IR has been generally agreed by many Master Inspectors to be useless in an electrical panel. Search this forum.
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And how would you know it is a “quality electrical installation” if you did not remove the panel cover to view and make sure the rats nest of potential issues were not there?
As for “municipal inspections” most if not all in Texas perform a very cursory inspection, if at all, and rely heavily on the Builder’s Third Party Inspections. In any case how would you know if a proper “municipal inspection” was even performed on a particular home?
You sound more like the Inspectors who enter a new home with high expectations that everything is performed properly because after all it is a new home isn’t it. And then they never bother to perform the inspection that should be done.
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You used Thermography on a panel without the panel covered removed? Can you provide the accepted Thermography protocol where that is a proper way to fully evaluate a panel using Thermography?
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Point. Shoot. AI. 
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On a 90 degree day the only appliance running was the AC that was acceptable and normal for the inspection. The SOP practice was adhered to we don’t need to remove the dead front.
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OK. It’s your ship, you are the captain. Pay no mind to what the rest of the armada has to say.
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I used and infrared thermometer and camera checking for elevated temperatures Temperatures were well in a safe range no hot spots were observed.
No the owner and builders of the home allowed me to inspect he has no complaints of any electrical problems nor was any upgrades performed that would require access to the panel.
Every industry must embrace for the incorporation of AI my doctor is using it.
I wanted opinions I appreciate your comments but I did not deviate from the standards of practice by not removing the dead front.
I disagree it’s a tool that allowed greater insight in to the operating circuits. The SOP was adhered to we don’t need to remove the dead front.
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Only if used properly. Not bashing you, but he is asking how you use the tool for a reason. Nothing said here is to harm you. Think of it as someone helping the blind cross the street.
The same as for AI. I can embrace its strengths and rebuke its weaknesses. Those without industry knowledge are currently being misled by AI because they do not know what they do not know.
The SoP varies from state to state. And you are right; you can hide behind the SoP and not remove the cover. But you stated the reason for not removing it is because the home is new…and that is a dangerous way of thinking.
" Don’t need to" and “not required to” are two different things. I appreciate you advocating for yourself, but may I ask how long you have been inspecting?
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Yes and because the owner and builder of the home allowed me to inspect. Had the home been older with multiple home ownership changes and the buyers were my client I would have removed the dead front
I’m a newbie this was a courtesy inspection I’ve got quite a few coming up
You asked for advice and I will give it. Instead of defending your freshman attitude, ask the veteran inspectors why they are critics of your process. Each person that has responded to you are 10-20+ year veterans who have survived all the rookie mistakes you are defending.
Terrible excuses. You should be asking why they are terrible excuses.
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So if you’re only required to follow the Internachi SOP you are correct. Most of the responses in this thread are saying regardless of SOP you should take the cover off. IMO this should be removed from the Internachi SOP.
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Are you in Montreal making the same old CRAP with a new fake name.. . .. .. .. .
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The second highlighted part about not being required to remove the cover. Many state SOPs like here in NJ requires the HI to remove the panel cover. Not sure what you’re inspecting (first highlight) if you leave the cover on.
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I agree. There are not very many visible defects with the cover on. I do not know of many inspectors leaving the cover on and I would be curious how that is working out for them. In my area, the expectation is clear…remove the panel cover if you want to be taken seriously.
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