mem-
bers’ feedback in this program schedule.
At this time, some of the workshops in-
clude:
From Series 100…
• Understanding Access Panels/Hinge
Kits & More
• Pressure Washer Maintenance
• Basics of Air Cleaning Technologies
From Series 200…
• Crew Leader Safety & Responsibilities
• Supervisory Development: So, You
Want to be a Manager?
• Quality Control through Pictures
From Series 300…
• Knock, Knock – It’s OSHA! Excelling in
Your Inspection
• Rooftop Warranty & Liability/Expo-
sure to Your Company
• Top Ten Reasons Your Company May Not
Survive an IRS Audit
The complete advance schedule is re-
printed in this issue. The most updated
schedule always will be found on the
Web site under Meetings/Technical
Seminar. Certification courses in Red
Cross First Aid and Adult CPR as well as
the OSHA 10-Hour Training will also be
available.
Sponsors and exhibitors will also find
new opportunities to get their messages
to the kitchen exhaust cleaning spe-
cialists and companies who will be at-
tending. IKECA’s meeting delegates are
always asking for more exhibiting ven-
dors who can present them with both
tried-and-true and innovative solutions
to their most challenging issues. Con-
tact association headquarters for more
information.
The Technical Seminar will be held Octo-
ber 19 to 22, 2011 in Milwaukee, WI at
the Intercontinental Milwaukee Hotel.
Hotel registration is now open. Meeting
registration will open in late summer.
Questions on Certification Exams
to be Reviewed and Revised
With the release of the 2011 version
of NFPA 96, the Certification Commit-
tee, co-chaired by Neal Iorii, Jr., Olympia
Maintenance, and Jesse Getz, Getz Fire
THE IKECA JOURNAL

