An average day

[ICE]

I didn't want to highjack one of Jeff's threads so I put it here.

I can say a GFCI receptacle within 25ft of an A/C unit was sometimes hard to enforce. In fact I was getting ready to remove the requirement then I asked an HVAC contractor his thoughts and he said I wouldn't do that, their has been times the only receptacle he could find for his compressor was on a deck several feet high or out the front bedroom window. It was best to leave it in was his response.

CMC 301.4
Equipment regulated by this code requiring electrical connections of more than fifty (50) volts shall have a positive means of disconnect adjacent to and in sight from the equipment served. A 120 volt receptacle shall be located within twenty-five (25) feet of the equipment for service and maintenance purposes. The receptacle outlet shall be on the supply side of the disconnect switch. The receptacle need not be located on the same level as the equipment. Low-voltage wiring of fifty (50) volts or less within a structure shall be installed in a manner to prevent physical damage.


CEC
210.63 Equipment Requiring Servicing. A 125-volt, single-phase, 15- or 20-ampere-rated receptacle outlet shall be installed at an accessible location within 25 ft. of the equipment as specified in 210.63 (A) and (B).

(A) Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration Equipment.
The required receptacle outlet shall be located on the same level as the heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration equipment. The receptacle outlet shall not be connected to the load side of the equipment’s branch-circuit disconnecting means.


The mechanical code allows the receptacle to be on a different level than the equipment. The mechanical code would allow a receptacle to be on the supply side of a disconnect.

The electrical code requires that the receptacle be on the same level as the equipment. The electrical code puts the receptacle on a different circuit than the circuit that supplies the equipment.

Equipment on a roof or in an attic gets a receptacle. Residential equipment on the ground does not.

 

[Joe.B]

The mechanical code allows the receptacle to be on a different level than the equipment. The mechanical code would allow a receptacle to be on the supply side of a disconnect.

The electrical code requires that the receptacle be on the same level as the equipment. The electrical code puts the receptacle on a different circuit than the circuit that supplies the equipment.

CEC 89.101.7 Order of Precedence and Use

89.101.7.1 Differences
In the event of any differences between these building standards and the standard reference documents, the text of these building standards shall govern.

89.101.7.2 Specific Provisions
Where a specific provision varies from a general provision, the specific provision shall apply.

89.101.7.3 Conflicts
When the requirements of this code conflict with the requirements of any other part of the California Building Standards Code, Title 24, the most restrictive requirements shall prevail.


CMC 102.0 Applicability

102.1 Conflicts Between Codes
Where the requirements within the jurisdiction of this mechanical code conflict with the requirements of the plumbing code, the plumbing code shall prevail. In instances where this code, applicable standards, or the manufacturer's installation instructions conflict, the more stringent provisions shall prevail. Where there is a conflict between a general requirement and a specific requirement, the specific requirement shall prevail. [OSHPD 1, 1R, 2, 3, 4 & 5] See Chapter 1, Division I, Section 1.1.7

 

[ICE]

CEC 89.101.7 Order of Precedence and Use

89.101.7.1 Differences
In the event of any differences between these building standards and the standard reference documents, the text of these building standards shall govern.

89.101.7.2 Specific Provisions
Where a specific provision varies from a general provision, the specific provision shall apply.

89.101.7.3 Conflicts
When the requirements of this code conflict with the requirements of any other part of the California Building Standards Code, Title 24, the most restrictive requirements shall prevail.

I can’t find that in my California Electrical Code.

 

[Joe.B]

I can’t find that in my California Electrical Code.

 

[Joe.B]

Introduction: California Electrical Code 2022 | UpCodes

UpCodes offers a consolidated resource of construction and building code grouped by jurisdiction

up.codes

Codes

www.dgs.ca.gov

 

[ICE]

Introduction: California Electrical Code 2022 | UpCodes

UpCodes offers a consolidated resource of construction and building code grouped by jurisdiction

up.codes

Codes

www.dgs.ca.gov

Apparently I do not have a copy of the California Electric Code. I only have the 2020 NEC.
Add to that the fact that most everywhere outside of California adopted the MEP portions of the IRC or the International Plumbing and Mechanical codes and I have become inaccurate ... I have tried to avoid commenting on most threads related to code stuff outside of California. If for no other reason than not having current code editions as I am not employed by a municipality.

