June 07, 2018 Minutes (Development Services Conference Room)
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BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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Verlon Myers, John Delfelder, Chris King, Michael Wessel, Chairperson Eric Hethcoat, Robert Heacock
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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Vice-Chair Alben Stilley, |
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STAFF PRESENT: |
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Ex-Officio Adrian Jones – Senior Plans Examiner |
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PUBLIC PRESENT: |
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None
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1. Call to Order
Meeting called to order 11:05 am
Review Minutes
Review Minutes from March 30, 2017.
Jones explained that in reviewing the minutes from the March 30, 2018 meeting King raised a point as to the interpretation of the of the Board as it related to the use of Type NM cable. Specifically King noted that it was his interpretation the intent of the Board was to amend the code to restrict the use of Type NM cable to Group R occupancies and to remove the height restriction.
Jones said his initial review of the minutes indicated Type NM cable would be allowed in other occupancies.
King had concerns that Type NM cable would be allowed in non-sprinkled downtown business, mercantile and small assembly occupancies. Before approving the minutes he wanted to review the voice recording and possibly review the code language.
Myers said if Type MN cable was allowed it would encourage unlicensed business owners to perform electrical work without adequate knowledge of the electrical code.
Jones said subsequent review of the minutes and recording indicated the Code was amended to only remove the height restriction of Type NM cable. Section 334.12 of the 2014 NEC as currently adopted restricts the use of Type NM cable to Group R occupancies.
Chairperson Hethcoat concurred with Jones interpretation.
The Board reviewed the current code amendment.
King said he wanted to ensure that in mixed use buildings Group R would be separated or sprinkled.
Jones asked King if he still thought it necessary to review the voice recording.
King replied that it would not.
King moved to approve the minutes from March 30, 2017. Seconded by Hethcoat. Motion passed 6-0
Review Minutes from April 26, 2018
Myers Moved to approve the minutes from April 26, 2018. Seconded by Wessel. Motion passed 6-0
Review 2017 NEC Chapter 2
Delfelder said that his research on the change in the NEC that prompted the implementation for GFCI protection dishwashers and disposals was mostly driven by dishwashers. In addition to the 6 foot rule it was felt that newer dishwashers are more electronically controlled whereas the older models were more electromechanically controlled. Users would be more susceptible to electric shock on newer models.
Myers said he looked up the information from the hearings of the code writing panel. The information for the code change was brought forward by a representative from GE electronics. There was not much comment other than they agreed with the representative from GE.
Delfelder questioned if the GFCI section of the code should be amended at all.
Myers said the Board amended the code to remove circuits with motors from GFCI protection. The 2014 NEC provided that all outlets in a 360 degree radius around the sink needed to be GFCI protected.
Myers voiced concern of nuisance tripping and homeowners getting frustrated. The homeowner would call an electrician who would not install a non-GFCI outlet and advise the homeowner he or she could only install or replace the outlet with a GFCI outlet. The homeowner would then call an unlicensed handyman to replace it with a non-GFCI receptacle.
Delfelder said that GFCI protection is required in commercial kitchens and he has not received complaints from motor circuits tripping the GFCI. He said the new devices are a lot more reliable than 20 years ago. He is reluctant to modify the code on life safety devices. He feels with the inconsistency of consumers and how they push the limits the safety of the devices should be in place.
Delfelder said he did have a concern with refrigerators and freezers being on GFCI circuits because the hermetic loads from freezers and refrigerators could trip GFCI causing homeowners to lose all of their food. He’s ok with leaving the exemption for the refrigerators, freezers and sump pumps because those can have catastrophic repercussions. Everything else is a small inconvenience.
Jones suggested the Board vote to carry forward the current amendments to Article 210.8 and corresponding sections in the IRC. Depending on the vote, the Board could then go forward to revised the section or accept it as written in the code.
Hethcoat moved to keep the Article 210.8 as currently amended. Second by Myers. Motion failed 2-4.
Hethcoat moved to revise the NEC Article 210.8 to provide GFCI protection for garbage disposals and to exclude GFCI protection for refrigerators and freezers. Seconded by Wessel. Motion passed 5-1.
Myers wanted to draw the Board attention to Article 210.11.C. This section requires at least one 120 volt, 20 amp circuit in attached and detached garages with no other outlets.
Hethcoat said the Board discussed this at length during drafting of the 2014 NEC amendments. Under that code an outdoor outlet would not be allowed to be tied to a circuit inside of the garage. Under the 2017 NEC outdoor outlets are permitted to be on garage circuits.
Jones said when drafting the ordinance for the 2014 NEC the Board felt there might be the possibility of causing overloaded circuits if homeowners using cord and plug outdoor equipment and tools on the same circuits used for charging electric vehicles.
Wessell noted the 2017 code now required a 20 amp circuit in recognition of homeowners using tools which draw more current.
Hethcoat asked if the Board wanted to amend the current code to exclude outdoor outlets being on garage circuits.
Delfelder expressed concern of having too many amendments causing difficulty and confusion for electricians who come to Lawrence to do work.
The Board agreed to leave the language as written in the code.
King Moved to adjourn. Second by Hethcoat. Motion passed 6-0. Meeting adjourned 12:48