ron2
Posted : 12/16/2006 3:27:53 PM
Tell us about the new job, Ron
Right now, the human resources dept is collecting applications. The interviews will come later. I think my app is one of the first ones in. But the job is to be an electrical inspector for a city. Judging from the inspectors I have known, I need a little rubber band for a half dozen green tags (passing) and a big fat rubber band for a pack of red tags (failing) and a few ink pens to keep up with the red tags.[
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I've got the donkey's hind end part down just right.[
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Seriously, though, I have nit-picking attention to detail, a better understanding of the code book than most of my former co-workers, who often wouldn't listen to me, decades of experience in the field (so, I know all of the cutting corners' tricks), and this particular job doesn't entail me actually having to dig a ditch. I would get to inspect them and say yea or nay. The job does carry actual enormous power with it. An inspector can shut a job down, by law. Failure to have a proper license, failure to have a proper electrical permit, failure to have at least a journeyman electrician on the site supervising the work of the apprentices. When I say shut a job down, I mean anything from run the electricians physically off of the job site to closing and padlocking the job site, which may have several million dollars riding on it. All of this may entail the help of the local police. The city could assess fines for violation. The city could report to the state any violations of TDLR law and compliance. The job of an inspector, by assuring the compliance with the electrical code and TDLR requirements, ensures a safe electrical installation and reduces the city's liability in the event of a problem down the road.
The NEC Code Book, updated every 3 years, is published by the NFPA, National Fire Protection Agency. Everything about a code-worthy installation is about safety, as well as the proper use and function of electrical circuits and equipment. Insurance companies will only cover a building that has been inspected by an AHJ (authority having jurisdiction). As an inspector, you own the building, so to speak. Progress payments from Gen Con's to Sub's often depend on a phase completion and that depends on getting a green tag. As well, other trades may be waiting for a particular phase completion before they can do their work. Millions of dollars are waiting on your decision. No pressure at all.