Do you shut down dangerous systems?

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by rshuey

I am a people person. I protect people.

I'll sleep better tonight knowing you are on patrol, Batman.

[Jerry Bettencourt]

Originally Posted by kshepard

The authority I have would be... who's going to stop me?

I switched on the kill switch to a gas furnace last March and a bunch of gas exploded in my face. I thought the smell was from the sewage ejector pump with the broken cover. That's what it smelled like.

The home was passive solar and warm, so I shut off fuel supply to the furnace, tagged it and notified the sellers agent. The furnace had been certified by a local company two days before I arrived.

When I picked up the radon monitor two days later, the seller had turned the gas back on and removed my tag. No repairs had been made.

Will a judge whack an inspector for trying to save lives? I don't know. Maybe it's a personal decision. Maybe it's a legal decision which varies by state.

Then again, if you can reliably pass on the liability and responsibility for safety to the listing agent, I'd say you've upheld your responibility as an inspector but reduced your financial risk from property damage.

The authority does not sit in whether or not you can turn it off as anybody can turn a given system off. The authority lies in whether some one can turn that system back on without proper repairs. The local utility and fire department have those powers and any one violating their decision would be negligent and in violation of certain statutes, but we as Home Inspectors do not have such legal standing. It would be like you trying to pull someone over and ticketing them for speeding, you know it is wrong but legally do you have the authority to do it?

[rshuey]

Originally Posted by jbushart

I'll sleep better tonight knowing you are on patrol, Batman.

As you should. In the meantime, you keep doing semi-inspections and taking peoples hard earned money.

[rshuey]

Originally Posted by mlarson

Well here is the rest of the story. See if you would say the same thing knowing the whole story.



It was the first thing I noticed wrong upon arriving for the inspection.

I followed the wires to the neighbors meter box next door.

The neighbor had just come home as I was standing there so I asked if she minded telling me what was with the wires.
She then informed that it was put in as temporary service by the POCO because they had a problem with the power in the neighborhood.

It had been there almost 3 weeks according to here and the POCO had not been responsive to her calls.

Yes they were live and apparently supply power(2 hots and a bare neutral) to either her house or the one I was inspecting.

I guess the POCO wasn't too concerned. They did put the pretty yellow caution tape along the run.

I thought at first that it was a bold attempt to steal power but the seal tags wee intact on both ends.

I told everyone at the inspection what the neighbor had told me and told them not to touch or step on the wires. The inspection commenced from there.

I would have had that verified. I am sure the companies local boss may have seen things differently.

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by rshuey

I would have had that verified. I am sure the companies local boss may have seen things differently.

Thanks for keeping the world safe for all the little people.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by rshuey

As you should. In the meantime, you keep doing semi-inspections and taking peoples hard earned money.

Okay.

[rshuey]

Originally Posted by mlarson

Thanks for keeping the world safe for all the little people.

haha

ypu and JB should hook up.

[rshuey]

thank goodness i am an AHJ

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by rshuey

haha

ypu and JB should hook up.

I should have added:.... little people who are unable to think for themselves.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by rshuey

thank goodness i am an AHJ

Alcoholic, hunting jobs?

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by jbushart

Alcoholic, hunting jobs?

Several more come to mind but I wouldn't post those on the board.

Use your imagination.

[rshuey]

Originally Posted by jbushart

Alcoholic, hunting jobs?

hahaha....no, I work for a living. For the government.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by rshuey

hahaha....no, I work for a living. For the government.

which is it...you work for a living or you work for the govt?

[ccurrins]

Originally Posted by rshuey

hahaha....no, I work for a living. For the government.

That's not a job, that's an adventure.

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by rshuey

hahaha....no, I work for a living. For the government.

Are you the guy that says, " Hi, I'm from the government and I'm here to help"?