House fires
- Thread starter domnic
- Start date
- Status
rc/retired
Senior Member
- Location
- Bellvue, Colorado
- Occupation
- Master Electrician/Inspector retired
I would have to say that depends on your jurisdiction.
In Colorado, a license is required for remodels unless you are the owner occupying the house.
No license is required to start a house fire.
Ron
In Colorado, a license is required for remodels unless you are the owner occupying the house.
No license is required to start a house fire.
Ron
4x4dually
Senior Member
- Location
- Stillwater, OK
- Occupation
- Electrical Engineer/ Ex-Electrician
Furthermore you are going to have to break that down into more categories. I'm assuming you are trying to prove to someone that they need to pay a licensed electrician instead of doing it themselves? There are some people who can do their own work safely and not have issues. You can't put all non-licensed electricians into one category IMO.
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
I've seen Agricultural EE projects that worked flawlessly for more years than some of us here have been alive. The only reason I was there, owner was in his 80s.
The 400 amp (POS) FPE fused disconnect I installed, didn't work properly less than two years later.
The 400 amp (POS) FPE fused disconnect I installed, didn't work properly less than two years later.
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
Ooo, details.
4x4dually
Senior Member
- Location
- Stillwater, OK
- Occupation
- Electrical Engineer/ Ex-Electrician
Well, then,....that's a problem. LMAO Disregard my comments.
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
Are licenses required in every state in order to be sell services specifically as an electrician?
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
They usually advertise as Handy Man, Plumber, Sheetrocker, etc. Anything but Electrician, because that does require a license in most cases.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
No...many parts of Illinois have no requirements for who can install electrical systems...some areas don't even have permits or inspections.
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
My point is that not all states require electrical licenses for all electrical work.
The reality seems to be most places which are already making sufficient money on licenses rarely prosecute the people cheating the system.
People wanting to cheat the system will always be able to hire someone also willing to cheat. Licensed contractors charging 100% markup on products they purchase from big box stores or Amazon may not be helping the problem.
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
I was referring to NE, and yes it seems fines etc are only given out to the licensed
James L
Senior Member
- Location
- Kansas Cty, Mo, USA
- Occupation
- Electrician
Are you asking:
Out of all the HOUSE in the U.S., how many happened to be in areas where electrical licenses are required? As in, regardless of what caused the fire, how many are in areas with no licensing requirement?
Or are you asking:
Out of all the ELECTRICAL fires in the U.S., how many happen to be in areas where no licensing is required?
Or are you asking:
Out of all the HOUSE (regardless of cause) fires in the U.S., how many had post-new-construction work done on them by licensed vs unlicensed electricians?
Or are you asking:
Out of all the ELECTRICAL fires in the U.S., how many had post-new-construction work done on them by licensed vs unlicensed electricians?
Or are you including original house wiring?
Are you including extension cord fires?
OP just seems to be a rant with no teeth.
Tell them that their insurance company may care if the fire is found to be caused by illegal unpermitted work.
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
Unpermitted is not the same as unlicensed.
I have done lots of permitted work even though I am not licensed. I know several license holders that save their customers a few dollars by not getting permits.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
There is not even valid data about the number of house fires that are "said" to be of electrical origin, let alone the license status of the electricians.
YES-YES-YES- YES !
Sberry
Senior Member
- Location
- Brethren, MI
- Occupation
- farmer electrician
You signed the license, its an agreement allows the state to procecute if you dont follow the rules. Says you know and agree. Courts will not enforce a contract from the unlicensed.
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
I like this! I am now an unlicensed, retired EC. No fines for me. I don't believe I can even file for a permit if I wanted to.
In addition to fires, there have been fatalities due to the work of handyman type 'electricians'. A notable example is where the 'electrician' used the EGC in a UF or Romex feeding a garage as a traveler for a 3 way light, energized the garage door, and killed a little kid.
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