Electrical Safety Audit

Panel should have clear labeling, no double-tapped breakers, no signs of overheating. 36" clearance required in front of panel.

1. Check for 36" clear workspace in front of the panel (no storage blocking access)

2. Open panel — look for any signs of scorching, melted plastic, or discoloration

3. Check for double-tapped breakers (two wires on one breaker — usually not permitted)

4. Verify circuit labels are legible and accurate

5. Check for recalled breaker brands (Federal Pacific, Zinsco)

6. Verify main breaker size matches service

7. Check for any open knockouts (holes in the panel — fire and shock hazard)

8. Look for aluminum wiring (silver-colored wire at breakers — if present, needs evaluation)

- Panel blocked by storage (can't reach in emergency)

- Double-tapped breakers (loose connections, overheating)

- Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels (known failure-to-trip issues)

- Scorching or melting in panel (overloaded or loose connection)

- Unlabeled or mislabeled circuits

- Open knockouts in panel

- Aluminum wiring without proper terminations

GFCI required in wet locations (kitchens, bathrooms, garages, outdoors, basements, laundry). AFCI required for bedrooms (and most living areas in new construction).

1. Test all GFCI outlets — press TEST button, outlet should die, press RESET to restore

2. Check for GFCI protection in: bathrooms, kitchens (countertop), garage, outdoors, basement, laundry

3. Check for AFCI protection on bedroom circuits (at breaker panel — test button on breaker)

4. Test all GFCI and AFCI devices — they should trip and reset cleanly

5. Replace any GFCI that does not trip when tested (outlet has failed)

6. Note: GFCI/AFCI requirements have expanded over the years — older homes may not have them everywhere

- GFCI outlets that don't trip (failed — not protecting)

- No GFCI in bathrooms or kitchen

- No GFCI outdoors (most common electrical injury location)

- No AFCI on bedroom circuits (required since 1999 in US)

- GFCI outlet wired backward (no downstream protection)

- Residents disabled GFCI due to nuisance tripping (fix the cause, don't disable protection)

Look for overloaded circuits, improper wiring, exposed connections, extension cord misuse, and ungrounded outlets.

1. Check for overloaded outlets — multiple power strips daisy-chained or many devices on one circuit

2. Test outlets for proper grounding with a 3-light tester (check for "open ground" or "reverse polarity")

3. Look for extension cords used as permanent wiring (code violation)

4. Check for exposed wiring or open junction boxes (in attics, basements, garages)

5. Test all 2-prong outlets — should be replaced with grounded outlets or GFCI outlets

6. Check for warm outlets or switches — indicates overloading or loose connection

7. Look for DIY wiring — improperly spliced wires, wrong wire sizes, missing covers

8. Check outdoor outlets for weatherproof covers

- Extension cords as permanent wiring (fire hazard)

- Overloaded circuits (frequent breaker tripping)

- Ungrounded outlets (shock risk with 3-prong equipment)

- Open junction boxes with exposed wires

- Warm or discolored outlets (loose connection — fire risk)

- DIY wiring without permits (often unsafe)

- Outdoor outlets without weatherproof covers