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The Purpose of an Electrical Permit

Updated: May 31


safety permits

The purpose of an electrical permit is sometimes lostto some property owners. That is why our team of dedicated electricians have put together some information outlining the importance of electrical permits for residential and commercial projects.


SAFETY


The Canadian Electrical Code sets the standard for the maintenance and installation of electrical equipment in Canada. This Code is published by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and is revised every 3 years. Existing Code rules are reviewed and sometimes updated before each revision. New safety rules are added to address new technology or circumstances. The Code is then passed into Canadian law and adopted by each individual province. An electrical permit requires that all work named on the permit will, at the very least, meet the minimum standard for safety as outlined in the most recent Canadian Electrical Code.  For this reason, every job requires a knowledgeable electrician to follow the Code rules on every installation.


ACCOUNTABILITY


An electrical permit means the electrical work may be scrutinized by an electrical inspector. The electrical inspection department is an independent third party that provides a higher level of accountability for the installing electrician and the electrical contractor named on the permit. An electrical inspector will fail an inspection if an installation does not meet the most recent Code standards.


RESPONSIBILITY


The permit assigns all responsibility of the electrical work described on the permit to the electrical contractor named on the permit.


ASSURANCE


The permit gives property owners the assurance that their electrical work must meet, or exceed the current Code standard before the permit can pass an inspection and be completed by the local electrical inspection department.


PEACE OF MIND


Because the majority of the electrical system is hidden behind the walls, home buyers are asking for proof that all past renovations and alterations were made by a qualified electrician. An electrical permit provides proof that an electrical contractor was in charge of the electrical work.


OBLIGATION


By law, an electrical permit is required for ALL regulated electrical work. This includes renovations, additions, upgrades and many repairs. At the very least, property owners should always be provided with the electrical permit number for reference, although a copy of the electrical permit for a personal file is even better. An electrician who is unable to produce an electrical permit, may not be legally qualified to complete the requested electrical work.


If you have any questions about electrical permits, please call the licensed electricians at Blue Crest Electric. We serve clients all throughout Abbotsford, Langley, Chilliwack, Harrison, Mission and Maple Ridge. Contact us today.

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