We live in changing times. It seems as soon
as we get comfortable, or at least used to a situation, things
change. The price of gas goes up again. Property evaluations
and, therefore, taxes increase. Somebody commits suicide by
blowing himself up to kill and maim others. These are the
types of things that are making the news today. But many other
things are happening that kind of fall under the radar. Things
that may not affect us or our way of life right now, but may
have far-reaching consequences as time goes on. Not so
recognizable at the present time, these are the things that we
must remain on the alert for.
For instance, many jurisdictions have been
reducing their inspection department staff or trying to
combine duties because of the notion that inspections or
inspectors are not needed. No one is being killed by unsafe
electrical installations. An inspector relayed to me recently
his experience with his city manager. He had gone to him
asking for additional inspectors. The manager listened to his
appeal then turned to look out the window at the city and
asked the inspector what he saw. "A beautiful
skyline," answered the inspector. The manager asked if he
saw any smoke or any buildings on fire. "No," said
the inspector. "What do we need inspectors for?"
asked the manager. The electrical inspector quickly answered,
"To keep that beautiful skyline just as you see it
today."
Our safety systems have served us well
since the introduction of that thing called electricity.
We have learned the difficult lessons and if we remain
diligent, we can keep that skyline without smoke and fire and
not electrocute ourselves. Uncontrolled and unmanaged, things
could be a lot different. We must remain diligent for the
little things!
Some places are questioning the need for
independent third party evaluation of electrical material,
de-vices and equipment. We have grown to expect that these
things have been evaluated and are free from electrical shock
and fire hazards. Some seem to think the requirement for
electrical products to be evaluated for safety is too great an
expense. There is no great loss of building or lives
attributed to electrical equipment. No fire – No problem. No
loss of life – No problem. We must remain diligent for the
little things that could become big!
Some places are advocating more
"self-certification" and are only doing
spot-checking. This seems to be brought on when the untrained
or uninformed think that if there is no smoke or fire on the
skyline there is no problem. Many designers, manufacturers,
and installers are doing the right things and the finished
design, product, or system meets or exceeds codes and
standards. There are those who train their people and
continually train them in the proper and safe way of doing the
job. If this were true throughout the industry, then maybe
self-certification and spot-checking would be a viable
alternative. BUT! We must remain diligent for the little
things that could become big!
Some don’t see the necessity of qualified
and well-trained inspectors. Those designers, manufacturers,
and installers that are conscientious and are practicing their
profession with the goal of having a safe and useful system
want the people, the AHJ, to be as knowledgeable and qualified
as they are. That AHJ, that other set of eyes, must be
well-trained and remain well-trained and qualified to keep the
smoke and fire from the skyline. We must remain diligent for
the little things before they become big!
What can we do as individuals, groups,
(Chapters and Divisions), and IAEI? As individuals, we can
become active in the local neighborhood by speaking to our
golf or fishing buddies; carrying the safety message to our
Masonic Lodge, Kiwanis Club, and the Rotary; and volunteering
to teach our children about electrical safety in the schools.
The more people are aware of the dangers of the improper use
and control of that thing we call electricity, the better
chance we have of keeping the skyline free from smoke and
fire.
As IAEI Divisions and Chapters, we can
prepare each other by conducting workshops and seminars on
properly applying codes, standards, and local, state and
federal laws. Division and Chapter can speak up as one body
when something comes up that may seem little but can become
big.
The International Association of Electrical
Inspectors can continue participating in the code development
process, developing training material and presenting those
materials. IAEI can continue representing all enforcers at
various forums and committees that further our electrical
safety system and the electrical industry.
Well, enough rambling for this edition of
the News! Remain diligent for the little things before
they become big!
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.
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