What do you think when someone asks,
"Have you seen a good electrical inspector?" Do you
reply that you see one in the mirror every morning? What
principle or obligation does an electrical inspector consider
as his or her "prime directive"?
Prime Directive
– Electrical Safety
The electrical inspector is not concerned with making a profit
or doing the design. How is the prime directive achieved by
the inspector?
Training – A background of electrical
knowledge is needed through schooling, apprenticeship,
contracting, or other programs with electrical emphasis.
Experience – Working in the
electrical trade and gaining years of knowledge helps prepare
the inspector to understand the prime directive.
Education – The National
Electrical Code changes on a three-year cycle. Electrical
products and installation methods change periodically. Product
listings also change. Many jurisdictions now require
electrical inspectors to be certified by code and professional
organizations. These all require that electrical safety become
the prime directive.
How can the electrical inspector meet these
objectives and maintain the prime directive?
Educational
Publications and Opportunities
-
Analysis
of Changes, 2005 NEC by IAEI Education
Department, associated seminars, and other publications
provide code expertise that is at the forefront of
available information.
-
Section and
chapter meetings provide an excellent source of hands-on
participation. Meeting circuit writers, manufacturers,
certifying agencies, and other inspectors provide insight
and other points of view. Questions about NEC applications and interpretations are available. Problems
of electrical safety are often brought up and can be
addressed before they occur in other jurisdictions. CEUs
are available for attendance at these meetings.
-
The IAEI
News also provides insight, education, training, and
electrical expertise from the inspector’s point of view
on code applications.
-
Certification
of electrical inspectors is provided by IAEI.
Certification renewal requires CEU completion from
approved organizations.
IAEI Members
-
Submit an
application to become part of the IAEI code manpower pool.
Your prime directive expertise is needed on various code
panels to help the electrical industry become the best
that it can be.
-
When
rejecting an installation, the chapter and verse for code
compliance needs to be addressed. To require the change of
an installation because that’s the way the inspector
wants it is not professional or meeting the prime
directive.
-
The
electrical inspector needs to make sure his or her boss
understands the prime directive and the professionalism,
obligation, and qualifications needed to provide
electrical safety. Education is needed and the support of
your boss is essential.
-
In order for
an organization to prosper, it must grow through your
participation and new membership. Invite those you meet to
join the IAEI and become part of the knowledge base
supporting the prime directive. We are all good at what we
do, but the IAEI can help us become better.
Remember that…
"NOBODY SHOULD KNOW MORE ABOUT WHAT
YOU DO THAN YOU."
Gaylen Rogers is the 2005 International President. |
