Here in Indiana we have a state code, which is mostly NEC, nfpa. Then there are the local inspectors that by law are supposed to go by the states adopted code. They have there own code although it is not written down anywhere. Nevertheless, it is there code. If you get my drift. It is different in every city, county, town that we have. Moreover, can be very frustrating. Now they do have the power to adopt their owen code but they must send it to the state for revue and the state has the final say whether it is to be law in that town. but most don't ever send it to the state because they know it will be rejected. Some cities it can be very hard to not get a red tag. No matter how hard you try and in others it seems you cant do no wrong. Take Gary for instance the inspector there insist on a gfci on washers and dryers even though more than 75% of them have to be later replaced with regular receptacles because of nascent tripping. In addition, several cities make us run the gec in conduit no matter what so this makes us use many pull boxes to keep from going over the max of 360 deg. of bends. Another city doesn't allow romex or N/M type wiring even though the state says all of these things are not required but we have to submit a complaint in writing to the state ahj, and he will send the notice of complaint to both partys, with his opinion. and if the local inspector and the contractor can't reach an agreement then he will step in and make a ruling. Then you can guarantee that you will have to fight to ever work in that jurisdiction ever again. Even though this is not right, we have to do it or be tied up in a large legal battle that can last for years. you can sue but Indiana has a 300,000 cap on law suits against any local units of government. so in the mean time your out millions from not being able to work in the area so they get away with it. Because nobody ever sues. Just do not make waves as they put it. Some times, I feel like I am in china or Russia before the fall. And I thought we do not have dictators, but here in Indiana we do. But to survive we just go on and do what they tell us to do they only time I did stand up to a inspector it was over a safety Issue over leaving a hot panel cover off. Until he inspects the rough in. many home owners will bring there children to the job site when nobody is around and they get involved with looking at the house more then watching the kids, and some do get hurt by nails or some thing, but Ill be dammed if its going to be by anything that I have done. Or because of a lazy inspector that wont take a panel cover off.
