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Inspection Procedures


Published: 2015

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The Oregon Administrative Rules contain OARs filed through November 15, 2015

 

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DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AND BUSINESS SERVICES,

BUILDING CODES DIVISION

 

DIVISION 271
ELECTRICAL INSPECTIONS
Inspection Procedures

918-271-0000
Role of an Electrical Inspector
An electrical inspector shall inspect electrical installations and provide public information on the meaning or application of an electrical code provision, but shall not lay out work or act as a consultant for electrical contractors, property owners or users.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 479.730

Stats. Implemented: ORS 479.730

Hist.: BCD 19-1996, f. 9-17-96, cert. ef. 10-1-96
918-271-0010
Calls for Inspection
(1) All persons who take out an electrical permit, homeowners as well as electrical contractors, shall request an inspection within three working days of:
(a) The completion of any electrical installation intended to be covered or concealed or that is intended to be placed into service before the final electrical inspection; and
(b) The completion of all electrical installations for the job site covered by a particular permit.
(2) Transactions under a master inspection permit are covered by separate requirements.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 479.730

Stats. Implemented: ORS 479.730

Hist.: BCD 19-1996, f. 9-17-96, cert. ef. 10-1-96; BCD 23-2000, f. 9-29-00, cert. ef. 10-1-00
918-271-0020
Requests for Inspection and Notice of Results
(1) Except as provided in section (2) of this rule, an inspecting jurisdiction, shall inspect within 48 hours of a written request for inspection unless the time for inspection is extended to a set date by mutual agreement. The 48 hours excludes Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
(2) The inspecting jurisdiction shall inspect an installation at a remote location within a reasonable time of the request.
(a) For the purpose of this section a "remote location" is:
(A) An inspection location that is more than 60 miles one way using the most direct route, measured from the closest of the inspector's station, inspection office or the inspecting jurisdiction's primary offices; or
(B) An inspection location that requires more than one hour of normal driving, one way, using the most direct route from the closest point mentioned in paragraph (A) of this subsection.
(b) For the purposes of this section "within a reasonable time" means a response time that takes into account the time, distance and number of inspection requests, but shall not exceed seven consecutive calendar days including the date the request was received unless the time for inspection is extended to a set date by mutual agreement. If the seventh calendar day falls on a weekend or holiday this is extended to include the next business day.
(3) Reasonable procedures designed to provide actual notice of inspection results shall be used by all inspecting jurisdictions to notify the person requesting inspections, of the results of electrical inspection. "Reasonable procedures designed to provide actual notice" shall include posting at the job site and:
(a) Nothing more, when the installation is by an owner;
(b) Nothing more, when the installation is approved;
(c) Notification of any deficiencies on a specific permit by:
(A) FAX transmittal to the electrical contractor;
(B) Personal delivery to the electrical contractor or signing supervisor;
(C) Mailing, including electronic mailing; or
(D) Telephone followed by written notification;
(d) By written confirmation of inspection approval if a permit holder requests confirmation.
(4) If the inspection mentioned in sections (1) and (2) of this rule involved a cover inspection, the work cannot be covered unless:
(a) Inspection clearance is given; or
(b) The request for inspection is in writing communicated to the inspecting jurisdiction, with notice that a cover inspection is involved, no extensions are agreed to, and the maximum time for making the required inspection under sections (1) and (2) of this rule are exceeded. For the purposes of this subsection:
(A) Written request includes a letter, telegram or FAX transmittal; and
(B) The burden of proof is on the person requesting the electrical inspection to prove that a written request was communicated.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 479.730

