Wisconsin state government has created a new "Portal," a website meant to be the electronic access point to all state agencies.
The site is in its infancy, still relatively small and immature. Watch it grow and become a very useful tool for Badger state residents! www.wisconsin.gov
Select the icon at the left. To view the articles, you may choose the number of the title of an article, or you may scrooll down: 1. Elevator inspectors wanted; 2. Merkel is Section Chief; 3. Onalaska inspector position open; 4. Fire Safety Consultant resigns; 5. Fire educators honored; 6. Update on status of UDC enforcement in municipalities of less than 2500 population; 7. Event Calendar; 8. Meet the newly formed Governor's Blue Ribbon Task Force on Manufactured Housing; 9. Mines and quarries are not playgrounds. Stay out - Stay alive!; 10. What causes clothes dryer fires?; 11. Certified muncipalities 1. Elevator inspectors wanted
There are opportunities for private elevator inspectors in Wisconsin following January 1, 2001 changes to Comm 18, the Wisconsin Elevator Code. Owners of Wisconsin's approximately 15,000 elevators are responsible for having their elevators inspected on installation and annually thereafter. (There were about 800 new elevators installed in Wisconsin in 2000.) Comm 18.12 explains the inspection responsibility. The Safety and Buildings Division's nine elevator inspectors do the initial inspections and issue Permits to Operate. In order to renew the permit each year, the owner must provide proof of an annual inspection. As of January 1 the annual inspection can be done by any elevator inspector certified by S&B. In the past, S&B staff were responsible for all inspections. Certification as an elevator inspector, administered according to Wisconsin Comm 5.64 of the state's Credential Code, can be obtained by passing an exam. The certification is available without examination to people holding the national Qualified Elevator Inspector certification through the National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities. More information on the elevator inspection program in Wisconsin can be obtained from Joe Hertel, S&B Elevator Program Manager, jhertel@commerce.state.wi.us, 608-266-5649. The S&B Elevator Inspectors, or their supervisor, Rick Merkle, will also provide information on the program. S&B's credential program can be contacted at madisoncred@commerce.state.wi.us, 608-261-8500. The Wisconsin administrative codes are on the Internet at http://www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/code/codtoc.html. Paper copies of the codes can be purchased from the state Document Sales agency, 608-266-3358, or 800-362-7253 for credit card purchases. 2. Merkle is Section Chief
Rick Merkle has been chosen through the state civil service process as a Safety and Buildings Divison section chief. Merkle now supervises the boiler and pressure vessel inspectors and the elevator inspectors in the S&B Bureau of Field Operations. Merkle has been a S&B boiler and pressure vessel inspector in the Kenosha area. His telephone number is 262-653-6880. His email address is umerkle@commerce.state.wi.us. 3. Onalaska inspector position open
The City of Onalaska is accepting applications for the position of Building Inspector. This position performs and/or oversees the inspection of all commercial construction and assists with inspections of residential construction, remodeling, and repair work to ensure compliance with building codes, applicable ordinances, and fire/health standards. Qualifications: A high school diploma. State Commercial Building Inspector certification required. Plumbing, HVAC, and Electrical Inspector certifications preferred. Minimum of five years experience. Proficient on use of computer. Good communications skills, both oral and written. Excellent organizational skills. Valid driver's license. A full job description is available showing all required minimum qualifications, as well as essential job functions. Annual salary: $42,000 with excellent benefits. Please obtain application packets from the City of Onlaska, 415 Main St., Onalaska, WI 54650, 608-781-9530, fax 608-781-9534, www.ci.onalaska.wi.us. Application deadline is 4 p.m., May 25, 2001. 4. Fire Safety Consultant resigns
Robert Kiser, a Safety and Buildings Division Fire Safety Consultant for nine years resigned to take a position with the DePere Fire Department. Kiser worked for S&B in the eastern part of Wisconsin. Information about S&B fire safety activities in Kiser's area can be obtained from Bureau of Field Operations Fire Safety Section Chief, Dan Graham, who is also the bureau director, 608-266-0056, dgraham@commerce.state.wi.us. 5. Fire educators honored
