Hello everyone! I wanted to sign in and give a brief update. A new look and feel for the LossControl360 site is coming shortly with an updated client list, additional product information and more. We have some exciting developments to announce:
- We are now at 15 inspection companies using the Inspection Management System for Fee Companies! We will be updating our client list soon and doing press releases no announce our 6 most recent new accounts.
- We are in the active stages of rolling out 2 major insurance carriers who are utilizing our application for carrier inspection management. These much larger, long term project include tight integrations with policy management, agency portals and imaging systems. Any carriers interested in looking at our applications and how they can automate their internal loss control inspectors and vendors please give us a shout.
- Our Android mobile version of our field application is scheduled for 4thQ 2011 to coincide with our carrier software rollouts. The android version of our field application supports offline photo and form filling in the field!
- We are now hosting all of our hosted accounts in our SAS70 Type 2 compliant data center meeting the needs of the largest insurance carriers and inspection companies.
I'll be updating everyone as we rollout updates to the losscontrol360 site. Thank you for your business and patience as we actively rollout many additional new accounts.
Pat Davis
CEO, LossControl360
BUFFALO, NY - Feb 1, 2011 LossControl360, the most advanced inspection management platform for insurance inspection companies and carriers today announced the completion of integrations with 2 new replacement cost valuation tools. With our new integration agreements with E2Value Inc. and ISO we have filled in the remaining pieces of integration and now offer every major calculation tool provider in the industry. All of our clients can now utilize tightly integrated replacement cost tools and improve their workflow and productivity.
For more information about E2Value or ISO 360 Value being integrated with our inspection platform please email Eric Braun at ebraun@utilant.com.
E2Value and ISO 360 Value are registered marks belonging to each of their respective companies.
LossControl360 Inspection Management Platform Now Integrated with Marshall Swift Boeckh BVS Commercial Building Valuator
June 17th, 2010
Technology: MSB Express Services, Web Services, MSB FIT Interface for Insurance Carriers
BUFFALO, NY - June 17, 2010 LossControl360, the most advanced inspection management platform for insurance inspection companies and carriers today announced the completion of integration with MSB's CBVS (commercial building valuation supplement) replacement cost tool. MSB, an MDA company and the leading worldwide provider of building cost data and estimating technology to the property insurance industry, has some of the most widely used replacement cost valuation tools used in the loss control market today.
"Integrating replacement cost tools is a crucial piece in improving workflow and efficiency for inspection companies. Now that we are integrated on the commercial side with the BVS tool we have a new huge piece that can help make commercial inspection companies more effecient. To my knowledge we are the only software company that provides inspection software that is integrated with BVS - Patrick Davis, LossControl360"
For more information about MSB's Replacement Cost Solutions for Inspection Companies e-mail john.czech@msbinfo.com.
About MSB
MSB, an MDA company, is the leading supplier of local building cost information, residential and commercial property valuation technology and services for the property and casualty insurance sector in the United States and Canada. Visit MSB's Web site at www.msbinfo.com.
iPhone and iPad Form Filling and Photo Taking in the Field !!?!
Some exciting news from what we are soon going to be calling our "Labs" division of LossControl360. IPhone, iPad and soon Android form filling will be available for your field inspectors. With the final wrap up of our iPhone application for photo syncing (due July 1st) inspections can be completed 100% in the field by the inspector.
Below are a few preliminary screenshots, check back here for more updates in the very near future, and a news LABS section where we highlight new features, new technology, and even get the tech geeks at LC360 to post.
Contact us at our main phone number (888-UTILANT) for more details today.
LossControl360 Inspection Management Platform Now Integrated with Marshall Swift Boeckh Main Street and High Value Replacement Cost Tools
May 6, 2009
Technology: MSB Express Services, Web Services, MSB FIT Interface for Insurance Carriers
BUFFALO, NY - MAY 6, 2009 LossControl360, the most advanced inspection management platform for insurance inspection companies and carriers today announced the completion of integration with MSB's main street and high value home replacement cost tools. MSB, an MDA company and the leading worldwide provider of building cost data and estimating technology to the property insurance industry, has some of the most widely used replacement cost valuation tools used in the loss control market today.
"Integrating replacement cost tools is a crucial piece in improving workflow and efficiency for inspection companies. With our forms programmed and validated to work flawlessly with both main street and high value for both standard express services and FIT; inspection companies can now input calc data once and be able to edit it throughout the inspection lifecycle. We are truly excited at the labor savings our customers will experience with this crucial piece of integration" says Patrick Davis CEO of LossControl360.
For more information about MSB's Replacement Cost Solutions for Inspection Companies e-mail john.czech@msbinfo.com.