Stats. Implemented: ORS 479.730

Hist.: BCD 19-1996, f. 9-17-96, cert. ef. 10-1-96 BCD 23-2000, f. 9-29-00, cert. ef. 10-1-00
918-271-0030
Correction of Defects
(1) Defects in electrical installations noted by the electrical inspector shall be corrected and an inspection request made within 20 calendar days of the date of actual notice of deficiency. For the purpose of this rule, actual notice is given when the inspecting jurisdiction does everything required in OAR 918-271-0020.
(2) If corrections cannot reasonably be made within the specified time in section (1) of this rule, or an interpretation or written appeal has been requested, the permit holder shall contact the inspecting jurisdiction and request an extension of time to a specified date or until deficiency is resolved.
(3) Requests for inspection and requests for extension may be communicated in any way. However, if challenged, the burden of proof is on the requester to document the request was in fact communicated. Responses may also be communicated in any way, but if challenged, the burden of proof is on the inspecting jurisdiction.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 479.730

Stats. Implemented: ORS 479.730

Hist.: BCD 19-1996, f. 9-17-96, cert. ef. 10-1-96

Inspection Protocols

918-271-0040
Mandatory Inspections
(1) Electrical inspectors shall inspect appropriateness of the size, placement, protection and termination of the following electrical installations, note discrepancies and require correction of code violations:
(a) Service entrance conductors;
(b) Service equipment;
(c) Grounding electrode and grounding electrode conductor;
(d) Bonding;
(e) Overcurrent protection;
(f) Branch circuits;
(g) Feeders;
(h) Ground-fault circuit interrupter devices (GFCI) and ground-fault protection systems (GFP); and
(i) Underground installations.
(2) A final inspection shall be requested and provided to verify all mandatory items in subsections (1)(a) to (i) of this rule are in compliance.
(3) A final inspection shall be performed by the inspecting jurisdiction as soon as practicable, but not later than five working days following the date on which it is requested.
Stat. Auth: ORS 479.855

Stats. Implemented: ORS 455.160 & ORS 479.855

Hist.: BCA 11-1988, f. & cert. ef. 7-20-88; BCD 19-1996, f. 9-17-96, cert. ef. 10-1-96; Renumbered from 918-302-0020; BCD 16-1997, f. 9-30-97, cert. ef. 10-1-97; BCD 23-2000, f. 9-29-00, cert. ef 10-1-00
918-271-0050
Inspection of Secondary Considerations
(1) Electrical installations not specified by OAR 918-271-0040 are secondary items.
(2) At least 30 percent of all secondary items at a job site shall be inspected using a sampling process that reviews all separate categories of secondary items. If code violations are found within the samples inspected, an additional ten percent of the secondary items shall be inspected.
(3) If additional violations are found, the inspector shall:
(a) Require the permit holder to check all other similar categories of installations on the job site;
(b) Advise of the correction of all defects; and
(c) If warranted, inspect all other similar categories of installations on the job site.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 479.855

Stats. Implemented: ORS 479.855

Hist.: BCA 11-1988, f. & cert. ef. 7-20-88; BCA 21-1993, f. 10-5-93, cert. ef. 12-1-93; BCD 19-1996, f. 9-17-96, cert. ef. 10-1-96; Renumbered from 918-302-0030
918-271-0100
Electrical Disconnection
(1) In the case of a disconnection made
or ordered under ORS 479.820(2) or (3) and after setting forth in writing the facts
supporting the action, the division may disconnect or cause the disconnection or
disconnection of service, without hearing, to:
(a) An electrical installation
or product that fails to comply with minimum safety standards; or,
(b) An electrical installation
or product, the condition of which constitutes an immediate hazard to life or property.
(2) In the case of a disconnection
under subsection (1) of this rule, if the installation or property owner requests
a hearing within 90 days after the date of disconnection, then a hearing shall be
granted and the division may issue an order pursuant to such hearing as required
by ORS Chapter 183 confirming, altering or dismissing its earlier order.
(3) Such a hearing need not
be held where the disconnection or order of disconnect is accompanied by or is pursuant
to a citation for violation which is subject to judicial determination in any court
of this state, and the order by its terms will terminate in case of final judgment
in favor of the property owner.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 479.820

Stats. Implemented: ORS 479.820

Hist.: BCD 6-2015(Temp),
f. & cert. ef. 9-16-15 thru 3-13-16

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