not being present for inspections

[Tiger Electrical]

We had a "Chief" inspector (overdue for retirement) who was fond of yelling "IT'S IN THERE". When questioned he would reply with 90.4. He didn't last long. Other than him, I've had no problems with any inspector.

 

[jmellc]

I had a job like this, the guy would argue even when I showed him the code sections. His guys are the ones that finally said something to the big boss. I went by one day and asked where he was and was told that he wasn't allowed on the site as long as I was there.

Remember too, you are only dealing with the one inspector that day, and he may have dealt with 20 people already and had to argue with everyone and he's had it. Maybe you are confrentational and you just think you're sticking up for you self and your side of the story will always be "I just asked him a question". Sometimes it's all in the delivery.

I've had guys start getting loud and cussing and I just turn around and walk away, which I'm allowed to do. And please don't start that "I pay taxes which pays you", because I pay those same taxes you do and I pay the same permit fees you do too.

Just a question (seriously), what permit fees do you pay? I pay the fees for all the permits I take out, have never had an inspector pay a dime on one. Yes, we all know you pay taxes too, but taxes start in the private sector, not the public sector. Without the private sector, the $ would not be there to pay you, unless you were federal, then Uncle Sam could just print money. Just for the record, my parents were both schoolteachers & my brother is a retired library director. Not bashing public sector but keeping it in tune with reality.

I don't blame you for walking away when people are abusive. No excuse for that. But I find in interesting that the OP is in Mass. I have a friend who worked there & CT. Said many inspectors there would not even tell a contractor why he failed inspection; would make him go all through a big job for a needle in a haystack. That is authority gone to someone's head. We fought King George over abuses of authority.

 

[roger]

Are MA's inspectors public officials or are they private contractors?

Roger

 

[nhfire77]

Are MA's inspectors public officials or are they private contractors?

Roger

Public Officials.

 

[roger]

Public Officials.

Thanks

Roger

 

[JWCELECTRIC]

can an inspector refuse to inspect a job which you have a permit for if you are present? Having issues with an inspector and he said he refuses to inspect if I am there when he gets there. this is in mass.

What Town?

 

[cowboyjwc]

Just a question (seriously), what permit fees do you pay? I pay the fees for all the permits I take out, have never had an inspector pay a dime on one. Yes, we all know you pay taxes too, but taxes start in the private sector, not the public sector. Without the private sector, the $ would not be there to pay you, unless you were federal, then Uncle Sam could just print money. Just for the record, my parents were both schoolteachers & my brother is a retired library director. Not bashing public sector but keeping it in tune with reality.

I don't blame you for walking away when people are abusive. No excuse for that. But I find in interesting that the OP is in Mass. I have a friend who worked there & CT. Said many inspectors there would not even tell a contractor why he failed inspection; would make him go all through a big job for a needle in a haystack. That is authority gone to someone's head. We fought King George over abuses of authority.

Paid the permit fees for my deck, my room add, my pool, my window replacements, my water heater replacement, my bathroom remodel. I'm more likely to get a permit than some contractors I know and I don't get a discount. We pay federal and state taxes just like you guys, my salary is technically paid by permit fees, technically I said. I've paid all my quarters to be eligible for SS but I will lose about 1/3 of that because I will collect a government pension.

I came up through the trades and I know all the stories and there are good and bad everywhere. If every EC was as good as he thought he was there wouldn't be any need for inspectors.

 

[Cow]

I worked for a particular GC in Fl who had a policy to video tape all inspections regardless of what trade it was. A few inspectors really balked at this but these were large projects some publicly funded so they couldn't stop it without some fallout they really didn't want.

It was amazing how the "I want", "what I like to see", I don't have to show you", "it's in the code", "what about the next guy coming behind you", etc.... stopped and actual code inspecting became the norm on these projects.

Of course the knowledgable inspectors never had an issue with it from the get go.

Roger

Interesting story.

I could see it going the other way too making some inspectors really anal, measuring staple distance, etc.

