§ 5-6. Specific amendments to 2014 National Electric Code NFPA 70.

[Specific amendments:]

(1)

Article 100 ; add the following to definitions:

Engineering Supervision. Supervision by a Qualified State of Texas Licensed Professional Engineer engaged primarily in the design or maintenance of electrical installations.

(2)

Article 100 ; amend the following definition:

Intersystem Bonding Termination. A device that provides a means for connecting intersystem bonding conductors for communication systems and other systems to the grounding electrode system. Bonding conductors for other systems shall not be larger than 6 AWG.

(3)

Article 110.2 ; change the following to read as follows:

110.2 Approval. The conductors and equipment required or permitted by this Code shall be acceptable only if approved. Approval of equipment may be evident by listing and labeling of equipment by a Nationally Recognized Testing Lab (NRTL) with a certification mark of that laboratory or a qualified third party inspection agency approved by the AHJ.

Exception: Unlisted equipment that is relocated to another location within a jurisdiction or is field modified is subject to the approval by the AHJ. This approval may be by a field evaluation by a NRTL or qualified third party inspection agency approved by the AHJ.

Informational Note No. 1: See 90.7, Examination of Equipment for Safety, and 110.3, Examination, Identification, Installation, and Use of Equipment. See definitions of Approved, Identified, Labeled, and Listed.

Informational Note No. 2: Manufacturer's self-certification of equipment may not necessarily comply with US product safety standards as certified by a Nationally Recognized Testing Lab.

Informational Note No. 3: NFPA 790 and 791 provide an example of an approved method for qualifying a third party inspection agency.

(4)

Article 210.52(G) (1) Garages: delete the following

(1) Garages. In each attached garage and in each detached garage with electric power. At least one receptacle outlet shall be installed for each car space.

(5)

Article 230.71(A) ; add the following exception:

Exception: Multi-occupant buildings. Individual service disconnecting means is limited to six for each occupant. The number of individual disconnects at one location may exceed six.

(6)

Article 240.91 ; delete the Article.

(7)

Article 300.11 ; add the following exception:

Exception: Ceiling grid support wires may be used for structural supports when the associated wiring is located in that area, not more than two raceways or cables supported per wire, with a maximum nominal metric designation 16 (trade size 1/2").

(8)

Article 310.15(B) (7) ; change to read as follows:

(7) This Article shall not be used in conjunction with 220.82.

(9)

Article 500.8 (A) (3) changed to read as follows:

500.8 Equipment.
Articles 500 through 504 require equipment construction and installation that ensure safe performance under conditions of proper use and maintenance.

Informational Note No. 1: It is important that inspection authorities and users exercise more than ordinary care with regard to installation and maintenance.

Informational Note No. 2: Since there is no consistent relationship between explosion properties and ignition temperature, the two are independent requirements.

Informational Note No. 3: Low ambient conditions require special consideration. Explosion proof or dust-ignition proof equipment may not be suitable for use at temperatures lower than -25°C (-13°F) unless they are identified for low-temperature service. However, at low ambient temperatures, flammable concentrations of vapors may not exist in a location classified as Class I, Division 1 at normal ambient temperature.

(A) Suitability. Suitability of identified equipment shall be determined by one of the following:

(1) Equipment listing or labeling

(2) Evidence of equipment evaluation from a qualified testing laboratory or inspection agency concerned with product evaluation

(3) Evidence acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction such as a manufacturer's self-evaluation or an engineering judgment signed and sealed by a qualified licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Texas.

Informational Note: Additional documentation for equipment may include certificates demonstrating compliance with applicable equipment standards, indicating special conditions of use, and other pertinent information.

(10)

Article 505.7 (A) changed to read as follows:

505.7 Special Precaution.
Article 505 requires equipment construction and installation that ensures safe performance under conditions of proper use and maintenance.

Informational Note No. 1: It is important that inspection authorities and users exercise more than ordinary care with regard to the installation and maintenance of electrical equipment in hazardous (classified) locations.

Informational Note No. 2: Low ambient conditions require special consideration. Electrical equipment depending on the protection techniques described by 505.8(A) may not be suitable for use at temperatures lower than -20°C (-4°F) unless they are identified for use at lower temperatures. However, at low ambient temperatures, flammable concentrations of vapors may not exist in a location classified Class I, Zones 0, 1, or 2 at normal ambient temperature.

(A) Implementation of Zone Classification System. Classification of areas, engineering and design, selection of equipment and wiring methods, installation, and inspection shall be performed by a qualified licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Texas.

