MINUTES: OCTOBER 21,1999, IAEI SUNCOAST DIVISION, FLORIDA CHAPTER
GENERAL MEETING: TECO WESTERN DIVISION


INSPECTOR MEMBERS 14 ASSOCIATE MEMBERS 6 GUESTS 2

1.The October General Meeting commeneced at 1:25PM with Ralph Philbrook leading the Division in the Pledge to the Flag. The Suncoast Division round robin of introductions took place and the Chair recognized a first time visitor, Ken Robinson, with the Electrical Contractors Licensing Board.

2.The Chair recognized Ken Robinson and asked if he could make his presentation. Ken introduced himself and took to the floor to explain a new statute in Chapter 489 that allows ER electrical contractors to become Certified contractors. Ken explained that a statute, 489-514 was passed that will allow registered electrical contractors to become certified in the category they are registered for. Ken explained that the intent is if you are a registered electrical contractor, you may apply and become a Certified Registered Contractor and do work any place in the State of Florida, as an electrical contractor. An Alarm Contractor may also apply to become a Certified Registered Alarm Contractor and do alarm work any where in the State. What ever the individual is licensed for, is what that individual a will be able to do any where in the State, provided they meet certain criteria. Ken commented that this is leading to single tier licensing, as for example in the State of Georgia. Ken went on to explain the qualifications and that the ECLB has made changes to this bill. Ken explained the rules for how a registered contractor, building code administrator or inspector licensed in a residential or commercial inspector category. Chapter 489, part 12 refers to an inspector that must have 5 years of experience; has passed a written exam; and has oversight responsibilities in permitting, inspections, and enforcement of; electrical and alarm codes; or a combination of 5 years as an active registered electrical contractor; or a combination of 5 years as an active registered electrical specialty contractor, or electrical alarm contractor or licensed as a building code administrator pursuant to Chapter 489, Part 12 of the Florida statute with oversight responsibilities with permitting, inspections and enforcement of electrical and alarm codes, meets the experience required for a Certified Registered License in the appropriate category.

Some discussion came up as to why an inspector may want to become a certified registered electrical contractor. Ken explained that this licensed is limited to only what your license is registered for and that the new Certified Registered Electrical Contractor licensee is limited; however, the individual may do work anywhere in the State. This bill will not allow a municipality to refuse to reciprocate an individual’s license. Discussion took place on previous experiences with licensing authorities where individuals have been denied the right to take Certified examinations.

Discussion on experience and combination of experience took place. Block exam and NAI are some of the tests that are comparable for experience. Discussion on inactive status and what the requirements are. It is noted that there are some miss communications with the State concerning licenses. Ken commented that if your license is inactive, you are not required to have insurance. Dick Widera commented on some of the inconsistency of the various State Boards.


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Ken addressed how to request an application to become a Certified Registered Electrical Contractor. Ken also suggested that everyone should request a copy of the current Chapter 489.
The latest version is October 1999. Discussion on the alarm and security work was brought up. The ER Electrical Contractor can run a raceway system and they cannot install the end use device.

Ken reiterated that this license will only allow you to do what you are licensed to do now, except that you may do so throughout the State of Florida

Discussion on historical background of the ER and registered alarm contractors, how the licensing came about and requirements.

The Chair and the Division thanked Ken for his time and explanation of the new statute.


3.The Division reviewed the Minutes of the September General Meeting. A motion by Dick Widera to accept the minutes as printed was made and Nelson Montgomery made a second. All were in favor of acceptance of the minutes as read.

Accepted by the Secretary and on file are the following: a copy of a new bulletin by the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County for adoption of the ’99 National Electrical Code; copy of the statute referencing 489-514; transfer from electronic media, current Suncoast Division Membership Roster.

4.The Treasurer made his report with a total income of $883.00 and total disbursements of $620.00. A balance remains that leaves the Division financially sound. Dick Widera seconded a motion made by Nelson Montgomery to accept the Treasure’s report as read. All were in favor.


