Our Goal is FOR ALL STAKEHOLDERS TO
HAVE A SUCCESSFUL PROJECT with us
and that together we keep people and
structures safe and economically viable
to serve the needs of our community.
We strive for:
April 13th, 2016
EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE!
and
QUALITY INSPECTIONS!
OUR NEXT MEETING IS MAY 11th
I. Customer Service Reminder
WORKING TOWARDS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
Regardless of the type of contact that you have with customers,
whether it is over the phone or face-to-face good customer
service skills help everybody.
A happy and satisfied customer is likely to tell others about the
good experiences that they had when dealing with you and the
department.
Smile
This is the most simple and often the most powerful tip
for customer service (and most other interpersonal
interactions).
Smile. Smiles are contagious – usually when you smile at
somebody they’ll smile back at you. Do not pretend to smile, or
produce a false smile since these are easy to spot and send the
wrong messages. Instead relax, gain eye-contact and smile
naturally. This will help the customer or client to feel at ease and
you’ll come across as friendly and approachable, setting the scene
for a more positive interaction.
If you are talking to somebody on the telephone then you can still
smile – your voice sounds different when you smile and are happy.
Clients and customers are more likely to want to talk to a cheerful
person with an enthusiastic personality and by smiling while you
talk you can help to project this.
Make the Customer Feel Important
Use an appropriate greeting to make your customer feel
comfortable.
Start positively with a warm, sincere greeting; but don’t overdo it!
“Good Morning”, “Good to see you today”, “How are things going”
are all simple introductions and you can follow up with “I’m John
Doe and I’m here to inspect XXXXX”, is there anything else we
need to discuss today” or some other appropriate comment to
indicate that you are there to partner with them on the project.
Continue communicating as appropriate, relax and be as natural
as possible. Always be respectful of them and their concerns.
Never complain to a customer about your organization, your day,
how busy you are, the management, your colleagues or anything
else that may lead the customer to develop negative feelings.
Listen
You are unlikely to be able to help all your customers
effectively if you don’t listen to their needs.
By not listening you can become very frustrating to the customer
and may lose their respect. Listen to the customer’s needs,
empathise and find the best solutions.
Be True to Your Word
Only ever offer a customer or client something that you are sure
you can give them. Stick to deadlines, make sure you turn up
promptly for any appointments and never make promises you
cannot keep. If situations change, then let the customer know as
soon as possible.
Be Memorable – For the Right Reasons
We tend to remember positive and negative experiences
more vividly than average day-to-day ones. Try to make
every customer’s experience a positive one that they’ll
remember and talk to others about.
Be helpful, be courteous and polite – give a little extra if possible,
even if it is just some advice or extra information about the
service they are receiving or how we may better meet their needs
within our system.
II. Consistency Questions
ALL ANSWERS ARE BASED ON 2014 CODE UNLESS SPECIFIED ELSEWISE
1) Why do we still see approved plans come thru with a two pole shunt
trip controlling the fueling panel without the neutral being broke as
stated in Art. 514.11? Am I missing something here? We have always
used a two pole breaker and a three pole contactor to break the all
conductors including the grounded conductor.
514.11 not only requires disconnection of the dispenser line supply
conductors but all conductors of each circuit including communication,
data, video, etc.… This requirement would need to be met with a
controller capable of disconnecting all of them simultaneously.
2) Do we have a copy of the ANSI-Z535.4-2011? If so, can we get an
electronic copy so the field inspectors can check to see that the signage
meets regulations per 2014 NEC 110.21(B). Which regulations are we
going to enforce?
While the department has ordered several copies for reference the ANSI
Standard is an Informational Note and therefore not enforceable. It will
be a reference to use when there is an issue with what the contractor
has provided and it is clearly substandard.
3) What is going to be our call on 110.26(C)3 on personal doors where a
panel is added for 800-amp overcurrent device in an existing building
based on the 2014 NEC.
The addition of an 800 amp ocp, switch or control would necessitate the
2014 rule for panic hardware. New work has to meet current code.
4) Now that the state has made a decision on the 2014 NEC, when can
engineers, and contractors start to use it?
April 1st, 2016 unless they have proposed earlier to use it as alternate
methods and means. Remember that projects with permit applications
in our system prior to April 1st have until June 30th to clear review and
still be compliant under the 2011 code.
5) I have a contractor who is installing and wiring an outdoor Hot Tub on
an existing concrete pad, does he have to provide an equipotential bond
according to 680.42(B) in the 2014 NEC?
