Norm

AFCI breakers produce even more heat especially if the electrician stacks them in a panel. NORM

Hey Guys and Gals, The GFCI chart was meant as a reference for your use only. If it's relevant in your practice use it. If it's irrelevant trash it. I was only trying to provide information. NORM SAGE

Danny, Steven, Les, Ron, and George, I'm glad you found the useless and irrelivant GFCI chart of some value to you guys. Mark, Paul, Brian, and Jim, Next time I'll try to come up with something that you guys can use. Suggest a topic and I'll start researching it now. Anything but computer science. NORM SAGE

Bill, You couldn't be more incorrect. My wife works perfectly well at absolute zero. NORM SAGE

Paul, I don't think Mark said it wasn't a good idea. I believe he said it wasn't required by the NEC. If you read the NEC I think you will find many things which would be a "good idea" which aren't required. Unfortunately the code making panels are, for the most part, far behind the times. Prime example: GFCI protection is not required in a laundry room with a slop sink even if it has a countertop. I defy you to explain the difference between the above location and a kitchen sink or a wet bar sink in terms of the consequences encountered when using all of the above. NORM SAGE

Next stupid question. My computer has a 30 gig hardrive. Why would I need a backup larger than 30 gig? NORM

Brian, I give new meaning to the term "computer illiterate" Sounds like I should invest in a Maxtor one touch. Exactly where does it connect to the computer and how difficult is it to get up and running? NORM SAGE I'm still comfortable with typewriters.

Danny, For what it's worth here are my thoughts not necessarily in the order of their likelihood. During construction of the pool shell the contractor may have incorrectly shot the grade points while forming the shell. Probably not the case since the pool would have been out of level from day one. Most swimming pool vessels which heave intact do so as a result of failure to dewater the well point, located beneath the deep end of the pool, when the pool is drained for acid washing, re-plastering, or structural crack repair. This is especially critical when you have a high water table. I've seen pool shells over a foot higher at one end than the other. At that point it's a total loss. Plus or minus $10,000.00 to demolish, haul away, and backfill. The dewatering process must be constant until such time as the water level in the pool is higher than the ground water level. Do you know if this pool was ever emptied for service? Finally, if you have a substantial sub-soil instability from poor compaction, decomposing organic matter, underground streams, and possible underground erosion into an adjacent body of water the pool vessel could rotate in it's entirety. I'm sure there are other possibilities, however, none come to mind at this time. NORM SAGE

The ductboard we see here in S. Florida is silver (aluminum) on the outside and yellow on the inside. It's usually used at the mixing boxes and supply/return plenums while flex duct which is plastic wrapped on both the inside and outside is used for the duct runs. The old galvanized metal ductwork is far better, in my opinion, since it creates less static pressure loss and is much easier to clean. My opinion only. NORM SAGE

Danny, NEC 680.26(B)(5) refers to all metal within 5 feet of the waterline. A metal gutter downspout would be included and, therefore, must be bonded. NORM SAGE

Hey Guys and Gals, Sorry for the delay. I had a computer glitch(whatever the hell that means). I'll be with you Monday or Tuesday. NORM

There's a company down here in S. Florida that utilizes "mold sniffing dogs" to detect mold infestatiions. Their advertisement states our dogs can detect that "toxic mold" which can kill you. How long will it take for the animal activists to realize if mold can kill humans what will it do to the dogs used to detect it? I see the use of mold sniffing dogs going in the direction of the fur industry. NORM SAGE

Hey Guys, Thanks for the interest. I hope I don't let you down. NORM

In an effort to stimulate discussion on swimming pools and spas I will, beginning March 6, 2004, post one to three photos on a weekly basis of defects found when performing pool and spa inspections. I'll try to post the photos on Saturday or Sunday and give you until the following Thursday to identify the exact defect or defects. On Thursday I will describe the problem. I had planned to start this sooner but had to index the photos on the CDs which DH and Mark were kind enough to convert from 35mm slides for me. Now I have to convince Mike to assist me in getting them posted as I am as close to computer illiterate as they come. For those of you who practice in geographical areas, such as mine, where three out of four homes have inground pools this may be somewhat mundane. For those of you who see inground pools less frequently I hope this proves to be a learning experience. Mark, I hope you find this more relevant than the GFCI chart (couldn't resist that). See you in about a week. NORM SAGE

