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Inspector Mike®
- Location
- Mike P. Columbus Ohio
- Occupation
- ESI, PI, RBO
I would like your opinions on an article that I recently read in the Builder Update
The following was copied from: http://www.biahomebuilders.com/Builder Update/Dec08 Builder Update.pdf
Ohio Board of Building Standards
This column is based on the Ohio Home Builders Association report regarding the November 7 Ohio Board of Building Standards hearing.
At the Board of Building Standards (BBS) meeting on Friday, November 7, the Board held a public hearing on the 2008 Electric Code and the 2006 Energy Code. Most of the testimony was presented regarding the Electric Code. The hearing included testimony from OHBA President Charlie Simms and OHBA Past President
Charlie Ruma. Builders were outnumbered at the hearing by Ohio electrical inspectors and representatives of NEMA and NECA. However, points about problems with the NEC and its adoption seemed to be well received by the Board. Charlie Simms explained OHBA?s position that the Residential Code Advisory Committee (RCAC) acted improperly when it adopted the recommendation of the 2008 NEC and that now is not the right time in the industry to increase costs and regulations. Charlie Ruma added to the testimony by explaining that housing starts will be the lowest he has seen in his experience as a homebuilder. Additionally, Charlie Simms advocated for the Board to reject the recommendation of the RCAC and, at the very least, a delay in the implementation of the code until 2010.
Testimony from electrical inspectors and representatives of NEMA and NECA downplayed significantly the role of the homebuilder in the state?s economy. Many inspectors disregarded the disappointing housing starts information given by builder representatives. Most advocates of the NEC testified that the housing market was no reason to delay adopting regulations on builders.
One representative of the electrical industry remarked that builders should not charge as much for homes. He quipped that since builders set the prices for homes in the market, they should simply lower the prices.
Another remarked that if a homebuyer did not order granite countertops for the home it would not be a big deal to pay for AFCI and GFCI upgrades. Another said that if people cannot afford a Cadillac, they should not try to buy one. This misguided attitude was a theme of the testimony that was heard all day.
Additionally, no evidence was presented, once again, to show the correlation of increased safety and the 2008 NEC. Many people testified that the new code increases safety, but none had any evidence to prove that fact. The Board will have a final vote on the rules at its December meeting.
The Board also conducted a hearing on a petition filed by OHBA and BIA Past President Bill Fannin, Jr. The petition asked that the Board rescind its action adopting the 2008 NEC. Jim Zengel gave testimony to the Board stating the role of the RCAC in the adoption of the Code. After some opponent testimony by electrical inspectors, the Board made a motion to deny the petition. The result of the Board vote was 6-3 in favor of denying the petition. Fred Mills, Doug Scholtz and Kurt Schmitt voted for OHBA. The following voted against OHBA: Chairman Gerry Holland, Jennifer Coleman, Joseph Denk, Michael Morgan, Steve Kasarnich and Dave Smith. Members Gerry Bird and Beryl Rothschild were not present
for the vote.
OHBA is strongly encouraging members to contact the Board of Building Standards members to express opposition to the Electrical Code. If you plan to do so, please contact me. We have specific information related
to the current housing start information that would be beneficial to our argument. Cost of compliance as well as available AFCI materials are also vital information to include in any correspondence. Additionally, contact
your electricians to determine their position on this very important issue.
The following was copied from: http://www.biahomebuilders.com/Builder Update/Dec08 Builder Update.pdf
Ohio Board of Building Standards
This column is based on the Ohio Home Builders Association report regarding the November 7 Ohio Board of Building Standards hearing.
At the Board of Building Standards (BBS) meeting on Friday, November 7, the Board held a public hearing on the 2008 Electric Code and the 2006 Energy Code. Most of the testimony was presented regarding the Electric Code. The hearing included testimony from OHBA President Charlie Simms and OHBA Past President
Charlie Ruma. Builders were outnumbered at the hearing by Ohio electrical inspectors and representatives of NEMA and NECA. However, points about problems with the NEC and its adoption seemed to be well received by the Board. Charlie Simms explained OHBA?s position that the Residential Code Advisory Committee (RCAC) acted improperly when it adopted the recommendation of the 2008 NEC and that now is not the right time in the industry to increase costs and regulations. Charlie Ruma added to the testimony by explaining that housing starts will be the lowest he has seen in his experience as a homebuilder. Additionally, Charlie Simms advocated for the Board to reject the recommendation of the RCAC and, at the very least, a delay in the implementation of the code until 2010.
Testimony from electrical inspectors and representatives of NEMA and NECA downplayed significantly the role of the homebuilder in the state?s economy. Many inspectors disregarded the disappointing housing starts information given by builder representatives. Most advocates of the NEC testified that the housing market was no reason to delay adopting regulations on builders.
One representative of the electrical industry remarked that builders should not charge as much for homes. He quipped that since builders set the prices for homes in the market, they should simply lower the prices.
Another remarked that if a homebuyer did not order granite countertops for the home it would not be a big deal to pay for AFCI and GFCI upgrades. Another said that if people cannot afford a Cadillac, they should not try to buy one. This misguided attitude was a theme of the testimony that was heard all day.
Additionally, no evidence was presented, once again, to show the correlation of increased safety and the 2008 NEC. Many people testified that the new code increases safety, but none had any evidence to prove that fact. The Board will have a final vote on the rules at its December meeting.
The Board also conducted a hearing on a petition filed by OHBA and BIA Past President Bill Fannin, Jr. The petition asked that the Board rescind its action adopting the 2008 NEC. Jim Zengel gave testimony to the Board stating the role of the RCAC in the adoption of the Code. After some opponent testimony by electrical inspectors, the Board made a motion to deny the petition. The result of the Board vote was 6-3 in favor of denying the petition. Fred Mills, Doug Scholtz and Kurt Schmitt voted for OHBA. The following voted against OHBA: Chairman Gerry Holland, Jennifer Coleman, Joseph Denk, Michael Morgan, Steve Kasarnich and Dave Smith. Members Gerry Bird and Beryl Rothschild were not present
for the vote.
OHBA is strongly encouraging members to contact the Board of Building Standards members to express opposition to the Electrical Code. If you plan to do so, please contact me. We have specific information related
to the current housing start information that would be beneficial to our argument. Cost of compliance as well as available AFCI materials are also vital information to include in any correspondence. Additionally, contact
your electricians to determine their position on this very important issue.