Inspectors Tip

[SEO]

Where are you working? Not asking yourself this question could prove to be both costly and dangerous. One situation I encounter while making electrical inspections is a journeyman electrician installing electrical wiring in an area that requires a more stringent wiring method. Dental offices and medical clinics are prime examples. I've made electrical inspections of dental offices where the patient care areas were wired with type NM cable... an action which in violation of 2005 NEC section 517.13(a). In other cases encountered, I have found patient care areas in medical clinics and dental offices wired with type MC cable not listed for the application. Special attention to article 517 must be employed when working in these locations. These examples of installations made under improper classification cost the contractor money to rewire and delayed the completion of the projects. Before installing wiring, Ask yourself the question."Where am I working?" In addition, remember to refer to the code article for approved wiring methods for where you are working. If you are not sure of the classifications of a particular area, check with the local authority having jurisdiction. It could eliminate a costly rewire.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Good advice. I have found myself doing exactly that unfortunately it was usually a little late.
I found it esp. hard at the start of the new code changes. We get so comfortable with what we are doing that we often forget to think of the new rules.

 

[William1978]

Great advice. I have found when I've gone for a rough and slab Inspection that there was pvc going to feed the dental chair and the electrician had pulled romex every where. Electrician was very upset but he could only blame himself.

 

[wbalsam1]

I know of 5 different medical office buildings where invasive procedures are routinely performed that were wired in NM and even though they were in violation of 517.13, the building officials improperly waived the rules rather than create problems for the architects, engineers and project rep's. Business as usual in New York. I even reported these violations and nothing was done to rectify the situation.

 

[William1978]

I know of 5 different medical office buildings where invasive procedures are routinely performed that were wired in NM and even though they were in violation of 517.13, the building officials improperly waived the rules rather than create problems for the architects, engineers and project rep's. Business as usual in New York. I even reported these violations and nothing was done to rectify the situation.

Not me. They would have to fire me before I pass something like that.

 

[wbalsam1]

Not me. They would have to fire me before I pass something like that.

Not me...I didn't pass any of these jobs. These were all done by an incompetent 3rd-party electrical inspector inspecting an electrical contractor's work who was working off engineered drawings. The building official was under pressure from the town supervisor's office to let it go.
Upon hearing all this, I went up the ladder as far as I could....but it all quietly slipped under the rug. It's been several years now. Not a peep from anyone. I brought it up again last year when the administration changed.........but to no avail. As a matter of fact, I even notified the Doctors who down played the whole matter.

 

[William1978]

Not me...I didn't pass any of these jobs. These were all done by an incompetent 3rd-party electrical inspector inspecting an electrical contractor's work who was working off engineered drawings. The building official was under pressure from the town supervisor's office to let it go.
Upon hearing all this, I went up the ladder as far as I could....but it all quietly slipped under the rug. It's been several years now. Not a peep from anyone. I brought it up again last year when the administration changed.........but to no avail. As a matter of fact, I even notified the Doctors who down played the whole matter.

That is a cring shame. Atleast you can sleep at night knowing that you have tried to do something about it.