HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2013-11-20, Page 5Wednesday, November 20, 2013 • News Record 5
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Plumbing inspections should be left to plumbers
To the Editor;
I have worked in the plumb-
ing industry for 10 years, During
this time I gained valuable expe-
rience working with septic sys-
tems, wells, geothermal systems,
rain water recycling, customs
homes, row houses, post offices,
libraries, schools, arenas, facto-
ries and many service areas. I
have several certificates from
the following: rain water recy-
cling from the University of
Guelph in 2011, backflow pre-
vention from the Ontario Water
Works Association (OWWA) in
2006, and a Certificate of Quali-
fication (CoQ) in plumbing from
the University of Colleges and
Trades in 2007. I have obtained
my Building Code Identification
Number (BCIN) from the Minis-
try of Municipal Affairs and
Housing in 2008, as well as gen-
eral legal and on-site sewage
systems from the MMAH.
I have also gained many valu-
able learning opportunities
while employed at the Huron
County Health Unit (HCHU)
under the title of Plumbing and
Septic Inspector from 2010 to
2011. Recently I became aware
that there are municipalities
interested in removing the
HCHU as the principal authority
for plumbing in Huron County.
This does not sit well with me for
a variety of reasons.
The inspectors hired at the
HCHU are licensed plumbers
that hold a CoQ in the plumbing
field. They are members of the
Ontario Plumbing Inspectors
Association (OPIA), which sev-
eral municipalities, counties
and principal authorities use to
discuss issues, violations and
code references to maintain a
consistency across Ontario.
When I have a question, as an
experienced plumber, I know I
can call any one of the inspec-
tors and have a timely response
to my issues. A vast majority of
building inspectors are not
licensed plumbers. Many come
from different construction
fields within the trades and have
no field experience in plumbing.
In order to inspect, in many
municipalities, requirements
can be as basic as a one-week
course and a test. A plumber
and plumbers -turned -inspec-
tors (like those at the HCHU),
are required to complete a five-
year apprenticeship which con-
sists of three terms of eight
weeks in -school training, 9,000
hours in the field working and
successful completion of a CoQ
test.
As you can imagine, a lack of
experience, knowledge and
understanding can cause count-
less issues.
I have witnessed first-hand
how organized the HCHU is.
They provide very timely and
efficient inspections. The plan-
ning done by the HCHU allows
costs to be kept low for taxpay-
ers, plumbing companies and
contractors. They plan for the
geographic whereabouts of their
inspectors, who are asked to
conduct several inspections in
relative proximity the same day.
Their planning also creates
room for priority/emergency
inspections. On countless occa-
sions, due to circumstances out
of my control, I have called to
have an inspection done in the
morning and have been pro-
vided with same day service
with no issues.
As a plumber I am concerned
that my deadlines may be
affected by poor planning in the
future, if the HCHU was
removed as the principal
authority for plumbing in Huron
County. I am concerned that the
lack of knowledge and under-
standing that may arise from
improperly trained inspectors may
delay inspections.
The knowledgeable and experienced
inspectors at the HCHU often serve as a
guide and protect the interests of
plumbers, contractors, home and
building owners and the general pub-
lic. These inspectors guide homeown-
ers who are doing their own plumbing.
Not having an adequate person to
guide the owner through correct
plumbing systems that meet the code
may become very problematic for the
homeowner and future owners. HCHU
inspectors protect contractor interests
against possible future legal issues that
may incur with purchasers/owners.
Inspectors catch the 'cheats' and gen-
eral mistakes that plumbers make, pre-
venting future or impending damage to
the building. Inspectors for other
municipalities (who do not share the
same level of qualification as the HCHU
inspectors), have asked me to plumb
buildings that are not in accordance
with the minimum building code
requirements simply because they are
familiar techniques and therefore eas-
ier for them to inspect.
My fear is that trades people will will-
ingly comply with such requests or
choose to cheat in order to create ease
in their jobs and cut job costs.
What will the repercussions for
plumbers, contractors and owners be if
less experienced and knowledgeable
persons are conducting inspections?
When we reflect on the backflow
incidents that contaminated the water
supply in Stratford, it is evident that
information and knowledge can save
lives. Plumbers turned inspectors - like
those at the HCHU - would be more
likely to eliminate or minimize
damages.
Lastly, inspectors are responsible for
code violations. If persons who are con-
ducting inspections are less experi-
enced and knowledgeable than the
plumbers they are inspecting, there is
reason for concern. These inspectors
will affect the health and safety of
many. They also may be, unknowingly,
putting themselves in professional risk
as well as risks which may include per-
sonal financial liabilities. In these
inspectors miss code violations and the
minimal code was not met, the Build-
ing Code Act clearly states that the onus
is on the inspector and the principal
authority.
