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Chapter 296-46B WAC

Last Update: 9/18/07

Electrical safety standards, administration, and installation

  

WAC Sections

296-46B-010 General.
296-46B-100 General definitions.
296-46B-110 General -- Requirements for electrical installations.
296-46B-210 Wiring and protection -- Branch circuits.
296-46B-215 Wiring and protection -- Feeders.
296-46B-220 Wiring and protection -- Branch circuit, feeder, and service calculations.
296-46B-225 Wiring and protection -- Outside branch circuits and feeders.
296-46B-230 Wiring and protection -- Services.
296-46B-250 Wiring and protection -- Grounding and bonding.
296-46B-300 Wiring methods and materials -- Wiring methods.
296-46B-314 Wiring methods and materials -- Outlet, device, pull and junction boxes.
296-46B-334 Wiring methods and materials -- Nonmetallic-sheathed cable.
296-46B-358 Wiring methods and materials -- Electrical metallic tubing.
296-46B-394 Wiring methods and materials -- Concealed knob-and-tube wiring.
296-46B-410 Equipment for general use -- Luminaires.
296-46B-422 Equipment for general use -- Appliances.
296-46B-430 Motors, motor circuits, and controllers.
296-46B-450 Equipment for general use -- Transformers and transformer vaults.
296-46B-501 Special occupancies NEC Class I locations.
296-46B-514 Special occupancies -- Motor fuel dispensing facilities.
296-46B-517 Special occupancies -- Health care facilities.
296-46B-520 Special occupancies -- Theaters, motion picture and television studios, performance areas and similar areas.
296-46B-550 Special occupancies -- Mobile homes, manufactured homes and mobile home parks.
296-46B-553 Special occupancies -- Floating buildings.
296-46B-555 Special occupancies -- Marinas and boatyards.
296-46B-590 Special occupancies -- Temporary installations.
296-46B-600 Special equipment -- Electric signs and outline lighting.
296-46B-680 Special equipment -- Swimming pools, fountains and similar installations.
296-46B-700 Emergency systems.
296-46B-701 Legally required standby systems.
296-46B-760 Fire alarm systems.
296-46B-800 Communications systems -- Communications circuits.
296-46B-900 Electrical work permits and fees.
296-46B-901 General inspections, inspectors, city inspection, variance.
296-46B-905 Temporary fees -- Inspection fees.
296-46B-906 Inspection fees.
296-46B-909 Electrical/telecommunications contractor's license, administrator certificate and examination, master electrician certificate and examination, electrician certificate and examination, temporary electrician permit, copy, and miscellaneous fees.
296-46B-910 Temporary fees -- Electrical/telecommunications contractor's license, administrator certificate and examination, master electrician certificate and examination, temporary, electrician certificate and examination, temporary electrician permit, copy, and miscellaneous fees.
296-46B-911 Electrical testing laboratory and engineer accreditation fees.
296-46B-915 Civil penalty schedule.
296-46B-920 Electrical/telecommunications license/certificate types and scope of work.
296-46B-925 Electrical/telecommunications contractor's license.
296-46B-930 Assignment -- Administrator or master electrician.
296-46B-935 Administrator certificate.
296-46B-940 Electrician/training/temporary certificate of competency or permit required.
296-46B-945 Qualifying for master, journeyman, specialty electrician examinations.
296-46B-960 Administrator and electrician certificate of competency examinations.
296-46B-965 Training certificate required.
296-46B-970 Continuing education.
296-46B-971 Training schools.
296-46B-975 Electrical audit.
296-46B-980 Enforcement -- Installations, licensing, and certification requirements.
296-46B-985 Penalties for false statements or material misrepresentations.
296-46B-990 Failure to comply with the electrical contractor licensing, administrator certification, or electrician certification laws.
296-46B-995 Electrical board -- Appeal rights and hearings.
296-46B-997 Engineer approval.
296-46B-998 Standards.
296-46B-999 Electrical testing laboratory requirements.

296-46B-010
General.

  Adopted standards - inspectors - city inspection - variance.

     The 2005 edition of the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70 - 2005) including Annex A, B, and C; the 2003 edition of standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection (NFPA 20 - 2003); the 2002 edition of standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems (NFPA 110 - 2002); Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling Standard (ANSI/TIA/EIA 568-B.1-May 2001 including Annex 1 through 5); Commercial Building Standard for Telecommunications Pathway and Spaces (ANSI/TIA/EIA 569-A-7 December 2001 including Annex 1 through 4); Commercial Building Grounding and Bonding Requirements for Telecommunications (ANSI/TIA/EIA 607 - A - 2002); Residential Telecommunications Cable Standard (ANSI/TIA/EIA 570-A-December 2001); American Railroad Engineering and Maintenance of Way Association - 2005 Communications and Signal Manual; and the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC C2-2002 excluding Appendixes A and B) are hereby adopted by reference as part of this chapter. Other codes, manuals, and reference works referred to in this chapter are available for inspection and review in the Olympia office of the electrical section of the department during business hours.

     The requirements of this chapter will be observed where there is any conflict between this chapter and the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), Centrifugal Fire Pumps (NFPA 20), the Emergency and Standby Power Systems (NFPA 110), ANSI/TIA/EIA 568-B, ANSI/TIA/EIA 569-A, ANSI/TIA/EIA 607, ANSI/TIA/EIA 570, or the NESC C2-2002.

     The National Electrical Code will be followed where there is any conflict between standard for Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection (NFPA 20), standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems (NFPA 110), ANSI/TIA/EIA 568-B, ANSI/TIA/EIA 569-A, ANSI/TIA/EIA 607, ANSI/TIA/EIA 570, or the NESC C2-2002 and the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70).

296-46B-100
General definitions.

  (1) All definitions listed in the National Electrical Code and chapter 19.28 RCW are recognized in this chapter unless other specific definitions are given in this chapter.

     (2) "Accreditation" is a determination by the department that a laboratory meets the requirements of this chapter and is therefore authorized to evaluate electrical products that are for sale in the state of Washington.

     (3) "Administrative law judge" means an administrative law judge (ALJ) appointed pursuant to chapter 34.12 RCW and serving in board proceedings pursuant to chapter 19.28 RCW and this chapter.

     (4) "ANSI" means American National Standards Institute. Copies of ANSI standards are available from the National Conference of States on Building Codes and Standards, Inc.

     (5) "Appeal" is a request for review of a department action by the board as authorized by chapter 19.28 RCW.

     (6) "Appellant" means any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity that has filed an appeal or request for board review.

     (7) "Appliance" means household appliance.

     (8) "ASTM" means the American Society for Testing and Materials. Copies of ASTM documents are available from ASTM International.

     (9) "AWG" means American Wire Gauge.

     (10) "Basement" means that portion of a building that is partly or completely below grade plane. A basement shall be considered as a story above grade plane and not a basement where the finished surface of the floor above the basement is:

     (a) More that 1829 mm (six feet) above grade plane;

     (b) More than 1829 mm (six feet) above the finished ground level for more than 50% of the total building perimeter; or

     (c) More than 3658 mm (twelve feet) above the finished ground level at any point. Also see "mezzanine" and "story."

     (11) "Board" means the electrical board established and authorized under chapter 19.28 RCW.

     (12) "Chapter" means chapter 296-46B WAC unless expressly used for separate reference.

     (13) "Category list" is a list of nonspecific product types determined by the department.

     (14) A "certified electrical product" is an electrical product to which a laboratory, accredited by the state of Washington, has the laboratory's certification mark attached.

     (15) A "certification mark" is a specified laboratory label, symbol, or other identifying mark that indicates the manufacturer produced the product in compliance with appropriate standards or that the product has been tested for specific end uses.

