May 5, 2004 minutes
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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Russell Brickell, Larry Frost, Monceg Hadiji, Mike Higgins, Mike Howard and Pat Shepard |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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Jeff Oliver |
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GUESTS PRESENT: |
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Tim Pinnick, Inspections Supervisor |
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Ex-Offico: |
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Phil Burke, Electrical Inspector |
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A quorum has been established and Chairman Frost called the meeting to order at 6:10 pm.
Approval of February 4th. 2004 minutes
The minutes of the February 4th. meeting were read. A motion to accept the minutes as read was made by Mike Howard. Larry Frost seconded the motion, and the motion passed.
Mr. Burke acknowledged several letters received by the Examiners. Letters had been received by the Examiners regarding the gratitude expressed to Russell Brickell and Mike Higgins for their appointments to the Board of Electrical Examiners. A letter had also been received regarding the re-appointment of Moncef Hadiji to the Board. Another letter had been received by the Board, but it will be brought up during the other business section of the meeting. Mr. Burke distributed a copy of the letter sent to all Electrical Contractors regarding the change to the 2002 NEC, effective May 1st, 2004.
Mike Howard had attended a meeting regarding the schedule of the review of the 2003 IRC. This meeting was held in the Neighborhood Resources Department Conference room. All trade Boards were represented and informed of the intentions of the Department in regards to the review schedule. Mr. Howard presented the Board a copy of the schedule that he was given at the meeting. Howard outlined some details regarding meetings and if a quorum could not be established at the regular meeting one would be called within the same month. All members were given the 2003 IRC books and coffee mugs.
The review of the IRC scheduled for this evening was for Chapters 1 and 33. Mr. Pinnick stated it was the intentions to have one book govern the construction of one and two family dwellings.
Mr. Burke handed out copies of the review sheets to all members and briefly explained the objective of these sheets. These sheets had been sent via email, but the other Chapters will be able to be sent out with the normal monthly mailing. Mr. Frost stated he has trouble receiving email documents from the City on his computer.
Chairman Frost requested that a time period be given so that all members could review Chapter 33. Members agreed and the period began. Mr. Frost asked for any questions once all members had reviewed the Chapter. Moncef Hadiji asked if the wording used in 200.6 was contained in any other areas of the IRC? Mr. Burke stated that he had not seen it any other places so far, but he has not finished his review of the entire book. Chairman Frost located in Chapter 33 where it discussed splices and made no indication that they were required to be placed in a box. Upon further review of the IRC the box requirement was found in E3805.1. Some discussion among all members ensued regarding placement of amendments into the IRC and where they should be located. It was agreed that they should follow closely where the section that is impacted is at, or where similar language is located in the 2003 National Electrical Code. Member Howard stated that they could be placed and when we have completed the review we could go back and examine the entire thing to make sure they make sense where we have placed them. A motion was made by Mike Howard and seconded by Larry Frost to create an amendment to the IRC with the wording contained in 110.12 of the 2003 NEC. This amendment will be located at E3301.5 of the IRC. All in favor, motion passed.
A motion was made by Mike Howard and seconded by Moncef Hadiji to strike the word “natural” from E3307.1 of the 2003 IRC. All in favor, motion passed.
Some discussion ensued by all members regarding the placement of a purposed amendment. It was agreed that it could be added as an exception to E3305.7.
A motion was made by Larry Frost and seconded by Mike Howard to add an exception to E3305.7 of the 2003 IRC allowing the installation of service equipment or panelboards that do not exceed 200 amperes in a space that has headroom less than 6.5 feet. This would only apply to existing 1 and 2 family dwellings. All in favor, motion passed.
A motion was made by Mike Howard and seconded by Moncef Hadiji to table the action of amending Chapter One until a later date. The Board felt more information would become available in the future on how the City might administrate this Code. All in favor, motion passed.
None
Other Business
A letter had been received by Chairman Frost through the Chairman of the Plumbing Board. A copy of this letter had been given to Mr. Burke prior to the meeting and has also been shared with his Department Manager. Mr. Frost read the letter aloud. The letter described an installation of a breaker lock on a water heater that was installed at a local apartment complex. The water heater mal-functioned causing wiring inside the case to begin melting and excreting smoke. The occupant’s father tried to turn the heater off, but could not do so. He finally was able to remove the power to the appliance and stop the smoking.
The persons involved feel this requirement may need to be looked at in light of this incident. Mr. Burke mentioned that he had not been able to contact the persons involved but would continue to try.
A discussion continued regarding the Code requirement versus the enforcement aspect. Frost stated that it had been enforced for some time and definitely prior to Mr. Burke serving as Electrical Inspector. Mr. Burke stated that he had been directed to enforce this requirement and has been since his hire date. Member Howard questioned if the tripping mechanism could be hindered by the lock being installed.
Member Higgins stated that regardless of the locked condition of the breaker that it would still be able to trip. Chairman Frost had been in contact with some breaker manufacturers and had been told the same thing. He was awaiting written documentation to that effect. Moncef suggested a spare breaker could be installed in each panel and the lock installed on that one for use when required.
Members discussed the type of locks that are installed prior to the panel cover in which a padlock can be inserted to provide a locked-out condition.
Following a lengthy discussion by all members and guests it was suggested to Mr. Burke to write a memorandum to his Department Heads informing them of the feelings of the enforcement of this issue. The Boards’ belief is that safety would best be served by not installing the breaker locks.
Mr. Pinnick stated that in his capacity as Inspections Supervisor that he would be able to assist Mr. Burke in bringing this suggestion to resolve within the Neighborhood Resources Department.
Chairman Frost reminded members that the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Electrical Examiners would be held on June 2, 2004 in the City Commission Chambers at 6:00 pm. Mr. Burke stated that future IRC review documents should be mailed with the regular meeting announcement. With no further business to come before the Board a motion was made by Chairman Frost and seconded by Member Hadiji to adjourn the meeting. All in favor, motion passed and meeting was adjourned at 7:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Phil Burke
Secretary