How do you say it?

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inspector23

inspector23

Senior Member
Location
Temecula, CA
Don?t wish to sound too politically correct here, because the construction industry historically has lacked a, shall we say, diplomatic attitude between inspectors and installers. Lots of history of screaming, ?my way or highway?, line-in-the-sand mentality.

However, one thing our inspection department emphasizes is professional communication, both verbally and written. We have weekly one hour meetings discussing exactly that- communications. Not the technical aspects, but the communications aspects. You see something, and whether it is going to delay the project one hour or one month, whether it will cost 5 bucks or 50 thousand dollars to correct, we work on HOW you present yourself and the issue. We train on how to be ?warm and fuzzy? while remaining firm.

My favorite verbal expression is ?in order to sign off this inspection, we need to ________. Much softer than ? you failed because ________? . It also gives more of a cooperative attitude while still maintaining control. Indicates working together rather than a combative situation.

My favorite written notice begins with ?please provide me the ability to perform my inspection by ___________________ .? This indicates to the parties involved your commitment to moving the project along as soon as they complete the necessary corrections. Again, retains a cooperative attitude while maintaining control. In fact, I am trying to get this preprinted on the correction notices from our municipality.

I would enjoy reading about your favorite ways, verbally and written, which you use to communicate to your inspector/installer/engineer/architect/owner.
 
Many inspectors here will give you a courtesy phone call when they encounter a perceived violation, instead of slapping a red sticker on the job.

Sometimes, the issue can be solved right over the phone, either with an explanation on my part as to what we did, and why we did it (along with the Code reference to back it up).

When we did something way out in left field (talking actual violation here), a promise to correct it promptly can avoid unpleasant delays in keeping the job moving.

There have been times where such promises were acceptable to the inspector, and eventually ratified on the final.:smile:
 
kbsparky said:
When we did something way out in left field (talking actual violation here), a promise to correct it promptly can avoid unpleasant delays in keeping the job moving.

There have been times where such promises were acceptable to the inspector, and eventually ratified on the final.:smile:
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Obviously that trust has been built from past experiences with you and the inspector.

I guess what I am asking is HOW you communicate. When the inspector initiates the calls, what is his demeanor and/or approach?

How do you diffuse situations when you do not agree with the interpretation?

Seems to me that HOW you communicate is more important in many ways than WHAT you communicate. I am seriously considering putting together a website or handout listing different approaches to different situations, using (with permission) the originators name with the solution offered. These would be offered to installers, inspectors, and any other personnel affected. In the pressures of time and budget constraints we all deal with on a daily basis, I think it is a service which may offer some assistance.

I would like to see Mike Holt address this, but I have not found anything so far.
 
I prefer being present for inspections, as a minor, overlooked issue can usually be taken care of while the inspector is there, getting a pass on the spot.

Most often, these items can be re-checked at final, and is considered passed for the rough inspection anyway. It's great being friendly with inspectors.
 
I have to be at my inspections - they wont enter the jobsite, or talk to any other but who ran the job or the company representive, not a non-electrician, GC or HO. Even then, sometimes the boss doesn't know what he's looking at either.... :roll:

Back on communication, not only does it take at least two, it has to go both ways - no matter how you sweeten the language of the responce. Many Inspectors (And some contractors too) refuse to debate cordially, or accept the fact that they might be wrong - or worse have been wrong for years. But they'll never know, because they never listen. Or only know ONE WAY to do something, and will accept no other.
 
One key thing is to not use the words, "I want" or "we want". It’s always best to use the terms, "the code requires".

This emphasizes the need to cite code sections and to use correct terminology when writing violations notices or communicating with contractors.

For example, I have seen violation cards say:

"Romex not stapled in room"

Instead, it should state:

"334.30 - NM cable must be properly secured in master bedroom."

Communication should be clear, distinct, and non-bias.
 