     (16) "Certificate of competency" includes the certificates of competency for master journeyman electrician, master specialty electrician, journeyman, and specialty electrician.

     (17) A laboratory "certification program" is a specified set of testing, inspection, and quality assurance procedures, including appropriate implementing authority, regulating the evaluation of electrical products for certification marking by an electrical products certification laboratory.

     (18) A "complete application" includes the submission of all appropriate fees, documentation, and forms.

     (19) "Construction," for the purposes of chapter 19.28 RCW, means electrical construction.

     (20) "Coordination (selective)" as defined in NEC 100 shall be determined and documented by a professional engineer registered under chapter 18.43 RCW.

     (21) "Department" means the department of labor and industries of the state of Washington.

     (22) "Director" means the director of the department, or the director's designee.

     (23) "Electrical equipment" includes electrical conductors, conduit, raceway, apparatus, materials, components, and other electrical equipment not exempted by RCW 19.28.006(9). Any conduit/raceway of a type listed for electrical use is considered to be electrical equipment even if no wiring is installed in the conduit/raceway at the time of the conduit/raceway installation.

     (24) An "electrical products certification laboratory" is a laboratory or firm accredited by the state of Washington to perform certification of electrical products.

     (25) An "electrical products evaluation laboratory" is a laboratory or firm accredited by the state of Washington to perform on-site field evaluation of electrical products for safety.

     (26) "Exit, and unobstructed (as applied to NEC 110.26 (C)(2)(a))" means an exit path that allows a worker to travel to the exit from any other area in the room containing the equipment described in NEC 110.26 (C)(2) without having to pass through that equipment's required working space.

     (27) "Field evaluated" means an electrical product to which a field evaluation mark is attached. Field evaluation must include job site inspection unless waived by the department, and may include component sampling and/or laboratory testing.

     (28) "Field evaluation mark" is a specified laboratory label, symbol, or other identifying mark indicating the manufacturer produced the product in essential compliance with appropriate standards or that the product has been evaluated for specific end uses.

     (29) A "field evaluation program" is a specified set of testing, inspection, and quality assurance procedures, including appropriate implementing authority regulating the testing and evaluation of electrical products for field evaluation marking.

     (30) The "filing" is the date the document is actually received in the office of the chief electrical inspector.

     (31) "Final judgment" means any money that is owed to the department under this chapter, including fees and penalties, or any money that is owed to the department as a result of an individual's or contractor's unsuccessful appeal of a citation.

     (32) "Fished wiring" is when cable or conduit is installed within the finished surfaces of an existing building or building structure (e.g., wall, floor or ceiling cavity).

     (33) "Household appliance" means utilization equipment installed in a dwelling unit that is built in standardized sizes or types and is installed or connected as a unit to perform one or more functions such as cooking and other equipment installed in a kitchen, clothes drying, clothes washing, portable room air conditioning units and portable heaters, etc. Fixed electric space-heating equipment covered in NEC 424 (furnaces, baseboard and wall heaters, electric heat cable, etc.) and fixed air-conditioning/heat pump equipment (NEC 440) are not household appliances. Household appliance does not mean any utilization equipment that:

     (a) Supplies electrical power, other than Class 2, to other utilization equipment; or

     (b) Receives electrical power, other than Class 2, through other utilization equipment.

     (34) HVAC/refrigeration specific definitions:

     (a) "HVAC/refrigeration" means heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration.

     (b) "HVAC/refrigeration component" means electrical power and limited energy components within the "HVAC/refrigeration system," including, but not limited to: Pumps, compressors, motors, heating coils, controls, switches, thermostats, humidistats, low-voltage damper controls, outdoor sensing controls, outside air dampers, stand-alone duct smoke detectors, air monitoring devices, zone control valves and equipment for monitoring of HVAC/refrigeration control panels and low-voltage connections. This definition excludes equipment and components of non-"HVAC/refrigeration control systems."

     (c) "HVAC/refrigeration control panel" means an enclosed, manufactured assembly of electrical components designed specifically for the control of a HVAC/refrigeration system. Line voltage equipment that has low voltage, NEC Class 2 control or monitoring components incidental to the designed purpose of the equipment is not an HVAC/refrigeration control panel (e.g., combination starters).

     (d) "HVAC/refrigeration control system" means a network system regulating and/or monitoring a HVAC/refrigeration system. Equipment of a HVAC/refrigeration control system includes, but is not limited to: Control panels, data centers, relays, contactors, sensors, and cables related to the monitoring and control of a HVAC/refrigeration system(s).

     (e) "HVAC/refrigeration equipment" means the central unit primary to the function of the "HVAC/refrigeration system." HVAC/refrigeration includes, but is not limited to: Heat pumps, swamp coolers, furnaces, compressor packages, and boilers.

     (f) "HVAC/refrigeration system" means a system of HVAC/refrigeration: Wiring, equipment, and components integrated to generate, deliver, or control heated, cooled, filtered, refrigerated, or conditioned air. This definition excludes non-HVAC/refrigeration control systems (e.g., fire alarm systems, intercom systems, building energy management systems, and similar non-HVAC/refrigeration systems) (see Figure 920-1 and Figure 920-2).

     (35) "IBC" means the International Building Code. Copies of the IBC are available from the International Code Council.

     (36) An "individual" or "party" or "person" means an individual, firm, partnership, corporation, association, government subdivision or unit thereof, or other entity.

     (37) An "installation" includes the act of installing, connecting, repairing, modifying, or otherwise performing work on an electrical system, component, equipment, or wire except as exempted by WAC 296-46B-925.

     (38) An "identification plate" is a phenolic or metallic plate or other similar material engraved in block letters at least 1/4" (6 mm) high unless specifically required to be larger by this chapter, suitable for the environment and application. The letters and the background must be in contrasting colors. Screws, rivets, or methods specifically described in this chapter must be used to affix an identification plate to the equipment or enclosure.

     (39) "License" means a license required under chapter 19.28 RCW.

     (40) "Labeled" means an electrical product that bears a certification mark issued by a laboratory accredited by the state of Washington.

     (41) A "laboratory" may be either an electrical product(s) certification laboratory or an electrical product(s) evaluation laboratory.

     (42) A "laboratory operations control manual" is a document to establish laboratory operation procedures and may include a laboratory quality control manual.

     (43) "Like-in-kind" means having similar characteristics such as voltage requirement, current draw, circuit overcurrent and short circuit characteristics, and function within the system and being in the same location. Like-in-kind also includes any equipment component authorized by the manufacturer as a suitable component replacement part.

     (44) "Lineman" is a person employed by a serving electrical utility or employed by a licensed general electrical contractor who carries, on their person, evidence that they:

     (a) Have graduated from a department-approved lineman's apprenticeship course; or

     (b) Are currently registered in a department-approved lineman's apprenticeship course and are working under the direct one hundred percent supervision of a journeyman electrician or a graduate of a lineman's apprenticeship course approved by the department. The training received in the lineman's apprenticeship program must include training in applicable articles of the currently adopted National Electrical Code.

     (45) "Listed" means equipment has been listed and identified by a laboratory approved by the state of Washington for the appropriate equipment standard per this chapter.

     (46) "Low voltage" means:

     (a) NEC, Class 1 power limited circuits at 30 volts maximum.

     (b) NEC, Class 2 circuits powered by a Class 2 power supply as defined in NEC 725.41(A).

     (c) NEC, Class 3 circuits powered by a Class 3 power supply as defined in NEC 725.41(A).

     (d) Circuits of telecommunications systems as defined in chapter 19.28 RCW.

     (47) "Mezzanine" is the intermediate level or levels between the floor and ceiling of any story with an aggregate floor area of not more than one-third of the area of the room or space in which the level or levels are located. Also see "basement" and "story."

