O.K. I have officially "Seen It All"

[Steppenwolfe]

This is for you, "Too much Gub'ment people". We just finished up a store remodel project in New Jersey, ( clue #1 ). It was a complete remodel, tear everything out and put in new. Anyway, we did not have to touch the existing restroom as it was in good shape and ADA compliant. So, on the day of final building inspections, the local powers that be, ( clue # 2 ) all passed through to "bless" our new work. We passed all the necessary inspections and were feeling pretty good about it when in strolls the plumbing inspector. Now mind you, we were exempt from working on the existing restroom, and didn't touch it except for a fresh coat of paint. He was there to make sure we didn't do any work... And, I'll be darned, if he didn't find an "infraction" and failed us. This was bad, as new stock was due in two days. So, what pray tell, is the problem, I asked... And in the straightest poker face I have ever seen, he states, " You have the wrong toilet seat on the toilet." Now, after biting my tongue and blood coming from my mouth, I asked him " SAY WHAT ???". And he replies that new building code requires an open front toilet seat, and we clearly have the old style, continuous round seat. I tell him it's been that way for, oh, probably 10 to 15 years, and was existing, anyway. I understand, says he, handing me a red "failed" sticker. So, a quick run to Home Depot, $25 dollars later, and no problem. But, would you believe he made me call in for another inspection, ( a $100 fee ) and he came back the next afternoon so we could kiss the ring, and any other hind body part as he saw fit. This, my friends, is what is wrong with America... common sense has done left the building.

 

[k0ua]

It sort of sounds like he was a self important little worm that needs to justify his own existence. There are people like that.. Not much you can do, but move on.

 

[Industrial Toys]

You got off very lucky! That was just a little bit of extra tax and no big inconvenience!

I know a builder who worked on two older police stations in a small town. Side by side. One was federal and the other provincial. The washroom compliance laws were totally different for each. And once again at least one inspector was a prick! Probably flew halfway across the country just to inspect that washroom and intent on finding any, if only the smallest violation. That, early retirement and a nice cushy pension, I'm sure.

 

[s219]

Geez, that is nuts. Around here, the inspectors would have failed us but put us on our honor to remedy minor infractions like that, without requiring a re-inspection.

One memory I have about NJ was when I was 14, I accompanied my dad on a job he got building an office on a mezzanine inside of a large warehouse (if I remember right, they stocked and sold food coloring and flavoring). I used to like to go on his jobs and do detail work like install baseboard trim, put in the door lock sets, etc... Well, the union dicks in the plant complained to management that an under age kid was working there, and made a big stink. Union rep came out and everything. Turns out there was nothing wrong with it and nothing they could do about it, but I did enjoy seeing my dad tap a guy on the chest with the butt of his hammer and yell "mind your own G.D. business!". He had other jobs in NJ, and getting harassed by union employees was a routine thing. They just did not like seeing out of state companies coming in and doing business.

 

[Marveltone]

Clearly a government contract worker who likes to justify his position and exercise his "authority". :duh::thumbsdown:

Yup. Far too many of them in the system. :muttering:

 

[buckeyefarmer]

yep, we live in an upside down world these days.

 

[jwayne14]

I have a property laid out in 1959. last year, I wanted to put up a shed. the city requires both a building permit, min $90, (appx $22 by the sq ft), and a zoning permit, min $90, (again, around $20 by the sq ft). but first, a survey. at around $600.00. this WAS not going to be a problem. but.....
that survey cannot be filed and used later. it is only for that one shed addition. anything else requiring an (exterior) permit(s) must have its own survey. at another $600.
I could get around it by laying out the next 40 yrs. in other words, put everything that I may want to add later on that one survey. yea right.

common sense has been replaced by money grabbing.

 

[dodge man]

Should've given him a swirly.

 

[jimmyj]

Should've given him a swirly.

I don't know what a swirly is but man I'm with you on that!

The guy was a jackass. I'd be pissed but I'd keep my mouth shut and just go get a new toilet seat. Could have been worse and we have practically no recourse against such arbitrary gov't obnoxiousness.

 

[Country Geek]

I was upfitting a business location a couple of years ago and had the exact same requirement made by the building inspector. Quick trip to Home Depot and problem solved. I asked him why and he said for ADA purposes, if a man in a wheelchair has to slide on and off that toilet seat, you need the open front so he doesn't injure his genitals. Since he just came back out to verify without requiring a new permit and fee I didn't mind it that much and thinking about why makes you wince if you have any compassion.