Out of code?
July 16, 2010 2:41 PM Subscribe
Odd question: is it possible to report a house that is BADLY out of code electrically to some sort of civil authority? Can any sort of enforcement be given by the town/county? I am in Chapel Hill, NC if that matters.
You might start with the Town of Chapel Hill Inspections Department.
posted by bgrebs at 3:04 PM on July 16, 2010
posted by bgrebs at 3:04 PM on July 16, 2010
Do you know the people responsible for this house? Seems like it would be better to, you know, talk with them before bringing the iron fist down on their unsuspecting lives.
posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis at 3:37 PM on July 16, 2010
posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis at 3:37 PM on July 16, 2010
As a person on the receiving end of a report like you are proposing, I strongly suggest you listen to Parker Lewis. On the other hand, had we not been forced to make the fixes, we might have put them off, and if, as you say, the electrical system is in a dangerous situation, you might tell them first, and then contact the authorities.
posted by crunchland at 3:45 PM on July 16, 2010
posted by crunchland at 3:45 PM on July 16, 2010
Bear in mind that updated code sections may not require that older buildings be retrofitted.
posted by snuffleupagus at 4:14 PM on July 16, 2010
posted by snuffleupagus at 4:14 PM on July 16, 2010
Specifically what wiring problems are you concerned about? 'Out of code' does not necessarily mean there's any near-term (or even long-term) danger.
posted by jon1270 at 4:55 PM on July 16, 2010
posted by jon1270 at 4:55 PM on July 16, 2010
In my area, the fire department has inspectors who will check these things out. But I agree with Winsome Parker Lewis that a surprise inspection might be viewed by the homeowners with some antipathy. On the other hand, two people in my city died a couple of years ago in a fire caused by sub-code wiring.
posted by angiep at 5:29 PM on July 16, 2010
posted by angiep at 5:29 PM on July 16, 2010
I may be veering a little off topic here, but as someone who grew up rural and poor in a rickety old house along a dirt road, I can reasonably assure you that if my family had had more money, we probably would've spent it on a stove. Or a bed frame. Or more insulation. Or--of course--better wiring. If it's relevant to the situation, give these people the benefit of the doubt and assume that they'd probably build/fix up to code if they had the resources to do so.
...On the other hand, if the builders'/owners' intent is to take advantage of people who lack to resources to live in a nicer place, that's another story. But still, calling the law on a shitty landlord will in turn inflict trouble on the tenants, regardless of their culpability. Tread carefully, I guess.
posted by soviet sleepover at 6:05 PM on July 16, 2010
...On the other hand, if the builders'/owners' intent is to take advantage of people who lack to resources to live in a nicer place, that's another story. But still, calling the law on a shitty landlord will in turn inflict trouble on the tenants, regardless of their culpability. Tread carefully, I guess.
posted by soviet sleepover at 6:05 PM on July 16, 2010
I am an electrical estimator (for an electrical contractor) in Central Florida.
I am curious what you think is badly out of code. I see homes a few times a year that still have knob-and-tube wiring (that is what Edison was installing, done before building codes even existed). I see people who have rigged things that you wouldnt believe. Just a few days ago, one of our guys told me about a home where they had a 2pole 30A breaker on #14 wire (that is meant for 15A).
Generally, homes are grand-fathered to the time of construction. You can not expect 2010 code on a home that was built in the 1920s. In Florida, you are only required to bring the home up to code electrically if more than 50% of the home is being renovated.
Florida does not even require real estate sellers to replace Zinsco panels. (Circuit breakers have a general failure rate of about 0.01%, Zinsco breakers have a failure rate of 63% - having Zinsco breakers is almost like not having circuit breakers at all)
I dont know what NC does, but in FLA you cannot make some repair their electrical systems - not matter how bad it is. The only thing that can happen is that no one will insure the home, and many people don't have home-owners insurance anyway.
posted by Flood at 7:04 PM on July 16, 2010
I am curious what you think is badly out of code. I see homes a few times a year that still have knob-and-tube wiring (that is what Edison was installing, done before building codes even existed). I see people who have rigged things that you wouldnt believe. Just a few days ago, one of our guys told me about a home where they had a 2pole 30A breaker on #14 wire (that is meant for 15A).
Generally, homes are grand-fathered to the time of construction. You can not expect 2010 code on a home that was built in the 1920s. In Florida, you are only required to bring the home up to code electrically if more than 50% of the home is being renovated.
Florida does not even require real estate sellers to replace Zinsco panels. (Circuit breakers have a general failure rate of about 0.01%, Zinsco breakers have a failure rate of 63% - having Zinsco breakers is almost like not having circuit breakers at all)
I dont know what NC does, but in FLA you cannot make some repair their electrical systems - not matter how bad it is. The only thing that can happen is that no one will insure the home, and many people don't have home-owners insurance anyway.
posted by Flood at 7:04 PM on July 16, 2010
to answer your question, you notify the building safety department in the jurisdiction where the property is located. You should go here. However, if the wiring was to code when it was installed and there are no immediate life safety issues, the city will not require changes. As Flood noted, only a substantial renovation would make the building subject to current code.
If this is not your property or current residence, what's the problem?
posted by Chris4d at 12:36 PM on July 17, 2010
If this is not your property or current residence, what's the problem?
posted by Chris4d at 12:36 PM on July 17, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by sickinthehead at 2:47 PM on July 16, 2010