The past couple of years have become a watershed year for indoor environmental matters involving mold and fungal contamination. Just as the 49ers raced to California seeking gold, Health professionals, insurance companies, tenants, landlords, builders and experts are racing to determine the risks of mold contamination to themselves, both physically and economically. The rash of current litigation has become known as the “Mold Rush”.

The purpose of this month’s presentation is to give our members some needed information that will be helpful in avoiding such litigation. Staying out of court or protecting your interests when involved in litigation requires more than just technical knowledge. Teaching your field employees what to say and not to say as well as the type of contracts you sign are all key components to protecting yourselves and your companies. Owners, Architects, Engineers and Contractors will find this presentation of great value.

Michael S. Greene has practiced in the real property and construction law area since 1981. His work involves development, construction, and finance law, including representation of developers, building owners, lenders, governmental agencies, contractors and design professionals, landlords and tenants, on such projects as convention centers and arenas, shopping centers and malls, hotels, office buildings, industrial properties, apartment projects (including affordable housing tax credit projects), single-family and multi-family developments, resorts, and restaurants.

Mr. Greene has significant experience in resolving problems associated with the indoor environment (including toxic mold, building-related illness and “sick-building syndrome”) and is a Certified Indoor Environmentalist (CIE) by the Indoor Air Quality Association. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Indoor Air Quality Association, is an instructor for the CIE review course, and has lectured extensively on the topic.

Example clients and projects include:

• Represented Martin County, Florida in the indoor air quality and remediation of the County Courthouse project
• Represented Broward County in connection with the Broward County Convention Center (located in Port Everglades) which required negotiation of complex ground lease, air rights, design-build and public/private funding issues
• Represents developers and property managers in defending toxic mold claims
• Represent owners of property affected by toxic mold
• Represented national lender in connection with indoor air quality issues on an REO properties
• Represented FPL in connection with District Cooling agreements for Miami Heat arena
• Represented the City of Lake Worth, Florida on design and construction documents for Public Safety Complex
• Represented landlords in leasing of projects throughout Florida and in Washington D.C., including complex build-to-suit leases, further including a “Big 5" accounting firm for its national training center and a major credit card processor in its regional call centers
• Represented national developer/manager of shopping centers in regional mall project, power center projects, and community center projects.

Published Work/Presentations

• “A Review of California’s Toxic Mold Act” , Indoor Environmental Connection magazine, May 2002 issue
• “Standard of Care and IAQ”, Indoor Environmental Connection magazine, March 2002 issue
• Lecturer, “Toxic Mold Litigation and Prevention”, The Environmental Institute, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, November 2001
• Lecturer, “Legal Implications of the Indoor Environment”, Carrier Corporation Program on the Indoor Environment, Florida Solar Energy Center, University of Central Florida, October 3, 2001
• Instructor, Indoor air Quality Association Certified Indoor Environmentalist course
  
  “Intellectual Property: Swords and Shields of Design Professionals”, The Construction Lawyer’s Toolbox, ABA Forum on the Construction Industry, May 2000
  
  “Clearing the Air on Indoor Environment Litigation”, Corporate Real Estate Executive (International Association of Corporate Real Estate Executives, January/February 1998)
  

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A Message From Our President

I would like to welcome everyone back for this the 2003-2004 Society year. I’m eager to serve as your President for the coming year because of all the things we as a Chapter can accomplish to advance the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and related human factors. We have the opportunity to serve the evolving needs of ASHRAE members as well as the general public.

We are fortunate to have last year’s officers and chairs back for another year of service. Last year’s resource promotion, membership, TEGA and student activities chairs (Dan Rogers, Marie-Pierre Boutin, John Rodriguez and Brett Jenner respectively) have all remained on for another year. Last year’s officers have all moved up a position, and Allen Messer has filled the vacant slot of Vice-President. In addition Richard Seferian, Rick Ellison, Dan Rogers and Brian Lomel will serve as the Board of Governors.

