Final Inspection with Uncovered Wires

[EricP]

Today or tommorow my shop will undergo final inspection. It's a 40x70 pole barn with a wall that divides the building into a garage and woodshop. All work was professionally done and it has passed all inspections to date, including electrical rough-in. My concern for today is they will not pass it because wiring is exposed. By this I mean I am going to do the interior finish work including putting up pine board walls that will cover the studs and wiring. I have the wood onsite and have moved all my machinery there to begin work. However I need power to run my woodworking machinery and suspect they won't sign off on the final inspection, thus not giving the utility company the "ok" to hook up electricity. The electrical contractor has done everything as should be done and were there sheetrock on the walls there is no doubt it would pass.

So my question is can a one-man hobby shop, not attached to a house, have wiring that follows industry standards but isn't covered by wall material pass final inspection? I know exposed wiring "subject to abuse" won't pass, but what about wiring properly ran through the attic and down studs which is stapled and terminates at receptacles/switches, etc.?

I know I can get a temporary pole and plug everything into it, or use a generator, but would much rather have utility supplied power to the panel and throughout the shop. I had one inspector tell me I could get a 30 day temporary permit but nobody else I spoke to has heard of such a thing.

Thoughts? Advice?

 

[911mike]

I ran into the same issue. I just ran 2 outlets a foot from the panel and received the inspection. I then finished all the interior as a second permit.

 

[EricP]

I ran into the same issue. I just ran 2 outlets a foot from the panel and received the inspection. I then finished all the interior as a second permit.

I'm further down the road than that. All 120 receptacles and lights are installed. I do have several 220s just foot below the panel but they will look at everything.

 

[jimp]

Locally, we are required to protect the wires and allowed to use a 1X3 to cover the horizontal runs. nothing is needed on the vertical runs that are attached to the studs.

I had the power company connect power after the electrical rough-in without any problems, have you checked? On the final all they did was general walk though, removed a couple face plates to check grounding and check GFIC operation, which they can't do without power. So I guess I am asking are you sure you have a problem?

 

[EricP]

Locally, we are required to protect the wires and allowed to use a 1X3 to cover the horizontal runs. nothing is needed on the vertical runs that are attached to the studs.

I had the power company connect power after the electrical rough-in without any problems, have you checked? On the final all they did was general walk though, removed a couple face plates to check grounding and check GFIC operation, which they can't do without power. So I guess I am asking are you sure you have a problem?

Actually I'm not sure, just a hunch based on comments earlier inspectors made about cover all wires up to 7'. This is my first time through this porcess. What is it I actually hand the power company to get electricity and who gives it tm me?

 

[readhead]

Why don't you ask the inspector?

 

[EricP]

Why don't you ask the inspector?

Headed there right now to meet him.

 

[jimp]

Sorry, it's been so long ago that I don't remember the exact proceedure (and yours might be different) but I do know I called for power after the rough-in and did not have any problems getting connected (man I love the silence of not having the generator running). Call the power company and ask.

 

[EricP]

Passed! Inspector called the utility company with me there and told them to connect me. Went to the main utility office and paid a deposit. Power should be hooked up by Friday.

 

[readhead]

Congrats. See, that was easy. Just need to ask the people that really know.

 

[jimp]

All smiles?? I found out that the inspectors and utilities are real easy to get along with as long as you are honest and not trying to pull a fast one.

Few more weeks and you can frame that occupancy permit.

 

[EricP]

All smiles?? I found out that the inspectors and utilities are real easy to get along with as lone as you are honest and not tring to put a fast one.

Few more weeks and you can frame that occupancy permit.

Jimp, that was my experience today. When the inspector first got there he told me I'd have to cover all the wires before going any further. I spoke to him about the building use and how as a one-man shop I wouldn't be subjecting anything to abuse. He called the deptartment head who gave the okay. Can't wait to flip on the lights and fire up my machines and start milling the pine plank walls.