"Not in my town" Still Applies

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76nemo

an insurance inspector has more power than an inspector, if you don't comply you get dropped
 
here we are requied to put a outside disnonnect if the meter and panel are not back to back.we usually put a meter breaker combo outside and a mlo panel inside.about a year ago i did a house in a county north of me and did the same thing.when the inspector showed up he turned it down said the panel had to have a main breaker in it too.when i told him the code said i could do it this way his answer was"boy i am the code here"
 
mpd said:
76nemo

an insurance inspector has more power than an inspector, if you don't comply you get dropped
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Oh, very well understood. My point was that in 13 years, mostly maintenance, I have never, ever even heard that question asked, let alone ruled.
 
his cousin is also the sheriff :)

his cousin is also the sheriff :)

zdog said:
here we are requied to put a outside disnonnect if the meter and panel are not back to back.we usually put a meter breaker combo outside and a mlo panel inside.about a year ago i did a house in a county north of me and did the same thing.when the inspector showed up he turned it down said the panel had to have a main breaker in it too.when i told him the code said i could do it this way his answer was"boy i am the code here"
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If you were in TN, with about two tries I could tell you which county :)
 
iwire said:
A friend of mine is fitting out a retail space at a large mall, he is working for a GC that has worked there for years. The GC tells my buddy the electrical inspector expects GFCI protection on all receptacles. Now my buddy knows this is not required so he presses the GC on it.

The GC explains how the inspector expects GFCI protection because of the bare concrete floor. :rolleyes:

It's indoors, it is not a wet location, there are no sinks or kitchens. The floor finish is clear epoxy on cement.

So in the interest of moving ahead my buddy ordered seven Square D GFCI breakers. :mad: There is no choice, the company could file a complaint with the State but that would take more time then we have.
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For this particular instance, I'd install the GFCI breakers, then remove them post-inspection.
 
Gather up every EC who ever worked in the town for a class action suit and get the whole sinny on what other mahem the guy has caused and seek reimbursment through litigation - it's the American Way they say.... But in the least you might get the guy to look at a code book afterwards if he is not replaced....
 
zdog said:
his answer was"boy i am the code here"
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i'd probably still be in jail if an inspector ever made that comment to me. 99% of the inspectors i deal w/ try to inspect based on opinion rather than code. i have ZERO tolerance for these inspectors. they all know this by now and i think they come purposely looking for a fight, which they always lose, but know they're eating up my time. on my last resi new construction inspection, i was told that from now on i will be required to use horizontal covers on my outdoor receptacles to keep water out. i just nodded and said 'whatever.' imagine their surprise when they come to inspect my latest trim and find NO horizontal covers.
 
Bob, that is a crappy situtaion to be sure. In my stubborness I would probably cause more problems than this is worth BUT if the person paying the bills wanted the job done and was willing to pay for what the "inspector" wanted I'd just do it.

I might still then make a few calls and write a letter.

I have called the State Board in the past and while not a formal interpetation I did let the inspector know what was said and he backed off on a particialr issue.

I have also had my good name :wink: torn to shreads (maybe a bit of an exageration) by a local Board of Selectman because I was doing serious battle with an inspector on an issue and it involved me, a builder, an ispector, a manufacturer, a held up closing on a house, blah blah blah. More importantly...I was right. :D

Edit to add...It is my understanding that there are some "big names" in the local industry that read this board to get a take on what's going on and what the issues are we face in the trade. The don't post but they are looking. Maybe a few hints as to who this inspector is might raise a few eyebrows.
 
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jshaw said:
I get really frustrated when I hear about inspectors who think they have some kind of power over contractors. We are all on the same team. We are working together to follow the same code and neither one of us is perfect.
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Well said, especially the team concept.
 
iwire said:
A friend of mine is fitting out a retail space at a large mall, he is working for a GC that has worked there for years. The GC tells my buddy the electrical inspector expects GFCI protection on all receptacles. Now my buddy knows this is not required so he presses the GC on it.

The GC explains how the inspector expects GFCI protection because of the bare concrete floor. :rolleyes:

It's indoors, it is not a wet location, there are no sinks or kitchens. The floor finish is clear epoxy on cement.

So in the interest of moving ahead my buddy ordered seven Square D GFCI breakers. :mad: There is no choice, the company could file a complaint with the State but that would take more time then we have.
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Just wondering, has your buddy opened any dialog with the inspector making the GFCI demand? It sounded like the GC is delivering the message. Maybe the inspector could be reasonable like the few that have responded to this thread.
 
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