THE FIELD PROGRAM: SERVING NEMA MEMBERS AND PROMOTING PUBLIC SAFETY

Transcription

1 THE FIELD PROGRAM: SERVING NEMA MEMBERS AND PROMOTING PUBLIC SAFETY Program Mission NEMA s field representative program serves NEMA members by promoting the use and adoption of the National Electrical Code (NEC ) and by monitoring regional developments of importance to the electroindustry. As advocates of safe electrical systems and installations, NEMA field representatives also make a valuable contribution to the public safety. NEMA Field Representatives Convey NEMA positions to members of the International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI). Participate in local electrical code revision processes to promote sound safety regulations. Serve as NEC workshop instructors and promote the understanding of new product installation methods. Maintain contact with electrical inspection authorities to ensure the proper use of electrical products. Communicate valuable feedback from installers, contractors, builders, and other endusers of electrical products to member manufacturers. Ready to Inform and to Act. In addition to their involvement with the NEC and state and local adoption of electrical codes, the NEMA Field Representatives track the progress of state and local laws affecting the electroindustry in areas such as energy, environment, and product certification. For example: Northeast Field Rep Gil Moniz: Gil Moniz promotes the adoption of the NEC throughout the Northeast as a member of the Massachusetts Electrical Code Advisory Committee, Rhode Island Electrical Code Advisory Committee, New York State

2 Residential Code Technical Subcommittee, and the New York City Electrical Code Revisions and Interpretations Committee. West Coast Field Rep Joe Andre: After many years of working with the State of Idaho s Electrical Board, Idaho will adopt the 2011 National Electrical Code (NEC) which is scheduled to take effect in July This will include the full provisions of the 2011 NEC for AFCI protection. Joe serves on the ICC Energy Code Committee for the Commercial portion of the IECC for the 2015 Edition, which is a Group B code. He will keep NEMA updated on ICC activities as proposals and hearings are presented during the year. Paul Abernathy joined NEMA s Field Representative Program for the Southern Section on March 26, Paul has over 22 years of experience in the electrical industry as an electrician, electrical contractor, electrical inspector and author and educator to the electrical code industry. Paul is currently certified by the International Code Council (ICC) in residential inspections of building, plumbing, and mechanical and of course electrical being his specialty. He is also ICC certified as an Electrical Plans Examiner and Commercial Electrical Inspector. We welcome Paul to the NEMA family. Midwest Field Rep Don Iverson: Don spoke at the Clean Fuels Ohio (CFO) conference on behalf of NEMA s Electrical Vehicle Section to encourage the installation of charging infrastructures in new buildings, as well as retrofitting older ones. He also urged local and state governments to advocate for these installations. Don continuously promotes the awareness and use of the NEMA brochure on Evaluating Water Damaged Electrical Equipment at his meetings to make the Midwestern States aware of the dangers of using electrical products damaged during the seasonal storms or sudden change in the weather. An example is the Souris River of Minot, North Dakota which overflowed the levees in 2011 and thousands had to be evacuated. The brochure proved to be a valuable resource for contractors and inspectors during this time of reconstruction to make the homes of North Dakota a safer place to live and help Minot reclaim its Magic City reputation. What members and others are saying... The NEMA Field Reps are additional feet on the street for all NEMA members. Whether it s a code adoption problem in a particular jurisdiction, a technical issue, support at a public hearing, or knowing the right person to contact to get something done, they provide an invaluable service and have their arms wrapped around a vast number of issues that affect NEMA members. Their Field Reports keep manufacturers tuned in to questions and concerns relating to our products. One of the best values NEMA provides. Elaine Thompson, Allied Tube "As the 2008 NEC adoption process began at the State and municipal level, it became abundantly clear that the NEMA Field Representatives were fully prepared to play a critical role

