The following is from the RV Industry Association, reporting on the semi-annual meeting held by the organization’s standards inspection program. The group’s first meeting of 2021 recently took place.
Recently, the RVIA Standards Department met in Elkhart, Ind., for their first 2021 inspection staff meeting. The team reviewed the status of code cycles for NEC (National Electrical Code), NFPA 1192, ANSI/RVIA Low Voltage standard, and ANSI 119.5, paying close attention to the 2021 NFPA 1192 changes and enforcement dates.
The RV Industry Association’s standards inspection program is one of the organization’s signature industry initiatives and its greatest member benefit. The standards department maintains a professional team of full-time inspectors. These inspectors promote the enhancement of safety by monitoring adherence to standards adopted by the Board of Directors, for the construction of RVs and Park Model RVs. They also advocate for the improvement of consumer safety.
To further these goals, the standards team meets twice a year to review and align on standard enforcement positions within the industry, including reviewing enforcement timing on the latest edition of NFPA 1192 Standard for RVs.
Continuing into the new year under the pandemic’s constraints, the team said it is on track to complete more than 2,000 unannounced inspections. The pandemic presented unique challenges to the inspection process, which the team overcame by providing options such as virtual inspections for those unable to be completed in-person. These biannual meetings are important to maintain enforcement positions and discuss relevant technical issues that the team encountered in the field.
“It was a great opportunity for me to meet with our Inspection Team as a group for the first time, and provided me a better understanding the day-to-day engagement and experiences of our staff,” said RV Industry Association Senior Director of Standards Bryan Ritchie, who recently joined the team. “Coming out of this meeting, I see why this team is our greatest asset to our members in continuing to partnering in compliance and safety requirements in the industry. These inspections provide added value by educating our members on standards and providing hands-on training during our on-site visits.”
The Inspection staff and their work is integral to maintaining self-regulation, the association said, and the meetings are critical to providing a platform to nurture improvement and a positive experience to the consumers.
