§ 16.20.154. Amendments to the electrical sections of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings.

The following amendments, deletions or additions to the 2006 Edition of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings are hereby adopted by reference as fully as though copied into said dwelling code and thereby made a part of the one and two dwelling code.

A.

Section R502.8 of the 2006 Edition of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings is hereby amended by deleting Section R502.8 and substituting the following:

R502.8 Drilling and notching. Wood-framed structural members shall not be drilled, notched or altered in any manner except as provided for in this code.

R502.8.1 Notching joists and rafters. Notches on the ends of joists shall not exceed one-fourth (¼) the actual depth. Notches for pipes in the top or bottom of joists shall not exceed one-sixth ( 1/6 ) of the actual depth and shall not be located in the middle one-third ( 1/3 ) of the span.

R502.8.2 Notching studs. In the exterior walls and bearing partitions, any wood stud may be cut or notched to a depth not exceeding twenty-five percent (25%) of its actual width. Cutting or notching of studs to a depth not greater than forty percent (40%) of the actual width of the stud is permitted in nonbearing partitions supporting no loads other than the weight of the partition.

R502.8.3 Protection at notches. The cable or raceway at those points is protected against nails or screws by a steel plate or bushing, at least 1/16 in. (1.59 mm) thick installed before the building finish is applied.

Exception: Steel plates shall not be required to protect rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit, or electrical metallic tubing.

R502.8.4 Drilling joists and rafters. Holes bored for pipes or cable shall not be within two (2) inches of the top or bottom of the joist and the diameter of any such hole shall not exceed one-third ( 1/3 ) of the actual depth of the joist.

R502.8.5 Drilling studs. A hole not greater in diameter than forty percent (40%) of the studs actual width may be bored in any wood stud. Bored holes not greater than sixty percent (60%) of the actual width of the stud are permitted in nonbearing partitions or in any wall where each bored stud is doubled provided no more than two such successive double studs are bored. In no case shall the edge of the bored hole be nearer than five-eighths inch ( 5/8 ) to the edge of the stud. Bored holes shall not be located at the same section of stud as a cut or notch.

R502.8.6 Protection at holes. Holes bored less than 1¼ in. (31.8 mm) from the nearest edge of the wood member, the cable or raceway shall be protected from penetration by screws or nails by a steel plate or bushing, at least 1/16 in. (1.59 mm) thick, and appropriate length and width installed to cover the area of the wiring.

Exception: Steel plates shall not be required to protect rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit, or electrical metallic tubing.

B.

Section R602.6 of the 2006 Edition of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings is hereby amended by deleting Section R602.6 and substituting the following:

R602.6 Drilling and notching. Wood-framed structural members shall not be drilled, notched or altered in any manner except as provided for in this code.

R602.6.1 Notching joists and rafters. Notches on the ends of joists shall not exceed one-fourth (¼) the actual depth. Notches for pipes in the top or bottom of joists shall not exceed one-sixth ( 1/6 ) of the actual depth and shall not be located in the middle one-third ( 1/3 ) of the span.

R602.6.2 Notching studs. In the exterior walls and bearing partitions, any wood stud may be cut or notched to a depth not exceeding twenty-five percent (25%) of its actual width. Cutting or notching of studs to a depth not greater than forty percent (40%) of the actual width of the stud is permitted in nonbearing partitions supporting no loads other than the weight of the partition.

R602.6.3 Protection at notches. The cable or raceway at those points is protected against nails or screws by a steel plate or bushing, at least 1/16 in. (1.59 mm) thick installed before the building finish is applied.

Exception: Steel plates shall not be required to protect rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit, or electrical metallic tubing.

R602.6.4 Drilling joists and rafters. Holes bored for pipes or cable shall not be within two (2) inches of the top or bottom of the joist and the diameter of any such hole shall not exceed one-third ( 1/3 ) of the actual depth of the joist.

R602.6.5 Drilling studs. A hole not greater in diameter than forty percent (40%) of the studs actual width may be bored in any wood stud. Bored holes not greater than sixty percent (60%) of the actual width of the stud are permitted in nonbearing partitions or in any wall where each bored stud is doubled provided no more than two such successive double studs are bored. In no case shall the edge of the bored hole be nearer than five-eighths inch ( 5/8 ) to the edge of the stud. Bored holes shall not be located at the same section of stud as a cut or notch.

