Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0780-02-01-.04 - INSPECTIONS

(1) Inspections of electrical installations may be conducted by deputy inspectors appointed under contract with the Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance pursuant to T.C.A. § 68-102143. In circumstances where the need arises as determined by the Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance, or designee, deputy fire marshals are authorized to conduct inspections of electrical installations.

(a) Fees for such inspections for services, including all circuits connected thereto, based on total ascertainable ampere capacity, are specified in Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0 78002-01-.21. If the total ampere capacity is not ascertainable, the inspector may negotiate the fee based on the estimated number of required inspections; however, any such fee shall be subject to review and approval by the Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance, or designee, prior to issuance of a permit.

(b) Fees charged for additional inspections, including inspections necessitated by rejections and inspections for circuits not previously connected to the service, shall be based on the ascertainable ampere capacity of the service or ascertainable ampere capacity of the previously unconnected circuit, and shall not exceed the maximum amounts specified in Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0780-02-01-.21.

(c) Inspectors may not charge mileage in excess of the standard travel reimbursement rate, as determined by the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration, per mile each way for any special trip(s) requested by a property owner or contractor. This mileage charge must be approved in advance by the Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance, or designee.

(2)

(a) Inspections shall be required on:

1. Complete new installations;

2. HVAC equipment;

3. New services, re-connections, or changes in services to existing installations;

4. Additions to existing installations, such as swimming pools, water well pumps to the wellhead, motor installations, additional rooms or spaces to existing buildings, grain drying equipment and out buildings;

5. Heat cable installations before being concealed by plaster, sheet rock, or other methods;

6. Conduit or raceways in or under masonry before covering with concrete or other permanent materials;

7. Conductors or raceways installed in all structures. This inspection is required prior to the concealing of such conductors or raceways by wall covering materials or by insulation;

8. Temporary services, which include temporary service poles and temporary service releases;

9. Electrical signs; and

10. Floating cabins as defined by 18 C.F.R. § 1304.101.

(b) A minimum of two (2) inspections shall be required on wiring installed within or on public and private buildings or other structures. The installer shall notify the electrical inspector in writing whenever any part of a wiring installation is to be hidden from view by insulation or the permanent placement of part of the building. No wiring or raceways shall be concealed until it has been inspected and approved by the inspector. A final inspection shall be requested upon completion of the entire electrical installation.

(3) When the initial ("rough-in") inspection is conducted:

(a) All applicable circuit conductors and outlet boxes shall be installed;

(b) All joints shall be made; and

(c) All grounding connections shall be in compliance with Section 300.10 of the 2017 edition of the National Electrical Code except as set forth in the exceptions enumerated in this subparagraph.

1. Exception No. 1: Where that portion of an installation which constitutes service conductors and equipment is changed or modified.

2. Exception No. 2: Where all wiring or raceway is exposed.

3. Exception No. 3: The requirements of (a) above shall not apply where inspection is performed on raceway systems only.

(4) The electrical contractor, the mechanical contractor, or the permit holder shall be responsible for ensuring the inspector has access to the site for inspection.

(5) The permit holder shall notify the inspector when the electrical installation is ready for inspection.

(6) Except as provided in Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0780-02-01-.05(2) and for installers licensed in accordance with T.C.A. Title 69, Chapter 10, the inspector shall not issue a final certificate of approval on an installation performed by any person, firm, corporation or legal entity not duly licensed in accordance with T.C.A. Title 62, Chapter 6.

(7) It is not intended that electric service to an existing installation be disrupted pending inspection of additions or changes to such service; however, an inspection shall be required within seven (7) days of re-connection by the Power Supplier.

(8) Whenever service equipment has been changed out or upgraded on any existing structures, a safety inspection will be conducted pursuant to T.C.A. § 68-102-143(5).

(9) Inspections shall not be required on:

(a) Minor repair work, such as replacement of lamps or connection of portable devices to suitable receptacles which have been permanently installed; and

(b) Installation, alteration, or repair of electric wiring or equipment installed by an electrical distribution agency for use in the generation, transmission, distribution, or metering of electrical energy.

(10) The inspector shall not issue a final certificate of approval on an installation if a building permit has not been obtained, if required, plans have not been reviewed and approved by the Department of Commerce and Insurance, if required, or all inspections have not been performed pursuant to Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0780-02-23-.07.

(11) For residential and commercial buildings, electrical power shall be supplied to the building in order for inspector to perform final inspection.

(12) If an initial ("rough-in") inspection was not conducted as required and the covering of the wiring was inadvertent, the Commissioner, or designee, may accept a letter from a professional engineer registered in Tennessee verifying that the installation is compliant with the adopted electrical code and that it does not present any risks from electrical hazards or fire. Receptacles, switches, and light fixtures, however, must still be removed for inspection. Only one (1) letter may be obtained within a twelve (12) month period unless the person making the written request can show justifiable cause for granting a second request.

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0780-02-01-.04

Original rule certified June 10, 1974. Amendment filed October 24, 1974; effective January 17, 1975. Amendment filed April 20, 1978; effective May 22, 1978. Repeal and new rule filed October 27, 1981; effective December 11, 1981. Repeal and new rule filed June 28, 1984; effective July 28, 1984. Repeal and new rule filed March 12, 1987; effective April 26, 1987. Amendment filed June 27, 1990; effective August 11, 1990. Amendment filed September 22, 1993; effective January 28, 1994. Amendment filed November 4, 1996; effective March 28, 1997. Amendment filed July 13, 1999; effective September 26, 1999. Amendment filed July 15, 2003; effective September 28, 2003. Amendments filed November 14, 2008; effective January 28, 2009. Amendments filed September 17, 2010; effective December 16, 2010. Amendments filed September 30, 2014; effective December 29, 2014. Amendments filed December 19, 2017; effective March 19, 2018. Amendments filed March 31, 2022; effective 6/29/2022.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 68-102-113, 68-102-143, and 68-102-150.