HOUSE CONSISTENCY MEETING
Date: 12-9-2015
DEPARTMENTAL GOALS:
•
•
•
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85 - 90 % 1 DAY TURN AROUND
80 - 85 % CONTRACTOR PASS RATE
QUALITY INSPECTIONS!
EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE!
SAFETY ISSUES:
REMEMBER COUNTY CELL PHONE POLICY, USE ALL APPROVED SAFETY
EQUIPMENT ISSUED TO YOU. (I.e. HARDHAT, SAFETY GLASSES, SAFETY SHOES,
PPE)
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:
EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE!
And QUALITY INSPECTIONS!
OUR NEXT MEETING IS JAN. 13th.
I. Customer Service Reminder
II. Consistency Questions
1) Are we checking AFCI on the TU inspection or
checking it after power is on. Inconsistencies have
been reported in field. Mullis
YES if connected! Whatever is connected MUST
MEET CODE FOR STATED TU OCCUPANCY.
2) My inspector is requiring that l pull ALL ground
joints out of the boxes on every rough inspection,
this includes lighting boxes as well. l think this is
unreasonable as this is very time consuming on
apartments. l can understand if he wants to check
them but he should be the one removing and
replacing them. What is the code reference
requiring this? Barnes
The grounding is required at each outlet and we
need to inspect them. We typically do not require
the contractor to facilitate this. For problem
projects, the inspector needs to check with his/her
supervisor if there is a need to depart from normal
procedures.
3) Does a temporary saw service require weather
resistant GFCI? Dellinger
Yes per 406.4.
4) What are the proper grounding methods for
replacement water heaters when no e.g. is present.
Hartman
We accept the methods prescribed in 250.130 C to
establish the equipment ground in lieu of rewiring
the circuit.
5) Some inspectors only spot check receptacles on
the AFCI. Others check each receptacle on all
inspections. What is the policy? Kale
Our policy is to make a thorough inspection for
code compliance.
6) I'm installing an automatic transfer switch
between the power company and the building main
switch gear the inspector told me I have to have an
overcurrent protection breaker and it must be
service entrance rated and it must match the AIC
rating from the power source, is he right ? If so
what could code reference is this related to? King
Sure he is. See NEC 110.9 and 10. See 230.66 for
service rating requirement. See 701.4 and 702.4 A
for ratings required.
7) My inspector turned me down for the use of
window sill receptacles mounted in the countertops
in my kid’s bedroom and also in a couple locations
in the kitchen counter tops, was he correct? These
devices are UL listed to be mounted face up. Rains
See 406.5 E. Other parts of the code shall apply.
The specifics of the listing and manufacturer’s
installation instructions must be followed per
110.3 of the code.
8) When low voltage smoke alarms are used in a
residence, is the transformer required to be
hardwired? Simpson
See NCSRC 314.2, yes.
9) Can 1/4" toggle bolts be used to support surface
mounted light fixture boxes on 5/8" Sheetrock
ceilings? West
Yes if all components are listed for the purpose.
This use is highly improbable.
10) Scenario: Contractor applies for temporary
power for whole house, but when inspector arrived
to the permitted job the whole house isn't ready for
inspection but the inspector approved on kitchen,
bathroom GFCI outlets and heat circuits only,
should this been approved since it wasn't as per the
temporary power application per county guidelines.
Other inspectors would have failed this because the
application was incorrect. We need to be consistent
in all of these situations. Mullis
We allow for MINOR changes only!!! All changes
must be documented.
11) We recently were turned down for running the
genset feeder in the building without OCP. The
genset supplies multiple feeders for emergency,
legally required standby, optional standby and the
fire pump. How are we expected to run this to the
fire pump within the room with the genset
conductors? The room is 2hr rated construction.
Barnes
Currently our NCSBC requires that we conform to
NFPA 110 in regards to the emergency/standby
system. Further your installation must meet the
requirements for NCSEC Chapters one through four
and Articles 445, 695, 700, 701 and 702 as
applicable. There are several ways to arrange the
system as described. You may install multiple
disconnects with OCP at the genset. You may
install one OCP at the genset and feed a trough for
multiple disconnects with OCP. You also could use
695.4 B 1 to arrange the OCP protections. The
requirement for OCP on conductors within the
building cannot be avoided (see 240.21 for general
OCP requirements).
We would also allow the feeder to be unfused if
outside the building and refer to the 230.6 for
those requirements.
A feeder, per 695.6 A, might be allowed, unfused,
within the equipment room per the exception.
12) We are looking at a job at the airport for fueling
rental cars. They would like to locate a gasoline tank
with a top mount fuel pump next to a high voltage
electric security fence. We cannot find any code
reference to address electric fencing, however
article 501.25 addresses exposed live parts in a
hazardous location. We have made the client aware
of this, are we correct and where do we find
reference to high voltage electric fencing. Dellinger
As you stated we have 501.25 which is,
501.25 Uninsulated Exposed Parts, Class I,
Divisions 1 and 2. There shall be no uninsulated
exposed parts, such as electrical conductors, buses,
terminals, or components that operate at more
than 30 volts (15 volts in wet locations). These parts
shall additionally be protected by a protection
technique according to 500.7(E), (F), or (G) that is
suitable for the location.
