News

It’s November 2015, the requirements for Arc Fault Protection has been around for 15 years.  During my inspections in the last couple of month I have found that most still feel that the bedrooms are the only locations that require this type of protection.  So for the changes in the 2011 NEC they are none for the rooms that need this type of protection.  The list below comes from the 2008 and the 2011 NEC.  It did not change for 2011 it has been in effect since the 2008 NEC was adopted.

The following areas require Arc Fault protection.

FAMILY ROOMS

DINING ROOMS

LIVING ROOMS

PARLORS

LIBRARIES

DENS

BEDROOMS

SUNROOMS

RECREATION ROOMS

CLOSETS

HALLWAYS

AND THE CATCH ALL “SIMILAR ROOMS OR AREAS”  This one will be up to the AHJ inspecting your work.

The areas that do not require Arc Fault protection include:

KITCHENS

BATHROOMS

GARAGES

These all require GFCI protection.

So when you get the correction notice to include Arc Fault protection be aware that it is not new, it has been required for at least six or seven years.

If you have questions please email me and I will get back to you.

So until next time Have a Happy Thanksgiving, and be safe.

Jake

This weeks post is about attaching ceiling wires to fixtures installed in grid type ceilings.  I get calls all the time about having to attach wires to fixtures installed in grid type ceilings.  For the record our electrical Code states that we have to “screw, clip, or rivet” the fixtures to the grid, that’s it!  The hangers wires which are so routinely required, come from the manufacturers instruction for the particular type of ceiling grid.  99% of the time that these wires are required there are no ceiling grid details or manufacturers instructions that show these requirements, but are just someone’s interpretation of a UL standard or building code which may or may not be correct.  I have heard story after story of how the Electrical contractor had to install these extra wires on the fixtures when in fact it is NOT an electrical Code requirement.  Hanger wires on fixtures should be done by the person(s) responsible for the ceiling and only when they are needed (required).

Below you will find a memo sent out by Jeffrey A. Fecteau CBO, ECO a Senior Regulatory Engineer working for UL addressing fixtures installed in grid type ceilings.  Jeff has always been helpful in solving problems that arise out in the field brought on by an inspector/contractor conflict.  Also posted below you will find a FBC formal interpretation that went into effect November 12, 2015. This was sent out this week by Broward County Board of Rules and Appeals.  This formal interpretation now puts the grid wire problem into the design professional and/or the manufacturers hands to solve.  Hope this helps.

Memo from Jeffrey  Fecteau

Over the years, I have been asked numerous times, where in the code is the requirement that slack wires are to be attached to grid supported luminaires? I have provided the following response;

NEC section 410.36(B) requires that the framing members of suspended ceiling systems that are used to support luminaires shall be securely fastened to each other and shall be securely attached to the building structure at appropriate intervals. Luminaires shall be securely fastened to the ceiling framing member by mechanical means such as bolts, screws, or rivets. Listed clips identified for use with the type of ceiling framing member(s) and luminaire(s) shall also be permitted.

The 2015 IBC section 808.1.1.1 requires that suspended acoustical ceiling systems shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of ASTM C 635 and ASTM C 636.

The additional support requirements come from the ceiling grid standard ASTM C636 (Standard Practice for Installation of Metal Ceiling Suspension Systems for Acoustical Tile and Lay-In Panels);

2.7 Ceiling Fixtures:

2.7.1 Mount fixtures installed in acoustical tile or lay-in panel ceilings in a manner that will not compromise ceiling performance.

2.7.2 Fixtures shall not be supported from main runners or cross runners if the weight of the fixture causes the total dead load to exceed the deflection capability of the ceiling suspension system. In such cases, the fixture load shall be supported by supplemental hangers within 6 in. [150 mm] of each corner, or the fixture shall be separately supported.

2.7.3 Fixtures shall not be installed so that main runners or cross runners will be eccentrically loaded except where provision is inherent in the system (or is separately provided for) to prevent undesirable section rotation or displacement, or both. In any case, runners supporting ceiling fixtures shall not rotate more than 2° after the fixture loads are imposed.

2.7.4 Where fixture installation would produce rotation of runners in excess of 2°, install fixtures with the use of suitable accessory devices. These devices shall support the fixture in such a manner that main runners and cross runners will be loaded symmetrically rather than eccentrically.

Additional seismic requirements may be located in Chapter 16, section 1613 of the IBC.

Attached you will find a ruling from Broward County Board of Appeals on this issue. This may be something that you would like to include in the code enforcement requirements of your jurisdiction either by ordinance or by policy.

Jeff Fecteau

Jeffrey A. Fecteau CBO, ECO

Senior Regulatory Engineer UL

Till next time be safe work safe

Jake

I hear it often that the inspector is making a contractor produce a listing for a product.  Then the contractor asks where does it state that a product has to be listed.  In our Code NFPA 70 2011 Ed.article 110.2 states that “conductors and equipment shall be acceptable only if approved”.  So where does the approval  requirement come from?  It comes from OSHA.  OSHA requires that in general all electrical equipment is to be listed and labeled. You can click or copy the link below to the OSHA site bulletin that gives the information on listing and approval of electrical equipment.  In the bulletin it states that 29 CFR 1926.403(a) requires a testing laboratory approval of electrical equipment.  So an inspector asking for this listing is his or hers way of making sure that the equipment is approved and being used in accordance with its listing. 

