4 feet deep schedule 80 !!!???!!! - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

leland · 07-20-2012, 11:06 PM

120/240 VAC-200A-resi service.

Yep local - @##$$%^- For no other reason than- I've had problems and thats what I want'.

Normally I would protest, I do have plans to report this Jerk, after the job is done.

Situation: working for a builder in a small town- KEY- this guy does alot of work here- So this is why I am torn-

He giives me work- lots- no questions asked- bldr digs the holes and buys and installs the PVC.

Asked me depth requirements: sch-40 18" under resi drive way-
said he remembers inspector wanting different- I said "To bad".

So bldr panics- (caves in) asks me to call inspector.
So I humor him-
"Hows sch 40 under the driveway?" insp: RIGID 2' down".
Me:" !!!!!??? Code calls for 18", how bout 80 24" down?"
INSP: sch 80- 4" down.

Small town guy with napoleonitis! no sweat off my back- this time:
but I am thinking of reporting him to the state. That is absolutley ******ED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When questioned- the answer I got:

"Thats what I require, I have had problems in the past'.

Massachusettes follows a STATE WIDE code.;

So, i caved, so as to keep the peace with the builder and his 'home town' inspectors.

However, not sure if I did the right thing.
I know code, and the AHJ has the authority for modifications.
BUT, I don't think..... "THATS THE WAY I WANT IT" - is a legit reason for requiring something that may be a regional issue.

electricmanscott · 07-20-2012, 11:12 PM

Now I need to know what town!!

electricmanscott · 07-20-2012, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leland

Massachusettes follows a STATE WIDE code.;

I know code, and the AHJ has the authority for modifications.
BUT, I don't think..... "THATS THE WAY I WANT IT" - is a legit reason for requiring something that may be a regional issue.

The local inspectors do not have the authority to make changes. Many have tried and been shown the error of their ways.

leland · 07-20-2012, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by electricmanscott

The local inspectors do not have the authority to make changes. Many have tried and been shown the error of their ways.

To some extent they do:

Such as geographical needs- extensive wet lands, very deep frost lines- moronic excavator brother - in laws etc.

Had a legit reason/ concern been given- no worries. More than happy to oblige.

But the old: " I have had problems and that is what i require..."

Went ELBOW deep in the wrong direction with me.

You know as well as I and others here, to complain and get a State ruling can be a long time.

So yes, I kept 'The peace'. But am not at all happy about it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HARRY304E · 07-21-2012, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by electricmanscott

Now I need to know what town!!

Sounds like Chelmsford..

360max · 07-21-2012, 12:06 AM

No, the local inspectors do not have a right for 'the way they want it done.' If its not a written local amendment to the NEC code cycle they are on, his requirements are meaningless (legally speaking only).

mcclary's electrical · 07-21-2012, 06:00 AM

Give the inspector some credit. (Sch 40) 18" under a driveway is not legal. Since you proposed something not legal, you are now a victim of what he wants.

Shockdoc · 07-21-2012, 06:20 AM

Do a service upgrade around here on a tract home built in the 60's thru 70's and you'll find the lateral buried at about 4 to 5' with the gas line.

BBQ · 07-21-2012, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcclary's electrical

(Sch 40) 18" under a driveway is not legal.

*Cough* *cough* you may want to look at Table 300.5 a little closer.

mcclary's electrical · 07-21-2012, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBQ

*Cough* *cough* you may want to look at Table 300.5 a little closer.

Oh snap! I forgot there was a column for sfd's! Thanks dude

chicken steve · 07-21-2012, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBQ

*Cough* *cough* you may want to look at Table 300.5 a little closer.

but we're talking service lateral? correct?>

Quote:

120/240 VAC-200A-resi service.

the poco requirements might up the depth ante', especially were drainage ditches , or culverts requiring maintenance may be in proximity

~CS~

BBQ · 07-21-2012, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chicken steve

but we're talking service lateral? correct?>

the poco requirements might up the depth ante', especially were drainage ditches , or culverts requiring maintenance may be in proximity

~CS~

If it is power company requirements it has nothing to do with the electrical inspector.

Quote:

90.2 Scope.
(B) Not Covered. This Code does not cover the following:

(5) Installations under the exclusive control of an electric
utility where such installations

a. Consist of service drops or service laterals, and associated
metering, or

But yes there could be more restrictive POCO requirements.

electricmanscott · 07-21-2012, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leland

To some extent they do:

Such as geographical needs- extensive wet lands, very deep frost lines- moronic excavator brother - in laws etc.

Had a legit reason/ concern been given- no worries. More than happy to oblige.

But the old: " I have had problems and that is what i require..."

Went ELBOW deep in the wrong direction with me.

You know as well as I and others here, to complain and get a State ruling can be a long time.

So yes, I kept 'The peace'. But am not at all happy about it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They have the right to initiate a change which would have to be approved by the state and put in adopted into law. Not going to happen. In Revere they were requiring a service disconnect on the outside of homes. It took a while and some bitching but they were straightened out.

I have a hard time keeping the peace if I know I'm correct. I spent some time with the local fire prevention bureau in the fire chief's office on Monday. Seems they had a hard time reading the smoke detector code properly.

electricmanscott · 07-21-2012, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcclary's electrical

Since you proposed something not legal, you are now a victim of what he wants.

Proposing something illegal doesn't give the inspector a free ticket to get what he wants. The code still rules.

chicken steve · 07-21-2012, 08:30 AM

yes & no argument BBQ

i'm unclear if a serv lateral , or feeder after the main is being discussed via the OP

some locations do require both poco , and local codes to be adressed for a service upgrade, usually the more stringent applies....

~CS~

electricmanscott · 07-21-2012, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HARRY304E

Sounds like Chelmsford..

That guy's a piece of work. Does multiple towns too. I danced with him in Chelmsford years ago and Westford a couple years back.

What is it with the inspectors north of route 2???

davis9 · 07-21-2012, 08:41 AM

Nice, Chelmsford charges homeowners exactly double the permit fees. Sounds like fun.

Tom

electricmanscott · 07-21-2012, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chicken steve

yes & no argument BBQ

i'm unclear if a serv lateral , or feeder after the main is being discussed via the OP

some locations do require both poco , and local codes to be adressed for a service upgrade, usually the more stringent applies....

~CS~

The town in the op's post is National Grid country. Burial depth per NEC.

BBQ · 07-21-2012, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chicken steve

yes & no argument BBQ

i'm unclear if a serv lateral , or feeder after the main is being discussed via the OP

some locations do require both poco , and local codes to be adressed for a service upgrade, usually the more stringent applies....

~CS~

I am going by what the OP posted, you seem bound and determined to make this much more complicated than it is.

chicken steve · 07-21-2012, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBQ

I am going by what the OP posted, you seem bound and determined to make this much more complicated than it is.

a simple clarification would help BBQ......~CS~