Considering career as an inspector.

[ggunn]

One of the complaints I have heard from many inspectors who were full time inspectors is that a lot of electricians don't know the code.

There are also inspectors who do not know the code.

 

[augie47]

There are also inspectors who do not know the code.

You are certified in one of the areas many of us inspectors struggle with code-wise.

 

[Eddie702]

There are also inspectors who do not know the code.

No doubt about that. But there are a lot of electricians who only open their code books when they have too like at a mandatory code update class. I am guilty of that somewhat as I am far from a code expert.

But I mostly did the same type of work, and I would try to know the parts of the code I needed to know, and I wasn't afraid to stand up to an inspector if I thought he was wrong. but you make a fool of yourself if you don't know the code.

 

[hillbilly1]

A lot of the smaller jurisdictions, inspectors have to be jack of all trades, and inspect everything. Those usually end up being carpenters that cover everything.

 

[Eddie702]

A lot of the smaller jurisdictions, inspectors have to be jack of all trades, and inspect everything. Those usually end up being carpenters that cover everything.

In MA. the inspectors are supposed to be licensed electricians. But twice in my 46 years of working the building inspector signed off on two jobs because the electrical inspector was sick or on vacation.

In CT the larger cities had electrical inspectors, but the smaller town had "Building Officials" who did everything. Don't know how it is now.

 

[hillbilly1]

In MA. the inspectors are supposed to be licensed electricians. But twice in my 46 years of working the building inspector signed off on two jobs because the electrical inspector was sick or on vacation.

In CT the larger cities had electrical inspectors, but the smaller town had "Building Officials" who did everything. Don't know how it is now.

Here, we have two inspectors, both do it all, but the chief inspector is the only one to handle commercial and industrial inspections.

 

[ramsy]

In MA. the inspectors are supposed to be licensed electricians.

In my area all building department staff do the same thing.

 

[Pinnie]

In my area all building department staff do the same

If you can’t beat em join em. They must be on to something

 

[ramsy]

If you can’t beat em join em. They must be on to something

IAEI meetings often complain about building departments needing new blood.
They would be lucky to have you.

 

[ggunn]

If you can’t beat em join em. They must be on to something

Or just on something.

 

[Seven-Delta-FortyOne]

I think with 4 years of experience and not being a J-man, you’re woefully under qualified to be in a position like that.

In my area, the inspectors are almost all former tradesmen with lots of experience. I also hear the horror stories on here, and I realize how lucky we are to have knowledgeable, helpful, and experienced inspectors in my area. I really haven’t had a bad experience with an inspector, both county and the several cities I work in.

And I think a lot of that has to do with the knowledge and experience of the inspectors. I many times learn new stuff on my inspections, not even necessarily about the job I’m on, just from chatting with them.

I don’t think it would be the same with a green tradesman who took some classes and was trying to figure it out as he went. Id probably stop pulling permits.