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#114509 04/05/03 10:56 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
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[Linked Image]

This Furnace was replaced at some point over the years but the wiring was left hanging like this. Does work like this need a permit?

Bill

#114510 04/06/03 12:38 AM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,081
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Here in Passaic, NJ, a discarded water heater will not be picked up unless a plumbing permit has been obtained for its replacement.

Given the danger of an incorrectly installed furnace or water heater (Carbon Monoxide, natural gas, fire, etc.) I would hope that a permit is required for a furnace install as well.

One concern about this photo are the cables that touch the pipes. The pipes can become extremely hot, especially when the pipes are close to the furnace. Is Romex allowed near such installations? Can insulation withstand temperatures that could possibly reach almost 200 degrees F?

Where is the [electric] shut-off switch?

Obviously the j-box needs a cover.

#114511 04/06/03 06:54 AM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,520
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An ocean apart, yet a familiar sight.

I generally only see domestic sized furnaces, but this sort of slipshod wiring is all too familiar, including the cables wrapped over, across, or around hot pipework.

#114512 04/06/03 08:30 AM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 680
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In Maine one may need a permit from the solid fuel board to replace a furnace(I doubt it though), one definetly doesn't need an electrical permit. I believe in Maine a licensed furnace guy can run his own electrical from panel to furnace.

#114513 04/06/03 09:51 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
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It looks like the original Furnace may have been in a slightly different position or maybe much larger. The installer did not bother to move the wiring or attempt to re-attach it to anything. This may be a case where the Homeowner was supposed to get an Electrician in to finish up, but never did. If permits/inspections were required for something like this (and that was enforced) we should see less of this.

Unrelated story:
Recently there was a House that blew up in a neighboring town and I didn't see it, but got the impression that there wasn't much left of it. I heard that neighbors couldn't believe what happened and remarked how handy the owner was and that he even designed his own Gas Furnace. (!)

Bill


Bill
#114514 04/06/03 10:36 AM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 507
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No permit required in Nebraska unless it involves a service change.

Local codes may be different.

GJ

#114515 04/06/03 03:28 PM
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 47
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You guys think this is bad? I visited a downtown 3 story commercial building one time, along the years the oil burner / ignitor had to be replaced a few times, the latest time the local "maintenance" man did it, who had been "responsible" for the boiler for 10+ years. I looked at the wiring coming from the j-box to the oil burner assembly, and there was lamp cord powering the oil burner/ignitor (120v, actually somewhere around 127volts in this building 3ph). the insulation had melted pretty well completely off one of them with pieces still there in chared form.. I was called into the building after an extensive oil leak when the oiler filler hit turned the truck pump to "full" instead of "off" when approaching the top of the oil tanks. Somehow the building didn't blow up, but there was a light near the back of the room, that was wired to the high leg of the 3ph circuit, i thought the room was just really dark and couldn't figure out why the light was so freaking bright, until i plugged my electric drill in under it and it spun noticably too fast, and i said.. no way!

btw, the boiler itself had no overcurrent protection, well 400amps overcurrent, was spliced directly into the wiring tray at the main service.

Wish i had taken pics of this building, there was violations on violations around there.

#114516 04/06/03 08:58 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
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Bill:

Replacement of a boiler or furnace requires permits in NJ (Electric/plumbing/Fire) as applicable based on the equipment being replaced.

Basically, everything....except minor repairs requires a permit.
John


John
#114517 04/07/03 06:50 PM
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In the U.K., it's illegal for anyone but a CORGI-registered fitter to install a gas appliance (CORGI = Confederation Of Registered Gas Installers). But that covers only the actual installation and fitting of the gas part of the system.

As for the electrical side, you know what I'm going to say, right? [Linked Image] No permits, no inspections, anyone can do it.

#114518 04/07/03 07:53 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,116
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I would think that people would worry more about the liability of leaving something like this. I get the feeling that too much is taken for granted.

Bill


Bill
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