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Construction Marketplace Tuesday, February 19, 2019 8 Better Temp Control Means Better Barbecue By Natalie Keister, Marketing Manager Digital temperature control for smokers and grills is nothing new; PID con- trollers have been around for well over a decade. However, within the past few years, the technology has been updated and improved, allowing for more preci- sion and ease of use. Established in 2013, Flame Boss entered the tempera- ture controller market with innovation and product support in mind. "We saw an opportunity to improve upon the existing PID technology, to allow for more precision and enable ease of use. We also noticed that the retail market was underserved, and we wanted to pro- vide accessibility for our customers, in retail but also in terms of customer serv- ice," states Roger Collins, co-Founder of Flame Boss. A self-proclaimed barbecue enthusiast with a background in software engineering, Collins is the inventor of the advanced technology that has pro- pelled the Flame Boss product platform. Collins possesses a patent on this partic- ular type of PID controller, an "Adaptive Feed Forward Method for Temperature Control." In layman's terms, this means that Collins' algorithm analyzes data constantly, and then uses that data to compute the fan speed that would pro- duce the most steady and precise pit tem- perature. For those who may not be familiar, a PID controller is a process control method, widely used in process control operations, such as cruise control for a car. In the context of being utilized for smok- ers and grills, it functions as a sophisticated ther- mostat. The controller unit itself is "the brains" of the device – with ports that connect a pit probe, meat probe and a fan that attaches to the air intake vent of the smoker. Once the pit temp is set by the user, the controller monitors the temp, activating the fan as needed to hold the desired temperature. Aside from the patent on the upgrad- ed PID technology, the Flame Boss prod- uct development team also saw a way to make the device even easier to use – by incorporating cloud-based WiFi technol- ogy, enabling integrations such as an app for iOS and Android, the Apple watch; as well as voice command control for Amazon Alexa products and Google Home. Because of the growth of IoT – the "Internet of Things," you can expect the integra- tion of more devices and applications in the future from the forward-thinking Flame Boss team. The latest product on the horizon is actually a more entry-level controller, which will bring temperature control to the masses by making the units more affordable. Flame Boss achieved this by making the device "headless"– there will be no display on the controller, and only a single button. Still WiFi enabled, through the app you will use your phones display and buttons as the interface. MSRP on the Flame Boss 400 is $219, compared to the Flame Boss 300 at $349. Stay tuned for more product releases in the future. For more information, go to www.flame boss.com. Get the Job Done Faster with the Next Generation of PLS Lasers Pacific Laser Systems (PLS), a Fluke Company, is showcasing 11 new point, line and rotary laser levels at this year's IBS show in booth #N1172. These new PLS lasers feature improved ruggedness, line visibility providing a solution for vir- tually any commercial and residential interior or exterior layout project. Point, Line and Combination Lasers Accurate to ≤1/8in at 30 feet (≤3mm at 10m) and featuring a durable pendulum lock, it ensures safe transport and the ability to lock the laser level in tilt mode. Rated IP 54, these lasers also have a fast settling, self-leveling pendulum giving you accurate point and reference lines instantly. All new models are available in red as well as green with three times the brightness, making them perfect for exte- rior layouts. PLS 3R, PLS 3G Point Laser Levels – The new PLS 3R and PLS 3G are self- leveling, three-point laser levels that offer fast and accurate layout of reference points, making them ideal for steel stud framing, HVAC installation, electrical and residential construction. PLS 5R, PLS 5G Point Laser Levels – PLS now offers the PLS 5 in a green beam. The new PLS 5R and 5G are self- leveling five-point laser levels (plumb and square horizontal and vertical points) equipped for multiple applications and include the PLS Pendulum Target for easy transfer of points to the floor during square alignment. PLS 6R, PLS 6G Line and Point Laser Levels – The PLS 6 replaces the PLS 4 in red and green beams. The new self-leveling PLS 6R and 6G combination