The RV Industry Association’s (RVIA) Standards Department conducted a two-day training session at Forest River last month, focusing on regulatory compliance and safety standards for recreational vehicle manufacturing.
The training aimed to help manufacturer employees better understand key safety codes, including the National Fire Protection Association 1192 and the National Electric Code, which govern RV construction and systems.
The initiative is part of the association’s broader effort to support consistent compliance across member companies and improve overall production safety.
According to the RVIA, the training covered multiple technical areas critical to RV manufacturing. The first day included instruction on 120-volt electrical systems, plumbing, low-voltage systems, and fuel systems.
The second day focused on fuel systems as well as fire and life safety requirements.
The session was led by Inspector Nate Tressler, Senior Inspector Kyle VanTassel, and Chief Inspector Greg Wischmeyer, all members of the association’s Standards team.
Tressler said the training is designed to clarify both the requirements and their practical application.
“These trainings help the manufacturers better understand the standard and its intent,” Tressler said. “The lessons also allow us to explain what inspectors look for during inspections and answer any questions, helping to ensure safer and more consistent RV production.”
A total of 25 Forest River employees attended the training across both days. VanTassel said participants were actively engaged throughout the sessions, raising questions that contributed to ongoing standards development.
“They asked many pertinent questions along the way, with at least one resulting in a handbook update proposal being drafted,” VanTassel said. “They are a very good, attentive group and responded well to the questions included in the training.”
The Standards Department conducts more than 2,000 inspections annually at member manufacturing facilities. The department’s work centers on monitoring adherence to safety standards adopted by its Board of Directors for RVs and park model RVs.
Training sessions are available both virtually and in person and are intended for production line workers, quality control personnel, plant managers, and group leaders.