 

[cowboyjwc]

Interesting story.

I could see it going the other way too making some inspectors really anal, measuring staple distance, etc.

"Could I have a copy of that tape? I want to use it as a training aid for my class on how not to do it."

 

[jaylectricity]

Are MA's inspectors public officials or are they private contractors?

Roger

Public Officials.

Some are public officials, for example in Boston, Waltham, or Lexington. But the inspectors in Hull or Hingham have their own electrical businesses. It all depends on the town or city's budget.

I pay those same taxes you do and I pay the same permit fees you do too.

Yeah, but you get some of your money back.

 

[LEO2854]

Some are public officials, for example in Boston, Waltham, or Lexington. But the inspectors in Hull or Hingham have their own electrical businesses. It all depends on the town or city's budget.
.

What??

you need to read page 22 of your mass electrical code book
Chapter 166 section 32 Electricial inspectors.
Section 32. A city or town shall, by ordinance, vote or by-law, appoint an inspector of wires. Said inspector shall be a licensed electrician. Two or more cities or towns may vote to form a district and shall appoint an inspector of wires, whose compensation shall be fixed by the district and paid for by each city and town comprising such district as the city and town members thereof shall determine and who shall have the same powers and duties of an inspector of a city or town. Such inspector shall supervise every wire over or under streets or buildings in such a city, town or district and every wire within or supplied from buildings and structures subject to the provisions of chapter one hundred and forty-three, and the state building code, except wires within a manufactured building or building component as defined in the state building code and inspected in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the building code commission; shall notify the person owning or operating any such wire whenever its attachments, insulation, supports or appliances are improper or unsafe, or whenever the tags or marks thereof are insufficient or illegible; shall, at the expense of the city or town, remove every wire not tagged or marked as hereinbefore required, and shall see that all laws and regulations relative to wires are strictly enforced. A city, town or district may recover in contract from the owner of any such wire so removed the expense which it has incurred for the removal thereof.

 

[LEO2854]

Some are public officials, for example in Boston, Waltham, or Lexington. But the inspectors in Hull or Hingham have their own electrical businesses. It all depends on the town or city's budget.

And 166 section 32A

Section 32A. In a city, town or district which accepts this section, a licensed electrician who is appointed inspector of wires may practice for hire or engage in the business for which licensed under the applicable provisions of chapter one hundred and forty-one while serving as such inspector; provided, however, that within the area over which he has jurisdiction as wiring inspector he shall not exercise any of his powers and duties as such inspector, including those of enforcement officer of the state electrical code, over wiring or electrical work done by himself, his employer, employee or one employed with him. Any such city, town or district may in the manner provided in the preceding section appoint an assistant inspector of wires who shall exercise the duties of inspector of wires, including those of enforcement officer of the state electrical code, over work so done. Said assistant inspector may act in absence or disability of the local inspector and for his services shall receive like compensation as the city, town or district shall determine.

This section shall take effect upon its acceptance in a city, by vote of the city council, subject to the provisions of the charter of such city; in a town, by vote of the board of selectmen; in a municipality having a town council form of government, by a vote of the town council, subject to the provisions of the charter of such municipality and in a district, by vote as above provided of the cities and towns of the district

 

[LEO2854]

can an inspector refuse to inspect a job which you have a permit for if you are present? Having issues with an inspector and he said he refuses to inspect if I am there when he gets there. this is in mass.

NO he Cannot do that . He must comply with the massachusetts electrical code and the NEC and the board of state examiners of Electricians rules and regs,,

If you pull a permit and your license number is on the permit you have the right to be present for the inspection .

The Electrical inspector cannot just make up rules and give you a hard time, And if he is unwilling to answer quetsions the he is not performing his duty as the Electrical inspector.

You can call the board and report him and fillout a complaint form..http://www.mass.gov/Eoca/docs/dpl/complaint.pdf

There is the form. call the number first and talk to a board investigater
They take this very ser and will fix this problem fast.

