GOOOOOD MORNING, A.I.I.....
It's a great day here in Orem, Utah! Are you looking forward to this coming weekend? We will all be climbing into our vehicles and boarding the airplanes headed for the glorious northwestern portion of Oregon later this week. The airport Holiday Inn is once again being invaded by this wonderful group of inspectors. Portland always has rain waiting for us and the hotel is perfectly situated away from any outside distractions.
Distractions are a common occurrence when we have the meetings in Reno and Las Vegas. Gambling always takes center stage for the after hours activities and the hotel common areas are on full sensory overload with lights and sounds as well as cigarette smoke. I know that many inspectors smoke, but it will be good to once again be at a place where one can sit down and relax. The hotel where this will be held has a wonderful inside area complete with a fountain and indoor pool. The lights are steady and nobody is stressing over hitting a jackpot.
The last time I visited this hotel I put on a 3D software training in one of the upstairs conference rooms. We locked the door to the room at lunch time and it required a crow bar to once again get inside the room. We plugged in all of the computers that morning and all of the power went dead. It seems that the small circuit providing power to the room was not equipped for 15 computer systems to be connected to it. As a result, we had to run power via extension cords from other rooms. The extension cords running out the door are what caused the door to the room to get stuck and needing the attention of the crow bar for room access.
I look forward to seeing old friends as well as making new acquaintances. Don't be shy about wearing your name badge around the event. It will help with conversation because we all are strangers to a majority of the participants. Having the name badge will allow others to look at your name and then realize that you were the adventurous one that said that whacked out comment about the whatchamacallit on the AII Inspector Hotline. Wearing your name badge will be a great benefit to others even if you think that you are so well known that a name badge is not required.
I'm getting all excited, yet my plane does not leave until Thursday at 11 am. I am getting there early and staying until Monday morning. If you plan on bending my ear, Thursday afternoon and evening as well as Friday are the best times. If you are wondering about my stress levels, well they are currently very high because of the preparations needed for my training on Sunday. I believe that the Electrical Outlet Efficiency Test training will be a well spent afternoon.
BLATANT SELF ADVERTISEMENT - Those of you that are taking advantage of the first time $55 fee for the training and testing will find the information well worth your investment. Those of you waiting until the day of the event to pay for the training and testing will be shocked (all pun intended) at the increased $255 fee. The $55 is only for those who gave the training credibility before the event. Never again will it be put on for so little. If you are sitting on the fence and thinking..... "I'll watch the training and then decide, then I will be glad to accept the additional $200 admission investment." If you have decided to hop off the fence, then give Betty a call at the AII office to pre-register for the testing portion of my training.
Excuse: I've got the gorts from sitting so much (that's when the blood in your veins turns to lead in your tush!) Jim Lucas - Camino, Ca
I know that the most common line heard at AII Annual Meetings is "I forgot to bring that thing to show you!" Packing for the trip is always fun for me. I always over pack and yet end up using most of what I bring. It seems that people always want to see my technology as well as help them with their systems. Therefore, my list is much different than yours. I gave this some thought and came up with this "Must Have" list.
QUARTERS - For those of you who still struggle with using words such as "Problem", "Concerned about", and "Code Violation" we will have a "Cuss Can" for you to gladly make your contributions. I used to have to bring a roll of quarters and a roll of duct tape. When the quarters were gone I figured that I has spoken enough and then I blocked off the offending orifice with duct tape for the remainder of the conference.
BUSINESS CARDS - You have got to bring along your cards to share with others. Make sure that your area code is on them as well as your e-mail and website. You will be rubbing shoulders with inspectors from all over and it is great to return home with a stack of cards of other inspectors.
COMPANY SHIRTS - Wear your company colors proudly. Your logo or color scheme may inspire others. I always like to see large logo emblazoned jackets. Hats are another great item if you use them in your business.