I would have thought as Mike did. Maybe there is a nuance we are missing here. DH please help. NORM SAGE

Do you realize that when a single electrical outlet in the bathroom of a home built in 1960 is replaced in 2000 it must be GFCI protected? Just a thought. I use the word "must" as opposed to suggested for safety reasons. NOEM SAGE

By the way for those who may be interested according to DH there will not be any changes in the 2005 NEC regarding dwelling unit GFCI requirements. There will, however,be some in commercial buildings. If memory serves me correctly Douglas said the definition of a kitchen has been clarified and exterior outlets in a commercial building which are accessible to the public will require GFCI protection. NORM SAGE

Maybe I'm wrong but I've always considered home inspectors as creatures with an insatiable quest for knowledge relevant or not. The purpose of the GFCI chart was to provide a convenient one stop location where one can find information without having to sift through eleven different code cycles. It may prove helpful to those who are looking for an obscure fact regarding the subject, for whatever reason, and don't have a copy of the NEC going back to the 1971 edition. Personally, I don't use it to quote the code in my report but rather, as Mike suggests, to settle the all too often conflict created by realtors and sellers. Look at the chart as an authority should you be questioned as to the accuracy of your opinion regarding the requirement for GFCIs. Other examples of this concept are the use of the Watts Reinspection Guide when I'm asked "where is it written that a T & P relief line must be installed with a continuous downward pitch"? or the use of the National Tile Roofing Manufacturers Association specifications as a published authority when I cite a tile roof as being installed improperly since the morar has been applied horizontally rather than verticlly. Having published documentation of fact, relevant or not, allows you to defend statements made in your reports as not merely your opinion but rather accepted practice. Having said the above I know someone is bound to respond " I never defend my opinions ". Maybe some of you don't. I'll be the first to admit that I do and further don't mind doing it. Relevant or not one mans food is anothers poison. NORM SAGE

I have Pest Patrol installed and I run it once a week. No problems yet. NORM SAGE

Douglas, Doesn't the UL, or other approved testing lab., list the disposal as an assembly which would include the electrical power cord? NORM SAGE

The stinger ultra is the best flashlight I've owned. No problems with it. Now I've probably jinxed it. NORM SAGE

OK we all seem to be in agreement for the most part on this one so I'll get goofy. Forget the plastic roofing goop. Cover the nail heads with duct tape, hell we see that stuff used in almost every other application don't we? Too much time on my hands. NORM SAGE

Bundling of services seems to be a trend on the rise. Everyone wants a piece of each others action. NORM

Jim, I agree with you. The catch is that so long as the lego which is to be added to the other lego in the field has been tested with the first lego and is listed as such there is nothing wrong. Wow, almost sounds like lawyer language, the party of the first part and the party of the second part and the aforementioned not withstanding etc. I think we are on the same page. The problem we encounter in the field is that we are usually not provided with the listing specifications. That maybe a blessing in disguise since I'm not sure I would want to review and accept or decline the technical information. NORM

I believe UL lists whatever was submitted to them for testing. I had a personal experience with this several years ago. At my own home I installed a light source box for fiber-optic lighting in my swimming pool. The unit the cord and plug with which it was tested and listed by UL. I wasn't entirely comfortable with the exposed plug in connection and hardwired the unit using liquidtite conduit. The electrical inspector refused to allow this arrangement since it violated the UL listing. I believe the same would apply in the case of a modified A/C system unless the system had been tested in conjunction with the particular component which is added in the field. If I'm wrong please correct me. That's what learning is all about. NORM SAGE