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Home My WebLink About6.1 Amend Nat'l Electric Code qL —2,C) AGENDA STATEMENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: November 25, 1985 PUBLIC HEARING SUBJECT: Amendment to 1984 National Electrical Code EXHIBITS ATTACHED: 1) Draft Ordinance 2 ) Letter soliciting comments on the proposed ordinance 3 ) Response from Uniform Electrical Code Interpretation Advisory Committee (National Electrical Contractors Association) dated November 14 , 1985 RECOMMENDATION: 1 . Open public hearing and hear Staff presentation 2 . Take testimony from the public 3 . Question Staff and public 4 . Close public hearing and deliberate 5 . Approve first reading of draft ordinance FINANCIAL STATEMENT: No additional costs to City. DESCRIPTION: On October 28, 1985 , the City Council requested a review of the Electrical Code regulating the number of electrical outlets in commercial buildings . The problem is that some office buildings do not have enough conveniently located electrical receptacle outlets . This usually results in the excessive use of extension cords . It is proposed to amend the Electrical Code to require electrical outlets on all permanent walls and partitions . The outlet spacing would be the same as required for residential uses . That is, an outlet on any wall section longer than 2 feet, and outlets spaced every 12 feet along wall sections . ----------------------------------------------------------------- ITEM NO. � • COPIES TO: Proposed Revision to 1984 National Electrical Code add a new Section 210-53 to read as follows: 210-53 Office Receptacle Outlets In office buildings receptacle outlets shall be installed in all permanent walls or partitions so that no point along the floor line any wall space is more than six ( 6 ) feet measured horizontally, from an outlet in that space including any wall space two ( 2 ) feet or more in width and the wall space occupied by sliding panels in exterior walls . As used in the section a "wall space" shall be considered a wall unbroken along the floor line by doorways, fireplaces, and similar openings . Each wall space two ( 2 ) or more feet wide shall be treated individually and separately from other wall spaces within the room. A wall space shall be permitted to include two or more walls of a room (around corners ) where unbroken at the floor line . Receptacle outlets shall, insofar as practicable be spaced equal distances apart. Receptacle outlets in floors shall not be counted as part of the required number of receptacle outlets unless located near the floor. The receptacle outlets required by the section shall be in addition to any receptacle that is part of any lighting fixture or appliance, located within cabinets or cupboards , or located over five and one half ( 5 2) feet above the floor. November 6, 1985 Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc . Golden Gate Chapter 6375 Golden Gate Drive Dublin, CA 94568 SUBJECT: Proposed Amendment of 1984 National Electrical Code The City Council of the City of Dublin has directed me to review the ordinance regulating the number of electrical outlets in commercial buildings and prepare a report for the City Council . The problem brought to the Council ' s attention is that office buildings apparently do not have enough conveniently located electrical receptacle outlets . This usually results in the excessive use of extension cords . In an attempt to balance the problem of providing adequate outlets without requiring many outlets which may never be used, I have developed the attached draft proposal . The proposal would require electrical outlets in permanent walls and partitions in office buildings . The outlet spacing requirements would be similar to the requirement for dwellings and apartments . Please review the proposal and give me your comments as soon as possible . I plan to present my recommendation to the City Council at the meeting of- November 25, 1985 . I would appreciate receiving your comments by November 18, 1985 so that I may include your comments in the agenda statement that I must prepare for the Council meeting. Thank you for your assistance . Sincerely, Victor L. Taugher Building Official VLT:ck Enclosure November 6, 1985 National Electrical Contractors Association of Northern California 8301 Edgewater Drive Oakland, CA 94621 SUBJECT: Proposed Amendment of 1984 National Electrical Code The City Council of the City of Dublin has directed me to review the ordinance regulating the number of electrical outlets in commercial buildings and. prepare a report for the City Council . The problem brought to the Council ' s attention is that office buildings apparently do not have enough conveniently located electrical receptacle outlets . This usually results in the excessive use of extension cords . In an attempt to balance the . problem of providing adequate outlets without requiring many outlets which may never be used, I have developed the attached draft proposal . The proposal would require electrical outlets in permanent walls and partitions in office buildings . The outlet spacing requirements would be similar to the requirement for dwellings and apartments . Please review the proposal and give me your comments as soon as possible. I plan to present my recommendation to the City Council at the meeting of November 25, 1985 . I would appreciate receiving your comments by November 18, 1985 so that I may include your comments in the agenda statement that I must prepare for the Council meeting. Thank you for your assistance. Sincerely, Victor L. Taugher Building Official VLT:ck Enclosure November 6, 1985 Building Industry Association of Northern California 2641 Crow Canyon Road San Ramon, CA 94583 SUBJECT: Proposed Amendment of 1984 National Electrical Code The City Council of the City of Dublin has directed me to review the ordinance regulating the number of electrical outlets in commercial buildings and :prepare a report for the City Council . The problem brought to the Council ' s attention is that office buildings apparently do not have enough conveniently located electrical receptacle outlets . This usually results in the excessive use of extension cords . In an attempt to balance the problem of providing adequate outlets without requiring many outlets which may never be used, I have developed the attached draft proposal . The proposal would require electrical outlets in permanent walls and partitions in office buildings . The outlet spacing requirements would be similar to the requirement for dwellings and apartments . Please review the proposal and give me your comments as soon as possible. I plan to present my recommendation to the City Council at the meeting of November 25, 1985 . I would appreciate receiving your comments by November 18, 1985 so that I may include your comments in the agenda statement that I must prepare for the Council meeting. Thank you for your assistance. Sincerely, Victor L. Taugher Building Official VLT:ck Enclosure M lln 21t R i r a COUNTY,& forrn4sk, ode * �y { .y L Vdvzsory- .A INCORPORATED Interpre 5-- .:.: CITIE S t THEREIN SECRETARY 8301 Edgewater DriVe • OAKLAND,CALIFORNIA 94621 PHONE 635-8282 November 14, 1985 Victor L. Taugher Building Official City of Dublin Development Services P.O. Box 2340 Dublin, CA 94568 Dear Mr. Taugher, In response to your November 6, 1985 letter regarding a proposed amendment of -the 1984 National Electric Code, uniformity of local electrical codes is one of NECA' s objectives. Fortunately this objective is attainable because of the existence of a single nationally accepted electrical installation code, �- the National Electrical Code, a standard of the American National Standards Institute. If there is a problem with the use of Cords, it is property controlled by Section 210-50(b) . The Code recognizes that an office building may be built with no knowledge of who the occupant will be, and therefore no knowledge of where receptacles will be required. In Section 220-2(b) and table 220-2(b) it is required that where the actual number of general purpose receptacles is not known, that the calculation of the branch circuit loads include 1 volt-amphere per square foot for general purpose receptacles. This load must be reflected in the load calculations for feeders (Section 220-10) and Service Conductors (Section 230-42) . With the use of "power poles, " or under-carpet wiring, (Article 328) , or factory-wired positions (Article 605) , it is possible to provide all of the receptacles for an office occupancy without one receptacle outlet permanently installed in a wall or position. to require specifically spaced outlets in office occupancies is unreasonable and expensive. They may not be of the voltage or amperage necessary to accomodate the office equipment later installed. It is this Committee' s recommendation that the 1984 National Electrical Code be adopted at the local level without admendment. Very truly yours, Robert P. Allen Secretary RPA/jn