inspectors

[wbalsam1]

Averging about 5,000 inspections performed between 2006 and mid 2007, I have a 21% rejection rate.

Based on 2080 work hours per year and the roughly 1 1/2 years you allude to above, that would be approximately 3,020 work hours from 2006 to mid 2007, which would equate to somewhere near 260 inspections per month, and based on roughly 20 workdays per month that equates to 13 inspections per day on an 8 hour day. This would not allow for travel, office time or paper work and report filing time, so say 7 hours per day divided by the 13 inspections, and viola, you're doing 1.85 inspections per hour. That's an electrical inspection every 30 minutes.
You must have a blue and red cape with your uniform....:grin: You're a busy guy. :smile:

 

[bphgravity]

If you are questioning the accuaracy of my comment, I will be happy to send you a copy of my report? My department uses HTE NaviLine software for permit applications and inspection reports.

On many occasions, there will be two or more inspections at one stop. It is the norm here to call in the new service and rough inspection at the same time for SFD. That means two inspections at one stop. The same thing occurs on commercial projects. Partial roughs, with service, with ceiling rough, with partial underground, ect... all at the same time.

Still, during that period, it was NOT uncommon to have 15-20 inspections a day. This however may only work out to 8-10 stops.

It is not so busy these days...

 

[wbalsam1]

If you are questioning the accuaracy of my comment, I will be happy to send you a copy of my report? My department uses HTE NaviLine software for permit applications and inspection reports.

On many occasions, there will be two or more inspections at one stop. It is the norm here to call in the new service and rough inspection at the same time for SFD. That means two inspections at one stop. The same thing occurs on commercial projects. Partial roughs, with service, with ceiling rough, with partial underground, ect... all at the same time.

Still, during that period, it was NOT uncommon to have 15-20 inspections a day. This however may only work out to 8-10 stops.

It is not so busy these days...

Not suggesting you're inaccurate at all, just very busy. I would like it if you'd send me some info on your permit software, though. The Municipality I work for is looking for a good permitting software.( I live in a very rural area with miles and miles between inspections quite often). :smile:

 

[Energize]

I agree those of that visit here every day are trying to be code compliant.Something is real wrong if an inspector fails more than 10 %.Either inspector has too few inspections,or the workers are poorly trained.I have asked my helpers to inspect as they go.No way i can inspect everything they do and neither can the inspector.

So in Tampa if you have a lot of electrical inspections called in for one day your approval rating increases?

Sounds like a sterotype to me; I would believe if the violation was worth red tagging the project, it would be serious enough to see no matter how limited the time is the inspector has for the project.

 

[Cavie]

In Lee county, my inspection rate almost mirrors BPHGRAVITYS. 20 to 30 inspections a day was normal 6 months ago. 75-100 miles a day with 1 hour to the first inspection. 12 Electric inspectors. Department average turn down rate was 27%. Mine was 24%. We had two with 4%. (Very well liked inspectors). Last Thursday I had 4 inspections. Things have changed but the turn down rate is about the same. I may be looking for a job come Wendsday. 20 of 50 inspectors are faceing layoffs. We don't know who. Just waiting for the ax to fall.

 

[nankipoot]

Mine average 10 to 15 per day (stops) 300 miles total, very rural

Time at each stop, well that depends on what. Some days its all temps, :smile:

 

[jrannis]

Its not unusual for inspectors in Miami Dade County to have 30+ inspections scheduled for the day.

 

[Jim W in Tampa]

I agree its hard to get failed on a commercial\ Industrial project if you follow the prints and properly support your conduit.

The prints are not always violation free.Have seen them with things that will not even work or overloaded lighting circuits.You still must select the conduit size and upsize wire for voltage drop.Never have i seen a job without changes or additions.

When inspectors never find any violations then you either have hired the best or the inspector isnt trying.

 

[Jim W in Tampa]

Its not unusual for inspectors in Miami Dade County to have 30+ inspections scheduled for the day.

That simply isnt enough time to much more than get from one job to the next.What do they do run fast thru the warehouse ? When they are that busy they dont want to add any more inspections to the next days work.

 

[Jim W in Tampa]

So in Tampa if you have a lot of electrical inspections called in for one day your approval rating increases?

Sounds like a sterotype to me; I would believe if the violation was worth red tagging the project, it would be serious enough to see no matter how limited the time is the inspector has for the project.

Chances are higher that its the young romex guys doing track homes.They are told how many hours to do it in.But yes if the inspector is overloaded then he likely will not walk every foot of the job.

 

[dcspector]

Its not unusual for inspectors in Miami Dade County to have 30+ inspections scheduled for the day.

Been there, done it and hated it. I worked for a large Municipality On the North side of Indianapolis in the 90's that did that to us. Not fair to anyone, Contractors and or Inspectors. In DC I Have a 95% pass ratio, lucky I guess, with the several Hi rises I inspect, I am in the same ones everyday, so when items are addressed one day I can see them on the next day while I am inspecting a different section in the same building.......I love it and so do the EC's and for the most part the Electricians and myself are a team....not a good ol' boy network or buddies, but we work well together.

 

[Jim W in Tampa]

In Lee county, my inspection rate almost mirrors BPHGRAVITYS. 20 to 30 inspections a day was normal 6 months ago. 75-100 miles a day with 1 hour to the first inspection. 12 Electric inspectors. Department average turn down rate was 27%. Mine was 24%. We had two with 4%. (Very well liked inspectors). Last Thursday I had 4 inspections. Things have changed but the turn down rate is about the same. I may be looking for a job come Wendsday. 20 of 50 inspectors are faceing layoffs. We don't know who. Just waiting for the ax to fall.

