NEC in the Facility

Dec. 21, 2009
You can learn of Code violations in all kinds of ways, not just through formal inspections

You can learn of Code violations in all kinds of ways, not just through formal inspections. For example, a contractor's rep tells you about a Code violation that one of the firm's electricians ran across incidentally while working at your facility.

Such impromptu inspections give you a chance to fix things before your insurance company discovers them and issues the typically ill-timed conformance notice. They also give you a chance to fix Code violations before they turn into reportable events, such as a fatal fire. Encourage such inspections by taking them seriously.

Nevertheless, don't respond to any inspection, formal or not, without a close look at the Code. Something that is a violation generally may not be one in your particular case.

This situation of the violation that isn't a violation typically occurs where a Code rule has several exceptions. An example is the rule that a service drop or lateral can supply only one set of service entrance conductors [230.40]. Typically, not allowing the exceptions results in needless expense but "exception rejection" can also reduce safety.

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