Jen In 1624, John Donne wrote a poem entitled, “No Man is an Island.” No matter how sophisticated and advanced we believe that we have become in the last 400 years, this idea still holds true. The same thing applies to what we do every day as first preventers. We interact with so many others: from … Read more
The difference between being a code official in a small city versus a large city is the duties assigned. I have worked in a one-person department, where I performed all duties required to run a building department including being the assistant to the zoning administrator, code enforcement officer, an asbestos abatement supervisor, backflow preventer tester, … Read more
As most of you know, being a building official and running a building department has its challenges. Sometimes it can be like trying to take a sip of water from a fire hydrant. You need to be at several places, all at the same time. You have to know everything about everything, all off the … Read more
We’re seeing trends with new project tracking software hitting the market that promise to facilitate faster, more efficient, and cost-saving measures throughout the inspection process. In reality, replacing traditional inspection methods with new software can cause more confusion than efficiency. Unfortunately, several of the software packages being offered for project tracking make it difficult for … Read more
Think cool and get ready for cooler days ahead: Fireplaces! Hot Topics! These safety tips will help to protect you and your family in and around your house. Fireplaces are consistently rated as one of the top amenities desired by home owners. In fact, fireplaces have one of the highest investment returns of any … Read more
As we put 2017 behind us, we look back and reflect on everything that happened in Texas. We experienced floods, tornadoes, wind storms, hail storms, and Hurricane Harvey. As an organization, we banded together and helped the citizens of Texas with an awesome Disaster Response Team. Under the leadership of Jim Olk, Jeffery Widmer, and … Read more
When you think about the relationship between a building inspector and a contractor, what comes to mind? Do you think about Tom and Jerry, Batman and the Joker, or maybe the Hatfields and McCoys? I believe that image is changing. The days of contractors enacting “fight or flight” when the inspector arrives onsite is quickly … Read more
Why do we volunteer? I would say we give our time to help others because today it’s them and tomorrow it might be us. About two years ago, I attended the BOAT Annual Conference in Sugar Land. While there, I attended training on disaster response. After two days of sessions and an exam by the … Read more
BOAT would like to recognize and offer an enthusiastic “thank you“ to Smart Vent for their very generous gift of 10 new iPads, which will be used by BOAT’s Disaster Response Team when responding to disasters within our great state. BOAT acknowledges the efforts by Smart Vent President Mike Graham, Vice President Tom Little, and … Read more
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) has been working diligently over the last year to onboard the Code Enforcement Officers Licensing/Registration Program. Prior to accomplishing this feat, TDLR embarked upon what proved to be an extremely successful outreach effort to ensure licensees throughout the state were well informed of estimated timelines, expected … Read more