BEE 5 Require Continuing Education for Code Officials and Home Inspectors
Require that building code officials and home inspectors receive regular continuing education to properly enforce current state and local requirements that are intended to prevent drowning, entrapment, and electrocution.
Spectrum level: Changing Organizational Practices Influencing Policy and Legislation
Evidence level: Low
Rationale:
When inspectors stay up to date on safety regulations, codes and laws for the pools and spas they inspect (both residential and commercial), these aquatic settings will be safer. Increasing the number of safe pools and spas in compliance with federal, state and local laws and codes will most certainly help save lives.
Anticipated Impact:
After implementing this recommendation, you can expect to experience the following outcomes.
- Inspectors who are stay up to date on the safety codes, regulations and laws for the pools and spas they inspect (both residential and commercial).
- Safer pools and spas (both residential and commercial) due to more effective enforcement by inspectors.
- Greater number of pools and spas in compliance with federal, state and local laws and codes.
Evidence:
Recommendations from organizations like ASTM, ICC-ISPSC, etc. support this concept, as well as trade associations like the Pool & Hot Tub Association. Additionally, continuing education classes are in place and implementd in many jurisdictions (WV, VA, MD, FL, etc.).
Evidence Sources:
Where are the ASTM, ICC-ISPSC , trade association and PHTA recommendations, and the examples of continuing education?
High Risk Populations Addressed:
All populations can benefit from implementation of this recommendation.
The population whose risk of drowning decreases the most with the implementation of this recommendation is children.
Evaluation Metrics:
Indicators of long-term impact:
- Decrease in drowning at both residential and commercial pools and spas.
Indicators of intermediate impact:
- Increase in the number of inspectors who are knowledgable about the the latest updates to pool and spa codes, regulations, and laws
Implementation:
Consider the following to ensure successful implementation:
- Accomplish "buy in” from professional organizations and trade associations (e.g. a requirement for membership).
- Develop well trained, qualified and effective instructors (with all support materials properly prepared and maintained).
- Consider costs and an effective venue for continuing education (ICC annual conference, state code official conferences, home inspector conferences, industry trade shows like Pool & Spa Expo, Northeast Pool & Spa Show, the Southwest Pool & Spa Show, and local chapter events between code inspectors and industry, water safety community).
- Inform code and building Inspectors about groups like the NDPA, Families United, the CPSC Pool Safely Campaign, as well as the resources that exist to support drowning prevention (PHTA/ICC class on ISPSC).
Challenges to Implementation:
When implementing this recommendation, you might encounter challenges related to the following factors.
- Continuing education may be costly.
- Determining the time interval for the continuing education may be difficult.
Potential Facilitators:
The following factors might facilitate the implementation of this recommendation.
- Consensus among stakeholders on the content and best practices in motivating learning and subsequently enforcing.
- Well-trained instructors with uniform materials that are regularly updated.
- Focus on state and local differences to enhance know about what is required in different jurisdictions.
- Build the interval for training and education into what already exists for inspectors and officials as to how often they must renew their license with a specified amount of CE credits.