Also we have Table 514.3 B 1 which gives us
Tank, Aboveground
Location
Inside tank
Shell, ends, roof, dike area
Vent ends or roof of tank
Division Class
1
0
1
1
2
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
Description
Entire inside volume
Entire space within dike, where dike height
exceeds distance from tank shell to inside of
dike wall for more than 50 percent of tank
circumference
Entire space within dike, where dike height
does not exceed distance from tank shell to
inside of dike wall for more than 50 percent of
tank circumference
Within 3 m (10 ft.) of shell, ends, or roof of
tank
Within 1.5 m (5 ft.) of open end of vent,
extending in all directions
Between 1.5 m and 3 m (5 ft. and 10 ft.) from
open end of vent, extending in all directions
The NC Fire Code requires 15’ clearance from a
property or parcel line and 25’ from
combustibles.
13) I have a fixed electric space heater located in
the sprinkler closet at an apartment building. The
Fire Marshall said he doesn't want a switch located
in the room because his concern is someone turning
it off and causing the sprinkler to freeze. It’s my
interpretation of article 424.19 that a breaker lock
off would be acceptable, however my inspector
turned me down saying he wants a disconnect in
the room. Is he correct? Hartman
If it has no motor or is under the 1/8 hp then a
lockoff could be used as you stated.
14) On a commercial elevator installation, who is
responsible the control wiring for the sump pump
located in the pit? Kale
All electrical work of this type must be permitted
and installed by a licensed contractor per General
Statutes and NCBEEC rules.
15) I installed a mini split system in the elevator
equipment room, the wiring between the inside and
outside units is rubber cord, and it runs thru the
space between 1st floor ceiling and 2nd floor. The
inspector turned me down stating that rubber cord
is not approved as a permanent wiring method. Is
he correct? King
YES!!! See 400.8.
16) When reverse (120/208 wye to 480 delta)
installing a transformer, are you considering the
secondary side as an ungrounded system? Are you
required to provide fault indicating detectors?
Rains
a) It could be either one per the NEC. b) If
ungrounded, yes per 250.21 B.
17) What is required to be included in the Industrial
Equipment Declaration letter? Mullis
See our web @
http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/LUESA/
CodeEnforcement/Inspections/trades/Electrical/D
ocuments/IMandFAQ.pdf
18) For LV cables used for HVAC controls (and other
systems) in commercial properties, how much do
we inspect? How much do we allow without
permits? Simpson
Our policy has been that on an individual unit TStat the mechanical contractor and inspector have
the call. All others are electrical and must be
permitted and inspected.
19) I have a trough with 4 parallel runs of 350 MCM.
I tapped one of the 350 MCM conductors with a #3
to feed a 100A switch. The inspector turned the job
down for improper tapping of a parallel feeder.
Please explain how this should have been done.
West
See 310.10 H. You must meet all requirements.
All taps to all parallel conductors, sized for load
and not less than 1/0.
20) I have a feeder protected by a 4000 OCPD.
Table 250.122 requires a minimum 500kcmil cu. in
each of my parallel raceways. Can I use 2 - 250kcmil
conductors instead? Barnes
Yes 2-250s in each conduit will work. See 310.10
H.
21) I was turned down by the inspector for using
the steel as a path from my cold water ground to
my service equipment. I thought the code allowed
this. Dellinger
See 250.64 and 250.68 C allows this if the steel is
part of the grounding electrode system.
22) Can a tap be used to feed a fire pump
controller, from a trough supplied by a generator
with a main breaker? Hartman
Re stating the question’s alignment as a standby
generator with a main breaker feeding a trough
and the fire pump controller being tapped from
the trough to another OCPD we would answer yes.
See 695.4 B 1 c, which allows for an additional
OCPD. See 695.4 B 2 b which allows the OCPD to
be sized per 430.62 for short circuit protection
only. See 695.6 C which states the feeder is to be
treated as service conductors. Also notice
Exception 2 which requires additional protections
if the genset output exceeds 225% of the fire pump
f.l.a.
23) I have a brewery project in Plan Review.
The designer shows a separate room for milling the
grain used to make the beer. The grain is cracked in
size to a 404 micron particle, then augured through
a series of pipe work to the next step of the process
into the mash hopper located in another room. The
mash hopper is associated with an exhaust fan.
However the designer called and claims that its
entire process is contained and there will be no dust
in the room. Can he make the classification just go
away like that? Will a failsafe be required on this
type of system? (Example: exhaust fan stops on the
mash hopper it will stop the feed auger located in
the grain room.)
Ref: NEC 500.2 Combustible dust, NEC 500.5(C).
Combustible Dust. Any finely divided solid material
that is 420 microns (0.017 in.) or smaller in
diameter (material passing a U.S. No. 40 Standard
Sieve) and presents a fire or explosion hazard when
dispersed and ignited in air. [499, 2008]
The designer also states this has been approved in
the past due to the fact Fire has stated the 404
micron is not combustible dust, even though this is
a smaller micron particle required in NEC 500.2.
Kale
We would see this as a Class II, Division I area by
NEC definition in 500.5 C 1. It would need to be
wired per the prescribed methods of NEC Article
502.
To not classify this as such we would need a
definitive study by an expert in the field showing
how this dust is noncombustible which seems
highly unlikely.
24) To ensure continuity between plan review
staff, field staff and our customers, please clarify
grouping of mains. In particular grouping of mains
to be contiguous and not over 6ft. apart.
Contiguous to mean nothing at all between mains;
no meters, CT cans or any other electrical
equipment. King
Our policy has been as stated above for many
years and complies with the OSFM interpretation.
The operating handles are where the six feet
measurement is used. There may be existing
situations that were passed before this
interpretation was made. They will be allowed to
stay as is but if being updated by adding more
switches or panels they will need to be addressed
per the current OSFM interpretation.
III. Inspector CE Course,
Bonding and Grounding