Is it illegal for a hotel to do this?

[1Garageman]

Wife and I drove down to Tennessee a while back and stopped half way down at a hotel. They have an extension cord coming out below the outlet and it is used to plug in the lights.

I have never seen this done before! Is it illegal to hot wire an extension cord inside the box like that and run it out underneath the plug like that?

 

[wbrian63]

Very much so, but it does make for interesting events when someone tries to steal the lamp that's wired in that way....

 

[Stuart in MN]

Yeah, that's not to code.

Reminds me of this photo that was floating around a while back:

 

[arizonaadam]

Well, maybe, but how else would you plug in your massager?

 

[cowboyjosh]

its amazing at some of the stuff you see at Interstate hotels.

 

[amuffly]

Not to code but you don't want people stealing the cords all the time.

 

[cowboyjosh]

Not to code but you don't want people stealing the cords all the time.

I think more people steal the batteries out of the TV remote control then lamp cords?

 

[6768rogues]

Our property maintenance code does not allow extension cords to be used in place of permanent wiring. The electrical code also disallows that scenario.

 

[Norcal]

Flexible cords cannot be used in place of permanent wiring, they cannot pass through walls, windows & floors....

 

[Steevo]

Hotel, motel, store, restaurant, home, garage . . . pretty much anywhere that would be "illegal". Can you get a ticket for it? Not likely. Would the insurance company refuse to pay on a claim originating from the electrical fire? Hell yes!

I really like this pic though:

Kinda looks like a "perpetual motion machine", like the receptacle is plugged into itself.

 

[Possum]

I had one of those in my house I found, it was a smaller cord and it ran up to another duplex outlet that was for a microwave....

 

[scooterseats]

After over 30 years of running the roads in my work I have seen a lot of things in hotel/motels. Admittedly, it is the more rural small Mom and Pop establishments but it happens in larger chains also. I remember when electric clocks first began appearing they were commonly wired this way to prevent theft. Remember when the TV remotes were locked to the bed side stands?

 

[Steevo]

Remember when the TV remotes were locked to the bed side stands?

Heck, I do that in my guest room

 

[BJ42LX]

Wife and I drove down to Tennessee a while back and stopped half way down at a hotel. They have an extension cord coming out below the outlet and it is used to plug in the lights.

You have to start staying at better hotels!

 

[1Garageman]

You have to start staying at better hotels!

It was just a quick stay over at "Super 8".

It got the job done!

 

[Interex]

Wouldn't pass an annual fire inspection.

I'd place a call to the local fire marshal's office with your observation. They'll get the place sorted out. It's a hazard and may end up burning that hotel to the ground one day.

 

[David79z28]

That picture also needs to go in the post your WTF picture thread.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56771&page=136

 

[1Garageman]

Wouldn't pass an annual fire inspection.

I'd place a call to the local fire marshal's office with your observation. They'll get the place sorted out. It's a hazard and may end up burning that hotel to the ground one day.

Ya I probably should of reported them, and still could. Makes me also wonder how many other violations that they have?

Do hotel rooms/ hotels in general get inspected regular for fire hazards and stuff?

 

[Interex]

Ya I probably should of reported them, and still could. Makes me also wonder how many other violations that they have?

Do hotel rooms/ hotels in general get inspected regular for fire hazards and stuff?

Depends on the municipality but in general, any commercial property should be visually inspected annually by the local Fire Marshall's office. This is in addition to the annual inspection performed on any fire alarm and suppression equipment.

During an annual inspection by the Fire Marshall, they will normally look for things like blocked emergency exits, storage height that would inhibit sprinklers, all inspections are up to date on fire alarm panels, extension cords used as permanent power sources, and anything else that violates NFPA code.

I would ensure you note the date and room number that you were in if you decide to report them.

 

[sambelcher]

I went to a new Doctor the other day and saw this on the wall of the treatment room...

 

[Stuart in MN]

I went to a new Doctor the other day and saw this on the wall of the treatment room...

Kind of hard to push a chain.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'd say that needs reported. Something that small can catch on fire and run up the inside of a wall.

 

[Mickey O]

It's Tennessee, what'd you expect? You're just lucky you got out of there before the banjo music started.

 

[Teken]

It's Tennessee, what'd you expect? You're just lucky you got out of there before the banjo music started.

Welcome back Mickey O . . .

 

[cortez]

As a contractor I install one neutral for every hot. No it is not Gospel and is commonplace for two hots for one neutral.

I assume that down the road someone will mess with the wiring and this allows them room for expanding. ( I make sure it is all spelled out in the contract).

It also removes me from consideration as to who was the idiot who pinched pennies and the present job requires excessive bucks to upgrade.

 

[SuperSocket]

They could have bought these...

http://www.hellotrade.com/pressto-valet/cord-lock-security-clip.html

 

[SuperSocket]

I went to a new Doctor the other day and saw this on the wall of the treatment room...

You can push the "push" icon or pull the string. The string is there obviously to attach a longer string to in the event someone can't reach the station.