FHA Home Inspection

[growler]

FHA does require an inspection before they will approve a home loan and I understand that. I have looked up their guideline and don't see anything unusual.

I went to a service call where an FHA inspector is makeing the owner remove the GFCI protection from the kitchen and bathrooms because the circuit does not have a ground. He has to go back with two pronged receptacles.

To me that doesn't make much sense. GFCI protection may not be perfect but it's a lot better than nothing.

Have you all ran into anything crazy like this?

PS I didn't remove any GFCI protection I only worked on the disposal.

 

[hbiss]

This is why I wish they would make 2 slot GFCI receptacles for replacement use.

-Hal

 

[jumper]

FHA inspector is crazy.

 

[dkidd]

FHA does require an inspection before they will approve a home loan and I understand that. I have looked up their guideline and don't see anything unusual.

I went to a service call where an FHA inspector is makeing the owner remove the GFCI protection from the kitchen and bathrooms because the circuit does not have a ground. He has to go back with two pronged receptacles.

To me that doesn't make much sense. GFCI protection may not be perfect but it's a lot better than nothing.

Have you all ran into anything crazy like this?

PS I didn't remove any GFCI protection I only worked on the disposal.

See 2(b)

406.4
(2) Non–Grounding-Type Receptacles. Where attachment
to an equipment grounding conductor does not exist
in the receptacle enclosure, the installation shall comply
with (D)(2)(a), (D)(2)(b), or (D)(2)(c).
(a) A non–grounding-type receptacle(s) shall be permitted
to be replaced with another non–grounding-type receptacle(
s).
(b) A non–grounding-type receptacle(s) shall be permitted
to be replaced with a ground-fault circuit interrupter type
of receptacle(s). These receptacles shall be marked
“No Equipment Ground.” An equipment grounding conductor
shall not be connected from the ground-fault circuit interrupter-
type receptacle to any outlet supplied from the
ground-fault circuit-interrupter receptacle.
(c) A non–grounding-type receptacle(s) shall be permitted
to be replaced with a grounding-type receptacle(s)
where supplied through a ground-fault circuit interrupter.
Grounding-type receptacles supplied through the ground fault
circuit interrupter shall be marked “GFCI Protected”
and “No Equipment Ground.” An equipment grounding
conductor shall not be connected between the grounding type
receptacles.

 

[jumper]

FHA does require an inspection before they will approve a home loan and I understand that. I have looked up their guideline and don't see anything unusual.

I went to a service call where an FHA inspector is makeing the owner remove the GFCI protection from the kitchen and bathrooms because the circuit does not have a ground. He has to go back with two pronged receptacles.

To me that doesn't make much sense. GFCI protection may not be perfect but it's a lot better than nothing.

Have you all ran into anything crazy like this?

PS I didn't remove any GFCI protection I only worked on the disposal.

Found a HUD document that specifically talks about allowing GFCI and changing to to 3 prong recs when protected.

http://www.nahro.org/sites/default/files/searchable/PIHNotice2011dash29.pdf

 

[dkidd]

Excerpt from http://www.nahro.org/sites/default/files/searchable/PIHNotice2011dash29.pdf

Three-pronged, grounded type outlets should not be substituted for ungrounded outlets unless (1) a ground is connected to the outlet, or (2) a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protects the outlet. (Figure 3) Installing a new ground wire may require a licensed electrician to install a new wire to the circuit breaker box and may be prohibitively expensive. A more cost-effective method is to protect the outlet with a GFCI, which provides protection to the outlet. If the GFCI senses a difference in current flow between the hot and the neutral terminals, it shuts off the flow of current to the outlet.

 

[Fnewman]

While all of the comments in favor of the GFCI are correct in my opinion, about the only option you have to try and convince the FHA inspector would be to contact the Authority Having Jurisdiction. However, because he is the AHJ, he could decide either way.

 

[ptonsparky]

Hmm...FHA looked at my MILs house we just sold and all they wanted was trim painted. House has numerous GFCI devices fed with two wire. Labeled as such, as well.

 

[growler]

Hmm...FHA looked at my MILs house we just sold and all they wanted was trim painted. House has numerous GFCI devices fed with two wire. Labeled as such, as well.

Yes I have read all the required checks for electrical provided by FHA and I have never seen any of this on their list.

I told the homeowner that GFCI without ground is considered acceptable but he said the inspector was making him change it anyway. It's the inspector and not FHA that's the problem.

 

[growler]

While all of the comments in favor of the GFCI are correct in my opinion, about the only option you have to try and convince the FHA inspector would be to contact the Authority Having Jurisdiction. However, because he is the AHJ, he could decide either way.

I have went to the head electrical inspector who is also the building code official in this county in the past about home inspections. The homeowner has already changed everything so there is really no reason to do anything.

I just thought it was strange he ( the inspector ) would require a change that made the electrical system less safe.

 

[Fnewman]

I have went to the head electrical inspector who is also the building code official in this county in the past about home inspections. The homeowner has already changed everything so there is really no reason to do anything.

I just thought it was strange he ( the inspector ) would require a change that made the electrical system less safe.

Nothing more than lack of understanding/education.