Regulations. Everyone hates regulations until they see a need for them. As a plumber for more than 30 years, I have been trained and tested to multiple codes and standards since I’ve been in this industry. A common saying is, “The plumber protects the health of the nation.” Can we protect the nation without well-thought-out codes and rules to follow? Everyone knows a “jack of all trades and master of none” who can go to a warehouse store, buy anything that has to do with residential plumbing, and install it according to the advice of a store employee, who until last week was selling roofing products. These situations are nightmares waiting to happen. Regulations are a necessity and protect the general public. Ask the people of Flint, Mich. if they think there should be less oversight of their drinking water. Ask anyone who has lost a loved one because of a medical gas system malfunction. With no rules, regulations, or codes, the civilized world wouldn’t be as safe as it is today. Don’t get me wrong, there is always room for improvement. I sit on the NFPA 99 Health Care Facilities Code technical committee. At one of the first meetings I attended, another committee member said that NFPA 99 is never going to be a finished document. That statement is very true – it will always need to be revised. We add content, and by the next cycle, we may tweak it or change it completely. That is how it’s done. As a craftsperson, if you find a way to make something better or safer, you must take the extra step.
The 2018 ASSE International Annual Meeting is fast approaching! If you haven’t been in a few years, I invite you to come see the changes we’ve made. If you’ve never been, I would love to be the one to introduce you to the movers and shakers of the industry. Come to the beautiful state of Florida and see what ASSE can teach you about the piping industry. I look forward to meeting you on the beach (after our meetings, of course)!
