OmegaFlex Announces the Addition of CounterStrike to Its TracPipe Brand of Flexible Gas Piping for Added Lightning Protection.

EXTON, Pa. -- CounterStrike(TM) is the First Flexible Gas Piping Available to Provide Enhanced Protection from Lightning

OmegaFlex(R), the Pennsylvania-based manufacturer of TracPipe(R) flexible gas piping for residential, commercial and industrial applications, has developed CounterStrike(TM), a patent-pending product engineered to significantly increase the survivability from lightning induced damage to fuel gas piping systems. CounterStrike is the first flexible gas piping product available designed specifically to reduce the risks to life and property associated with lightning strikes. CounterStrike gas piping is lightweight and flexible and as with TracPipe, requires no special tools and is easy to handle.

Residential gas piping systems - whether of black iron, copper, or CSST - are susceptible to damage from not only direct, but also near lightning strikes. Potential problems caused by such a lightning event can range from mechanical systems failure to catastrophic consequences such as fire or an explosion.

CounterStrike's proprietary design helps dissipate over a larger area the energy that causes these types of problems rather than transferring the risk elsewhere. These energy-dissipating properties help to protect the TracPipe stainless steel pressure piping as well as other components should it become energized due to lightning. "With CounterStrike, it's important to recognize that this product does not focus the lightning energy at any one point in the gas line, the energy is spread out over a much larger area," states Dean Rivest, OmegaFlex Engineer. "This unique feature minimizes the probability for a breach, thereby reducing the potential for fire or explosion."

Extensive laboratory tests conducted at Lightning Technologies, Inc. in Pittsfield, MA have demonstrated that CounterStrike is able to withstand up to 6500% more energy from a lightning strike than other brands of conventional flexible gas piping without a breach.

In the U.S., there are vast differences in a geographical area's susceptibility to lightning strikes - with some parts of the country such as Central Florida averaging 90 thunderstorm days a year while the West Coast receives very few. To accommodate these types of differences, OmegaFlex has developed multiple installation approaches - Good, Better, and Best - depending on the level of lightning protection required:

--The "Good" system includes equipotential bonding, low in-house routing with a minimum bend radius for TracPipe runs -- in addition to meeting fuel gas, plumbing and NEC minimum code requirements.

--For enhanced lightning protection, the "Better" system includes all the provisions of "Good," plus CounterStrike for all gas piping.

--For maximum protection, the "Best" system includes all of the provisions of "Better" with TracPipe(R) PS-II (pre-sleeved tubing for underground use) installed under the slab as the trunkline.

"The amazing thing about what we've developed with our Good, Better, Best approach is that we're able to provide these levels of protection at a minimal amount of additional cost," states Ed Moran, TracPipe National Sales Manager for OmegaFlex. "For example, the price differential for the product between good and best is only approximately four percent more for the installer. We are very pleased to be able to offer this enhanced protection for such a nominal incremental cost."

Also, unless already specified by local codes, all three installation methods may additionally include an option for GasBreaker(R) excess flow safety devices that may offer enhanced protection in the event of a catastrophic piping failure typically resulting from earthquakes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters.

Four different sizes of CounterStrike are currently available (3/8", 1/2", 3/4", and 1"), in reel sizes from 100' to 250'. The product is available to trained installers from authorized TracPipe plumbing and HVAC distributors throughout the United States.

"In my opinion, CounterStrike is superior to all of the flexible stainless steel products on the market as far as being resistant to lightning," said John West, Sr., President and CEO, Power and Systems Innovation, Inc - a lightning consultant to OmegaFlex. "There is no competitive product similar to it. In my 12 years of hands-on involvement with power quality and lightning issues, CounterStrike is the only CSST system I've seen that is specifically engineered to combat the dangers caused by lightning. OmegaFlex clearly has its end users, distributors, and installers' best interests at heart."

About OmegaFlex

OmegaFlex is a US manufacturer of flexible metal hose and braid products and an ISO 9001-2000 Registered Company. The original TracPipe from OmegaFlex features corrugated piping coupled with AutoFlare fittings, and requires no gaskets or seals. TracPipe's full range of sizes (3/8" to 2") and proven reliability make it the first choice at all residential, commercial, and industrial job sites and is accepted throughout the U.S. and Canada. TracPipe is also the first manufacturer to have its system recognized and listed by Factory Mutual (FM) for seismic resistance in commercial, industrial, and government building projects. For additional information on OmegaFlex, please visit www.omegaflex.com.

OmegaFlex is a subsidiary of Mestek, Inc (NYSE:MCC), a leading manufacturer of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning products, machine tool products and coil handling equipment, as well as computer information systems and services. For additional information on Mestek, please visit www.mestek.com.