Not if he meets the criteria of 1-4.
(B) Bonding. Bonding by metal-to-metal mounting on a common frame
or base shall be permitted. The metal bands or hoops used to secure
wooden staves shall not be required to be bonded as required in
680.26. Equipotential bonding of perimeter surfaces in accordance
with 680.26(B)(2) shall not be required to be provided for spas and hot
tubs where all of the following conditions apply:
(1) The spa or hot tub shall be listed as a self-contained spa for
aboveground use.
(2) The spa or hot tub shall not be identified as suitable only for indoor
use.
(3) The installation shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions and shall be located on or above grade.
(4) The top rim of the spa or hot tub shall be at least 710 mm (28 in.)
above all perimeter surfaces that are within 760 mm (30 in.), measured
horizontally from the spa or hot tub. The height of nonconductive
external steps for entry to or exit from the self-contained spa
shall not be used to reduce or increase this rim height measurement.
6) I have raceways running across the plane of a roof. My understanding
of 2014 NEC 310.15(B)(3)(c) Exception means that I am not required to
apply the ambient temperature correction factors due to exposure to
direct sunlight if I use Type XHHW-2 insulated conductors.
Per the new exception XHHW-2 is not subject to the ampacity
adjustment.
7) Does this also exempt me from having to space between conduits? If
not how much space is required?
No exemption is stated for raceways and no spacing measurement is
specified.
8) I have a 4 wire #10 Romex run in from outside from a generator
receptacle enclosure into my panel. It is terminated on a 30-amp
breaker my inspector turned it down and said I have to comply with
408.36 D for a back fed device. I don't understand this because my
panel is UL listed for this purpose. Is he correct?
We need to see that specific listing. It would be very specific and one
we have not encountered. Is this your service panel? The installation
would normally meet code by applying the section given by the
inspector.
9) Is it necessary to bond a L/V cabinet, if no 120V is installed?
We would need to define the type of L/V to be specific. As asked,
maybe or maybe not. Use the manufacturer’s installation instructions
and apply the appropriate code from chapter 1-4 and 7 or 8.
10) What is the proper way to test the “Self Testing” GFI receptacles, on
a final or TP inspection, when not energized?
Jumper it out and check it for continuity, line and load.
11) I have a 1200 amp main disconnect feeding a trough on a strip
shopping center. I tapped 4/0 parallel conductors in the trough for a
400-amp service to one of the units. I ran the conductors through a CT
can and then underground in one pipe into the unit it feeds. Inside the
unit, I ran the wires through a junction box under two panels to split the
wires up to feed the two panels. The wires terminated on 200 amp
breakers. Wouldn't 240.21(B)5 allow me to do this?
Yes, this is allowed per 240.21 but is not a parallel run and be sure the
equipment grounds are sized for the 1200 amp ocp if the main has one.
12) I was turned down for cable stapled to close to the stud edge, inside
a residential duct chase wall where there was not any sheetrock going
to be attached. Was he correct?
No. The conductors were not subject to damage as described since no
rock was to be installed in this duct chase.
13) The inspector turned down my above ceiling inspection citing that l
had to maintain a minimum of 2" clearance between low voltage cables
and all mc cables, where is the requirement in the code book for this? I
have not been able to locate it.
It would be great to know what type of cables are being referred to.
Perhaps the inspector is referring to 725.136. (I) or 760.136 (G) or
800.133(A) (2). See 725.136(I) (1), MC would be ok, 760 and 800 have
similar allowances.
14) I have installed an air conditioner, the minimum circuit ampacity
requirements on the name plate is 18.2 amps, the maximum breaker
size is 45. I installed #10 copper conductors and protected the circuit
with a 30 amp OCP. The Inspector turned me down. Was the inspector
correct?
It appears not. The unit marking was complied with per code as
described and we should have passed the inspection.
15) I have been contracted to upgrade an office/warehouse space and
include the warehouse area in the HVAC conditioned area. The RTU will
be up sized for the additional demand. The current unit is a 208volt 3
phase 151 MCA with 3-4/0 al conductors in 2” EMT, the new unit MCA is
329 amps MOC 350 amps at 208. Is it permissible to install an additional
parallel adjacent to the existing conduit using MC cable w/3 4/0 al
conductors with a number 1 al. upsized EGC? Do I have to replace the
existing EGC in the EMT, currently #4 al? Can the EMT be used for the
EGC?
