Energy Codes??

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cowboyjwc said:
My job here too. Just because I'm an EI doesn't mean that I don't or can't point out other code violations. I put a stop work notice on a plumbing job a few days ago, mostly because the plans for the whole job was still on my desk being plan checked, but I don't have to call out the plumbing inspector to do that.
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John,
I do not want to be misinterpreted here -- I am a Combination inspector and do point out the obvious with regards to other trade issues, most contractors appreciate the information. Where I do hold contractors is in regard is to life safety issues such as fire rated walls ( most of the time the prints will have details ). Failing an inspection for a non life safety code that does not fit the criteria of the trade you are inspecting is a AHJ decision - I just am not in agreement with that unless my manager require I enforce - then our adoption will be amended as such.
 
infinity said:
Is there anything in that document that applies to the installation outlined in the OP?
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I made a mistake the last code cycle it was the electrical inspectors responsibility but looking at the new requirements it has been moved to the building inspector except for recessed fixtures in a residential setting that is still the electrical inspectors responsibilty. Thank you for questioning it.
 
RICK NAPIER said:
I made a mistake the last code cycle it was the electrical inspectors responsibility but looking at the new requirements it has been moved to the building inspector except for recessed fixtures in a residential setting that is still the electrical inspectors responsibilty. Thank you for questioning it.
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No problem that's what I was thinking. I can understand the idea of the EI looking at lighting fixtures for compliance but insulation behind electrical boxes is stretching it. :)
 
Fulthrotl said:
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nope. unless you bring water, you can't enter the state.
as you are electricians, please don't substitute beer for this requirement.

and we have standards here. starting the first of the year, there is a
feng shui portion of the building code.

if you screw with our qui, you will be deported. we'd build a wall, but
it screws with the flow....
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I wasn't inviting them, I was commenting on how it appears the rest of the country might be catching up to the way we infiltrate environmental issues into all aspects of our work lives.

And if you don't like it, PLEASE stay way, it's already too crowded here anyway.

Unless of course you bring your own water as Fulthrotl said, minimum 360gal/day per person.
 
mwm1752 said:
John,
I do not want to be misinterpreted here -- I am a Combination inspector and do point out the obvious with regards to other trade issues, most contractors appreciate the information. Where I do hold contractors is in regard is to life safety issues such as fire rated walls ( most of the time the prints will have details ). Failing an inspection for a non life safety code that does not fit the criteria of the trade you are inspecting is a AHJ decision - I just am not in agreement with that unless my manager require I enforce - then our adoption will be amended as such.
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Oh I understand where you're coming from, but you have to remember that as an EI especially in CA there are many issue that are in the building code that are electrical related. For example in Chapter 10 of the building code here in CA there are height requirements for receptacles and switches. Where accessible to persons with disabilities receptacles are minimum 15 inches measured to the bottom of the box AFF and switches are maximum 48" measured to the top of the box AFF. Now, since that is not in the electrical code (they removed it several code cycles back) does that mean that I'm not responsible to make that call and it is the building inspectors call?
 
cowboyjwc said:
Oh I understand where you're coming from, but you have to remember that as an EI especially in CA there are many issue that are in the building code that are electrical related. For example in Chapter 10 of the building code here in CA there are height requirements for receptacles and switches. Where accessible to persons with disabilities receptacles are minimum 15 inches measured to the bottom of the box AFF and switches are maximum 48" measured to the top of the box AFF. Now, since that is not in the electrical code (they removed it several code cycles back) does that mean that I'm not responsible to make that call and it is the building inspectors call?
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Yeah, I often hear that if it is not required by the NEC or if it is a violation of a code other than the NEC then it not the electricians problem or that the EI cannot fail the install. I say this is b.s. All applicable codes should be enforced for any type of install IMO.
 
jumper said:
Yeah, I often hear that if it is not required by the NEC or if it is a violation of a code other than the NEC then it not the electricians problem or that the EI cannot fail the install. I say this is b.s. All applicable codes should be enforced for any type of install IMO.
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To re enforce my opinion.

From the VCC/USBC of VA. State building code that references all the other codes. IBC, NEC, IRC, etc.