About MSB
MSB, an MDA company, is the leading supplier of local building cost information, residential and commercial property valuation technology and services for the property and casualty insurance sector in the United States and Canada. Visit MSB's Web site at www.msbinfo.com.
| The Issue for Insurance Professionals: |
Example Injury Photos: |
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Recently there has been a good deal of news regarding pool and spa drains that are poorly designed which can cause suction points where children or smaller individuals can get stuck on the drain. Perhaps the most famous case of this (and the cuase of legislation to prevent it) Virginia Graeme Baker (The 7-year-old granddaughter of former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker, who went by her middle name, was in a hot tub during a school graduation party in Virginia in 2002).
CNN Article - Some ignore law to prevent pools from being child deathtraps
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| How Should Loss Control Companies Change Their Forms: |
Example of Correct Drain Covers: |
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Drain covers like those pictured to the right should be installed as part of a 2 step / 2 layer system to drain covers. If a pool is installed previous to 2007 inspectors should attempt to take a picture of the drain cover and compare it to the examples provided at the right to see if it appears to be compliant. There are other ways to become compliant including installing a secondary SVRS system (safety vacuum release system) on the drain line going to the main filtration system. More info on SVRS systsmes can be found in the SVRS link below.
Interviewing the insured is always the best course of action here as they will most likely know if a new drain cover or SVRS system has been put in place to prevent accidents.
Approved Drain Covers
SVRS (Safety Vacuum Release System)
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FAQ Credit: Aquatics International
The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act
VGB ACT
Q: Who will be enforcing the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act?
A: CPSC is the lead when it comes to implementation and enforcement responsibility.
Q: Will CPSC be actively looking to penalize pool operators who don't comply?
A: The law reinforces CPSC's civil and criminal penalty authority and while the intention is not to penalize an individual pool owner or operator, the agency does have the ability to step in and shut down pools or spas found to not be in compliance.
Q: Will there be any changes from CPSC next year?
A: No additional interpretations are expected.
Q: Is the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act applicable to waterpark rides that discharge riders immediately upon completion of the ride?
A: Waterpark pools have some unique designs, and No. 1 is the large size of the drains/grates. To determine whether your waterpark pools are compliant, contact CPSC.
Q: Are skimmer balance lines in commercial pools covered in the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act?
A: Yes. Conceptually, skimmer equalizer lines are submerged drains and should be either covered or plugged and taken off-line.
Q: Does a fully submerged skimmer count as a second drain?
A: There is currently no definitive technical data to support the position that fully submerged skimmers act as a second drain. Operators with this configuration should consult a qualified expert.
DRAIN COVERS
Q: Are there approved covers for rectangular grates?
A: Yes. To qualify as compliant all drain covers must meet the ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 standard regardless of size or configuration. Currently there are approved round covers, 9x 9- and 12x12-inch rectangular grates on the market. Large and unblockable drain covers are expected to be introduced into the marketplace beginning in November.
Q: Can operators preorder approved drain covers?
A: Yes. Currently there are approved 8-inch round drain covers on the market and they can be ordered at will. More options should be available soon and operators should do what they can to place an order. Even if the product is on backorder the purchase documentation still represents a good-faith effort to comply.
Q: What should I do if there is no ANSI/ASME cover available for the drain on my pool? (For example a pool with a single L-shaped drain that is half on the pool bottom and half on the wall.)
A: Cases like this would require a field-compliant, field-fabricated cover which will not be available. Although not federally mandated to do so, in unusual cases like this, the ideal option would be to close that drain and build a new dual main drain on the floor of the pool. For most operators that will be something to aim for in the future, but at present you should install one of the secondary anti-entrapment systems.
SVRS
Q: Are available SVRS' in compliance with all state statutes?
A: Given the new federal requirements, if you have a single main drain and want to install a SVRS as your choice of a second backup system, you should ensure that the model you choose has been independently tested and meets the applicable ANSI/ASME or ASTM standards.
Q: If my pool has one main drain but four skimmers does it need an SVRS?
A: The CPSC does not currently have any technical evidence to support claims that this type of system would be a multiple main drain system, but you should contact a certified professional.
COMPLIANCE
Q: My spa has three or four covers, but in a small foot well. What do I need to do to comply?
A: The drain cover requirement applies for these types of spas, but operators should install a second anti-entrapment system if the drains are less than 36 inches apart.
Q: If I have a gravity drain system, am I required to change the drain cover?
A: Yes, but that kind of pool automatically falls into the category of being a second anti-entrapment system, so the cover replacement requirement is all you'll have to do if you are operating a single main drain or multiple main drain pool.
Q: We have a pool with one 18 X 18-inch drain grate, what do we need to do to be compliant?
A: Install a new, approved 18x18-inch cover that should be on the market in the next 30 to 45 days. If it's a single drain pool then you also have to add an SVRS or other secondary option as well.
Q: My indoor pool has two main drains about 8-inches apart, do I still need to install new covers?
A: Yes and with the drains only 8-inches apart, you'll need a second anti-entrapment system, as well.
Q: Who qualifies as a “trained or certified professional”?
A: To determine who is qualified in your area, CPSC recommends contacting state or local officials. Experts should be formally licensed or certified as a business and carry some level of insurance or similar protection.