jumping through hoops

[Chuck52]

I imagine there are "humorous" anecdotes about any conceivable occupation. No doubt Jerry gets tired of hearing those about his profession, just as our lawyer members must tire of the many barbs that come their way. I'm pretty safe..."did you hear the one about the dumba$$ crystallographer who...." just doesn't come up very often. That said, a friend of mine did have to install an electrical outlet along a banister railing because the inspector insisted it was a "wall". I know the rule about spacing receptacles along walls serves a useful purpose, but once again there are interpretations involved. Receptacles on adjacent walls served the entire balcony very well in this case, but the inspector could not be convinced and insisted on an ugly, useless, never to be used, receptacle in the floor along the railing. I think it was the same guy I have to ask for a favor.

Chuck

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

<font color=blue>"I'm pretty safe..."did you hear the one about the dumba$$ crystallographer who...."</font color=blue>

chrystallography

Main Entry: chrys·tall·og·ra·phy
Pronunciation: -fE
Function: noun
Etymology: French chrystallographie, from crystall- stripper, exotic dancer + -graphie -graphy
Date: circa 1847
: the science or art of sketching or drawing strippers/exotic dancers named Chrystall (modern- photograph, film, videotape)
- chrys·tall·o·graph·ic /"kris-tel'-o-gra-fik/ also chrys·tall·o·.graph.i.cal adjective
- chrys·tall·o·graph·i·cal·ly /-fi-k(&-)lE/ adverb

/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Mike_Dumond]

Hey, where do I apply for that job????? /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[Inspector507]

Chuck52,
Hate to break this to you but, according to the NEC, a railing is considered a wall space that needs outlets. This was debated heavily during one of the proposal-comment stages of a code cycle. The issue is that people DO use that space a lot. They like to set tables along that railing. The reason behind the outlets being placed per code is that all lamps, TVs, whatever all have cords that are 6' in length. No matter where you set that lamp or piece of utilization equipment along that "wall", it will reach an outlet without the need for an extension cord.

 

[Chuck52]

Jerry,

I'm not surprised at the definition of a railing as a wall, and yes, I agree that in many instances tables, etc are placed along railings and an outlet would be desireable. I think you noted earlier that the codes are subject to the interpretation of the inspectors, at least to some extent. In my friends case, the railing location is such that placing a table there would not be likely. It would have been nice if the inspector could/would have used his discretion here and not insisted in an outlet which will not be used. I deal with EPA rules all the time, and <font color=red>everyone</font color=red> knows what a pain some of them can be if inforced to the exact letter of the regulation. I know that common sense need not apply, but it sure is nice when it sneaks in there anyway.

Crystallography....that definition sure make me want to go to the International Union of Crystallography meeting in Geneva this year to see if I can get it officially recognized. What a hero I would be to my fellow crystallographers!

Chuck

 

[Inspector507]

Chuck,
Another situation that makes homeowners flaming mad, is when I tell them they need to cut an outlet in the side of their $1000 cherry Island Cabinet in the kitchen. Their response is "I don't want it and I'll NEVER use it".
We have to think of the next owner of the house and how much damage the could do with an extension cord trying to use a mixer or what-not on the counter. My former boss always responded to the above situation by saying, " Ok we'll just draw up some paperwork that says after you die, your family will have the house torn down". What an a$$. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
By the way, there are always appeals that can happen. If it's residential, they can appeal to our Building Commision who is very, very liberal as to what they give away. If it's commericial they can appeal to the State Board of Appeals. At least in my locale they can.