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 agency (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 contemplated 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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