It’s summertime and that means that
annual section meetings dates are close at hand. This year’s
meetings should be especially interesting and beneficial to
not only the electrical inspector but to all electrical
industry people.
Most jurisdictions have begun enforcing the
2005 National Electrical Code by now and there will
surely be some lively discussions on what new requirements
have been found in this new edition. The opportunity to
network with others and find out what their views are on the
use of the concrete-encased electrode, the equipotential
bonding grid under fiberglass and vinyl lined pools, and many
other topics is sure to be examined. What better place to
learn and exchange information than at the annual section
meeting where people from all over your section of the area
come to learn and share also.
Let’s not forget that the Canadian
Section offers the same opportunities based on the Canadian
Electrical Code. Learn what the Part 1 committee has in store
for changes and updates to the CE Code.
Locations for this year’s round of
meetings are sure to be a hit as each section has chosen great
locations for the individual meetings. This issue of the IAEI
News has information on the locations and how to register for
the meetings. Each section is also planning some interesting
and exciting activities for the spouses. Register now so the
planning committee can prepare for you and your spouse.
Even though the 2005 NEC has been
out not quite a year now, it is time to start preparing
proposals for changes for the 2008 NEC. This year’s
section meetings will provide time for discussions on
proposals that will be forwarded to NFPA as IAEI-endorsed
proposals. The deadline for submitting proposals to NFPA is
November 4, 2005. This means that for a proposal to be
endorsed by IAEI it must be submitted to your section in time
for scheduling discussion at the section meeting. Contact your
section secretary for the timeline for your section. After
section action, the proposal goes to the International Codes
and Standards Committee for its approval. All this has to be
done by the NFPA deadline so get busy now to get your proposal
endorsed by IAEI.
IAEI has a principal and an alternate on
each code-making panel, so our voice is heard during the
process. Another benefit of IAEI membership!
Each section meeting will be issuing
Continuing Education Units for the educational portion of the
meeting. CEUs are becoming more valuable now that more and
more certification and licensing boards are requiring
continuing education. If you are a certificate holder in
either of IAEI’s certification programs, the CEUs earned at
the section meetings will be recognized for continuing
education requirements for recertification. The continuing
education units are issued under the auspices of IACET,
International Association for Continuing Education and
Training. IAEI is an authorized provider and must undergo a
strict application and site review process, so you can be
assured that you are receiving CEUs that are universally
recognized. Another benefit of IAEI membership! Attending
seminars and workshops that issue CEU certificates bearing the
IAEI and IACET logos is another benefit. IAEI maintains a
database of all CEUs received from International
Office-approved Section, Chapter, and Division meetings and
seminars. FYI, if you attend and receive a continuing
education certificate that was not approved by the
International Office, you may have difficulty receiving credit
for recertification. Make sure that the meeting, seminar, or
workshop has IO recognition for issuing CEUs.
Summertime brings on other activities also—working
in the yard or garden, going to the lake for the weekend, or
taking that much needed vacation. Just be sure that you keep
up with IAEI. Don’t forget your membership dues that may
come due during playtime. Don’t wait until time is short to
make arrangements to attend the section meeting. And, of
course, play safe. You are needed back doing your important
job of providing electrical safety.
IAEI CEO and Executive Director, and
Editor-in-Chief for the IAEI News, James
Carpenter was previously the chief electrical engineer,
state electrical inspector for the Engineering Division
of the Office of State Fire Marshal, North Carolina
Department of Insurance. He had been with the department
for twenty years, with twenty years electrical
experience prior to coming to the state. He was a member
of CMP-2 from 1987 to 2002 and was chairman for the last
three cycles. He has been a member of IAEI since 1972.
He is also a member of NFPA and now is serving as the
TCC chair; and is on the UL Electrical Council. |
