{"id":26325,"date":"2025-01-01T13:46:51","date_gmt":"2025-01-01T19:46:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iaeimagazine.org\/?p=26325"},"modified":"2025-01-01T13:46:51","modified_gmt":"2025-01-01T19:46:51","slug":"other-codes-for-the-electrical-professional","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iaeimagazine.org\/standards\/other-codes-for-the-electrical-professional\/","title":{"rendered":"Other Codes for the Electrical Professional"},"content":{"rendered":"

Electrical professionals have many tools to assist in performing their work.\u00a0 But no tool is more important than the currently adopted code.\u00a0 During my inspections, contractors often ask for an interpretation of the National Electrical Code <\/em>(NEC<\/em>).\u00a0 My response often is, \u201cLet\u2019s take a look at your code book.\u201d\u00a0 I can\u2019t tell you how many times they say they don\u2019t have one.\u00a0 Of course, I always have a hard copy in my vehicle and an electronic version (LiNK\u00a9<\/sup>) on my phone.\u00a0 Now, I\u2019d like to give the contractor the benefit of the doubt that they have a current copy back in their shop, but I have been confronted with a contractor who presented me with a copy that was four cycles expired.\u00a0 A contractor is only as good as the tools in their tool chest, I always say.<\/p>\n

Of course, the NEC<\/em> isn\u2019t the only code that an installer should be referencing when performing an installation.\u00a0 I really don\u2019t expect them to have a copy of any ICC code (although they should), and ASHRAE 90.1 will definitely not be on their radar.\u00a0 Many installations require referencing to other codes in order to make a code-compliant installation.\u00a0 Take, for example, smoke detectors.\u00a0 When was the last time you saw those devices referenced in the NEC<\/em>?\u00a0 How does a contractor know how and where to install them if they don\u2019t have the correct code section to reference?\u00a0 Typically, they learn from their mistakes when they receive a red sticker.<\/p>\n

In this article, I hope to expose the reader to some of the more common installations that they would encounter, as well as the codes they would reference.<\/p>\n

Smoke Detectors<\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s start with my previous example of the smoke detector.\u00a0 In a dwelling unit, we all know we need to have them, but exactly where to put them is unclear\u2026 unless you have the right code.\u00a0 We will start with the International Residential Code (IRC).\u00a0 IRC Section R314 discusses smoke alarms. R314.3 lists the locations that are required to have these devices installed.\u00a0 There are five items in this list:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. In each sleeping room.<\/li>\n
  2. Outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms. (What defines immediate vicinity? We\u2019ll get to that)<\/li>\n
  3. On each additional story of the dwelling. i.e. basements and habitable attics<\/li>\n
  4. Not less than 3 feet from an opening to a bathroom.<\/li>\n
  5. In a room outside the bedroom hallway that has a height exceeding 24\u201d of the hallway.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Now that we know where<\/em>, let\u2019s explore how<\/em>.\u00a0 R314.4 tells us that if there is more than one smoke alarm in a dwelling, they shall be interconnected.\u00a0 This is the section that provides for wireless interconnection if you so choose, provided that [the master] is provided by utility power.<\/p>\n

    As we all probably know by now, Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms are required as well.\u00a0 This is spelled out in Section R315.2.1, which states that in new construction with a fuel-fired appliance and\/or an attached garage, these devices must be installed.\u00a0 The location of these CO alarms shall be installed outside and in the immediate vicinity of the bedroom. (Yes, I know, and I promise we will still get there.)<\/p>\n

    Ok, so we now know the location of both the smoke and CO alarms, but here is a modifier to these requirements. NFPA 72-17.7.4.1 specifies that it shall not be located where airflow prevents the operation of the detectors.\u00a0 This includes HVAC vents as well as paddle fan blades.\u00a0 You will have to check with the manufacturer for distance requirements, as it is not specified in any code, but most will call out for a 3′ distance from these items.\u00a0 Manufacturer\u2019s instructions also provide guidance for distance away from walls.\u00a0 Typically, it would be 4″ from any wall or corner, and if mounted on a wall, no more than 12\u201d down.\u00a0 Ok, now here is the information I\u2019ve been promising you: \u201cIn the immediate vicinity\u201d is a vague term and should never be used in a code.\u00a0 Luckily, although we have to go outside the IRC to define it, we find guidance in NFPA 72 in Section 29.7.1.1.\u00a0 This section states, \u201cOutside of each separate dwelling unit sleeping area, within 21 ft (6.4 m) of any door to a sleeping room.\u201d Yes, many of you have heard it is within 10 feet.\u00a0 Certainly, that meets the requirements; however, you are provided more flexibility with this language.<\/p>\n