Equipment, will undertake a compre-
hensive review and revision of the bank
of questions that are included in the ex-
ams for all of IKECA’s certification pro-
grams. Priority will be given to comply-
ing with changes that occurred between
NFPA 96 2008 and NFPA 96 2011 but the
committee will also review, edit, add,
and delete questions for clarity, content
and purpose.
The committee work began in the sec-
ond quarter 2011. Until an announce-
ment is made on the new exam source
materials, exam candidates are encour-
aged to continue studying the NFPA 96-
2008 version.
Progress on Standards Development
Draft Cleaning Standard in Play
In 2009, IKECA, which is a standards de-
veloping organization (SDO), submitted
three Project Initiation Notices (PINs) to
Change of Address: Have You
Made the Change?
IKECA changed its headquarters in
late summer 2010. Please make a
note of it in your records and avoid
delays and confusion. Also, members
are encouraged to notify their insur-
ance broker of the change of address
if you have indicated IKECA as a
certificate holder. If you have not set
up this convenient service with your
broker, it saves you time by auto-
matically informing IKECA when your
coverage is updated.
New contact information:
IKECA
100 North 20th Street, Suite 400
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 564-3484
information@ikeca.org
www.ikeca.org
Has Your Information Changed?
Member contacts can easily change
the information on their member-
ship record by logging in to Members
Only on www.ikeca.org, or contact
association headquarters.
THE IKECA JOURNAL
Association News
the American National Standards Insti-
tute (ANSI) which publicly announced
IKECA’s intent to create three new Amer-
ican National Standards. Recently, the
designations have changed but the in-
tent remains the same. The standards’
scope summaries are as follows:
• I KECA C10 (formerly 101): This stan-
dard is to determine the need for com-
mercial kitchen exhaust system clean-
ing through inspection principles; to
define acceptable methods for clean-
ing exhaust systems and components;
and to define acceptable post-cleaning
cleanliness levels.
• IKECA I10 (formerly 102): This stan-
dard is to define acceptable methods
for inspecting commercial kitchen
exhaust systems and system com-
ponents for mechanical conditions,
structural integrity, fire safety, and
cleanliness levels.
• IKECA M10 (formerly 103): This stan-
dard is to define acceptable methods
to operate and maintain commercial
kitchen exhaust systems by end users
in the interim between professional
system cleaning services.
IKECA’s volunteer Consensus Body (CB)
is responsible for the development, ap-
proval and maintenance of the IKECA
standards and represents a variety of
stakeholders. It meets face-to-face at
the IKECA Annual Meeting in the spring
and at the Fall Technical Seminar and via
telephone as needed.
The work on IKECA C10 is nearing a
critical end phase. In early 2011, the an-
nouncement that the draft of standard
IKECA C10 was available for public review
was submitted to ANSI. Comments from
the public review period were discussed
at the 2011 Annual Meeting in Naples.
The Report on Comments was submit-
ted to the CB for a formal ballot and af-
firmed all CB actions or comments. Work
on IKECA I10 is in its beginning phase.
Call for Volunteers: IKECA strives for
balance of all interested and affected
parties giving them an opportunity to
participate in development of ANSI ap-
proved IKECA standards. By adhering
to ANSI’s due process of openness, bal-
ance and consensus, IKECA’s standards
will serve and protect the public. Please
contact association headquarters if you
would like to be involved and fit in the
following interest categories:
• Restaurant industry
• Fire prevention authorities
• Insurance industry
• Code enforcement authorities
•K
 itchen exhaust system designers, en-
gineers, installers, manufacturers
• End users.
Interested parties must submit a CV or
resume and their candidacies will be sub-
mitted to the CB for consideration and
balloting.
For Members Only
A wealth of resources is available to
members on www.ikeca.org. Log in and
go to the IKECA Members Only Area and
view the following:
• 2011 Member Handbook – Important
documents and forms for your use
and information
• Strategic Vision – What will it take to
maintain and increase IKECA’s leader-
ship position as the leading organiz
ation in the KEC industry?
• Resources – Download documents
valuable to your business
• Newsletters/Archives – Read or down-
load back issues
• Meetings and Seminar Archives –
View presentations from previous
meetings
• Download the IKECA Logo – The logo is
now password protected and updated
for 2011. Get it here.
All of the documents necessary to your
2011 membership are now easily located
and downloaded on this page. They are
updated on a periodic basis. Examples
include the Board and Committee Hand-
book and meeting calendar, exam ap-
plications, certification information, the
sample safety manual provided by At-
lantic Risk Management, the new, highly
desirable sample HR handbook provided
by HR Enterprise’s Nancye Combs, and
more!
SUMMER 2011 | PAGE 11
Kitchen Grease Exhaust Maintenance
Part One: Upblast Fans
Don Pfleiderer, CECS, CESI
Enviromatic Corporation of America, Inc.
One of the most
important items
in a commercial
kitchen is the
hood ventila-
tion fan. With-
out it, the res-
taurant could
not operate its
cooking equip-
ment. There are
many other issues in the kitchen that
arise from an improperly operating ex-
haust system. Keeping your customer’s
exhaust fans in working order will avoid
the additional expenses of repair to fans
– damages that a KEC vendor is some-
times wrongly accused of causing in
order to charge for add-on services. This
bit of maintenance will also position you
as a valuable ally to your customers.
Most fan units are belt driven although
new technologies are pushing them-
selves to variable speed direct drives
without belts. Each system has its pros
and cons. The belt-driven system gener-
ally is less expensive to repair in the event
of a breakdown. The downside is that it
generally requires more maintenance to
keep it running. Direct drive fans require
the removal of the fan blades if the motor
fails, which is a more extensive project
than replacing a motor on a belt-driven
fan. Since more than 90% of restaurant
fans are belt driven, we will concentrate
on several problems that we encounter
the most in the field on aluminum belt-
driven upblast fans (PRVs).
Worn/Broken Fan Belt
Number one is a worn or broken fan belt.
This is the simplest to repair and easiest to
prevent. Make sure the belts are checked
regularly and are tightened to the proper
tension. Over-tightening a fan belt could
lead to premature failure of the bearings
and other items. We recommend making
sure the belt has approximately 1 inch of
slack for smaller sizes (slack to the first
knuckle from perpendicular).
PAGE 12 | SUMMER 2011
Aged Vibration Isolators Bent or Broken Fan Base
Problem number two is one of the most Item number three on the problem list is
common with exhaust fans. It is related bent up or broken fan bases where they
to vibration isolators and happens af- attach to the curb and/or the fan shroud.
ter the fan ages and they start to break Loss of proper air suction and/or the de-
down. The vibra- terioration of the entire fan can result
tion isolators are from this problem. Prevent this with the
rubber type con- proper installation of hinges that do not
nectors (photo allow the fan to be tipped back more
1) that hold the than 80 degrees. See the pictures of a
entire framing fan getting cleaned with a proper hinge
section (photo (photo 3) and a fan without a proper
2) to the fan and hinge (photo 4).
act as a “shock
absorber” for any
fan vibrations
transmitting to
the fan and fan
Photo 1 plate and base.
These start to dry
out and deteriorate with age. The end
result is the complete breakage of the
isolators. When you are doing your nor-
mal fan maintenance, you need to check
that the frame is
still secured to
Photo 3
the motor hous-
ing plate. Isola-
tors are inexpen-
sive to buy and
replace. They are
also easy to take
care of while
on the KEC job
site with basic
hand tools. Fail-
ure to replace
Photo 2 them when they
are broken can
cause the fan blades to get knocked Photo 4
off center with very expensive dam-
ages resulting to the blades, bearings, Excess Vibration
or even worse. Many restaurant man- The fourth problem is excess vibration.
agers complain that the fans are mak- Before calling in a professional vibra-
ing a clanking noise. This is a common tion balancer, make sure the blades are
symptom of broken isolators and needs completely clean. Many companies do
to be checked out ASAP. This symptom is not completely clean both sides of the
most common right after a cleaning, as fan blades. As a professional KEC vendor,
the fan is usually tipped on its side while you need check the back of the blades to
the cleaning process is done. That is the make sure there is no buildup. As little
most common time for an old worn out as a couple of grams of old grease in the
isolator to fail. wrong place can cause excess vibration.
You can use a digital camera set at the
THE IKECA JOURNAL
close up setting (photo 5) or manually
feel behind it with your hand (photo 6).
Also check out for fan blade damage
that may be causing the vibration. The
intake of the fan may have hit the intake
venturi and bent up the blade assembly.
This could have been from bad isolators,
bearings, shafts, etc., and needs to be
corrected before balancing.
Photo 5
Photo 6
Grease Leaks
Fifth is excess grease leaking onto motor
housings. These areas must be sealed off.
I will present a case study in a future ar-
ticle that will go into details on this area.
Electrical Cords
Sixth is the electrical for the fan. Make
sure it has plenty of slack to allow the fan
to be tipped back for cleaning. The con-
duit should be either liquid tight conduit
or an SOOW (oil and weather resistant)
cord depending on the local electrical
codes. Weatherproof and grease resis-
tant electrical is a must and watertight
fittings must be used. We have found the
SOOW cords are lasting longer in cold
climates, as they do not crack as much in
the cold. It also must run on the outside
THE IKECA JOURNAL
of the fan and fan base per NFPA 96 rec-
