Just curious??

IKECA-PWNA and the State of California.
 
I am certified by myself.That means as much as any other.
 
It is not for everyone, but what it does it just keeps you one step ahead of the other guy. In my market that means something, if nothing more than to myself.
 
CHDCA and in the future Phil Ackland. I just have to make time for this. I think its very important to be certified, have you ever been to an uncertified mechanic?
 
If I know how to clean hoods why do I need a piece of paper from Phil Ackland or Rusty to prove it?Who are they anyway?Who certified them?I say I know more than them and they should learn from me!In 9 years in my own business and 8 with Prism/Safetykleen,I have never been asked for a certification once.Not by a customer, a fire inspector, or an insurance company.

REPEAT NOT ONCE!!!!!

Being certified is not going to make someone do a better job.If you know how to do it, it is all in your desire to do a good job.A certification is not going to stop lazyness at 2:00 AM.
John
 
In time the regulators will find a way because of the exposure. Look at it like this, in some ways you are saying that I am certified because of my experience and you the customer should use me because I have worked for ---!

I have a California contractor license because in time it will be required. Hood cleaner are about the only ones that are not required at this time. Cost is around $1500.
 
Thats interesting John,,, I wonder why these organization make such a deal about this stuff? I do like the idea that people educate themselves.

Gould it be the customers you have are not looking for a certified guy. maybe certified people charge more?

I;m not saying your a cheap skate. I'm just stating could your prices be lower than a certified contractor?

Please explain and tell me you charge as much..

I realize you also may do a better job than a certified guy. I realize that.
 
if your not certified.. how do you keep up on new regulations and cleaning technics???????????

HOW? here? from guys who are certified?

So you know because everyones next question i'm not certified to pressure clean because it doenst exist in arizona... at least that i know...
 
Ron the short answer is sadly no regs exist in most places. Inspectors look for hood tags, up to date hood tag everythings ok.
 
NFPA 96-

11.3 Inspection of Exhaust Systems
The entire exhaust shall be inspected by a properly trained, qualified, and certified company or person (s) acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction in accordance with Table 11.3

Table 11.3 Exhaust System Inspection Schedule

Type or Volume of Cooking Frequency Frequency
Systems serving solid fuel cooking operations Monthly

Systems serving high-volume cooking operations Quarterly
such as 24-hour cooking, charbroiling, or wok
cooking.

Systems serving moderate-volume cooking Semiannually
operations.

Systems serving low-volume cooking operations, Annually
such as churches, day camps, seasonal
businesses, or senior centers.


11.4 Cleaning of Exhaust Systems
Upon inspection, if found to be contaminated with deposits from grease-laden vapors, the entire exhaust system shall be cleaned by a properly trained, qualified, and certified company or person (s) acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction in accordance with Section 11.3.


Soon enough AHJ's will require certification of some sort, why not be ahead of the game.

Being certified gives the customer assurance that you are qualified. It also gives your company a good image. As people are educated more this will become an issue. It's just a matter of time.
 
Josh I agree with certification, no problem. As soon as someone tells me by whom I will be there.
I am certainly aware of all of the things you listed above; in fact I carry a copy with me. You must also be aware that they are recommendations not law, in most cases.
There are a few locations that have made them or some semblance of them law, but in the overall scheme of things very few. I'm sure some may get tired of hearing this but I believe this will be the first time I have said it here "in 15 years no customer has ever asked me if I am certified"
 
Ron,
I am not cheaper thanmy competitors, as they are not certified as well.
There are no new regulations as the old ones are not enforced.
If there is a new technique I will have to think of it on my own,or learn it here.I haven't seen any in 17 years.

Just go clean hoods!
 
