Proposed changes to the
2010 San Francisco Electrical Code
DRAFT1
Scheduled Effective date: January 1, 2011
Latest revision dated April 6, 2010
(Existing unchanged SFEC amendments proposed to remain are not in this document)
List of changes:
Add 89.121(G)& (H) new exemptions for 10 datacom cables to match the new fee schedule
Delete definition “Different System” as unnecessary because it was used to explain SFEC amendment 300.3(C) which is self explanatory
Delete definition “Opening” as unnecessary because it was used to explain the fee schedule, and the fee schedule no longer uses this term.
210.5(C). NEC text changed but SFEC amendment remains unchanged.
220.87 Propose to delete this amendment as unnecessary
While it is advisable for applicant to obtain advance approval for load measurements, the Department can consider and accept or reject submittals based on evaluation of the information submitted
230.71(A) NEC text changed but SFEC amendment remains unchanged
300.4 change G to H due to new G in NEC
330.12.. Revise to coordinate with new NEC wording
348.10 Revise SFEC amendment to clarify intent
348.12 Propose to delete this amendment as unnecessary - NEC now prohibits FMC in wet locations
362.10 NEC text revised but SFEC unchanged
410.16(C) renumbered by NEC to 410.36(B).
When 2010 CBC is published verify reference “See IBC Section 803.9.1.1 and ASTM standards C635 and C636. Exception: Supplemental support wires shall not be required when listed clips identified to be used without supplemental ceiling wires in compliance with IBC Section 803.9.1.1 are installed.”
411.4 revised to conform to NEC changes. No change of intent.
760.25 changed to 760.46 in NEC
760.72 to 760.180 due to numbering changes in NEC
Text of Changes
Changed text in bold,– deleted text in strikeout
CALIFORNIA ARTICLE 89 — GENERAL CODE PROVISIONS
89.121. Add the following new section:
89.121.Work Exempt from Permits. Electrical permits and fees shall not be required for the following:
Repair or replacement of a luminaires where:
(1) the luminiare(s) are not installed to provide emergency illumination required by San Francisco Building Code, and
(2) no change in existing wiring is involved, and
(3) luminaires weigh 22.68 Kg (50 pounds) or less
Repair or replacement of a domestic appliance where no change in existing wiring is
involved.
(C) Replacement of fuses, controls, motors of less than 2 horsepower, and switches and receptacles of not more than 20 amperes rating, where no change in existing wiring is involved.
(D) Replacement of circuit breakers, externally operated switches and fuse holders of the same type and rating as the defective unit or component, if not rated in excess of 100 amperes.
Exception: Replacement of main service disconnecting means are subject to permit and inspection regardless of rating.
(E) Wiring for temporary theater stages and platforms, motion picture and television studio sets supplied from approved electrical outlets installed for the purpose.
(F) Replacement of component parts for electric signs or gas-tube lighting systems of the same size and rating.
(G) Installation of up to 10 data/communications cables and/or outlets that do not monitor or control electrical utilization equipment and/or life safety functions.
(H) Installation of data/communications cables and/or outlets in R-3 occupancies and within individual residential units, provided they do not monitor or control electrical utilization equipment and/or life safety functions.
Chapter 1. General
ARTICLE 100 - DEFINITIONS
1. General. Add the following new definitions:
Propose to delete this definition – not necessary. Adequately addressed in SFEC 300.3(C)
Different System: A system which derives its supply from a different source, such as from different sets of service entrance conductors, separate utility metered conductors, individual transformers or banks of transformers which do not have their secondary windings interconnected.
Chapter 1. General
ARTICLE 100 – DEFINITIONS continued
Propose to delete this definition – not necessary it was in the code to clarify the fee schedule but the term is no longer referred to in the fee schedule
Opening: An opening is:
An electrical outlet supplying current to switches, controllers, convenience receptacles, lighting fixtures, fixed appliances, motors or other utilization equipment;
A power source including utility company service entrances, a generator or battery system; or
An item of distribution equipment including a switchboard, panelboard, motor control center, or transformer.
Subject to Physical Damage. Wiring installed within 2.44 m (8 feet) of a walking surface or finished floor is considered subject to physical damage.
Chapter 2. Wiring and Protection
ARTICLE 210 - BRANCH CIRCUITS
210.5(C). NEC text changed but SFEC amendment remains unchanged. Revise this section as follows:
210.5(C). (C) Ungrounded Conductors. Where the premises wiring system has branch circuits supplied from more than one nominal voltage system, each ungrounded conductor of a branch circuit shall be identified by phase or line and system at all termination, connection, and splice points. The means of identification shall be permitted to be by separate color coding, marking tape, tagging, or other approved means. The method utilized for conductors originating within each branch-circuit panelboard or similar branch-circuit distribution equipment shall be documented in a manner that is readily available or shall be permanently posted at each branch-circuit panelboard or similar branch-circuit distribution equipment.