(11)

Article 517.30 Essential Electrical Systems for Hospitals ; create a new (H) and add the following language:

(G) Coordination. Overcurrent protective devices serving the equipment branch of the essential electrical system shall be coordinated for the period of time that a fault's duration extends beyond 0.1 second.

Exception No. 1: Between transformer primary and secondary overcurrent protective devices, where only one overcurrent protective device or set of overcurrent protective device exists on the transformer secondary.

Exception No. 2: Between overcurrent protective devices of the same size (ampere rating) in series.

Informational Note: The terms coordination and coordinated as used in this section do not cover the full range of overcurrent conditions.

(H) Selective Coordination. Overcurrent protective devices serving the life safety, and critical branches of the essential electrical system shall be selectively coordinated with all supply-side overcurrent protective devices.

Exception No. 1: Between transformer primary and secondary overcurrent protective devices, where only one overcurrent protective device or set of overcurrent protective devices exists on the transformer secondary.

Exception No. 2: Between overcurrent protective devices of the same size (ampere rating) in series.

Informational Note: The terms coordination and coordinated as used in this section do not cover the full range of overcurrent conditions.

(12)

Article 680.25(A) changed to read as follows:

680.25 Feeders.

These provisions shall apply to any feeder on the supply side of panelboards supplying branch circuits for pool equipment covered in Part II of this article and on the load side of the service equipment or the source of a separately derived system.

(A) Wiring Methods.

(1)

Feeders. Feeders shall be installed in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit. The following wiring methods shall be permitted if not subject to physical damage:

(1)

Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit

(2)

Rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit

(3)

Reinforced thermosetting resin conduit

(4)

Electrical metallic tubing where installed on or in a building

(5)

Electrical nonmetallic tubing where installed within a building

(6)

Type MC Cable where installed within a building and if not subject to corrosive environment

(7)

Nonmetallic-sheathed cable

(8)

Type SE cable

(13)

Electric conductors. Conductors normally used to carry current inside of buildings and structures shall be copper. Where the conductor material is not specified, the sizes given in the electric code shall apply to copper conductors. Service drop conductors normally used to carry current outside of buildings and structures can be either copper or aluminum.

(14)

Conduit in metal commercial buildings. All metal commercial and industrial buildings shall be wired using rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing, electrical nonmetallic tubing, MC cable or a combination thereof.

(15)

Unlawful connections. Separate buildings or structures shall not be connected together by extension cords, quick-disconnect couplers or connectors, improper wiring methods or any other means found not to be in compliance with the intent of this code by the building official, the fire marshal or their appointed representatives. The building official, the fire marshal or their representatives may order such services disconnected and may issue citations for violations thereof.

(16)

Generators shall not be used in lieu of electric service conductors for the purpose of supplying electricity to buildings or structures in lieu of the structure's proper connection to the public electric utility system. Generator systems are for use during emergency conditions only and must meet the 2014 NEC requirements.

(17)

Fuel burning lanterns, gas lights, candles, or other types of nonelectric illumination systems shall not be used in lieu of required electric lighting fixtures required by this code. Fuel shall include, but not be limited to, gasoline, kerosene, diesel oil, commercial lantern fuel and low-pressure gas.

(18)

Disconnection of electric service. The first responder at an emergency, the fire marshal, the building official, the chief of police, the city manager, the emergency management coordinator or their designated representatives may order the disconnection of electrical services due to unsafe conditions or for noncompliance with city ordinances.

(19)

External disconnects. An external main disconnect is required within ten (10) feet of the meter base for each residential and commercial building that has an electric service. This shall include individual tenant spaces in multifamily and multi-tenant occupancies.

(20)

Exposed work. When upgrading an electrical service entrance, circuit breaker panel, power distribution panel or performing other exterior electrical work or interior work that also affects the exterior, the master electrician in charge of such work shall have any exposed nonmetallic wiring on the exterior of the building or structure or premises placed in metallic or nonmetallic conduit that is approved for exterior use. In addition, any exposed exterior nonmetallic wiring that is deteriorated due to prolonged exposure to the weather, sunlight or other negative conditions shall be replaced with new wiring prior to placing it in conduit.

(21)

Only electrical contractors registered with the State of Texas and the City of Gainesville shall apply for and be issued permits.

a.

Exception: Homeowners with valid homeowner's exemption on file.

b.

Exception: Maintenance men with valid maintenance man exemption on file.

(22)

Motor fuel dispensing pumps shall be wired on their own circuits. Light fixtures, computers and other related equipment shall not be wired on the same circuit(s) as the pumps.

(Ord. No. 1401-12-2016, § 4, 12-20-16)