Karl Nikolai of the Eagle River Area Volunteer Fire Department and Cheryl Kuhn of the Appleton Fire Department are the recipients of the 2001 Fire Safety Educators of the Year award from the Wisconsin Fire Inspectors' Association. The awards are presented to individuals representing career and volunteer fire departments who have demonstrated superior achievement in the area of fire and life safety education. Nickolai was described as showing dedication, imagination, and respect in his every day efforts to promote fire education for children, parents, and seniors. Nickolai has taught other fire education instructors his methods, ideas and equipment at the annual Tomahawk fire school. He distributes a fire safety news magazine sponsored by the Vilas County Fire Chief's Association to all Vilas County schools. A structured school program for each grade level has been developed by Nickolai and he is called upon several times yearly for his presentations. He displays fire prevention materials and ideas at the local home show each year. He raised funds to purchase a fire safety house and vehicle, which provide a working display at community functions throughout Vilas County. Of Kuhn it was said that it would be difficult to find someone more committed to the goals of preventing fire and life safety problems through educational strategies. Kuhn has an education background as a schoolteacher and is cross-trained as a firefighter. She implemented new educational programs to enhanced her department's ability to teach not only fire safety, but also injury prevention. One such program is a fire safety clown program that is educational within an entertainment setting. Kuhn has helped her department obtain monies and backing to enhance public safety and fire education. Two examples are the installion of smoke detectors in the homes of needy families, and providing fire and injury prevention curriculum for all pre-school and day care facilities in her community. Kuhn also worked with local vendors to obtain batteries for residential smoke detectors that are distributed during fire prevention week, during property inspections, and at safety fairs. She established a children and fire program to reach out to the growing need of juvenile firesetters. 6. Update on status of UDC enforcement in municipalities of less than 2500 population
by Laurence Swaziek, S&B UDC Program Manager, 608-267-7701, Lswaziek@commerce.state.wi.us
Effective May 1, 2000, municipalities of less than 2500 population had to formally decide if they wish to enforce the Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC). Municipalities of that size were directed by the legislature to consider whether their municipality would enforce the code or not. The enforcement choices the municipalities have are: 1) Adopt the UDC and provide local enforcement; 2) Pass a resolution formally requesting that a county enforce the UDC in the municipality, with the county agreeing to do so; 3) Pass a resolution formally declining UDC enforcement; or 4) If enforcement is neither accepted nor declined, the Safety and Buildings Division will have authority to enforce the UDC in that municipality. (All new homes In Wisconsin have to comply with the UDC construction standards, however some municipalities do not enforce/inspect.) To get an idea as to which of the choices the municipalities might select, S&B sent out a survey last year (and a follow-up survey to those municipalities that did not respond to the first survey) to those municipalities that, according to our records, where not enforcing the UDC at the time. First, look at the baseline of the situation before the UDC enforcement decision was mandated. As of January 1, 2000, there were 1232 municipalities of less than 2500 population that had not adopted the UDC and were not enforcing the code. As of March 1, 2001, of the 1232 municipalities, there were 147 municipalities that adopted and will be enforcing the code, 6 delegated enforcement to the county, and 861 passed resolutions to not enforce the code. This leaves 218 municipalities in which S&B will have the authority to enforce the UDC. (If you would like to see what choice a municipality has taken, you can access the S&B WebSite, www.commerce.state.wi.us/SB/SB-OneAndTwoFamilyStatusListInstructions.html. This site provides the enforcement status for all counties and municipalities in the state, regardless of population.) How will S&B enforce the code in those municipalities which made choice number 4? Rules have been developed to provide that enforcement mechanism. S&B is developing a new credential - "Registered UDC Inspection Agency." Hearings on the proposed rules were held in December of 2000. The hearing comments have been summarized, responses prepared and summarized, and the final draft rule package is in the process of being forwarded to the legislature for their final review and approval. The rule