Conductor insulation shall contain continuous color pigment for circuit wire #14 AWG through #10 AWG. Ungrounded conductors #8 AWG and larger and ungrounded conductors of any size in cable assemblies may be suitably identified at pull junction and outlet boxes.
Conductor insulation shall be:
120/240 volt 3-wire circuits - "A" phase black, "B" phase red; 120/208 volt 4-wire 3-phase wye circuits - "A" phase black, "B" phase red, "C" phase blue; 120/240 volt 3-phase delta circuits - "A" phase black, "B" (high leg) phase purple, "C" phase red; 277/480 volt 4-wire 3-phase wye circuits - "A" phase brown, "B" phase orange, "C" phase yellow. Ungrounded conductors for other voltages shall be identified by different color coding, marking tape, tagging, or other approved means.
See Section 200.7 for limitations on re-identification of white or grey conductors
(2) Conductors for switch legs may be of a different color than the ungrounded circuit conductor when suitably identified at pull, junction and outlet boxes with marking tape, tagging or other equally effective means. The color green, white or grey shall not be used
(3) for identification.
Exception: Extensions of existing non-color coded wiring systems need not be color coded.
ARTICLE 220 - BRANCH-CIRCUIT, FEEDER AND SERVICE CALCULATIONS
Propose to delete this amendment as unnecessary
220.87. Revise the exception to Item (1) as follows:
220.87. Determining Existing Loads.
(1) The maximum demand data is available for a 1-year period.
Exception: If maximum demand data for a one-year period is not available, the calculated load shall be permitted to be based on the maximum demand (measure of average power demand over a fifteen-minute period) continuously recorded over a minimum thirty day period using a recording ammeter or power meter connected to the highest loaded phase of the feeder or service, based on the initial loading at the start of the recording. The recording shall reflect the maximum demand of the feeder or service by being taken when the building or space is occupied and shall include by measurement or calculation the larger of the heating or cooling equipment load, and other loads that may be periodic in nature due to seasonal or similar conditions. The method of recording and the demand conditions shall be approved by the Department prior to implementation.
230.71(A). Revise this section and add an exception as follows:
(NEC text changed but SFEC text unchanged)(bold is added SFEC text. Strikeout is removed NEC text)
230.71 Maximum Number of Disconnects.
(A) General. The service disconnecting means for each service permitted by 230.2, or for each set of service-entrance conductors permitted by 230.40, Exception Nos. 1, 3, 4, or 5, shall consist of not more than six switches or sets of circuit-breakers, or a combination of not more than six switches and sets of circuit breakers, mounted in a single enclosure, in a group of separate enclosures, or in or on a switchboard. There shall be not more than six sets of disconnects per service grouped in any one location a single circuit breaker or switch and set of fuses. For the purpose of this section, disconnecting means installed as part of listed equipment and used solely for the following shall not be considered a service disconnecting means:
(1) Power monitoring equipment
(2) Surge-protective device(s)
(3) Control circuit of the ground-fault protection system
(4) Power-operable service disconnecting means
Exception: In buildings with only residential occupancies not more than six switches or sets of circuit-breakers, or a combination of not more than six switches and sets of circuit breakers, mounted in a single enclosure, in a group of separate enclosures, or in or on a switchboard shall be allowed. There shall be not more than six sets of disconnects per service grouped in any one location. A single circuit breaker or set of fuses shall be provided for each dwelling unit.
Chapter 3. Wiring Methods and Materials
ARTICLE 300 - WIRING METHODS
300.4(H). Add a new section as follows:
(Change G to H due to new sub-section G in NEC
300.4(H). Subject to Physical Damage. Premises wiring systems installed less than 2.44 m (8 feet) above a walking surface or finished floor are considered subject to physical damage.
ARTICLE 330 –METAL-CLAD CABLE: TYPE MC
330.12(2).Revise as follows:
330.12. Uses Not Permitted.
(2) Where exposed to any of the destructive corrosive conditions in (a) or (b) through (c), unless the metallic sheath or armor is resistant to the conditions or is protected by material resistant to the conditions:
a. Direct buried in the earth or embedded in concrete unless identified for direct burial
b. Exposed to cinder fills, strong chlorides, caustic alkalis, or vapors of chlorine or of hydrochloric acids
c. Wet locations
ARTICLE 348 – FLEXIBLE METAL CONDUIT: TYPE FMC
348.10.Revise this section as follows:
348.10.Uses Permitted. FMC shall be permitted to be used in exposed and concealed locations and in exposed locations where necessary for flexibility in lengths not to exceed 1.829 m (6 feet).