All responsibility is lifted from the
plumbers and homeowners once
inspection is complete.
Thank you for your time and consid-
eration in reading this letter. I trust you
will do your best to have the HCHU
remain as the principal authority for
plumbing in Huron County. After all,
when jobs are done properly everyone
benefits.
Respectfully,
Robert Breckon
Christmas Bureau helping everyone in Community elves needed for
the community celebrate the season St. Nick's shopping in Seaforth
To the Editor;
Since 1967, the Huron County
Christmas Bureau, a volunteer
organization, supported by the
Huron -Perth Children's' Aid
Society, has devoted many
hours each year to ensure that
no child is forgotten at Christ-
mas time. Last year, over 1,000
children, from newborn to age
18, benefited from your
generosity.
The Christmas Bureau is a
countywide volunteer group
that organizes five gift centres
(bureaus) that distribute new
toys, clothing, and food cards to
families in our county who need
a hand.
As a new resident to Huron
County 10 years ago, I was
invited to co-chair the Clinton
Bureau at St. Joseph's Church.
What a welcoming experience.
It was and is a wonderful
opportunity to contribute to our
community. Children are our
future and Christmas Bureau is
one way of embracing our
youth.
How can you help?
One way is to volunteer at
your local bureau. Last year over
400 volunteers were involved
donating over 5,000 hours of
time. You can also remember
the Christmas Bureau children
when planning your family,
friends, and office Christmas
party by shopping for a child or
youth. Financial gifts are always
required and if donating new
gifts (clothing, toys, or recrea-
tional items) or teen gift cards,
please do so during collection
week Dec. 2-6, as this helps the
bureaus address the needs of
the registered families. Posters
and signs will be placed
throughout the communities as
a reminder to contribute. This
year, the bureau has decided to
phase out food boxes mainly
because of the safety/mechanics
of collection and distributing. To
compensate, the food card value
clients receive has increased.
If you are a custodial parent,
and live in Huron County and
you need some assistance, the
Christmas Bureau phones open
for registering Nov 18 through
Dec. 6, Monday to Friday. You
will be given an appointment
during the week of Dec.9-13.
Confidentiality is our priority.
Call Christmas Central at 519-
524-7336 ext.3271 or 1-800-265-
5198 ext.3271
2013 Bureau/Gift Centers
Clinton: Clinton Legion (St.
Peter's Church)
Exeter: Precious Blood
Church
Goderich: Trinity Christian
Reformed Church
Seaforth: The Agriplex (Bethel
Bible Church)
Wingham: Wingham United
Church.
Thank -you to all who pro-
mote, donate and support
Huron County Christmas
Bureau.
Gayle Dunn
Christmas Bureau Volunteer
To the Editor;
St. Nick's Children's Christmas Shop-
ping Day in Seaforth at St. Thomas'
Anglican Church is coming on Saturday,
December 7 from 9 a.m. -noon. All kids
ages 3-13 are welcome to shop for their
family members, pets included, by giv-
ing a monetary donation at the door.
Children, in turn, are assisted by our
helpful elves to choose and wrap up to
six gifts each from our great selection of
donated items, while their parents wait
behind, enjoying refreshments and
checking out the silent auction table.
Now in our eighth year we rely on our
generous community members- mer-
chants, church groups and individuals -
to make this event an overwhelming
success! All proceeds are given back to
fund children's programs or events in
our area. Through the years over
$10,000 has been returned to the local
communities of Seaforth, Clinton and
Mitchell, supporting programs benefit-
ing kids, such as free skating at local are-
nas, Huron County Booster Club, Lion's
Club, Christmas food hampers, Wom-
en's Shelter, non-profit daycare centres,
summer camps, school music pro-
grams, Public Library on Wheels, Huron
Hospice Rainbows program, Seaforth
Optimists Childhood Cancer Program,
and others. Through your support this
event creates an exciting shopping day
for children, a memorable Christmas
morning for families and far reaching
benefits for our community! Small gift
items or monetary tax -receipt eligible
donations are graciously welcomed and
can be dropped off at the church on Fri-
day mornings between 9 a.m. -noon.
Our gift assembly day at the church will
be held Saturday, November 23 from 10
a.m. to 1 p.m. and we invite all adults
and teens looking for volunteer hours to
participate. And of course we always
welcome assistance on the shopping
day! Please call 519-522-1435 for more
info or a list of items needed.
Thank you to all the 'St. Nick's Elves'
in our community, on behalf of the
Anglican Churches in Seaforth and
Clinton,.
Sincerely,
Helen Oldfield
St. Nick's Coordinator