We had electrical inspections in 1970.We didn’t have electricians until 2001. We didn’t have home inspections until 2019. We do things differently here in Ohio. I am not trying to get you to like it, I’m just trying to help OHIO inspectors stay out of trouble. You can still do inspections. You just need to learn what to say and not to say.
Yes, a few are. 2 voted to allow home inspectors to violate the rules.
You should hear what I tell the OHIB if you don’t like what I say here!
I don’t know how they do things where you are and it doesn’t concern me. This shouldn’t upset you because you don’t work here.
It’s done the same way! Go read your own link, specifically:
“The inspection of some, but not all, of the readily accessible components of a residential building as found in Ohio Administrative Rule 1301:17-1-17 by an Ohio licensed home inspector is permitted if all the following are satisfied”
A standalone inspection of electrical components is allowed by the Ohio’s HI licensing law! (yes, a PIA is still required and systems not inspected need to be disclaimed)
All!
You must have missed this " 4. The property’s systems and components which were inspected by the licensee must be inspected in compliance with Ohio laws and regulations."
I have been certified by the state for over 20 years. I know the rules. You do not.
I have made all these statements under oath at numerous OHIB meetings. I am still standing because I cite the law.
As you can see in the letter the state is issuing warnings to stop this illegal activity. Are you encouraging Ohio members to ignore the law?
I’m sure you did not mean this but your description implies that no licenses is required to work on residential electrical systems.
Here in Texas they license “Electricians” regardless of residential or commercial work intent. Also here in Texas the licensing laws are for those individuals who advertise for compensation for their work. In other words technically a person working for free can do whatever they want.
So are you saying that a licensed Electrical Contractor/Electrician in Ohio is not allowed to inspect any electrical work?
You missed the point and I never stated that they claimed they would load circuits for testing. You are reading to much into the question. Right after discussing why GFCI/AFCI’s are warmer they then claimed that the branch circuits without GFCI/AFCI’s were not an issue because they saw no thermal anomalies. How can you possibly check a circuit for thermal anomalies if it is not in use (loaded)?? So how did they load the circuit so they can check for thermal anomalies and particularly a branch circuit composed of all receptacle outlets?
It is a simple concept that fits any method of troubleshooting anything. For example how can you declare an HVAC system as not a problem if you never turn it on?
I understand what you are saying, in the video they say they determined there are no faulty devices after looking at the breakers and the conductors connected to them with a thermal camera. To me, this just says at the time they were doing this, no breaker (circuit) showed any signs (temperature wise) of being faulty. Yes, they could still be faulty (especially the ones that had no load on them), they may not even trip, but it is a noninvasive inspection that has limitations. The point of their thermal inspection of the panel was to find red-hot breakers or conductors that would most likely indicate a serious issue; this is all we can do during a noninvasive inspection. One can argue that a thermal camera will not discover everything (I agree) but they specifically stated they are looking for anomalies. They did not claim they will discover every single possible issue with the circuits.
I do not believe they purposely meant to mislead anyone or are advertising a “code inspection”. The video simply shows what they do during an electrical part of a home inspection. As long as they don’t put in their report something like “all breakers were fully functional”, I see no problem.
The question is why are they not allowed to say what they did in this video, how is it indicative of a “code inspection”?
So let me get this straight… your objection to this is the fact that the video is titled “electrical inspection”? Why, because the title implies that they perform code inspections? Because it implies they perform standalone electrical inspections? Nothing in the content of the video or the company’s website implies either of these. What is your objection exactly?
https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/download?key=16624&format=pdf
The bill will increase costs for the Department of Commerce’s Ohio Construction Industry
Licensing Board (OCILB) to license individuals that perform residential construction
related to heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC); electrical; plumbing; or
hydronics. Currently, OCILB only licenses individuals that perform these trades on commercial construction projects
Yes. I held a license from 2001-2014. So, I know what is in RC 4740.
The discussion is electrical. Apples to oranges.
They can do that. Not regulated by Ohio.
They are judging the proper installation of the electrical components. They can inspect for burnt wires, animals or whatever, just not determine if the panel is wired correctly. That requires a special license.
That is illegal activity and the letter says so. All I am doing is reporting them as I am required to do.
Are you saying a HI is not allowed to check wire gauge to see if it matches breakers? If not, what exactly else did they demonstrate in the video that “determines” if the panel is wired correctly?
The state says that. I’m just repeating it. The line has to be drawn somewhere. Do you calculate the proper size of feeders? Do you use 440 of the NEC? Do you check to see if it is 60c, 75c, 90c?
Small Conductors.
Unless specifically permitted in 240.4(E) through (G), the overcurrent protection shall not exceed 15 amperes for 14 AWG, 20 amperes for 12 AWG, and 30 amperes for 10 AWG copper; or 15 amperes for 12 AWG and 25 amperes for 10 AWG aluminum and copper-clad aluminum after any correction factors for ambient temperature and number of conductors have been applied.
That is ‘code’ not safety.
Once you open the panel you own it. It’s all or nothing. Again, I don’t care what you do. I am just stating facts for new home inspectors in Ohio. They can decide to listen or not.
You may not like what I say but that doesn’t make it untrue.
You’ve taken my question out of context just as you took the video out of the context of a home inspection. What part of the video suggests to you that the inspector in question is performing code inspections or standalone electrical inspections?
A code inspector is going to cite code and require the violation to be corrected.
A home inspector is going to recommend further evaluation and correction by an electrical contractor.
What I see on a ongoing basis is DIY electrical work. Are you suggesting that if an Ohio Home Inspector finds a #14 on a 30 amp breaker that he should disregard it?
More nonsense. Are you telling us the HI should not check for and call out 18 gauge wire connected to a 20amp breaker? Sizing according to NEC and checking basic gauge sizes is not performing a code inspection. Improperly spliced GEC also not a safety but a code inspection? Calling out uneven steps as a trip hazard is not a code inspection! albeit it’s part of IRC code. Furthermore, most of NEC is based on safety.
How does he know that it is wrong? Is it wrong? What would be his reference? That is an opinion that Ohio says must be given by an ESI. Like I have said before I think that there should be a change in the law that allows individuals that pass a test to be able to inspect the electrical installation in the home.
The problem is IMO that is not what they are representing in this video that is being used as an advertisement for their services. Obviously if they explained in the video what the limitations are with their thermal scan they may lose business. So the best thing to do is not scan and make the claims unless they are ready to describe those limitations. There are ways they can do that without sounding misleading.
Exactly! Seems the OHIB and their electrical licensing board(s) have decided to protect the business of their licensees which unfortunately happens all over. To do that they make a decision based on some fantasy that the Inspector was performing a “Code Inspection”. Unfortunately since these “Demigods of the law” have that power they are drunk on that power and like to exercise it. Typically Gubberment activities!
Since you were attending the board meetings when Ohio was talking about licensing, I asked to be kept informed.
I actually thought my post with the glasses was funny