ommendations. Many contractors run
the electrical inside the fan base which
will always fail in time (photo 7) or, even
worse, we have seen new installations
actually running inside the ductwork.
This is very dangerous as it exposes the
wiring to high heat, grease, and stretch-
ing when the fan is tipped back.
Fan Bearings and Fan Shaft
Finally are the fan bearings and fan
shaft. Failure of either of these items Photo 7
can lead to some of the most expensive
Other Problems with Fans
repairs you can have on your fan, includ-
Some other issues with fans that I will
ing possible fan replacement. This hap-
address in future articles include period-
pens if the failure leads to damages to
ic replacement of bolts and washers on
the fan intake and/or fan blades. It could
aluminum fans as they wear (round) out,
also lead to a fire in your fan — when
known problems with and cost-saving
the friction of the shaft spinning on the
guidelines for repairing loose fan blade
bearing housings causes extreme heat
hubs, and making sure the seals on the
along with loose hot metal in the shaft
motor covers and air intakes are main-
getting slung around the housing area. It
tained to prevent grease from entering
is recommended to install bearings with
the motor housing. I invite you to e-mail
grease fittings and make sure they are
me with your questions or requests for
greased with a high-quality lithium or
fan and other exhaust system mainte-
synthetic grease during the semi-annual
nance items for future columns.
fan maintenance. Also highly recom-
mended is the use of synthetic grease
for cold weather operations in the north.
This allows the grease to flow and lubri-
With over 37 years of experience in the
cate the bearings faster in extreme cold,
exhaust system field, Don Pfleiderer is
greatly extending the bearing life. If you
the current president of Enviromatic Cor-
do not do regular maintenance on the
poration. He is head of an Envirospec-
fans, you may opt for a sealed bearing.
tion® National Inspection Program for
We have found that a regularly serviced
some of North America’s largest restau-
bearing with grease fittings far outlasts
rant chains. He is also an IKECA certified
the sealed bearings, but only if they are
regularly greased. In addition to this, you
grease exhaust vent system cleaner and
inspector and a member of the IKECA
have full control of the lubricant used in
- ANSI Standards Consensus Body for
the bearing with fittings. If you do not
kitchen exhaust systems. Contact him at
maintain your fans and bearings regu-
don@enviromatic.com.
larly, the sealed bearings do last longer
in most cases. Make sure your staff rec-
Copyright Donald Pfleiderer 2011.
ognizes when bearings are going bad as
Reprinted with permission.
they can and do lead to other problems
described in this article. One option is to
have a bearing vibration test done when
you do your regular maintenance. This
test, done in conjunction with vibra-
tion balancing, can determine possible
bearing wear and future failure before
a visual or noticeable noise does, allow-
ing replacement of it before it fails and
causes damage.
SUMMER 2011 | PAGE 13
10 Ways to Lower Your Workers’ Compensation Costs
Richard W. Shaw, Jr., CPCU, ARM
An annual re-
view of the in-
surance policies
you carry can be
well worth the
time to confirm
details, look
back over the
previous year,
and ask the
right questions
1
of your agent or representative.
Review you ERM worksheet each year.
Each year you should receive a new ERM
(experience modification factor) work-
sheet from NCCI prior to the effective
date of the change in your modification
factor. This worksheet contains loss and
payroll data supplied by the insurance
carriers handling your coverage for the
three years prior to the most recent poli-
cy term. The factor which NCCI calculates
and that your workers’ compensation
carrier will use impacts your premium for
the next policy period. If your ERM goes
from a 1.00 to a 1.15 you are getting hit
with a 15% debit. Mistakes can be made
in what information is sent to NCCI and
used in the calculation. If they get lower
payrolls figures or higher loss figures you
will pay more! Some states have their
own individual ERM worksheets as well.
Your agent should be actively involved in
2
this process.
Focus safety training and toolbox talks
on exposures your workers are facing.
There are many great resources for tool-
box talks and safety training (in English
and Spanish). Make sure that the train-
ing being done is consistent with the
work you are performing or are about to
perform. If a new piece of equipment is
being used for the first time make sure
the appropriate employees are trained
on it. If an old piece of equipment is be-
ing used which has not been used in a
while, provide refresher training for ex-
perienced employees and more exten-
sive training for new employees. Prepare
your workers to safely operate in what-
ever job environment they will face.
PAGE 14 | SUMMER 2011
Make sure your safety personnel are
communicating with superintendents
so the proper materials and training
3
tools are ready when needed.
Review your operations and payrolls
with your insurance agent every six
months.
Workers’ compensation premiums are
based on estimated payrolls and classi-
fications. Contractors will have different
work based on the jobs they are doing.
In some cases this will mean more or
less payroll in a classification or it may
mean adding a new classification. An
audit serves as the final calculation of
premium and is controlled by the insur-
ance carrier. By reviewing your expo-
sures mid-term you can make sure that
premiums are being correctly generated.
The difference in rates from one clas-
sification to another can be significant.
Make sure the estimates you provide
prior to a policy period are still accurate
midway through the policy term. If your
estimated payrolls are too high or you
are doing work in lower rated classifica-
tions you may be able to request your in-
surance company lower your premiums
4
mid-term.
Review currently valued loss runs (from
at least five years) every six months.
As an insured you have the right to re-
ceive current loss runs from your insur-
ance carriers (past and present). Since
claims experience will directly affect
your premiums, it is important to review
what claims have been paid and what re-
serves exist. If you have incorrect reserve
amounts on claims that should either be
closed or reduced, it could have a nega-
tive impact on your ERM. The best way
to avoid this is to review the loss runs
at least every six months so any correc-
tions can be done before your premium
is impacted. Again, your agent should be
involved in assisting you in this.
5
See if you are eligible for the Construc-
tion Credit program.
There is a program approved in some
states and administered by the NCCI
that can provide a credit based on meet-
ing certain criteria. This is in addition
to the ERM and is not tied to losses or
premium. Eligibility is determined by
the average hourly wage for labor classi-
fications. This credit is a valuable tool to
offset prevailing wage or collective bar-
gaining agreements that may dictate a
higher per hour wage. This program has
been around for many years and can be
a valuable tool in lowing net premium
6
costs.
See if you are eligible for the drug free
workplace credit.
Many insurance carriers will provide a
5% credit for an employer having an ap-
proved drug testing program in place.
Typically this includes pre-employment,
post-accident, and random testing as
well as employee assistance program.
If your company has some form of drug
testing, check with your insurance com-
pany to see if you qualify for the credit
or what else would be needed to bring
your program into qualification. You can
determine whether the 5% credit is cost-
effective to any changes you would need
7
to implement.
Report claims and incidents on a timely
basis.
It is critical for you to report any claims
or incidents to your insurance carrier
as soon as possible. Late reporting of
claims can lead to incurring additional
claims costs which leads to paying high-
er premiums. Employees and supervi-
sors should be familiar with the claims
reporting policies and claim contacts for
your company. Any incident or claim, no
matter how minor, should be referred
to the person reporting claims. With
constant changes in the workforce, it is
extremely important to document all
claims and incidents as soon as possible
and investigate, if needed, while the
facts are fresh in everyone’s mind.
THE IKECA JOURNAL
8
Keep project managers and supervisors
informed about claims on their projects.
Job costs, such as materials and labor,
are typically communicated frequently
to project managers and supervisors.
Your company’s livelihood is dependent
on being able to obtain and complete
profitable work. An often overlooked
item is the claims activity at each job.
Poor loss experience will result in higher
premiums. This will, indirectly, affect
every job you have. A job will not truly
be profitable if the claims activity is not
consistent with the work you are doing.
Many companies neglect to tell their
field supervisors how adverse claims
experience can negatively impact their
bottom line.
Restaurant Building Fires Report Available from USFA
– Free and Online
The Federal Emergency Management
Agency’s (FEMA) United States Fire Ad-
ministration (USFA) has issued a special
report examining the characteristics
of restaurant building fires. The report,
Restaurant Building Fires (PDF, 829 Kb),
was developed by USFA’s National Fire
Data Center and is based on 2007 to
2009 data from the National Fire Inci-
dent Reporting System (NFIRS).
According to the report:
• An estimated 5,900 restaurant build-
ing fires occur annually in the United
States, resulting in an estimated aver-
age of 75 injuries and $172 million in
property loss.
• The leading cause of all restaurant
building fires is cooking at 59 percent
and nearly all of these cooking fires
(91 percent) are small, confined fires
with limited damage.
THE IKECA JOURNAL
9
Before an accident occurs, work with
your insurance carrier to locate facilities
for workers to receive both emergency
and non-emergency treatment.
Controlling claims costs include how in-
juries are initially diagnosed and treated.
By developing a plan to deal with both