The Chapters Regional Conference was just held this August in San Juan Puerto Rico. The Gold Coast Chapter was represented admirably in both the number of members who attended and the awards bestowed upon the Chapter. Notable was our achievements in membership. Through Marie-Pierre’s efforts we ranked first in the region in the membership category. Marie has helped increase the number of members while decreasing our delinquencies. John Rodriquez adroitly garnered the top awards for TECO. John wore a path in the carpet on his numerous trips up to the podium during the CRC receiving all of his awards. Again for the many years in a row, the Gold Coast Chapter excelled in Resource Promotion. This past year Dan Rogers along with Eric Jenison, Rick Ellison, Mike Balko and all the generous sponsors to our fund raising events exceeded the Challenge goal by $2000. There are three ascending goals in regard to Resource Promotion in the PAOE (President’s Award of Excellence). The first level is simply meeting your goal . In our case the goal was $14,792. If that is achieved the second level to reach is referred to as the “High 5”. To reach the High 5 goal, a chapter must match the dollar amount donated for the previous year. In our case that was $25,458. Finally there is the Challenge goal. In order to meet the Challenge goal, a Chapter must donate 5% more than the previous year. I am proud to state that our Resource Promotion Committee raised a totally of $29,722. This far exceeded not only our Challenge goal, but was more than $10,000 greater than any other chapter in the Region. Our special thanks go out to Eric Jenison who again arranged for a $10,000 donation to ASHRAE from NEBB. Overall by Richard Seferian’s leadership and the previously mentioned achievements, the Gold Coast Chapter received the “Most Improved Chapter Award”.

This coming year we will provide to you, our members and our guests, numerous topical, interesting and sometimes controversial presentation topics during our monthly meetings. It is our expectation that if you find the presentations valuable, you will not only continue your support of the local Chapter by attending the meetings, but you will help improve our Chapter by encouraging others to attend as well. Lastly I would like to announce that one of the events our Chapter holds every year which is a large part of our success in Resource Promotion is our Fall Golf Tournament. The Tournament will be held at Jacaranda Country Club again this year on October 17th at 1 pm. Lets keep our streak of success going and have some fun on the course as well by supporting this event. I look forward to serving as your president for the coming year so that together we can do our part to contribute to the HVAC&R community.
Sincerely,

Joe Fellmeth
Tel: 754-321-0444

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Click here to see pictures from our Summer Album
Summer Picture Album

Gold Coast Chapter Members who Attended the Annual Chapters Regional Conference in Puerto Rico

Rick Ellison – Fluid Controls, Inc.
Dan Ellison – Fluid Controls, Inc.
Bill Ogden – S & W Sheetmetal, Inc.
Linda Hawkins – S & W Sheetmetal, Inc.
Dan Rogers – York International
Mike Balko – The Trane Company
Glenn Grinnan – Carrier
Richard Seferian – Johnson Controls Inc.
Joe Fellmeth – School Board of Broward County
Jason Ayala – S&W Sheetmetal, Inc.
Allen Messer – Centex Rooney
Marie-Pierre Boutin – Delta G Engineering
Erik Walter – TLC Engineering
John Rodriguez – Florida Engineering Service

“Gold Coast Chapter Members enjoying a Chapter dinner in San Juan”

2003-2004 Programs

September
AVOIDING TOXIC MOLD LITIGATION
Presented by: Michael Greene Partner, Blank, Rome, Comisky & McCauley, LLP

October
HOW TO DETECT A FALSIFIED TEST AND BALANCE REPORT
Presented by: Eric Jenison
Total Dynamic Balance, Inc. NEBB

November
IMPROVED VAV CONCEPT DESIGN
Presented by: John Thompson
Rickard Air Diffusion

December
President’s Ball / Holiday Special

January
CONTROL SYSTEM MANUFACTURER ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION
Real Advances in Technology or Just Hype?
(New Wireless Systems, Division 17, Web Based Interfaces,Etc)
Presented by: CSI, Johnson Controls, Siemens, Trane

February
JOINT MEETING WITH THE MIAMI CHAPTER

March
ACCOMPLISHING MAJOR MECHANICAL RETROFITS THROUGH PERFORMANCE CONTRACTING
(Presented by: TECO BGA)

April
THE NEW FLORIDA ENERGY EFFICIENCY CODE

May
To Be Announced

June
SUMMER SOCIAL OR TECHNICAL PRESENTATION

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Resource & Promotion Committee 2003-2004

The 2003-2004 year has begun and after great success last year, we are once again have been challenged to do better this year!! Last year we raised a record amount of $ 29,722 for the chapter’s Resource Promotion campaign!! Excellent performance by all involved. Many thanks to all our member’s for their participation & financial support. Which once again allowed us to exceeded our goal. I will be contacting you this year for your continued support & $$$-generosity.

