Code Alert: PENNSYLVANIA

jbowman · December 13, 2007, 9:16pm

For your information.
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State of Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry recently issued an Advisory on certain electrical requirements in the Uniform Construction Code (UCC). The UCC was enacted January 1, 2007 and is based on the 2006 ICC Codes including, the ICC Electrical Code 2006, International Building Code 2006, which both utilize the 2005 National Electric Code and the International Residential Code 2006, which contains electrical provisions based on the 2005 National Electric Code**.**

The 2005 National Electric Code and the International Residential Code 2006 contain two provisions that have effective dates of January 1, 2008. The requirements are NEC Section 410.73 (G) and IRC Section E3802.12. NEC Section 410.73 (G) requires a disconnecting means for fluorescent luminaires (fixtures) that utilize double-ended lamps and contain ballast(s) that can be serviced in place or ballasted luminaires that are supplied from multiwire branch circuits and contain ballast(s) that can be serviced in place, which are installed in other than dwellings and associated accessory structures.
The other requirement is Section E3802.12 of the IRC, which requires all branch circuits that supply 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere outlets installed in bedrooms to be protected by a combination type arc-fault circuit interrupter. The requirements will be imposed on all electrical work for which an application for a UCC building permit is made on or after January 1, 2008.

jmichalski · December 13, 2007, 11:12pm

Thanks, for the note, John!

Merry Christmas!

“Wishes of Merry Christmas are for informational or entertainment purposes only. Because all or some portion of the holiday wish may be edited, altered or deleted, this should not be viewed as an endorsement of any specific religion or lack therof, nor an obligation to have a “merry” holiday. Have a Merry Christmas at your own risk.”

dkeogh · December 15, 2007, 1:05am

Just as a point of clarification John, the UCC was enacted on April 2004. The UCC is the IBC minus chapter one that was substituted by the state with their own version on chapter one(this has created an issues since chapter one of the IBC references other codes like the national fire code and the state chapter one does not. When the IBC would be adopted by a municipal authority we would say that the other codes are adopted by reference. This is not the case now and has left holes in the UCC). The UCC has been amended several times by the state legislator, in most case to the determent of the code and the benefit of special interest groups. The UCC automatically updates to the current version of the IBC(IRC) on December 31 of the year the new code comes out. Any home or subdivision that was approved or under contract prior to December 31 2006 is still permitted to build to the 2003 IRC (with the state modifications).

Just for an example I did a final walk through this morning in a sub division that was approved in July 2006. That was built to the 2003 IRC and the rest of the 140 home will be as well. There will be home being built well into the end of 2008 still being built on the 2003 code. What a mess! I did a pre dry wall this afternoon (third house out of 65) that also will be built to the 2003 code.
So just a point of caution in PA know what code the builder is being held to before you make a call.
It could be a long time in PA before I see a combination ARC fault breaker. The disconnect for the florescent light is a commercial issue and I don’t do commercial.

jbowman · December 15, 2007, 1:15am

Daniel,

Thanks. Did you note the last line of the quote…

cduphily · December 15, 2007, 3:30am

Thanks for the heads up pops!

Happy holidays to you and yours.

jbowman · December 15, 2007, 3:35am

You to Mr. D.

rkoehler · December 15, 2007, 11:14am

John:
Thanks for the heads up. Have not heard from you for a long time. Hows the famliy? Wish all a Merry Christmas.

Regards

dkeogh · December 15, 2007, 6:43pm

The requirements will be imposed on all electrical work for which an application for a UCC building permit is made on or after January 1, 2008.

I did, thanks John.