GRAND RAPIDS, Mich (WOOD) – As the temperatures cool down outside, you may want to start a fire in the fireplace or turn on the furnace to stay warm, but is your chimney ready to handle the heat Where You Live?

National Chimney Safety Week 2020 (September 27 – October 3) is designed to educate homeowners on the inherent dangers of fireplaces and provide them with tips to reduce their risk of suffering a chimney fire or carbon monoxide-related health emergency.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC), an average of 17,600 chimney fires occurred annually in the United States between 2015 and 2017, and although this represents a significant drop from previous years, the Chimney Safety Institute of America believes there’s still much room for improvement. CSIA’s vision is that every family enjoys a safe, warm home.

The Facts About Chimney Fires:

Your chimney–and the flue that lines it–adds architectural interest to your home, but its’ real function is to carry dangerous flue gases from your fireplace, wood stove or furnace safely out of your home.  As you relax in front of your fireplace or bask in the warmth of your wood stove, the last thing you are likely to be thinking about is the condition of your chimney.  However, if you don’t give some thought to it before you light those winter fires, your enjoyment may be very short-lived.

Why?

Dirty chimneys can cause chimney fires, which damage structures, destroy homes and injure or kill people. ​

Indications of a chimney fire have been described as creating:

• Loud cracking and popping noise
• A lot of dense smoke
• An intense, hot smell

Chimney fires can burn explosively – noisy and dramatic enough to be detected by neighbors or people passing by.  Flames or dense smoke may shoot from the top of the chimney.  Homeowners report being startled by a low rumbling sound that reminds them of a freight train or a low flying airplane.  However, those are only the chimney fires you know about.

Chimney fires are preventable.  When burning wood, only use dry, seasoned wood.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends chimneys be inspected annually and cleaned as-needed.  Having your chimney inspected by a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep before lighting your first fire of the season, is the number one way to prevent potential damage to your home or even the loss of life that may result from a damaged or blocked chimney.

E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire Safety reminds you with more than 1,800 CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps located across the United States, it has never been easier to find one near you.  To locate your nearest CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep, visit www.csia.org/search and enter your zip code into the locator search tool.

Article by Firefighter Michael McLeieer, President – E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc.

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San Francisco opened a safe parking site at Candlestick Point in January 2022, saying it would hold up to 155 recreational vehicles and provide residents there with badly needed services.  

Since then, though, the Bayview Vehicle Triage Center has fallen far short of those projections. Lack of electricity has hobbled the site, necessitating the use of polluting diesel generators and limiting the vehicles it can serve to 35.

At that level, the annual cost per vehicle spot is roughly $140,000 — “by far the most expensive homeless response intervention” in San Francisco, according to a budget analysis prepared for the Board of Supervisors.

Still, the supervisors’ Homelessness and Behavioral Health Select Committee on Friday unanimously recommended the city extend the shelter’s lease for another two years, at a cost of $312,000 a year — not including millions in operating costs.

The move means San Francisco will shell out at least another $12.2 million to fund the site and its operations, assuming the full board approves the committee’s recommendation.

“This is an expensive endeavor, but it will be more expensive — and we cannot afford the alternative — of leaving the unhoused and housed, quite frankly, to fend for themselves,” Supervisor Shamann Walton said. He voted yes along with committee members Hillary Ronen and Rafael Mandelman.

The saga of the program and the tensions it has ignited highlight the city’s ongoing struggle to house its poorest residents. Last year San Francisco estimated that 4,400 people were homeless and unsheltered, with about a quarter of them sleeping in RVs or other vehicles. 

In July, city officials counted 1,058 inhabited vehicles across San Francisco — nearly half located in District 10, which includes Bayview-Hunters Point and Candlestick Point. Many vehicle owners had parked along Hunters Point Expressway near the site of Candlestick Park, which once housed the Giants and 49ers, leading to concerns from residents.

“We had an extremely untenable situation in the Candlestick area,” said Walton, who represents District 10. “Dozens of vehicles occupied by individuals and families as well. No restroom facilities, no showers, no coordinated services, blockage of roadways. Trash and waste also added to the issue.”

The city opened the Vehicle Triage Center, or VTC, in January 2022 at the boat launch parking lot of the Candlestick Point State Recreation Area, following a pilot project at another site on San Jose Avenue, which had spots for 29 vehicles. For the pilot project, the city spent $1,793,003 — or $61,828 per spot. 

“There’s a lot that goes into making it a safe, dignified location,” said Emily Cohen, deputy director of the city’s Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing.

