HOUSE CONSISTENCY MEETING
Date: 1/14/15
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)
Q: WHY ARE WE HERE? A: TO SERVE THE CUSTOMER
1- How are inspections handled on jobs that were covered prior to inspection?
If the job is accepted for the meg test exception, after a successful meg test report the following
procedures should be followed:
A RF inspection should be performed. The contractor would have the panel covers removed and all
devices and fixtures pulled so all joints/splices and cable connectors could been inspected. Wire sizes
should also be verified at this time.
A Final inspection could be called in and performed as usual once devices and fixtures are installed. This
could be done at same time of RF inspection if scheduled as an IBA or OTI inspection.
If the job has not been accepted as a meg test exception, 120/240V wiring should be uncovered and
inspected as a ‘normal’ RF. Low voltage wiring can be uncovered at the discretion of the inspector. (As a
minimum, the wiring at the console/panel should be uncovered to top or bottom plate or both as well
as selected locations at each outlet/jack)
2- Are rough inspections required for underfloor wiring on second story additions?
Yes. Second story additions require covering the wiring that is normally exposed in the attic area of the
existing home. Many facets of the premises wiring come into question at this time. Some considerations
are: type of recess cans that will be covered, cables running across top of joists, cables stapled too close
to top of joists, damaged cables, wiring added that doesn’t meet code etc.
3- Are grip type strain relief connectors required on SO cord suspended devices or are compression type
strain relief connectors sufficient?
If an SO cord is used to support the weight of a device it should be secured with a grip type strain relief.
Compression type strain reliefs should only be used to secure cords to equipment to prevent
unintentional strain to splices/joints at the cord termination. Note: This does not include 3rd party listed
pendant type luminaires.
4- I have a drawing which shows the equipment nameplate on a HVAC unit as 99 MOCP/73 MCA with a
100 AMP fusible disconnect. Can I fuse it at 100 amps?
Per NEC 240.6(A) the lowest rated overcurrent protection would be 80 amps, the highest would be 90
amps. We would normally see the industry standard for mocp on the nameplate. When a manufacture
calculates the mocp and mca, the result may be a non-standard size, and then they would round it down
to a standard size for the nameplate. Someone in the field may bump it up to 100 amp fuses and think 1
amp will not be a problem but the issue would not comply with code.
5- I have building with a 400 amp meter base. Using double lugs on the meter base to feed two separate
200 amp feeders along the outside of the building approx. 50’ to LB’s going through the wall into (2) 200
amp MB panels mounted directly inside side by side. The horizontal run on the conduit is 12” up from
parking grade. Does this meet code?
Per NEC 230.50(B) protect service entrance conductors against physical damage, may require RMC.
Location of Service disconnects meets NEC 230.70(A) and 230.72 for grouping of disconnects.
6- I have a High Rise Multi-Family building with a common grounding electrode ran from the House
Service Grounding Electrode connection to the electrical room on each floor as the building goes up. The
conductor is connected to a copper buss bar in each electrical room. Then each separately derived
system is connected to the buss bar by an individual grounding electrode conductor. How should I size
the common grounding electrode conductor ran throughout the building?
Per NEC 250.30(6) (a) (1) #3/0 copper would be the min. size, and also the largest size
required.
7- We have had several projects that have failed TCO and Final inspections due to the owner’s
equipment not being installed or on site during the inspection. These items are beyond the contractor
control and in many cases are plug in appliances. Why the contractor is held responsible, and can we not
get our finals or TCO’s prior to these items being delivered?
If the items are shown on the contract drawings, or there is a dedicated space including a circuit with
a specific description of an appliance they will need to be available for inspection, and their compliance
will affect the outcome. The inspector will require they meet the circuit characteristics and rating
installed along with the manufacturers requirements for each appliance. They will need to meet NC
requirements for Third Party label listing, and be in a serviceable condition.
Under some circumstances the appliance is in use at a current business site and cannot be relocated
until the client can move their operations to the new site. In this case the inspector, at their discretion,
can allow a TCO, providing the installation is safe, listing in the notes the exclusion of the relocated
appliances and their need for inspection prior to Final.
On some projects this approach, under certain restrictions, may be allowed to include the office
furnishings (partitions), if it can’t be relocated until disconnected from current site. The inspector can
verify the safety of the furnishing outlets and, at their discretion, allow a TCO and inspect the
connections for final.
In certain cases the equipment will not be installed at this time. At that point we can accept a sealed
letter or drawings from a design professional, up loaded to the project, stating the exclusion of the
equipment and that it is rendered NIC and the permit can be finaled out. When the equipment is placed
a new permit may be required.