Danze Uses Twitter for HET Give Away
Danze has announced an online promotion utilizing its @danzefaucets Twitter account. The manufacturer of kitchen and bath fixtures and faucets will give away one high-efficiency toilet to one lucky Twitter user. People on Twitter must simply include the hashtag phrase #savewater and the Danze user name (@danzefaucets) within their 140 character tweet to earn an entry into the giveaway (or re-tweet one of Danze’s posts about the giveaway). Entries were being accepted through Oct. 9 and the winner was chosen Oct. 12. Although that’s too late for this issue’s deadline, the lucky winner was able to select any Danze high-efficiency toilet.

Chicago Complies With Buy American Act
Chicago Faucets said recently more than 95 percent of its products comply with the Buy American Act. HyTronic and E-Tronic electronic faucets are among the more than 1,700 Chicago Faucets’ BAA-compliant products. BAA requires U.S. government entities to prefer, and when possible, purchase products made in the United States. To comply with BAA, the cost of a product’s domestic components must equal more than half the cost of the complete product. A complete brochure listing Chicago Faucets BAA compliant products is available on the Web site.

Spacepak Launches Heating Promotion
SpacePak invites HVAC professionals to warm up with its Fall/Winter Heating Promotion. Participants who purchase any of SpacePak’s heating equipment between Sept. 15, 2009 and Feb. 28, 2010 will receive their choice of a free work-ready “barn” coat or ultra durable Carhart tool bag. Simply purchase any qualifying SpacePak heating equipment and return the gift coupon with proof of purchase to SpacePak. Qualifying products include ThermaPak High Efficiency Boiler & Water Heater Combi Units; ElectriPak Integral Modulating Heating Modules; WaterPak 4 row Hydronic Heating Coils; Electric Duct Heaters; and, WCSP-D Series Hydronic Fan Coil Units.

ASHRAE, IGBC Working Toward Efficiency
The signing of a memorandum of understanding between ASHRAE and the Indian Green Building Council represents the country’s potential as a market for constructing energy efficient buildings. The memorandum is the latest in strengthening ASHRAE’s ties with India, a country with a fast-growing population that demands an even faster growing construction industry; ASHRAE has some 700 members in India with four chapters—India, Western India, South India and Chennai. The MOU allows the two societies to share products, jointly promote educational programs and, where appropriate, cross-market each other’s products and services.

BDR Offers Free Profitability Seminar in Houston, Nov. 19
Training organization Business Development Resources is conducting a free business sales and strategy seminar for owners and general managers of HVAC and mechanical contracting firms in Houston on Nov. 19 from 10:30 am to 4 pm at the Doubletree Airport hotel. Seminar leader Barry Burnett, now a principal with BDR, is recognized industry-wide as one of the nation’s most successful HVAC entrepreneurs and dynamic speaker. The focus of the day-long training session is to help HVAC entrepreneurs to enhance their sales and profitability with proven strategies for winning in a competitive market, enabling business owners to become market leaders. The seminar is free, but space is limited. Registration for the Nov. 19 seminar begins at 9:45 am. The seminar begins at 10:30 am. Attendees will receive free buffet lunch, break snacks and a take-home binder of class materials. To register, send an e-mail.

CBIA’s Names Snow to CEO Post
The California Building Industry Association has appointed a new president and CEO. Elizabeth (Liz) Snow, moves over the CBIA from the California Dental Association, where she worked for 22 years, most recently serving as chief strategy officer. Former CBIA CEO Robert Rivinius will be staying on board as an executive advisor helping Snow to transition into her new role and offering his expertise on various industry matters to the association.

New Web Site For Mueller
Mueller Industries, Inc. Industrial Products Division has introduced a new Web site. The Industrial Products Division Web site will provide existing and potential customers an overview of products, processes, and capabilities. The Industrial Products Division produces brass and copper alloy rod, bar, and shapes; aluminum and brass forgings; aluminum impact extrusions; and custom machined components.

Dornbracht Meets Cal. Regs.
Several California laws enacted to reduce the lead content in drinking water distribution products are due to go into effect Jan.1, 2010, and the portfolio of products from Dornbracht, the German-based kitchen and bath fittings manufacturer, will fully comply. The new legislation states that the maximum allowable lead content in so-called “lead-free” pipes, pipe or plumbing fittings and fixtures intended to convey or dispense water for human consumption through drinking or cooking is .25 percent, as determined by a weighted average.

San Antonio Adopts I-Codes
The San Antonio City Council voted Oct. 1 to adopt for the nation’s 7th largest city all of the International Code Council’s major codes. After months of deliberation, the decision was made to adopt the ICC’s 2009 International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Existing Building Code, International Fire Code, as well as all three Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Codes: International Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code, and International Fuel Gas Code. The 2009 International Energy Conservation Code had previously been adopted. “Our goal was to have all of the 2009 International Codes adopted since these codes correlate with each other and have already been accepted by the majority of municipalities in Texas.” said Barry Archer, assistant director of San Antonio’s Development Services Building Department Division.