A Word from Jake

With the adoption of the 2011 NEC we have a lack of knowledge of some of the MAJOR changes.  In the 2011 NEC they mandated that when you change an outlet in an area of a residence that requires Arc Fault protection, the replacement be done by one of the three requirements in 406.4(D)(4)(1,2,3). 

Working as an inspector can sometimes be very frustrating when we hear “when did they start enforcing Arc Faults all over the house, I thought we only were doing the bedrooms”.  Not only are we doing most of the residence now,  we are requiring Arc Faults when we replace just the devices (outlets) on a branch circuit.  We are also requiring that the outlets be tamper resistant and if needed weather resistant. 

When I place notes on plans referencing these new requirements I get emails or phone calls asking if I am going to enforce this and my answer is YES its my job to make sure that the electrical work is done in accordance with the adopted Code.  I agree that this is a MAJOR change and will probably lead to changing outlets without permits, just remember that if something happens and they can say that (YOUR COMPANY NAME) did the replacement and you did not comply with the most current Code enforced you can and will be held liable by the insurance company.

So email me and tell me if they are enforcing these requirements. ( jleccemail@hotmail.com )  I would like to know.

Till next time be safe work safe

Jake

This weeks column is an observation from doing inspections.  During the last couple of months when performing underground inspections the most noted violation was 300.5(D)(3) identifying and marking the underground installation.  This is not a Code change for 2011 this section was introduced 1999 and should not be on an inspectors hit list of common violated sections, but it is.  I think the confusion comes from the fact that most electricians feel that as an inspector, I don’t have jurisdiction over what FPL or Lake Worth utilities brings into a meter.  This section 300.5(D)(3) addresses the conductors that come from the utility to the meter can and if they are installed underground then this section does apply. 

Till next time

Work safe be safe

Jake

Have something you want to see here email me at jleccemail@hotmail.com

This past week I have noticed a trend when inspecting Air Conditioning units. Most electrical contractors will wire per plan and not by nameplate.  When missing the nameplate information we violate 110.3(B) installation and use.  The following is a view of what information is on the nameplate and how it is calculated, remember that the information on the nameplate is how unit is to be wired.

Hope this helps and reduces your correction notices.

Till next time be safe work safe and Happy Holidays

Jlecc

See the attached PDFs of a new product found in the field  and used for BONDING POOL WATER.  I have seen this new product in use and have now realized that most were installed improperly.  Some of the ones I have seen where installed just downstream from the pump above grade.  Look at the attached installation instructions and notice that the fitting needs to be installed 3” below the water level in the pool to be effective.  So if you install this fitting as a water bond to comply with 680.26(C) it will need to be install in the ground below grade.  The ones that I have seen installed properly used a sprinkler type in-ground junction box (brooks Box) to access the fitting.  Hope this helps and saves you a re-inspection.

If you have comments or questions please email me at jleccemail@hotmail.com

Till next time work safe and be safe.

Jake

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