kwired, you're reading too much into things.
Following specifications is no new thing; pipefitters have to follow all manner of specifications, and none of them are 'code.'
The bureaucrats are only saying that simply hanging pipe is not a job that requires one to have an electrical license. No need for the guy to be a registered apprentice or have a journeymans' card. Just like digging a ditch. The guy still has to hang it 'right.'
Someone wants to 'reserve' certain work for himself and his buddies ... well, that's a fine goal, but let's not bring the government into it. It is not the role of my government to make sure you have a job.
his thread supports Milton Friedman's contention that 'safety' regulations are nothing but thinly disguised attempts to limit competition.
I don't feel I am reading into it too much.
Following specifications: Do specifications usually tell you every detail that may apply to the general installation of a particular raceway? They may include information that exceeds code minimums, but if designer is satisfied with code minimums he/she may not provide much detail that is not already covered in the code.
I am not necessarily one that wants to reserve work for myself through regulation, though if the rules favor me I will not complain much either. I do believe owners should have the right to do their own wiring - on their own property, just like I like having the right to wire, frame, install plumbing, HVAC, on my own property if I choose to do so. Doing it for hire for someone else if not qualified is a different ballgame.
I run into commercial customers that have their own maintenance that does some electrical work and that is another area that needs attention. It is one thing to change lighting ballasts when they go bad and replace with similar, but I have also seen them add additional luminaires, run additional receptacles, and other similar things that they clearly are not up to par with what is required, or don't care. This happens in places where the public comes into their facility, and is subjected to their potentially unsafe installations. Sure the employer saved some money having the maintenance man do this but left themselves with potential liabilities that may cost much more than what was saved. I guess my feeling is let them do that if they want, but someone needs to tell them what can happen if things go bad and let them decide what work needs a professional and what work is for the maintenance man. Most of the time I find myself telling the maintenance man what can happen and over time he begins to realize what work to tell his employer he can not do. Then when he is finally trained to call a pro when needed he quits his job or retires and the process starts all over again.
Worst thing is that it is often small hospitals and nursing homes where there are more complex codes that they always have a maintenance man like this. I also run into it in schools often, and of course all the volunteers that know how to do anything at a church.
Let me add: I am not really in favor of having someone else install components of 'my' system unless they are subcontracted by me. The owner and their insurance, attorneys, etc. are going to come after me as the general electrical contractor if there is an incident and the cause is determined to be something in 'my' system.
