At the annual Section Meetings this year,
you will be asked to support an increase in membership dues.
As a long-term member of IAEI, I know that the first response
of some will be: "What do I get for my money?" That’s
a fair question and I’d like to answer it. IAEI is an
organization with very specific purposes. These objectives
were originally developed by the members and are intended to
support the work of electrical inspectors. Your dues support
these activities. Whenever the organization asks for a dues
increase, it is time to review just how well these objectives
are being met. Let’s take a minute and look at each of them
in terms of what the organization has done, what it is doing
that’s new, and what is being proposed.
Objective: To
cooperate in the formulation of standards for the safe
installation and use of electrical materials, devices and
appliances.
IAEI funds two members on each of the twenty
Code-making Panels for the National Electrical Code and
on the NEC Technical Correlating Committee. The work of
these members assures that the inspection point of view is
considered and that safety continues to be the main focus of
the code. We previously sent both members to the Proposal
Meetings and only the Principal member to the Comment Meeting.
New: Starting with the 1999 NEC meetings, we are sending both members to both meetings. This
provides better representation at the Comment Meeting and
assures that the Alternate members are better prepared if and
when they are called on to be Principal members.
We have always had a procedure for code
change proposals to be approved as official IAEI proposals.
IAEI CMP members support and vote for these proposals at the
Proposal Meeting. However, we have never been able to follow
through on these proposals in the Comment stage.
New: For the 1999 NEC cycle, we
instituted a new Codes and Standards Committee. This committee
worked with our CMP members to develop responses regarding
IAEI proposals so that their comments could be identified as
the official IAEI position. More importantly, CMP members
identified other proposals that directly impacted inspectors
and worked with the IAEI Codes and Standards Committee to
develop official IAEI positions where necessary. The activity
of this committee has significantly increased the inspector’s
influence in the code making process.
In addition, IAEI funds members on the
following industry-related committees associated with the
formulation and adoption of electrical safety codes and
standards:
-
NFPA
Standards Council
-
NFPA
70B, Committee on Electrical Equipment Maintenance
-
NFPA
73, Committee on Electrical Reinspection Code for Existing
Dwellings
-
ANSI-C73,
Committee on Receptacles and Attachment Plugs
-
ANSI-C80,
Committee on Raceways for Electrical Wiring Systems
-
NFPA
79, Committee for Electrical Equipment for Industrial
Machinery
-
NFPA
Advisory Committee on the Adoption and Use of the National
Electrical Code
-
UL
Committee on Intrinsically Safe Electrical Equipment
-
Correlating
Committee on Electrical Installation Codes of America
New: UL Technical Advisory Panel. This
panel was established in 1997 and includes three IAEI members
and the Executive Director. Its function is to take inspection
issues directly to UL and to work with them on an effective
resolution. The issues raised at the first meeting included
lighting fixtures that rely on marking for safe operation,
armored cable and metal raceways used as equipment grounding
conductors and polymeric material used in neon sign
electrodes. We anticipate that similar committees will be
formed with other testing laboratories, as needed to address
the concerns of inspector members.
The Board of Directors has recommended IAEI
representation on the following committees, subject to
available funding, for the reasons noted.
Proposed: NFPA 72, Committee on Fire
Alarm Codes. We believe that IAEI should have representation
on this committee because it is becoming more and more common
for electrical inspectors to be required to inspect Fire Alarm
Systems.
Proposed: National Electrical Safety
Code. We believe that IAEI needs representation on this
committee since more and more primary and medium voltage
service installations are being installed and maintained by
owners instead of public utilities. The standards for overhead
and underground installations of these types are developed by
this committee.
Proposed: International
Electrotechnical Commission. We believe that IAEI
representation on this committee is vitally important.
International codes are being proposed for adoption in this
country which do not even include an inspection process,
relying instead on self-certification of manufacturers and
installers. We need to be sure that global free trade doesn’t
result in unsafe electrical products and installations.
Objective: To promote
the uniform understanding and application of the National
Electrical Code and other electrical codes.
Your organization develops educational material
aimed directly at improving the understanding and proper
application of the National Electrical Code. These
materials, listed below, are considered to be some of the best
in the industry.
-
Analysis
of the National Electrical Code®
-
One
and Two Family Dwelling Electrical
-
Systems
-
Soares
Book on Grounding
-
Ferm’s
Fast Finder
-
Neon
Installation Manual
-
Certification
Study Guides for Electrical
-
Inspectors
and Plan Reviewers
-
The Analysis of
the National Electrical Code®, in Spanish (new)
IAEI members receive a discount on the
retail price of all of these materials, as well as on many
other products available through IAEI.
Your organization presents electrical
seminars which promote better understanding of code
requirements. These seminars draw attendees from all segments
of the electrical industry and receive excellent evaluations.
Members attend at a discounted fee. All seminar material is
available to Chapters and Divisions without charge for
educational programs for members only.
Current seminar topics include Grounding,
One- and Two-Family Electrical Systems, and the Analysis of
the National Electrical Code.
Under Development: Additional
educational material in the areas of Generators, Motors,
Transformers, Hazardous Locations and Medical Facilities is
being developed. Seminars for these topics and for Neon Signs
are planned to follow.
