Feburary 2004 HESP Newsletter

	Meeting Notes
	Meeting Sponsor Synopsis
	Upcoming Events

Volume 19, Number 2, February 2004

Meeting Notes

Meeting Announcement

Next Meeting, Tuesday, March 2, 2004
Location: American Serbian Club on the South Side
Meeting Sponsor and speaker to be announced.

Agenda

Business Meeting Minutes

Call to order: President Ray Franks called the meeting to order at 7:24 p.m. Ray introduced our speaker for the evening, Bill Brooks of Brooks Fire Protection Engineering, Inc. Bill, who is our Codes and regulations Chairman, spoke about codes and regulations pertaining to building and changes and updates to the Pennsylvania Labor and Industry codes and regulations.

Business Meeting: Ray Franks called the business meeting to order at 7:28 p.m. The minutes of the January 2004 meetings were approved as printed. The attendance for this evening's meeting was as follows: 26 Hospital members, 31 associate members and 10 guests. The actual count was 72. The 50/50 raffle was drawn. The winner was Dick Barker, who won $107.

Treasurer's Report: Dick Barker read the treasurer's report; it was approved as read. We also had a vote on the treasurer's report, which was approved. Dick also announced that we are continuing the program for one year's free membership for anyone sponsoring a hospital employee and two year's free membership for anyone sponsoring a hospital management person who joins HESP. This incentive is open to both hospital and associate members.

New Members: We had one candidate approved for membership tonight, Mark Lantz, the Hartford. HESP welcomes its new member.

Guests: We had four guests introduce themselves tonight: Ken Kramer of Pure Earth Technology, Gary Hill of Trane, and Brian Seech and Rick Stelter of A&B Mechanical.

Committee Reports

Education: Michael Bryer - Mike told us that he is working on a program for the fall. More information to follow.

Newsletter: Ron Lukcic - Ron asked that anyone who wants to make a change in their ad to please see him. He also expressed his appreciation to all advertisers.

Membership: Brenda Henwood - Brenda announced a new program: "A Challenge" to see which organization can have the most members turn out for a meeting Brenda says there will be a small prize for that group/organization. Tonight's winner was a tie between Duquesne University and St. Clair Hospital, each having four members present. Brenda also asked that we spread the word among our coworkers and associates to get people to come to the meetings and join HESP.

Codes and Regulations: Bill Brooks - No report.

ASHE: No report. We are still looking for an ASHE representative. [If you are interested in this position, please click here.]

Biomedical: Dan Procupp - Dan says he has information in the AAMI Conference. Interested parties should contact Dan.

Christmas in April: Chuck Froetschel - No report.

Golf Outing: Steve Tarasovic - No report.

Holiday Party: Chuck Froetschel - Chuck said this year's Holiday party will, hopeful, be held at the American Serbian Club on Friday,December 10, 2004. Walt and Marion have agreed to be our "spirits" dispensers. Chuck is tentatively planning on a Monte Carlo night.

Picnic: Bruce Saddler - Ron Gault said that this year's picnic will be on Saturday, July 24, 2004, at a new location, Overlook Park in Monroeville. Ron also said that Hammons catering will be doing the cooking. Bruce is looking for suggestions for food and entertainment. More information and directions to the part will be forthcoming.

Old Business: Chuck said that our website is under construction and should be up and running shortly. Discussion followed concerning the exact wesite address. Alice Atkins, our web designer, will attend next month's meeting to answer further questions.

New Business: Ron Gault said that he needs some help or advice pertaining to building, electrical and maintenance questions per faculty and per building on campus.

Roy Brunner said that we need vendors to sponsor our meetings for March and December. If you know of an interested vendor, please contact Roy. A Mini-Trade Show is being planned for June 2004. Please contact Roy.

Adjournment: There being no further business, Dan adjourned the meeting at 7:43 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Frank Rutledge.

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February's Meeting Sponsor

HESP extends its thanks and appreciation to William N. Brooks, P.E., Fire Protection Engineering Inc. Synopsis follows:

Hospital Engineers of Southwestern PA
PA Uniform Construction Code/Department of Health Issues

PA Uniform Construction Code

• 1/10/04 - Published in PA Bulletin
• 4/9/04-7/8/04 - Opt-in/Opt-out
  • Opt-in requires passage of ordinance by 7/8/04
  • Opt-in requires L&I notification by 8/7/04
  • Opt-out notification by 8/7/04 (if no notification, then opt-out by default on 8/7/04)
• 8/8/04 - UCC in effect statewide
• Opt-in later requires 180 days notice

Exceptions

Dire and Panic Act applies to:

• Projects for which an application for a building permit was made to the municipality prior to April 9, 2004
   
• Projects for which a contract for design or construction was signed before April 9, 2004

Building Permits

• Issued by local jurisdiction
• Opt-ins will perform all administration
• Opt-outs will issue permits, but all technical aspects will be reviewed by L&I
• Permits to be issued 15-30 days (403.43, 403.63)

Accessibility

Chapter 11 IBC

• Jurisdiction retained by L&I unless municipality has an accessibility administrator
• Variances by L&I Board - not local appeals board
• Federal ADA Regulations still apply - these are not superseded by PA state regulations

Health Care Facilities

• Permit issued by local jurisdiction
• Permit cannot be issued without DOH approval of plans
• Permit cannot be issued with local/L&I approval of plans
• Occupancy not permitted without DOH approval (Dual review/dual inspection process is possible. For example, fire walls/smoke barriers may have plans reviewed and inspections conducted by DOH and local jurisdiction)
• No fees to DOH for plan approval or inspection
• Licensure fees will still apply
• Same 30-45 day turnaround on plans
• DOH approval does not equal L&I approval does not equal DOH approval
• Systems not meeting current standards can remain in place as long as the AHJ determines no hazard exists - e.g. medical gas

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Calendar of Events for Upcoming Sponsors

April: Dominion Peoples
Topic: To be announced

May: Craft Products Company
Topic: To be announced

June: Mini Trade Show

September: MET
Topic: To be announced

October: Beckwith Power Systems
Topic: To be announced

November: Total Equipment Company
Topic: To be announced

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