    Emergency Egress Illumination<\/h2>\n

    Now that we know that the electrical professional (both inspector and installer) needs to do research outside of the NEC<\/em> in order to meet the code requirements for installation, let\u2019s look at another common installation that crosses multiple codes.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMeans of Egress Illumination.\u201d <\/strong>\u00a0If you are not familiar with the building code, this term may be unfamiliar to you.\u00a0 The shortest path from a point in a building to its exit would be the means of egress.\u00a0 Of course, it is required to be illuminated to provide a safe exit with or without an emergency situation.\u00a0 The International Building Code (IBC) Section 1008 states, \u201cThe means of egress, including the exit discharge, shall be illuminated at all times the building space served by the means of egress is occupied.\u201d\u00a0 It is fairly simple to comply with these requirements.\u00a0 But let\u2019s look at IBC 1008.3 Emergency Power for Illumination.\u00a0 It states in this section that \u201cthe illumination shall be normally supplied by the premises\u2019 electrical system. In the event of a power supply failure in rooms and spaces that require two or more means of egress, an emergency electrical system shall automatically illuminate all of the following areas of buildings:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Interior exit access stairways and ramps.<\/li>\n
    2. Interior and exterior exit stairways and ramps.<\/li>\n
    3. Exit passageways.<\/li>\n
    4. Vestibules and areas on the level of discharge used for exit discharge in accordance with Section 1028.1.<\/li>\n
    5. Exterior landings as required by Section 1010.1.6 for exit doorways that lead directly to the exit discharge<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Additionally, the following areas of rooms and spaces require emergency illumination:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Electrical equipment rooms.<\/li>\n
      2. Fire command centers.<\/li>\n
      3. Fire pump rooms.<\/li>\n
      4. Generator rooms.<\/li>\n
      5. Public restrooms with an area greater than 300 square feet.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Now, Let\u2019s go back to the use of the word \u201crequire\u201d in 1008.3.\u00a0 Who would require two or more means of egress? It would be the responsibility of the design professional designing the space and the building plan reviewer to verify compliance based on the IBC.\u00a0 With all this information, we now have guidance for the installation of the emergency illumination.\u00a0 Now, we can finally go back to our old friend, the NEC<\/em>. Look in Article 700.16(A) and (B) to determine how to provide this emergency power. The more common of this emergency illumination would be found referenced in 700.12(H), Battery-Equipped Emergency Luminaires<\/em>.\u00a0 In this section, it provides six (6) requirements that shall be met in order to comply with the installation requirements:<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. It shall be fixed in place<\/li>\n
        2. Any wiring method of Chapter 3 may be used (or a limited use of Article 400)<\/li>\n
        3. The branch circuit shall be the same branch circuit as the normal lighting in that area or a separate branch circuit, providing it originates from the same panelboard and is held in the locked-on position.<\/li>\n
        4. The branch circuit shall be clearly labeled<\/li>\n
        5. Emergency Luminaires obtaining their power from another battery-equipped luminaire shall be wired according to Parts II, IV, or V of Article 700<\/li>\n
        6. Remote Luminaires on the exterior of an egress door shall be permitted to be fed from the interior egress luminaire<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Commercial Kitchen Hoods<\/h2>\n

          One more example of an installation that crosses the code barrier would be commercial kitchen hoods.\u00a0 Of course, we know there are one or more motors that will be required to be in compliance with NEC<\/em> 430; however, even before we get there, there are other things we must know for a code-compliant installation.<\/p>\n

          First, we will need to determine what type of commercial hood will be installed.\u00a0 For that, we must look to the International Mechanical Code (IMC).\u00a0 Section 502.7 defines the need for a Type I hood, \u201cwhere the cooking appliance located underneath the hood produces grease and\/or smoke as a part of the cooking process.\u201d<\/p>\n

          As it states in this section, \u201cThe exhaust fan serving a Type I hood shall have automatic controls that will activate the fan when any appliance that requires such Type I hood is turned on, or a means of interlock shall be provided that will prevent operation of such appliances when the exhaust fan is not turned on.\u201d\u00a0 This automatic means is typically accomplished by means of a thermal sensor, although there are other methods as well.<\/p>\n

          So, now knowing that the motor(s) will be controlled by an automatic means as well as a manual switch, it will be the installer\u2019s responsibility to wire this mandated control device for the exhaust system.\u00a0 But wait, that\u2019s not all.\u00a0 If you take out air, you must provide make-up air. IMC Section 508.1 requires the make-up air to be approximately equivalent to the exhaust air. That\u2019s another motor that will be required for this system.\u00a0 In the unlikely event of a cooking fire under a Type I hood, IMC Section 509 requires the installation of a fire suppression system.<\/p>\n

          Wiring the suppression system will require us to grab our next code book \u2014 NFPA 96, Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations<\/em>.\u00a0 Article 10.4.1 states that \u201cUpon activation of any fire-extinguishing system for a cooking operation, all sources of fuel and electrical power that produce heat \u2026 shall automatically shut off.\u00a0 Additionally, Article 8.3.2 requires the makeup air to the hood system to be shut off.<\/p>\n

          Conclusion<\/h2>\n

          As you can see, the NEC<\/em> is not the only code the electrical professional needs to be familiar with in order to install and\/or inspect for a code-compliant installation.\u00a0 Many codes will need to be referenced. Luckily, most code publishers provide a view-only version online of these codes if you don\u2019t have one and need to reference a code you do not own.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          The NEC is not the only code the electrical professional needs to be familiar with in order to install and\/or inspect for a code-compliant installation. Let\u2019s look at a few others.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":487,"featured_media":26326,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23085,23341],"tags":[23354,23355,155,23342],"class_list":{"0":"post-26325","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-standards","8":"category-winter-2024-issue","9":"tag-electrical-codes","10":"tag-electrical-inspector","11":"tag-electricians","12":"tag-winter-2025"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iaeimagazine.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26325","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iaeimagazine.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iaeimagazine.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iaeimagazine.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/487"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iaeimagazine.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26325"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/iaeimagazine.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26325\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26327,"href":"https:\/\/iaeimagazine.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26325\/revisions\/26327"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iaeimagazine.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26326"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iaeimagazine.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26325"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iaeimagazine.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26325"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iaeimagazine.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26325"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}