emergency and non-emergency injuries
you will help your employees get prompt
treatment that is consistent with their
injuries. An industrial clinic may be able
to get a minor injury treated and get
the worker back to his job quicker and
cheaper than going to an emergency
room. If facilities and instructions are
not provided ahead of time, an injured
worker will go wherever they can find or
they won’t go at all. A list of the closest
facilities should be provided for each job-
site. Management must take a proactive
approach to keep claims costs down.
• While cooking is the leading cause of
all restaurant building fires as well
as the smaller, confined restaurant
building fires, electrical malfunction
is the leading cause of the larger, non-
confined restaurant building fires.
• Nonconfined restaurant building fires
most often start in cooking areas and
kitchens (41 percent).
• Deep fryers (9 percent), ranges (7
percent), and miscellaneous kitchen
and cooking equipment (5 percent)
are the leading types of equipment
involved in ignition in nonconfined
restaurant building fires.
• Smoke alarms were reported as pres-
ent in 44 percent of nonconfined res-
taurant building fires. In addition, full
or partial automatic extinguishment
systems, mainly sprinklers, were pres-
ent in 47 percent of nonconfined res-
taurant building fires.
10All rates are not the same.
Many states allow open rating state
meaning workers’ compensation carri-
ers can develop their own rates and file
them with the State Insurance Commis-
sioner. Within one insurance company,
there may be four or five sets of rates
that they can offer. Make sure that you
ask if you are getting the best rate for
your business and be protective of the
rates you currently have. Your safety re-
cord will determine that type of rates
you receive. Like anything in business,
workers’ compensation rates are nego-
tiable, subject to state filings.
Richard W. Shaw, Jr., CPCU, ARM, is a Vice
President/Sales Professional with CBIZ
Insurance Services, Inc., in Columbia, MD.
Contact him at rshaw@cbiz.com .
Restaurant Building Fires is part of the
Topical Fire Report Series. Topical re-
ports explore facets of the U.S. fire prob-
lem as depicted through data collected
in NFIRS. Each topical report briefly ad-
dresses the nature of the specific fire or
fire-related topic, highlights important
findings from the data, and may suggest
other resources to consider for further
information. Also included are recent
examples of fire incidents that demon-
strate some of the issues addressed in
the report or that put the report topic
in context.
For further information regarding other
topical reports or any programs and
training available at the United States
Fire Administration, visit www.usfa.
fema.gov. Restaurant Building Fires can
be found under the Publications tab.
SUMMER 2011 | PAGE 15
Start Your Engines
Rev-it-up so that everyone will know that you are ready to face this track
of life.
Richard Flint
There are certain phrases, that when
spoken, everyone knows to what the
phrase is related. A good example is,
“Gentleman, start your engines!”
Anyone who has heard that statement
realizes it relates to the world of auto
racing. The statement is the signal
that things are about to happen. All
the work that has been done in prepar-
ing the car for the race, all the hours of
team preparation and all the experience of the driver is about
to explode and be defined by what happens on the track.
If you have ever been to a race or watched one on TV, when
those words are spoken, “Gentleman, start your engines,” the
energy goes through the roof! The cars roar, they make their
way around the track, the pace car drops out, the flag is dropped
and the race is on!
Not all the cars that start the race are going to finish the race.
Some will have engine problems, and there will be crashes. For
those who don’t finish, all the hard work and effort is wiped
away and they must start thinking about the next race. Is there
disappointment? YES! Yet, next week they will be back with the
same determination. Why? Because their season is not defined
by one race! In the midst of victory or disappointment, there is
still another race.
Here is what I see as I look at our society today: The signal has
been given, “Folks, start your engines!” but most people are
just sitting in their cars. The opportunity is in front of them, but
they have chosen to let the fear of the race paralyze them.
Why are people so paralyzed today?
Preparation wasn’t done.
Too many people got so caught up in being busy, they didn’t
take the time to learn from the experiences they were handed.
Now, when they need those lessons, they have been lost.
Emotions are all over the place.
The increase in people’s emotions has created a reactionary
society. When your emotions are all over the place, you live in
confusion that strengthens your fears which doesn’t allow you
to make decisions. The result is you are paralyzed.
Opinions are being accepted as facts.
Opinions don’t give factual proof; they simply state a person’s
personal feeling. You can’t put your faith in an opinion; if you
do, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. That’s the
PAGE 16 | SUMMER 2011
challenge today! Most of what is being stated is opinions, not
facts. Too many people are accepting those opinions as truth
and then suffering the disappointment. The result is them be-
ing emotionally paralyzed.
Personal confidence diminishes.
When you stop trusting yourself, you open yourself to all the
negative attacks that come at you each day. Your confidence
is your power shield that reflects the negative, but when your
power shield is down, you will be hit. That will not only stun
you, but can also knock you out of the race. Negativity lessens
your desire to fight through. Throw enough at any of us and
it will weaken our resolve. When you start believing there is
nothing you can do, you will shut down your imagination and
strengthen your emotions. At that point you will be mentally
paralyzed and not be able to focus on the track in front of you.
Expectations have been lowered.
Put all of the above together and part of your inner spirit has
been sucked out of you. It is not that you don’t want to con-
tinue to be strong and resist the negative, but it is challeng-
TEN AFFIRMATIONS TO LIVE BY:
1. I have been given the gift of time; I will use it wisely to
create the life I was meant to have.
2. I have been given a creative mind; I will sharpen it each
day, so I can enhance my creative skills.
3. I have been given the gift of life; I will explore it each day
and find my creative skills.
4. I have been given the right to choose; I will make wise
choices, so I can become even more creative.
5. I have been given the right to be successful. I will con-
tinue to creatively improve and strengthen my clarity.
6. I have been given the gift of listening; I will use my eyes
and ears to learn the lessons to create improvement.
7. I have been given other people to share my life with; I
will respect their presence and continue to create stron-
ger relationships.
8. I have the right to be financially healthy; I will continue
to seek ways to build my financial freedom.
9. I have been given the right to be me; I will work each
day to learn more about who I am and how I can create
value.
10. I have been given a spiritual core; I will strengthen that
core so I can have a presence that is present when I am
not present.
— Richard Flint
THE IKECA JOURNAL
ing to find the positive to hang on to. So, what will many do?
They will adjust by lessening their inner resolve. They will join
in with the masses, rather than stand inwardly tall and con-
tinue to strive to stay true to their foundation of beliefs that
has brought them to this point in their life.
You can’t allow this to happen to you! You can’t give in, give up
and be sucked into a world that steals your life and replaces it
with existing in a lesser design.
You have to start your engine! With all that is going on around
life today, how do you accomplish that?
Stay Focused on the Track.
You can’t keep looking in your rear view mirror or staring off
into the future. You have to keep your focus on what must be
done while you are traveling this course. Don’t allow yourself
to get caught up in the opinions of others; stay true to yourself
and what you know you need to be doing. Make the track your
focus!
Think.
You must trust yourself; you must not let your emotions shut
down your imagination. Create a mental plan that comes from
you trusting your imagination. Get up each day with a positive
plan and implement it through positive behavior that is de-
signed to keep you focused on “what is” rather than what you
are being told “is.” Trust your inner self!
Adjust Your Surroundings.
Stop! Stop listening to the WOE-ites. They are not your friends;
they are your enemies. Narrow your sphere of influence group
to those who are also seeking to improve while they are go-
ing through this transition. Don’t get sucked into the negative
hype and lose your personal positive power. Make sure those
around your life are supporting your journey!
Resilience.
The question isn’t whether you will get knocked down, but
how long will you stay down. You must be resilient. You must
strengthen your mental focus. You must, more than ever, create
a daily diet of positive nutrients. What you put into your mind
must create the strength to resist the emotional upheavals.
Tackle Your Fears Head On.
Don’t give fear a foothold; don’t let it establish a strengthening
presence in your life. The fear will be there; face it with positive
affirmations. Source them from CDs, books and other positive
re-enforcements to keep yourself mentally strong.
Rev-it-up so that everyone will know you are ready to face this
track of life. Don’t just sit there and let your battery die, or al-
low yourself to run out of fuel. Start your engine and win this
race! Zoom, Zoom!
As a personal development speaker and coach, Richard Flint
speaks over 175 times per year in the areas of leadership, sales,
customer care and self development. Richard has been suc-
cessfully mentoring and helping professional organizations,
large and small businesses and individuals for over 30 years.
For more information visit www.RichardFlint.com, or contact
info@richardflint.com.
Copyright Richard Flint 2011. Reprinted with permission.

