With
my experience as an electrical expert on personal injuries with
a law firm and having worked as an electrical inspector, I truly
see the need for a workbook such as this.
The
big problem today that I see in the industry, in some cases we
have complex decisions being made by people with little or no
training and possibly no understanding of the implications of
their decisions.
The complexity of the technology and the codes change rapidly
and requires a higher skill level.
The inspector should be one of the most highly skilled professionals
in the construction industry. Often he must possess the knowledge
of an engineer, educator, business consultant, etc. |
|
At a time when the country is experiencing its greatest need
for highly competent inspectors, local government budget cuts
are pushing some inspectors to becoming "the jack-of-all-trades,
master of none.
"Inspection requirements vary in different areas of the
country. Some areas require an inspection of the water system
before you can take occupancy. Other areas require a termite
inspection before the sale of the property. While other areas
may require an inspection of the foundation or roof, etc. The
most important inspection for safety, an electrical inspection,
is not even required in some areas of the country! Have you ever
read in a newspaper where water started a fire? Has your local
newspaper ever contained an article where a termite caused an
electrocution? Electricity has been known to start fires and
electrocute people.
Our society is becoming more litigious, and the decisions the
inspector makes will be examined more closely. Municipalities
that cut inspection corners will pay the price down the road,
either in more fires or in lawsuits. Insurance companies have
made several recent attempts to sue citing failure to properly
inspect buildings for hazards.
To survive in an era when voters demand more government services
for less money, today inspectors must be much more than code
enforcers. They must prove their value to the community. They
must be seen as partners and consultants in fire and accident
prevention. The inspector's job is to keep the community's assets
intact, to ensure continuity of operations.
The inspector is a consultant who's already been paid for. Would
you hire yourself, and would you get your money's worth? If not,
you can expect the community to turn elsewhere.
Author - Electrical Inspection Workbook
REQUIRED INSPECTIONS
UNDERGROUND INSPECTION: To be made after trenches or ditches
are excavated, conduit or cable installed, and before any backfill
is put in place. Code Table 300-5 minimum burial depths will
be referenced during this inspection.
ROUGH-IN INSPECTION: To be made after the roof, framing,
fireblocking and bracing is in place and prior to the installation
of wall or ceiling membranes. The rough-in inspection must be
inspected very carefully as the wiring system within the walls
will later be concealed.
FINAL INSPECTION: To be made after the building is complete,
all required electrical fixtures are in place and properly connected
or protected, and the structure is ready for occupancy.
THE AUTHORITY HAVING
JURISDICTION
The authority having jurisdiction is inspectors employed by a
government angency (federal, state, county, city) which has authority
to enforce local ordinances and code regulations concerning product
installations. The authority having jurisdiction has the responsibility
for (1) making interpretations of the rules, (2) deciding upon
the approval of equipment and materials, and (3) granting the
special permission cntemplated in a number of the rules.
The word approved rather than listed allows the inspector to
impose even stricter requirements where warranted. Approved,
means acceptable to the inspector.
Identified means generally recognizable as suitable for the application.
It does not mean listed, but it could be. All products listed
for a particular application are necessarily identified for that
use. But, not all products identified for a particular use have
been specifically listed.
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