Patrick Schatz is a mechanical engineer with several patents who sees most things in life as performing interconnected functions. He rebuilds old cars in his spare time (preferring circuit board-free muscle cars) and works, happily challenged, for Dayton OH-based manufacturer, HPC Fire Inspired.™

Schatz, HPC’s product engineer, noted that some testing functions were tedious and repetitive. For many years, they tested various equipment functions, capturing data by hand. “Some testing procedures were so monotonous that it became the least interesting part of work, which added repetitive cross-checking to ensure the accuracy of testing,” he said. “Something had to change.”

Schatz sought a way to modernize and simplify laborious testing for accurate measurements and data required for monthly CSA, ANSI +/or UL audits. Computations include fuel temp, ambient temp, barometric pressure, precise gas pressure, Testing – and the recording of test data – was necessary, but very time-consuming.  To make matters worse, they then had to feed all that data and information into computers, keystroke by keystroke. “Our testing became one of the most significant impediments to product development and introductions,” said Schatz.  “It negatively affected company performance and profitability, and just hammered our job satisfaction.” 

HPC’s “H2Onfire” product is just one of many stunning products. Ideal for many residential or commercial settings, these innovative fire and water effects add the sound of soothing water and beautiful blue LED lights to the warmth and romance of fire. “When you get to work on products this cool – and we’ve always got new ones in development—the work’s worth it. It’s both challenging and invigorating,” said Schatz. 

Yet, despite the challenge of repetitive testing, the mid-sized manufacturer was recognized in the HPB market (Hearth, Patio + BBQ) for its many innovations. In March of 2020, HPC Fire Inspired™ Won HPBA’s Vesta Award for its new Universal Gas Orifice, later also recognized by the State of Ohio. This was a project Patrick was involved in developing.

In 2013, HPC – along with Patrick’s Evolution 360 design (a circular outdoor fire and water feature) – won a patent and several design awards.  “In Las Vegas at a home show in 2016, we could’ve sold the demo unit a hundred times,” he said. 

HPC also makes the “360” with gas bubbling right out of the water using the water as the media – so that the gas bubbles up from the pool of water and ignites just above the surface, looking almost holographic.

Schatz and Engineering Tech Mike Chaffins continued to move through the need to test and re-test various equipment functions and performance. After all, as their products are natural gas or propane-fired products, safety is their first and foremost concern. “Getting the data was laborious,” he continued. 

With notepad nearby, pen and stop watch in hand, and counting the revolutions (more revolutions = better, more accurate results), Schatz and others tested various equipment functions. They still do all of those tests today, yet curiously, Schatz and the HPC team are moving product through the testing stage at a much greater speed, and with greater accuracy. Morale is a lot higher, too. 

One day Schatz learned about a new testing and data collection device from engineering manager, Tom Witman. When he tested his first fire pit with Dormont’s FloPro-MD, he described it as “love at first sight.” Then he corrected himself, saying it was actually better than that. “It was like hitting a home run, running a touchdown and scoring a trifecta all at the same time.”

Patrick Schatz, purchased another FloPro-MD.  They now have three of the devices. With FloPro-MD, all data is now more accurately captured and made available electronically, saving many hours each week.

The pros at HPC consider the FloPro-MD’s most valuable features (in order) to be: 
 Live real-time graphed data transmitted via Wi-fi to smart device
 Computation:  data is entered/compiled to reveal useful information
 Wi-fi signal to smart device/computer
 Data is then populated into Excel
 Ease of use:  small size/light weight/transportability
 Durability:  they dropped one of the devices and it survived without problem; did not affect operation or accuracy.

“FloPro-MD has changed our operations substantially,” insisted Schatz.  “Not only does the device give us quick access to accurate information, but it automatically presents data into excel spreadsheets upon file access. It’s cut our R+D and testing time by at least 60 percent.  It’s the finest diagnostic, testing and product performance tools I’ve ever seen and have had the pleasure to use.” 

https://www.hpcfire.com/