CONSISTENCY MEETING
DEPARTMENTAL GOALS:
• 85 - 90 % 1 DAY TURN AROUND
• 80 - 85 % CONTRACTOR PASS RATE
• QUALITY INSPECTIONS!
• EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE!
Date: September 2015
SAFETY ISSUES:
REMEMBER COUNTY CELL PHONE POLICY, USE ALL APPROVED SAFETY
EQUIPMENT ISSUED TO YOU. (i.e. HARDHAT, SAFETY GLASSES, SAFETY SHOES,
PPE)
Q: WHY ARE WE HERE?
A: TO SERVE THE CUSTOMER
AGENDA ITEMS
I Customer service reminder – Rains
II 2014 NEC update – Mullis; http://www.ncdoi.com/OSFM/Engineerin

g_and_Codes/Documents/BCC_Minutes/20
15%2009%2015~September%2015,%202015%
20(2014%20NEC%20Fiscal%20Note)_.pdf
III Q&As – EC Team
1. Are tamper proof receptacles required in a nursery in a church? –
Dellinger
406.14 gives us the NEC requirements. The key is the definition of child care. However per NC GS
110-86 these facilities are not child care.
§ 110-86. Definitions.
Unless the context or subject matter otherwise requires, the terms or phrases used in this Article shall be defined as follows:
(1) Commission. - The Child Care Commission created under this Article.
(2)
Child care
. - A program or arrangement where three or more children less than
13 years old, who do not reside where the care is provided, receive care on a regular basis of at least once per week for more than four hours but less than 24 hours per day from persons other than their guardians or full-time custodians, or from persons not related to them by birth, marriage, or adoption.
Child care does not include the following: a. Arrangements operated in the home of any child receiving care if all of the children in care are related to each other and no more than two additional children are in care; b. Recreational programs operated for less than four consecutive months in a year; c. Specialized activities or instruction such as athletics, dance, art, music lessons, horseback riding, gymnastics, or organized clubs for children, such as Boy
Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H groups, or boys and girls clubs;

d. Drop-in or short-term care provided while parents participate in activities that are not employment related and where the parents are on the premises or otherwise easily accessible, such as drop-in or short-term care provided in health spas, bowling alleys, shopping malls, resort hotels, or churches;
2. Please review service GFP requirements, I was turned down and do not understand why? -
Rains
NEC 230.95 gives us the requirements for GFP of equipment.
230.95 Ground-Fault Protection of Equipment. Ground fault protection of equipment shall be provided for solidly grounded wye electric services of more than 150 volts to ground but not exceeding 600 volts phase-to-phase for each service disconnect rated 1000 amperes or more. The grounded conductor for the solidly grounded wye system shall be connected directly to ground through a grounding electrode system, as specified in 250.50, without inserting any resistor or impedance device.
The rating of the service disconnect shall be considered to be the rating of the largest fuse that can be installed or the highest continuous current trip setting for which the actual overcurrent device installed in a circuit breaker is rated or can be adjusted.
Exception: The ground-fault protection provisions of this section shall not apply to a service disconnect for a continuous industrial process where a non-orderly shutdown will introduce additional or increased hazards.

(A) Setting. The ground-fault protection system shall operate to cause the service disconnect to open all ungrounded conductors of the faulted circuit. The maximum setting of the ground-fault protection shall be 1200 amperes, and the maximum time delay shall be one second for ground-fault currents equal to or greater than
3000 amperes.
(B) Fuses. If a switch and fuse combination is used, the fuses employed shall be capable of interrupting any current higher than the interrupting capacity of the switch during a time that the ground-fault protective system will not cause the switch to open.
(C) Performance Testing. The ground-fault protection system shall be performance tested when first installed on site. The test shall be conducted in accordance with instructions that shall be provided with the equipment. A written record of this test shall be made and shall be available to the authority having jurisdiction.
Our largest issues have been; GFP missing, GFP installed incorrectly and no GFP test report uploaded to electrical permit file.
NEC 517.17provides requirements in health facilities and our largest issue there is not getting the test uploaded.
3. What is required for building protection by water spray from oil filled transformer(s)? - Mullis
We use as a standard FM 5-4;
2.3.2.1 Water Spray Exposure Protection
2.3.2.1.1 Buildings