That included buying or renting shower and bathroom trailers and hand-washing stations, and providing potable water and plumbing. “Those costs are expensive,” Cohen said.

The Bayview VTC ran into immediate problems. While it was supposed to hold up to 155 vehicles, the city lacked adequate electricity. The city contracted with Pacific Gas and Electric Co. to power the site, but nearly two years later, officials said it still doesn’t have power needed to run at capacity.

Both Walton and Supervisor Hillary Ronen blasted PG&E for its service at the site, criticizing the company as “evil” and “a big part of the problem.”

In a lengthy statement, a PG&E spokesperson pushed back, saying that the project was “not delayed in any way.”

The spokesperson said that initially, in July 2021, San Francisco applied for a temporary service connection at 500 Hunters Point Expressway for a COVID-19 testing facility. The project was delayed because the city didn’t get equipment delivered on time. Permits were issued to complete the work in January 2023, but a month later the city pulled its application for the project.

Months later, PG&E said, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission applied for a new service connection at the same address for a different use — a site serving people living in vehicles.

“The SFPUC’s application was missing key information and was not deemed complete until Aug. 15, 2023,” the PG&E spokesperson wrote. “PG&E is now estimating the cost of the requested interconnection for the SFPUC. Federal regulations governing interconnections between utilities allow 45 business days to complete estimates. PG&E is on track to provide its estimate within the regulatory timeline.”

Lacking power, the city turned to the diesel generators, sparking a federal lawsuit from residents who said they violate the Clean Air Act. The city subsequently began replacing the generators with solar-powered pole lights, but the site still does not have adequate electricity.

The city has spent at least $8.6 million on the program, according to estimates from the city homelessness department, and because of the lack of power has to deliver fresh meals to the site daily, which Cohen said “is very expensive.” 

The center has served 115 people since it opened, she said. According to a July city presentation, her agency has made 13 placements from vehicles at the site into permanent housing, with two more expected. It wasn’t clear how many people were housed in these placements.

Cohen defended the expenses, and residents of the shelter who attended Friday’s committee hearing said it provided security and services they wouldn’t find elsewhere.

“If I hadn’t found this place and been able to stay there, I would probably have 15 to 20 tickets for failing to move on time for the street cleaners,” said Charles Wesley Keener, a 63-year-old resident of the site.

Another resident, Mark Noti, said that but for the VTC, he would probably be living on the streets.

“It makes me feel safe that I have someplace to go, that my vehicle isn’t going to be towed — because it doesn’t run and they have people coming through there that are helping me to get it running,” he said.

“There’s good parts and bad parts in this thing,” he said. “I see more good in it than bad. So for me, it helps me because I’m safe here. And to move my vehicle — I couldn’t do it. They would tow it. And then what do I have? I don’t have anything.”

Some neighbors, though, have lost patience with the venture. Several called into the committee hearing, saying the center had failed to meet its basic objectives and was “fiscally irresponsible,” and criticizing the low number of referrals to permanent housing.

“At less than one placement per month, it would be more cost-effective to provide each VTC client with a monthly rental stipend,” wrote Marsha Maloof of the Bayview Hill Neighborhood Association in a letter to supervisors opposing continued operation of the site. “It is inconceivable that the City would continue to extend such a program with metrics of success at this level.”

Another caller noted that the average length of time residents stayed at the center was more than 200 days.

“It’s not triage,” he said. “This is basically warehousing folks, keeping them there for the long term.”

Reach St. John Barned-Smith: stjohn.smith@sfchronicle.com

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An anonymous reader quotes a report from CNN: Human actions have pushed the world into the danger zone on several key indicators of planetary health, threatening to trigger dramatic changes in conditions on Earth, according to a new analysis from 29 scientists in eight countries. The scientists analyzed nine interlinked “planetary boundaries,” which they define as thresholds the world needs to stay within to ensure a stable, livable planet. These include climate change, biodiversity, freshwater and land use, and the impact of synthetic chemicals and aerosols. Human activities have breached safe levels for six of these boundaries and are pushing the world outside a “safe operating space” for humanity, according to the report, published on Wednesday in the journal Science Advances.