Your Ad Here
How many potential customers might you reach through an advertisement in the IKECA Journal?

Advertise in the IKECA Journal

Published – two times per year
Circulation – 500+ IKECA member and industry companies.
Published online and accessible by IKECA members
Editorial includes Feature Stories, How To Articles, Educational opportunities and much more!

Contact information@ikeca.org for a 2011 rate sheet and advertising specifications.

Deadline for Fall 2011 issue is September 29!

THE IKECA JOURNAL SUMMER 2011 | PAGE 17

Thoughts on Sunny Florida…
The time you take to attend an IKECA meeting is a valuable investment.
Anne Levine, CECS
Applied Building Technologies, Inc.
As a small business owner, taking the
time to race off to sunny Florida for a
three-day conference can be a challenge.
Will the time be worthwhile? Will I gain
valuable information and ideas that I can
bring back to my business and put into
practice? Will I come home to chaos and
bigger headaches? Not to mention the
monetary investment involved! These
were just a few of the considerations
that faced me, as I weighed the pros and
cons of attending the IKECA Annual Con-
ference this past April. To add a bit of ad-
ditional anxiety, I was asked to present
a seminar on Top Down Selling, which I
had suggested as a topic after the Tech-
nical Seminar last fall!
The meeting in Naples, Florida, was only
the second IKECA meeting that I have at-
tended, although I have been a member
for a number of years. The first was the
fall seminar in Atlantic City. I really didn’t
think that I would gain much from these
meetings. Moreover, the time and finan-
cial commitment were a big deterrent.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that
there was a great deal of value gained
from each event.
The networking opportunities have
proven to be of great value. I would
have to say that meeting and speaking
with other owners as well as their team
members has given me some good “food
for thought.” Discussions have included
everything from equipment and tech-
niques to forms and HR issues. The semi-
nars provided a good platform for many
of these discussions.
Seminars can often be really boring, not
to mention too long. It is difficult to find
a range of topics that will have broad
appeal given that the membership in-
cludes those who have been in business
for many years and some that are new
to the industry. The seminars at the April
conference had something for everyone.
The seminar on Selling Your Business
gave great insight into preparing an exit
strategy, and I personally found Richard
Flint’s seminar on customer satisfaction
and relationships to be dynamic and
thought-provoking. The opportunity for
me to share my thoughts on Top Down
Selling with a group of my peers was
professionally and personally challeng-
ing. The interaction and feedback from
those who attended my seminar was
insightful and encouraging. It is, in my
opinion, important to continue to of-
fer topics which are interesting and rel-
evant to business management and our
industry. The Conference Committee has
done a great job so far, and I look forward
to the Fall 2011 Technical Seminar & Expo.
While attendance at the meetings was
good from a membership standpoint,
it would be of great value to bring on a
larger representation in the vendor seg-
ment. Having vendors present to share
not only inventory but perhaps tech-
niques and industry related discussions,
would be of valuable to many.
Both events were well-organized. The
new management team has made no-
ticeable strides in improving structural
organization of the seminars in the short
time between the two events. Members
were asked for feedback at the end of the
fall seminar, and I had made the sugges-
tion to have descriptions accompany the
seminar topics for future meetings. I was
pleased and not a little surprised to see
that my feedback was not only heard,
but put in to practice. It is a terrific feel-
ing to know that in an organization such
as IKECA, your voice and vote, matter.
Anne Levine is president of Applied Building
Technologies, Inc., in Baltimore, MD. Contact
her at anne@appliedbldgtech.com. (She is a
member of the Conference Committee).

Maintain Your Certification with

the Ease of Online Education!
NFPA 96, Safety, Health and
Regulatory Compliance Training

• Web-based
• Affordable
• On Demand

More than 25 course titles available!

To see how many CEUs you can earn
and place an order, please visit us at
www.ikeca.org/online_ceu-Catalog.asp.

PAGE 18 | SUMMER 2011 THE IKECA JOURNAL

 Successfully passing jurisdictional exam:
NYC, Boston, Mass, etc.

PLEASE NOTE: If you rely on attending IKECA meetings or

conferences to obtain the required CEUs, attendance is
tracked, and certificates of attendance issued based on
actual attendance.

*Acceptable organization conferences include: NADCA, ASHRAE, NAFA,

NFPA, NAFED, RFMA, NASFM. For all others, please contact IKECA to confirm
eligibility. Continuing Education is valued at 0.1 CEU per one hour of
content.