point and cross line laser lev- els include vertical and hori- zontal modes with lines and points combined, allowing users to plumb, level and square with one tool. PLS 180R, PLS 180G Line Laser Levels – The new PLS 180R and PLS180G are self-leveling cross line laser levels, equipped for multiple appli- cations. Rotary Laser Levels The new PLS rotary laser levels are accu- rate to ≤3/32in at 100 feet (≤2.2mm at 30m) and feature a simplified user-inter- face and improved red/green rotary detector, and 9-foot elevating tripod. They are rated IP67. PLS H2 Rotary Laser Level – The new horizontal-only H2 rotary laser is easy-to-use and fully self-leveling for interior and exterior layout projects. This fully auto- matic tool offers one-but- ton operation and is ideal for large, exterior layout applications. Available in red. PLS HV2R, HV2G Rotary Laser Levels – The new PLS HV2R and HV2G rotary lasers emit a self-leveling hori- zontal laser plane that can be used in a vertical position. Both feature manual slope and an up-point for advanced lay- out jobs. All PLS laser levels are backed by a three-year best-in-class warranty. To find the location of a distributor, contact Pacific Laser Systems at 6920 Seaway Blvd, Everett, WA USA 98203, call 800.601.4500, email plslaser.orders@fluke.com or visit the PLS website at www.plslaser.com. Learn more at IBS booth #N1172. Safety in Numbers By William Gould, P.E., Vice President, External Relations and Client Services, ICC Evaluation Service, LLC Many building product manufacturers consider ICC-ES Evaluation Reports an essential prerequisite to market their products and systems in certain jurisdic- tions, and they include ICC-ES ESRs in their project submittals and technical communications. Holding an ICC-ES ESR proves the manufacturer's building product or system has undergone a rigorous tech- nical and manufacturing quality evalu- ation conducted by the ICC-ES expert staff. It's a great accomplishment to hold an ICC-ES ESR, and representa- tive of the best-in-class building prod- ucts. Manufacturers that don't hold ICC- ES ESRs are at a disadvantage when it comes to proving compliance with the requirements of the building codes. Without an ICC-ES ESR, a build- ing product manufacturer has to prove code compliance for every construction project on which their product is intended to be used. This can result in construction schedule delays and mounting expenses. The ICC-ES evaluation process still allows inno- vation to thrive, but establishes a level play- ing field across various categories of building products, including con- crete anchors, fasteners, engineered wood products, joist hangers, shear wall and diaphragm systems and roof underlayments. Building product manufacturers looking to get a leg up within their indus- try can contact ICC Evaluation Service and apply for an Evaluation Report. Applications also are available online at www.icc-es.org/applications. The ICC Evaluation Service technical staff of licensed engineers and architects is always ready to assist manufacturers with an evaluation of their unique building products and systems. So, the next time you meet a build- ing product manufacturer on your project site or in the office, remember to ask them: "What's your ICC-ES ESR num- ber?" For more information, visit www.icc-es- pmg.org, email espmg@icc-es.org or stop by KBIS booth #SL4222 and IBS booth #C3022. Save Power and Money with ReLamp LEDs The ReLamp LEDs are available in sizes for most common fresnels. In some fix- tures, the reflector should be unscrewed to make room for the LED. The ReLamp LEDs work on the same AC dimmers as halogen. The light looks just like tungsten halogen, but without the heat. It is also available in daylight. Both have very high quality color rendering. Regardless of how it is measured, the color looks right on all faces, makeup, wardrobe – just like the tried and true halogen. For a list price under $700, the ReLamp 1K is what most have been waiting for. It's certainly more than a halogen globe, but given the estimated 50,000 hour lifetime, one ReLamp LED compares to about $5,000 worth of halogen bulbs that would have to be purchased over that same 50,000 hours. A newsroom can now upgrade to LED with no downtime. The process of installing the ReLamp LEDs is only a few minutes per fixture. The look is seamless. It is easy to replace a few fixtures or all of them, and preserve the look the halogen was providing. The focus and barn door cuts are equivalent. Best of all, it will save enough in power in the first year to pay for the upgrade. Learn more at www.visionsmith.com and www.bulb tronics.com.