     (48) "NEC" means National Electrical Code. Copies of the NEC are available from the National Fire Protection Association.

     (49) "NEMA" means National Electrical Manufacturer's Association. Copies of NEMA standards are available from the National Electrical Manufacturer's Association.

     (50) "NESC" means National Electrical Safety Code. Copies of the NESC are available from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.

     (51) "NETA" means International Electrical Testing Association, Inc. Copies of the NETA standards and information are available from the International Electrical Testing Association, Inc.

     (52) "NFPA" means the National Fire Protection Association. Copies of NFPA documents are available from the National Fire Protection Association.

     (53) "NRTL" means Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory accredited by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) after meeting the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.7.

     (54) "Point of contact" for utility work, means the point at which a customer's electrical system connects to the serving utility system.

     (55) "Proceeding" means any matter regarding an appeal before the board including hearings before an administrative law judge.

     (56) "Public area or square" is an area where the public has general, clear, and unrestricted access.

     (57) A "quality control manual" is a document to maintain the quality control of the laboratory's method of operation. It consists of specified procedures and information for each test method responding to the requirements of the product standard. Specific information must be provided for portions of individual test methods when needed to comply with the standard's criteria or otherwise support the laboratory's operation.

     (58) "RCW" means the Revised Code of Washington. Copies of electrical RCWs are available from the department and the office of the code reviser.

     (59) A "stand-alone amplified sound or public address system" is a system that has distinct wiring and equipment for audio signal generation, recording, processing, amplification, and reproduction. This definition does not apply to telecommunications installations.

     (60) "Service" or "served" means that as defined in RCW 34.05.010(19) when used in relation to department actions or proceedings.

     (61) "Story" is that portion of a building included between the upper surface of a floor and the upper surface of the floor or roof next above. Next above means vertically and not necessarily directly above. Also see "basement" and "mezzanine."

     (62) "Structure," for the purposes of this chapter and in addition to the definition in the NEC, means something constructed either in the field or factory that is used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy as defined by the IBC.

     (63) A "telecommunications local service provider" is a regulated or unregulated (e.g., by the Federal Communications Commission or the utilities and transportation commission as a telephone or telecommunications provider) firm providing telecommunications service ahead of the telecommunications network demarcation point to an end-user's facilities.

     (64) "TIA/EIA" means the Telecommunications Industries Association/Electronic Industries Association which publishes the TIA/EIA Telecommunications Building Wiring Standards. Standards and publications are adopted by TIA/EIA in accordance with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) patent policy.

     (65) A "training school" is a public community or technical college or not-for-profit nationally accredited technical or trade school licensed by the work force training and education coordinating board under chapter 28C.10 RCW.

     (66) "Under the control of a utility" for the purposes of RCW 19.28.091 and 19.28.101 is when electrical equipment is not owned by a utility and:

     (a) Is located in a vault, room, closet, or similar enclosure that is secured by a lock or seal so that access is restricted to the utility's personnel; or

     (b) The utility is obligated by contract to maintain the equipment and the contract provides that access to the equipment is restricted to the utility's personnel or other qualified personnel.

     (67) "UL" means Underwriters Laboratory.

     (68) "Utility" means an electrical utility.

     (69) "Utility system" means electrical equipment owned by or under the control of a serving utility that is used for the transmission or distribution of electricity from the source of supply to the point of contact.

     (70) "Utilization voltage" means the voltage level employed by the utility's customer for connection to lighting fixtures, motors, heaters, or other electrically operated equipment other than power transformers.

     (71) "Variance" is a modification of the electrical requirements as adopted in chapter 19.28 RCW or any other requirements of this chapter that may be approved by the chief electrical inspector if assured that equivalent objectives can be achieved by establishing and maintaining effective safety.

     (72) "WAC" means the Washington Administrative Code. Copies of this chapter of the WACs are available from the department and the office of the code reviser.




296-46B-110
General — Requirements for electrical installations.

  

     012 Mechanical execution of work.

     (1) Unused openings. Unused openings in boxes, raceways, auxiliary gutters, cabinets, cutout boxes, meter socket enclosures, equipment cases, or housings shall be effectively closed to afford protection substantially equivalent to the wall of the equipment. Where metallic plugs or plates are used with nonmetallic enclosures, they shall be recessed at least 6 mm (1/4") from the outer surface of the enclosure. Unused openings do not include weep holes, unused mounting holes, or any other opening with less than .15 square inches of open area.

     016 Flash protection.

     (2) The flash protection marking required by NEC 110.16 must be an identification plate or label approved by the electrical inspector and may be installed either in the field or in the factory. The plate or label may be mounted using adhesive.

     022 Identification of disconnecting means.

     (3) For the purposes of legibly marking a disconnecting means, as required in NEC 110.22, an identification plate is required unless the disconnect is a circuit breaker/fused switch installed within a panelboard and the circuit breaker/fused switch is identified by a panelboard schedule. In other than dwelling units, the identification plate must include the identification designation of the circuit source panelboard that supplies the disconnect.

     (4) Where electrical equipment is installed to obtain a series combination rating, the identification as required by NEC 110.22, must be in the form of an identification plate that is substantially yellow in color. The words "CAUTION - SERIES COMBINATION RATED SYSTEM" must be on the label in letters at least 13 mm (1/2") high.

     030 Over 600 volts - general.

     (5) Each cable operating at over 600 volts and installed on customer-owned systems must be legibly marked in a permanent manner at each termination point and at each point the cable is accessible. The required marking must use phase designation, operating voltage, and circuit number if applicable.

296-46B-210
Wiring and protection — Branch circuits.

  

     008B Other than dwelling units - GFCI requirements.

     (1) GFCI requirements.

     All 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in wet locations must have Class A ground-fault circuit interrupter protections for personnel.

     011 Branch circuits.

     (2) Circuits must be taken to all unfinished spaces adaptable to future dwelling unit living areas that are not readily accessible to the service or branch circuit panelboard. The circuits must terminate in a suitable box(es). The box must contain an identification of the intended purpose of the circuit(s). The branch circuit panelboard must have adequate space and capacity for the intended load(s).

     012 Arc-fault circuit-interrupter protection.

     (3) For the purpose of NEC 210.12(B), Dwelling Unit Bedroom spaces that:

     (a) Are accessed only through the bedroom;

     (b) Are ancillary to the bedroom's function; and

     (c) Contain branch circuits that supply 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere, outlets must be protected by an arc-fault circuit interrupter listed to provide protection per NEC 210.12.

     For the purposes of this section, such spaces will include, but not be limited to, spaces such as closets and sitting areas, but will not include bathrooms.

     025 Common area branch circuits.

     (4) For the purpose of NEC 210.25, loads for septic or water well systems that are shared by no more than two dwelling units may be supplied from either of the two dwelling units if approved by the local building official and local health department.

     051(B)(5) Receptacle outlet locations.

     (5) Receptacle outlets installed in appliance garages may be counted as a required countertop outlet.

     052(A)(2) Dwelling unit receptacle outlets.

     (6) For the purpose of NEC 210.52 (A)(2)(1), "similar openings" include the following configurations that are a permanent part of the dwelling configuration or finish:

     (a) Window seating; and

     (b) Bookcases or cabinets that extend from the floor to a level at least 1.7 meters (five (5) feet six (6) inches) above the floor.

     Any outlets eliminated by such window seating, bookcases, or cabinets must be installed elsewhere within the room.

     052(C) Countertops.

     (7) A receptacle(s) is not required to be installed in the area directly behind a sink or range as shown in NEC 210.52, Figure 210.52. Outlets must be installed within 24" on either side of a sink or range as shown in Figure 210.52.

