ASHRAE Journal - May 2023 - 6

INDUSTRY NEWS
Introduction of Copyright
Protection Legislation Draws
Continued Support from ASHRAE
ASHRAE, along with other nonprofit standards
development organizations (SDOs), announced
continued endorsement of bipartisan legislation
introduced in the U.S. Senate to protect the copyrights
of standards.
On March 16, Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and
John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced the Pro Codes
Act (S.835) in the Senate, with Senators Thom
Tillis (R-N.C.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.)
joining as original co-sponsors. The bipartisan
bill will preserve copyright protection of codes
and standards when they are incorporated by
reference into federal regulations, state laws or
municipal regulations.
" The rigorous, consensus-based standards
developed by ASHRAE and other SDOs are
essential to public health, sustainability, safety
and security, " said 2022-23 ASHRAE President
Farooq Mehboob, Fellow ASHRAE. " ASHRAE
proudly supports this legislation and will continue
our work to provide vital standards for adoption or
incorporation by reference-another step towards
realizing our vision of a healthy and sustainable
built environment for all. "
The bill states that the U.S. benefits greatly
from the work of private standards development
organizations with expertise in highly specialized
areas.
Read S.835 in its entirety at tinyurl.com/procodes-act
Learning
the HVAC&R Ropes as an Engineer-in-Training
BY ETHAN PARKS, ASSOCIATE MEMBER ASHRAE
orn in Shreveport, La., where I was raised,
my first exposure to the HVAC industry came
from working for my dad within my grandfather's
mechanical contracting company at the age of 14.
Throughout my teens, I worked at the office at
first, then as a laborer, supporting my father
and the other foremen on sites. This
led me to pursue a mechanical engineering
degree at Louisiana Tech University
(graduating class of 2021). Since then,
I've worked at two engineering/design
firms (my first in Sarasota, Fla., renovating
large hospitals) before I returned
home to work at a Shreveport-based
company earlier this year.
Every firm in the southern U.S. has the same goal
when it comes to designing HVAC systems: provide
an exceptional client experience and ensure that
you never receive the " it's hot " call in the summer.
However, no two firms do everything the same
B
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ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.o rg M AY 2023
Ethan Parks
way, and I encourage any engineers-in-training
(EITs) who are considering making a switch to
another firm to do so if you would like to grow as
an engineer quickly. Any EIT can succeed in the
industry if they follow these tips:
1. Ask as many questions early on as
needed (ignorance is not stupidity).
2. Take notes until your hands fall off.
3. Listen to the mechanical engineers
any time they speak.
4. Pay attention to how the engineers
carry themselves around clients.
5. See how the engineers reach out to
equipment vendors/manufacturers.
6. Stay organized and don't let a
mound of work overwhelm you.
For more tips on starting out in the HVAC&R
industry and on Ethan's experience as an
engineer-in-training, visit tinyurl.com/industrynews-eit
http://tinyurl.com/procodes-act http://tinyurl.com/procodes-act http://tinyurl.com/industrynews-eit http://tinyurl.com/industrynews-eit http://www.ashrae.org
ASHRAE Journal - May 2023

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