change will allow the registered UDC Inspection Agency to issue permits, perform plan reviews, and perform inspections for those municipalities in which S&B is authorized to provide enforcement. The rules will also require an owner/builder to obtain a Uniform Building Permit from a registered UDC Inspection Agency prior to construction, and that they retain the same agency throughout the complete plan review and inspection process. If you would like to view the draft rules, access http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/SB/SB-OneAndTwoFamilyProgram.html. When will the new rules become effective? I project that the rules for the registered UDC Inspection Agency credential will be in place July 1, 2001. As to the rules requiring the owner/builder to get a permit from the UDC Inspection Agency in those areas in which S&B has the authority to provide enforcement, these rules would be delayed by two months to give S&B time to get the agencies registered and in place to provide the enforcement. If someone is interested in applying for the UDC inspection agency credential, they may check the One and Two-Family Program page on the WebSite for further information and updates (Internet address is above). There will also be more information in future issues of the WBCR. If you are a builder, the legislature also set aside some moneys for S&B to apply towards training for builders. This training was let out for bids last year, and the Wisconsin Builders Association, in conjunction with the Northcentral Technical College, was the successful bidder. If you are interested in the training, contact Kay Olson, Northcentral Technical College, 715-675-3331, ext. 4022, olsonK@northcentral.tec.wi.us, www.northcentral.tec.wi.us, or Jane Witt, Wisconsin Builders Assoc., 608/242-5155, ext. 17, jwitt@wisbuild.org,www.wisbuild.org. 7. Events Calendar
Contact the listed Code Consultant for information on the meetings agenda, locations, etc. If you have questions concerning technicalities of the codes which are the subjects of the meetings, contact consultants and reviewers listed in "Contacts." May 15, 2001, Tuesday - Governor's Blue Ribbon Task Force on Manufactured Housing - 9 a.m. - 3p.m. - Thompson Commerce Center, Rm. 3B, 201 W Washington Ave, Madison - Ron Acker, 608-267-7907, racker@commerce.state.wi.us May 17, 2001, Thursday - Plumbing Advisory Code Council - 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Thompson Commerce Center, 1st Floor Conference Rm., 201 W Washington Ave, Madison - Jean MacCubbin, 608-266-0955, jmaccubbin@commerce.state.wi.us May 17, 2001, Thursday - Mines, Pits and Quarries Code Council - 9:30 a.m. - Thompson Commerce Center, Rm. 3C, 201 W Washington Ave., Madison - Ron Acker, 608-267-7907, racker@commerce.state.wi.us May 23, 2001, Wednesday - Fire Safety Code Council - 9 a.m. - 3p.m. - Thompson Commerce Center, Rm. 3B, 201 W Washington Ave., Madison - Duane Hubeler, 608-266-1390, dhubeler@commerce.state.wi.us June 12, 2001, Tuesday - Pool Advisory Code Council - 9 a.m. - 3p.m. - Location to be determined - Jean MacCubbin, 608-266-0955, jmaccubbin@commerce.state.wi.us 8. Meet the newly formed Governor's Blue Ribbon Task Force on Manufactured Housing
by Laurence Swaziek, S&B UDC Program Manager, 608-267-7701, Lswaziek@commerce.state.wi.us
On November 10, 1999 Governor Thompson created the "Governor's Blue Ribbon Task Force on Manufactured Housing." The mission of the task force of 11 members appointed by the governor is to:
Report on the state of the Wisconsin manufactured housing industry;
Analyze and evaluate the regulatory oversight and the efficiency of current state programs related to manufactured housing for Wisconsin;
Identify barriers for manufactured housing products and placement of products and
make recommendations; and
Review statutory provisions, administrative rules, and other state policy issues to ensure adequate measures are in place to ensure the future viability of the manufactured housing industry. The group will submit periodic reports to the governor, as the chair deems necessary, and a final report to the governor. When the final report is accepted by the governor, the group will dissolve. The membership of the Task Force was finalized in November of 2000 and the first meeting took place on January 9, 2001. Task Force members include: Rick Rand (Chair), President, Asset Development Group; Clifford Bader Jr., Vice President, Mauston Home Sales; William Baudhuin, President, Baudhuin Inc.; Harris "Butch" Berg, Vice President and General Manager, Wick Building Systems; Ray Feldman, Owner, Mauston Mobile Manor; Lynn Lamke, Manufactured Housing Community Manager, Pinewood Court Inc.; Daryll Lund, President and CEO, Community Bankers of Wisconsin; Dale Pedretti, Senior Vice President, Fortress Bank of