3 in helping adopt the NEC with requirements important to our industry. They know the process, the people and have the ability to organize our advocacy. They are a "priceless" resource. Jack Wells, Pass & Seymour/Legrand The NEMA Field Reps provide Thomas & Betts Corporation a wealth of real world knowledge of the electrical industry. They have become our sounding board for applications information for new products and help us focus on the opportunities. They provide us in depth knowledge of the inspection community perspective on new products during our product development process. We recently used their expertise in the 2008 NEC development cycle for the development of a draft NEMA position against further NEC CMP action in 2011 to require "listed" cable support hardware, including cable ties Greg Steinman, Thomas & Betts "The NEMA Field Representatives have been a true asset to Thomas & Betts, other NEMA Members and the electrical industry. These dedicated individuals have resolved electrical issues throughout the years without a complaint, without hesitation and even while on vacation. They have educated contractors, inspectors, users and me on the benefits and safe use of electrical products and installations. Their dedication to the development and education of codes and standards is unprecedented. The NEMA Field Representative program is a major reason that Thomas & Betts is a member of NEMA." David Kendall, Thomas & Betts Joe Andre has been helpful. I asked him to give a presentation to the Southern Nevada IAEI (I'm a board member with the group), and he did a great presentation on the 2008 code changes. Joe is also really good about keeping me informed about code and policy changes going on in the Western U.S. I should really call on him more often, and I plan to in the future. Christel Hunter, Alcan The NEMA Field Representatives have been a valuable asset to Galvan as we continue to introduce new products to the electrical industry. New products are the key to differentiating ourselves from the balance of the industry. New products improve the electrical industry, yet they often require education of the product and related code changes as they are implemented. On several occasions we have requested the NEMA Field Reps work with distribution, contractors and electrical inspectors to assist in the application of these items. And on other occasions they educate us as a manufacturer to potential problems and/or opportunities with design and or compliance issues. The job could be achieved without their assistance, but at the expense of time and money. But the fact that they see a variety of people throughout the country who are faced with similar or unique situations, involved with code panels during the code proposal cycles, and have years of experience with allied products makes our job easier and more readily acceptable to the customer. Roger Montambo, Galvan Electric "Southwire Company could not replicate across the United States the services provided by the field rep program. Each field rep works at the local level supporting inspectors and contractors on the behalf of NEMA members. Every time that I have called for assistance, the field rep is always willing to aid in resolving local issues whether it is educating me on local practices or providing guidance to the local inspector or contractor on the proper use of my product. The

4 local field rep knows who to contact to resolve issues as quickly as possible. Southwire's direct access to the field reps with their local relationships are invaluable." Dave Mercier, Southwire One of the more important roles that the Field Reps play is that of representative of the manufacturers at Code hearings including the National arena, major cities, and local jurisdictions. Field Reps have presented NEMA s positions at the NEC and the ICC revision process as well as at city and state code hearings such as New York State and city, Ohio, Wisconsin, Ft. Worth, and numerous others across the country. This effort promotes the uniform adoption of electrical codes and in doing so the standardization of electrical products. George Straniero, AFC Cable As a board member of the Roger Williams Chapter of the International Association of Electrical Inspectors as well as State Electrical Inspector for the State of Rhode Island it gives me great pleasure to write about such a respected man in our industry. Gil has been and continues to be a valuable asset to our chapter as he always finds time to be a guest speaker at our meetings and when needed always helps to get us speakers. He sat as a consultant on the Rhode Island Bldg. Codes and Standards Subcommittee for the adoption of the 2005 and the 2008 NEC Code cycles. Gil has always been ready to help me with code interpretations on many occasions. He is an asset to us all. NEMA can be proud that they are well represented by Mr. Gil Moniz. Robert F. Raimbeault, Electric Inspector for the State of Rhode Island Meet NEMA s Field Representatives Joe Andre, West Coast Field Office th Drive SE, Bothell, WA tel: fax: joe.andre@nema.org Region: AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, OR, UT, WA Donald Iverson, Midwest Field Office 1102 S. Eifert Road, Mason, MI tel: fax: don.iverson@nema.org Region: WY, CO, ND, SD, NE, KS, MN, IA, MO, AR, WI, IL, MI, IN, KY, OH, WV Paul Abernathy, Southern Field Office Herndon Road, VA tel: Cell: Paul.Abernathy@nema.org Region: TX, OK, LA, MS, TN, AL, FL, GA, SC, NC, VA

5 Gil Moniz, Northeast Field Office 23 Circuit Street, New Bedford MA tel: fax: Region: ME, NH, VT, NY, MA, RI, CT, NJ, PA, MD, DE, DC For more information, including a sample trip report, visit Or, contact Vince Baclawski at (703) or vin_baclawski@nema.org.