The nine boundaries, first set out in a 2009 paper, aim to establish a set of defined “limits” on changes humans are making to the planet — from pumping out planet-heating pollution to clearing forests for farming. Beyond these limits, the theory goes, the risk of destabilizing conditions on Earth increases dramatically. The limits are designed to be conservative, to enable society to solve the problems before reaching a “very high risk zone,” said Katherine Richardson, a professor in biological oceanography at the University of Copenhagen and a co-author on the report. She pointed to the unprecedented summer of extreme weather the world has just experienced at 1.2 degrees Celsius of global warming. “We didn’t think it was going to be like this at 1 degree [Celsius]” she said. “No human has experienced the conditions that we’re experiencing right now,” she added.

Of the three boundaries that scientists found are still within a safe space, two of them — ocean acidification and the amount of aerosols in the atmosphere — are moving in the wrong direction. There is some good news, however. The ozone layer was on the wrong side of the boundary in the 1990s, Richardson said. But thanks to international cooperation to phase out ozone-depleting chemicals, it is on track to recover completely. Crossing planetary boundaries does not mean the world has reached a disastrous tipping point. Hitting one does not mean “falling off a cliff,” Richardson said. But it is a clear warning signal. The significance of the planetary boundaries model is that it doesn’t analyze climate and biodiversity in isolation, the report authors said. Instead, it looks at the interaction of both, as well as a host of other ways humans are affecting the planet. Breaching one boundary is likely to have knock-on effects for others.

The post Circumstances On Earth Might Be Transferring Exterior the ‘Protected Working Area’ For Humanity appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

As we recover from the economic and social fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, San Francisco needs a resurgence in tourism, businesses reopening, residents staying in the city, and newcomers moving in. None of this will happen if San Francisco leadership cannot ensure public safety Right.

Crime in the city made national headlines this month after former fire commissioner Don Carmignani was violently assaulted in the street by a man with a metal pipe and a downtown whole food store was temporarily closed after just a year of operation because fire department executives Company said they were concerned about worker safety.

Opinions in your inbox: Get exclusive access to our columnists and the best of our columns

Responsibility for public safety rests with Mayor London Breed and District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. Jenkins is taking significant steps to ensure that there are consequences in our criminal justice system and that victims receive the justice they deserve.

6 ways SF city guides can improve public safety

Now other elected officials like the mayor and board of directors must act to improve public safety. Here are six steps to ensure public safety now:

►Fully fund our police department through a voter-approved bylaw amendment for full occupation. Since 2020, police officer numbers have fallen dangerously, beginning with $120 million in budget cuts implemented by Mayor Breed. Although supervisors recently approved spending $25 million in overtime as a one-time stopgap measure, we must fix the structural problem to fill the hundreds of vacancies at our neighborhood stations.

Only a fully funded police agency can respond to public safety needs such as: These include ending open-air drug markets, solving homicides, protecting small businesses, preventing burglaries and robberies, and enforcing traffic laws to protect pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. Managers Matt Dorsey and Catherine Stefani proposed an action that would ensure that we meet our workforce targets. This bold plan is a step in the right direction.

A shooting happened next to my classroom:How do you teach after gun violence?

Want fewer shoots?:Pass stricter gun laws. Our research shows that lax laws encourage violence.

►Reroute lower-priority calls to other agencies and invest in proven strategies that prevent crime in the first place. Police officers are not the most appropriate public safety agency for all calls. We need to change local laws that require police to respond to minor issues like barking dogs, which are better handled by animal control officers.

Deploying parking attendants in parks and playgrounds and community ambassadors in business corridors allows officers to respond quickly to high-priority calls.

Invest in crime prevention strategies

We also need to invest in proven strategies that prevent crime. Strategic investments in drug treatment, Universal Basic Income, after-school activities for youth, security cameras, and vocational training and transitional employment all have an upstream impact in our most vulnerable communities.

►Properly addressing untreated mental health issues outside of the criminal justice system. About 20% of the American population has a mental illness, but 44% of inmates and 37% of inmates have a mental illness. Incarceration exacerbates these challenges, and the criminal justice system is not designed to provide these individuals with the care they need. New approaches to care are needed to place people in the right care.

San Francisco established a behavioral health court to improve public safety and reduce the recidivism rate of criminal suspects suffering from serious mental illness by connecting them to community treatment services. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to introduce CARE courts will also help.

►Make sure our emergency call system is working. Our 911 dispatchers answer approximately 2,000 calls per month and a recent performance review of one controller showed that less than 80% of 911 calls are answered in a timely manner. Each missed objective means a resident has to wait longer for an ambulance, police officer, or other first responder.

Meanwhile, response times for some of our key services, including medical calls, are increasing. Working with partners in organized labor, I will strengthen our 911 dispatch system by increasing dispatcher pay, recruiting additional dispatchers, and making system improvements to improve response times. That plan will require voter approval early next year.

