| Home inspectors look at many different areas of | | | | inspections I have found junction boxes that do |
| a house or condo. During the inspections home | | | | not have a cover which helps to contain any |
| inspectors come across a variety of issues. Some | | | | sparks. |
| of the issues found are fire hazards. | | | | Water heater flues can also be a fire hazard if |
| Fires can be started from a variety of reasons. | | | | not installed correctly. I once found a water |
| Electrical issues are one such reason. One of the | | | | heater flue that was routed up through the attic |
| issue a home inspector will look for when looking | | | | to the exterior. This is OK. However the roofer |
| inside an electric panel is that of conductor size. | | | | when working on the roof accidentally |
| Electric conductors that are too small in diameter | | | | disconnected the flue pipe in the area in the attic. |
| for the amperage of the breaker that it is | | | | The water heater exhaust was now directly |
| connected to is a fire hazard. The conductor can | | | | hitting the underside of the roof. The roof |
| have too much electricity flowing through it and | | | | sheathing was charred from the heat coming up |
| get hot, starting a fire. | | | | through the flue. Eventually the roof would have |
| Another issue found in the electric panel is that of | | | | caught fire threatening the family. |
| "double taps". A double or multiple tap is where | | | | Proper clearance for wood stoves and furnaces is |
| there are more conductors fastened to a breaker | | | | another area in which a fire hazard is found. Most |
| than that breaker is designed to hold. Often this is | | | | of the time the clearance stated by the |
| seen as two conductors on a breaker designed to | | | | manufacturer of an appliance is not legible or |
| hold only one. What can happen her is that one | | | | present. Using the knowledge of past installations |
| wire may not be held tightly and sparks can result | | | | one can make an educated judgment. Obviously |
| along with the increased temperature that comes | | | | when the wooden mantel is scorched by the gas |
| with it. | | | | log fireplace insert there is an issue with clearance. |
| Other electrical issues found can be at junction | | | | Fires happen unexpectedly that is why it is |
| boxes. A junction box is where wires are joined | | | | suggested that all homes have smoke detectors |
| together. The connections are contained in a box. | | | | all throughout the house and check the batteries |
| The box prevents any sparks from landing on | | | | regularly. |
| any combustible surface. Many times during | | | | |