ndegaris
(Neil DeGaris, CMI KY License # 102167)
21
Effective law started January 30th, 2025
Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation
Division of Building, Design& Fire Professionals
This new statutory language prohibits anyone but a licensed electrician from opening the panel on a
home’s circuit breaker(s) or examining, altering, or physically interacting with the home’s wiring beyond
that which can be done with a visual examination.
Please be aware that these statutory changes supersede altogether certain regulations relating to home
inspectors.
The penalty for violation is $1500 for a first offense:
Ohio SOP
(T) A licensee shall inspect all readily accessible electrical system(s) and component(s) of a property
during a home inspection and report in the home inspection report the licensee’s findings related to
Page 8
all of the following:
(1) Service drop;
(2) Service entrance conductors, cables, and raceways;
(3) Service equipment and main disconnects;
(4) Service grounding; (5) Interior parts or components of service panels and subpanels;
(6) Conductors;
(7) Overcurrent protection devices;
(8) A representative sample of installed light fixtures, switches, and receptacles;
(9) Ground fault circuit interrupters and arc fault circuit interrupters;
(10) Licensees shall report in the home inspection report the property’s amperage rating service, the
location of main disconnects and subpanels, the presence or absence of any smoke or carbon
monoxide alarms, and the predominant branch circuit wiring method
I still say there is something sketchy about this interpretation. Home Inspectors do not “work at the business of installing, maintaining, servicing, and testing wires, conduits, apparatus…”. Here is the actual language…
a)(1) No person, firm, or corporation shall enter into, engage in, solicit, advertise, bid for, or work at the business of installing, maintaining, servicing, and testing wires, conduits, apparatus, which includes support systems specifically for electrical equipment and devices, fixtures, electrical signs, lightning-protection equipment as defined in § 5-6-1, lighting, control of electrical devices, handling and removal for installation or re-installation of all electrical equipment, devices, apparatus, and similar items provided in this subsection within the confines of the jobsite, and other appliances for carrying or using or generating electricity for light, heat, fire alarms, as defined in chapter 28.25 of title 23, entitled “Fire Alarm Systems,” or power purposes, exclusive of low-voltage wiring for heating/refrigeration equipment, or work at the business of removing and reattaching existing electrical meters, unless that person, firm, or corporation shall have received a license and a certificate for the business, issued by the state board of examiners of electricians of the division of professional regulation of the department of labor and training in accordance with the provisions set forth in this chapter.
ndegaris
(Neil DeGaris, CMI KY License # 102167)
23
The whole law is crap and does nothing constructive for a buyer except cost them more $$$. No one benefits from this law!
I stopped removing Dead Fronts some time ago.
I have had breakers fall out onto the floor.
Dead Front fasteners get lost behind walls.
Clients enter the not allowed line or warning damager sign.
Client phisically tug at cables behind my back.
So, my thinking is, attempting to open a service panel without proper training and safety measures can lead to serious electrical shock, burns, or even electrocution.
Breakers fall the floor. Just as you mentioned, so what?
Dead front fasteners get lost behind walls. I knew he had a few loose screws. But seriously, he has no remedy for this? (I put them in my pocket, pockets are good. Most people have pockets)
Client entering the area. I say, “take control of your inspection”
Client physically tug at cables behind my back. See number 3 above.
Yep, not everyone should be inspecting the electrical panel (among many other things).
I have these attached to my Primary Tool bag and my Tool Belt.
They come in handy for many uses… such as holding panel screws, testing metal pipes, etc…
Think & work smart!