**Acceptable in-house training includes: OSHA Safety Training; OSHA 8

hour and 10 hour training; Manufacturer-specific training; Red Cross. For all
others, please contact IKECA to confirm eligibility. Continuing Education is
valued at 0.1 CEU per one hour of content.
 IKECA Certification Frequently Asked Questions
1) What are the different types of certification I can obtain?
• There are three main certifications:
1. C ertified Exhaust Cleaning Technician (CECT) is de-
signed for experienced technicians who have accrued
a minimum of 500 hours work experience.
2. C ertified Exhaust Cleaning Specialist (CECS) is a re-
quirement for membership. This certification is in-
tended for master technicians or owners/operators
who have accrued over 1,000 hours of work experi-
ence.
3. C ertified Exhaust Systems Inspector (CESI) is a pro-
gram designed primarily for field inspectors whose
job it is to investigate and report on the cleanliness
condition of commercial cooking and ventilating sys-
tems which currently requires 750 hours of work ex-
perience.
• Regional programs
1. B oston requires either the BCCS or BCSI, regardless
of whether you are an IKECA member. However, the
CECS and CESI are grandfathered in.
2. Vancouver requires a minimum CECT, regardless
whether you are an IKECA member.
2) How can I prepare for the certification test?
• IKECA members have an outstanding opportunity to train
new or inexperienced employees with the Professional
Exhaust Cleaning Technician (PECT) designation. This is an
open book exam. Many members then “graduate” their
employees up to CECT, CECS, and CESI as they obtain their
required work experience.
3) What are the exams based on? Are there any study materials
IKECA offers?
• Each exam is based on a core set of codes and standards.
1. CECT exam is based solely on NFPA 96 2008.
2. C
 ECS exam is based on NFPA 96 2008, and sections
of OSHA, International Mechanical Code and Interna-
tional Fire Code.
3. C
 ESI exam is based on NFPA 96 2008, sections of
OSHA, International Mechanical Code, International
Fire Codes, and ASHRAE HVAC Applications.
• I KECA offers study guides for the CECS exam and CESI exam
and offers NFPA 96 2008 in our online store. The PECT is
based on NFPA 96 2008.
4) On the application I need to fill out ‘Private Proctor’ informa-
tion, what is that?
• A private proctor is a supervisor of an examination. A proc-
tor location is most often a public library, learning center,
or a local community college or university. IKECA delivers
the exam materials to the private proctor. The private proc-
tor is required to abide by the provided set of instructions
for exam conduct and signs a confidentiality and security
agreement. The private proctor is provided with a prepaid
return envelope to return all exam materials to IKECA
headquarters.
PAGE 20 |SUMMER 2011
5) What happens if I fail the exam?
• IKECA offers a retake exam at a fee of $100 to $150. If an
applicant does not pass the exam on the second attempt
he/she must wait a period of 12 months to apply for the
exam again at full price.
6) Are IKECA certifications a lifetime certification?
• No. IKECA’s certifications are unique in the marketplace be-
cause they show our members’ commitment to lifelong
learning and advancement. They also reflect the dynamic
nature of the industry. Certificants must provide CEUs at re-
newal time. The renewal period depends on the certification.
1. CECS renewals occur on an annual basis.
2. Currently, CECT renews on a 24 month basis and CESI
renews on a 48 month basis.
7) What are CEUs?
• CEU stands for Continuing Education Unit. You need to
obtain 2.0 per year to maintain your CECS. The CEUs are
in line with nationally accepted standards for continuing
professional education. The International Association for
Continuing Education and Training (IACET) currently ac-
cepts 60 minutes (1 hour) of education content as 0.1 CEU
(10 hours = 1 CEU). In other words, you need 20 hours of
continuing education per year.
8.) Where and how do I get CEUs?
• This is by far the most frequently asked question but in
fact there are many ways to obtain CEUs. It just requires
some planning and commitment. Some activities eligible
to submit are:
1. Most common – Attend one of IKECA’s two yearly
meetings (Fall Technical Seminar or Annual Meeting
in the spring)
2. Attend a conference by a related organization such as
NADCA, ASHRAE, NAFA, NFPA, NAFED, RFMA, NASFM
3. Take webinars/online courses offered by Learning-
Span through the IKECA Online Store, or NADCA,
NFPA, etc.
4. Attend OSHA, Red Cross or manufacturer-specific training
5. Pass a related jurisdictional exam such as in those in
Massachusetts, Texas, City of New York, etc.
9.) Does my IKECA involvement count toward CEUs?
• Absolutely! This is a win-win for you and IKECA. Your ex-
pertise and participation strengthen the association. In
turn, you network and learn from your peers. Activities in-
clude participation on a committee, contributing a Journal
article, or presenting a workshop at an IKECA meeting.
10.) Time slipped away and I don’t have any CEUs. Can I keep my
certification?
• It’s easy – you just need to retake and pass the exam be-
fore your expiration date.
Do you have a question on certification? Submit it to
information@ikeca.org and it will be answered for you and for all
members in this space next time.
THE IKECA JOURNAL
Selling Your Customers Rooftop Grease Containment
Skip Lewis
Omni Containment Systems, LLC
I started supplying rooftop grease con-
tainment systems to the market in 2003.
At that time, I represented only two
products. Our initial strategy to bring
the containment system to market was
to work directly with the hood & duct
service providers. As we know, the hood
and duct guys have all the relationships
with the restaurant decision makers. We
thought — Why work against the indus-
try that we felt would ultimately be our
largest partner in solving rooftop grease
containment problems?
Since computers and I were not on a
first-name basis, I reverted to the old
reliable relationship model — mailing
information about my company and our
solution to rooftop grease issues to roof-
ers, HVAC companies, property manage-
ment firms and especially to hood and
duct cleaners. On my follow up calls, I
learned that many of my sales prospects
were already aware of the rooftop grease
issue and were offering other solutions
(than those from my company) to their
customers. Of greater interest to me
was that fact that many of these service
providers didn’t know what to do about
rooftop grease problems other than to
keep cleaning the affected rooftop area
every visit. I knew if I began with infor-
mation, I could end up with sales.
Starting in One Direction…
I began starting my calls with, “Look, you
know this grease containment problem
Your Company Name
Your Street Address
Your City, US 98765
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
PAGE 22 |SUMMER 2011
exists,” and then reciting all of the pos-
sible negative outcomes of the lack of an
effective grease containment system:
• Your customer’s roof will be dam-
aged by grease
• The cost to fix grease damage is
high in money and frustration
• Rooftop grease is a major fire haz-
ard and violates NFPA codes
• Rooftop grease violates EPA laws
regarding water contamination
• Rooftop grease is a hazard to any-
one on the roof.
I thought my message was on track until
one hood and duct guy told me: “I know
all of that; you’re preaching to the choir.
If it was my money to spend, my clients
would have had grease containment
systems installed a long time ago. But
most of my customers don’t see it that
way. Grease containment expenditures
are at the bottom of their priority list, if
they’re on the list at all. Sorry, but that’s
just the way it is.”
…And Having More Success in An-
other
This comment made me re-think my
sales approach. I realized that I didn’t
have to sell the need for grease contain-
ment to the hood and duct cleaning
community — most of them were al-
ready sold. My job was (1) to help them
inform their restaurant clients of the
IKECA Members
Proudly Show the IKECA Logo!
Customized Hood Stickers
Customized Access Panel Stickers
Customized Grease Gauges
Competitive prices
Personalized service
Quick turnaround
Go to www.ikeca.org, log in with your member user-
name/password, and click on the Online Store to auto-
matically receive member pricing/quantity options on
merchandise. Call 215.564.3484 with any questions.
need for grease containment, and (2) to
get the decision makers to see that the
benefits of grease containment far out-
weighed the expense.
Show and Tell
I became an information resource, cre-
ating brochures and flyers outlining the
benefits of rooftop grease containment
and why it was so important. I found my
flyer to be effective — if it ended up in
the right hands. The problem was that
in many cases, the “right hands” were
those of the restaurant owner, and he
or she was never there after hours when
the cleaning crews were onsite. The odds
were the owner or manager would never
see my helpful materials simply discard
them like junk mail.
This scenario underlined for me that
owners need to be shown the effects
of grease on the roof. Some restaurant
rooftops are in pristine condition. If so,
great, they don’t need grease contain-
ment or already have an effective sys-
tem. But many are not and those are the
ones to whom we need to get informa-
tion. If a restaurant has a rooftop that
rivals a Gulf Coast oil spill, it would be
a real eye-opener if the owner would
climb up and take a look. But if that’s not
an option, break out your digital camera.
Take pictures of the affected areas of the
roof and also of the source of the grease.
Take lots of pictures with various angles.
Also note reasons why grease is escap-
ACCESS PANEL
Your Company Name
Your Street Address
Your City, US 98765
(123) 456-7890
INSPECTED CLEANED
www.ikeca.org IKECA - 215-564-3484
THE IKECA JOURNAL
IKECA Hosts Visitor from Japan
When the Japan Air Distribution-system Control Association ner and is dedicated to improve environmental hygiene and
(JADCA) became interested in researching appropriate policies maintain safety in buildings.”
and procedures for kitchen exhaust cleaning service, the orga-
nization contacted IKECA. IKECA Past President Jim Roberts was For details, visit the official website, http://jadca.jp/english/.
glad to step forward. Mr. Akihiko Ogawa, who has been visiting
the U.S.A. for more than 15 years and is on JADCA’s board of
directors and serves as its vice president in a volunteer capacity,
conducted a visit this year in part for the purpose of connecting
with IKECA.

Mr. Ogawa owns a company, Air Cleaning Service (ACS), which

was founded in Japan in 1987. He also operates another com-
pany with interest in building maintenance. Jim spent a full
day with him and his translator Michiko Sullivan showcasing
his Louisville operations, well known to many IKECA members.

“Mr. Akihiko Ogawa was very knowledgeable,” said Jim. “We

talked a lot about the differences and similarities of the kitch-
en exhaust industry in our countries. I hope I was persuasive
about attending a future IKECA meeting and forming a closer
partnership between his company, his association and IKECA.”

JADCA was founded in 1988 and is currently comprised of 100
members. It is also affiliated with the National Air Duct Clean-
ers Association (NADCA) based in Washington, DC. The purpose
of JADCA’s activities is to “upgrade and improve our knowledge
and skills regarding sanitary upkeep and management of air
conditioning system, mechanical ventilation devices and the
like. Also, it is intended to let the industry grow in a sound man-
Jim Roberts, Derby Pressure Wash, welcomes Ms. Michiko Sulli-
van, a New York consulting agent and translator, and Mr. Akihiko
Ogawa, president of Air Cleaning Service, Japan, to the company’s
Louisville, KY headquarters on May 18, 2011. Mr. Ogawa, a vice
president of the Japan Air Distributions-System Control Associa-
tion (JADCA) was interested in learning advanced techniques and
technology of U.S. kitchen exhaust cleaning.