How do you say it

How do you say it

I also like to be there when the inspector arrives. I almost never get a red tag. Being there shows you care and you can fix anything then. It also helps you to get to know the inspectors. I had a new inspector on a new house a few months ago. He was walking around when I got there. He said don't pay me any attention, I'm just admiring this neat work. Respect with the Electrical Inspectors means allot. If I have a question sometimes I call the Inspector for that area and say (I just dialed 1-800-some one smarter than me and you answered) they laugh and continue to help me. Just treat everyone like you want to be treated. Semper Fi
 
Even the toughest inspector I have delt with gives verbal request for corrections if you are on the job when he inspects and will call or email with questions if you can not be there. Rarely is a job held up for reinspection. You, meaning EC, would have to be a partial idiot to cause that.

I have had only one inspector with a "my way or the highway" attitude and he was misinformed in his beliefs.
 
Some of you have mentioned that you are present at inspections. How do you arrange this? I rarely know ahead of time what time I am going to be at a particular location. Most of the time I can only say it will be morning or afternoon. Do you just stand around and wait until the inspector shows up? Do you schedule an exact time for the inspector to be there when you schedule the inspection? I have had some contractors request that I call them when I'm going to be there, but I find this very inconvenient and causes time delays in my scheduling. I usually have a pretty big inspection list each day and don't have time to wait for an EC to get to the job.
 
We do not call and let ECs know when we are coming, but you may call our office in the morning and get a close time. As the only electrical inspector I can't always give exact times either as I have the whole valley to do and if I schedule one at one end for AM and you're at the same end and requested PM you better be ready in the AM. I usually know if it's a PM that the EC isn't ready and is hoping that he will be by the time I get there. I like having the EC there also as we can take care of the little problems and get them taken care of so the "I" don't have to make a second trip either.

Also don't call me for an inspection if all you want is to ask me a question I'm in the office everyday for an hour in the morning and a half hour in the afternoon. You are using someone elses time when you call me out because the owner doesnt want to put outlets in their new granite back splash and you want to know what you can do. You're the EC you know what the code says, figure it out and call me with your solution and I'll tell you if it will work or not.

Don't forget that as important as your job is to you it's not the only one in town and I have things to do too. I am the electrical plan checker and I also do training. Once a week we have a staff meeting. Two mornings a week I have over the counter plan check time and once a week we have department training.

Remember I don't get paid by the correction notice. It's actually easier for me to sign the job card than to write a notice and come back.

I get along very well with most people as long as they don't start lying to me. My boss once said that I was the only inspector he knew who could hand a correction notice to someone and have them shake my hand and say thank you.

I love to talk, so if I know your kid plays baseball we'll talk a little about how he's doing, how your hunting trip went, that car you're rebuilding. All work and no play......If we can't laugh and scratch on the job then things probably aren't going to bode well for you during the inspection.
 
The inspector for this area may only be here once a month or less. Roughins and temporary services get priority. All else can wait so we just try to get them all done at one time. He may ride or follow depending on his schedule.

A two hour drive to the first stop is not unusal for the Inspector in Western Nebraska.
 
We have about a field inspector and a chief for each district all dedicated to single trade - about a dozen districts, and a few special inspectors too - so thats about a staff of 30 for electrical alone... in a city 28 sq miles.

We get a 2 hour window and bill for double that time per inspection + fees. (if say you have multiple roughs -tommorow I have my 3rd of 4 inspections on a multiple pour.) Sure, you're hanging around waiting for a while, but there is always plenty to do. i.e. Phone calls, place orders, tidy up loose ends, site documentation, for that matter find the job card ;)

But the deal is that the inspector will walk up to the door - if it is not open he won't knock, ring the bell or call - your not there, he leaves and goes off to the next one. If the door is open he'll walk in, and I mean wide open, he'll walk in give a couple of yelps, or ask someone to find you. If you're not there he leaves, and goes to the next one. In either case you need to reschedule... In say a high-rise - you better be in the lobby.... If it's say raining, you can call and tell 'em that you're in the truck, call me when you get here..' When you call to schedule you trade cell numbers in case anyone runs late (he past the 2 hours - you the start of the begining hour), but yeah, if he gets there and had not gotten a call from you - he's gone. Some like a call to point out good parking, or a warning of traffic, but especially if you're not gonna be there.hey hate a wasted trip just as much as you do.