     (8) If it is impracticable to install the outlet(s) required in NEC 21.52 (C)(3), a receptacle is not required on any peninsular counter surface as required by NEC 210.52 (C)(3) so long as the peninsular counter area extends no farther than 6' from the face of the adjoining countertop. Any outlet(s) eliminated using this subsection must be installed in the wall space at the point where the peninsula connects to the wall countertop in addition to the outlets required by NEC 210.52 (C)(1).    
 

296-46B-215
Wiring and protection — Feeders.

  

     010 Feeders - ground fault protection testing.

     Equipment ground fault protection systems required by the NEC must be tested prior to being placed into service to verify proper installation and operation of the system as determined by the manufacturer's published instructions. This test or a subsequent test must include all system feeders. A firm having qualified personnel and proper equipment must perform the tests required. A copy of the manufacturer's performance testing instructions and a written performance acceptance test record signed by the person performing the test must be provided for the inspector's records at the time of inspection. The performance acceptance test record must include test details including, but not limited to, all trip settings and measurements taken during the test.

296-46B-220
Wiring and protection — Branch circuit, feeder, and service calculations.

  

     003 Branch circuit calculations.

     Occupancy lighting loads. In determining feeder and service entrance conductor sizes and equipment ratings, the currently adopted Washington state energy code unit lighting power allowance table and footnotes may be used in lieu of NEC 220.12.

296-46B-225
Wiring and protection — Outside branch circuits and feeders.

  

     032 Location of outside feeder disconnecting means.

     The building disconnecting means required by NEC 225.32 must be provided to disconnect all ungrounded conductors that supply or pass through a building or structure per the requirements of NEC 225.32 (except for Exceptions 1, 2, 3, or 4) in accordance with subsection (1) or (2) of this section.

     (1) Outside location: Except for an outdoor generator set described in a NEC 700, 701, or 702 system, where the feeder disconnecting means is installed outside a building or structure, it must be on the building or structure or within sight and within fifteen feet of the building or structure supplied. The building disconnecting means may supply only one building/structure unless the secondary building(s)/structure(s) has a separate building disconnecting means meeting the requirements of the NEC and this subsection. The disconnecting means must have an identification plate with at least one-half-inch high letters identifying:

     (a) The building/structure served; and

     (b) Its function as the building/structure main disconnect(s).

     (2) Inside location: The feeder disconnecting means may be installed anywhere inside a building or structure when there is a feeder disconnecting means, located elsewhere on the premises, with overcurrent protection sized for the feeder conductors.

296-46B-230
Wiring and protection — Services.

  

     001 General service requirements.

     (1) The owner, the owner's agent, or the electrical contractor making the installation must consult the serving utility regarding the utility's service entrance requirements for equipment location and meter equipment requirements before installing the service and equipment. Provisions for a meter and related equipment, an attachment of a service drop, or an underground service lateral must be made at a location acceptable to the serving utility. The point of contact for a service drop must permit the clearances required by the NEC.

     (2) A firewall must have a minimum two-hour rating as defined by the local building official to be considered a building separation in accordance with Article 100 NEC.

     (3) The height of the center of the service meter must be as required by the serving utility. Secondary instrument transformer metering conductor(s) are not permitted in the service raceway.

     028 Service or other masts.

     (4) Conduit extended through the roof to provide means of attaching:

     (a) All overhead drops for service, feeder, or branch circuits exceeding #1 AWG aluminum or #3 AWG copper must be rigid steel galvanized conduit no smaller than two inches.

     (b) All overhead drops for service, feeder or branch circuits not exceeding #1 AWG aluminum or #3 AWG copper must be rigid steel galvanized conduit no smaller than one and one-quarter inch. The installation must comply with drawings E-101 and/or E-102, or must provide equivalent strength by other approved means. Masts for altered or relocated installations will be permitted to comply with drawing E-103.

     (c) For the purposes of NEC 225.19 and 230.24, a residential patio cover, that is not over one story and not over twelve feet in height and is used only for recreation or outdoor living purposes and not as a carport, garage, storage room or habitable room as described in Appendix Chapter 1 in the IBC and Appendix Chapter H in the IRC, is not considered a roof. Overhead conductor spans must maintain a minimum 900 mm (36") clearance above these covers.









 
 






 
 






 
 


Notes to drawings E-101, E-102, and E-103
(1) An approved roof flashing must be installed on each mast where it passes through a roof. Plastic, nonhardening mastic must be placed between lead-type flashings and the conduit. Neoprene type flashings will also be permitted to be used.
(2) Masts must be braced, secured, and supported in such a manner that no pressure from the attached conductors will be exerted on a roof flashing, meter base, or other enclosures.
(3) Utilization of couplings for a mast are permitted only below the point the mast is braced, secured, or supported.
(4) Except as otherwise required by the serving utility, service mast support guys must be installed if the service drop attaches to the mast more than twenty-four inches above the roof line or if the service drop is greater than one hundred feet in length from the pole or support. Masts for support of other than service drops must comply with this requirement as well.
(5) Intermediate support masts must be installed in an approved manner with methods identical or equal to those required for service masts.
(6) For altered services, where it is impractical to install U bolt mast supports due to interior walls remaining closed, it will be permissible to use other alternate mast support methods such as heavy gauge, galvanized, electrical channel material that is secured to two or more wooden studs with five-sixteenths inch diameter or larger galvanized lag bolts.
(7) Conductors must extend at least eighteen inches from all mastheads to permit connection to the connecting overhead wiring.
     040 Service conductors - two-family and multiple-occupancy buildings.

     (5) Two-family and multiple-occupancy buildings. A second or additional service drop or lateral to a building having more than one occupancy will be permitted to be installed at a location separate from other service drops or laterals to the building provided that all the following conditions are complied with:

     (a) Each service drop or lateral must be sized in accordance with the NEC for the calculated load to be served by the conductors;

     (b) Each service drop or lateral must terminate in listed metering/service equipment;

     (c) Each occupant must have access to the occupant's service disconnecting means;

     (d) No more than six service disconnects may be supplied from a single transformer;

     (e) All service drops or laterals supplying a building must originate at the same transformer or power supply;

     (f) A permanent identification plate must be placed at each service disconnect location that identifies all other service disconnect locations in or on the building, the area or units served by each, the total number of service disconnecting means on the building/structure and the area or units served. If a structure consists of multiple buildings (i.e., by virtue of fire separation), all service disconnects in or on the entire structure must be labeled to identify all service disconnects in or on the structure; and

     (g) A permanent identification plate must be placed at each feeder disconnecting means identifying the area or units served if the feeder disconnecting means is remote from the area or unit served.

     042 Service conductor - size and rating.

     (6) If the service conductors have a lesser ampacity than the overcurrent protection or the equipment rating that they terminate in or on, an identification plate showing the ampacity of the conductors must be installed on the service equipment.

     043 Wiring methods for 600 volts, nominal or less.

     (7) The installation of service conductors not exceeding 600 volts, nominal, within a building or structure is limited to the following methods: Galvanized or aluminum rigid metal conduit; galvanized intermediate metal conduit; wireways; busways; auxiliary gutters; rigid nonmetallic conduit; cablebus; or mineral-insulated, metal-sheathed cable (type MI).

     (8) Electrical metallic tubing must not be installed as the wiring method for service entrance conductors inside a building. Existing electrical metallic tubing, installed prior to October 1984, which is properly grounded and used for service entrance conductors may be permitted to remain if the conduit is installed in a nonaccessible location and is the proper size for the installed conductors.

     (9) In addition to methods allowed in the NEC, the grounded service conductor is permitted to be identified with a yellow jacket or with one or more yellow stripes.

     062 Service equipment - general.

     (10) Service equipment, subpanels, and similar electrical equipment must be installed so that they are readily accessible and may not be installed in bathrooms, clothes closets, or shower rooms. All indoor service equipment and subpanel equipment must have adequate working space and be adequately illuminated.