The Gold Coast chapter’s resource promotion campaign for the upcoming year 2003-2004 includes the following events:

• 12th Annual Fall Golf Tournament planned for October 17, 2003
• 2nd Annual ‘THE WAR” Fishing Tournament planned for April/May 2004
• Continuing Education Seminars planned for November 2003 & possibly March 2004

The first event, the ASHRAE Gold Coast Chapter’s 12th Annual Fall Golf Classic is scheduled for October 17, 2003 at the Jacaranda Country Club Golf Course. You will find the golf tournament sign-up form attached for your participation. Please send checks in the name of ASHRAE Gold Coast Chapter, to Dan Rogers, 900 Harrison Street, Hollywood, FL 33019. You may also fax the registration forms to 954-925-9649 &/or 954-389-9687. If you have any question you may contact; Dan Rogers at 954-325-9675 or Rick Ellison at 954-492-1166.

Let the new-year begin, so please come and help us thank last year’s Resource Promotion campaign donors at the November 2003 meeting. The donors will be listed in the chapter’s October 2003 newsletter.

Corporate Sponsors
ASHRAE Gold Coast Chapter, A&B Pipe & Supply, Air Management Systems, Inc., API Expansion Joints, J.K. Kessler & Associates Inc., Bovis Lend Lease, Brimar Pipe Markers, Calmac Thermal Energy Storage, Carrier South Florida, Coatings Etc., Inc., Cornell Balancing Company, Corsair, Cultler Hammer, Cyrus Technologies Inc., Data Aire, Diversified Fluid Control, Earl Hagood, E.H. Whitson Air Conditioning, E.R. Air Conditioning, Enviro-Mechanical, Enviro Team, Florida Heat Pump, Gregor Hartenhoff Inc., Graham Heat Exchangers, Griswald Controls, H.O. Terrice, H. Lamm Industries, Hill York Corporation, HVAC & Assoc., Hydro-Aire System Sales, Inc., HYVAC, Inc., John J. Kirlin, Inc.-FLORIDA Division, Johnson Controls, Inc., Kamm Consulting, Lennox Industries, Maddux Supply , Mason Inc., McAllister & Associates, McQuayService, Merril-Lynch, Middleton & Associates, Mueller Steam Speciality, MultiStack , Nailor Industries of Florida, NEBB-Golden Circle Donor, Norca Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Corp., Optimum Power and Environment of Florida, P.E.C.O. Enterprises Inc., Penn Refrigeration, Pomper Sheet Metal, Protec Cooling Towers, Quality A/C, Raypak Boilers, Richard Flanders Enterprises, S & W Sheet Metal, Smith Seckman & Reid, Inc., Southeastern Hose, Spillis Candella-DMJM, Southeast Mechanical Service, Standrod Engineering, PA, Steven Feller PE Engineering, TACO, Inc., TES of South Forida, The DCI Systems Group, Inc. , The Poole & Kent Company, The Trane Company, Thermacor Process, Thermal Concepts, TLC Engineers, Total Dynamic Balance, Tropic Supply, Inc., Warren Technology, Weinman Pumps, William R. Nash, Inc., York International

Individual Sponsors
Jason Ayala, Michael Balko, Bernardo Cardenal, Richard Ellison, Joe Fellmeth, Glenn Grinnan, Daniel Rogers, Richard Saferian, Erik Walter

If anyone wants to help in any way, please let me know, we can always use help. Let’s make this a year to remember.

Daniel Rogers, PE
ASHRAE Gold Coast Chapter
Resource Promotion Chairman 2003-2004

Dan Rogers, P.E.
954-389-9675

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Membership
If you are not a member of ASHRAE, and would like to join please contact me at my email or phone (954) 527-1112.

Join the 50,000 ASHRAE members advancing their careers through and ASHRAE membership. ASHRAE, an individual membership society, is an international organization operated for the exclusive purpose of advancing the arts and sciences of HVAC&R, the allied arts and sciences and the related human factors for the benefit of the public.

