CAPRI Engineering Applauds the Private Provider Law.

SUNRISE, Fla. -- Enacted on October 1, 2002, the Private Provider Law allowing Fee Owners to use Private Providers for typical municipal services is gaining popularity from both the private and public sectors. Gary Elzweig of CAPRI Engineering applauds the system and notes: "It's an amazing win-win situation. The private sector takes on the responsibility of processing compliance paperwork in a timely manner while freeing up municipal resources that can better used for more important services such as hurricane rehabilitation." Elzweig says that the change is welcome in the industry and promotes the municipal economy, eliminates economic waste, and aides overwhelmed building departments.

Florida Statute 553.791 titled "Alternative Plans Review and Inspection", which has become known as the "Private Provider Law" throughout the State, allows the Fee Owner of a building the option of using a Private Provider, such as an Architect or Engineer, to provide the mandatory building code compliance plans review and/or inspections for the structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing components of a building. Notifications of all inspections must be sent to the local Building Official with the date and time no later than the prior business day or any other specified time noted in the local jurisdiction. Once a signed affidavit is submitted (found on http://www.caprineering.com), the municipality must respond with concerns within 30 days. After 30 days, the permit applications will be approved automatically if there is no response from the municipality.

Change is never without some resistance, however. Says Elzweig, "As with all new programs, implementation takes time. Misconceptions and misunderstandings of who should do what were causing some confusion that has since been straightened out." In October, 2004, the Alternative Plans Review and Inspections Work Group unanimously adopted recommendations to improve the system. These recommendations are currently contained in House Bill 567. Issues covered in the House Bill include: Direct Versus Contract Labor, Job Site Notification, Proof of Insurance, Stop Work Orders, Audit Requirements/Progress of the Work, Documentation Requirements, Local Qualifications for the Private Provider, Time for Private Providers to Notify their Intent to Conduct Inspections on a Project, and Commission Rule Authority to Establish Format for Forms.

Elzweig is optimistic about the new changes, "After four years in the trenches with the implementation of the Private Provider Law and watching how well it has augmented local building departments that were either spread too thin by unprecedented growth or overwhelmed with hurricane related damage, I can say without hesitation that the future looks bright for the Private Provider Law and it is likely to have a prominent place in our industry for many years to come." For more information, contact Gary Elzweig at CAPRI Engineering at 954-424-2520.