Physical Damage vs. Severe Physical Damage

[letgomywago]

Unfortunately, this is exactly why our codes are written like they are! Because people are unsafe. Why would a duplex receptacle in a garage ceiling installed for the use of a garage door opener have to be GFCI protected? Because some Darwin Award winner decided to plug in a weedeater and go out barefooted during a lightning storm! Not all of our codes are a result of electrical issues, they are from people issues.

So my FIL used to do this for his block heater since it was all chewed up in the truck and would instantly trip a gfi. It even shocked him a few times.

 

[gadfly56]

This would be a violation of due process, but maybe that is not an issue in NJ.

Oh, I can't wait to hear the line of reasoning on this...

 

[don_resqcapt19]

In a lot of cases, the only AHJ is the inspector. On bigger jobs that I have done in the past, I was famous for sending a crazy amount of RFI's to the engineer. I was pretty good at the CYA game. It's the smaller jobs that we tend to get burned on, when the local inspector is the one who is in charge of rule interpretation. That's when I ended up having to do things twice.

That is really never the case as the inspector cannot adopt the code. Some unit of government must adopt the code and that unit of government is the AHJ. The inspectors work for the AHJ. The code really needs another term and some additional language as it is rare that the AHJ would make a subjective call on the job site...the inspectors do that.

 

[electrofelon]

The NEC is pretty good about avoiding the "gray" areas by using clear and concise verbiage.

Oh really?!? Sure you are not looking at the planet Mars version?

 

[R&T Jimmy]

It does not work that way. As a practical matter it probably does, at least some times. The inspector can NEVER be the AHJ. The AHJ is determined by the enabling legislation. Typically the building department or contractor board. The inspector is usually a mere employee of the AHJ and as such has no more power to interpret things than he does to grant special permission.

I beg to differ. I am the Building Official ( read AHJ) for the City and County that I work for. I am also the only inspector employed by both of these. So I am indeed the AHJ and also the inspector. Never say never.

 

[petersonra]

I beg to differ. I am the Building Official ( read AHJ) for the City and County that I work for. I am also the only inspector employed by both of these. So I am indeed the AHJ and also the inspector. Never say never.

I think that unlikely since it would violate due process guarantees found in every state constitution.

 

[AmpedUp2BHere]

I believe New Jersey amended the code and replaced all wording of ‘Authority having jurisdiction’ with ‘Electrical sub code official’ so the inspector definitely has the authority

 

[petersonra]

I believe New Jersey amended the code and replaced all wording of ‘Authority having jurisdiction’ with ‘Electrical sub code official’ so the inspector definitely has the authority

Is a mere inspector considered to be an official? That would be unusual as well.

 

[jaggedben]

I think that unlikely since it would violate due process guarantees found in every state constitution.

Is a mere inspector considered to be an official? That would be unusual as well.

I find your notions quite weird.

 

[AmpedUp2BHere]

Is a mere inspector considered to be an official? That would be unusual as well.

In my experience, every municipality in NJ has an electrical sub code official and that official is also an inspector. Many municipalities may have additional electrical inspectors that are not sub code officials but they still interpret the code and if you have an issue with their interpretation then you can take it up with the head inspector/sub code official of that municipality. If it’s the sub code official that has misinterpreted the code then you’re next option is to go to the state. Usually we just make the changes they ask for within reason in order to not cause them to retaliate on future jobs.