Reasons to join ASHRAE
Technical education and information is the greatest benefit of ASHRAE membership. Other benefits include:

• Knowledge
• Bookstore discount
• Monthly ASHRAE Journal
• Free Annual Handbook
• Marketing with other Members

For all associate members, you can qualify to be a member. Here is how you can do it.

Membership Grades
Member
A Member shall have the equivalent of twelve Society-approved years of experience composed of an approved combination of (a) completed education beyond high school, (b) work experience, and (c) professional engineering or related professional registration or license issued by a legally authorized body.

All technical and scientific education shall be based on curricula approved by the Board of Directors.

Approved engineering curricula shall be equivalent to that accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology in the United States of America or the Canadian Engineering Accredidation Board. Scientific education in fields other than engineering shall be from a college or university course of study which has been accredited by an organization charged with monitoring standards of performance.

One and one-half years of credit for each year of completed education for graduates of approved technical curricula.

One year of credit for each year of education for non-graduates who have completed at least two years of approved technical curricula.

One year of credit for each year of completed education for graduates of colleges or universities which do not have accredidation. Those holding associates degrees from technical institutions shall also be credited for one year for each year of education.

One year for each year of the qualifying work experience in the performance of duties in work related to ASHRAE fields of interest, as verified by the applicant's reference, and shall have included research, teaching, design, contracting, engineering sales or engineering management.

Three years of credit for professional registration or license issued bya a legally authorized body in engineering or related fields, the requirements of which as to education, examination, and active practice are satisfactory to the Board of Directors.

Qualifying Work Experience
The following defines qualifying work experience in ASHRAE-related fields:

1. Research—Must have demonstrated competence in independent and original research of an engineering or scientific nature which has been published.
2. Teaching—Assistant Professor or higher in an engineering or scientific discipline.
3. Design—Responsible for engineering or scientific design including calculations, system and equipment selection and layout, and performance.
4. Contracting—Responsible for the installation, start-up and operation of significant systems. Must demonstrate capability of initiating or evaluating the effect of engineering or scientific design changes of any type on the performance of the system.
5. Engineering Sales—Must be responsible for assistance to system designers in the engineering, equipment selection and application of components of heating, refrigeration, air-conditioning, ventilation and allied systems.
6. Engineering Management—Must be directly responsible for and involved in the management of technical, scientific and engineering phases of the company.
   

ASSOCIATE MEMBER
An Associate Member shall have had experience in technical matters or in design, operation, or maintenance in heating, refrigeration, air-conditioning, or ventilating fields; shall have an interest in the advancement of the Society's aims; and shall possess sufficient qualifications to coorporatd with heating, refrigerating, air-conditioning, or ventilating engineers in the advancement of relating to heating, refrigerationg, air-conditioning, or ventilating engineering and its application.

For all the associate members you could qualify to be a member.
All members shall have the equivalent of twelve society-approved
years of experience composed of an approved combination of :

1. Completed education beyond high school
2. Work experience
3. Professional engineering or related professional
   registration of license issued by a legally authorized
   body.

Please let me know if you qualify I will take care of upgrading
your membership.

Marie-Pierre Boutin
Tel: (954) 527-1112
Fax (954) 524-7505

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Technical, Energy and
Government Activities
To: All Consulting Engineers and HVAC Contractors

From: Technical, Energy and Government Activities
John G. Rodriguez – Chairperson.
(305) 653-0212 - work
(954)254-4771 - cell
John G. Rodriguez

Re: Chapter/Regional - ASHRAE Technology Awards

Fellow members:

Our Chapter is asking all Consulting Engineers from Broward or
those that do work in Broward County to participate and submit
projects of their choice for the ASHRAE Technology Awards.
The projects must be completed in the design aspect to
participate in the Chapter and Regional Level. In order to
qualify for the national Award the projects must have been
completed and been in operation for at least a year.

The projects can be in any part of the country if designed
by an Engineer of Broward County. An Engineer outside of
Broward County can participate if the project they are
submitting is in Broward County. The work shall be submitted
before the end of October. A minimum of two projects, depending
on the amount of entries, would then be selected to participate
in the Regional Awards; these projects will be announced at the
November’s Chapter Meeting.