112.1 General.
It shall be the duty of any person perform-
ing work covered by this code to comply with all applica-
ble provisions of this code and to perform and complete
such work so as to secure the results intended by the
USBC.
 
jumper said:
Yeah, I often hear that if it is not required by the NEC or if it is a violation of a code other than the NEC then it not the electricians problem or that the EI cannot fail the install. I say this is b.s. All applicable codes should be enforced for any type of install IMO.
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If your only job is electrical inspections and there are no amendments to your job then as a EC I would not have polite words for your cause I said so rules. I see the majority of forum participants bi--h about enforcement with out merit -- now the GC may have words for me but it is not the inspectors business to involve himself in contracts between builder & sub trades. I agree with your opinion but it would not stand in a non bs court.
 
Lately I am seeing a lot of work where outside walls are getting iceynene foam insulation so in those cases a regular plastic device box is being accepted. On jobs where the insulation is fiberglass, is there a way to seal the holes in a regular plastic box? Using those new gasketed device boxes is very expensive. I would prefer to not use them.

If sealing a regular plastic box is an option what sealant product is acceptable?

Does sealing up any openings around the cable entry points actually accomplish the goal. I ask because it seems to me the bigger leakage area is between the box and the drywall.

How does the product get installed?

Is it the electricians job to do the sealing?
 
mwm1752 said:
If your only job is electrical inspections and there are no amendments to your job then as a EC I would not have polite words for your cause I said so rules. I see the majority of forum participants bi--h about enforcement with out merit -- now the GC may have words for me but it is not the inspectors business to involve himself in contracts between builder & sub trades. I agree with your opinion but it would not stand in a non bs court.
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So you're saying that if I'm an EI and a code section comes out of the building code (exit signs, smoke and CO alarms, emergency egress lighting) and not the NEC then it is not my job to require these things and that it falls on the GC to take care of them?
 
cowboyjwc said:
So you're saying that if I'm an EI and a code section comes out of the building code (exit signs, smoke and CO alarms, emergency egress lighting) and not the NEC then it is not my job to require these things and that it falls on the GC to take care of them?
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I am going to say every area is different.

Here are the duties of a MA inspector of wires

Section 32: Municipal inspector of wires; appointment; qualifications; powers and duties; liability for removal of wires

Section 32. A city or town shall, by ordinance, vote or by-law, appoint an inspector of wires. Said inspector shall be a licensed electrician. Two or more cities or towns may vote to form a district and shall appoint an inspector of wires, whose compensation shall be fixed by the district and paid for by each city and town comprising such district as the city and town members thereof shall determine and who shall have the same powers and duties of an inspector of a city or town. Such inspector shall supervise every wire over or under streets or buildings in such a city, town or district and every wire within or supplied from buildings and structures subject to the provisions of chapter one hundred and forty-three, and the state building code, except wires within a manufactured building or building component as defined in the state building code and inspected in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the building code commission; shall notify the person owning or operating any such wire whenever its attachments, insulation, supports or appliances are improper or unsafe, or whenever the tags or marks thereof are insufficient or illegible; shall, at the expense of the city or town, remove every wire not tagged or marked as hereinbefore required, and shall see that all laws and regulations relative to wires are strictly enforced. A city, town or district may recover in contract from the owner of any such wire so removed the expense which it has incurred for the removal thereof.
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Jraef said:
I wasn't inviting them, I was commenting on how it appears the rest of the
country might be catching up to the way we infiltrate environmental issues
into all aspects of our work lives.
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.
thats how it seems to have rolled, but i suspect that the newly declared
head of the EPA may be clubbing some baby seals shortly.

i'm sure that san onofre nuclear generating will be shortly converted to run on coal. :p
 
cowboyjwc said:
So you're saying that if I'm an EI and a code section comes out of the building code (exit signs, smoke and CO alarms, emergency egress lighting) and not the NEC then it is not my job to require these things and that it falls on the GC to take care of them?
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As an individual that the only qualification is EI --- will inspect all wiring associated with those elements but if they are not installed & the NEC which is my only code to enforce "per legislation" does not require such elements I would not be the AHJ over the missing elements. This would be in the same category as "the home inspector syndrome" which is constantly criticized on this forum. Once again the contract with the GC which requires the EC to install certain elements for building codes is his responsibility & when those elements are installed another inspection would be required. Good advice & direction are always a proper approach for the EI that knows better but I do partial inspections all the time & who is to say they only wanted a portion of the job inspected........... failing comes from non compliance with the NEC in this specific instance.
 
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