ADVERTISING STUFF - Bring along samples of advertising items that you have been using. Whether it is Spokane's only trained inspector's company logo toilet paper or Jim Maass' logo golf towel. Don't spend your weekend trying to explain the item when you can just say "Look at this!" Advertising fliers and printed out versions of your website are also great discussion items.
LIST OF QUESTIONS - Don't come to the conference empty handed. Write down a list of the people you want to see and the questions that you want to ask. Don't delay when you are at the conference to see these people and ask the questions that need asking. It sounds silly to make this recommendation, but invariably you end up returning home and realizing that you forgot to bring up an issue.
TOOLS - Bring your tools along , if possible, because you may want to show off or ask a question about a specific tool.
ELECTRICAL TESTERS - Bring along the testers that you have either used, worn out, or discarded. Sundays events center around electricity and you won't want to miss trying out your equipment in my newfangled electrical tester display board.
Not safe to inspect. If people are living in this You have an obligation to report it to the health Department. Ed Strohmeyer - Rocklin, CA
I would inspect it, do the consultation and collect my fee in cash. Michael Travis - Medford, OR
Laugh and enjoy the inspection I was being paid to perform. Betty Buckley - Klamath Falls, OR
I think that I have inspected that house. Ted Harris - Cove, OR
I would kindly ask the buyer if they are sure they want a inspection.
If they do, so be it. Reflect in your report a picture of the structure like it sits. I believe that a Inspector does not want to over state conditions, however in this case it is probably needed. Tom Pittman - Roseburg, OR
Believe it or not I had a realtor who I do alot of business with call me recently and ask if I could do a termite and dry rot inspection on a house that his client wanted to buy as an investment property. Then he went on to warn me that I might want to see it before I committed to doing the inspection. Thinking to myself I thought O.K. it can't be as bad as he's describing. I told him I'd drive by the property on my way home that day. SUPRISE this house was the biggest piece of dozer bait you could ever imagine the foundation literally sat on the ground. Upon entering the smell of urine nearly made me gag at that point I turned and walked out. Walking back to my truck my leg started itching and I proceeded to find a half dozen fleas crawling on my legs. I called the realtor and politely declined the inspection. I'm still having nightmares. Chad Gheen - Springfield, OR
Let's try this again. Last week there was no response box.
Please provide your full name or else we will not know who the response is from.
Every few weeks the question is re-asked about the Cadet heater recall. Inspectors in California, Oregon, and Washington are especially affected by the following information. I have yet to see a Cadet unit here in Utah, but I still found this information helpful. I especially liked the pictures if the affected models. Pictures stick with me whereas the written words find it hard to stick to my hard drive.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging consumers to examine their in-wall electric heaters to determine if they are among the 1.9 million Cadet and Encore brand heaters recalled in February 2000. Although the Cadet Manufacturing Co. heaters were sold and distributed primarily in California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington from about 1978 through 2000, some of the heaters were sold in other states. A four-year old boy died on September 14, 2002, in Alexandria, Va., when one of the recalled Cadet heaters allegedly was involved in a house fire.
CPSC strongly urges consumers to stop using these heaters and have them replaced if they have one of the recalled models. Consumers who had their heaters repaired under Cadet's original program in 1997 still need to get their heaters replaced. Consumers are advised to contact the Cadet informational Hotline or visit their website www.cadetco.com for where to buy replacement heaters.
The following models of Cadet and Encore brands were involved in the February 2000 recall: FW, FX, LX, TK, ZA, Z, RA, RK, RLX, RX, RW and ZC . The brand and model are located on a label on the front of the heat box, behind the grill. Before removing the grill to check the identification label, consumers must turn off the power supply to the heater at the electrical panel board (circuit breaker or fuse box). If power is not turned off, consumers risk electrocution.
CPSC alleged that these Cadet and Encore brand in-wall electric heaters are defective and can overheat and catch fire. Flames, sparks, or molten particles can spew through the front grill cover of the heater into the living area of a residence, putting consumers at risk from fires, including burn injuries, smoke inhalation, and property damage. The heaters and their grills also can become energized, creating a risk of electric shock.
