Maintenance Men.. doing electrical work poorly

[zog]

Good point!! I should of said Licensed Electrician :wink:

Well what does it say on the warning on the light fixture you were refering to, I had never noticed that before and am curious to what it does say.

I think it shoud say "Only to be installed by a licensed electrician unless it is in your own house in which case check the batteries in your smoke detectors"

 

[ohm]

I have been doing some work at a commercial property here.
We did the entrance,sign lighting,some new circuits for a
salon,standby generator etc.The 3rd floor was roughed in
and I figured we would be asked to finish it.A week ago the
maintenance man says can I ask you a question.Sure I said
and he begins asking how to wire a light switch.After a few
exchanges it dawns on me he's asking how to wire this 3rd
floor commercial property.I was so dumbfounded my mouth
was hanging open like a garage door.When I thought about it
my real anger is towards the property owner.I'm sure the
maintenance man is just trying to keep his job (if you can't do it...)
Some of the things people do will never cease to amaze me!

The only problem I have with someone finishing the work I started is if the place burns down and my fingerprint is on the job I'm automaticaly a defendant. I'ts going to cost me big bucks and time, just to get off the lawsuit.

I read the first thing a lawyer will do if there's an accident at a jobsite is rush on down there and take pictures of everything and copy the lettering on every vehicle, to make up a list of defendants.

 

[ptrip]

I was the engineer who had to call an electrician to wire my light/fan combo switch ... after letting the smoke out of three of them!

"How hard should this be?"

Original installation was on/off switch to a ceiling fan. We added a light fixture to the fan and ran the necessary extra wire to the switch box for light control. I chose a combo switch that dimmed the light and controlled the fan speed. But when it came time to wire it ... <sigh> :roll:.

He was the electrical engineer, I'm degreed in industrial engineering, but was working as an M.E.P. engineer ... both within a year after graduation. We learned our lesson after paying to have it installed properly!

Black and white on paper is one thing ... real world is another. I'm just glad our lesson didn't case injury or death.

I mostly lurk around here, and I believe I still learn a lot from your experiences. Thank you.

 

[petersonra]

Good point!! I should of said Licensed Electrician :wink:

does that make one qualifed to do any and all electrical work?

 

[ohm]

does that make one qualifed to do any and all electrical work?

Good point a EE can be obtained in all sorts of specialties (biomedical, computer, communications, power transmission etc, none of which would help in resi. I've worked alongside EE's who were great at what they were doing but couldn't fix a flashlight.

 

[B4T]

does that make one qualifed to do any and all electrical work?

no it does not.. BUT I am talking basic electrical work here. You have to have 7 years trade experience and pass a written and practical test to get a license. THAT makes you qualified to do most electrical work found in a home or commercial building. I am not talking about wiring a 50 story office building or a chemical plant.

 

[luckyshadow]

Maybe it's time you gathered up some of those burnt up electrical devices along with a folder of recent photo's (including address's). Then make an appointment to meet with the Fire Marshall and the head of the Electrical Inspectors to discuss this matter.
Explain your concerns over the safety of the people who reside in those homes.

 

[petersonra]

Good point a EE can be obtained in all sorts of specialties (biomedical, computer, communications, power transmission etc, none of which would help in resi. I've worked alongside EE's who were great at what they were doing but couldn't fix a flashlight.

I have several broken flashlights I have been meaning to fix.

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

I would not contact the fire marshal first.

I would contact the management first. I would contact them in writing about the situation and that it will need to be resolved immediately. As the license holder of electrical work, you are the responsible person and therefore demand a response. If in fact they do not respond, you will be compelled to contact the proper authorities.

BTW:
I see you are from Long Island, I know Long lsland requires licensing. I also am well versed in the State Laws in regards to your position. You can be in the driver seat if you so choose. Just realize this could cost you your relationship with the company.

 

[B4T]

I would not contact the fire marshal first.

I would contact the management first. I would contact them in writing about the situation and that it will need to be resolved immediately. As the license holder of electrical work, you are the responsible person and therefore demand a response. If in fact they do not respond, you will be compelled to contact the proper authorities.

BTW:
I see you are from Long Island, I know Long lsland requires licensing. I also am well versed in the State Laws in regards to your position. You can be in the driver seat if you so choose. Just realize this could cost you your relationship with the company.

Thanks Pierre.. I am going to write a letter to Suffolk County Consumer Affairs.. they issue the license. Management of this company thinks they can do as they please. Only reason maintenance men do electrical work is fear of losing their job. They have told me this many times in the past.