CHBA - Medicine Hat One Step Closer

The formation of Alberta's sixth local home builders' association took another step forward last week in Medicine Hat. At a meeting, potential members formed a task force to work on a structure for the proposed Board of Directors and association committees. CHBA - Alberta Executive Officer Grant Ainsley attended the meeting in Medicine Hat and pledged support from the provincial association to interim President Spencer Lacey of Lacey Homes and the emerging association. Last year over 1,200 homes were built in Medicine Hat, putting it on equal terms with some other centres where local associations are already in operation in Alberta. The benefit of having an additional local strengthens our association, unifies our industry and allows us to speak with one voice across the province.

Beattie Brings Out Our Best

Incredible support has been displayed over the last couple of weeks by the building community across Alberta, and in particular Calgary, after it was learned that former Calgary association President Bill Beattie is fighting leukemia. An amazing $600,000 plus was raised in the Shave Your Lid event at Beattie Homes, a fundraiser announced by Beattie Homes a few weeks ago. Not only did Bill serve on the CHBA - Alberta Board of Directors, but he also was Alberta's rep on the National Marketing Committee for a few years in the late 1990's. We wish Bill all the best for a full recovery and want to thank all members for their tremendous leadership and compassion.

Gaining Ground

For CHBA - Alberta members who are making the environment a big part of their company's future, there is a conference coming up in Calgary in a few weeks that you won't want to miss. Gaining Ground is a two-day conference at the start of May. While the theme is about sustainability in Calgary, most of the information will apply to the rest of Alberta.

BUILD Registration Has Begun

BUILD 2008 (Being a United Industry in Leadership & Development) online registration began last week and nearly 100 delegates have registered for the event. BUILD '08 takes place at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge September 18-21.

We are excited to announce a keynote speaker for BUILD '08 is Scott Sedam of True North. Sedam will be engaging builders, trades and suppliers on working together using the proven methods of "Lean Production” - without crushing relationships with employee and customers. Sedam will also be holding a workshop on the seven wastes that eat into profits. Register for BUILD today!

AHITC Thanks Joan Maisonneuve

Joan Maisonneuve is attending her last meeting of the Alberta Housing Industry Technical Committee (AHITC) today. Joan has served as the committee's Technical Liaison for the past decade and has played a major role in the numerous technical benefits that AHITC has provided to the industry. The appointment of Michael Nyikes as the Director of Safety and Technical Services will allow Joan to devote her full attention to her technical work for The Alberta New Home Warranty Program. CHBA - Alberta would like to thank Joan for her outstanding contribution to the association over the past many years.

Refurbished Fire Extinguishers

Some fire extinguisher service companies are refurbishing extinguishers without permission from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada (ULC). The extinguishers are being sandblasted, repainted and returned to service but do not have a manufacturer's refurbished label with ULC markings. The Alberta Fire Code (AFC) requires that all portable extinguishers sold or distributed be ULC listed and labeled.

ULC does have an extinguisher-rebuilding program established and currently certify a subsidiary brand of Tyco™ Fire Suppression & Building Products named ANSUL® as an OEM. Refurbished extinguishers are expected to meet the appropriate ULC extinguisher standard and the manufacturer's listing specifications and upon doing so, companies that refurbish extinguishers under the ULC rebuilding program are then permitted to attach an OEM service label to the extinguisher.

To obtain more information regarding the extinguisher rebuilding program please call ULC toll free at 1-866-937-3852.