2.3.2.1.1.1 If water spray or automatic sprinkler protection is used for building protection, a discharge density of 0.20 gpm/ft2 (8 mm/min) should be used over the exposed surface.
2.3.2.1.1.2 The water supply should be adequate for 2 hours and should include a hose stream demand of 500 gpm (1900 l/min).
2.3.2.1.2 Equipment
2.3.2.1.2.1 For multiple transformer installations the water spray system should be designed based on simultaneous operation of the water spray systems for the adjacent transformers.
2.3.2.1.2.2 The water spray system should be designed to provide a density of 0.25 gal/min ft2 (10 mm/min) over transformer surfaces, except areas under the transformer in accordance with Data Sheet 4-1N, Water Spray Fixed Systems .
2.3.2.1.2.3 Where the ground around the transformer is nonabsorbent, water spray should be provided at a density of 0.15 gal/min ft2 (6 mm/min) for the diked area or for a distance of 10 ft. (3 m) from the transformer in all directions.
2.3.2.1.2.4 Components of the water spray system, such as piping, spray nozzles, etc. should be a minimum of 18 in. (45.7 cm) from the transformer.
2.3.2.1.2.5 Piping should not pass over the top of the transformer or be exposed by tank relief vents.
2.3.2.1.2.6 Water spray nozzles should not be directed at bushings.
2.3.2.1.2.7 The water supply should be adequate for 1 hour and include a hose stream demand of 250 gpm (950 l/min).
2.3.2.2 Hydrant Protection
2.3.2.2.1 Provide hydrant protection where transformers present an exposure to buildings and equipment.
Nozzles FM Approved by FM Approvals for use on electrical equipment are preferred.
Nozzles that produce a spray angle of 30 to 90 degrees without passing through a solid stream are acceptable. If solid hose streams are used with equipment up to 138 kV, the minimum approach distance should be 20 ft. (6.1 m) for 1-
1⁄2 in. nozzles and 30 ft (9.1 m) for 2-
1⁄2 in. (6.4 cm) nozzles. Tests have not been conducted on equipment with voltages above 138 kV and solid hose streams should not be used until this equipment is de-energized.
Page 18 FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets
©2007
If this type protection is used we need the water system installed, live and tested before any power other than for the test is given (temp. power for water spray test only).

4. Can I use a plug-in fluorescent lamp with a listed irreversible screw in base in an incandescent fixture in a clothes closet using clearances for a fluorescent fixture? - Hartman
Yes. These need to be listed for the purpose. The unit needs to additionally be irreversible.
5. Do I have to identify circuit neutrals, when I install a separate neutral for each ungrounded conductor in a conduit per 210.4D? We still install 3 circuits per conduit but do this to avoid the “common disconnection” requirement. Do we have to count the neutrals as current carrying for deration? - King
No, just grouped if a common multi wire neutral.
See NEC 210.4 D

6. Can I protect a 4500 watt, 240v, W/H with a 30 amp OCD recently changed out at a residence, when the existing branch circuit is a #10 copper clad aluminum? - Simpson
See 422.10 for the conductors and 422.11 for the
OCD.
18.75 amp load, x1.25=23.4, x1.5= 28.1; #10 good for 25a per 240.4 D 6, needs a 25a OCD
7. I received an email from CFD regarding an OSFM fire pump email response. Please explain its use. -
Mullis
From: Wright, Jeffory
To: Pethel, David ; Riggins, Ashley A.
Subject: FW: fire pumps and generators
Date: Thursday, March 21, 2013 10:08:28 AM
For your records.
From: Strickland, Richard [mailto:Richard.Strickland@ncdoi.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2012 08:54
To: Wright, Jeffory
Subject: RE: fire pumps and generators
Jeff,
Please see my responses below in red text after each question.
Thanks
Richard

