I don’t need a crystal ball to see the future of NASSCO’s new Inspector Training and Certification Program. The ITCP provides comprehensive education and tools for professionals to better understand and inspect trenchless pipeline-renewal technologies.

I expect this new program to transform the standard by which sewer rehabilitation projects are inspected. At least that is my hope and vision. I believe we’ve had a big gap in the industry with regard to inconsistencies in inspection methodologies.

This comprehensive program fills that gap. I believe the industry will quickly adopt it in much the same way professionals embraced the Pipeline Assessment and Certification Program (PACP). When we adhere to standards, our entire industry benefits with greater success stories and more funding to support our growing businesses.

Replicating success

PACP has been NASSCO’s greatest success story in setting standards. Recognized as the industry standard in North America since 2001, PACP provides consistency in the way sewer pipes are evaluated, coded and managed.

PACP creates a comprehensive and reliable reservoir of data to describe the sewer pipe that can be used in prioritization, planning and renovation of the wastewater collection system. Today, EPA consent decrees mandate that rehabilitation programs utilize PACP. Most recently, PACP was chosen as the industry standard in Quebec province, setting it on course to become the industry standard for all of North America.

ITCP is now being offered for cured-in-place pipe (CIPP). Future training programs are in development for other technologies, such as pipe bursting and cleaning. The two-day ITCP for CIPP consists of classroom learning in five areas:

• Chapter 1 – Existing Pipe Defects and How They Affect CIPP Installations.

• Chapter 2 – Overview of CIPP Technology.

• Chapter 3 – Field Installation of CIPP.

• Chapter 4 – Specifications: The Inspector’s Instructions and Guidelines.

• Chapter 5 – Pipeline Renewal Technologies and Applications.

Course for credit

Attendees who complete the ITCP will receive a comprehensive course manual, CEU or PDH credits and, upon passing the course examination, a certificate of completion. In addition, attendees will receive the NASSCO Trenchless Assessment Guide for Rehabilitation (TAG-R) computer program, an interactive software for evaluating rehabilitation methods.

While other training courses for inspectors exist in the industry, none offers the NASSCO certification, now recognized as the reputable and often required standard for rehabilitation of underground utilities.

ITCP will greatly benefit field construction professionals, including consulting engineers, municipal engineers and contractors. The cost for the two-day program and certification is $995. Courses can be scheduled at your convenience in your city with a minimum attendee requirement. For more information, please call Gerry Muenchmeyer at 252/626-9930.

To learn more about NASSCO training and educational events, visit www.nassco.org or call Andrea Carter at 410/ 486-3500.

Irvin Gemora is executive director of NASSCO. He can be reached at director @nassco.org. The NASSCO headquarters is at 11521 Cronridge Dr., Suite J, Owings Mills, MD 21117.