How many participants on this board are members of NFPA? What do you see as avantages/disadvantages. Would you join?
My apoligies if this has been a discussion topic before now.

I am a member. One advantage is that you can purchase materials at a member discount rate. I think you can also vote on issues.

Warren,
How's it going? Hope all is well. I've considered joining before, but it's tough to "dish out" the $115.00 or so that it takes to join. I don't buy enough stuff for it to be worth it to me. If it was around $50.00 per year for membership, I would consider joining just to help support the organization.

"Dished" out of the market,
Doc

I am a member of the NFPA. The membership allows you to receive updates on code changes and allows you to ask code specific questions. I have used this service to clear up fire and emergency questions that have come up on certain jobs. You are allowed to vote and receive discounts on their publications too.

As I dive into larger commercial jobs, it is nice to get input from the people who write the code books. Comes in handy when your walking through with a state fire marshall.

They also send out regular newsletters and magazines that address new and changing fire and electrical codes.

So, arseegee, you really think it's worth it?
I may consider it for a year, just to try it.

Maybe,
Doc

Doc, it has saved me from making at least $115 worth of mistakes. The magazines haved informed me on a lot of issues. I have more Life Safety Code problems than NEC problems (you know how those design/build jobs are), so I can call them up and get the answer straight from the source.

[This message has been edited by arseegee (edited 10-23-2002).]

I am a member and enjoy it. The articles are worth while. The discount is helpful but not going to save the membership fee. My only gripe is the too many mailings of catalogs. And yes after 6 months you can vote on code changes at the meeting in which it is voted on.

You also can link to the NEC online and download the 1996 and 1999 NEC's as PDF Files

I am a member of NFPA and IAEI and my local electrical contractors assoc. Plus a few more assoc. somewhere.?! Always busy though and I love the reading material.

I've received quite a bit of mail from NFPA. I think I'll join, thanks to good advice fom you guys.
Joining the IAEI was a really long process, but in the end, it was well worth the dues. (their computers were all trashed for a long time)
I'd suggest them to anyone.
Really, Anything that can advance us in our field is good...just don't pay them too much...S