SmartVENT Foundation Flood Vents

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 06:40:50 -0400

Education is Number One at Smart VENT

The immortal words of Benjamin Franklin, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" could be considered the motto of the technical team at Smart VENT(R). All Smart VENT(R) technical representatives are required to become Certified Floodplain Managers. This ensures that customers can trust their expertise is not limited to just Smart VENT(R) products, but also how using the product along with other prevention measures can stave off the devastation that is caused by the natural disaster known as flooding.

Smart VENT(R) is proud to add to their growing list of CFM's, its newest Certified Floodplain Managers, Harry Alexander, Matt Leahey and Brian Shaw.

"I take pride in being an expert in the field, not just in selling our product. I want our customers to have the most reliable information on how to prevent a flood from destroying their home. I don't just sell vents; I educate and protect my customers." says Harry Alexander, Smart VENT(R) Technical Sales Representative.

The Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) is an organization of professionals involved with floodplain management, flood hazard mitigation, the National Flood Insurance Program, and flood preparedness, warning, and recovery. ASFPM has become a respected voice in floodplain management practice and policy in the United States. Its members represent the flood hazard specialists of local, state, and federal government, as well as private sector experts which include but is not limited to, the research community, the insurance industry, and the fields of engineering, hydrologic forecasting, emergency response, and water resources.

The mission of the ASFPM is to promote education, policies, and activities that mitigate current and future losses, costs, and human suffering caused by flooding, and to protect the natural and beneficial functions of floodplains - all without causing adverse impacts.

The Association has established a national program for professional certification of floodplain managers. The program recognizes continuing education and professional development that enhance the knowledge and performance of local, state, federal, and private-sector floodplain managers.

The role of the nation's floodplain managers has expanded. This role expansion is attributed to the increase in disaster losses, the emphasis that is now placed upon mitigation to alleviate the cycle of damage-rebuild-damage, and a recognized need for professionals to adequately address these issues. Floodplain managers come from a variety of curricula and backgrounds. The certification program lays the foundation to ensure that highly qualified individuals are available to meet the challenge of breaking the damage cycle so that its negative drain on the nation's human, financial, and natural resources is stopped.

"We take the education portion of our business very seriously. We feel that it is not only our job to protect homeowners with an exceptional product, but that we have a responsibility to help educate our customers on flood preparedness and the best ways to mitigate against flood devastation." states Tom Little, National Sales and Marketing Director at Smart VENT(R).

All Smart VENT(R) products are certified engineered openings through the International Code Council. They provide an automatic entry and exit of floodwaters which in turn, relieves the hydrostatic pressure yielded upon foundations during flooding. The stainless steel vents have two patented floats that automatically release with rising water. This allows the bi-directional vent door to rotate out of the path of flood water thus providing the required 3" diameter of completely unobstructed open area for the water to enter and exit.

Because Smart VENT(R) vents are code compliant, FEMA accepted and ICC-ES Evaluated, homeowners across the country realize huge savings on their NFIP insurance premiums by installing them. Smart VENTS(R) not only bring their homes into compliance and protect their investment, but can help provide substantial financial savings.

For more information on the SMART VENT(R) Foundation Flood Vent, voted winner of the prestigious 'Most Innovative Product Award' by attendees of the World of Concrete Show, 'Top 100 Products Honors' and MVP Award from Building Products magazine, and a featured product on ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, please contact Smart VENT Inc. at 877-441-8368 or visit www.smartvent.com.