     (11) Temporary construction service equipment may only be used for construction purposes and must be disconnected when the permanent service is connected unless the department grants an extension of time.

     070 Service disconnecting means.

     (12) The service disconnecting means must be installed at a readily accessible location in accordance with (a) or (b) of this subsection.

     (a) Outside location: Service disconnecting means will be permitted on the building or structure or within sight and within fifteen feet of the building or structure served. The building disconnecting means may supply only one building/structure. The service disconnecting means must have an identification plate with one-half-inch high letters identifying:

     (i) The building/structure served; and

     (ii) Its function as the building/structure main service disconnect(s).

     (b) Inside location: When the service disconnecting means is installed inside the building or structure, it must be located so that the service raceway extends no more than fifteen feet inside the building/structure.

     095 Ground-fault protection of equipment.

     (13) Equipment ground-fault protection systems required by the NEC must be tested prior to being placed into service to verify proper installation and operation of the system as determined by the manufacturer's published instructions. This test or a subsequent test must include all service voltage feeders. A firm having qualified personnel and proper equipment must perform the tests required. A copy of the manufacturer's performance testing instructions and a written performance acceptance test record signed by the person performing the test must be provided for the inspector's records at the time of inspection. The performance acceptance test record must include test details including, but not limited to, all trip settings and measurements taken during the test.

     200 Wiring methods exceeding 600 volts.

     (14) The installation of service conductors exceeding 600 volts, nominal, within a building or structure must be limited to the following methods: Galvanized rigid metal conduit, galvanized intermediate metal conduit, schedule 80 rigid nonmetallic conduit, metal-clad cable that is exposed for its entire length, cablebus, or busways.

     (15) In addition to methods allowed in the NEC, the grounded service conductor is permitted to be identified with a yellow jacket or with one or more yellow stripes.

296-46B-250
Wiring and protection — Grounding and bonding.

  

     032 Two or more buildings or structures.

     (1) Effective August 1, 2003, an equipment grounding conductor must be installed with the circuit conductors between buildings and/or structures. A grounded conductor (i.e., neutral) is not permitted to be used in place of a separate equipment grounding conductor between buildings and/or structures.

     052 Grounding electrodes.

     (2) If a ground resistance test is not performed to ensure a resistance to ground of twenty-five ohms or less, two or more electrodes as specified in NEC 250.52 must be installed a minimum of six feet apart. However, a temporary construction service is not required to have more than one made electrode.

     (3) If a concrete encased electrode is installed, inspection may be accomplished by the following methods:

     (a) At the time of inspection of other work on the project, providing the concrete encased electrode is accessible for a visual inspection;

     (b) At the time of the service inspection providing the installer has provided a method so the inspector can verify the continuity of the electrode conductor along its entire length (e.g., attaching a length of copper wire to one end of the electrode that reaches the location of the grounding electrode conductor that will enable the inspector to measure the resistance with a standard resistance tester). The concrete encased electrode does not have to be accessible for a visual inspection; or

     (c) Other method when prior approval, on a job site basis, is given by the inspector.

     If a special inspection trip is required to inspect a grounding electrode conductor, a trip fee will be charged for that inspection in addition to the normal permit fee.

     056 Resistance of rod, pipe, and plate electrodes.

     (4) For services only, when multiple buildings or structures are located adjacent, but structurally separate from each other, any installed rod, pipe, or plate electrodes used for those services must be installed so that each building's or structure's electrodes are not less than 1.8 m (6 ft) apart from the adjacent building's or structure's electrodes.

     090 Bonding.

     (5) Metallic stubs or valves used in nonmetallic plumbing systems are not required to be bonded to the electrical system unless required by an electrical equipment manufacturer's instructions.

     (6) Hot and cold water plumbing lines are not required to be bonded together if, at the time of inspection, the inspector can determine the lines are mechanically and electrically joined by one or more metallic mixing valves.

     184 Solidly grounded neutral systems over 1 kV.

     (7) In addition to the requirements of NEC 250.184(A), the following applies for:

     (a) Existing installations.

     (i) The use of a concentric shield will be allowed for use as a neutral conductor for extension, replacement, or repair, if all of the following are complied with:

     (A) The existing system uses the concentric shield as a neutral conductor;

     (B) Each individual conductor contains a separate concentric shield sized to no less than thirty-three and one-half percent of the ampacity of the phase conductor for three-phase systems or one hundred percent of the ampacity of the phase conductor for single-phase systems;

     (C) The new or replacement cable's concentric shield is enclosed inside an outer insulating jacket; and

     (D) Existing cable (i.e., existing cable installed directly in the circuit between the work and the circuit's overcurrent device) successfully passes the following tests:

              * A cable maintenance high potential dielectric test. The test must be performed in accordance with the cable manufacturer's instruction or the 2001 NETA maintenance test specifications; and

              * A resistance test of the cable shield. Resistance must be based on the type, size, and length of the conductor used as the cable shield using the conductor properties described in NEC Table 8 Conductor Properties.

     An electrical engineer must provide a specific certification to the electrical plan review supervisor in writing that the test results of the maintenance high potential dielectric test and the resistance test have been reviewed by the electrical engineer and that the cable shield is appropriate for the installation. The electrical engineer must stamp the certification document with the engineer's stamp and signature. The document may be in the form of a letter or electrical plans.

     Testing results are valid for a period of seven years from the date of testing. Cable will not be required to be tested at a shorter interval.

     (ii) A concentric shield used as a neutral conductor in a multigrounded system fulfills the requirements of an equipment grounding conductor.

     (b) New installations.

     (i) New installations do not include extensions of existing circuits.

     (ii) The use of the concentric shield will not be allowed for use as a neutral conductor for new installations. A listed separate neutral conductor meeting the requirements of NEC 250.184(A) must be installed.

296-46B-300
Wiring methods and materials — Wiring methods.

  

     001 Wiring methods.

     (1) Cables and raceways for telecommunications, power limited, NEC Class 2 and Class 3 conductors must be installed in compliance with Chapter 3 NEC unless other methods are specifically allowed elsewhere in the NEC, chapter 19.28 RCW, or this chapter.

     005 Underground installations.

     (2) Induction loops.

     See WAC 296-46B-901(23) for induction detection loops that are made in a public roadway and regulated by a governmental agency.

     Other induction loops must comply with the following requirements:

     (a) General:

     (i) A preformed direct burial induction loop is designed to be installed within the road surface base (e.g., concrete or asphalt) or below the road surface of a road with an unpaved surface (e.g., gravel or brick pavers);

     (ii) A saw-cut induction detection loop is designed to be installed into a groove saw-cut into an existing paved road surface (e.g., concrete or asphalt);

     (iii) The loop system includes the loop and the lead-in conductor;

     (iv) The loop system must be:

     (A) Tested to assure that at 500 volts DC, the resistance between the conductor and ground equals or exceeds 50 megohms; and

     (B) Without splice; or

     (C) If spliced, the splice must be soldered and appropriately insulated;

     (v) The lead-in conductor must comply with the following:

     (A) Must be stranded and have a lay (i.e., twist) of two turns per foot; and

     (B) If installed in an electrical raceway;

                *  Are not required to be listed or suitable for wet locations; and

                *  Must have a burial cover of at least 6"; or

     (C) If direct buried;

              * Must be listed for the use; and

              * Must have a burial cover of at least 18".

     (b) Preformed direct burial induction detection loops must conform with the following:

     (i) The loop conductor must be rated for direct burial and be a minimum of No. 16 AWG;

     (ii) The loop design must not allow movement of the loop conductor within the outer jacket. The outer jacket containing the loop conductor is not required to be listed;

     (iii) The loop yoke casing (i.e., the location where the lead-in conductor is connected to the loop):

     (A) Includes any device used to house the "loop to lead-in splice" or to otherwise couple the loop with the lead-in electrical raceway;

     (B) Is not required to be listed; and

     (C) Must have a coupler that will create a waterproof bond with the electrical raceway, containing the lead-in conductor, or a direct buried lead-in conductor.