R602.6.6 Protection at holes. Holes bored less than 1¼ in. (31.8 mm) from the nearest edge of the wood member, the cable or raceway shall be protected from penetration by screws or nails by a steel plate or bushing, at least 1/16 in. (1.59 mm) thick, and appropriate length and width installed to cover the area of the wiring.

Exception: Steel plates shall not be required to protect rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit, or electrical metallic tubing.

C.

Section R802.7 of the 2006 Edition of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings is hereby amended by deleting Section R802.7 and substituting the following:

R802.7 Drilling and notching. Wood-framed structural members shall not be drilled, notched or altered in any manner except as provided for in this code.

R802.7.1 Notching joists and rafters. Notches on the ends of joists shall not exceed one-fourth (¼) the actual depth. Notches for pipes in the top or bottom of joists shall not exceed one-sixth ( 1/6 ) of the actual depth and shall not be located in the middle one-third ( 1/3 ) of the span.

R802.7.2 Notching studs. In the exterior walls and bearing partitions, any wood stud may be cut or notched to a depth not exceeding twenty-five percent (25%) of its actual width. Cutting or notching of studs to a depth not greater than forty percent (40%) of the actual width of the stud is permitted in nonbearing partitions supporting no loads other than the weight of the partition.

R802.7.3 Protection at notches. The cable or raceway at those points is protected against nails or screws by a steel plate or bushing, at least 1/16 in. (1.59 mm) thick installed before the building finish is applied.

Exception: Steel plates shall not be required to protect rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit, or electrical metallic tubing.

R802.7.4 Drilling joists and rafters. Holes bored for pipes or cable shall not be within two (2) inches of the top or bottom of the joist and the diameter of any such hole shall not exceed one-third ( 1/3 ) of the actual depth of the joist.

R802.7.5 Drilling studs. A hole not greater in diameter than forty percent (40%) of the studs actual width may be bored in any wood stud. Bored holes not greater than sixty percent (60%) of the actual width of the stud are permitted in nonbearing partitions or in any wall where each bored stud is doubled provided no more than two such successive double studs are bored. In no case shall the edge of the bored hole be nearer than five-eighths inch ( 5/8 ) to the edge of the stud. Bored holes shall not be located at the same section of stud as a cut or notch.

R802.7.6 Protection at holes. Holes bored less than 1¼ in. (31.8 mm) from the nearest edge of the wood member, the cable or raceway shall be protected from penetration by screws or nails by a steel plate or bushing, at least 1/16 in. (1.59 mm) thick, and appropriate length and width installed to cover the area of the wiring.

Exception: Steel plates shall not be required to protect rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit, or electrical metallic tubing.

D.

Section E3806 of the 2006 Edition of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings is hereby amended by adding the following Section E3806.12:

E3806.12 Penetrations of fire-resistance-rated assemblies. Through penetrations of fire-resistance-rated wall or floor assemblies shall comply with Sections E3806.12.1 or E3806.12.2 and E3806.12.3.

Exception: Where the penetrating items are steel, ferrous or copper pipes or steel conduits, the annular space shall be permitted to be protected as follows:

1. In concrete or masonry wall or floor assemblies where the penetrating item is a maximum 6 inches (152 mm) nominal diameter and the opening is a maximum 144 square inches (92,900 mm ), concrete, grout or mortar shall be permitted where installed to the full thickness of the wall or floor assembly or the thickness required to maintain the fire-resistance rating.

2. The material used to fill the annular space shall prevent the passage of flame and hot gases sufficient to ignite cotton waste when subjected to ASTM E 119 time temperature fire conditions under a minimum positive pressure differential of 0.01 inch of water (3 Pa) at the location of the penetration for the time period equivalent to the fire-resistance rating of the construction penetrated.

E3806.12.1 Fire-resistance-rated-rated assembly. Penetrations shall be installed as tested in the approved fire- resistance-rated assembly.

E3806.12.2 Penetration firestop and draftstops. Penetrations shall be protected by an approved penetration firestop system installed as tested in accordance with ASTM E 814, with a minimum positive pressure differential of 0.01 inch of water (Pa) and shall have a F rating of not less than the required fire-resistance rating of the wall or floor/ceiling assembly penetrated.

E3806.12.3 Membrane penetrations. Membrane penetrations shall comply with Section 300.21.1. Where walls are required to have a minimum 1 hour fire-resistance rating, recessed light fixtures shall be so installed such that the required fire resistance will not be reduced.