We would also like to see our Consulting Engineers from our
Chapter participate in the Awards selection Committee. If you
wish to participate in this committee please contact our chapter
or myself at the above number.

If you have any questions regarding the above, please contact
me at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,

John G. Rodriguez
TEGA Chairperson

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PAST PRESIDENT’S
1968-1969 Donald Dorini
1969-1970 Hugh Kirkpatrick
1970-1971 John Welbourne, P.E.
1971-1972 Lawrence Lazar, P.E.
1972-1973 Richard MacDonald
1973-1974 Gerald Fishe, P.E.
1974-1975 Charles King
1975-1976 C.A. Bud Stolley, P.E.
1976-1977 Charles Deckert
1977-1978 David Hurm
1978-1979 Fulton M. Cooke
1979-1980 C.A. Bud Stolley, P.E.
1980-1981 L.L. Layman, Jr.
1981-1982 Eugene D. Petrey
1982-1983 Todd W. Carey, P.E.
1983-1984 Donald C. Herrmann
1984-1985 Ronald P. Petrey
1985-1986 Herbert L. Dell
1986-1987 George Gilbert
1987-1988 Steve W. Klengson
1988-1989 Robert J. Davis, Jr.
1989-1990 Raymond A. Liotta
1990-1991 Robert C. Duval
1991-1992 R. W. Chip Lafferty, P.E.
1992-1993 Steven M. Feller, P.E.
1993-1994 William D. Ogden
1994-1995 Mike Balko
1995 William Hoeveler
1995-1996 Eric T. Jenison
1996-1997 Eric T. Jenison
1997-1998 Richard J. Ellison
1998-1999 Rex E. Noble, Jr., P.E.
1999-2000 Betsy A. Goll, P.E.
2000-2001 Brian A. Lomel, P.E.
2001-2002 Dan Rogers, P.E.
2002-2003 Richard D. Seferian

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Chapter Directory

PRESIDENT - Joe Fellmeth
Tel: 754-321-0444
Fax: 754-321-0906
joe.fellmeth@browardschools.com

PRESIDENT ELECT - Jason Ayala
Tel: 954-785-0083
Fax: 954-786-8581
jayala@screaminet.comus

VICE PRESIDENT - Allen Messer
Tel: 954-585-4305
Fax: 954-585-4517
amesser@ccgmail.com

TREASURER - Erik Walter
Tel: 954-463-8050
Fax: 954-786-8581
jayala@stis.net

SECRETARY - Brett Jenner
Tel: 954-233-3023
Fax: 954-3850407
brett.a.jenner@jci.com

MEMBERSHIP - Marie-Pierre Boutin
Tel: (954) 527-1112
Fax (954) 524-7505
mpboutin@deltag.net

PROGRAMS - Jason Ayala
Tel: 954-785-0083
Fax: 954-786-8581
jayala@stis.net

HISTORIAN - Daniel Tharp
Tel: 561-844-9767
Fax: 561-844-9792
daniel@cors-air.com

RESEARCH - Dan Rogers, P.E.
Tel: 954-389-9675
Fax: 954-389-9687
dan.rogers@york.com

STUDENT ACTIVITIES - Brett Jenner
Tel: 954-233-3023
Fax: 954-385-0407
brett.a.jenner@jci.com

TEGA/REFRIGERATION - John Rodriguez
Tel: 305-653-0212
jrodriguez@fesinc.biz

NEWSLETTER - Susan Julien
Tel: 561-863-2258
Fax: 561-863-5597
sjulien@adp-studios.com

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BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Richard D. Seferian
Tel: 954-233-3024
Fax: 954-385-0407
richard.d.seferian@jci.com

Richard J. Ellison
Tel: 954-492-1166
Fax: 954-491-2451
rick@diversifiedfluidcontrols.com

Brian A. Lomel, P.E.
Tel: 954-463-8050
Fax: 954-463-1555

Dan Rogers, P.E.
Tel: 954-389-9675
Fax: 954-389-9687
dan.rogers@york.com

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Advertisers
For further information regarding advertising please contact
Marie-Pierre Boutin
Tel: (954) 527-1112
mpboutin@deltag.net