When a inspector comes across questionable equipment it is his/her way of making sure the equipment can in fact be used in this installation. They do not have the time to check out the equipment to see if it is safe.   When non-listed equipment is used or slips by an inspection, you put the public at risk.  To save a few bucks and put people at risk is one of the reasons we have OSHA in the first place.  Protecting the public!  My job and your job is to deliver a safe working electrical system, not compromised by sub-standard equipment.  So the next time you are asked for a listing the inspector must see something that makes him/her question the installation.

https://www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib021610.html

Take the time to read the bulletin a see why and how equipment becomes approved and listed.

till next time work safe and be safe

Jake

This weeks post comes from a couple of statements that needed to be clarified.  I was told that the working space in front of a service disconnect had to be measured from the middle of the disconnect.  That is not how the measurement is taken please review the slide below for accuracy in measuring the safe working space in front of equipment. If you have questions please email me at jleccemail@hotmail.com

We are in the last week of October and if you are an ER contractor and have the required 5 years you can grandfather your license into an EC.

After 11/1/2015 they are not grandfathering in ERs to ECs.  They may start again in the future by why wait.

Till next week work safe

Jake

Although I stated that I would go into the 2014 NEC changes, I feel it would be more productive to address common problems found out in the field.  This past week I had two different buildings that where undergoing services changes that had a common problem when I went to inspect.  Both buildings had multiple services installed on them, but each service had a separate Grounding Electrodes.  When I asked the contractors to fix it they had told they had never had to do this before.  Each building had a 120/208 volt  Y three phase service and a 277/480 volt Y three phase service installed next to each other both sporting two brand new Grounding Electrodes.  I ask them to bond them together and was questioned as to what Code section they had violated. The following is the section from the NEC 2011.

Till next week, be safe.

I have been getting calls about the 2014 NEC.  We have not adopted it and will  most likely be using the 2011 for a couple of years.  Starting next week I will start going through the changes of the 2014 NEC

Till next week be safe

This past week I had three different contractors who were surprised when I asked them about the LABEL they were supposed to install on the Service Equipment per this section.  So I felt this needed to be addressed again to help you pass your inspections.  This section is pretty plain and states “Service equipment installed in other than a dwelling unit shall be field marked with the maximum available fault current”.  The field markings shall include the DATE the calculation was performed and that the LABEL shall be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved.  A sharpie is not going to cut it because although it says permanent it is not.  Some form of a label shall be made to withstand the sun and salt environment we have down here in South Florida.

So after my inspections this week, I have three jobs all waiting for labels to be placed on the service equipment before I can final out their permits.  It was noted on the plans for these jobs that I was expecting this to be done because it is a NEW code change and I am required by the Code to enforce these new requirements. 

In Lake Worth it will not be a problem to get the Fault Current of the transformer because I have them and can supply them with the plan review or  at the inspection.  All I need is the size,  and secondary voltage of the transformer to be able to supply this information.  The information I give out is the FAULT CURRENT at the terminals of the transformer and not at the service equipment. 

There are several fault current calculators out there on the WEB to be found for free as an ap or download that will help you to calculate the AIC at the service equipment. 

So when the inspectors looks for the LABEL it should already be there.

Till next week be safe

Jake

This is a new requirement for the manufacturing of GFCI breakers and receptacles.  UL has upped the bar for these devices requiring them to self test.  If one of these devices detect a leakage of current they trip and have to be hand reset.  The tripping of one of these devices may signal a wiring problem in your home. So just resetting may not solve the problem.  Below are a few links to these new products, one of these links is for a receptacle that will not turn on if wired improperly.  The UL requirement for these devices went into effect in June of this year (2015).  The inventory of old type GFCI protection will be allowed to be sold but all new devices will be manufactured using the new standard.  If you can’t get the links below to work just put “self test GFCI products” in your search bar.

http://www.nema.org/news/Pages/NEMA-and-UL-Announce-Revisions-to-UL-943-GFCI-Standard.aspx

http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=33474&minisite=10021

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-1fWxB5WtA

http://www.geindustrial.com/products/circuit-breakers/ground-fault-circuit-interrupter-self-test-gfci

Till next week be safe out there.

Jake

The following pictures represent what some  GC’s feel is Ok for your final electrical inspection.  The code requires that the openings in the finish around switches and receptacles be no more than 1/8” the cover plate will definitely cover this amount.   It has become the job of the inspector to make sure that these minor defects are completed.  The pictures are from a job that the GC told me that they would take care of them, and they were not.  Although some of the pictures are fuzzy and out of focus you should be able to get the idea.  This installation also violates article 110.12 for Mechanical execution of work.  Installed in a neat and workmanlike manner.  Please show this to your GC’s and remind them that these need to be done for and electrical final. If not, you fail, and you have to call for a re-inspection and possibly pay a fee which will lead to a delay in job progress.

Till next week be safe work smart

This week we will take another look at what this section states and what it means.

Till next week Work safe be safe

Jake