Originally Posted By: jpeck
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
To expand on Mike P. reply: It’s more than just “in general”, it’s required.
Some leeway may have been allowed by the AHJ, and yes some use common sense, others (or the same ones) just let things slide, for several reasons: they just were not checking that at the time; they figured 'what can that hurt, it's already been installed, next time I'll make them put it someplace else; and many other reasons. Sometimes, they applied common sense judgment, and in those cases the safety of the installation should still be apparent.
Did I do that good so far Mike?
However, on the 'maybe they just weren't looking at that then' issue, if it looks unsafe now, and looks original, it was unsafe then, they just (being kind as there could be other reasons) were not checking for that then.
Like at yesterday's inspection. Main electrical panel in side wall of laundry room. The only problem is that the clothes dryer is right there under it. You have to knee or squat on the clothes dryer to remove the electrical panel cover and work on it. Original installation.
There is no way the AHJ used 'common sense' for that, the only feasible reason is that they 'just were not looking at that back then' (1979 in this case).
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Jerry Peck
South Florida