     (c) Saw-cut induction detection loops:

     (i) The loop conductor must be cross-linked polyethylene or EPR Type USE insulation and be a minimum of No. 18 AWG stranded;

     (ii) The saw-cut groove must not cut into rebar installed within the roadway.

     011 Support of raceways, cables, or boxes in suspended ceilings.

     (3) NEC power limited, Class 2, and Class 3 cables must be secured in compliance with NEC 334.30 and must be secured to boxes in compliance with NEC 314.17.

     (4) Telecommunications cables must be secured in a manner that will not cause damage to the cables and at intervals not exceeding five feet. Cables are considered adequately supported when run through holes in building structural elements or other supporting elements. Telecommunications cables may be fished into inaccessible hollow spaces of finished buildings. Clamps or fittings are not required where telecommunications cables enter boxes.

     (5) Optical fiber cables must be secured in a manner that will not cause damage to the cables and at intervals not exceeding five feet. Cables are considered adequately supported when run through holes in building structural elements or other supporting elements. Optical fiber cables may be fished into inaccessible hollow spaces of finished buildings. Supports must allow a bending radius that will not cause damage to the cables.

     (6) Where not restricted by the building code official or Article 300 NEC, the wires required in NEC 300.11(A) may support raceways, cables, or boxes under the following conditions:

     (a) Raceways and/or cables are not larger than three-quarter-inch trade size;

     (b) No more than two raceways or cables are supported by a support wire. The two-cable limitation does not apply to telecommunications cables, Class 2 cables, or Class 3 cables on support wires installed exclusively for such cables. The support wire must be adequate to carry the cable(s) weight and all attached cables must be secured with approved fittings; or

     (c) Raceways and cables are secured to the support wires by fittings designed and manufactured for the purpose.

     In addition to (a), (b), and (c) of this subsection, the following conditions must be complied with:

     (d) The support wires are minimum #12 AWG and are securely fastened to the structural ceiling and to the ceiling grid system; and

     (e) The raceways or cables serve equipment that is located within the ceiling cavity or is mounted on or supported by the ceiling grid system. Telecommunications cables, Class 2 cables, or Class 3 cables supported as required by this section, may pass through ceiling cavities without serving equipment mounted on or supported by the ceiling grid system.

     017 Conductors in raceway.

     (7) Cables will be permitted in all raceway systems if:

     (a) The cable is appropriate for the environment; and

     (b) The percentage fill does not exceed that allowed in NEC Chapter 9, Table 1.

 

296-46B-314
Wiring methods and materials — Outlet, device, pull and junction boxes.

  

     001 Boxes and fittings.

     (1) Conduit bodies, junction, pull, and outlet boxes must be installed so that the wiring contained in them is accessible without removing any part of the building structure, including insulation material.

     023(H) Flexible cord connection of pendant boxes.

     (2) The flexible cord and cord connection must comply with NEC 314.23(H) and the following:

     (a) A suspended pendant box must not contain conduit "knockouts" and connection to a suspended box must utilize an integral threaded hub;

     (b) The maximum length of the cord for a suspended pendant drop from a permanently installed junction box to a suitable tension take-up device above the pendant box must not exceed six feet;

     (c) The flexible cord must be supported at each end with an approved cord grip or strain relief connector fitting/device that will eliminate all stress on the conductor connections;

     (d) The flexible cord must be a minimum #14 AWG copper;

     (e) The flexible cord ampacity must be determined using NEC Table 400.5(A) column A; and

     (f) The flexible cord must be hard or extra hard usage.

296-46B-334
Wiring methods and materials — Nonmetallic-sheathed cable.

  

     010 Nonmetallic-sheathed cable.

     (1) The building classification, for subsections (2), (3), and (4) of this section, will be as determined by the building official. For the purposes of this section, Type III, IV and V may be as defined in the International Building Code adopted in the state of Washington. The installer must provide the inspector documentation substantiating the type of building construction and finish material rating(s) prior to any electrical inspection.

     (2) This section replaces NEC 334.10(2). In multifamily dwellings, Type NM, Type NMC, and Type NMS cable(s) may be used in structures of Types III, IV, and V construction except as prohibited in NEC 334.12.

     (3) This section replaces NEC 334.10(3). In all other structures, Type NM, Type NMC, and Type NMS cable(s) may be used in structures of Types III, IV, and V construction except as prohibited in NEC 334.12. All cable(s) must be concealed within walls, floors, or ceilings that provide a thermal barrier of material that has at least a 15-minute finish rating as identified in listings of fire-rated assemblies.

     (4) This section replaces NEC 334.10(4). Cable trays in structures of Types III, IV, and V construction, where the cable(s) is identified for the use, except as prohibited in NEC 334.12.

     015 Exposed work.

     (5) Where Type NMC cable is installed in shallow chases in plaster, masonry, concrete, adobe or similar material, the cable must be protected against nails or screws by:

     (a) A steel plate at least 1.59 mm (1/16 in.) thick and covered with plaster, adobe, or similar finish; or

     (b) Being recessed in a chase at least 6.985 cm (2 3/4 in.) deep, as measured from the finished surface, and covered with plaster, adobe, or similar finish. The cable(s) must be at least 6.35 mm (2 1/2 in.) from the finished surface.

296-46B-358
Wiring methods and materials — Electrical metallic tubing.

  

     012 Electrical metallic tubing.

     In addition to complying with the provisions of Article 358 NEC, electrical metallic tubing may not be installed in direct contact with the earth or in concrete on or below grade. Also see NEC 300.6 for resistance to corrosion.

296-46B-394
Wiring methods and materials — Concealed knob-and-tube wiring.

  

     001 Knob-and-tube wiring.

     Article 394 NEC does not prohibit the installation of loose or rolled thermal insulating material in spaces containing existing knob-and-tube wiring provided that all the following conditions are met:

     (1) The wiring must be surveyed by an appropriately licensed electrical contractor who must certify in writing to the department that the wiring is in good condition with no evidence of improper overcurrent protection, conductor insulation failure or deterioration, and with no improper connections or splices. The electrical inspector must inspect all repairs, alterations, or extensions to the electrical system.

     (2) The insulation must meet Class I specifications as identified in the Uniform Building Code, with a flame spread factor of twenty-five or less as tested using ASTM E84-81a. Foam insulation may not be used with knob-and-tube wiring.

     (3) All knob-and-tube circuits must have overcurrent protection in compliance with NEC Table 310.16, 60 degree centigrade, Column C. Overcurrent protection must be either circuit breakers or Type S fuses.
 

296-46B-410
Equipment for general use — Luminaires.

  

     004 Luminaires.

     (1) All luminaires within an enclosed shower area or within five feet of the waterline of a bathtub must be enclosed, unless specifically listed for such use; these luminaires, with exposed metal parts that are grounded, must be ground fault circuit interrupter protected.

     018 Exposed luminaire (fixture) parts.

     (2) Replacement luminaires that are directly wired or attached to boxes supplied by wiring methods that do not provide a ready means for grounding and that have exposed conductive parts will be permitted only where the luminaires are provided with ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection and marked "no equipment ground."

