CONSISTENCY MEETING
DEPARTMENTAL GOALS:
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Date: 10/8/2014
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. Temporary Power inspections when all circuits are requested – inspector is to check entire
house as if it were a Final inspection and leave notes accordingly. (David R.)
2. Does a non-metallic housed, pool blower motor require GFCI and Equipotential bond?
(Matt K.)
Only if manufacturer says it needs it.
3. On a residential fire job, can the existing service be re-energized for temporary power or is a
Saw service required? (Gary M)
This can only be answered on a case-by-case basis. First we need to know if it’s for Temporary
Power or is it just for Construction power (SS). Then we need to know if it’s wired per Article
10.8 of the NC Electrical Admin Code. If it meets this criteria then it may be used. There are also
other ways based on the wiring method that it may or may not be used.
4. Does an unheated sunroom require receptacle spacing in accordance with 210.52? (Joe W)
No, must have HVAC to require all spacing in 210.52
IRC
The definition of habitable space in the Residential Building Code is, “a space in a
building for living, sleeping, eating or cooking. Bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets, halls,
storage or utility spaces and similar areas are not considered habitable spaces.
Section R304.3 states, “habitable rooms shall not be less than 7 feet (2134 mm) in any
horizontal dimension”. Exception: Kitchens.
White Book 13.5
When a room or area contains HVAC ducts or is within the envelope of insulation, it shall
meet NEC requirements for habitable areas.
Finished Room or Area- (Residential) - a room or area within a dwelling unit that meets
all the IRC section 303 and 304 requirements for habitable rooms and has a wall
covering upon completion
5. Taps in a trough with parallel conductor feed… Must taps be tapped to all phase conductors?
(Gerald B)
Yes, you must tap the phase or at the buss, not just a strand in the phase. See photos
6. Arc fault circuits required by 210.12(A) and protected by receptacle type protection must
meet any of the rules of exceptions 1, 2, or 3. (Craig S)
You must read the code and installation instruction prior to using receptacle type AFCI
protection. They are not like GFCI’s in there placement and protection of a circuit. There are a
lot of extra requirements of the wiring method before the AFCI is properly installed.
7. Is it permissible to use PVC for feeders in a health care facility? (John W.)
517.12; 517.13 addresses branch circuits not feeders. The code does not say anything about the
use of PVC for feeders and redundant grounding.
8. Do speakers and other low voltage devices mounted in a lay-in ceiling have to be tied
up?(Chris D.)
They must be securely supported.
9. Does a 2x4 lay-in fixture have to meet the requirements of 410 X? (Gerald B)
YES. See 410.116(A) (1) for non IC rated.
410.116 Clearance and Installation.
(A) Clearance.
(1) Non-Type IC. A recessed luminaire that is not identified for contact with insulation shall have
all recessed parts spaced not less than 13 mm (1⁄2 in.) from combustible materials. The points
of support and the trim finishing off the openings in the ceiling, wall, or other finished surface
shall be permitted to be in contact with combustible materials.
10. Product recalls: Do we fail jobs with recalled products if they are wired to code otherwise?
(Craig S)
You can recommend, but you can’t turn it down if it’s listed. If listing is recalled, turn it down.
11. A hospital is replacing a UPS system. The new UPS is larger than the old one. There will be
about 4’above the UPS to a waterline running overhead. Can the UPS be replaced with the new
larger unit? (Joe W.)
Must meet all requirements of 110.26(E); if the UPS has a panel board in it then this scenario
would not meet Code.
12. On a commercial RTU like for like change out is a 120 volt receptacle required if none are
available or if you have one on a house panel and its located 75ft away?(Matt K.)
Like-for-Like means same size, voltage, and amperage. If it met code at the time of the first
Install and it’s not truly like-for-like, then, Yes a receptacle is required and no 75ft away will not
meet code.
13. I was turned down the other day on my splices in a device box. The splices were appox.3
inches long, measured from where the cable entered the box. I had no problem getting a
sta-con on these wires. So is this method code compliant?
No.
300.14 Length of Free Conductors at Outlets, Junctions, and Switch Points. At least 150 mm (6
in.) of free conductor, measured from the point in the box where it emerges from its raceway or
cable sheath, shall be left at each outlet, junction, and switch point for splices or the connection
of luminaires or devices. Where the opening to an outlet, junction, or switch point is less than
200 mm (8 in.) in any dimension, each conductor shall be long enough to extend at least 75 mm
(3 in.) outside the opening.
14. I'm running a 1 inch EMT in a garage and it’s going to cross an expansion joint. When I get to
this expansion joint can I change over to a short piece of 1 inch seal tight flex and use this as
my expansion fitting?(Chris D.)
300.4 Protection against Physical Damage. Where subject to physical damage, conductors,
raceways, and cables shall be protected.
(H) Structural Joints. A listed expansion/deflection fitting or other approved means shall be
used where a raceway crosses a structural joint intended for expansion, contraction or
deflection, used in buildings, bridges, parking garages, or other structures.
15. How to apply 450.9 and who should calculate this requirement?
450.9 Ventilation. The ventilation shall be adequate to dispose of the transformer full-load
losses without creating a temperature rise that is in excess of the transformer rating.
Transformers with ventilating openings shall be installed so that the ventilating openings are
not blocked by walls or other obstructions. The required clearances shall be clearly marked
on the transformer.(John W.)
It’s marked on the transformer in the form of clearances. Otherwise either the utility,
manufacturer, or designer must provide for ventilation requirements data.
16. Does this article replace the vault requirement in Part III Transformer Vault?
450.23 Less-Flammable Liquid-Insulated Transformers.
Transformers insulated with listed less-flammable liquids that have a fire point of not less
than 300°C shall be permitted to be installed in accordance with 450.23(A) or 450.23(B).
(A) Indoor Installations. Indoor installations shall be permitted in accordance with one of the
following:
(1) In Type I or Type II buildings, in areas where all of the following requirements are met:
a. The transformer is rated 35,000 volts or less.
b. No combustible materials are stored.
c. A liquid confinement area is provided.
d. The installation complies with all restrictions provided for in the listing of the liquid.
(2) With an automatic fire extinguishing system and a liquid confinement area, provided
the transformer is rated 35,000 volts or less
(3) In accordance with 450.26(Joe W.)
No. Each article below states descriptions and requirements for how each of these transformer
types is to be installed. One does not replace the other.
450.21 Dry-Type Transformers Installed Indoors.
450.22 Dry-Type Transformers Installed Outdoors.
450.23 Less-Flammable Liquid-Insulated Transformers.
450.24 Nonflammable Fluid-Insulated Transformers.
450.25 Askarel-Insulated Transformers Installed Indoors.
450.26 Oil-Insulated Transformers Installed Indoors.
450.27 Oil-Insulated Transformers Installed Outdoors.
17. Article 450.26 requires all Oil Insulated Transformers installed indoors to be in a vault. How
do we apply this?
450.26 Oil-Insulated Transformers Installed Indoors.
Oil insulated transformers installed indoors shall be installed in vault constructed as
specified in Part III of this article(Joe W.)
Follow the requirements set forth in Part III if you truly have an oil-insulated
transformer, indoors and none of the exceptions apply.
NEXT MEETING:
Contractors – Wednesday November 12, 2014
Inspectors – Wednesday November 12, 2014