From: Wright, Jeffory [mailto:Jeffory.Wright@mecklenburgcountync.gov]
Sent: Monday, October 08, 2012 4:40 PM
To: Strickland, Richard
Subject: fire pumps and generators
Good afternoon Richard,
I have been in numerous contact with Joe Weathers, Code Administrator and David Pethel,
Electrical Plans Examiner, Mecklenburg County LUESA and these are issues or questions they keep asking me:
1.
When a fire pump is required to increase the pressure for the sprinkler system but the building is not a high rise or underground building is a standby generator required?
Section 913.1 of the 2012 NC Fire Code states: Where provided, fire pumps shall be installed in accordance with this Section and NFPA 20. Section 9.3.1 of NFPA 20 (07 edition) states:
Except for an arrangement described in Section 9.3.6, at least one alternate source of power shall be provided when the height of the structure is beyond the pumping capacity of the fire department apparatus. Section 9.3.2 states: Except for an arrangement provided described in 9.3.3., at least one alternate source of power shall be provided where the normal source is not reliable. When Section 9.3.3 is not applicable (turbine option), then the alternate source has to be either an on-site generator or a reliable normal source of power. The normal source of power can be the utility provider is they provide data to the local code official confirming that their power source to the affected building or surrounding buildings has been reliable in past twelve months. A.9.3.2 of NFPA 20 provides good commentary on this.
These sections of NFPA 20 are interpreted by OSFM to mean that if FD cannot supply the needed pressures to supplement the sprinkler system based on building height, (including non- high rise buildings), then an alternate source of power is required for the fire pump unless the power source is deemed to be reliable. A reliable power source would not require an on-site generator.
If an emergency generator is installed can the fire pump be attached to it? Yes
Section 9.6.2.1. Of NFPA 20 (07) states: On-site generator systems shall comply with
Section 6.4 and shall meet the requirements of Level 1, Type 10, Class X systems of NFPA
110.
A Level 1, Type 10, Class X system would be deemed to be an emergency generator.
When a fire pump is not required to meet the sprinkler demand and it does not fit the requirements stated in the state fire code, but the owner or insurer wants to exceed the code and have a fire pump for the building, then the fire pump does not need a generator because it is not needed; in the event of fire pump failure the city demand will still provide the required pressures to meet the design criteria of the building. This is correct. An on-site generator would not be required based on Section 9.3.1 of NFPA 20 (07).
If you have noticed I did not put in this email, my responses for the sake of a non-partisan answer.
Thanks,
Jeff Wright

From: Bartl, James
Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2013 2:01 PM
To: 'Ken Szymanski'
Cc: Granson, Patrick; Morton, Gene; Kinniburgh, Robert; Auten, J. Mark; Weathers, Joseph
Subject: RE: Generator requirement for apartment development in building, fire or other codes?
Ken,
Thanks for your patience while we researched this issue further. I’ve reviewed your e-mail of April 12,
2013 and discussed it at length with Joe Weathers, Patrick Granson and Gene Morton. In addition, Joe reviewed the positions of the Charlotte Fire Department and the Mecklenburg County Fire Marshall’s
Office on this topic. In the latter discussions we became aware of a written position by Richard
Strickland, Chief Fire Code Consultant of the NC Department of Insurance on this as well (See attached).
As you know, this requirement derives from NEC Article 695.3 requiring a “reliable source of power”. NEC 695.3(B)(2) also provides an exception for onsite stand-by generators.
Mr.
Strickland’s written position references Section
9.3.1 of NFPA20 (2007 edition), specifically that if the fire department apparatus can provide the
“needed pressures to supplement the sprinkler system based on building height” an emergency generator is not required.
We have verified with CFD and MCFM that is the case, both for CFD responding equipment, as well as the VFD’s in Mecklenburg County, operating outside the Charlotte City limits.
Consequently, an emergency generator will not be required on the project types you referenced.
Let me know if you have any further questions. If you still wish to assemble to discuss this further, I’d be happy to arrange a meeting.
James N. Bartl, AIA

Director of Code Enforcement
8. I am doing a site lighting job and pouring pole bases on site. Am I required to have the pole bases inspected for the conduit stubs? The pole bases consist of about 4’ of PVC conduit with a 90 degree elbow at the bottom for stub out. Rains
YES! This is a judgement call for the inspector and contractor to agree on. If this project has several bases we may elect to check a prototype only depending on time constraints. The contractor shares responsibility for the installation. The e.g. will be pulled in and if it can’t be the conduit has to be replaced/repaired anyway.
9. I have wired a metal frame sunroom and was turned down for not bonding the metal. While I don’t disagree that it should be bonded, I feel that running a #2 copper conductor (250.66)

from the service to the sunroom is a bit excessive. Is this necessary or can I bond it using table 250.122? - West
NEC 250.104 C is our reference. If we intentionally bond the metal we do not need other means. We require the bond to be of the max circuit size used that is/are in contact with the metal and that is all the potential that is likely to become energized.
10. I have to bond some CSST piping at an apartment complex. The electrical service is on the end of the building. The shortest run I can make to the piping is 89’. The instructions with the piping says the run can be no longer than
75’. What can I do to meet the requirements? -
Dellinger
Installations must meet manufacturer’s requirements and code.