Exceptions:

1. Steel electrical boxes that do not exceed 16 square inches (0.0103 m ) in area provided the total area of such openings does not exceed 100 square inches (0.0645 m ) for any 100 square feet (9.29 m ) of fire resistant wall area. Outlet boxes on opposite sides of the wall shall be separated as follows:

1.1. By a horizontal distance of not less than 24 inches, or

1.2. By a horizontal distance of not less than the depth of the wall cavity when the wall cavity is filled with cellulose loose-fill or mineral fiber insulation, or

1.3. By molded fire blocking, or

1.4. By other listed materials and methods.

2. Two-hour fire-resistance-rated nonmetallic electrical outlet boxes shall be installed in accordance with there listing.

E.

Section R313.2 of the 2006 Edition of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings is hereby amended by deleting R313.2 and substituting the following:

R313.2 Location of Smoke Detectors.

R313.2.1 Residential units general. Approved single-station or multiple station smoke detectors shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 72, Chapter 2, within one and two family dwelling, and townhouses. Where more than one detector is required to be installed within an individual dwelling unit, the detectors shall be wired in such a manner that the actuation of one alarm will actuate all of the alarms in the individual unit.

R313.2.2 Dwelling unit locations. In dwelling units, smoke detectors shall be installed in each sleeping room, outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms and on each additional story of the dwelling, including basements, cellars and attached garages but not including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics.

Exception: Heat detectors may be substituted for smoke detectors in cellars and attached garages.

R313.2.3 Additional dwelling unit split-level locations. In dwelling units with split levels, a smoke detector need be installed only on the upper level, provided the lower level is less than one full story below the upper level, except that if there is a door between levels, then a detector is required on each level. All detectors shall be interconnected such that actuation of one alarm will actuate all the alarms in the individual unit and shall provide an alarm that will be audible in all sleeping areas.

F.

Section E3305.4 of the 2002 Edition of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings is hereby amended by deleting Section E3305.4 and substituting the following:

E3305.4 Location of clear spaces. Required working space shall not be designated for storage. Panel boards and over current protection devices shall not be located in clothes closets, bathrooms, or within six (6) feet of any sink or lavatory.

G.

Section E3305.7 of the 2006 Edition of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings is hereby amended by deleting Section E3305.7 and substituting the following:

E3305.7 Headroom. The minimum headroom for working spaces for service equipment and panel boards shall be 6½ feet (1,981 mm). Where the electrical equipment exceeds 6½ feet (1,981 mm) in height, the minimum headroom shall be not less than the height of the equipment.

H.

Section E3501.6.2 of the 2006 Edition of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings is hereby amended by deleting Section E3501.6.2 and substituting the following:

E3501.6.2 Service disconnect location. The service disconnecting means shall be installed at a readily accessible location either outside of a building or structure, or inside. The main service disconnecting means shall not be located more than five (5) feet from the point where the service conductors enter a building or other structure. Service disconnecting means shall not be installed in bathrooms.

I.

Section E3501.7 of the 2002 Edition of the National Electrical Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings is hereby amended by deleting Section E3501.7 and substituting the following:

E3501.7 Maximum number of disconnects. The service disconnecting means shall consist of not more than six switches or six circuit breakers mounted in a single enclosure or in a group of separate enclosures of more than 225 amps. Service equipment shall have only one (1) main means of disconnecting services of 225 amps or less.

J.

Section E3502.1 of the 2002 Edition of the 2006 Edition of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings is hereby amended by deleting Section E3502.1 and substituting the following:

E3502.1 Branch-circuit and feeder ampacity. Branch-circuit conductors shall have an ampacity not less than the maximum load to be served. In addition, conductors of multi-outlet branch circuits supplying receptacles for cord- and plug-connected portable loads shall have an ampacity of not less than the rating of the branch circuit. Cable assemblies where the neutral conductor is smaller than the ungrounded conductors shall be so marked. Aluminum and copper-clad aluminum conductors shall not be used on any branch circuit wiring.

K.

Section E3801.2.2(1)of the 2006 Edition of the 2006 Edition of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings is amended by deleting Section E3801.2.2(1) and substituting the following:

1. Any wall space that is 2 feet (610 mm) or more in width, (including space measured around corners), and that is unbroken at the floor line by doorways, fireplaces, and similar openings. See Figure 3801.2.

