Electrical Inspections by Home Inspectors

[jtedesco1]

I know you don't dare use ... the National Electrical Code, but if you want to double check the most recent items related to dwellings, etc., look here.

http://www.mikeholt.com/download.php...NEC-1Part1.pdf

http://www.mikeholt.com/download.php...NEC-1Part2.pdf

Mike Holt is another Electrical Industry Expert who is willing to share his knowledge too. Go for it!

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by jtedesco1

I know you don't dare use ... the National Electrical Code,

Says who?

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by jtedesco1

I know you don't dare use ... the National Electrical Code,

Yeah, Who?

The NEC is VERY useful tool.

Paul, Is there a web page (html) link that doesn't link to the two 9+ Mb PDFs?

[jtedesco1]

Originally Posted by jpope

Says who?

Jeff:

I know you do but what about those who are afraid to even pick one up?

You do a good job, and quoting the code nowadays is very prominent here on this board.

[jtedesco1]

Originally Posted by mlarson

Yeah, Who?

The NEC is VERY useful tool.

Paul, Is there a web page (html) link that doesn't link to the two 9+ Mb PDFs?

You could buy the book from the author.

[Patrick Bolliger]

Thanks Joe!

More good stuff..

It's the lawyers , I tell ya... the lawyers!!
Mention one code and you better be ready to cite ALL code related issues..

How many codes do you think a home inspector would have to know?
Try every area/section/ component that makes up an entire house!
More then my brain can possibly hold...

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by jtedesco1

You could buy the book from the author.

I buy lots of books Joe. I just prefer the portability and the immediacy of the Internet. Can't get DSL or cable where live. Been waiting the very slow TELCO for 10 years! If I want a fast connection I go to the libray with my laptop in town.

[jtedesco1]

Micheal:

I too have dial up here on my desktop, laziness makes me use it and when I am here downloading in the background is not a problem. I am still downloading parts 3 and 4.

[jtedesco1]

Originally Posted by pbolliger

Thanks Joe!

More good stuff..

It's the lawyers , I tell ya... the lawyers!!
Mention one code and you better be ready to cite ALL code related issues..

How many codes do you think a home inspector would have to know?
Try every area/section/ component that makes up an entire house!
More then my brain can possibly hold...

Pat:

I imagine that with a $200.00 Chicago Electrical Code that Lawyer is going to find some real code issues. Have you ever been involved in a court case and code issues?

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by jtedesco1

Micheal:

I too have dial up here on my desktop, laziness makes me use it and when I am here downloading in the background is not a problem. I am still downloading parts 3 and 4.

Thanks Joe. You are an asset to this board and one of the best resources at NACHI. My connection crashed while I was writing this. I will try to be more patient.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by jtedesco1

I know you do but what about those who are afraid to even pick one up?

Without codes (all codes), the HI has no reference for what is right or wrong. It's as simple as that.

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by jpope

Without codes (all codes), the HI has no reference for what is right or wrong. It's as simple as that.

Works for me.

[Patrick Bolliger]

Originally Posted by jtedesco1

Pat:

I imagine that with a $200.00 Chicago Electrical Code that Lawyer is going to find some real code issues. Have you ever been involved in a court case and code issues?

Luckily not yet, but I will tell you around here lawyers can be nasty bastards! I have worked for / with near two hundred at one of my last jobs and have 5 friends that practice various areas of law.. Joe , I can tell you that a lawyer can look at a code and turn it against you in a heart beat!

I was told by my real estate lawyer friend that a home inspectors report can be used in both ways. Interpretation is key so even if that service equipment is a death trap waiting to happen it's fine! It has to kill someone and kill a lot more at times before the class action law suit make a dent in the "accepted" standards....

Now add the home owner or "uncle Larry" electrical work and someone gets hurt... You cite code when you inspect... Think it's going to change the mind of your client? Most likely not but it will give your client the impression your a code inspector.....with no enforcement power and a sellers lawyer on your ***** telling your clients lawyer it's O.K. they don't have to worry about it..
The other part is when the sparkies tell your client "your home inspector is full of @#$%" .. and "he doesn't know what he is talking about".

I would rather use " a safety issue"...

[Robert J. OConnor]

I agree with Jeff that an HI has very little to reference as a guide to assist with deciding what gets reported as (installation) defects except for an SOP and model codes (as "current construction standards"). A basic working knowledge of major provisions is sufficient, with a practical application. But reports should never call out defects as "violations" or reference code sections.

Originally Posted by pbolliger

How many codes do you think a home inspector would have to know?

Just one ... the International Residential Code (IRC). Also includes a real handy 70 page summary of the NEC requirements applicable to residential construction, with some diagrams ...

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Originally Posted by mlarson

Yeah, Who?

The NEC is VERY useful tool.

Paul, Is there a web page (html) link that doesn't link to the two 9+ Mb PDFs?

I did not post the links...but their are alot of articles and so on at www.mikeholt.com to browse through.