States and Municipalities Schedule Virtual Electrical Inspections

Interesting article. If the COVID-19 breakout is the driving force behind the virtual inspections, how is the exposure to the virus any greater than of the everyday routine of grocery & department store shopping, going to church, restaurants, bars and everything else we have to do in your daily lives.

As an electrical inspector, I feel my exposure to the virus is much lower on a jobsite dealing with people I know, than the general public. If I need them to leave an area that I am inspecting for any reason, they are all happy to comply.

From what I have seen in over 30 years of inspections in many counties and many states, most inspector do NOT inspect much of anything so this will NOT change much. Inspectors need to inspect! The electrical contractors will not say anything about the lack of inspectors doing their job because it just helps them to get the CO and get paid.

I am an inspector for a local engineer. Some areas around middle Tennessee use a virtual inspection. My concern would be that the electrician will only show the "good" of his installation and if he has done something questionable he won't show that to the inspector. I do think it's a good tool if the electrician has a question for the inspector.

Mike, I have been following you for many, many years. I have been an AHJ for the last 22 years. I worked for 4 towns and we have tried to start the video inspection, it helps if the AHJ knows the EC and knows how well he will preforms his installation. I think you nee a little history with the AHJ.

This is a beautiful process. But one thing to always remember: the contractor is ALWAYS responsible for their installations compliance with the Code. This is true even if the installation passes inspection and there are flaws that were not discovered at that time. Many lawsuits have occurred over the issue. With limited exceptions, the contractor remains fully responsible. So, Inspector-man can sign off on an installation from his truck or over the phone, but the contractor remains responsible. Its just the activity is completed more quickly. Good News !!!

We have been a part of this inspection program since the very beginning a couple of years ago, as a BETA Testing contractor... This is by far one of the best programs any state has ever come up with... easy to schedule, saves our customers the time and frustration of having to be available another day for an inspector to show up, only to have the schedule changed... Great Job Washington State Labor and Industries!!