INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS
FLORIDA CHAPTER SUNCOAST DIVISION
________________________________________

November 13, 2008
City of Safety Harbor

20 Suncoast Division Members
2 Guest

1. Chairman Gene Swisher commenced the Suncoast Division meeting at 1:31 PM following the Pledge to the Flag, introductions, and recognition of a first time guest, Justin Halsema with Ideal Industries.

Our esteemed colleague Dick Widera, with Intertek/ETL was present. Dick was warmly welcomed.


2. The minutes from the October meeting and the September meetings were reviewed by the membership. A minor correction was duly noted by the Secretary and will be reflected before publication.
Dick Widera motioned for acceptance of the minutes with corrections and Neal Burdick voiced a second to accept. All were in favor

3. Secreatry Christlieb made his report from long to brief. On file with the Secretary is an article discussing LED sources of light. Also on file is an article discussing Electrical Code upgrades could save thousands. On file with the secretary is e –mail received describing the October 14th Electrical TAC motion and discussion.

The Nominating Committee was discussed. The current officer Slate for 2009 is:

President: Gene Swisher
1ST Vice President: John Sheesley
2nd Vice President: Gary Snodgrass
3rd Vice President:
Secretary: Robert S Christlieb
Treasurer:
Chairman for the Board of Directors is: Paul Cameron
Acting Chairman for the Bard of Directors: Nelson Montgomery

The 3rd Vice-president Position remains to be nominated and the treasurer remains open for nomination.

Secretary discussed the 2009 Meeting Schedule. Once all dates are confirmed, the Secretary will forward the 2009 schedule to the membership.



4. OLD BUISNESS: The October 14th TAC Committee was discussed. Discussion on the glitch Code also took place and noted was the lack of time available to review the NEC.

Gene Swisher received an e-mail and a response conveyed that the concerns were taken under advisement and forwarded to the DBPR and DCA. The Committee meeting seemed to not have the intention to present the new CODE to the Commission.

At the TAC committee meeting, many individuals, inspectors, manufacturers spoke on behalf of acceptance of the CODE. Voting each time, the TAC committee did not approve acceptance of the CODE.

Much more disgust took place concerning the TAC committee’s inability to approve the 2008 CODE.

Expressed was the TAC committee not being prepared to approve the 2008 Code? Combination Arc Fault, tamper resistant receptacles and weather resistant receptacles. A $1,200.00 cost was determined to be a generally agreed cost average per house for the new CODE changes.

Reference was made to the current IAEI Magazine November /December issue. “What Price for Life” on page 14.

Noted at the TAC committee meeting there were no speakers in opposition to the adoption of the 2008 National Electrical Code. Many trade associations spoke. Discussion about how the document has been available for 14 months and that Governor Crist had assigned a task to be completed.

Further discussion ensued. This is a political situation. The Florida legislation has verbage that states to adopt current addition of the National Electrical Code. Since the advent of the Florida Building Commission, the electrical industry does not have representation. This may become a Governors office issue. Referencing the IAEI Article concerning the State of Ohio.

It is a political situation where politics has to be made to wake up. At the January Board of Directors meeting, further discussion will take place.

Safety and good industry practice is no substitute.

The next round of hearings is in December and next in February. It is the hope that many voices will be present to convey their concerns.

Dick Widera recommended researching the history of AFCI protection since adoption of use for the AFCI circuit breaker, to see what the safety history has been. Dick conveyed he would start to look into the history. Dick conveyed that the adoption of the 2008 NEC will be brought up at the State IAEI Board of Directors meeting.

Discussion on sending e- mails and concerns were expressed. Suggestions were made to protocol and procedure for doing so.

Simply, politics are the way to get the 2008 Code adopted and implemented. Why should money dictate the cost of a life? Conveyed, there is never a specific answer given.

It is the best scenario for concerned persons to approach this issue via group action and political awareness.

Secretary Christlieb presented an article from NFPA journal with general cost breakdown per square foot of a house. Basically, the larger the house, the lower the cost. There is a 90 page document available from the Ohio Chapter Neal Burdick conveyed its availability from a website. Secretary Christlieb stated that homeowners spend $20,000 on a door that $1,200 for additional electrical safety in a house is nothing. This is a political issue to get involved. The adoption if the 2008 CODE is a benefit for everyone involved. Primarily the consumer.

Tug Worthington suggested the Suncoast Division draft a letter. This brought about a different aspect of discussion. A motion was called for, however discussion made other considerations to be concerned with


5. A motion was presented. A motion made to draft a letter from the Suncoast Division to the Board of Directors for the Florida IAE Chapter to adopt the 2008 National Electrical Code in its entirety without any deletions or omissions.

A first motion was made by Neal Burdick and a second made by Herbert Kimbrell.

All were in favor of this action with no member opposed.

5. NEW BUSINESS: Guest speaker was Justin Halsema from Ideal Industries. He presented various testing tools and spoke briefly about circuit testers that are available. He presented brochures and passed around various testers for the membership to tinker with. There were some questions forwarded to Justin.
A voltage drop tester was also presented. There were some questions cornering this testing device. Calibration and testing standards were also inquired about. It was suggested that all measuring equipment should be sent back once a year for calibration. All though in the real world, this almost never happens. Justin was thanked for his presentation.

6. Ken with GCA discussed some available cable assemblies.

Private providers were discussed. Concerns were vehemently expressed. Licensing per state statutes is required. There are 3 avenues for audits concerning private providers.

Discussion on installing a sta-con crimp to stranded wire is not acceptable as a means of grounding.

7. AT 3:30 PM a motion made by Dick Widera to adjourn was seconded by Charlie Zito. In favor, the Suncoast Division agreed.