inpsections
- Thread starter mpd
- Start date
- Status
Pierre C Belarge
Senior Member
- Location
- Westchester County, New York
One of the problems is the contractor may not be 100% ready for the inspection.
Another is GFCI requirements... the contractor will generally install more than is necessary... not really a problem, but they are confused about the location.
Another is the island or peninsular receptacle requirement... designers do not account for them, and homeowners hate them, then we come in and have to be the bad guy.
Bathrooms, all receptacles required to be GFCI protected.
Hydro massage tub enclosures... lately it seems a lot of TVs are being installed in them. The TV is fine, not the receptacle
.
Another is GFCI requirements... the contractor will generally install more than is necessary... not really a problem, but they are confused about the location.
Another is the island or peninsular receptacle requirement... designers do not account for them, and homeowners hate them, then we come in and have to be the bad guy.
Bathrooms, all receptacles required to be GFCI protected.
Hydro massage tub enclosures... lately it seems a lot of TVs are being installed in them. The TV is fine, not the receptacle
.Need to check there work before they call for an inspection.
Com. jobs trying to get partial inspection on small jobs some walls not even built yet.
Need address up for all inspections.
Locked out. lock out fee is $60.00
Inspection always goes better if person doing wiring meets for inspection!!
Com. jobs trying to get partial inspection on small jobs some walls not even built yet.
Need address up for all inspections.
Locked out. lock out fee is $60.00
Inspection always goes better if person doing wiring meets for inspection!!
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Not being able to comply with . . .mpd said:
. . . because inspector's (understandably) can't give us an inspection appointment time.neal said:
Minuteman
Senior Member
- Location
- The Sooner Nation
I would say, inconsistency. When inspectors from the same jurisdiction see things differently. Also, the local addendums to the code (written and unwritten). That does not help us much, especially due to the fact that here it is City by City as to which code cycle they use. Sometimes we can't win the game 'cause the rules change to much.
jeff43222
Senior Member
- Location
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
LarryFine said:
Believe it or not, I can actually get some inspectors to set a time. Depends on the jurisdiction. Generally, though, the best I can do is narrow the inspector down to about a 3-4 time frame.
Either way, I'm very rarely around for an inspection. The inspectors I deal with generally only care about being able to access the work. If they have questions, my phone number is on the permit.
My main gripe is the inspection procedure itself. I have to schedule with the HO and the inspector, but if the inspector shows up and can't get in because the HO didn't make arrangements (despite telling me he'd be home that day), I get sent a bill for an additional inspection. I have no control over whether the HO allows the inspector in. I'd be happier if my job was just to notify the inspector and then let him and the HO work out the logistics.
Last edited:
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Jeff, add a reinspection-fee-due-to-customer clause to your contracts.
dduffee260
Senior Member
- Location
- Texas
We must be lucky. We have very little on no problems at all with inspectors in our area. They are prompt, fair and unbiased. What really helps is if we miss some little thing, instead of red tagging us and making us look bad, they ask us to correct it and trust us to do it properly.
I can only think of one inspector who is 200 miles away that was on a power trip, but he only asked me to make one correction and still passed me, and now looking back his way was actually better. He pretty much ripped the GC a new one because of his arrogance. Now that I look back the GC deserved it.
Someone needs to write an updated list on GC's who you need to watch out for, or stay far, far away from !!...Boy could I name a few !!
We just try to greet the inspectors kindly and give them what they deserve, a little respect !!
I can only think of one inspector who is 200 miles away that was on a power trip, but he only asked me to make one correction and still passed me, and now looking back his way was actually better. He pretty much ripped the GC a new one because of his arrogance. Now that I look back the GC deserved it.
Someone needs to write an updated list on GC's who you need to watch out for, or stay far, far away from !!...Boy could I name a few !!
We just try to greet the inspectors kindly and give them what they deserve, a little respect !!
problems?
problems?
As an inspector,looking inward, I agree with Minuteman; inconsistency.
When I "fill-in" for another inspector, there are always items they addresse differently. When we have State wide meetings, these "points of view" are seldom resolved.
As to problems with contractors....requesting inspections prior to being ready and knowingly installing non-code compliant wiring (" I know, but I thought you might let it pass this time")
problems?
As an inspector,looking inward, I agree with Minuteman; inconsistency.