Focus on hate crime, retail theft

►Prioritize ending hate crimes. As of the 2020 census, 34% of San Francisco’s Americans are Asian Americans. Like many cities, San Francisco has seen vicious anti-Asian hate crimes. We must remain vigilant to end these crimes that harm victims and create fear in communities. Hate crimes also target LGBTQ+ residents and places of worship such as synagogues and mosques. The upcoming budget should provide sufficient funding for the Office of Victim & Survivor Rights to support hate crime survivors and groups that serve them.

►Take action against organized theft in retail. Organized retail theft led to the closure of stores like Walgreens and Whole Foods in downtown San Francisco. These crimes often turn violent: a supermarket security guard was shot dead in my neighborhood and another security guard in Japantown was killed after an armed clash. We must take these crimes seriously and keep up the pressure to dismantle these criminal rings that are harming our businesses, workers and buyers.

While the public safety challenges the city is facing did not arise overnight, San Francisco must act quickly to change both the safety narrative and the reality on the street.

Strong leadership and better management of city resources are required to bring about real, lasting change. As long as I’m in public office, I look forward to working with all San Franciscos to continue the fight.

Ahsha Safaí, member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, represents District 11, Excelsior, Outer Mission and Lakeview/OMI. He holds a dual bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University and a master’s degree in urban planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The post Is San Francisco protected? 6 methods metropolis can battle violent crime appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

California Democrats are moving ahead with a plan to open so-called safe injection sites after Gov. Gavin Newsom (D.) vetoed a bill that would have legalized them.

Democratic regulators have proposed a plan to create “wellness centers” across the city that would offer a range of services, including drug use rooms, San Francisco-based KRON reported. These centers would be funded in part by taxpayers, although private non-profit organizations would fund and operate the “safe use areas” for drug users. Although they have yet to convince the Mayor of London Breed (D.) to join their initiative, Breed has suggested that non-profit organizations push ahead with plans for safe injection sites while the city debates the proposal’s legality.

Newsom in August vetoed a bill that would have legalized publicly funded injection sites in a number of California cities.

This is the latest attempt by the San Francisco legislature to tackle the city’s addiction problem. The city has more than 20 “harm reduction centers” where drug users can get clean crack pipes or needles for free. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors last month proposed a $5.5 million budget for citywide drug use centers that would also provide drug users with access to medical care.

Progressive lawmakers argue that these safe injection sites will curb overdose deaths. So far this has not been the case. The city in December shut down the controversial Tenderloin Linkage Center, a $22 million project designed to connect vulnerable drug users to public aid. Breed promised that the website, which opened in January 2022, would help reduce overdose deaths. The city had 625 overdose deaths in 2022, up 41 percent from before the pandemic.

The Linkage Center was purposely built in the Tenderloin, home to San Francisco’s largest “open-air drug market.” Small business owners in the Tenderloin are demanding tax refunds from the city to offset the loss of business they say was caused by the city’s inaction on drug use and crime.

Breed was due to meet with the coalition this week but postponed the meeting to February, the group said in an email to members on Tuesday.

Click here for the mobile version of this story (with comments)

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LAS VEGAS, February 01, 2023–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Plumbing Manufacturers International’s leadership and staff are leading a crusade for safe, clean water for future generations. Their latest stop is the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) 2023, where they are working this week to persuade policymakers and potential allies about the urgency of the association’s PMI’s Rethink Water initiative.

“All across the globe, we all need to rethink how we use water every day,” says Kerry Stackpole, PMI’s CEO and executive director. “Not only how do we use it, but how do we save as much as possible and make it safe for those who will need it in the future. Of all the facets of climate change, its impact on water may be the most profound. “

The enormousness of the challenge makes it somewhat intimidating to address. Where does one begin? Looking at it from the perspective of plumbing manufacturing, Stackpole said he believes you start with your strengths. “For more than 15 years, our industry has been making toilets, showerheads, faucets and other plumbing products that use water more efficiently than the older products most people still have in their homes. We simply need to install more of these WaterSense products, and the water savings will be substantial,” he explains.

That’s why PMI’s first Rethink Water project is legacy product replacement – replacing older, inefficient products with new, more-efficient WaterSense models. At KBIS, PMI hosted a Power Break and Briefing today to inform members, policymakers, other guests and media about the urgency of this project and the need to establish a robust public-private partnership to accomplish it.

