Another year has passed since I became your CEO and Executive Director. Two years and you would think I would have learned all about the operation of the International Association of Electrical Inspectors by now. Things just keep changing! Just when I think I have a handle on a situation something else comes along. Get the roof repaired and it leaks somewhere else. Just getting around to learning the 2002 National Electrical Code and out comes the 2005! Things are always changing. As I said two years ago in my first editorial—Yesterday things where different, today things are different again. Yes, changes are everywhere. Nothing seems to stay the same. Costs go up and so do fees. I sometimes wonder if changes are good or necessary, but I realize that progress brings about changes. I have never been a history buff, but I guess I have been around long enough to have lived through and even made some history myself. To reflect back and contemplate what has been done in the past can prepare us for the changes now and help us plan for changes in the future.
For those of you that took the time to complete the survey from the last issue of the IAEI News and send it back to the International Office, Thank You! Your responses will help IAEI prepare for the future so the changes that will surely come will not be so onerous. If you have not returned the survey, please do so now. We need your response. We are already gleaning some positive information from those of you that have returned your survey. We are finding out that most of you are not as old as we thought. That means that there are people out there who will keep this association going and growing for many years to come. We are also learning that we are doing better in our Customer Service endeavors. A more detailed analysis will be presented at the annual section meetings.
Now that our 75th anniversary celebration and joint meeting is history, we are back to the regular schedule of section meetings. I hope that you have made plans to attend your section meeting this year. Everyone is invited. The meetings will be a great place to network with fellow inspectors, contractors, manufactures, suppliers, and other electrical industry people. Special emphasis for most will be on the 2005 edition of the NEC and the Analysis. The Canadian Section meeting will also offer an opportunity to learn and share. New opportunities to learn the Canadian Electrical Code will be showcased at this year’s convention.
As I mentioned before, it’s that time again. Time to learn the new changes in the NEC. After just over two years since the 2005 NEC process began we will begin studying and learning about the changes in the new code. The 2005 National Electrical Code is the 50th edition and it will be available in early September 2004. This 50th edition continues the custom of significantly revising the NEC to keep pace with emerging technologies and providing protection against shock hazards and electrical fires. Congratulation and thanks to NFPA for the long history of producing the Code. In this issue of the IAEI News are some highlights of the many changes. Speaking of NFPA, our immediate past CEO & Executive Director, Phil Cox, was honored by the editors of the NEC Handbook by dedicating the 2005 edition to him. Congratulations, Phil!
IAEI is continuing the tradition of producing the best and most widely recognized as the most superior analysis of the many changes for the 2005 edition of the NEC. Many people have helped in the development of this edition of the Analysis of Changes. The many IAEI code panel members have contributed what they felt were significant changes from their panels. Phil Cox has taken that information and has been the lead person in writing the text. He has had help from many others including Mike Johnston who was responsible for the illustrations and pictures used throughout he book. I will not try to mention all who have contributed to this edition because I will surely leave somebody out but special thanks to NFPA, Mark Earley and his staff for their cooperation and input.
Now that the work is done and the Analysis will be available by the time you receive this issue of the News, you should make plans to attend a seminar or workshop. The annual section meetings in your area will be an excellent opportunity for you to begin to get acquainted with the many changes in the 2005 NEC.
The more things change, the more they stay the same. IAEI in corporation with NFPA will again have a limited number of free 2005 NECs for those loyal members that have maintained their membership continuously for the last three years. Those of you that qualify, be on the lookout for a special card that you can return to the International Office and a code book will be shipped to you. We are asking that you pay for shipping. Also, be on the lookout for a special offer included with the free NEC. There are a limited number of code books so don’t delay because once they are gone—they are gone. For those of you who haven’t maintained continuous membership over the last three years or are new members, stay with us and you will be eligible next cycle.
I hope to see you all at your annual Section meeting. Everyone is invited. See you there!
