Wow....a RASH of poor electrical situations...

[Russell J. Hensel]

And yet another electrical problem...wow...I am getting them left and right! Pulling the cover is IMPERATIVE to inspecting the electrical, IMHO.

[James H. Bushart]

Who doesn't remove the dead front? I've never read anyone arguing against it or saying they didn't. That would be nuts...unless it would be in an unsafe area or condition in which the entire electrical system would be written up as defective.

Is there anyone advocating that we NOT remove the dead front?

[rsmith24]

Damn Russ. Whats going on down there?

[Russell J. Hensel]

Look at previous threads. They told me it was against the SOP and would never open a panel. I might look for them, but they were telling me I was nuts for "going above and beyond the SOP".

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by rhensel

Look at previous threads. They told me it was against the SOP and would never open a panel. I might look for them, but they were telling me I was nuts for "going above and beyond the SOP".

Against the SOP? That's nuts.

[Greg Keene, CPI]

Manufactured home with a separate garage building - 3 subpanels, FPE sub, multiple double taps on breakers and lugs, but this was the winner. This is where they tapped the main service to feed the garage. This is under the house.

[Robert Meier]

Originally Posted by rhensel

And yet another electrical problem...wow...I am getting them left and right! Pulling the cover is IMPERATIVE to inspecting the electrical, IMHO.

Attachment 41759

Just someone who forgot to tighten the breaker properly. Probably had his boss screaming at him to hurry up.

If I were paying for an inspection I would insist that the cover be removed.

[Russell J. Hensel]

Robert and others I do agree. I remember about a couple to a few months back that numerous inspectors DID NOT REMOVE the panel, they say its the responsibility of an electrician. These are the people who are going to ruin the industry.

Read the sample reports that people publish. They want ZERO responsibility and in their hast to pawn off each sub system to the "licensed tradesman for evaluation of the entire system and to obtain a cost to cure before escrow" they will no longer have a business. People will soon realize they are nothing more than a waste of money. There is a guy in here who really does not state SPECIFIC reasons to call licensed tradesmen, just I guess because. The main panel is older, call a licensed tradesman for further evaluation and exact cost to cure and its the same with the roof, the HVAC, and so on...

I personally love the people who do this, more money for the fat, ugly guy (me)...

[James H. Bushart]

II. The inspector is not required to:

A. insert any tool, probe or device into the main panelboard, sub-panels, distribution panelboards, or electrical fixtures.
B. operate electrical systems that are shut down.
C. remove panelboard cabinet covers or dead front covers, if they are not readily accessible



The way I read this, the SOP requires all accessible covers to be removed. The only exception that the SOP allows is for those cases where they are not readily accessible.

Anyone who thinks that they are in compliance with the SOP and does not regularly remove the dead front is grossly mistaken.

[Russell J. Hensel]

I can look for the threads in the past. But I am positive they argues that they did not remove the panels because it was a safety issue and they were not "licensed" to do so...

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by rhensel

I can look for the threads in the past. But I am positive they argues that they did not remove the panels because it was a safety issue and they were not "licensed" to do so...

Post the link. If these guys are contracting to inspect by the SOP and are routinely omitting this step, they can have "fraud" added to any lawsuit filed against them resulting from an electrical issue that should have been discovered.

This is the primary area where home inspectors will routinely find defects that can kill someone...right along with defective fossil fuel combustion devices and venting.

[Robert Ernst]

I agree with the removal. If you go outside your SOP you open yourself up to liability and when that happens you also open yourself to litigation. The attorney for the other side will have the SOP you said you follow booked into evidence for sure. Maybe some people are just reading them wrong. I have posted that if it's painted I won't remove it. In my states SOP that is not readily accessible and damage to paint is not allowed.

[Russell J. Hensel]

Is removing screws readily accessible? I agree Robert, why take the extra two minutes to possibly save life. Keep up the good work and remember disclaim, disclaim, disclaim this way we don't ever really have to inspect anything. If all else fails pull out the "I felt is was unsafe" card...

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by rhensel

I can look for the threads in the past. But I am positive they argues that they did not remove the panels because it was a safety issue and they were not "licensed" to do so...

That is or was true for Ontario Power in Canada.

Maybe one of the Canadian fellas can comment.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by rhensel

Is removing screws readily accessible? I agree Robert, why take the extra two minutes to possibly save life. Keep up the good work and remember disclaim, disclaim, disclaim this way we don't ever really have to inspect anything. If all else fails pull out the "I felt is was unsafe" card...

Removing screws is not the issue. The accessibility of the panel is related to where it is located. The SOP requires that it be removed when it is accessible.

Having said that...when an inspector lacks the skill and confidence to safely perform this very essential task...he should explain that to his client, adjust his fee accordingly, and recommend that it be inspected by someone who does have that skill. No home inspector should perform a task that he feels is personally unsafe to himself...and, likewise, no homebuyer should accept an inspection report as being complete when an accessible panel has not been opened and inspected.