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By Mike Tobias
Inspectors today are burdened with technical issues and tremendous challenges when inspecting low voltage cabling. Many jurisdictions do not require a permit to be pulled by the information transport systems (ITS) installer and have no idea that a cabling project is even under way. Invariably, it is when the inspector, the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), comes to inspect a building for the regulated crafts that they happen to catch problems associated with the ITS wiring and infrastructure.
Most inspectors have no formal training in high speed network cabling, especially with regard to what makes it function and perform. The AHJ is therefore typically not interested if the network runs at its advertised speed. What does concern the AHJ is placement of cables through fire rated walls/barriers and code issues such as grounding and bonding the system. When violations are present, the AHJ is required to take cOrrective action. That's their job. It is important to remember that the AHJ is a person just like you and me-burdened with tremendous responsibility and held accountable for their performance.
What Does "Qualified Person" Mean?
When an AHJ finds a problem with an ITS installation, the first item of interest is the installer's qualifications, which in itself can be a rather vague proposition. Some installers may show evidence of training and competence, such as BICSI's ITS Installer designation, but this isn't a code requirement.
The current definition of installer qualifications in the 2005 National Electrical Code©
(NEC©) states, "One who has skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of the electrical equipment and installations alld has received safety training on the hazards involved."
Apparently, there is no requirement that the qualified person is required to have any formal training except for minimum safety training requirements. Therefore, most inspectors judge the network cable installer's qualifications by the workmanship seen on the job. As a result, some AH)'s require a written document to substantiate qualifications if the level of quality is in question or if the AHJ is not familiar with a new concept or system recently introduced.
The NEC© definition of a qualified person does not currently require documentation of training, but a lot of inspectors consider it to be common sense to check someone's credentials if their qualifications are in question. If you carry a certification or designation, there should be no questioning that credential. This is why you attend training and strive to be competent.
Perhaps an improved definition of "qualified person" would be as follows: "qualifications to be true by demonstration or evidence." This would prompt the AHJ to ask for and verify credentials, which happens quite often. Therefore, if an installer is trained and is not performing work correctly, the inspector mayor may not accept his credentials. In fact, most inspectors will let you know if your "certified installer" is not doing the job that he or she was trained to do. It is not unusual for a manufacturer to be called by an AHJ when the work of a trained installer is in question. In these cases, the AHJ seeks to correct the problem and ensure the installer is retrained.
If you acquire formal training, use it. If you have no formal training and expect to get by without it, your days on the job could be numbered. If you have formal training, be prepared to furnish verifiable proof of your qualifications to the AHJ if asked. It is also smart to
include your credentials any time you are making submittals
to the AHJ.
Who is the AHJ?
The AHJ comes in the form of many different people. Typical AHJ's are the city and county electrical and structural inspectors. There are also the state fire marshals and federal inspectors who inspect health care facilities funded by Medicare or Medicaid. Their authority is never questioned. Installers should read the fine print in the local code book detailing exactly who the AHJ may be. For example, in the definitions section of the current version of NEC©, there is a footnote on AHJ that catches most people by surprise:
The phrase "Authority Having Jurisdiction" is used in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) documents in a broad manner, since jurisdictions and approval agencies vary, as do their responsibilities. Where public safety is primary, the AHJ may be a federal, state, local or other regional department or individual such as a fire chief, fire marshal, chief of a fire prevention bureau, labor department, health department, building official, electrical inspector, or others having statutory authority. For insurance purposes, an insurance inspection department, rating bureau, or other insurance company representative may be tile AHJ. In many circumstances, the property owner or a designated agent assumes the role of the AHJ; at govemment installations, the commanding officer or department official may be the AHJ.
If the person is in charge, you have no choice except to answer to them. The AH] is ultimately responsible for safety of people in the building and if there is ever a problem, the AHJ is held accountable. It is no wonder that many inspectors seem difficult and some AHJ's find "unqualified" contractors to be annoying.
Strategies for Working with the AHJ
Where you will work with the same inspectors over multiple projects, it is especially important to create a comfort zone for the AHJ. Providing AHJ's with what they need results in smoother inspections—and lower costs—on every project. They all want the same thing, so why not give it to them up front?
Use a pre-approval process. Create or download an AHJ consideration form, which is basically a "request for consideration" form that details location and time of installation, methods and solutions used for firestop, grounding or other installed components that matter to the AHJ. Send this along with other submittal documents. What you might experience is an inspector who respects your ability to convey your intentions on the work to the point that they don't have to inspect. In fact, inspectors are typically shocked by a contractor who even mentions firestop, much less contacting them about the subject. This proactive approach usually impresses AHJs.
How NOT to Treat the AHJ
A man in a three-piece suit carrying a briefcase showed up on a large retrofit jobsite where the installer was removing abandoned cable and installing new network cables. The man had no hardhat and or steel-toed boots. During the wreck-out, the man began to look over the shoulders of the installers and was inquiring about how the contractor was to seal the fire-rated barriers. He introduced himself as being from the insurance company and performing a risk assessment. He was not in uniform and did not have a badge, so the installer quickly dismissed him and escorted him from the jobsite without responding to his request for information.
A week later the same insurance man showed up with the state fire marshal, who immediately red-tagged the doors and evacuated the building on the spot. The insurance man explained to the installer that he had kicked the AHJ off the job a week earlier and that the contractor should read the definition of AHJ in the NEe'. The fire marshal went on to explain that once the jobsite met the concerns of the insurance agent, the fire marshal would be back to perform an inspection on behalf of the state. This is not a good thing-always be courteous and helpful to who at first may be perceived as "stangers" on the jobsite.
In many cases, after an AHJ inspects your work several times, their confidence in your work is such that they ask you to stop seeking permission. They know your work and your commitment, you become automatically preapproved, and your work becomes one less item for the busy AHJ to deal with.
Take photos. An organized set of labeled digital photos with penetrations alphanumerically identified may result in review over a cup of coffee rather than haVing to pull the ladder out and carry it around the building.
Label plans. Assign an alphanumeric identification to each inspection item and have plans on the table. Once the first floor is reviewed by the AHJ, a simple review of the detailed plans may not require inspection of other floors with like solutions.
Conclusion
It is important to know who qualifies as the AHJ, if for nothing else to avoid alienating the person who needs to approve your proieet. The AHJ could be a county inspector or the building owner's secretary, so it is important not to make assumptions about who is on the jobsite. Most inspectors are in the field during the day so the best time to reach them by phone is early morning hours, such as between 7 to 8 a.m.
The receptionist at the state or local government office can usually tell you which official covers your jurisdiction. Submit pre-approval consideration forms along with documentation and submittals. AcqUire manufacturer training and put it to use. Credentials are a good thing to have, either from manufacturers or professional associations such as BICSI. Attend as many courses and classes as you can and you will soon be accustomed to seeing the AHJ smile at you and move on to another jobsite.
Mike Tobias is CEO of Unique Firestop Products, a manufacturer of fire-rated barriers for commercial applications in Robertsdale, AL. Mike can be reached at 877.960.5018 or mtobias@uniquefirestop.com
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