EPA’s successful WaterSense program has proved its ability to save water

An Environmental Protection Agency program started in 2006, WaterSense has so far saved 6.4 trillion gallons of water, including 1.1 trillion in the last year counted alone, according to the program’s latest accomplishments report. To be certified to bear the WaterSense label, a plumbing product must use at least 20% less water than a product meeting federal standards established in 1994 by the Energy Policy Act (EPAct).

Story continues

American households use about 10 trillion gallons of water each year – which means last year, WaterSense products saved an amount equal to 11% of the total amount used by US households. That’s no easy achievement, but it’s nowhere near the potential of the WaterSense program. That’s because many households still don’t have WaterSense plumbing products installed.

A 2022 GMP Research study commissioned by PMI found that only 23% of California residences have toilets meeting WaterSense standards. More than half of these residences have WaterSense showerheads and faucets, but a strong minority does not, the study found. An earlier GMP study commissioned by PMI found that most states have WaterSense statistics similar to California’s.

PMI estimates that up to 326 billion gallons of water can be saved over 30 years in California by replacing the 26.1 million toilets not up to WaterSense standards with WaterSense toilets. By accelerating the replacement of these toilets, 65.3 billion gallons can be saved within five years, and 95.7 billion gallons within 10 years. Achieving similar savings in all 50 states can increase the gallons saved into the trillions.

But numerical estimates do not reflect the current situation. Because water-efficiency standards are currently set by states, PMI and its allies have started advocating state-by-state for robust legacy product replacement programs, starting with California and other western states having water supplies hit hard by the drought. PMI California government affairs consultant Jerry Desmond and PMI technical director Kyle Thompson have broached legacy product replacement with California water officials, with the hopes of building the idea into a bill this year.

Legacy product replacement isn’t a new idea

In California, toilet replacement or rebate programs have been implemented in Southern California, San Francisco, and other regions and municipalities.

San Antonio, Texas, had a decade-long program that delivered and replaced toilets free of charge until virtually no inefficient toilets were left to replace. Programs replacing toilets free of charge or via rebates have been implemented throughout the nation, primarily at the county or municipal level, in places including Dallas/Fort Worth, Maui, New York City, Seattle, and Tucson. Some of the programs have low income requirements.

Because these programs save water, PMI would like to see legacy product replacement scaled up into statewide programs through which the total savings would be immense. “Part of our challenge is to get policymakers and allies comfortable with audacious, bold solutions,” Stackpole stated. Compared to other water-related solutions on the drawing board, such as desalination and rainwater catchment, legacy product replacement on a larger scale is relatively modest, he explained. “Half-way solutions won’t solve the water crisis. We have to think bigger.”

PMI Board of Directors President Sal Gattone of LIXIL is working closely with Stackpole and the PMI board members on the legacy product replacement challenge. “During this time of climate change and uncertainty, we all need to acquire the role of a conservationist,” Gattone stated. “Modern life relies on the easy availability of water. This access assures our health and safety and our very survival. Hence, we need to collectively respond to water crises and actively work together on sustainable solutions.”

About Plumbing Manufacturers International

Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) is the trade association of plumbing product manufacturers that produce more than 90% of the United States’ plumbing products, represent more than 150 iconic brands, and develop safe, reliable and innovative water-efficient plumbing technologies. PMI members contribute more than 464,000 jobs and $85.5 billion in economic impact to America’s economy.

With a vision of safe, responsible plumbing – always, PMI advocates for plumbing product performance contributing to water efficiency and savings, sustainability, public health and safety, and consumer satisfaction through its Rethink Water initiative and other programs. PMI members manufacture water-efficient toilets, urinals, faucets, showerheads and other products at more than 70 locations across the country and market them online and in more than 24,000 home improvement stores, hardware stores and showrooms in all 50 states. For more information on PMI, contact the organization at 1750 Tysons Blvd., Ste. 1500, McLean, Va., 22102; phone: 847-481-5500; fax: 847-481-5501. safeplumbing.org.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230201005140/en/

Contacts

Ray Valek, ray@valekco.com, 708-352-8695

The post At KBIS, Plumbing Producers Worldwide Promotes Rethink Water Initiative – A Campaign for Protected, Clear Water for Future Generations appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Plumbing Manufacturers International’s leadership and staff are leading a crusade for safe, clean water for future generations. Their latest stop is the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) 2023, where they are working this week to persuade policymakers and potential allies about the urgency of the association’s PMI’s Rethink Water initiative.

