Why we need permits and inspections

[danickstr]

Many bitter posters here. I get fed up with inspectors when they ask for things that aren’t in the code book but overall I get over it. It’s their job to enforce code. That’s a bad guy hat to start but really a good guy in a villains garb.

I love the picture of the wires and am thinking it’s almost more work to chop up that cover than to just break drywall and add a plug but what do I know I never patch the drywall. Lol. Except at my house or when I gc a job which theses days is almost never.

 

[romex jockey]

While i don't doubt corruption and collusion exists at every level ,and could provide examples for this forum, i wouldn't use it as an excuse to belittle our entire trade.

I like what i do

I'd like to 'pass it on' better, albeit in some small insignificant way

An old adage claims> “Let everyone sweep in front of his own door, and the whole world will be clean"

I joined the IAEI over 20 yrs ago

I've met some serious folks, with BIG brooms , and they've one common goal

To make our trade better

thx

~RJ~

 

[peter d]

While i don't doubt corruption and collusion exists at every level ,and could provide examples for this forum, i wouldn't use it as an excuse to belittle our entire trade.

Inspectors are not part of our trade. They are an arm of the government.

 

[MAC702]

...

[*]Why would you cut a square hole in the panel cover ? ...

[*]Why wouldn't you have cut the panel cover straight down to the bottom so you could easily and completely remove the cover?
...

Looks like maybe a cut-off wheel in a grinder was used, but it also looks like a hole was drilled in the top line to maybe start a jigsaw. Maybe that was an original corner of a square hole, and then it was widened. But, yeah, if you were going to hack it like that, why not cut a big notch from the bottom edge?

 

[gadfly56]

Looks like maybe a cut-off wheel in a grinder was used, but it also looks like a hole was drilled in the top line to maybe start a jigsaw. Maybe that was an original corner of a square hole, and then it was widened. But, yeah, if you were going to hack it like that, why not cut a big notch from the bottom edge?

Why, because they didn't want to compromise the door, of course! :angel:

 

[ptonsparky]

Inspectors are not part of our trade. They are an arm of the government.

I never looked at our State inspectors that way. Always thought they did their best to improve or promote the trade and more than willing to educate those willing to learn. Even the larger cities in the area had inspectors willing to help if asked.

 

[drcampbell]

... you have US std, Can std, UK std, and the many other std's around the world.

That's the nice thing about standards: There are so many different ones to choose from. (and not merely in the electrical biz)

 

[MAC702]

That's the nice thing about standards: There are so many different ones to choose from. (and not merely in the electrical biz)

I upped my standards. Now up yours.

 

[cowboyjwc]

Inspectors are not part of our trade. They are an arm of the government.

I was probably a part of your trade before you were.

 

[cowboyjwc]

I never looked at our State inspectors that way. Always thought they did their best to improve or promote the trade and more than willing to educate those willing to learn. Even the larger cities in the area had inspectors willing to help if asked.

I try to do that. I spent half my day today training "qualified" contractors on what the code really said and not what they think it said.

 

[peter d]

I never looked at our State inspectors that way. Always thought they did their best to improve or promote the trade and more than willing to educate those willing to learn. Even the larger cities in the area had inspectors willing to help if asked.

Again, if only it were like that here. Some inspectors here are good, to be sure. But the vast majority are on power trips and like to throw their weight around.

 

[peter d]

I was probably a part of your trade before you were.

I'm sure you were. I still stand by what I said.

 

[jumper]

A simple picture of crappy work turns into an “Us versus Them” thread........sigh.....

 

[GoldDigger]

A simple picture of crappy work turns into an “Us versus Them” thread........sigh.....

While others assert that it is an Us versus Us thread.

Like the supposed statement by the janitor on The Simpsons:

"Brothers and sisters are natural enemies.
Like electricians and plumbers...
And electricians and electrical engineers...
And electricians and electricians."

 

[MattS87]

While others assert that it is an Us versus Us thread.

Like the supposed statement by the janitor on The Simpsons:

"Brothers and sisters are natural enemies.
Like electricians and plumbers...
And electricians and electrical engineers...
And electricians and electricians."

There is a whole bunch of videos on this. Youtube 'Electrician vs. Millwright'

 

[kwired]

Inspectors are not part of our trade. They are an arm of the government.

I'd say they fall somewhere inbetween, the ones you are used to dealing with are maybe further toward the government end.

I never looked at our State inspectors that way. Always thought they did their best to improve or promote the trade and more than willing to educate those willing to learn. Even the larger cities in the area had inspectors willing to help if asked.

I feel mostly the same way. When I do get into it with an inspector all I have to do is read some of the stories on sites like this and realize how good we have it.

I don't know our current SED director at all, but I did know the previous one - he inspected in my area. Knowing what he was like, I believe he wanted to run the division as fair as possible and expected same out of his inspectors. He was once a contractor and understood both sides, made him a good person for that job.

 

[ggunn]

Again, if only it were like that here. Some inspectors here are good, to be sure. But the vast majority are on power trips and like to throw their weight around.

But even then it doesn't necessarily mean that they are incorrectly enforcing code.

 

[kwired]

But even then it doesn't necessarily mean that they are incorrectly enforcing code.

If they aren't willing to listen and at least consider an educated response to something they are on a power trip.

If they listen and come back with an educated explanation of why they think you are wrong - they at least have some respect from me.

If all they can respond with is "that is what code says, that is how we do things here, I am the AHJ and things of that nature" they have lost most of my respect of them being a professional.

 

[growler]

I repeat - inspections and permits do virtually nothing to guarantee a quality installation. In fact, most of the hack work I see is by so-called licensed electricians that was permitted and inspected.

I don't agree with that statement. I do think that many times things get missed by inspectors but I have seen some jobs that even if the inspector was blind and drunk he wouldn't have passed.

Does an inspection insure a quality and code compliant job ? The answer is, "NO". Things do get missed.

Do inspectors catch a lot of bad work such as the one in the OPs picture? I think it's safe to say this installation would not have passed.

 

[jeff48356]

I could post 100's of similar debaucheries.

Nice that your state has some 'teeth' in the matter Tom...

~RJ~

Is there a website where electricians and inspectors can post pictures like this, taken on jobsites? I like to look at them sometimes, for amusement.