I,m all for organizations.
But what am I getting for my hard earned dollar?
Do any of the organizations provide the following?
Networking for new accounts(Referal service for those belonging to the organization)
How about a mass mailer to the restaurants in your back yard telling them we are a Professional Organization Set forth to educate and to provide them with a professional to service there needs.Showing your potential client base of your Professional Training(provided by the organization) A contact marketing stategy to where the organization looks for new leeds for you in your area.
Deep discounts to those that belong to the Association.As far as equipment updates or the purchase of supplies Etc.
A once a year gathering of all members,All expenses paid with the dues you sent in! Imagine that! That would include seminars of all the updates in the field along with vendors who want to provide the hood cleaning field with Equipment and supplies,
Also include-Marketing seminars- How to tips- Group discount on insurance rates. Etc. Bi- Monthly mailers to all members.
Please feel free to add any ideas that you would like to see happen!
Maybe somebody will listen and make it happen. IKECA are you listening?
I have 14 years of in the field experience that a piece of paper cannot replace. Make it worth while and everyone would join.Myself included.
 
Last edited:
All of that for $300-will never happen-just add the numbers.
 
For the most part-in general most of the med-large players are part of a group-so there must be something.

Cost of speakers, rooms-meeting and so on isn't cheap. If you can't see the worth then there is no worth.
 
300 times 100 members = 30,ooo Buckaroos! I dont see why they couldnt atleast put together a one time a year all expense paid gathering. Just a thought. Sound reasonable?
So wheres the money go? and what do they do with it?
Anybody who wishes to speak should do so on there own time at there own expese. If they are professional cleaners. Especially if its pushing new products.
I could understand if you invited -lets say- A outside Marketing expert to give a presentation on sales and marketing.
I cant imagine it costing more than $10,ooo for a mass gathering once a year along with Quartely mailers. That leaves ya 20 G,s for the quarterly mailers. And if you want me to come and Talk about hood cleaning techniques and your paying my way let me know. I,m in. lol
I see the IKECA mailing address is in Washington DC. Is there a Lobby at work for IKECA? Just wondering.
I,m not trying to bust your b**** David. I just want to know what the benefits would be to the little guy(small time operator)
And if you notice on these boards I have backed joining IKECA as compared to some of the other organizations
 
Last edited:
Attention Ron Musgraves

Ron Musgraves said:
if your not certified.. how do you keep up on new regulations and cleaning technics???????????

HOW? here? from guys who are certified?

So you know because everyones next question i'm not certified to pressure clean because it doenst exist in arizona... at least that i know...


Do you do Hoods? And are any of your guys certified to do so by any of the certified organizations?
mtngoat167@yahoo.com
Click to expand...
 
Attention Jon Zema

john zema said:
If I know how to clean hoods why do I need a piece of paper from Phil Ackland or Rusty to prove it?Who are they anyway?Who certified them?I say I know more than them and they should learn from me!In 9 years in my own business and 8 with Prism/Safetykleen,I have never been asked for a certification once.Not by a customer, a fire inspector, or an insurance company.

REPEAT NOT ONCE!!!!!

Being certified is not going to make someone do a better job.If you know how to do it, it is all in your desire to do a good job.A certification is not going to stop lazyness at 2:00 AM.
John
Click to expand...

I have been asked if I was Trained and or qualified but it was in the smaller Cow Towns where the code guys are still in the dark ages and I Told them to look up NFPA 96 2003 specs on the cleaning of restaurant equipment. Most of them in the outer limits dont have a clue as to what the Code States or even have a updated copy of it.
Some choose not to recognize it. I know i have done my fair share of educating these guys.I love the look they get on there faces when you show them the NFPA 96 2001 guidelines for the cleaning of cooking apparatus. Well what do ya know Its for Real! LOL Just call me Phil Jr. LOL
 
Last edited:
The only issue that draws vendors to show are the total purchases per member at each booth. If you don't buy much, then you must pay in other ways. Nothing is free, someone has to pay for the meeting rooms and so on.

Yours and my buying power is very limited as compared to Ace Hardware Members, Napa Auto, Peoples Drug, and GNP. These boys will buy well over 100M each at a show. For those buys and future buys, they rate other considerations. Now my purchases for the year doesn't come close in hard goods.

So our programs and PWNA are pay as you go. No free lunch for any of us.

The material and other programs that IKECA have are top notch. These programs are developed by people that are current cleaners within the industry today.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top