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#174751 - 02/12/08 08:34 PM
Emergency service work and inspections
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Member
Registered: 10/13/01
Posts: 182
Loc: South Carolina
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I am interested in how some of the other jurisdictions handle service work where power needs to be disconnected to make repairs or a meterbase needs to be replaced. In my area this will require an inspection before the utility can restore power and to have the permit issued for service work or upgrades to a service has taken me up to a week. Then you can request an inspection the next day, but they allow themselves 48 hrs. and possibly 72 hrs. to inspect. It seems that these inspections must be done in the afternoon and the power release will be faxed to the utility when the inspector returns to the office, which is usually around 4 o'clock and the utility won't even think about doing it that day. This thing becomes a vicious circle that seems to take on a life of its' on. There must be a better way and I just wanted some ideas that I could take to the powers that be in my area.
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#174752 - 02/12/08 08:53 PM
Re: Emergency service work and inspections
[Re: watthead]
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Member
Registered: 08/20/07
Posts: 856
Loc: Lowell area, Ma. USA
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Hello,
Here, MA. Repairs are scheduled as described.Hurry up and wait.
Emergencies, the POCOs' are pretty good, we call and they will show up, (after coffee etc.). Then repair call them back and wait, but they do show up. Get the permit and inspection the next am.Approval faxed to all.
Not always this smooth but usualy close. The POCO researves the right to decide if it is a true emergency.
I have changed out main breakers before, with a call and permision to pull the meter.
They are very protective of meter seals here, locals (not NStar etc) have very hefty fines for cutting them.
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#174754 - 02/12/08 09:02 PM
Re: Emergency service work and inspections
[Re: watthead]
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Member
Registered: 07/25/07
Posts: 215
Loc: Georgia USA
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In my area all work must be permitted and inspected, that being said in an emergency the utility will usually cut loose and re energize whatever I need at thier discression. The permit and inspection occur after the fact, and any repairs to sub code items come out of my pocket. This is emergency cases ONLY meaning after hours and on weekends, and usually only if there is no furnace and the owners cant go somewhere else, or for a medical reason( IV pump, Oxygen concentrator etc). The utilities, AHJs, and permit offices are really easy to deal with if you keep them in the loop, try to cut them out and you might as well move away. This is a small town and people do not soon forget.
_________________________
Jimmy
Life is tough, Life is tougher when you are stupid
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#174755 - 02/12/08 09:54 PM
Re: Emergency service work and inspections
[Re: wire_twister]
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Member
Registered: 07/08/07
Posts: 867
Loc: Alaska
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In many if not all communites in my area (SE Alaska), an emergency is an emergency. I call the POCO and they show up and cut the power. When done you call them up and they will reconnect. The line crews typically know what to look for. It may be different in the larger communities like Anchorage and Fairbanks.
_________________________
"Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment."
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#174759 - 02/12/08 10:47 PM
Re: Emergency service work and inspections
[Re: sparkyinak]
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Member
Registered: 08/08/05
Posts: 264
Loc: Canada
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It's the same here as with sparkyinak's area. Call POCO they come out to disconnect, and will come back to reconnect when called again. In a normal disconnect/reconnect, the paperwork (permit, connection authorization etc) has been done ahead of time, but with emergency jobs the paperwork is done after the fact and faxed to the POCO.
_________________________
Sixer
"Will it be cheaper if I drill the holes for you?"
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#174760 - 02/12/08 10:51 PM
Re: Emergency service work and inspections
[Re: Sixer]
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Member
Registered: 07/08/07
Posts: 867
Loc: Alaska
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Mine and sixer's post got me thinking about a song. "Changes in latitude, changes in attitude..." Jimmy Buffet
_________________________
"Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment."
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#174763 - 02/13/08 02:22 AM
Re: Emergency service work and inspections
[Re: sparkyinak]
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Member
Registered: 12/17/01
Posts: 2115
Loc: Vienna, Austria
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Here (Austria) generally licensed electricians have the right to cut seals, make repairs and fax the reconnection form (which only tells the PoCo: "Come here and seal the meter again whenever you like, I told you the meter is unsealed so it's your responsibility!". Usually that happens when they read the meter the next time.
They also reserve the right to visually inspect the service and panel prior to resealing, but rarely do so other than having a glance at the meter (hard not to do ;))
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#174778 - 02/13/08 11:25 AM
Re: Emergency service work and inspections
[Re: watthead]
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Member
Registered: 01/21/03
Posts: 1721
Loc: New Jersey
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I am interested in how some of the other jurisdictions handle service work where power needs to be disconnected to make repairs or a meterbase needs to be replaced. In my area this will require an inspection before the utility can restore power and to have the permit issued for service work or upgrades to a service has taken me up to a week. Then you can request an inspection the next day, but they allow themselves 48 hrs. and possibly 72 hrs. to inspect. It seems that these inspections must be done in the afternoon and the power release will be faxed to the utility when the inspector returns to the office, which is usually around 4 o'clock and the utility won't even think about doing it that day. This thing becomes a vicious circle that seems to take on a life of its' on. There must be a better way and I just wanted some ideas that I could take to the powers that be in my area. What I see with your problem in the inspector may be the problem, what we usually do to make it run smoothe is get an early time from the inspector then schedule with the utility, you may have a power trip inspector, then they is not much you can do short of calling your mayor, when that happpens, but try to talk to him first and work out something.
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#174791 - 02/13/08 07:34 PM
Re: Emergency service work and inspections
[Re: LK]
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Member
Registered: 02/16/02
Posts: 1823
Loc: Boonton, NJ
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LK,
Being in NJ you know that we have the UCC which exceeds the NEC. However even here in NJ emergency work is allowed to start prior to permits being issued. However you must report to the local construction office as soon as possible to notify them of the work being done. After that you have 36 hours (I believe) in order to come into the office and pull a permit. After that you still have to get inspections and meet the code.
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#174792 - 02/13/08 07:37 PM
Re: Emergency service work and inspections
[Re: harold endean]
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Member
Registered: 02/16/02
Posts: 1823
Loc: Boonton, NJ
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LK,
I forgot,if you know the AHJ, you might be able to get a meeting and show him what the work is that you are doing. You might be able to get ( in the case of services) a temp cut in card. This way on a Sat. or Sun. when you want to shut down a plant and re-energize it before Mon. morning, you would have a temp. cut-in card in hand. I have done this with several EC's in my town.
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