5.OLD BUSINESS: None at this time

6.NEW BUSINESS: Dick Widera took to the floor to inform the Division that the Executive Committee meeting for the Florida Chapter will take place on January 8,2000 at the Cocoa Beach Hilton, in Cocoa Beach. The Florida Chapter meeting is in May, 11th, 12th and 13th. Dick also mentioned the NFPA meeting that will be held at the same time. The Southern Section Meeting will be October 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th in Georgia. Dick informed that Joe Bolesina will peruse the situation in upcoming weeks. Dick also reported that he has scheduled the Harborview for 2 - 8 hour seminars to be held on February 19th and August 19th.
Jimmy Stallcup will do the August 19th seminar and possibly Mark Ode will do the February 19th seminar.

Dick brought up some of the code proposals that were made by Tarry Baker to the Florida Building Code Commission and Dick explained that the reason the proposals were submitted was so that the Department of Community Affairs would recognize the IAEI. Tarry asked for Dick Widera’s authorization; cleared it through the Chapter Fiscal Affairs Committee, and Tarry submitted these proposals. It was not thought that these proposals would ever pass.
Dick requested that anyone who has any input concerning the Florida Building Code, submit their comments by October 27th. Discussion on some of the various proposals took place.

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Dick discussed one particular proposal asking that a shunt trip be accepted as a service disconnecting means. Dick commented that from a Code viewpoint, sees no problem with this as long as the energizing circuitry for that shunt trip system is not dependant upon the Utility; another words, you have a backup system of some kind so that the shunt trip system will work on, so when the utility system goes down you still have a way to have a main disconnect means.

The exterior disconnect means, by the meter, as required by the City of Hollywood and Broward County was also discussed. This originated in the City of Hollywood because of the transient population in Florida many years ago, the City Officials, the Fire Department, and the Police Department mandated a main disconnect by the meter so as to shut the power off in time of emergency or storms.

Dick discussed the surge arrestor issue being mandated for zone C, the service lateral and metering equipment, Dick has inquired how do you protect zone B and zone A. Who is responsible when equipment is lost and the surge arrestor did not protect that equipment. Dick noted that it is surge suppressing that is critical down stream from the surge arrestor. If surge arrestors are mandated Statewide, Dick comments that someone needs to mandate surge suppression as well.

The CE mark was briefly mentioned. The Florida Chapter is supporting Tarry Baker with his upcoming trip to Washington DC November 9th, to attend a meeting concerning this issue.
Joe Bolesina further explained what the self-certification by manufacturers means; additionally, Joe summarized a law that has been passed by the State of Virginia to protect the Electrical Inspector should these products enter the US market. Basically the law says that the inspector goes only to the disconnect and is not responsible for the equipment after the disconnect. This law would reduce the Inspector liability. Mac Mc Donald has seen this mark on equipment at the airport.

Discussion was initiated by Pat Feighan concerning the cable utility attaching to the service riser. Reference was made to 230-28 stating that the cable utility cannot attach to the service riser.

Dick Widera brought to the Division attention that CSA does not have a requirement to put a HACR listing on any circuit breakers. Dick explained that after speaking with an engineer, if a breaker fails a short circuit and overload test, it will fail the HACR test and vice versa. Dick discovered that there is no extra mechanism inside these breakers to give it a HACR rating. Reference was made to U.L. 449 standard.

7.Joe Bolesina informed the Division of a request by the IEC for donation to pick up the cost of books for new apprentices this coming term. Roughly $1,500.00 is needed. Joe Bolesina made a motion to allot $2,000.00 for new codebooks for the IEC apprentices. A second was observed by Nelson Montgomery. All were in favor. No further discussion at this time.
Ruben Rocha asked if we should stipulate what the funds are to be used for. Ralph Philbrook said these funds are for Codebooks.

8.Jim Yost moved to adjourn, with a seconded voiced. All were in favor. At 2:35pm, the Suncoast Division adjourned.