When I "fill-in" for another inspector, there are always items they addresse differently. When we have State wide meetings, these "points of view" are seldom resolved.
As to problems with contractors....requesting inspections prior to being ready and knowingly installing non-code compliant wiring (" I know, but I thought you might let it pass this time")
77401
Banned
Scheduling.. getting a time from them as to what time they wll be there.
Turnover... Its always better if you can build a rapport with the inspectors, but they seem to change jobs, get fired or move to different zones.
NEC... Face it, very often they don'y know the code any better than we do. Shouldn't they?
Turnover... Its always better if you can build a rapport with the inspectors, but they seem to change jobs, get fired or move to different zones.
NEC... Face it, very often they don'y know the code any better than we do. Shouldn't they?
jeff43222
Senior Member
- Location
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
LarryFine said:
Sounds good in theory, but usually by the time of the inspection, I've already been paid in full (this is for finals, not rough-ins). If I get a bill for an additional inspection, the HO will likely just ignore me if I try to collect on it. They know the amount is small enough that I'm not going to bother suing or putting a lien on the house. A reinspection fee is $20. Not a huge sum, but it's money I'd rather not spend.
jeff43222
Senior Member
- Location
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
77401 said:
I can only agree with the first one.
The inspector I deal with most often has been on the job 15 years. I don't see much turnover in other AHJs, either.
I've only come across one inspector whose knowledge of the code wasn't as deep as what I would expect. Also, I once had an inspector order me to fix old work I never touched; she was fired last year.
For the most part, though, they are pretty sharp and know their stuff. I've never had an inspector try to enforce imaginary code rules. Every once in a while I forget to do something, but the inspectors generally just point it out to me and tell me to make sure I do it before the final.
allenwayne
Senior Member
For the most part our inspectors work with the ec`s in the area as far as time goes.Most have direct connect so we can call in the A.M. and set an aprox. time to meet them.It usually works out for the best.If they get tied up they will call and let us know.
The change of inspectors in an area can be a pain,some require this and some require that.What I try and do is install to the most stringent inspectors wishes that way all bases are covered.
Inspectors get and have the right to get p`d when an inspection is called and the job is not ready.Here an inspector usually rolls several inspections daily due to work load and time.So when they go to an inspection that isn`t ready.That just means they wasted thier time that could have been better utilized.
Now on the EC`s side of the fence:
Some inspectors interpet gray code areas in a way that makes it difficult to comply.Take the requirement for a light and a switch in a hall.What determines what a hall is.I have had inspectors require a seperate light in a 3 ft X 3 ft. barrel arch that led into a bedroom.Didn`t matter that there was a recessed can 1 ft. off the wall centered over the arch.We had to add a recessed can in a arch that was 7 ft AFF.He called it a hallway.But at the same time he measured wall spacing from the doorway in the archway to comply with the 6 ft. rule.Its a hall for lighting but not a hall for wall spacing ???
Protection from physical damage is another one.What constitutes not protected ??? Case in point block home,furring across the top of the block.Notched and kick plated but the furring is like 1 in below the top of the block.Inspector cites 300.4 D.Drywall when installed on the ceiling can damage the NM,so install more kick plates.We comply,then one day a service call.HO getting shocked from SGD.Sure enough Door,Foil vapor barrier,corner bead energized .Why??? the kick plate we were made to add above the furring had cut into the NM when ceiling board was installed.Would have been better the other way.Now all of a sudden don`t add them any more ???
1/4 in. set back.We trim and complete the trim.Sometime between the finish and the inspection.Tile installer comes in the kitchen and tile the counter wall.Now we get cited for 1/4 in set back,no spark guards.
Panel bond screw loose.Inspector cranks down with all his might to try and get the screw to turn.But the screw has a specified torque value,I think the one we were using had a value of 35 in. lbs.So where is his torque screw driver to determine that the screw was not torqued to proper value.
In use covers.The determination of which GFCI exterior receptacles that require them is on a inspector to inspector basis.Some give a definitve distance under an over hang while some just say I feel it can get wet in a driving rain.
A/C max.bkr. sizing.Some say that it must be fused at the max. size while others say just make sure its between min. ampacity and max. bkr size.