CPSC is aware of more than 320 reports of heaters that smoked, sparked, caught fire, emitted flames, or ejected burning particles or molten materials. These incidents have allegedly resulted in four deaths, two serious burn injuries and property damage claims exceeding $4.3 million, which includes six partial or total house fires.
In January 1999, CPSC filed a lawsuit against Cadet to compel it to recall the heaters. Cadet filed for bankruptcy the same month. Working with the company and its creditors, on February 17, 2000, CPSC and Cadet announced a settlement of the lawsuit and a recall of the heaters. Cadet agreed to make new heaters available to Cadet owners at significantly reduced prices. However, due to Cadet's bankruptcy, the opportunity to obtain discounted heaters expired on February 17, 2002.
Since the heaters pose a fire hazard until they are replaced, consumers should have at least one fully operational smoke detector on every floor of their home, especially near bedrooms. To ensure that the detector's batteries are working, test the detector every month. Consumers also should have a well-defined and rehearsed escape plan and an alternate escape plan in the event of a fire. These recommendations and more are covered in "Your Home Fire Safety Checklist" (a pdf version is also available). You can also have a free copy mailed to you by writing to CPSC, Washington, D.C. 20207.
For more information about the recall, contact Cadet's informational Hotline at (800) 567-2613 anytime or visit the firm's website at www.cadetco.com
http://www.cadetco.com/recall/howtoidentify.htm
IMPORTANT! ALL HEATERS MUST BE INDIVIDUALLY IDENTIFIED!
Although heaters may look the same, wattage and voltage may differ.
WARNING! Before removing grill, turn the electrical power off at the electrical panel board (circuit breaker or fuse box) and lock or tag the panel board door to prevent someone from accidentally turning the power on while you are working on the heater. Failure to do so could result in serious electrical shock, burns, or possible death.
Turn the heater thermostat all the way up and wait approximately 30 seconds. If the heater turns on, you have turned off the wrong circuit breaker at the electrical panel board.
If the heater turns on, you have turned off the wrong circuit breaker at the breaker panel or fuse box.
If heater does not turn on, proceed to step #4.
Remove screws and take off grill.
Locate sticker on heatbox (usually clear sticker with gold lettering). This will have the model of that particular heater.
If the letters FW, FX, LX, TK, ZA, Z, RA, RK, RLX, RW, RX, or ZC appear within the model number (regardless of manufacture or purchase date), your heater was part of the recall program. (Note: X, L, ZM, and RM Model heaters are NOT affected.)
If you are unable to identify the model of your heater, click here for more detailed instructions
I think when my wife sees this picture she will understand why I want a backhoe for christmas. (She thinks i want to drive her around in it). Tom Pittman- Roseburg, Or
The following response went over my head upon first reading, then I chuckled out loud......
Nathan's coffee is getting cold. Michael Travis - Medford, OR
Two water heaters plumbed in series and one converted to elect from gas. Wonder if the gas line is still hooked up to the tall one. I take it the taller one is supposed to be the pressure relief chamber for both water heaters. Can't really tell about the panel on the wall from the photo but looks like an elect line tied into the panel probably double tapped and definitely coming off the front to the water heater. No cover for the elect. panel probably now due to the fact that the new elect wire going directly from the panel to the water heater. Surprised they did not cut a hole in the panel door and then run the wire through, now that could really light up his life. Harvey home owner has really been to town on this one, need more hot water? What a mess. Is the coffee cup there to catch the drip or is it the drips coffee mug who put this contraption together? Marc Gibson - Oregon City OR
Here is Nathan's list of items wrong with this instalation....
NOTE: If you have tenants and hear that they have had one of their utilities disconnected: BE VERY WARY!!!
Nathan Buckley - Klamath Falls, OR
Jim Katen shared the following photo of an item found in the office of an accupuncturist. Do any of you have any idea what it is used for?
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