LV License and Pulling Permits/Liability in CT

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To follow up on all of this:

My boss did NOT end up pulling a permit...he had said he was going to the next day, but had to postpone.
In the meantime, the local town inspector called him and confirmed a call from the State guy saying "let him pull a permit with his V9". However, the local inspector said the V9 would be ok for the LV permit (from State pressure) but permit would not cover CAT5 wire, as it could be used for telecommunications (above 24volt limit).
To make a long story short, I pulled the permit for entire job, as my boss got really upset about the CAT5 issue (he calls it a loophole, I call it the law).

I had no choice, as a large lawsuit from the builder was threatened.

So there you have it...
 
Eddie Ohm said:
To make a long story short, I pulled the permit for entire job, as my boss got really upset about the CAT5 issue (he calls it a loophole, I call it the law).
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Actually, no offense intended, but I call it BS. You can use MC for a doorbell and you can use CAT5 for telecom. Do we go by the intended use or the possible use? Mostly CAT5 is used for Ethernet, which is a couple of volts, and very power limited. (Come to think of it, I've never heard of someone not considering telecom as low voltage.)
 
zbang said:
Actually, no offense intended, but I call it BS. You can use MC for a doorbell and you can use CAT5 for telecom. Do we go by the intended use or the possible use? Mostly CAT5 is used for Ethernet, which is a couple of volts, and very power limited. (Come to think of it, I've never heard of someone not considering telecom as low voltage.)
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The point is, his boss doesn't have the credentials to pull a LV permit either.

Eddie, you boss has a plan that needs to include you, but for whatever reason he does not want to include you. Don't sell yourself short. You are of greater value to him than he wants you to know. What did your credentials get HIM this time? Don't let him do it again, being his employee does not give him the right to expose you to possible future lawsuits, without adequate up front compensation!
 
The code does make a distinction between UTP used for ethernet and voice. I can't find it right now but I believe data cable installation is more strict. BUT that should have no bearing on this situation. If the inspector calls it to your advantage don't argue.

I agree with Lawn Guy. You are a valuable asset to your boss and he refuses to accept it. If he want's to be a legitimate business he needs to start acting professionally.

-Hal
 
The $20 million lawsuit threat from the builder would have meant the end of my boss' business/company, and hence all employees would no longer have jobs, including me.
A sticky situation, yes,... as I know I can make a living regardless of who I work for or on my own, so perhaps I am not as concerned as others might be of the business folding.
It came down to pressure to be "a company guy", as well as my own nature of being " a nice guy" (what's the saying...nice guys finish last?...).
My boss said that "everyone" was telling him to "just have your employee with the E1 pull the permit", and that "if he doesn't, fire him!". Apparently, the guy at DCP said the same thing!
For the technical suff:
V9 License: business license to own and operate a TV repair shop, non-technician owner. What my boss has.
L5 License: Limited Low Voltage Contractor, allowed to do low voltage wiring similar to ADT type work, sound systems, etc.
C5 License: Same as L5, but adds telecommunications wiring as well.
So, state DCP guy told local bldg inspector to allow my boss' V9 to equal L5 to pull permit. Local inspector was miffed, and said ok, BUT noticed CAT5 on job, which could be used for telecom, which is not covered with an L5, let alone a V9.
Answering a prior question, my compensation for pulling the permit is the fact that I have a job. Yes, my E1 was worth a reported $20 million for a few days, and some said I should have asked for at least 1% of that.
Anyway, I heard something about a thing called Karma............
 
Hey, you did the right thing. I probably would have done the same.

My boss said that "everyone" was telling him to "just have your employee with the E1 pull the permit", and that "if he doesn't, fire him!". Apparently, the guy at DCP said the same thing!

I would beleive that BS about as much as I believed it when he gave you that line of crap about pulling a permit. Anything coming from his mouth including the $20 mil lawsuit I would suspect. His credibility is shot. This guy shouldn't even be in business with his attitude.

I think its time to get tough. Sit him down and set the jerk straight. You just saved his butt and now its payback time. If he won't play ball, well, I'll just say that I've walked over less than that. The permit is in your name, you can always revoke it if you do. Make sure he knows that.

-Hal
 
I'd have walked. YOU are not responsible for his unethical business practices. He took a job he didn't have a licence for, and is forcing you to bail him out. There is simply no way I could trust this guy with my licence.
 
Your boss lied to you, and he used you, You probably received nothing for pulling the permit, (which might as well been your job to begin with since you had the proper license) how much money do you think he made on this job? and all you got was to keep your job... :-?
 
Eddie Ohm said:
The $20 million lawsuit threat from the builder would have meant the end of my boss' business/company, and hence all employees would no longer have jobs, including me.
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Wrong. The work is still there whether YOUR boss is contracting it or not. Your boss didn't invent the trade, doesn't own the trade, and he's not the only show in town. If he didn't get this job, someone else would have. If he goes under there is no love lost and no work loss.

A sticky situation, yes,... as I know I can make a living regardless of who I work for or on my own, so perhaps I am not as concerned as others might be of the business folding.
It came down to pressure to be "a company guy", as well as my own nature of being " a nice guy" (what's the saying...nice guys finish last?...).
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Point taken - but if you're going to play company guy - you should have something to show for that other than just keeping your job. Keep in mind you have the same ability to fire HIM as he has to fire YOU.

My boss said that "everyone" was telling him to "just have your employee with the E1 pull the permit", and that "if he doesn't, fire him!". Apparently, the guy at DCP said the same thing!
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Did you ever stop to wonder how "everyone" knew you evan HAD an E1? He told them "I have an employee with an E1 - can I have HIM pull the permit? So of course they'd answer yes. Nobody could possibly suggest his recourse could be to just have an employee pull the permit unless your boss tells them thast he has access to such an option.

For the technical suff:
V9 License: business license to own and operate a TV repair shop, non-technician owner. What my boss has.
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And in this respect - he might as well have a license to cut hair, or do a manicure. His license has nothing to do with anything here. He's breaking into this "new trade" because nobody gets TVs and VCR repaired anymore. They're all disposable electronic appliances now. His skills are useless in today's electronic world.

Now he probably feels that since he's capable of fixing a TV, he's surely got the skills necessary for LV and structured wiring. But he doesn't care for or appreciate the fact that one cannot just become a contractor on a lark - to him what needs to be done is beneath his skillset and the need for a license and apprenticeship and construction knowledge is a mere formality and just a bunch of worthless red tape.


L5 License: Limited Low Voltage Contractor, allowed to do low voltage wiring similar to ADT type work, sound systems, etc.
C5 License: Same as L5, but adds telecommunications wiring as well.
So, state DCP guy told local bldg inspector to allow my boss' V9 to equal L5 to pull permit. Local inspector was miffed, and said ok, BUT noticed CAT5 on job, which could be used for telecom, which is not covered with an L5, let alone a V9.
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Know that allowing the L5 permit under the V9 was a mistake. The State DCP guy probably caved because it was Friday, or late in the day, or was tired of listening to guy bitch, or whatever. Maybe the State guy will investigate the matter more until he's absolutely sure the V9 is actually inapplicable. Just because it was permitted in this instance (which was more than most likely based on misinformation given to the State DCP guy by your boss anyway) but will not be permitted again.

Answering a prior question, my compensation for pulling the permit is the fact that I have a job. Yes, my E1 was worth a reported $20 million for a few days, and some said I should have asked for at least 1% of that.
Anyway, I heard something about a thing called Karma............
Click to expand...

If Karma worked, we wouldn't need inspectors OR licenses!
 
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