Inspector Fun

Mike Finley

Here is another one I am dealing with right now. On a remodel with a jetted tub we have a tight squeeze as usual where the pump is located.

Electrical inspector failed the final electrical because he can't fit his mammoth T-rex-Bat-Boy2000 GFCI detector into the outlet because it's a tight squeeze between it and the pump. Says he needs at least 4 inches of room to fit his detector in there.

This is a non-gfci outlet hooked up to a gfci breaker in the panel.

The inspector said we can remove the pump for him, or relocate the outlet. I don't see us removing the pump and relocating the outlet really isn't an option due to space and the layout circumstances within that cavity.

My electrician advises me to call this guys supervisor and ask him why he can't put a simple voltage detector in the outlet and turn off the gfci breaker to verify it.

Magnettica

I hate to say it but the inspector is right.

If the inspector can't even fit his GFCI tester into the receptacle, how will the next guy who has to work on it get to it?

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Bkessler

Unless you can stick both hand in there and disassemble the outlet to work on it without having to disassemble the motor or plumbing he's right. Even though you probably never have to. But if it can be serviced readily you are right.

Bill

From what I remember any electrical box, plug or anything else has to be accessible. It dont sound like its accessible to me, BUT if circumstances call they should be a little more understanding.

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Mike Finley

Yeah, I think it's an interpretation of accessible. I know for a fact this inspector is a bit miffed that he has to go through the inside of the vanity to get to this access, snaking his way in.

This is far from ideal, but sometimes that's the way it is. He's unfortunately made a few other mountains out of mole hills during the rough on this project earlier in the month.

I'm pretty much leaning to give me a break, it's to code, it's accessable, just because your huge testor doesn't fit doesn't mean it's wrong.

I've had to use recessed cans as junction boxes to delete wiring before. Not a pleasant experience for anybody having to work on them later, but they are accessable j-boxes. This to me isn't even that bad.

mickeyco

I'm going to disagree, for no particular reason, accessible doesn't mean easily accessible, tell big hands you'll plug it in for him, or have someone with small hands do it.


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Mike Finley

That's been my take on it all along.

Is the fact you have to take 2 drawers out and unscrew the door slides to get to this access panel a bad thing?

Bill

I have never feared inspectors. I have even argued with them and I sometimes am right, sometimes wrong. They should be considerate though. maybe talk nice to him and show him what you are up against. If that dont work, then go over his head. Problem is there though the boss may come out and find some other things wrong.

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Magnettica

A new house I'm working will have an access panel to the master bathroom's jacuzzi through the vanity base cabinet. Hope I'm not the one changing out that motor 20 years from now.


NEC Article 100, Definitions

Accessible (as applied to equipment). Admitting close
approach; not guarded by locked doors, elevation, or other
effective means.

Accessible (as applied to wiring methods). Capable of
being removed or exposed without damaging the building
structure or finish or not permanently closed in by the struc-
ture or finish of the building.

Accessible, Readily (Readily Accessible). Capable of be-
ing reached quickly for operation, renewal, or inspections
without requiring those to whom ready access is requisite
to climb over or remove obstacles or to resort to portable
ladders, and so forth.

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Bill

What about my plumbing? Sometimes when I rough in a supply and waste for a sink the home owner changes sinks, thus sometimes the cutoffs wind up behind a drawer

But it is accessible as per code. So you have to pull out the drawer to get to the shut offs, so what?

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Virginia Plumbing Codes

mickeyco

Could you use an extension cord (90 angle if needed) in and plug the tester into that?


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Bkessler

If I was in your shoes and it was accessible in my opinion I would tell him to go f himself.

Magnettica

You may even want to bake him some cookies.

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dlcj

on a couple different jetted tub installs we did the tub was in the middle of a wall with no vanity touching. The owner wanted it tilled on all three sides and didnt like the idea of a cabinet door on it. So i cut a hole in the floor under the motor big enough to pull it out then screwed the piece back in from the crawl space. No inspectors in that area. If there were do you guys think this would have passed. I dont see why not. I just hope the owners dont forget to tell the plumber 15 years from now about it before he goes all crazy busting out tile then finding the trap door.

Dan_Watson

What kind of GFCI tester is he using, mine is not 4 inches long. And I am only talking about my GFCI tester!

Chris Johnson

Pour water on the floor for the next inspectoin, make sure he is good and wet and have him grab at the outlet...If the breaker trips you pass, if he gets zapped, well you get a new inspector next time

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Dustball

Ditto, an extension cord should be fine.

Mike Finley

Some good ideas. I think I'm going to wait until monday and then call him up and present him with a few options and see if he will accept them, hopefully by then he has lost the ego and will play nice.

mickeyco

This just occurred to me, don't all of those breakers have a "test" button? Why not just use that?


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JohnJ0906

The test button is the only test that is recognized by UL and the manufacturer.

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All replies based on the 2008 NEC