Author: Jake

This author has written 259 articles

2014 Code Change 110.21 (B) Field-Applied Hazard Markings.

First of all Happy Fourth of July.

This Code section has been added to the “2014” Code (which is not adopted in Florida),

to instruct us as to what is accepted for field applied labels.

Some of the sections that require theses labels are 110.16, 110.24, 408.3, and many others.

110.21 Marking.

(B)  Field-Applied  Hazard  Markings.  Where caution,
warning,  or  danger signs  or  labels are required by this
Code,  the labels shall meet the following requirements:

1) The marking shall adequately warn  of  the hazard using
effective words and/or colors and/or symbols.

(2) The label shall be permanently affixed to the equipment
or  wiring method and shall not be hand written.

Exception to  (2):  Portions  of  labels  or  markings that are
variable,  or  that could be  subject  to  changes, shall be per-
mitted to be hand written  and  shall be legible.

(3)  The label  shall be  of  sufficient durability to withstand
the environment involved.

Informational Note: ANSI Z535.4-2011,  Product Safety
Signs  and  Labels,  provides guidelines for the design and
durability  of  safety signs and labels for application to electrical equipment.

 

110.21

Some of the signs will be allowed to be hand written, but not all of them.  Ask your electrical inspector/plan reviewer for guidance.

 

Till next week be safe out there, always use a tester to see if it is Hot!

 

Jake

Continue Reading2014 Code Change 110.21 (B) Field-Applied Hazard Markings.

Florida Statute 553.883 SMOKE ALARMS

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This will be the third time that we visit 553.883 the new statute that allows us to install battery operated smoke alarms.  As in my past requests I am still trying to find an alarm that is battery operated (sealed 10year type) that can be interconnected.  I have been trying to find one but can only find them in Europe. Has anyone come across ones we can buy here in the USA?

We have 10 year battery operated ones but they do not interconnect, or they interconnect but don’t have ten year battery.  I have been to inspector meetings and have taught classes that have had someone tell me they installed one or seen them used in an installation.  Please email a type that I can buy here in the good old USA.  At these meeting I have been told that the Statute requires interconnection (they say it is implied) but again I have not been able to find one that meets the requirements of the Statute and interconnects.  All of the specs sent to me are not sealed battery 10 year type.  Only one of all the smoke alarms that has been sent to me had 10 year battery and was inter-connectable and that was BRK SA410LLi but I can not find it anywhere here in the states to buy, it was only available in the UK.  Please read the Florida Statue 553.883 below.  So help me find what inspectors and other officials are saying is a requirement, and I will pass it on.  So we can all be on the same page.

553.883 REQUIRES a SMOKE ALARM to have:

10 YEAR NONPLACEABLE BATTERY

NONREMOVABLE BATTERY

“INTERCONNECTABLE” SMOKE ALARM   (I don’t believe that this was the intent)

 

 553.883 a

 

Till next week work safe be safe

 

Jake

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New Dimmable Receptacles

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This past week while teaching a CEU seminar I was introduced to a new product that I have not seen.  The dimmable receptacle outlet.   Over the years I have seen installations that contractors tried to install dimmers on receptacle outlet circuits only to tell them it did not meet the Code and had to be disconnected.  In explaining why they could not use a dimmer on the circuit they realized that plugging in a TV or some other appliance would have caused harm to the appliance.  So I was surprised to finally find a way for us to use dimmers on outlet circuits.   When using the receptacle outlets you will have to also use a special cord cap that only works with the dimming receptacle outlet, and that is so you won’t plug your TV or some other appliance into the circuit by mistake.

Below you will find a link to a website that has all the information for the outlets.  You can click on the link or cut and paste it into your search bar.

http://www.lutron.com/TechnicalDocumentLibrary/369269_ENG.pdf

do a

do b

 

Till next week be safe work safe

Jake

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Temporary Installations For Outlets in Wet Locations 590.4(D)(2), and 406.9(B)

This new change will require the use of “EXTRA-DUTY” covers on receptacles installed in wet locations.  The new covers have the words EXTRA-DUTY installed on the cover.  These outlets would be for other than in dwelling unit locations and ones that are supported from grade.  In addition to these requirements the outlet will have to be GFCI protected with a few exceptions. 

210.8 (B)(4) Exception  #1,2

Exception No. 1 to (3) and (4): Receptacles that are not readily accessible and are supplied by a branch circuit dedicated to electric snow-melting, deicing, or pipeline and vessel heating equipment shall be permitted to be installed in accordance with 426.28 or 427.22, as applicable. (We can’t use this down here in south Florida)

Exception No. 2 to (4): In industrial establishments only, where the conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified personnel are involved, an assured equipment grounding conductor program as specified in 590.6(B)(2) shall be permitted for only those receptacle outlets used to supply equipment that would create a greater hazard if power is interrupted or having a design that is not compatible with GFCI protection.

 

temporary receps

 

XTRA DUTY

 

Till next week work safe be safe

 

Jake

Continue ReadingTemporary Installations For Outlets in Wet Locations 590.4(D)(2), and 406.9(B)

Florida Building Code Residential 2014 5th Edition

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We Just finished our first round of weekend CEU classes, and as promised a link to the other Code book that we need to be using for residential electrical work.  It is the Florida Building Code Residential book.  Click on the link below and you can explore the FBC Residential book.  

This weeks information will introduce you to the other electrical code book.  The one that is located in the Florida Building Code Residential, the electrical chapters are found in Chapters 34 through 45.  As a contractor or electrician in Florida you need to be familiar with these sections because some of the sections in the NEC have been amended by this Code.  Its actually pretty helpful because it is small and compact and geared towards residential construction only so you don’t have to differentiate between residential and commercial/industrial electrical codes.  So when you get a chance click on the link below and explore Chapters 34 through 45, and if a click does not work cut and paste it into your browser and read on.

If you have any questions or have something that you want to see discussed here please email me at jleccemail@hotmail.com

http://codes.iccsafe.org/app/book/toc/2014/Florida/Residential%20Code/index.html

 

Thanks and be safe

Jake

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