     030 Flexible cord connection of electric discharge luminaires.

     (3) A ground-type attachment plug cap and receptacle connection at the source junction box is not required when the flexible cord complies with NEC 410.30 and the following:

     (a) Connection to a source junction box must utilize an approved cable connector or clamp;

     (b) The maximum length of the cord for a suspended pendant drop from a permanently installed junction box to a suitable tension take-up device above the pendant luminaire must not exceed six feet;

     (c) The flexible cord must be supported at each end with an approved cord grip or strain relief connector fitting/device that will eliminate all stress on the conductor connections;

     (d) The flexible cord must be a minimum #14 AWG copper;

     (e) The flexible cord ampacity must be determined in NEC Table 400.5(A) column A;

     (f) The flexible cord must be hard or extra hard usage; and

     (g) A vertical flexible cord supplying electric discharge luminaires must be secured to the luminaire support as per NEC 334.30(A).

296-46B-422
Equipment for general use — Appliances.

  

     010 Water heater circuit.

     Water heaters with a rated circuit load in excess of 3,500 watts at 208 or 240 volts must be provided with branch circuit conductors not smaller than #10 AWG copper or equal. Overcurrent protection must comply with NEC 422.11(E).

296-46B-430
Motors, motor circuits, and controllers.

  

     007 Marking on motors and multimotor equipment.

     Except as required by the National Electrical Code, there is no requirement for motors to be identified for use or listed/field evaluated by a laboratory. All motors must be manufactured according to National Electrical Manufacturer's Association (NEMA) standards for motors except motors that:

     (1) Are a component part of equipment listed or field evaluated by a laboratory; or

     (2) Are a component part of industrial utilization equipment approved by the department per WAC 296-46B-901.

296-46B-450
Equipment for general use — Transformers and transformer vaults.

  

     027 Flammable-liquid or oil-filled transformers installed outdoors.

     (1) Flammable-liquid or oil-filled transformers installed outdoors must meet the following requirements:

     (a) A transformer installed adjacent to a building/structure with any combustible surface may be located only in the shaded "Approved Transformer Area" shown in Figure 450-1;



"Approved Transformer Area" shown in Figure 450-1;
 


     (b) A transformer installed adjacent to a building/structure with no combustible surface(s) may be located only in the shaded "Approved Transformer Area" shown in Figure 450-2;





 
     (c) In an area in which a transformer is to be installed next to a noninhabited structure, the transformer may be no closer than two feet to the building/structure and must be outside a line extended vertically from the ends of the eaves or rooflines;

     (d) A building/structure may have no doors, windows, stairways, or other openings closer than eight feet to the transformer;

     (e) The finished grade at the location of the transformer must be such that any oil leaking from the transformer will flow away from the building/structure and will not pool; and

     (f) If transformers are installed in areas subject to traffic other than pedestrian traffic, they must be provided with adequate guarding.

     (2) Enclosures for total underground flammable-liquid or oil-filled transformers must not be located within eight feet of a doorway, operable window, stairways or fire escape. Adequate space must be maintained above the enclosure so that a boom may be used to lift the transformer from the enclosure.

296-46B-501
Special occupancies NEC Class I locations.

  

     001 Sewage disposal systems.

     (1) Pumping chambers for sewage, effluent, or grinder pumps in on-site and septic tank effluent pump (S.T.E.P.) disposal systems will be considered unclassified when not more than five residential units are connected to the system, residential units are connected to a utility sewage system, or when nonresidential systems have residential loading characteristics and all of the following general installations requirements are complied with:

     (a) The pumping chamber must be adequately vented. Venting may be accomplished through the building or structure plumbing vents where the system venting has been approved by the local jurisdiction authority or by a direct two-inch minimum vent to the atmosphere;

     (b) Equipment that in normal operation may cause an arc or spark must not be installed in any pumping chamber;

     (c) Float switches installed in a pumping chamber must be hermetically sealed to prevent the entrance of gases or vapors;

     (d) Junction boxes, conduits and fittings installed in the septic atmosphere must be of a noncorrosive type, installed to prevent the entrance of gases or vapors;

     (e) Where a conduit system is installed between the pumping chamber and the control panel, motor disconnect, or power source, an approved sealing method must be installed to prevent the migration of gases or vapors from the pumping chamber, and must remain accessible; and

     (f) Wire splices in junction boxes installed in pumping chambers must be suitable for wet locations.

     (2) Residential wastewater loading characteristics in a nonresidential installation:

     (a) For systems that process less than three thousand five hundred gallons of wastewater per day may be certified by:

     (i) An on-site wastewater designer licensed under chapter 18.210 RCW; or

     (ii) A professional engineer, engaged in the business of on-site wastewater system design, licensed under chapter 18.43 RCW.

     (b) For systems that process three thousand five hundred gallons or more of wastewater per day may be certified by a professional engineer, engaged in the business of on-site wastewater system design, licensed under chapter 18.43 RCW.

     Written documentation must be signed and stamped by the designer or engineer and provided to the electrical inspector prior to inspection.

     (3) Any residential or nonresidential system that has building or structure floor drains being discharged into the system is classified as Class I Division 1. Drains from any commercially made tub, shower, basin, sink, or toilet are not considered floor drains.

     (4) Pumping chamber access covers can be covered by gravel, light aggregate, or noncohesive granulated soil, and must be accessible for excavation. Access covers that are buried must have their exact location identified at the electrical panel or other prominent location by an identification plate. The authority having jurisdiction for performing electrical inspections must approve the identification plate location.

     (5) Indoor grinder pumps installed in chambers with less than fifty gallons capacity are not required to meet the requirements of this section, except for the venting requirements in subsection (1)(a) of this section. Indoor grinder pumps installed in chambers with less than fifty gallons capacity are not classified systems as described in Article 500 NEC.

     (6) Secondary treatment effluent pumping chambers such as sand filters are unclassified, and require no special wiring methods.

     (7) Inspection approval is required prior to covering or concealing any portion of the septic electrical system, including the pump. New septic and effluent tanks containing electrical wires and equipment must be inspected and approved prior to being loaded with sewage.

296-46B-514
Special occupancies — Motor fuel dispensing facilities.

  

     001 General.

     (1) In addition to the scope included in NEC 514.1, Article 514 NEC must be complied with for all liquified flammable gas storage or transfer facilities.

     011 Emergency disconnecting means - dispensing and service stations.

     (2) An emergency disconnecting means or operator must be provided to disconnect the pump or dispensing equipment serving gasoline, volatile flammable liquids, or liquefied flammable gases. The emergency disconnecting means or operator must disconnect all conductors of the circuit supplying all station dispensers and/or pumps (including the grounded conductor) simultaneously from the source(s) of supply.

     (3) For installations with only one dispensing device, the emergency disconnecting means/operator may be used to satisfy subsection (2) of this section.

     (4) For multicircuit installations, an electrically held normally open contactor operated by a push-button may serve as the disconnecting means to satisfy subsection (2) of this section. If a disconnecting pushbutton is used, the pushbutton may not function as the resetting mechanism for the electrically held contactor. The resetting means must be:

     (a) Located at least fifteen feet or out of sight from the disconnecting pushbutton;

     (b) Installed behind a cover or guard; and

     (c) Identified with an identification plate that is substantially black in color.

     (5) The disconnecting means satisfying subsection (2) of this section must be labeled with an identification plate, with letters at least one inch high, as the emergency disconnecting means. The disconnecting means or operator must be:

     (a) Substantially red in color; and

     (b) For attended facilities - must be readily accessible and must be located outdoors and within sight of the pump or dispensing equipment it controls; or

     (c) For unattended facilities - must be readily accessible and must be located within sight, but at least twenty feet from the pump or dispensing equipment it controls.

296-46B-517
Special occupancies — Health care facilities.

  

     001 Health care facilities.

     In health care facilities, the following methods must be used to determine adequate capacity and ratings of equipment providing electrical power for the essential electrical systems defined in Article 517 NEC:

     (1) Systems in new facilities:

     (a) Emergency system: The emergency branch must consist of two branches known as:

     (i) Life safety system: The feeder conductors and equipment used to supply electrical power to the life safety branch must be determined by summation of the connected loads as determined by Article 220 NEC and may not be subjected to any reduction due to the diversity of the loads. Feeder and equipment will be subject to a one hundred twenty-five percent multiplier for continuous loads in accordance with Article 220 NEC.