“All across the globe, we all need to rethink how we use water every day,” says Kerry Stackpole, PMI’s CEO and executive director. “Not only how do we use it, but how do we save as much as possible and make it safe for those who will need it in the future. Of all the facets of climate change, its impact on water may be the most profound.”

The enormousness of the challenge makes it somewhat intimidating to address. Where does one begin? Looking at it from the perspective of plumbing manufacturing, Stackpole said he believes you start with your strengths. “For more than 15 years, our industry has been making toilets, showerheads, faucets and other plumbing products that use water more efficiently than the older products most people still have in their homes. We simply need to install more of these WaterSense products, and the water savings will be substantial,” he explains.

That’s why PMI’s first Rethink Water project is legacy product replacement – replacing older, inefficient products with new, more-efficient WaterSense models. At KBIS, PMI hosted a Power Break and Briefing today to inform members, policymakers, other guests and media about the urgency of this project and the need to establish a robust public-private partnership to accomplish it.

EPA’s successful WaterSense program has proved its ability to save water

An Environmental Protection Agency program started in 2006, WaterSense has so far saved 6.4 trillion gallons of water, including 1.1 trillion in the last year counted alone, according to the program’s latest accomplishments report. To be certified to bear the WaterSense label, a plumbing product must use at least 20% less water than a product meeting federal standards established in 1994 by the Energy Policy Act (EPAct).

American households use about 10 trillion gallons of water each year – which means last year, WaterSense products saved an amount equal to 11% of the total amount used by US households. That’s no easy achievement, but it’s nowhere near the potential of the WaterSense program. That’s because many households still don’t have WaterSense plumbing products installed.

A 2022 GMP Research study commissioned by PMI found that only 23% of California residences have toilets meeting WaterSense standards. More than half of these residences have WaterSense showerheads and faucets, but a strong minority does not, the study found. An earlier GMP study commissioned by PMI found that most states have WaterSense statistics similar to California’s.

PMI estimates that up to 326 billion gallons of water can be saved over 30 years in California by replacing the 26.1 million toilets not up to WaterSense standards with WaterSense toilets. By accelerating the replacement of these toilets, 65.3 billion gallons can be saved within five years, and 95.7 billion gallons within 10 years. Achieving similar savings in all 50 states can increase the gallons saved into the trillions.

But numerical estimates do not reflect the current situation. Because water-efficiency standards are currently set by states, PMI and its allies have started advocating state-by-state for robust legacy product replacement programs, starting with California and other western states having water supplies hit hard by the drought. PMI California government affairs consultant Jerry Desmond and PMI technical director Kyle Thompson have broached legacy product replacement with California water officials, with the hopes of building the idea into a bill this year.

Legacy product replacement isn’t a new idea

In California, toilet replacement or rebate programs have been implemented in Southern California, San Francisco, and other regions and municipalities.

San Antonio, Texas, had a decade-long program that delivered and replaced toilets free of charge until virtually no inefficient toilets were left to replace. Programs replacing toilets free of charge or via rebates have been implemented throughout the nation, primarily at the county or municipal level, in places including Dallas/Fort Worth, Maui, New York City, Seattle, and Tucson. Some of the programs have low income requirements.

Because these programs save water, PMI would like to see legacy product replacement scaled up into statewide programs through which the total savings would be immense. “Part of our challenge is to get policymakers and allies comfortable with audacious, bold solutions,” Stackpole stated. Compared to other water-related solutions on the drawing board, such as desalination and rainwater catchment, legacy product replacement on a larger scale is relatively modest, he explained. “Half-way solutions won’t solve the water crisis. We have to think bigger.”

PMI Board of Directors President Sal Gattone of LIXIL is working closely with Stackpole and the PMI board members on the legacy product replacement challenge. “During this time of climate change and uncertainty, we all need to acquire the role of a conservationist,” Gattone stated. “Modern life relies on the easy availability of water. This access assures our health and safety and our very survival. Hence, we need to collectively respond to water crises and actively work together on sustainable solutions.”

About Plumbing Manufacturers International

Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) is the trade association of plumbing product manufacturers that produce more than 90% of the United States’ plumbing products, represent more than 150 iconic brands, and develop safe, reliable and innovative water-efficient plumbing technologies. PMI members contribute more than 464,000 jobs and $85.5 billion in economic impact to America’s economy.

