Originally Posted By renosteinke:
Another discussion - about AFCI's - raised the assertion that the NEC will lose respect as it becomes just another marketing tool for manufacturers.
Other comments suggested that the code writing proces has become corrupt, with manufacturers twisting the code for their own ends.
Thissound a lot like the argument when the NFPA came out with NFPA 1983 "Standard on Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services", which originally called for any rope used in a rescue activity to be "red tagged" and destroyed after that single use. The Code stated that it was not even allowed to be used for training or utility (equipment hauling) purposes!
At $0.69 a foot as the cheapest price about that time, a "standard" 200' section of rope runs $138... not including shipping.
After a significant uproar by the emergency services community, alleging that the "fix was in" at the NFPA by the rope manufacturers, and replies by rope makers alleging a lack of knowledge by the committee members, the Code was "revised" to allow continued service as long as the rope was inspected thoroughly after each use.
As a new "rope dope" in 1985, I told a few guys debating the fiasco that erupted that NFPA now stood for
Not
For
Practical
Application.
[This message has been edited by DougW (edited 02-23-2007).]
