Inspection Procedures, Plan Review, and Documentation
Core concepts
A defensible inspection is systematic: verify the approved plans, confirm the permit scope, perform a visual inspection, conduct required tests (continuity of the equipment grounding conductor, polarity, ground-fault circuit-interrupter trip tests, insulation resistance where required), and record results. Plan review checks load calculations, service and feeder sizing, conductor and overcurrent device coordination, working clearances, and egress and equipment labeling. Documentation must be contemporaneous, objective, and specific: location, observed condition, code reference, and required corrective action.
Traps in questions
- Relying on memory instead of written notes when writing the report later.
- Recording opinions or conclusions about intent rather than observable conditions.
- Failing to record the code edition and section relied upon.
- Approving work outside the permitted scope because it looked acceptable.
- Omitting re-inspection results or closing a deficiency without verification.
Worked example
A panel inspection finds a missing cover and an unlabeled breaker. Write: "Panel LP-1, east wall of mechanical room: deadfront cover missing; two 20 A breakers unlabeled. Reference: approved plans sheet E-3 and adopted code labeling and enclosure requirements. Correction required and re-inspection scheduled." Rule of thumb: each deficiency entry should let a stranger find the item and verify the fix.
Practical link to inspection
Good records are the inspector's defense in appeals, litigation, and internal review, and they make re-inspection fast and fair.