Posted by Wendy Purser on January 28, 2009 at 6:20pm
I met yesterday with 100 code officials here in NC and posted this website for them. I will be meeting two more times with about 100 -150 each time and passing information about the www.poolgeniusnetwork.com.With the VGB work I am doing here in NC, and all the phone calls and questions I get there is no way possible for me to take the time to talk to everyone. Being able to send them to this site with the links, webinars, discussions etc. has been a gift. I can still help them without taking away too much time from my business.Just FYI I am finding that pool professionals with license or certification or that do water features or commercial pools are understanding all of this just fine. Your pool installers of "kit" pools that have not had to think of hydraulics before and want one neat package of an answer are the ones scrambling to find answers when they need education. In today's economy they also cannot affort to pay for the education and are leaning on Distributors who have found themselves having to provide a service in addition to their products.Then there are SOME CPO's (one-polers included) that have no idea except to call an engineer. I actually had one ask me (sent by the head of the Dept. of Insurance to me) how do you figure out which cover is needed for the existing main drain. I knew that I could not take the time to teach this person a basic of part identification and I sent him to the builder. There is no way that a discussion on total dynamic head, pump curves or maximum water flow could be discussed and it would be better for him to seek out local help.This act requires a builder or someone with a knowledge of hydraulics to explain it to others that normally do not work in these areas. I believe the next step in many states will be to license pool builders so that some of the responsiblity of the design and compliance will be on the builder and take our industry to a new level.
Wendy, Thank you for the well written post. I have been pushing for requiring CPO's and CPB's in TN for a while now. I'd like to discuss what obstacles you are experiencing in the legislature. I truly believe education will only strengthen our industry's performance and reputation.
Thank you Ken! The $30K limit is for all contractors in NC to require a license regardless of trade. I believe if NC required a swimming pool license it would be for all swimming pool builders regardless of contract amount. I will be attending a Region 10 APSP Advisory Council meeting next Wednesday and meeting with my compadres from GA who are in the process of licensing in GA as well as Charlie Schoebel who is head of the Government Relations Advisory Committee who have been discussing this for 2 years. I will have more information to pass on at the Feb. meeting of the NC - APSP about this and many other items concerning codes, government etc. that have been in the works for some time now. Hope to see you there.
Wendy, thank you for all you do for the pool industry in NC, you are an asset to this region.
After the VGB subsides do you think it possible to start putting pressure on non-licensed builders in NC, possibly lower the maximum from $30,000/ contract to say $5000/ contract? Maybe more non-licensed contractors would be left to be educated and licensed.
Comments
After the VGB subsides do you think it possible to start putting pressure on non-licensed builders in NC, possibly lower the maximum from $30,000/ contract to say $5000/ contract? Maybe more non-licensed contractors would be left to be educated and licensed.
Again thank you,
Ken McKee
PoolScape Pools & Spas
www.poolscapepools.com