 

[Joe.B]

Yep, but after looking at that other post I would recommend not trusting upcodes. The BSC website published current (and correct) codes, the CEC has a redirect that requires a free NFPA login, but it is the CEC, not the NEC.

 

[Joe.B]

 

[ICE]

The previous inspector didn't approve the footing because of the steel pipe. The pipe is shown as is on the plans. The pipe will serve a drainage inlet. This is the last 40' of a thousand feet of subdivision wall.





I was given the inspection. This is the footing detail for the typical wall.





When I asked for the structural observation report the contractor was surprised. I can't recall ever having a structural observation on a block wall. The engineer might be upset to find out that 99% of it was done without him/her/they-them.

 

[ICE]

The unit and it's disconnect.



i had to get on my knees and even then it was not possible to see the inside of the disconnect so I took pictures.



Looking at a little screen on a camera is not much good.



I get the pictures into a computer and then I can see clearly.

 

[ICE]

This did not happen:



There's many corners.



The city building official downplayed the importance.

 

[ICE]

The inspection was for solar. As I walked down the street I saw this:



As I got closer it looked like this:



At the front door I couldn't see a work truck. The owner pointed to a red car and said that the solar guy is there. I found him sound asleep. I knocked on the window. In a sorta panicked voice I told him that there's a dead child next to the live el. service panel. He became upset when he realized that I was twisting his nose.

 

[ICE]

Can't do that in Florida. No No the humidity is already off the charts.

They got their money's worth out of this one.



This goes against the first to make, last to break rule.



The swamp in swamp cooler should have been a clue.

 

[ICE]

I was there for a "wall furnace final inspection." I was supposed to witness the drywall patch and then sign the final. The previous inspector scares me. The little old lady that lives there told me that there was a wall furnace there before this one. It lines up with a bathroom door.




I wonder what material the cover plate is made of.



A few days ago there was a different wall furnace that an inspector approved with the reuse of a fifty year old vent. The vent was 2' short of the minimum 12'. I stated that I would not have allowed the old vent to be reused. The assistant BO said, "Nobody uses a wall furnace, and if they do, it breaks down in just a few years....so what's to worry about?"

I wrote the little old lady a correction slip that said "Sorry I missed you. Please recall the inspection." She doesn't know that. Sooner or later someone will translate it for her. Today was my last day in that city and I'll never return.

 

[ICE]

This was at 10:00 am. The new panel is on the ground. One in 500 electricians asks Edison to disconnect the service. That assures them of getting a same day reconnect by Edison because the city is loathe to leave a family without electricity. The contractor rips it apart and then calls the city to request the inspector to return late afternoon so that Edison can do their thing.

I don't fault them for doing this. Safe is as Safe does. If he isn't comfortable working with the service drop or lateral energized, he shouldn't touch them. It's just that they are often a pain in the ass. I tell them that they are unicorns.



I returned at 2:00 pm.



I estimated that there was 2 hours worth of work left. That included a trip to the supply house as he didn't have any #4 for the GEC to the water main. Since I work 8 hours (6:30 to 2:30) and the city inspectors work 10 hours, I called the Assistant BO and asked him to send a 10 hour worker to sit here waiting to approve the release to Edison. When I mentioned that he has to go to the store for #4 to hit the water main, the ASS-BO. asked if there were two ground rods.

There is so he said that this city allows #6 to the rods and you are done. I wondered about bonding the water pipe. He said that the gas meter is usually near the el. service so they run a #6 to the gas pipe.... then they jumper between the gas, cold water pipe and hot water pipe at the water heater with whatever wire is on hand. Great news as the contractor had plenty of #6.

In four days, in 58 inspections... I wrote a correction to incorporate the metal water main as an electrode... at least a dozen times. Copies went to the ASS-BO and he doesn't mention that until the late afternoon of my last day. I have appreciated a few last days.. this one is right up there near the top.

