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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Electrical Advisory Board - 12/17/2008 - Special iiir RECEIVED Minutes of the Electrical Advisory Board Special Meeting NOV 1 0 2009 Wednesday,December 17,2008,at 1:30 p.m. CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE City Hall, 1201 Leopard, 1°'Floor Conference Room I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 1:40 p.m. II. Roll Call Board members present included: Lee Montgomery, Tino Vasquez, Bhasker Pate!, Michael Riley, Don Fretwell, and David Schury. City staff present Doug Maples, David Lewis, and Elsa Martinez. Jay Reining joined the board at 2:23 p.m. III. Approval of Minutes: December 11,2008 Special Meeting Approval of the Minutes for the December Il, 2008, was post paned since minutes were not complete. IV. Review Candidates' Resumes for New Board Members and Determine if a Recommendation Will be Submitted to City Council [Section(14-225B)(2B)] A. Home Builder The board reviewed and discussed the biographical information and/or applications received from John T. Tucker, Jr., and William Kevin Pitchford. After a discussion on experience and knowledge the board moved to act on a recommendation Mr. Schury made a motion to recommend Mr. William Kevin Pitchford as a member of the Electric Advisory Board to City Council. The motion was seconded by Mr. Patel. Motion carried 6-0. V. Review,Discuss,and Take Action on Adoption of the 2008 National Electrical Code with Local Amendments A. Chapter 1: General B. Chapter 2: Wiring and Protection C. Chapter 3: Wiring Methods and Materials D. Chapter 4: Equipment for General Use E. Chapter 5: Special Occupancies F. Chapter 6: Special Equipment G. Chapter 7: Special Conditions H. Chapter 8: Communications Systems I. Chapter 9: Tablesl and 4 Mr. Lewis shared a communication he received regarding Selective Coordination. Mr. Lewis noted that the reference in Section 700.27 indicates that there would be coordination between of a system, unless accepted in two situations: the smaller over current device would not trip the larger one ahead of it. He added that the market is pitching for one or the other, breaker or fuse to satisfy that and designing with the breaker would give a certain level of protection, whereas with a fuse system the over current protection will offer another level of protection. Mr. Lewis advised that we use ours gives this amount of protection with respect to meeting the requirements of Section 700.27 emergency circuits; they offer selective coordination so that SCANNED 4j0 Minutes of the Electrical Advisory Board Special Meeting December 17,2008 Page 2 smaller will trip the larger, in over current situations which include short fault and ground fault. He continued informing that the object is for the engineer to choose the electric choice. He added that whichever the case may be, it should still operate in the manner in which the upper upstream device will trip due to a fault at the lower downstream circuit. Discussion continued among board members and staff. Mr. Montgomery indicated that if the board is going to define a time for this purpose, he wants this item to remain on the agenda for future discussion when more information is available to the board Mr. Reining joined the board and staff at 2:30 p.m. Mr. Montgomery stated that he would like to see a City ordinance reflect where selective coordination would be applied with a defined time. Mr. Reining advised that he could do a word search of the NEC to see where the term selective coordination appears to insert the definition or if it doesn't appear, he recommends to include a revised definition and include it in the front Mr. Maples informed that he and Mr. Lewis would work on the terminology and definition format; Mr. Reining informed he would assist with conducting a word search to determine where the definition would be placed. VI. General Discussion of the Administrative Chapter 14 of the Technical Construction Codes A. Identify 14-216b: Electrical; Minor Repairs and Alterations Mr. Reining began by informing that one of the issues that needed to be determined is which repairs and alterations would be allowed to be done by a homeowner and which ones would require a licensed professional. Mr. Maples directed the board's attention to number 6 in this section addressing the replacement of a water heater. He indicated that this section allows for a homeowner to replace a water heater that wired with copper conductors, but if wired with aluminum conductors, a qualified electrician should make the connection. Mr. Montgomery asked if the recommendation is that a licensed electrician and a permit be required to install a water heater. He then asked if an appliance installer would be required to obtain a permit. Mr. Lewis answered no. Mr. Montgomery then proceeded