New: IAEI has a formal MOU with ICBO
under which it provides seminar material and instructors for
all of the ICBO electrical seminars. These seminars are good
refreshers for electrical inspectors and an excellent training
experience for combination inspectors.
Proposed: IAEI is working with BOCA and
SBCCI regarding the possibility of cooperative efforts in
education where IAEI can provide educational material and
qualified instructors.
IAEI provides technical articles in the IAEI
NEWS, which are aimed at improving the understanding of
code requirements and the proper use of products and materials
in electrical installations.
New: IAEI funded two members on the
NFPA Task Group on Usability of the NEC. This effort
was directly aimed at making the NEC easier to read,
understand and apply. The very positive work of this group is
reflected in the major editorial changes accepted for the 1999 NEC.
Objective: To promote
cooperation between inspectors, the electrical industry and
the public.
IAEI promotes cooperation between inspectors and
the industry through its work on NFPA committees and by
on-going work with testing laboratories, manufacturers,
contractors and electricians. This cooperation is apparent at
Section Meetings where these industry members display their
products and services, participate in the education programs,
and support effective code enforcement.
New: IAEI is working with the three
major building code groups to demonstrate the importance of
electrical inspection and the significant role professional
electrical inspectors have in safe electrical installations.
New: IAEI proactively supports the
Inspectors Initiative developed through the efforts of
industry organizations.
New: IAEI has embarked on a partnership
with the National Electrical Safety Foundation to provide
information to the public on the importance of electrical
safety.
Objective: To collect
and disseminate information relative to the safe use of
electricity.
The goal of the IAEI NEWS is to provide the
very best information on code requirements, electrical
products and installations all of which promote the safe use
of electricity. IAEI has provided field reports and other
information to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, the
National Electrical Safety Foundation and various test labs in
support of safe electrical products and installations.
IAEI publishes accident reports which help
others to avoid repeating dangerous practices.
Objective: To
represent the electrical inspectors in all matters which are
dealt with nationally and internationally by the electrical
industry.
Most of the activities previously mentioned result
in the effective representation of electrical inspectors and
what they do today. In these changing times, there is a real
need to demonstrate the continuing importance of professional
electrical inspection in the construction process.
New: IAEI is working with the
International Code Conference on the development of
professional standards for inspectors and with the three
member building code groups on training and certification
programs for electrical inspectors.
New: IAEI simply has to participate on
committees of the International Electrotechnical Commission
which are developing worldwide electrical safety standards.
New: In addition to the United States,
Canada, Saudi Arabia and Japan, IAEI now has an active Chapter
in Mexico. Expansion into Russia, Puerto Rico and Chile is
being considered. The new focus on an international electrical
safety system aimed at supporting international trade requires
that we take a global approach to electrical safety.
Objective: To
cooperate with other national and international organizations
in furthering the development of the electrical industry.
IAEI works with NFPA, CSA and AUME in the
development, adoption and use of electrical codes. IAEI works
with UL and CSA in the development of standards for electrical
products and materials. IAEI works with building code groups
in the training and certification of inspectors. IAEI works
with electric utilities to assure an effective interface
between distribution and premises electrical systems. IAEI
works with manufacturers in the field review of their products
and with contractors in the inspection of their installations.
IAEI works with both union and non-union electricians to
support safe electrical installations. IAEI is, as our logo
proclaims, the keystone of the electrical industry.
This is what your organization does to
represent you and to support and defend the importance of your
work. These activities benefit you every day in ways you may
not always recognize. Building officials are more aware of the
importance of what you do and your role in maintaining
electrical safety in your community. Test Labs are more
responsive to your complaints or concerns about the products
they list. Manufacturers are more diligent in responding to
your issues with their products. Contractors and customers
have a better understanding of your role in the industry and
the value of knowledgeable and professional electrical
inspectors. Most importantly, you are better prepared in every
way to do your job on a daily basis.
But, clearly, these efforts on your behalf
cost money. IAEI has functioned for years on the proverbial
"shoestring." Our dues are undoubtedly the lowest of
any comparable organization. (They cover only about a third of
the organization’s expenses.) We continue to be cost
conscious and frugal in our efforts to provide good member
services at a minimum cost, but we are at our limit at this
point.
These are new and dynamically changing times. The
electrical industry continues to grow and expand into a global
economy. Electrical safety standards are in danger of being
negotiated away in the interests of free trade. Objective
third-party inspections of products could be replaced by
manufacturer’s self-certification programs.
Self-certification by contractors is the next logical step.
Changes are occurring on an almost daily basis that could
seriously impact you and your work. IAEI must be able to
represent you effectively and protect your interests. This is
its mission. So when you consider the proposed dues increase,
I encourage you to review the benefits you derive from your
membership in IAEI, the value you receive from your
organization and vote to support IAEI so that it can continue
to support you. Thank You.
Thomas E. Trainor, IAEI international president, is the
manager of Inspection Services for the city of San Diego and
has 35 years of service with the city. Tom represents IAEI as
a principal member on CMP-18 and is a member of NFPA and the
UL Electrical Council.
|
