boatx By Wayne Snell, BOAT Vice President, City of Irving In building safety, technical knowledge matters. It always will. A strong understanding of codes, construction methods, life safety principles, and enforcement authority is essential to the work. But technical knowledge alone does not fully explain why some Building Officials are respected, trusted, and ultimately more effective … Read more
Our BOAT Constitution and By-Laws contain opportunities for your involvement. While the BOAT depends on the leadership, energy and efforts of its current board members, achieving a greater level of success and accomplishments depends on membership participation. I encourage you to consider volunteering to serve on one of our standing committees. Your participation and service … Read more
By Nathan Gonzales, BOAT Director-at-large, City of Crowley Have you been considering a return to school to finish that degree you’ve put off until the time is right? Today’s degree programs have seen a massive revamp in recent years with a focus on working professionals. Many courses have been shortened to an 8-week format, allowing … Read more
When communities think about life safety, they often picture firefighters, police officers, or emergency medical personnel. While those professionals respond when something goes wrong, plans examiners and building inspectors are the first preventers—the professionals who work behind the scenes to ensure buildings are designed and constructed to protect occupants before an emergency ever occurs. Through … Read more
By Greg Holt, BOAT Director-at-Large, City of Georgetown I am currently in the process of adopting the 2026 National Fire Protection Association 70, National Electrical Code (NEC)for the City of Georgetown. Adopting any new code cycle is a significant undertaking. It requires time, education, and collaboration, and there will always be questions and sometimes resistance … Read more
Building the Future: How Modern Code Enforcement Shapes Safer Communities By Wayne Snell, BOAT Secretary, City of Irving In an era of rapid urban development and evolving construction practices, the role of code enforcement professionals has never been more critical. The integrity of our built environment hinges on well-crafted regulations, diligent inspections, and proactive enforcement. … Read more
Growing Needs for Skilled Workforce in the Construction Industry By Ty Chapman, BOAT Director-at-large, Bureau Veritas In the rapidly evolving and growing construction industry, the demand for skilled workforce has never been more critical. As technology and construction methods advance, so too must the skills of those who work within the industry. This need and … Read more
Evolution of Appendices in Building Codes, Informational Value and Practical Application By Selso Mata, BOAT 2nd Past President, City of Plano I am going through our building codes for review and adoption. When was the last time you really read all the appendices? The core provisions of building codes provide the fundamental requirements for design … Read more
Legislature and Construction By Rick Ripley, BOAT Director-at-large, City of Arlington Get Ahead of the 2025 Legislative Session: Why Texas Construction Companies Must Engage Early With the Texas legislative session kicked off on January 14, construction companies across the Lone Star State need to be involved now if they have not already done so. Decisions … Read more
Three Tips for First-Year Building Officials By Nathan Gonzales, BOAT Director-at-large, City of Kennedale The path from inspector to department head can be both rewarding and daunting. The decision to lead a building department is often a reason to pause and take inventory of one’s leadership capabilities, and rightfully so. Good leaders are self-aware and … Read more