MODEL # 97-9
BAR CODES FOR BUILDING FIELD INSPECTORS
CITY OF CAMPBELL, CA
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

REGULATORY AREAS:
Automation

PROBLEM:

The City of Campbell needed a tool to solve the problems of unreadable field notes by inspectors, and to lower the overall costs of the building inspection process.

SOLUTION:

The City implemented the Bar Codes for Building Inspectors system to automate the note-taking process by inspectors.

DESCRIPTION:

The Bar Codes for Building Inspectors submission is an automated system that affects the administration process of building inspections. Along with the computer, the central tool used to accomplish this task is the Videx TimeWand. This is an inexpensive, credit card sized bar code scanner that can store relevant information from a day of inspections. At the end of each day the information from the scanner is downloaded directly into the computer.

The first page of the submission is an article by Frank Cauthorn (the submitting party) entitled Bar Codes for Building Inspectors. This is an excellent summary of the program, describing the bar code system and what it does, how it was initially implemented in his jurisdiction, and the costs and benefits of the program. It also includes contact information for the company hired to install the system.

The pages following the introduction include actual examples of how the Bar Codes are used in the City of Campbell building department. These include examples of Bar Code Display Sheets, different tables, cross reference files and management reports. Typical information processed through the system include the Permit Number, the type of inspection, and the result of the inspection.

Following the City of Campbell information is more detailed literature from several installers of the Bar Code systems, as well as a four page article entitled Bar Codes and the TimeWand by Videx, Inc., the manufacturer of the scanner used by the City of Campbell.

EVALUATION BY STREAMLINING COMMITTEES:

The Automation Task Group lists the following as strengths of the program: (1) affordable and practical for small jurisdictions, (2) accesses reviews at proper locations, and (3) improved quality control. The Task Group made no modifications to the program, and recommended advancement as a regulatory tool.

Both the Regulatory Affairs Committee (RAC) and the National Project Review Committee (NPRC) recommended the model to be used as a tool in conjunction with similar regulatory programs.

IMPLEMENTATION:

Bar Codes for Building Inspectors was developed by Frank Cauthorn with the cooperation of Videx, Inc., for the software beta system. The cost of implementation was $850.00, which includes a bar code wand ($248.00), a single down-loader ($120.00), and Time Wand Manager Software ($489.00).

This program is currently in place in Campbell, California; Gwinnette County, Georgia; and Naperville, Illinois.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE IN CONSIDERING THE USE OF THIS MODEL, PLEASE CONTACT:

Frank Cauthorn
Building Official
City of Campbell
70 North 1st Street
Campbell, CA 95008
Phone: (408) 866-2132
FAX:    (408) 866-8381