With a vision of safe, responsible plumbing – always, PMI advocates for plumbing product performance contributing to water efficiency and savings, sustainability, public health and safety, and consumer satisfaction through its Rethink Water initiative and other programs. PMI members manufacture water-efficient toilets, urinals, faucets, showerheads and other products at more than 70 locations across the country and market them online and in more than 24,000 home improvement stores, hardware stores and showrooms in all 50 states. For more information on PMI, contact the organization at 1750 Tysons Blvd., Ste. 1500, McLean, Va., 22102; phone: 847-481-5500; fax: 847-481-5501. safeplumbing.org.

The post At KBIS, Plumbing Producers Worldwide Promotes Rethink Water Initiative – A Campaign for Secure, Clear Water for Future Generations appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

Though keeping our domestic spaces warm this winter is essential, so is the even flow of fresh air. These products guarantee that this can occur in the healthiest ways possible.

Courtesy LG

LG Art Cool Premier Wall Mount Split System with LGRED
LG

With one of the highest SEER ratings in the industry, the LG Art Cool Premier Wall Mount Split System with LGRED offers AEC professionals a design-forward solution that doesn’t compromise on energy efficiency. This inverter variable split system seamlessly connects with the LG ThinQ app providing remote cooling and heating controls.

(Courtesy Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US)

PKFY-NLMU Wall Mounted Indoor Unit
Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US (METUS)

Perfect for tight spaces, the PKFY-NLMU Wall-Mounted Indoor Unit by Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US is whisper-quiet, running at just 22 dB(A). Connected to the CITY MULTI®R2-Series, Y-Series, WY-Series, WR2-Series, and S-Series VRF zoning systems, the unit uses the least amount of energy needed to maintain an area’s desired set point.

(courtesy Bosch)

CDi Series: SM Rev C
Bosch

Bosch’s leading geothermal solution, the CDi Series: SM Rev C residential water source heat pump meets the highest ENERGY STAR standards. Available in two sizes, the system incorporates a two-stage scroll compressor, an ECM constant air monitor for superior comfort, and connects to Bosch’s EasyStart diagnostics app.

(courtesy 3M)

Filtrete Elite Allergen Reduction Healthy Living 2200 filters
3M

The Filtrete Elite Allergen Reduction Healthy Living 2200 Filter by 3M is perfect for keeping a wide array of HVAC units hygienic and hypoallergenic. The insert captures microscopic particles like pet dander, smoke, bacteria, viruses, and odors but also larger fragments like mold spores, dust, and pollen.

Courtesy Carrier

infinity
carriers

Third-party testing has demonstrated that Carrier’s new and improved Infinity air purifier can inactivate 99% of the murine coronavirus. Its MERV 15 rated filter treats the airflow flowing through most HVAC systems by creating a cloud of electrically charged ions that attach, pull apart, and eliminate airborne dust, pollen, viruses, and germs.

(Courtesy Uponor North America)

Stainless Steel Manifold
Uponor North America

The brand new Stainless-Steel Manifold application by Uponor North America is a corrosion-resistant alternative for cooling and heating application. Available in two sizes, the manifold comes preassembled for faster install. Both variants include full-port ball valves with temperature gauges and integrated flow meters.

The post Enhanced HVAC options be sure that interiors keep protected and hygienic appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

The Golden City is losing its shine as one of the largest United States-based cryptocurrency exchanges closes its San Francisco-based headquarters.

Kraken CEO Jesse Powell retweeted an announcement stating that the exchange will close its global headquarters at 548 Market Street, in the center of San Francisco. In the statement, a copy of which was initially tweeted by San Francisco-based political commentator Richie Greenberg, Powell states:

“We shut down Kraken’s global headquarters on Market Street in San Francisco after numerous employees were attacked, harassed and robbed on their way to and from the office.”

A spokesperson from Kraken told Cointelegraph that their “responsibility has been, and always will be, to ensure the safety and security of our team members,” adding that Kraken has “no plans to establish a new, formal global HQ” following the San Francisco closure.

A poor advertisement for living in California’s financial center, the statement also alleges that “San Francisco is not safe” and crime is “dramatically underreported.”

BREAKING: KRAKEN CEO Jesse Powell @jespow today issued a statement regarding rampant crime in San Francisco and the failures of DA @chesaboudin . pic.twitter.com/7gx7PldQM0

— Richie Greenberg (@richieSF2016) April 7, 2022

Coinbase, another US-based cryptocurrency exchange, also wants to close its San Francisco headquarters in 2022; however, no mention of crime or homelessness was cited regarding the decision. Instead, Coinbase is following the lead of its competitor Binance to become a fully remote, global company.