Don't be afraid to call them this guy probebly has other complaints Good luck

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=ocasubt...d+of+State+Examiners+of+Electricians&sid=Eoca

 

[LEO2854]

Many towns in Mass require the electrician to be there, some will inspect if the homeowner / GC is around instead, I have never heard of an electrician being denied the opportunity to be present.

I had a former employer call the state on a (MetroWest) inspector and the state came in for the final inspection & other jobs afterward.

Thats right the the board will send an investigater out ,

and this inspector will be punished by the board for unprofessional conduct.

 

[iwire]

NO he Cannot do that . He must comply with the massachusetts electrical code and the NEC and the board of state examiners of Electricians rules and regs,,

If you pull a permit and your license number is on the permit you have the right to be present for the inspection .

Leo, show me the MA rule that says an electrician has a right to be at the inspection.

 

[LEO2854]

Leo, show me the MA rule that says an electrician has a right to be at the inspection.

Its your license number on the permit and that makes it your job .

The Electrical inspector has no authority over you unless he can site a vioaltion of the code and or the boards rules. othewise he has the authority to make fix the vioations and violations of the boards rules

He does not have the right to treat other Electricians as subserviant's he only has the right to enforce the code.

The board will over rule electrical inspectors any time they try to over step their authority .

You can call them any time and they are very good, they will resolve the matter one way or another.

Can i point out the rule that states that an Electrical inspector can not alow you to be precent ,,No i can not But if an electrical inspector is throwing his weight around you can cll the board and they will do somthing about it fast.

So all the mass guys that have inspectors busting their *s you have recourse call the board and get them "FIXED"


Heres the link..
http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=ocasubt...d+of+State+Examiners+of+Electricians&sid=Eoca

 

[iwire]

Its your license number on the permit and that makes it your job .

The Electrical inspector has no authority over you unless he can site a vioaltion of the code and or the boards rules. othewise he has the authority to make fix the vioations and violations of the boards rules

He does not have the right to treat other Electricians as subserviant's he only has the right to enforce the code.

The board will over rule electrical inspectors any time they try to over step their authority .

You can call them any time and they are very good, they will resolve the matter one way or another.

Can i point out the rule that states that an Electrical inspector can not alow you to be precent ,,No i can not But if an electrical inspector is throwing his weight around you can cll the board and they will do somthing about it fast.

So all the mass guys that have inspectors busting their *s you have recourse call the board and get them "FIXED"

So in other words you can not show me that 'right' because there is no such right. The board cannot do anything about it because the inspector is not violating any rule.

The only rule is that once the inspector of wiring has been notified in writing they have a certain amount of time to get the inspection done or you can proceed.

This is not the type of forum where we can just post how we feel about things, we expect to see a code section or a law to back it up.

 

[LEO2854]

So in other words you can not show me that 'right' because there is no such right. The board cannot do anything about it because the inspector is not violating any rule.

The only rule is that once the inspector of wiring has been notified in writing they have a certain amount of time to get the inspection done or you can proceed.

This is not the type of forum where we can just post how we feel about things, we expect to see a code section or a law to back it up.

Thats fine i left you the links and the links have a phone number to call
so that the "OP" can defend himself and the board will treat him the same as the Electrical inspector.

The Electrical inspector does not have the authorty to act in an unprofessional manner for which in this case he is.

The board of state examiners will not tolerate unprofessional conduct by licensee's no matter who they are.

Bob you live here you can call any time for any reason and the board will rule in your faver because I know you will be right instead of the inspector:grin:

The "OP" is Uneak to Massachusetts and the board will side with him in this case.

You can call your self on this matter they will be happy just to shoot the brees with a fellow licensee:grin:

 

[iwire]

As far as I can tell the inspector has not violated any state law so there is nothing to call the board about.

 

[LEO2854]

Bob

In post 31 and 32 You can read the rules for inspectors.

Ther is nothing there that state the inspector can exclude the lisensee that hold 's the permit from the inspection