With the taxes and insurance jumping so high it will not likely change in near future.Few months ago a Hillsborough inspector told me they are being forced to take everyother friday off.The building department is self supported by permit fees alone.They were denied a raise in permit fees.

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

... the EC's and for the most part the Electricians and myself are a team....not a good ol' boy network or buddies, but we work well together.

I do not think enough can be said for this type of attitude. If more people on both sides would adhere to this, I think that everyone would benefit.


In regards to the numbers of inspections some perform or have performed in the past, I cannot see how it is fair to either side...20-30 per day is just too much for a real inspection - JMHO. It is not an inspection, it is a visit. (I wonder what kind of paperwork does this generate???)


And I invite any inspector who has not inspected in NYS to come here to inspect for a week...you will gladly go home and work. The diversity between the good work and the bad work is startling. Some days it is all bad work - long, long days. Some days it is all good work - I go home smiling those days and it reaffirms my belief in our great industry. Remember there are many areas in NYS that do not require a license.

Some days - 0% pass, some days 100% pass - the average around here is 70-30... I will let you try to guess which percentage is passing. :grin:

 

[Cavie]

With the taxes and insurance jumping so high it will not likely change in near future.Few months ago a Hillsborough inspector told me they are being forced to take everyother friday off.The building department is self supported by permit fees alone.They were denied a raise in permit fees.

I would be more than happy to work a 32 hour work week. Beats a no hour work week any day. We too are self sustaining. They told us they are loosing $700,00.00 a month In licensing, permitting and inspections do to lack of work. If they would start issuing permits for low voltage and start doing inspections like they are supposed to do it would help. They also do not inspect Well systems, water softeners, or septic systems. I see MANY violations in these areas. TV dishes are not grounded.

 

[JohnJ0906]

They also do not inspect Well systems, water softeners, or septic systems. I see MANY violations in these areas.

I almost fell out of my chair when I read this. Don't you have a health department there?

 

[Cavie]

I almost fell out of my chair when I read this. Don't you have a health department there?

Tank installs and drainfields are inspected. Hookups to the house and the electric assoiated with any float switches and pumps are not. Any Backflow in the 3" sewer line is ignored. Plumbihg inspector told me this this week. I must check the underground wireing to the post light or dock electric for proper depth but must not look at the wireing to the well pump or the water treatment system. Throw NM on the ground and cover it with grass and I can do nothing. We do not issue permits for water by state statute therefore we cannot inspect so I'm told. I have that in writing.

 

[roger]

I do not think enough can be said for this type of attitude. If more people on both sides would adhere to this, I think that everyone would benefit.

Pierre, I agree too. I am lucky that this is the case where I'm at.

In regards to the numbers of inspections some perform or have performed in the past, I cannot see how it is fair to either side...20-30 per day is just too much for a real inspection - JMHO. It is not an inspection, it is a visit.

And another agreement from me. On large commercial jobs here, the electrical inspector may schedule a full day or even two for the final.

Roger

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

Pierre, I agree too. I am lucky that this is the case where I'm at.



And another agreement from me. On large commercial jobs here, the electrical inspector may schedule a full day or even two for the final.

Roger

Due to the area we live in, I do not see a lot of really large commercial jobs (I guess "really large" is relative). But I still have inspected some jobs that take a long time to inspect. lets not forget, that one/two bad inspections can set the whole schedule in the toilet...especially when the issue really boils down to the cost for repair.

Also, how about when an inspector inspects an occupancy type the he is not as familar with...Roger has received emails from me, so he knows my weaker inspection is hospitals. I have to really review the NEC before I make a crucial decision, even call someone who knows more than me.

 

[joebell]

Also, how about when an inspector inspects an occupancy type the he is not as familar with...Roger has received emails from me, so he knows my weaker inspection is hospitals. I have to really review the NEC before I make a crucial decision, even call someone who knows more than me.



Pierre,

It is refreshing to hear this statement from an inspector. In the area I work there are some Inspectors of this attitude and others that have the "My Town" syndrome citing opinion rather than code. I always respectfully ask for article and section when ever there is a perceived discrepancy and sometimes the book does not say what the Inspector thought it said. Not always sometimes and the other times I come away with a learning experience.


Joe

 

[Fire Alarm]

Rejection rates?

Rejection rates?

I've been reading on this forum about how often Inspectors write corrections, but what is the rate that Inspectors are wrong?

The second reason to learn the NEC is to do safe electrical installations, but the VERY FIRST REASON to study the NEC is to protect yourself from Inspectors.

I am aware of very fine Inspectors both on this forum and in the workplace, please be confident that my criticisms do not apply to you.

Some of the stupidest things I have ever heard have dribbled out of the mouths of Inspectors. Last week I had an Inspector inform me it was "Illegal" to install 15 amp circuits in any structure. (we have no such local ordinance).

Some of the zaniest, most ridiculous statements have come from inspectors. Often when they blurt out their nonsense, I confront them with the code and they say "OK, I'll let you slide on this one...".

Homeowners never believe the EC is correct, their love of authority tells them that the Inspector is always right and the EC is trying to pull a fast one. When an Inspector shoots down a job for no reason, he has done irreparable damage to the relationship betweem the HO and EC.

Also, when talking about rejection rates from the Inspectors point of view, the average Inspector looks at a lot of DIY type jobs that take several inspections just to become code compliant.

I talked to an Inspector a little while ago and he said that about 75% of the remodels he inspects, were done by the home owner. That fact alone should show that rejections delivered to licensed contractors are not nearly as bad as the over all rate would suggest.

Moral of the story: You must study the code to protect yourself from those who don't.