No. Per 310.10(H). The raceways or cables have to be the same per (3).
16) I am installing a residential Swimming Pool at a home in Charlotte, it
includes a cabana adjacent to the pool edge, not quite 5 feet from the
pool. I have made provisions to bond all adjacent metal within 5 feet,
except the rain gutters that will be 8’-6” above the decking, the down
spouts are at the end of the structure at least 25’ away. The inspector
has informed me that now I have to bond the gutters, is that a code
requirement because I have never been cited for this before. Thanks
Per 680.26 the gutters will need to be bonded unless they are higher
than 12’ over the water level.
17) I have a project that the owner made a field change request to up
size some of the circuits from #12 to #10 for no discernable reason.
Approx. half of the homeruns now have #10 circuits (fused at 20 amps)
in with #12 circuits, including #12 copper EGC’s. I know it is required to
increase the EGC if you increase the circuit for voltage drop, this is not
the case, and the raceway is EMT. Do I have to upsize the ECG to #10
simply because the owner wanted a larger conductor? Or will I be
required to remove the EGC and let the EMT serve as the ECG in its
place? OR, is it feasible to allow the #12 to remain as a “supplemental”
EGC. The inspector has informed me that the #10 conductors must be
labeled as “20 amp max OCP” inside the panelboards.
The inspector correctly advised you on the labeling of the circuit since
there is a reduction in size. If calculation shows no appreciable voltage
drop then nothing further is really needed for safety.
18) Are anti short bushings required for both type AC or Type MC cable
terminations?
Nothing in the UL Whitebook indicates the need for these specifc
bushings. All products must be used as listed and in accordance with
the manufacturer’s instructions. AC in NEC 320.40 has required
protection specified. Most AC products we have seen require them. In
330 MC cable has no mention of the bushings.
19) Do we fail jobs for missed penetration or fire caulking?
Yes. Generally, the building inspector will be looking for required
caulking for penetrations and insulation purposes. If this is an electrical
permit only project or we are the last inspection, we need to always
inspect per NEC 300.21.
20) Are box extensions required on class 2, low voltage circuits, in boxes
recessed more than a 1/4", on a fire rated wall?
Yes, per NEC 314.20.
21) Is the GFCI requirement for an electric water fountain, required to
be readily accessible?
Yes (2014), per 422.52 that requires GFI protection and 422.5 that
requires GFI protection to be readily accessible. (NC does not require
this in residential)
22) I have some gas heat units that the nameplate says max 12 amps.
The name plate has no max ocp. I thought it had been discussed a few
years ago that we would accept these on 12/2 and 20-amp breaker as
long as it did not say max ocp 15. Please correct me if I am wrong. We
have some guys that are failing them and requiring the 15.
Per 422.10(A) the circuit is to be sized per Part II of 430. Per 422.11(G)
these units have to be thermally protected in accordance with 430 Part
III. We would need specific motor information and/or manufacturer’s
installation instructions to answer this question. Per 422.12 these units
have to be on a separate circuit. In general terms the circuit conductors
would need to be 125% of the motor fla and 100% of any other load.
The ocp for the motor can go to 250% on an inverse time breaker per
430.52. In this case a 15 or 20 would work.
23)I am doing a service upgrade and moving the service 4 feet over. I
have to feed new wire to the old wire in the house. Do I have to put arc
fault breakers on all the new wires?
Only if you really care about stopping the possibility of fire. Per the code
in 210.12 there is an exception for extending existing conductors 6 feet
as long as no outlets or devices are being added. If you exceed 6’ then
you will need AFCI per the code.
24)A home owner has bought some LV lights from Home Depot to go
around his new pool. It is a cord and plug set. Some are inside the 5’
area around the pool. Is this allowed? Does he need a permit?
Yes. 680.22(B)(6) allows for a specified type of LV lighting closer than 5’
to the pool. Lighting units need to be use as listed. Permits are required
for all work covered by the code with few exceptions, such as utilities,
federal installations, state installations, etc.…
25)In a single family dwelling, there is a fire alarm control box in the
closet. Does this have to be on AFCI?
Not if it meets the exception to 210.12 (A).
Where an individual branch circuit to a fire alarm system installed in
accordance with 760.41(B) or 760.121(B) is installed in RMC, IMC,
EMT, or steel sheathed cable, Type AC or Type MC, meeting the
requirements of 250.118, with metal outlet and junction boxes,
AFCI protection shall be permitted to be omitted.
III. Review of Article 680