11. How often do LV cables need to be supported, inside of a vertical shaft? - Mullis
This would depend on the specific type system.
For instance 725.46 tells us to use Art. 300. In
770.24 we are told to use 300.4 and 300.11.
As asked the question has too many possibilities.
This goes back to Reading Is Fundamental and it always applies with the code.
12. I have installed an L/V LED festoon lighting system outdoors at my restaurant. It is ran overhead. The LED wiring came in pre-wired and its #14 wire. I used outdoor tie wraps and strapped the LED wiring to the wood trusses. Is this code compliant? - Simpson
No, if festoon. See NEC 225.6 B
Listed LED lighting could be done in this fashion if

Per manufacturer’s installation instructions.
13. Can I install a switch in a shower space? - King
404.4 C says maybe (listed unit). If field installed the answer is no.
14. For a generator installed indoors, for an emergency system, with its overcurrent protection installed per 700.10 B 5 b, would the conductors from the emergency source to the separate overcurrent enclosures be considered as unfused?
Will the run from the genset be required to be installed “outside the building” as per 230.6? -
Hartman
Yes and yes. This could be done using 3 OCDs at the genset as well.

15. Do we still need a dining room circuit in every dwelling? - West
If we have no dining room per the plan we have no NEC requirement.
16. Where exactly, is the smoke detector to be located, when used to shut down an air handler, in an apartment, when substituted for using the proper damper? - Simpson
This is not an electrical call. Mechanical inspections have this responsibility. For detectors other than these see the manufacturer’s instructions and/or our website interpretations.
17. If I have secured my can lights to the structure, do I still need to secure them to the ceiling grid. -
Rains
NEC 410.30 and .36 cover the requirements.
Attaching to the grid is required when it is used for support.

18. Can I use PVC connectors for ENT when used as protection or as a sleeve? - Dellinger
A sleeve for protection requires our judgment that it meets the need of protection and is suitable for the location, not that it meets the requirement for a recognized NEC raceway .
19. Can I have other systems over or under the electrical equipment outside? - West
NEC 110.26 E 2 is the reference for this. (E)
Dedicated Equipment Space. All switchboards, panel boards, and motor control centers shall be located in dedicated spaces and protected from damage.
Exception: Control equipment that by its very nature or because of other rules of the Code must be adjacent to or within sight of its operating machinery shall be permitted in those locations.
(2) Outdoor. Outdoor electrical equipment shall be installed in suitable enclosures and shall be protected from accidental contact by unauthorized personnel,

or by vehicular traffic, or by accidental spillage or leakage from piping systems. The working clearance space shall include the zone described in 110.26(A).
No architectural appurtenance or other equipment shall be located in this zone.
20. How many "ties" are required for the rebar in a swimming pool or when used in the perimeter surface? - Hartman
NEC 680.26 covers the EP Bond. For structural steel the tie wires are to be snug creating a sufficient contact between members. For joining
WWM our policy requires 3 tie points for the perimeter surface installation. See web, http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/LUESA/
CodeEnforcement/Inspections/trades/Electrical/D ocuments/EquipotentialGrid.pdf
21. Can I wrap the ceiling grid wire around the mc cable instead of using a tie wrap or batwing? - King

NEC 330.30 provides the requirements and states that MC will be secured/supported at intervals not over 6’, by staples, cable ties, straps, hangers, or similar fittings or other approved means designed and installed so as not to damage the cable.
22. I was turned down for using connectors not approved for a wet location in a PVC J-box which was flush with the finished grade. What if I had used a quazite box instead? - Rains
Systems have to be installed with listed products to meet their environmental conditions. NEC
110.3, 110.11 and 300.5 (B). All would need to be rated for a wet location.
IV Website interpretations review – EC Team http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/LUESA/C odeEnforcement/Tools/CodeInterpretations/Pages/
ElectricalInterpretations.aspx