348.12 Propose to delete because NEC has deleted the deleted phrase and now prohibits FMC in wet locations
348.12.Revise Item (1) as follows:
348.12. Uses Not Permitted.
(1) In wet locations unless the conductors are approved for the specific conditions and the installation is such that liquid is not likely to enter raceways or enclosures to which the conduit is connected.
ARTICLE 362– ELECTRICAL NONMETALLIC TUBING: TYPE ENT
362.10. Revise Item 6 and delete Items 1, 2, 5, 7, and 8 as follows:
362.10 Uses Permitted.
For the purpose of this article, the first floor of a building shall be that floor that has 50 percent or more of the exterior wall surface area level with or above finished grade. One additional level that is the first level and not designed for human habitation and used only for vehicle parking, storage, or similar use shall be permitted. The use of ENT and fittings shall be permitted in the following:
(1)Reserved In any building not exceeding three floors above grade as follows:
a. For exposed work, where not prohibited by 362.12
b. Concealed within walls, floors, and ceilings
(2)Reserved In any building exceeding three floors above grade, ENT shall be concealed within walls, floors, and ceilings where the walls, floors, and ceilings provide a thermal barrier of material that has at least a 15-minute finish rating as identified in listings of fire-rated assemblies. The 15-minute-finish-rated thermal barrier shall be permitted to be used for combustible or noncombustible walls, floors, and ceilings.
Exception to (2): Where a fire sprinkler system(s) is installed in accordance with NFPA 13-2007, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, on all floors, ENT shall be permitted to be used within walls, floors, and ceilings, exposed or concealed, in buildings exceeding three floors abovegrade.
FPN: A finish rating is established for assemblies containing combustible (wood) supports. The finish rating is defined as the time at which the wood stud or wood joist reaches an average temperature rise of 121°C (250°F) or an individual temperature of 163°C (325°F) as measured on the plane of the wood nearest the fire. A finish rating is not intended to represent a rating for a membrane ceiling.
(3) In locations subject to severe corrosive influences as covered in 300.6 and where subject to chemicals for which the materials are specifically approved.
(4)Reserved In concealed, dry, and damp locations not prohibited by 362.12.
(5) Reserved Above suspended ceilings where the suspended ceilings provide a thermal barrier of material that has at least a 15-minute finish rating as identified in listings of fire-rated assemblies, except as permitted in 362.10(1)(a).
Exception to (5): ENT shall be permitted to be used above suspended ceilings in buildings exceeding three floors above grade where the building is protected throughout by a fire sprinkler system installed in accordance with NFPA 13-2007, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems.
(6) Encased in poured concrete, or embedded in a concrete slab on grade where ENT is placed on sand or approved screenings, provided fittings identified for this purpose are used for connections. Metal raceways shall be provided where emerging from the concrete.
(7) Reserved For wet locations indoors as permitted in this section or in a concrete slab on or below grade, with fittings listed for the purpose.
(8) Reserved Metric designator 16 through 27 (trade size ½ through 1) as listed manufactured prewired assembly.
FPN: Extreme cold may cause some types of nonmetallic conduits to become brittle and therefore more susceptible to damage from physical contact.
Chapter 4. Equipment for General Use
ARTICLE 410 – LUMINAIRES (LIGHTING FIXTURES), LAMPHOLDERS, AND LAMPS
410.36(B). Revise this section as follows:
(B)Suspended Ceilings. Framing members of suspended ceiling systems used to support luminaires shall be securely fastened to each other and shall be securely attached to the building structure at appropriate intervals. Luminaires shall be securely fastened to the ceiling framing member by mechanical means, such as bolts, screws, or rivets. Listed clips identified for use with the type of ceiling framing member(s) and luminaires shall also be permitted. All luminaires (fixtures) or luminaire outlets supported by suspended ceiling systems shall have supplemental support wires (minimum #12 gauge) connected from the fixture housing or fixture support bracket to the structure above. Recessed lighting fixtures measuring 610 mm (2 feet) nominal or larger in any dimension shall have two (minimum #12 gauge) support wires. See IBC Section 803.9.1.1 and ASTM standards C635 and C636.