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April, Author at Codepal Toolkit - Page 3 of 7

Author Archives: April

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It is time to move your pre-plan mobile

Category:Trends Tags : 

We understand that moving your preplan to a digital platform can be daunting, and you may feel like the task is too large of an undertaking under your current budget constraints. Rest assured, we can make this task manageable and affordable. You do not need to rely on an outdated paper binder buried in the back of a truck to access crucial data when a fire strikes. Save lives, time and resources and put the data in the hands of first responders before they arrive at the fire. 

Getting past the resistance.

Many of your staff may object to change, they may be worried about their lack of computer knowledge. But moving to digital doesn’t have to be a nightmare, Codepal is easy to use, simply enter any part of the address and search. This narrows thousands of addresses to a handful, making it easy to find the address you’re looking for without having to type out the entire address. Once you’ve found the address, you have the pre-plan available in easy to read categories separating data by relevance. Example, quickly find hazmat details under the hazmat category. 

Moving digital, an action plan.

  1. Identify key elements of a fire pre-plan or use our default module.
  2. Utilizing Codepal, the address record can hold all you know about the address.
    • Maps
    • Structure details
    • Owner, tenant and emergency contact information
    • Access
    • Hazmat
    • Locations of needed tools such as hydrants and knoxboxes
    • Diagrams, photos, site plans or any files or images (no limit)
    • Strategies
    • and much more.

This information can be imported from an existing source or hand entered. This doesn’t have to be a lonely task, invite others to assist. Inspectors, Business Owners etc can be tasked with collecting or contributing data. Using a city-wide solution, data can begin collection as early as the initial building plan phase. 

3. Share links directly to your pre-plan with your CAD software for easy access on a call. 

4. Maintenance. Once the pre-plan is built, the data is easy to maintain. Once you move to mobile, you can update any address while in the field doing other tasks, such as inspections. Or access the software from your desktop and task light-duty firefighters or other staff to update the collected information. Get everyone on board with thinking about each structure individually developing strategies of how to enter the building, properly analyzing whether a fire should be tackled offensively or defensively. These updates are available in real-time, no more waiting.

Electronic Preplan Viewer

How it works.

Access Codepal Pre-plan viewer from any device on the way to a fire. Once dispatch has sent the address, you simply pull up the address and access to all data is available. Now your first responders can immediately respond to the conditions at the scene when they arrive, knowledgeable of conditions and the structure. 

Why make the switch?

Using hard to find preplans in a binder that could end up being a few years old, is not pro-active or helpful. Keeping your data up to date and easy to access by all, not just the one holding the book, is just smart practice and will save time and could save the lives of your firemen and community members. Give those in command the tools they need in or out of the office, quickly and up to date. Communication is easier now that everyone is fully aware of all dangers and structure information before arriving on the scene. 

Bonus.

  • Codepal will generate a preplan report that can be emailed, printed, and/or saved electronically in several formats including PDF.
  • The Codepal team is knowledgeable and will assist your company in developing a plan of action, working with you to analyze your needs and set up Codepal with your specific pre-plan needs.
  • Updating your pre-plans not only increase fire safety in your community but it can lead to an improved ISO rating, which lowers insurance rates for owners and tenants. Codepal has a host of reports included in the system that will provide the documentation you need to provide during your ISO visit.

More Interesting Posts about Preplans


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Free Tool to Assist with Building Plans and Approvals

Category:Trends Tags : 

Over the past several years more and more Jurisdictions accept building plans electronically. Makes perfect sense in the digital age, but not without challenges. This comes as good news for staff with access to and fluency in CAD software. But, not everyone that reviews plans is an engineer.

We spoke to several of our customers recently and were surprised to hear that they preferred hard copies to review. Why? “How can I verify measurements, mark up the drawings or stamp received/approved/etc. I’m not an engineer and don’t have a license for their software.” One customer said. 

Did you know that the free version of Adobe reader provides a user-friendly way to accomplish all of this?

  • Verify Measurements
  • Comment
  • Mark up
  • Callout
  • Stamp

Many of our customers use adobe reader in conjunction with Codepal. It’s free and easy to learn!

PLAN REVIEW HELPFUL TIPS

Here are a few tutorials on how to use Adobe Reader for this purpose:

Open Codepal on half of the screen and Adobe Reader on the other half. Review your checklist and the reviews at the same time, side by side.

Measure Electronic Drawings

Adobe – Share, comment and review

Stamp drawing with Adobe


Other posts related to this topic

Electronic Inspections: Paper vs Software

3 Reasons to Switch to Electronic Plan Review


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Vacant property

Challenging Absentee Landlords

Category:Trends Tags : 

When I speak with code enforcement professionals I often ask, “What is your single greatest challenge?”. One of the most common answers is Absentee Landlords.

These passive property owners can wreak havoc in a number of ways. From repeat violations on the poorly maintained property, security of vacant property, to simply tracking these owners down.  Moreover, the answer to the “absentee landlord” is not a simple one. Cities across the country are passing ordinances designed to reign in these landlords. But new rules and regulations have to be enforced.  

Many code enforcement professionals agree on good documentation. When code enforcement efforts are effectively tracked the repeat complaints and violations can read like a rap sheet. With budgets shrinking many cities are turning to technology to empower the code official.

Facts about Absentee Landlords.

Here at Codepal, we’ve been helping code officials resolve the “Absentee Landlord” dilemma and other issues like it for over 14 years. 
Particularly through documentation and aiding code officials in enforcing city ordinances. We can help combat the situation. See more here.

There are many great resources available online, for example the center for community progress.

Center for Community Progress is a website to assist with strategic code enforcement planning. The site gives great insight and resources to assist you. 
Dealing with Problem Property Owners.