Useable wall space.Now thats a good one.Case in point .Family room that leads into a master bedroom.The door that leads into the bedroom is flush with the exterior wall that has a sliding glass door.Absolutly no wall space for a receptacle but due to building codes in this area a 16 ft. SGD has to have fixed panels on the sides.No place for a wall mounted receptacle at all,but since there is a fixed panel a receptacle is required.Inspectors note need receptacle GOOD LUCK !!!!! So now HO has a floor receptacle on a carpeted floor slap in the doorway of the bedroom.So now when they wake up in the morning they stub there foot on a receptacle they never wanted in the first place.
Consistancy that is what really needs to be addressed.I`ve tried to do my best to find out what each inspector wants but sometimes they vary so much it`s frustrating.
The change of inspectors in an area can be a pain,some require this and some require that.What I try and do is install to the most stringent inspectors wishes that way all bases are covered.
Inspectors get and have the right to get p`d when an inspection is called and the job is not ready.Here an inspector usually rolls several inspections daily due to work load and time.So when they go to an inspection that isn`t ready.That just means they wasted thier time that could have been better utilized.
Now on the EC`s side of the fence:
Some inspectors interpet gray code areas in a way that makes it difficult to comply.Take the requirement for a light and a switch in a hall.What determines what a hall is.I have had inspectors require a seperate light in a 3 ft X 3 ft. barrel arch that led into a bedroom.Didn`t matter that there was a recessed can 1 ft. off the wall centered over the arch.We had to add a recessed can in a arch that was 7 ft AFF.He called it a hallway.But at the same time he measured wall spacing from the doorway in the archway to comply with the 6 ft. rule.Its a hall for lighting but not a hall for wall spacing ???
Protection from physical damage is another one.What constitutes not protected ??? Case in point block home,furring across the top of the block.Notched and kick plated but the furring is like 1 in below the top of the block.Inspector cites 300.4 D.Drywall when installed on the ceiling can damage the NM,so install more kick plates.We comply,then one day a service call.HO getting shocked from SGD.Sure enough Door,Foil vapor barrier,corner bead energized .Why??? the kick plate we were made to add above the furring had cut into the NM when ceiling board was installed.Would have been better the other way.Now all of a sudden don`t add them any more ???
1/4 in. set back.We trim and complete the trim.Sometime between the finish and the inspection.Tile installer comes in the kitchen and tile the counter wall.Now we get cited for 1/4 in set back,no spark guards.
Panel bond screw loose.Inspector cranks down with all his might to try and get the screw to turn.But the screw has a specified torque value,I think the one we were using had a value of 35 in. lbs.So where is his torque screw driver to determine that the screw was not torqued to proper value.
In use covers.The determination of which GFCI exterior receptacles that require them is on a inspector to inspector basis.Some give a definitve distance under an over hang while some just say I feel it can get wet in a driving rain.
A/C max.bkr. sizing.Some say that it must be fused at the max. size while others say just make sure its between min. ampacity and max. bkr size.
Useable wall space.Now thats a good one.Case in point .Family room that leads into a master bedroom.The door that leads into the bedroom is flush with the exterior wall that has a sliding glass door.Absolutly no wall space for a receptacle but due to building codes in this area a 16 ft. SGD has to have fixed panels on the sides.No place for a wall mounted receptacle at all,but since there is a fixed panel a receptacle is required.Inspectors note need receptacle GOOD LUCK !!!!! So now HO has a floor receptacle on a carpeted floor slap in the doorway of the bedroom.So now when they wake up in the morning they stub there foot on a receptacle they never wanted in the first place.
Consistancy that is what really needs to be addressed.I`ve tried to do my best to find out what each inspector wants but sometimes they vary so much it`s frustrating.
Inspections
Inspections
I find that your maintenace staff has a tendancy to not replace covers, rig thing, do not do required inspections and maintenance of equipment. Lack of training. I do more than just NEC. I also deal with everything from correctional facilities, libraries, parks, nursing staff, sheriiffs and highway crews. The equipment I find that usually deos not work are GFCI's. I have found live wires used as hangers for signage, open pits covers not replaced. Emergency equipment and egresses not maintanied.
Inspections
I find that your maintenace staff has a tendancy to not replace covers, rig thing, do not do required inspections and maintenance of equipment. Lack of training. I do more than just NEC. I also deal with everything from correctional facilities, libraries, parks, nursing staff, sheriiffs and highway crews. The equipment I find that usually deos not work are GFCI's. I have found live wires used as hangers for signage, open pits covers not replaced. Emergency equipment and egresses not maintanied.
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