Owner Builder - Electric/Plumbing fight

[Obie]

The hot water tank is manufactured and if the appropriate pressure release valve is installed.

"If" is the problem.The T&P valve should be tested yearly.Most are not and then they become a problem.Many home owners remove them and install a plug or leave them in place and cap the outlet pipe.

Many years ago the tank and T&P valve where sold as separate items.Now some come pre-installed and others come with the heater ,but are not installed.

[Wao nahele kane]

Unfortunately there's nothing that can guarantee these valves will be checked or maintained.
When the plumbing is inspected during the plumbing final, the inspector will check for the valves presence regardless of who installed the tank. So "if" is covered by default and the OB matter is covered.



E ho'a'o no i pau kuhihewa.

[David M]

IMHO, once you start nit picking and deciding an O/B can't responsibly get any phase of the electric/plumbing done properly and pass inspection, you provide the fodder to maintain the current "permit by licensee" only situation.

Many years ago (1969), I was able to install my own septic system and pass inspection in another state, here I could not do my own cesspool. Both are still functional.

David

Ninole Resident

[Wao nahele kane]

Just for GP... Here’s what appears to be the common test applied by most states regarding licensed contractor use mandates.

Owner Builder single family dwellings and non-public uses structures:
Does the scope of the work entail a direct splice or T into the main trunk or supply of a public utility (yes) (no): If yes; the work may require the use of an authorized utility representative, otherwise, the work may be preformed by the OB if it passes the following tests.
If no:
Is this the installation of a Federal Regulated Manufactured device, appliance or product (yes) (no)
If yes, the work may be preformed by the OB.
If no:
Can the site fabricated system cause Physical Harm to the Community at large (yes) (no)
If no, the OB may fabricate the system.
If yes:
The system may require fabrication by a licensed entity authorized to fabricate the system.


E ho'a'o no i pau kuhihewa.

[Bob Orts]

Here are the results of my research and inquiries.

The two leading causes of home deaths and community danger from hidden construction defects are electrical and plumbing.

For all locations with exemptions for owner/builders, the four top construction trades that have restrictions (in order) where the owner/builder can not solely conduct the work are 1. foundations, 2. electrical, 3. load bearing framing, 4. plumbing (note where gas or municipal sewers are involved it moved to number 3).

Framing and plumbing are the two items where owner/builder exemptions have been granted at the highest rates.

Foundations are exempt most often with the provision that a licensed contractor or engineer supervised the work.

Electrical is one of the hardest to relax due to the hidden danger factor.

Now as for specifically getting electrical and plumbing allowed by owner/builders, there are several issues to overcome but definitely possible:

1. The number of building construction violations for owner/builders has to come within the same number of licensed contractors. In looking at successful changes, this was a key factor the governing body wanted to see. They didn't expect owner/builder violations to be non existent, just about the same as licensed contractors.

2. Prior to any change, there will be an evaluation to see if owner/builders are violating the existing law to a degree that makes it likely if given more leeway, they will violate even more regulations.

3. In all cases where owner/builder regulations changed to permit owner/builders to do electrical and plumbing work, the inspection process for both licensed and owner/builders was intensified. That also means the need for more inspectors as they spent much more time scrutinizing everything. Increased inspectors and their time meant increased cost of permits.

4. Reinspections to correct violations cost more as more reinspections were needed with more time was needed for each reinspection.

The leading factor that has resulted in owner/builders not getting the law changed has been cost. Inspectors and building officials will be taking on much more responsibility in time, manpower, and cost. That has to be paid by the permit seekers. However, that is something people don’t seem to want to shoulder. Almost half the changes that failed were due to opposition for owner/builders (and the licensed trades) paying for increased municipal cost.

The second leading opposition has been from the construction defect attorneys and their very vocal citizen clients. Public opposition based on perceived danger (often unsupported) can be vocal and intense.

The bottom line is, people can become their worst enemy in getting things changed.

[David M]

Bob
That research seems logical and reasonable.
Thanks

David

Ninole Resident