The entire SOP is written to protect inspectors from performing anything they feel is dangerous or uncomfortable with. An inspector never has to step out of their comfort zone, own a ladder, or enter any area where they may get their clothes dirty.
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I will ask an important question do you think removing the dead front should be a required SOP ? and why doesn’t Internachi feel this way ?
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Your comment by makes no sense please stick to the topic
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You keep saying that, but you never specify what SOP. Licensed states have their own SOP; we don’t know where you are. Then there is the Inachi SOP.
So what insights have you gained by pseudo measuring the temperature of breakers all shielded by a metal cover. Where did you gain all this unconventional knowledge?
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Made perfect sense to me! I understood his reference and it is relevant.
You are moving the goalpost. It was not your original objection to removing the cover but rather something to hide behind when you were criticized.
Regardless, I think InterNACHI has it just right. Not everyone is in the best position to remove panel covers, walk roofs, etc. It is an individual decision based on safety and accessibility.
But you have not mentioned any obstacles other than a preference (as well as naivety.) And if you said “I need more training…I have a physical limitation…the panel was too high…the panel was obstructed…an unsafe condition existed…etc.” then we would be having a different conversation.
You did not remove the panel because you were confident defects did not exist behind the cover. And that my friend is why you will have difficulty getting work or keeping work.
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The lifetime obstacle is WAFI-ness
Perhaps it’s his internet husband.. .. .. .. ..
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Why does the SOP specifically disclaim polybutylene piping? I think it goes a little bit deeper than just protecting the inspector.
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They are an outdated system that should be upgraded to breakers. Often I find them over loaded, the lack of grounded wiring and GFCIs often go hand and hand with fuse boxes. The inconvenience of fuses in general. Around here, blow a fuse after 5 and don’t have spares, your not getting one til the next morning, or well over a hour and half drive to get a fuse.
Do you not have a write up for fuse boxes?
Virginia now requires removal. Always removed when it was safe unless it was a FP.
I inspected a new home that had already had the final from the county. One whole bedroom tested as reversed hot/neutral. The contractor was pulling receptacles to find out what was wrong as I was pulling the panel cover. Whoever wired it, wired it with the hot and neutral reversed in the panel. Of course it should have been caught with the county, but so should the non-working receptacle in the living room. One box had be drywalled over and never finished.
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I would write them up for the condition(s) that I found that was/were problematic but not just because they were fuse panels. Of course I removed the cover for that.
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Good question. Again, it protects the inspector. Just not physically in this case. We also don’t have to report wildlife in the home as well.
Do you think these are things that the inspector should make the potential buyer aware of?
The SOP states… IS NOT REQUIRED TO… NOT… DO NOT OPEN!!!
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Yes big difference between the two. Imagine not removing a panel cover and the panel is actually filled with single strand aluminum conductors.
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My WAG… about three months!
https://forum.nachi.org/t/payments-accepted-from-clients/267472?u=jjonas
The inspector shall describe:
A. the main service disconnect’s amperage rating, if labeled; and
B. the type of wiring observed.
The inspector shall report as in need of correction:
the presence of solid conductor aluminum branch-circuit wiring, if readily
visible;
No it wasn’t. We are all trying to get you to understand what it takes to do a proper inspection of the electrical panel. Don’t give into the not required part of the SOP unless it is a dangerous situation that may harm you, client , or cause property damage.
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This is a Privately owned website/Forum. Your Disclaimer don’t mean squat here.
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If true, you are willingly posting such information at your own legal risk.
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Posting under another persons Name violates the InterNachi SOP, and is subject to disiplinary action.
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Yadda… Yadda… Yadda…!!
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Or against State HI Regulations… such as a State SOP that PREVENTS an inspector from removing the cover unless they are a State Licensed Electrical Tradesman/Expert!
Age of the home is not a consideration for me. I remove all panel covers if safe to do so. I also remove electrical disconnect covers, and sometimes junction box covers. I don’t typically remove switch and receptacle covers.
No.
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Think deeper…
The Program does not apply to homes that had issues that the inspector was not required to inspect for, according to InterNACHI’s Residential Standards of Practice.
Including any defects the inspector may have missed by not removing the panel cover.
Since this thread deals with panel cover removal, here are some tips…
- Get a decent power screwdriver. Really speeds up the process.
- Get a tool pouch with an embedded magnet, gives you a place to store the screws.
- Grasp cover and use it as a “shield” as you pull it away from the panel, for extra safety.
- Carry extra cover screws for the brands of panels in your area. The screws have legs and will run away and hide if you drop them.
- After removing cover, take 6-8 pictures of the full panel from various angles.
- Take a picture of the breakers before removing the cover. Helps verify if a breaker was on/off previously if you suspect you tripped one while monkeying with cover.
- After replacing cover, ensure all breakers that were on/off are still in that position.
- For covers with a bunch of the PIA, easily movable fill plates, take a little tape and tape them in place prior to cover removal (rare, but helps a lot if you have a cover with a bunch of random fill plates).
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