Exception: When a side swinging bedroom door is open 90 degrees and within 6" of a wall parallel to the 90 degree open door, the wall space may be increased to 4 feet when measured along the floor line from the hinge side of the door.

L.

Section E3801.2.3 of the 2006 Edition of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings is hereby amended by deleting Section E3801.2.3 and substituting the following:

E3801.2.3 Floor receptacles. Receptacle outlets in floors shall not be counted as part of the required number of receptacle outlets unless located within 18 in. (457 mm) of the wall. The receptacle outlets required, by this section, shall be in addition to any receptacle that is part of any lighting fixture or appliance, located within cabinets or cupboards, or located over 5½ feet (1,676 mm) above the floor.

Exception: Permanently installed electric baseboard heaters equipped with factory installed receptacle outlets, or outlets provided as a separate assembly by the baseboard manufacturer, shall be considered equivalent to the required outlets or outlets for wall space used by such permanently installed heaters. Such receptacle outlets shall not be connected to the heater circuits.

M.

Section E3801.3 of the 2002 Edition of the 2006 Edition of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings is hereby amended by deleting Section E3801.3 and substituting the following:

E3801.3 Small appliance receptacles. The two or more 20 ampere small appliance branch circuits required by Section E3603.2 shall serve all receptacle outlets, including refrigerating appliances, in the kitchen, pantry, breakfast room, dining room, or similar area of a dwelling unit. Such circuits, whether two or more are used, shall serve no other outlets.

Exceptions:

1. Receptacle outlets located in such rooms and areas to provide power for electrical wall clocks, gas fired cooking appliances, and receptacle outlets located outdoors shall be supplied by the small appliance branch circuits or by other branch circuits.

2. Where located in such rooms and areas, receptacle outlets installed to supply only motor loads and switched receptacles outlets provided in lieu of lighting outlets shall not be required to be supplied by the small appliance branch circuits.

N.

Section 3801 of the 2006 Edition of the 2006 Edition of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings is hereby amended by adding the following Section E3801.12:

E3801.12 Outdoor outlets. At least one receptacle outlet accessible at grade level shall be installed outdoors at the front and back of each dwelling unit having direct access to grade. For dwelling units with patios, balconies or decks, an outdoor receptacle outlet shall be installed adjacent to door opening on to the patio, balcony or deck.

O.

Section E3808.7 of the 2006 Edition of the 2006 Edition of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings is hereby amended by deleting Section E3808.7 and substituting the following:

E3808.7 Load-side equipment. A grounded circuit conductor shall not to be used for grounding noncurrent-carrying metal parts of equipments on the load side of the service disconnecting means.

1. This section shall apply to existing branch-circuit installations only. New branch-circuit installations shall comply with Section 3808.9. For frames of electric ranges, wall-mounted ovens, counter-mounted cooking units, clothes dryers, and outlet or junction boxes that are part of the circuit for these appliances shall be grounded in the manner specified by Section 3808.10; or, except for mobile homes and recreational vehicles, shall be permitted to be grounded to the grounded circuit conductor if all of the conditions indicated in Section 3808.10 are met.

2. For separate buildings, in accordance with Section E3507.3.2.

P.

Section E3903.10 of the 2006 Edition of the 2006 Edition of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings is hereby amended by deleting Section E3903.10 and substituting the following:

E3903.10 Bathtub and shower areas. No parts of cord-connected fixtures, hanging fixtures, lighting track, pendants, or ceiling fans shall be located within a zone measured 3 ft. (914 mm) horizontally and 8 ft. (2.44 m) vertically from the top of the bathtub rim. No switches shall be located within this zone unless the fixture is protected by ground-fault circuit interrupter protection for personnel. This zone is all encompassing and includes the zone directly over the tubs and/or shower areas.

Q.

Section E4001.3 of the 2006 Edition of the 2006 Edition of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings is hereby amended by deleting Section E4001.3 and substituting the following:

422.16 Flexible cords. Cord- and plug-connected appliances shall use cords suitable for the environment and physical conditions likely to be encountered. Flexible cords shall only be used where the appliance is listed to be connected with a flexible cord. Specific appliances have additional requirements as specified in Table E4001.3. The receptacles for the specific appliances contained in Table E4001.3 shall be on a separate branch circuit. (See Section E3809).

(Ord. BL2007-1373 § 8, 2007; Ord. BL2001-703 § 9, 2001; Ord. BL2000-343 § 3, 2000; Ord. 96-562 §§ 70—84, 1996)