 

[ICE]

Owner builder. The inspection requested was "plumbing and reinforcing steal".... the footing is 8" deep.





Foam wrap is the answer.

 

[ICE]

Sometimes it's a quick and easy service upgrade inspection.





Usually when this happens the door will not slide down to open it. In this case the door will not slide up to close it. The door opens about 45°.

 

[e hilton]

Owner builder. The inspection requested was "plumbing and reinforcing steal".... the footing is 8" deep.

That’s below the frost depth … close enough.

 

[steveray]

R403.1.4 Minimum Depth​

Exterior footings shall be placed not less than 12 inches (305 mm) below the undisturbed ground surface.

 

[e hilton]

R403.1.4 Minimum Depth​

Exterior footings shall be placed not less than 12 inches (305 mm) below the undisturbed ground surface.

Picky picky. Looks like the footing is 8” deep, and it’s sitting on top of grade. So they missed by 12”, not 4”.

 

[ICE]

I wrote a correction that stated that the flex vent is not listed for outdoor use.



I noted an ongoing project fifty feet away that has the same flex vent used outdoors.



I said that the project is ongoing due to a lack of paint. This city requires everything that's not a part of the house to be painted to match the house.



And right next door. They do like their paint and the city is not all that particular about where that paint is placed.

I have a question or two regarding the correction that I wrote.
I have looked at the installation instructions for several manufactures and they are dramatically divergent. One states that the flex vent can be used anywhere a single wall vent is allowed with a reduced minimum distance away from combustibles of 1" and it is not allowed in an attic or crawl space.. Another states that their flex vent is only allowed in an attic or a crawl space while being Listed B-vent.

So far I haven't seen specific verbiage that would prevent an outdoor installation by any manufacturer. I did see one instruction that stated that each end of the "connector" shall be secured to something such as an appliance or a fitting/vent". So by virtue of that instruction, this configuration is not allowed. It would be nice if I knew which company has that rule.

From the beginning I've had the understanding that this hardware is a connector. To be honest, I didn't get interested in flex vent until now....or if I did, I forgot about that.

The easiest way to deal with this vent is to establish your own hard and fast rules. Or I could find/have installation instructions to refer to.......you would have to do this out of the view of the contractor. There's no point in confirming that you're crazy. I'd like to see the look on a contractor's face when you tell him that the flex vent that he used in a garage is Attic Only" Come to think of it, that vent might be labeled "Attic Only". Who do I need to call to make that happen?

 

[ICE]

The request was for roof sheathing.









I had not been to this site previously. There's four floors with crap everywhere. The contractor thought that I would sign off the roof sheathing with no consideration given to the framing that holds it up. The condition says a lot about the lack of respect for the inspector. They didn't even have a framer or plans on hand for the inspection.... just a kid with a hard hat.

 

[ICE]

The request was for a gas pipe pressure test. According to the son of the owner, there was a fire two years ago and the dwelling has been vacant for the two years. The son was a few bricks short of a full load so the why it took two years wasn't clear. He said that the work inside is done and the gas company will not restore service until the building department gives the okay. I don't have confidence in the inspection crew in that city.

I was saved by the gauge which read zero. Nobody has said anything about the mountain of garbage in the back yard. I alerted the ASS-BO.

 

[ICE]

This thread reminded me of a day in the life. I was the mixer man on a pool plastering crew. I had a rig with a mixer and plaster pump. The warehouse was in Mountain View Ca., the pool was in Santa Cruz. The lady owner took me for a short walk in the woods behind the property. She turned over a rock, pointed at the dirt and said, "That's the color I want". I commenced to mixing duds trying to get the formula for her color choice. She rejected one after another. It got to the point that I would not have enough material on the rig if I had to mix more duds.

The lady called the company owner. She then picked one of the samples that I had created. It turns out that she had a contract that stated that the company would let her choose a color. It didn't say that the color would be a standard color... or a color from a chart. She had the right to pick any color. She got a huge discount.

The lady in this thread has unreasonable expectations. The lady with the pool plaster was a lawyer and she set us up.