I failed this inspection. .

Merry Christmas
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Pierre C Belarge said:
How does an inspector go to a perform an inspection when he has not been called by the EC??
I never understood that.
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Beats me. I know on bigger work they'll show up for an impromptu progress inspection without being called. They co-ordinate that with the EC on site, however. I find that these "surprise" inspections are mostly so they can fill out a day if they're in the neighborhood or maybe they're taking next week off or whatever. I've had inspectors show up just because they seemed bored, and they weren't really doing an inspection. I take that occasion to pick their brain, just the same. Seems like inspectors that used to be EC's just like to gawk at work in progress for old time's sake.
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
How does an inspector go to a perform an inspection when he has not been called by the EC??
I never understood that.
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What happens is the GC calls for the inspections and the EC isn't done yet. Around here we have one jurisdiction that will only come if the EC calls. Most of the areas here the GC gets all the permits so he/she calls.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
What happens is the GC calls for the inspections and the EC isn't done yet. Around here we have one jurisdiction that will only come if the EC calls. Most of the areas here the GC gets all the permits so he/she calls.
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We do not take calls for inspection from anyone other than the EC.
There are too many bad reasons why other than the EC is calling for inspection.
Most of those bad reasons are money related...like the GC (homeowner or property owner) does not want to make final payment, so he calls for inspection.

We also are leary of answering code questions to other than ECs. We know from experience that we can say "abc" to someone and they go back to their EC with a mixed up story and it screws everything up.
Our answer to those types of info gathering calls is to refer them to their EC for that info.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
What happens is the GC calls for the inspections and the EC isn't done yet. Around here we have one jurisdiction that will only come if the EC calls. Most of the areas here the GC gets all the permits so he/she calls.
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When building permits have been pulled in my area, the GC is actually the one that must call for all the inspections. If it's just electrical work, I call for inspection myself. Sometimes the GC's tend to schedule inspections based on their critical path and not necessarily how the work is actually progressing. I've had insulator's show up before my wiring was even completed and inspected, for instance.
 
wbalsam1 said:
Professional courtesy extended to the one you have a contractual obligation with, your client. I'm the same way, Pierre. :smile:
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Fred
I like your style/language better than mine.


I am only able to use one large multisyllable type term in each sentence or I otherwise get lost in my own babbling.
 
I've had jobs where the GC called for the inspection. In Mass. alot of the
towns have secretaries that can take inspection appointments and maybe
thats how the GC's get away with it.

I wish I had a picture of the expression on my face the 2 times this happened
I turn my head and see the inspector walk in and say to him "what are you
doing here?"

The GC's need to realize that they are not doing anyone any favors by pulling
this stunt.

Joe
 
i went by the job today to replace a bad motor relay. the inspector had written all of this stuff down and gave it to the HO; I don't like that, but the HO pulled their own permit for the pool so I guess they have a right to know why he thinks I'm wrong. Anyway, it said to go look at the pool next door to see what he wants. the neighbor just had a pool installed last week. It was an aboveground pool that was buried in the ground. The EC had driven a rod and attached it to the pump motor. Anyway, this particular inspector is a nice guy and has always been easy to work with, and this isn't the first time he's red flagged me for something he thought was a violation and won't be the last. i always just point out the code that says I'm not wrong and he passes the job. He was a helper for a local EC two years ago so I suppose he's still learning. It is annoying but I try to keep the peace.
 
mdshunk said:
Okay, how does that happen?? Is he a "combo inspector"?
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No. The job pays about $24k a year and its hard to find anyone that wants it, so they take what they can get. The chief electrical inspector makes somewhere between $35k-$40k. Considering the average pay for a helper here is $17k, that $24k looks pretty sweet to a lot of young guys.

In the county I live in, the BO makes $40k a year.
 
brantmacga said:
No. The job pays about $24k a year and its hard to find anyone that wants it, so they take what they can get. The chief electrical inspector makes somewhere between $35k-$40k. Considering the average pay for a helper here is $17k, that $24k looks pretty sweet to a lot of young guys.

In the county I live in, the BO makes $40k a year.
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We pay our first year inspector almost twice as much as that!!! Plus a car, expense account.
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
P.S.
This is one of the reasons I do not give the GC or the property owner the results of my inspections. I contact the EC directly if there are issues and he is not present during the inspection.
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That's a nice thing Pierre. Gives us a chance to discuss the issue together and avoid confusion. Both parties can state their case and learn from it. Builds relationships, and promotes understanding of code issues, and eliminates the grapevine misunderstandings.

:cool:
 
inground

inground

brantmacga said:
i went by the job today to replace a bad motor relay. the inspector had written all of this stuff down and gave it to the HO; I don't like that, but the HO pulled their own permit for the pool so I guess they have a right to know why he thinks I'm wrong. Anyway, it said to go look at the pool next door to see what he wants. the neighbor just had a pool installed last week. It was an aboveground pool that was buried in the ground. The EC had driven a rod and attached it to the pump motor. Anyway, this particular inspector is a nice guy and has always been easy to work with, and this isn't the first time he's red flagged me for something he thought was a violation and won't be the last. i always just point out the code that says I'm not wrong and he passes the job. He was a helper for a local EC two years ago so I suppose he's still learning. It is annoying but I try to keep the peace.
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Above ground pool buried inground???What do they do with septic tanks in your neck of the woods?:roll:
 
frizbeedog said:
That's a nice thing Pierre. Gives us a chance to discuss the issue together and avoid confusion. Both parties can state their case and learn from it. Builds relationships, and promotes understanding of code issues, and eliminates the grapevine misunderstandings.

:cool:
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Probably the most important aspect of our small industry. Better relationships builds on communication...better communications builds on relationships. What a novel idea - make our workdays a little easier and more enjoyable. It is too bad that some cannot see the forest for the trees.
 
Unless the jurisdiction has added requirements to the NEC 680.26 B even says that the bonding conductor is not required to attach to any panelboard or electrode.
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
Probably the most important aspect of our small industry. Better relationships builds on communication...better communications builds on relationships. What a novel idea - make our workdays a little easier and more enjoyable. It is too bad that some cannot see the forest for the trees.
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I commend Pierre for his obvious interest in changing some old norms in the inspection business. Around here just about anyone can call to schedule an inspection. The part I dislike is when the inspector does exactly what the guy in the OP did, he passes along the violation to the HO. He should pickup the phone and call the EC.

I once had an inspector fail a service because he didn't like the listed ground clamps that were used on the water pipe. He told the HO to call the electrician and tell him to come back and change them. This just makes the EC look like a chump even though the inspector was wrong.
 
dcspector said:
I agree. I don't even do the Inspection unless the EC, Foreman, lead, etc. is there to walk with me.
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I remember those days when I was 16 and working with my dad. He had to pay the inspector $10 or he would not do the inspection the next time you called. :D True story. NYC was incredibly corrupt back then.

I have never done a walk thru with an inspector. That's his job not mine...:D
 
Dennis Alwon said:
I remember those days when I was 16 and working with my dad. He had to pay the inspector $10 or he would not do the inspection the next time you called. :D True story. NYC was incredibly corrupt back then.

I have never done a walk thru with an inspector. That's his job not mine...:D
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we had one years ago that could almost always find a minnor problem (loose connection, etc) that he would be glad to rectify if you would leave a ten spot at your next inspection. (or once you learned the system, just leave it at the requested inspection..save the phone call :D )
long ago, thankfully
 
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