Sometimes, they show up early, (if say they were blown off on the job before you.) and will inspect, but may not touch the job card until you hand it to him... Sometimes there can be 5 cards and/or various EC's on a single site handling different scopes - they dont know whos work is who's untill you walk them through your scope. On remodels they don't know what is existing or not, and simularly won't bother until you point them to your work.

Back on the OP's topic:
I have NEVER had an Inspector show up to a job site with a code book. Simularly, I have NEVER been asked if I have one with me. Whenever there has been a question about a code - usually because the inspector is trying to remember the wording of the code of what may or may not be a violation - the onus has always been mine to pull out mine, half the time they don't want to see it when you do - and resist looking in it when you open it up. Why? Because 9 out of 10 (in my case) they mis-remembered it, or 'forgot' an exception or something... Personally, I world like to see inspectors spend a little more time with a book in thier hands, and quote directly from it - rather than trying to remember what they thought it said or meant... (like many of us here on this site either have a book next to us, or have it on PDF in another window right on the computer.)
 
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e57 said:
Back on the OP's topic:
I have NEVER had an Inspector show up to a job site with a code book. Simularly, I have NEVER been asked if I have one with me.
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WOW!! Interesting.....

Not sure where you are located, but that is definitely not the case in Southern California. Out here we use the California Electrical Code (CEC) which is based upon the NEC. We currently use the 2004 CEC, which is based upon the 2002 NEC. We are switching to the 2007 CEC based upon the 2005 NEC in January of 08.

The inspectors all carry a CEC in our trucks, as we have a "write it, cite it" philosophy with our correction notices. You would be amazed at how often we run into installers who have never heard of the CEC, and assume we are enforcing the 2005 NEC.


Just curious - if you have NEVER had an inspector show up with a code book, how do you go about discussing any discrepancies??? I am surprised you do not seek remedies with the specific governing bodies since this is a NEVER situation.
 
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We run into 3 counties and some cities and what they want changes from one inspector to the next even in same area.Some will site code number some wont.Had one demand panel schedule be typed and define what receptacles it goes to and others except 30 breakers labeled recept.
 
LarryFine said:
I prefer being present for inspections, as a minor, overlooked issue can usually be taken care of while the inspector is there, getting a pass on the spot.

Most often, these items can be re-checked at final, and is considered passed for the rough inspection anyway. It's great being friendly with inspectors.
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Same here. Whether it is rough-in, final, or service change, I like to be there (can't always, of course :roll: ). Should the inspector find something, as mentioned elsewhere, either fixing then and there, or assuring them it will be done immediately helps keep good relations. I had a rough once where I missed a 26" wall behind BRM door (room door opened against closet door) and I had the recept. added before she left. ECs tend to remember inspectors good or bad, but so do inspectors of ECs. :D
 
e57 said:
I have NEVER had an Inspector show up to a job site with a code book. Simularly, I have NEVER been asked if I have one with me.
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It's about half and half here. Both parties usually have them on their vehicles, and I have had to wield mine before. Not too long ago, I had a conversation with one inspector over an issue (during inspection but unrelated to job site) and we got on another couple issues. He got me on the first and I got him on the next. We had a good laugh over it and called it even
 
SurfSide EC said:
It's about half and half here. Both parties usually have them on their vehicles, and I have had to wield mine before. Not too long ago, I had a conversation with one inspector over an issue (during inspection but unrelated to job site) and we got on another couple issues. He got me on the first and I got him on the next. We had a good laugh over it and called it even
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That makes life a lot easier, and what it is all about...a good work relationship!
 
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