Westby; Brent Schmaling, Vice President / Sales Manager, Rollmann Homes; Charlotte Thompson, Executive Director, Foundation for Rural Housing; and, James Voight, Chairman and CEO, Hometown Bank. As of April 13, 2001, the Task Force had six meetings and received input on the "State of Manufactured Housing in Wisconsin" from the Wisconsin Manufactured Housing Association, Department of Commerce, Public Service Commission, Department of Financial Institutions, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Transportation, and the Legislative Fiscal Bureau. Based on the input from those agencies, the Task Force made preliminary recommendations, some of which will be forwarded to Governor McCallum, covering areas such as: manufactured home (MH) park fees; establishing installation standards for manufactured homes; licensing installers; regulation of "large" private onsite wastewater treatment systems in MH parks; over-the-road permitting by the state Department of Transportation; transfer of Public Service Commission MH water and sewer rate regulations to Commerce; MH dealer, salesperson, and sales finance company licenses; and coordination of definitions related to MH in all Wisconsin statute sections. On April 26, 2001 the Task Force was to receive input from the state Departments of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Revenue, Administration, and the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. Future meetings will include discussions with the Wisconsin Counties Association, Wisconsin Towns Association and the League of Wisconsin Municipalities. For more information, you can contact me as listed above. 9. Mines and quarries are not playgrounds. Stay out - Stay alive!
Each year, dozens of children and adults are injured or killed in accidents that occur at active, inactive, and abandoned underground mines, sinkholes, pits and quarries. According to federal Mine Safety and Health Administration statistics, in 2000 in Wisconsin five people died in such non-mining incidents. 16- and 18-year-olds died in a truck accident in an abandoned gravel pit. Drownings took the lives of a 16-year-old in a rock quarry and an 18-year-old in a gravel pit. One person fell to their death in an apparent suicide in a limestone quarry. MSHA has established "Stay Out-Stay Alive," a nationwide public awareness campaign, to warn people about the dangers of exploring, playing, or using recreational vehicles on mine property. The men and women employed in Wisconsin's mines are trained to work in a safe manner. For the unauthorized explorer, hiker, off-roader, or rockhound, however, the hazards are not always apparent. » Excavated vertical cliffs (highwalls) in open pit mines and quarries can be unstable and prone to collapse. » Hills of loose material in stockpiles or refuse heaps can easily collapse upon an unsuspecting biker or climber. » Water-filled quarries and pits hide rock ledges, old machinery, and other hazards. The water can be deceptively deep and dangerously cold. Steep, slippery walls make exiting these swimming holes extremely difficult. » Vertical shafts can be hundreds of feet deep. At the surface, they may be completely unprotected, hidden by vegetation, or covered by rotting boards. » Horizontal openings may seem sturdy, but rotting timbers and unstable rock formations make cave-ins a real danger. Darkness and debris add to the hazards. » Lethal concentrations of deadly gases (methane, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide) can accumulate in underground passages. » Unused or misfired explosives can become unstable and deadly - vibrations from a touch or footfall can trigger an explosion. For info about the "Stay Out-Stay Alive" campaign, contact Amy Louviere at louviere-amy@msha.gov, or call 703-235-1454. MSHA's Internet address, where program materials are available, is www.msha.gov. To report unsafe public mine access, abandoned mine emergencies, or abandoned mine locations, call the MSHA hotline at 1-800-499-1038. 10. What causes clothes dryer fires?
Based on federal Consumer Products Safety Commission findings, lack of maintenance is a contributing factor to clothes dryer fires. Reduced airflow resulting from buildup in the screen and other areas around the dryer can cause appliances to perform poorly and operate at elevated temperatures. Problems can also occur if consumers place improper items in their dryers, such as foam-backed rugs or athletic shoes, or vent their appliances with plastic, vinyl, or aluminum foil exhaust materials. To achieve optimal airflow and reduce lint buildup, an all-metal dryer vent or duct is preferable. Rigid or flexible metal venting and ducting materials can reduce operating costs and extend the life of the dryer and clothing due to lower drying temperatures. 11. Certified Munis