to ask tf then perhaps a water heater should be treated as an appliance. Mr. Lewis suggested that the language read that a licensed electrician or licensed installer. Discussion continued among board members and City staff on how this section might best be addressed Mr. Maples stated that it is the City stet's position to provide the best information possible to the board but that it is the board's responsibility to submit recommendations. Mr. Lewis suggested that the necessary terms be added to idents what is required from the person performing electrical services. He suggested that a list of limited individuals who can perform such work has to be set and then make this information available to the homeowners. He added that the homeowner can then assess what risk they wish to take. Mr. Vasquez reiterated that the understood message from the discussion is that anyone performing electrical work outlined in this section is required to have a license VII. Review,Discuss and Take Action on Adoption of Section I4-225(a)Licensing: Electricians Mr. Reining informed that he is working on getting Section 14-225(a)cleaned up to bring back to the advisory board N Minutes of the Electrical Advisory Board Special Meeting December 17,2008 Page 3 VIII. Discussion of Electrical Plan Review Process Mr. Maples informed that City staff does not and will not make changes to any plans submitted He informed that City staff will not incur any liability. Mr. Maples added that the plans with the wet seal will be expected to be delivered prior to issuing a permit. Mr. Maples also shared that a commercial electrical code checklist is being drafted and informed that he would like for the board to assist with reviewing it. Mr. Riley addressed comments to Mr. Maples regarding permit clerks not allowing customers to see site plan review comments when they come in and request to do so. Mr. Maples informed that documents submitted are considered public record He informed Mr. Riley that he should make him or Mr. Lewis aware of these experiences when encountered Mr. Maples informed board members that the City staff will be requiring contractors submitting electric, plumbing, mechanical that have fixtures or appliance counts provide the information. This information will be utilized to verify that those counts are correct. Mr. Maples shared with the board that Mrs. Sylvia Arispe has developed a calculator to determine the applicable building permit fees. He added that he seeks to develop a similar calculator for the mechanical,plumbing, and electrical fixtures. A board member asked if the technology fee would be included Mr. Maples responded affirmatively. Mr. Vasquez inquired from Mr. Maples if the City might allow for contractor accounts to be set up with deposits for contractors to pay for permit fees. Mr. Maples informed that the City is moving in the direction of processing credit cards at locations such as where utilities are paid He informed that he would see what the City might be able to do with regards to this recommendation to add to the components. IX. Building Official Report A. Department Update B. Staffing Issues Mr. Maples shared that he has begun the process of interpreting codes and that these interpretations are made available at Development Services and online. Mr. Maples informed that the City is currently advertisingfor an electrical inspector position and that salary placement would vary between mid-range and top-range pay, contingent on experience. Mr. Maples added that master electrician certification is required within 12 months of hire and that International Code Council certifications are required within 18 months of hire. X. Identify items to be placed on next agenda Mr. Vasquez asked for discussion of a flaw that exists in the City's system an inspection can be called in by any craft or any person once they obtain the building permit number. He informed that as it stands now, anyone who has that permit number can call or get on the City's web-site to request an inspection. Mr. Montgomery suggested that for future discussion, a proposed solution also be presented XI. Public Comments Board members may not deliberate or make a decision on any matter presented at this time. The Open Meetings Act limits Board response to only two options: 1)a statement of specific factual information given in response to an inquiry;or 2)a recitation of existing policy in response to the S Minutes of the Electrical Advisory Board Special Meeting December 17,2008 Page 4 inquiry. Any deliberation of or decision about the subject shall be limited to a proposal to place the subject on the agenda for a subsequent meeting. No one addressed the board during public forum. XII. Adjourn. Mr. Riley made a motion to adjourn the meeting,seconded by Mr. Schley. Motion carried 6-0. The meeting was adjourned at 3:54 p.m. Presiding Officer