ing from areas other than the drain
spout. (Lack of an effective hinge kit is
a frequent cause of a fan having escape
routes for grease and is another solu-
tion you can offer to your customer.) If
you are the owner or a crew manager,
make it a high priority for your crew
members to observe and write down
any problem they see:
• Greasy roof
• Bad or no hinges
• Fan damage
• Not enough access doors
• Any other dangers to restaurant,
rooftop workers or the environment
should all be notated.
Have the crew bring a notepad or a
clipboard with a form which should be
as much a part of standard equipment
as a pressure washer and scraper. Offer
financial incentive to crew members to
note this kind of detail and the results
will surprise you. (You might also want
to make an inspection of the grease
dumpster corral area as part of your
service program.) Then put all of this
information and the pictures together
and schedule a meeting with the own-
er or decision maker. That conversation
is your opportunity to really explain to
the owner what the dangers are and
have the written info and pictures as
details to back it up. If the owner is dif-
ficult to schedule, put a copy of the info
and pictures in a folder and do your
best to get it into his/her hands or on
the desk and keep a copy yourself. Then
follow up with a phone call (preferred)
or an e-mail.
Enlist others in your effort to influence
the restaurant owner. If a grease-strick-
en restaurant is in a mall, make sure
the property management company is
aware of it. Take advantage of stricter
codes and increasing awareness on the
part of fire marshals. Develop relation-
ships with fire marshals in your area
and make sure they know what prob-
lems to look for and the importance
and urgency of doing so.
Demonstrate the Value
Nobody wants to spend any more hard-
earned money than they have to, espe-
cially during times like these. Restau-
rant owners are no different. They need
to be shown that grease containment
systems and related products like hing-
ing systems are relatively inexpensive
insurance policies that protect them
from much larger expenses or disas-
ters – huge roof repair bills, insurance
liability due to injury, EPA and other
governmental fines and shutdowns and
maybe even a fire that could shut them
down for good. The more proficient and
consistent you become at enlightening
your restaurant customers about grease
containment, the better will be the ser-
vice you provide and the higher your
profit margins will be.
Skip Lewis leads Sales and Customer
Relations at Omni Containment Sys-
tems in Elgin, Illinois. Feedback on this
article or questions can be directed to
skip@omnicontainment.com.

THE IKECA JOURNAL SUMMER 2011 | PAGE 23

AHJ Corner
Working with AHJs: Some Tips for IKECA Members
Jim Narva, Executive Director
National Association of State Fire Marshals
In April at the
IKECA 2011 An-
nual Confer-
ence, I had the
privilege of ad-
dressing IKECA
members about
establishing re-
lationships with
Authorities Hav-
ing Jurisdiction
(AHJs) – those whose responsibility it is
to ensure that you are qualified to do
your job and that the work you do results
in a safe environment that meets codes
and other applicable requirements. Your
Executive Director, Ken Hutton, subse-
quently asked me to put my suggestions
into an article for your publication. This
article combines my thoughts with in-
put from the President of the National
Association of State Fire Marshals (NAS-
FM), Minnesota State Fire Marshal Jerry
Rosendahl.
Interactions with AHJs are a necessary
part of doing business, so putting some
effort into developing a good relation-
ship is simply good business. Four basic
suggestions will put you on the course
to success.
Know and Abide by the Require-
ments Wherever Your Work Takes
You
It would be great if the same rules ap-
plied in every jurisdiction where you do
work. But you already know that is not
the case unless all of your work is focused
in a single metropolitan area. If you have
jobs in different cities, different coun-
ties, or across state lines, you are likely
having to deal with different provisions
that have been adopted to address local
needs. Find out and understand what is
enforced in each jurisdiction.
Your State Fire Marshal’s office is a good
first stop if you are not sure which rules
PAGE 24 |SUMMER 2011
apply in which jurisdictions. The State
Fire Marshal should be able to give you
a direction as to where to find the rel-
evant information. In some cases a city
or town in a state may be its own juris-
diction, and in other cases the state may
be responsible for enforcement. Some
states or jurisdictions may even have the
information on their website for easy ac-
cessibility.
Also, find out what licensing or certifica-
tions or registrations you need to have,
and obtain those credentials.
Being aware of the relevant codes and
requirements in all the places your busi-
ness takes you will go a long way toward
establishing trust and demonstrating
good faith to the local AHJ. Knowing
the rules will put you and your AHJ on
common ground in terms of what and
how things need to be done. Rules and
regulations are not intended to create
unnecessary burdens, but rather to help
ensure that there is adequate oversight
of the project and that adopted codes
and standards are met. Think of it as es-
tablishing a partnership with your fire
protection professionals toward a com-
mon goal of public safety.
Get to Know Your AHJ
The term “networking” may seem over-
used these days, but developing familiar-
ity with your AHJ can help in establishing
trust that can result in a higher quality
and level of communication. Going to
lunch together or working together on a
community project (see the next tip) can
work for your AHJ just as well as it works
for clients and other business contacts.
Keeping the lines of communication
open over time can have benefits both
ways. You can certainly obtain informa-
tion from the AHJ about what is required
for you to do your job. But you can also
keep your AHJ informed and educated
about new technologies, techniques or
situations that can help the AHJ in do-
ing his or her job more effectively. Shar-
ing your knowledge is crucial, because
inspectors are not necessarily experts
in any one piece of equipment or how
it functions, so they rely on your exper-
tise.
Your investment in developing a good
relationship from the beginning can also
help if a problem crops up later and you
need support from the AHJ. The process
of working through challenges can go
much more smoothly if a strong, positive
foundation has been developed first.
Get Involved in Your Community’s
Public Safety Efforts
Your AHJ will appreciate and remember
any help you may be able to provide in
community outreach on public fire safe-
ty education. A good and natural oppor-
tunity to help is Fire Prevention Week in
October. So call up your local fire depart-
ment and ask how you might partner
with them. Help can be monetary, but
putting in some volunteer time gives
you face recognition and aids in develop-
ing that personal connection with code
enforcement officials.
You also may want to get involved with
sponsoring and participating in the ac-
tivities of the local or state fire service
organizations. They often have fundrais-
ers, sports tournaments and activities
with local burn centers throughout the
year and always are looking for assis-
tance. Remember: It’s not always about
money. Providing volunteer hours and
education are more important than ever.
Contact your State Fire Marshal or state
fire service association and ask how you
might help.
THE IKECA JOURNAL
Ask for Help if Needed, Accept Re-
sponsibility for Mistakes
If you have doubts or uneasiness about a
particular assignment or situation, if you
believe that a requirement cannot be fol-
lowed to the letter for some reason, or if
you have a question about how the code
applies in a specific circumstance, do not
hesitate to ask your AHJ for advice or
help. If you have done your homework to
this point and built up a good relation-
ship during good times, then approach-
ing the AHJ during difficult times should
be easier.
When I was an AHJ, my philosophy was
to find a way to say “yes.” An AHJ’s job
as an enforcer is to make sure the rules
are followed, but there is always an op-
portunity to inquire and discuss. Do
not expect anyone to ignore the rules
or relax the standards for you, but you
can expect an AHJ to work with you to
THE IKECA JOURNAL
explore potential alternatives to achieve
the goal of public safety so that you can
move forward with the job.
Speaking of challenging times, misun-
derstandings are bound to happen from
time to time. Address them directly and
without delay. Don’t be afraid to admit
an error that you have made; trying to
ignore or hide the mistake will only de-
lay your project.
If after trying all these suggestions you
still find yourself struggling with your
AHJ relationship, remember the excel-
lent resource you have in IKECA. You
should consider it a benefit of mem-
bership that you have an international
association that can reach out on your
behalf, and help you work through vi-
able solutions to the issues you – and,
undoubtedly, many of your peers – are
confronting.
Budget shortfalls are leading to fewer
code officials available to conduct in-
spections. It is more incumbent than
ever on your industry to regulate itself
by carrying out high-quality work, stay-
ing abreast of the requirements of your
industry and keeping a solid connection
with your State Fire Marshal as well as
with your local AHJs. It is the best way to
ensure that your business thrives while
the safety of the public is ensured.
NASFM Executive Director Jim Narva is re-
tired as Wyoming State Fire Marshal.
SUMMER 2011 | PAGE 25
Letters from IKECA Members
Managing Gasoline Costs
Dear Fellow IKECA Members:
As the price of gasoline continues to rise I thought I would
share my experience with you. Years ago I was stung hard by
a guy who stole a Mobil credit card out of the glove box of
one of my trucks. In the two days it took before we realized
it was gone, he had sold the card to another criminal who in
turn sold it to others. It’s hard to believe that $3500 could be
applied to the card in two days. Needless to say, we pulled
the cards out of the trucks and turned to another method,
working with a fleet management credit card service provid-
er. I chose to go with Wright Express. For $24 a month, they
will provide you with all the credit cards you want. Each card
will be labeled as you request. We have ours labeled for each
truck. Cards are not to be used in any other vehicle but that
dedicated vehicle. It remains in the glove box. All employees
who drive our vehicles have a pass code to use when using
the cards. Any employee can use any vehicle’s card. The cards
cannot be used unless a valid pass code is entered. Needless
to say the employees do not share their codes as they are
responsible for all charges they incur. When the vehicles are
fueled, they are prompted to enter the mileage off the odom-
eter as well as their code. We require that fuel only go into
the fuel tank. If fuel will be going into a container or pump
they have to turn off the gas pump and restart it again. When
prompted for millage they enter 11. That’s our cue to know
the fuel did not go into the vehicle. At the end of each month,
Wright Express sends you detailed reports on each vehicle’s
card. The report we pay particular attention to shows the
driver who put fuel in, where they purchased fuel, date, time,
odometer reading, product, gallons, cost per gallon, cost of
transaction, and MPG. Here is how this report helps you man-
age your fuel costs. First of all, you want to know how many
miles per gallon this particular vehicle usually gets. I know
that my Ford F-150s average about 12MPG. When I look at
the MPG column for any particular fill up it should be close
to 12MPG. If I see that the truck only got 7MPG on that par-
CBIZ HIRES RICHARD SHAW, JR.
AS VICE PRESIDENT
Richard Shaw, Jr. is now Vice President for CBIZ Insurance Ser-
vices, Inc.
In his new role, Shaw will specialize in the Construction &
Contractors, Real Estate & Hospitality, Education & Non-
Profit and Entertainment & Media industry practices, where
he will work with accounts ranging from middle market size
companies to large accounts that have complex risk man-
agement programs.
PAGE 26 | SUMMER 2011
ticular fill up I know gas went somewhere other than into
the truck. Did it go into the wife’s car that followed my truck
to the gas station? Or did it go into gas cans that were taken
along? We have caught a few guys over the years trying to
scam the system. Now that they have been made the exam-
ple of what happens when you steal from us, we hardly ever
have an incident. What is also nice is that you can see when
the drivers buy more expensive products like overpriced fuel
and premium grades. You will have to do long math when
they enter the 11 code for fuel going into a container or
pump. It only takes a moment to figure the mileage by going
back to the last fill up and subtracting the difference. If you
decide to use Wright Express it is very important to tell your
drivers to fill up each stop. If they do not fill up the report
will show exceptionally high MPG. The next fill up will show
exceptionally low MPG. Wright Express is accepted at most
fuel stations in this area. I am sure there are other providers
like Wright Express, so do not be afraid to shop around to see
who can best help you manage your fuel expenses.
Good Luck,
David Nowack
Fat Free Systems, Fort Myers, Florida
davidn@fatfreesystems.com
Have an idea or helpful suggestion you’d like to share with
other IKECA Members? Send your letter to information@ike-
ca.org and label it as Letters from IKECA Members. Submis-
sions must be less than 500 words and include your email
address. No anonymous letters will be printed. All letters
will be reviewed for bias, commercial nature, and appropri-
ate language before being approved for use in the IKECA
Journal. The IKECA Journal editorial staff reserves the right
to edit or reject any letters. Any opinion expressed in these
letters is solely that of the author and not of IKECA.
Prior to joining CBIZ, Shaw worked for Atlantic Risk Manage-
ment Company and several national insurance brokers. He
has over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry.
Shaw is a graduate of the University of Maryland, has re-
ceived his CPCU and ARM designations, and is licensed in
Property & Casualty and Life, Accident & Health insurance.
Contact him at rshaw@cbiz.com.
THE IKECA JOURNAL
 IKECA Board of Directors 2011-2012

PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT SECRETARY

Robert D. Schuler, CECS, CESI (2013) Jack Grace, CECS, CESI (2014) Kevin Pearson, CECS (2013)
Bentley Resources, Inc. dba Roof Top Western Commercial Services Grime Stoppers, Inc
Sarasota, FL 2311 S. Industrial Road Black Eagle, MT
rschuler@tampabay.rr.com Las Vegas, NV kevin@grimestoppersinc.net
jack@westerncommercial.net
TREASURER Bill Doherty, CECS, CESI
Neal A. Iorii, Jr., CECS, CESI (2012) IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Pressure Kleen Services Company, Inc.
Olympia Maintenance, Inc. James Roberts, Jr., CECS, CESI (2012) Toronto, Ontario
Melrose Park, IL Derby Pressure Wash Canada
naiorii@sbcglobal.net Louisville, KY billdoherty@pressurekleen.com
jrj@dpwservices.com
Jesse Getz, CECS (2014) Randall Rauth, CECS (2014)
Getz Fire Equipment Co. David Nowack, CECS (2012) Hood Cleaning, Inc.
Peoria, IL Fat Free, Inc. Waukesha, WI
JesseGetz@GetzFire.com N. Fort Myers, FL randy@hoodcleaninginc.com
davidn@fatfreesystems.com
Kathy Slomer, CECS (2013) Kim Yanick (2012)
Kool Kleen R & T Hood & Duct Services, Inc.
Murrysville, PA Seattle, WA
KathyKoolKleen@aol.com kyanick@rthood.com

Submit an Article for the IKECA Journal

Contribute to the conversation in the com-
mercial kitchen exhaust cleaning industry
– write an article for the next issue of the
IKECA Journal. Articles should be on current
subjects of interest to those in cleaning and
inspection, including contractors, fire author-
ities, insurance providers, facility managers
and owner/operators.
* Your perspective on today’s industry topics
* Share your story with an innovation or new
device or procedure
* Your personal experience that offers les-
sons learned
* Best practices on maintenance or repair
* Frequently asked questions that you want
to answer
* Personnel or staffing tips that you’ve
learned
Details
• View IKECA’s full Article Submission Guide-
lines for all details.
• Email complete articles to information@
ikeca.org
• Articles should be between 750 and 2,000
words (between 1 ½ to 4 typed pages)
• Charts, tables and photos are welcome,
subject to editorial approval
• Include a short biography of the author (50
words)
• Articles must be educational and informa-
tive in nature, and must not be advertise-
ments for specific good or services. All are
subject to review, approval and editing
before publication.
Share your Ideas
Not sure about writing an article?
Our professional staff will help you “polish”
your article. Don’t let the thought that “I’m
not a writer” stop you from sharing your
ideas or perspective.
Need more incentive?
Earn CEUs!
Need continuing education credits to main-
tain your certification?
Earn 0.3 CEU for submitting an article for
publication in the IKECA Journal.
Questions? Call IKECA at 215.564.3484 or
email information@ikeca.org.

THE IKECA JOURNAL SUMMER 2011 | PAGE 27

100 North 20th Street
Suite 400
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-564-3484
fax: 215-564-2175
www.ikeca org