INSPECTION OF ELECTRICAL WORK.

INSPECTION OF ELECTRICAL WORK.

As electrical work is being done in Cleveland, Ohio, without the sanction of the Cleveland inspection bureau, it follows that much of the work not so inspected and approved is of the poorest class, cheap, defective, and of a sort likely to cause fire loss within a very short time of its installation. The principal offenders in this line are certain electrical contractors and architects in the city, whose work being, of course, nearly all hidden, cannot be passed upon and certified to as safe by the bureau of inspection. That office has, therefore, issued a circular to the various fire insurance companies calling upon them to insist upon all future risks (whether on dwelling house, business establishment, or other), wherein electricity is used for light or power, shall l>e indorsed as having had their equipment passed upon by the bureau of inspection and approved, failing which an additional premium is to be collected. As this imperfect installation of electrical workwork not done in accordance with the regulations of the National code—is not confined to Cleveland, but is heard of, and by its effects made visible in other cities, (in New York, as well as elsewhere), it would be well if a similar indorsement were also insisted upon in these. It is to be supposed, however, as a prerequisite that those in charge of the bureau of inspection are men who will do their work without fear or favor, who will not, for a consideration, pass upon manifestly defective installations, and are besides competent, as elfectrical experts, to pass upon the installations proposed or being made. If not, and the danger arising from venal, careless, and incompetent inspectors appointed by politicians for political purposes is not outside the domain of possibilities, then the inspections made by the bureau will be worse than useless; they will be absolutely harmful.

As electrical work is being done in Cleveland, Ohio, without the sanction of the Cleveland inspection bureau, it follows that much of the work not so inspected and approved is of the poorest class, cheap, defective, and of a sort likely to cause fire loss within a very short time of its installation. The principal offenders in this line are certain electrical contractors and architects in the city, whose work being, of course, nearly all hidden, cannot be passed upon and certified to as safe by the bureau of inspection. That office has, therefore, issued a circular to the various fire insurance companies calling upon them to insist upon all future risks (whether on dwelling house, business establishment, or other), wherein electricity is used for light or power, shall l>e indorsed as having had their equipment passed upon by the bureau of inspection and approved, failing which an additional premium is to be collected. As this imperfect installation of electrical workwork not done in accordance with the regulations of the National code—is not confined to Cleveland, but is heard of, and by its effects made visible in other cities, (in New York, as well as elsewhere), it would be well if a similar indorsement were also insisted upon in these. It is to be supposed, however, as a prerequisite that those in charge of the bureau of inspection are men who will do their work without fear or favor, who will not, for a consideration, pass upon manifestly defective installations, and are besides competent, as elfectrical experts, to pass upon the installations proposed or being made. If not, and the danger arising from venal, careless, and incompetent inspectors appointed by politicians for political purposes is not outside the domain of possibilities, then the inspections made by the bureau will be worse than useless; they will be absolutely harmful.