I wrote an ARTICLE earlier on the different ways to access NFPA publications, including mobile devices like laptops and notebook computers, tablet PCs and even cell phones. Loading PDF copies on a mobile device like tablets and phones is great - if you have purchased a PDF CD. There is also info on accessing any NFPA publication through REAL READ free online access. This article deals with how to access the free reader on a mobile device just like a desktop, using my Android cell phone as an example. The above photo is a zoom and pan of the first page of the online reader. Before getting started on the steps that are just like the desktop, there are some setups that may need to be done first. This presumes you have already registered.
BROWSERS - Not all browsers and settings may be compatible with this JAVA-based reader. I'm using this OPERA BROWSER in the DESKTOP mode under SETTINGS/USER AGENT. The desktop mode pulls up webpages just like the desktop computer, including LinkedIn. I added the JAVA APP for both phones, the reader would not run without it. In addition for me, OPERA's easy bookmarks setup and locating and TAB control outshines them all, including Chrome. You may find similar issues with iPhones. With the Opera browser, you can quickly double-tap any area and it will zoom to that area and you can pinch zoom and pan from there. Double tap again, and it will zoom back out for full screen. Most Website Text will automatically WORD WRAP, when turned on under SETTINGS, when zooming in and out, eliminating panning around to read a paragraph like other browsers.
SIGN IN - You can start from scratch by GOOGLING "NFPA 20" and it will bring you to the HOME PAGE or use THIS LINK. from your mobile device. ZOOM IN and hit the - "Free access to the 2013 edition of NFPA 20" link. This opens up the reader Sign In page just like the one on the desktop. Once signed in, it pulls up the main page like the top photo.
BOOKMARKS - I have several folders on the browser BOOKMARKs for favorites like LinkedIn, Facebook and NFPA. Once the HOME PAGE was located, it was saved as a bookmark, "NFPA 20," in the NFPA folder for future access. There are other related codes like NFPA 72, NFPA 70 (NEC) etc. there also. From the home page, it was a matter of tapping the FREE ACCESS link and signing in to get to the home page above. Adding the LIST OF CODES AND STANDARDS to your bookmakers makes all of them available from this one page.
PINCH ZOOM - Once in the reader, depending on the display size, you may need to zoom and pan for easier reading like below on my phone.
Once you have the TABLE OF CONTENTS you can tap and quickly jump to a chapter and page/NEXT through it until you find what you're looking for.
The table of contents links bring you to the page with the beginning of each chapter - zoomed and paned for this display below. If looking for the end of a long chapter like 7.6.2 - Maintenance, go to chapter 8 and page backwards/PREVIOUS much faster than running forward/NEXT through the beginning of chapter 7 all the way to the end.
These photos are all from my cheap Motorola Moto G Android pay as you go phone with the above browser and settings. In general, the OPERA browser works in both mobile and desktop just like the desktop computer and also offers word-wrap when zooming, unlike many browsers. I also have a deactivated Samsung Galaxy Note II for a larger display and sometimes use the Motorola's WiFi sharing to get on the Internet with it or a tablet PC or notebook computer when there is no free WIFi available.
In closing, as a fire pump controller rep for 15 years and a fire pump service and inspection tech for 29 years, if a had a nickle for every time someone shot their mouth off in the wrong direction about a code issue, I'd be rich. Having instant access was also a great show-and-tell on the spot instead of expecting anyone to "take my word for it." As a licensed electrician and fire pump controller rep both, I always had hard copies of NFPA 20 and the NEC both with me for "argument's" sake and that ended the argument. Having penciled arrows out to the side of the more common ones made them easier to find. Later PDF copies allowed searching through a mobile PDF reader.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
FIRE PUMPS - NFPA 20, HARD COPY, PDF AND FREE READER - Tips on various NFPA formats.
WIFI SHARING - Using a cell phone to access the Internet with larger devices for better viewing.
SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE II FOR FIRE PUMP SERVICE TECHS AND SALESMEN - Example of the advantage of larger phones, even as a deactivated backup for your primary phone.
21ST CENTURY FIRE PUMP SERVICE TECH - As far as reading devices go, an inexpensive 7" tablet PC is about is good as it gets for starters. A lot of service techs I've worked with like the sizes like the larger phones or 7" tablets, easily held in one hand and tablets much cheaper than large phones - especially if it gets damaged. With Internet service, even from your cell phone's WiFi sharing, opens up a much broader field of view for things like the above reader and photos. Bluetooth sharing between devices is easy also once PAIRED.
ELECTRIC FIRE PUMP CONTROLLER WIRING PROTECTION AND SPLICES - A good example of why you should use codes for project advice. Having instant access to them on the job or meetings saves walking off with no answer, or worse, the wrong answer. This also provides substantiation that NFPA is so big on instead of taking someone's word at FACE VALUE.
OSHA - In addition to NFPA codes, you can also use a mobile device to look up OSHA STANDARDS and SDS SHEETS as well as build up a PDF library or just a bookmarks folder with webpage links saved.
No comments:
Post a Comment