Are safety features enough?

In an earlier blog I mentioned that not every problem in a home is worthy of alarm.  The example I gave was the lack of a GFCI at a location that should have one.  A GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interupter) is a receptacle or breaker that cuts the power to the circuit as soon as there is a slight power leakage.  This is important because the leaked power could be going through a person.  (The illustration on the right shows a GFCI breaker and a GFCI receptacle.)
Why is the lack of a GFCI not a cause for alarm?  Because it isn't important?  No, that's not it.  It is because it is not expensive to fix the problem. 

If your home inspector told you that the house you are hoping to purchase lacks GFCIs and that this can cause electrical shocks or even death, he likely doesn't only set off an alarm bell, he probably set off alarm sirens.  Even if the information he provided was accurate, he may have done you a disservice.   If you do not know what a GFCI is, he should be telling you what it is, and that it doesn't cost an arm and a leg to install one.

About a week ago I did a home inspection in Kitchener.  The 40 year old home didn't have GFCIs.  I pointed out to my client that at locations near water, any receptacles should be GFCI protected.  In this particular case, the owner needed more than a GFCI to keep him safe.  A good dose of common sense would have been very helpful.  
There was a washtub beside the washing machine.  The pump for the wash tub appparantly had the plug broken so instead of putting on another plug, they inserted  the unprotected prongs into the outlet.
Have a look at the picture on the left.  Would a GFCI have made this situation less dangerous?  Certainly.  Would it have made it safe?  Noooway.
The wiring can be fixed but you know what they say:  You can't fix stu....   Uhh...,  what I mean is; you can't legislate common sense.

Submitted by Bert, for Benchmark Home Inspection Services.  Your Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph and Orangeville area home inspector.