Texas adopts 2011 NEC

Local Inspection Issues Texas/TPREIA Home Inspectors
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Excerpt:

Texas Dept. of Licensing & Regulation. Effective Sept. 1, 2011

Chapter 1305.101(a)(2) of the Texas Electrical Safety and Licensing Act requires our agency to adopt the revised National Electrical Code (NEC) as the electrical code for the state of Texas.

In accordance with state law, the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation adopted amendments to Chapter 73.100 of the administrative rules thereby establishing the NEC 2011 as the “minimum standard” for all electrical work in Texas that is covered by the Act.

Any non-exempt electrical work started on or after September 1, 2011 must be installed in accordance with the NEC 2011.

For purposes of clarification, the “start” of electrical work is the day the electrician begins installing electrical materials or equipment within the residential or commercial building structure. Inside the corporate limits of a municipality, electricians must abide by city permitting requirements and adhere to any local amendments.

Beginning October 1, 2011, all examinations for state electrical licenses will be based on the NEC 2011.

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Forgot link

http://www.license.state.tx.us/electricians/elec.htm

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Thank you Jim

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NEW ADOPTED CODES

2011 National Electrical Code - Effective September 1, 2011
To ensure coordination with the State of Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the City of Houston is adopting the 2011 National Electrical Code (published by the NFPA) with Houston Amendments effective September 1, 2011. Projects submitted on or after this date must comply with the new code.

Below are some of the most notable changes in this code and Houston ordinance:

Local Amendments:
Adding information to clarify requirements on NM Cable in certain multi-family structures.

Excluding certain articles due to the unavailability of certain products.

Tamper resistant receptacles not required when dwelling wired in aluminum wiring.

National Electrical Code:
Switches controlling lighting loads shall have a grounded conductor or capable of adding a grounded conductor for the future use of a lighting control device.

Tamper resistant receptacles shall be required in guest rooms, guest suites, and child care facilities.

Luminaries shall have a disconnect installed when a ballast is replaced.

Please click on the link below to download a copy:

2011 National Electrical Code Amendments (http://documents.publicworks.houstontx.gov/documents/divisions/planning/enforcement/2011_nec.pdf)

For questions on electrical provisions, please contact Electrical Inspections at 832-394-8860.

Commercial Energy Code - Effective September 2, 2011
On August 3, 2011 Houston City Council voted to approve adoption of the new Houston Commercial Energy Conservation Code. This code adoption is in response to the State Energy Conservation Office requirement for Texas municipalities to update their minimum codes to the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (2009 IECC). Local amendments will allow projects to demonstrate compliance with either the 2009 IECC or the ASHRAE 90.1-2007 standard.

The amendments were prepared for each code to provide comparable provisions for both options. Adoption of these two codes will allow the designer to choose the code that works best for the project while maintaining a high level of energy efficiency.

Please click on the appropriate link to download each code:

2009 IECC Amendments (http://documents.publicworks.houstontx.gov/documents/divisions/planning/enforcement/2009_iecc.pdf)

ASHRAE 90.1-2007 Amendments (http://documents.publicworks.houstontx.gov/documents/divisions/planning/enforcement/ashrae901_2007.pdf)

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Kudos to Jim, he provided his expertise on attic framing to about 60 inspectors in Clear Lake last week. We got more comments from attendees than any class we have ever had…all comments were positive. Mike Cothran TPREIA