The Kraken spokesperson explained to Cointelegraph that Kraken was “one of the first companies in the world to pioneer the remote-first model.” The focus on “round-the-clock crypto services,” especially relevant given that crypto markets are 24/7 is key. Kraken continued:

“While we [Kraken] have no plans to change our status as a US-based entity, the location of our headquarters doesn’t affect how we run our business.”

The Twitter community was quick to respond to the Kraken news, sharing dark anecdotes of working in San Francisco.

I worked at Market St for few months, it is crazy, it turns into skid row after 6pm. I’m from Europe and never seen anything like it. Still have flashbacks of the things I witnessed. Just tried to look away and not get stabbed. Remember walking in the smell of skunk and pee.

— Markus (@markustallinn) April 7, 2022

The living situation has allegedly become so dire that there are applications that track human waste around San Francisco, with “Snap Crap” among the most popular. The apps help San Franciscans navigate the city without putting their foot in it.

A San Francisco poop map. Source: ARCgis

Comments from the Twitter and Reddit community shed light on how soaring rental prices have made homelessness more common, while crime is “rampant.” The average rent is now roughly $3,000 per month, and the San Francisco Chronicle has estimated that there are more than 18,000 people experiencing homelessness in the city.

Related: Bolt to enable Bitcoin and NFT access via Wyre acquisition

A report in 2020 revealed that San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area boasted the highest concentrations of crypto investments. In light of Kraken’s decision and the social crises in San Francisco, the region’s hold on crypto and the future of finance may falter.

Other US cities and states have made clear their intentions to attract crypto capital. Texas, for example, hosts pro-Bitcoin (BTC) Senator Ted Cruz, while Web3 and crypto payments have been lauded by the mayor of Austin.

The post Kraken shuts down international headquarters as a result of ‘San Francisco just isn’t protected’ appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

A San Francisco-based cryptocurrency exchange’s CEO announced the closure of its Market Street headquarters in the city for good — and blasted San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin in the process.

Kraken CEO Jesse Powell, in a statement first shared by Boudin recall organizer and conservative mayoral candidate Richie Greenberg on Twitter, appeared to shame Boudin for employees getting harassed and for “crime, mental illness and drug abuse” in the city.

“San Francisco is not safe and will not be safe until we have a DA who puts the rights of law abiding citizens above those of the street criminals he so ingloriously protects,” Powell wrote in the statement. Powell also praised the police in his statement, saying they were “known to arrest the same offenders dozens of times” thanks to Boudin. (Powell misspelled his own name in the statement provided to Greenberg.)

A Kraken spokesperson confirmed the company’s departure from San Francisco — but notably, did not mention Boudin as the reason for the company’s exit from downtown, only alluding to Powell’s comments by saying that there is a need “to ensure the safety and security of our team members.”

“Kraken was one of the first companies in the world to pioneer the remote-first model. We have team members in more than 70 countries around the world, enabling us to offer a range of round-the-clock crypto services in just under 200 jurisdictions around the world,” the spokesperson said in an email to SFGATE Wednesday.

The spokesperson added, “We have no plans to establish a new, formal global HQ at this time.”

As the district attorney recall approaches, sentiments such as the one raised by Powell will likely only grow louder, as will support Boudin. (On Wednesday, the R&B singer-songwriter John Legend publicly endorsed Boudin.)

San Francisco is indeed experiencing a crisis in increased drug use — and residents do believe that crime has gotten worse over the past year, even if the underlying data supports a more nuanced conclusion. Figures provided by San Francisco police show that reports of violent crimes such as rape, robbery and assault are at lower levels than they were before Boudin took office, but reports of some property crimes are increasing.

As many employees express a desire to continue to work from home, companies across industries and cities are beginning to ditch pricey office spaces. Their decision to close their offices — and not open a new location — certainly has financial benefits for the companies.

Many San Francisco tech companies have embraced the pandemic-induced transition to remote-first work — just as Kraken has. Tech heavyweights from Salesforce to Meta (with one notable exception) are granting employees the option of flexible work, and with that has meant a reduction or total closure of offices, especially in one of the most expensive markets in the United States.

A report from commercial real estate agency Kidder Mathews finds that more than 20% of offices are still vacant. In a recent update, the agency wrote that there is “an uptick in tenant prospects, yet it seems they are not quite ready to make the jump to return to the office.”

Take the company’s word for it: Remote work has been beneficial for Kraken.

“Kraken’s remote-first model has enabled us to take significant strides in bringing global expertise and knowledge to the cryptocurrency industry,” the company spokesperson said.

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