     (ii) Critical branch system: The feeder conductors and equipment must be calculated in accordance with Article 220 NEC, including a level of diversity as determined by such article.

     (b) Equipment branch: The feeder conductors and equipment used to supply electrical power to the equipment branch of the essential electrical system must be calculated in accordance with Article 220 NEC, including a level of diversity as determined by such article.

     (c) Generator sizing: The rating of the generator(s) supplying electrical power to the essential system of a health care facility must meet or exceed the summation of the loads determined in (a) and (b) of this subsection with no additional demand factors applied. Momentary X-ray loads may be ignored if the generator is rated at least three hundred percent of the largest momentary X-ray load connected.

     (2) Existing essential systems in facilities to which additional load is to be added:

     (a) Existing loads: The existing loads of the separate branches of the essential electrical system may be determined by WAC 296-46B-901 (15)(j).

     (b) Added loads: Added loads to the separate branches of the essential electrical system must be determined by subsection (1) of this section.

     (c) Generator sizing: The rating of the generator(s) supplying electrical power to the essential electrical system must meet or exceed the summation of the loads determined by (a) and (b) of this subsection with no additional demand factors applied.


296-46B-520
Special occupancies — Theaters, motion picture and television studios, performance areas and similar areas.

  

     001 Concerts, motion picture productions, stage shows, and similar shows.

     (1) Service equipment, separately derived systems, feeders and circuits for concerts, motion picture productions, stage shows, and similar shows, must comply with the NEC and this chapter.

     (2) The ampacity of cords and cables must be determined from the appropriate Article 400 NEC cord and cable ampacity tables including all notes.

296-46B-550
Special occupancies — Mobile homes, manufactured homes and mobile home parks.

  

     001 Mobile/manufactured homes - inspection.

     (1) All alterations to the mobile/manufactured home electrical system must be permitted and inspected by the factory assembled structures section of the department. Electrical wiring in structures that are attached to the mobile/manufactured home and for which the source of power is from the mobile/manufactured home is inspected by the factory assembled structures section of the department.

     032 Mobile/manufactured homes - service.

     (2) If an electrical service is installed on the mobile/manufactured home:

     (a) It must be installed only by the manufacturer, at the manufacturing plant. The manufacturer must complete the service except for service connections, meter, and grounding electrode conductor; and

     (b) The owner or an electrical contractor must complete the service at the site.

     033 Mobile/manufactured homes - feeder.

     (3) When the mobile or manufactured home is supplied with power using a permanent wiring method, the equipment grounding conductor will be permitted to be bare. Bare conductors used underground must be copper. For the purposes of this section, portable cord is not considered a permanent wiring method.

296-46B-553
Special occupancies — Floating buildings.

  

     004 Floating buildings and similar facilities - services and feeders.

     (1) Where electrical power is provided, floating buildings and similar facilities in addition to complying with the appropriate sections of Article 553 NEC must have a readily accessible service rated disconnect located on the shoreline within sight of the shoreline connection of the dock, wharf or similar structure to which the floating building or similar facility is moored.

     (2) Where shore power is provided, each floating building or similar facility must have a disconnecting means located within sight of each floating building or similar facility. The disconnecting means must be installed adjacent to but not in or on the floating building or similar facility.

     007 Floating buildings and similar installations - wiring methods.

     (3) Extra-hard usage portable power cables rated not less than 75°C, 600 volts, listed for wet locations and sunlight resistance and having an outer jacket rated for the environment may be used as a permanent wiring method when joining the structures indicated above and for any concealed or protected wiring on a sectionalized floating dock leading to a floating building or similar facility. The cable needs to be resistant only to environments it is normally exposed to on an ongoing basis.

     (4) Conductors operating in excess of 600 volts, nominal may not be installed on floating portions of a floating building or similar facility.

296-46B-555
Special occupancies — Marinas and boatyards.

  (1) For the purposes of NEC 555.1, the scope of work includes private, noncommercial docking facilities.

     (2) For the purposes of NEC 555.5, transformer terminations must be located a minimum of twelve inches above the deck of a dock (datum plane requirements do not apply for this section).

     (3) For the purposes of NEC 555.7, adjacent means within sight.

     (4) For the purposes of NEC 555.9, all electrical connections must be installed a minimum of twelve inches above the deck of a pier unless the connections are approved for wet locations (datum plane requirements do not apply for this section).

     (5) For the purposes of NEC 555.10, all enclosures must be corrosion resistant. All gasketed enclosures must be arranged with a weep hole to discharge condensation.

     (6) For the purposes of NEC 555.11, gasketed enclosures are only required for wet locations.

     (7) For the purposes of NEC 555.13, the following wiring methods are allowed:

     (a) All wiring installed in a damp or wet location must be suitable for wet locations.

     (b) Extra-hard usage portable power cables rated not less than 75°C, 600 volts, listed for wet locations and sunlight resistance and having an outer jacket rated for the environment are permitted. Portable power cables are permitted as a permanent wiring method under or within docks and piers or where provided with physical protection. The requirements of NEC 555.13 (B)(4)(b) do not apply.

     (c) Overhead wiring must be installed at the perimeter of areas where boats are moored, stored, moved, or serviced to avoid possible contact with masts and other parts of boats.

     (d) For the purposes of NEC 555.13 (B)(5), the wiring methods of Chapter 3 NEC will be permitted.

     (8) For the purposes of NEC 555.19, receptacles must be mounted not less than twelve inches above the deck surface of the pier or dock (datum plane requirements do not apply for this section). Shore power receptacles that provide shore power for boats must be rated not less than 20 amperes and must be single outlet type and must be of the locking and grounding type or pin and sleeve type.

     (9) For the purposes of NEC 555.21, electrical wiring and equipment located at or serving dispensing stations must comply with Article 514 NEC in addition to the requirements of this section.

     (a) Boundary classifications.

     (i) Class I, Division 1. The area under the dispensing unit is a Class I, Division 1 location. If a dock has one or more voids, pits, vaults, boxes, depressions, or similar spaces where flammable liquid or vapor can accumulate below the dock surface and within twenty feet horizontally of the dispensing unit, then the area below the top of the dock and within twenty feet horizontally of the dispensing unit is a Class I, Division 1 location. See Figure 555-1.

     (ii) Class I, Division 2. The area eighteen inches above the water line and within twenty feet horizontally of the dispensing unit is a Class I, Division 2 location. If a dock has one or more voids, pits, vaults, boxes, depressions, or similar spaces where flammable liquid or vapor can accumulate below the dock surface and within twenty feet horizontally of the dispensing unit, then the area to eighteen inches above the top and adjacent to the sides of the dock and within twenty feet horizontally of the dispensing unit is a Class I, Division 2 location. See Figure 555-2.

     (b) Portable power cable will be allowed as a permanent wiring method in Class I, Division 2 locations when protected from physical damage.

     (10) For the purposes of NEC 555.23, the datum plane requirements do not apply.





 




 

296-46B-590
Special occupancies — Temporary installations.

  

     001 Temporary installations.

     (1) For the purposes of this section, any circuit used for construction purposes is considered to be temporary.

     004 Temporary installations - splices.

     (2) A splice or junction box is required for all wiring splice or junction connections in a temporary installation.

296-46B-600
Special equipment — Electric signs and outline lighting.

  

     001 Electrical signs - general.

     (1) All electrical signs within the scope of UL Standard 48, the electrical sign standard, must be listed. All electrical signs outside the scope of UL Standard 48 will be inspected for compliance with the NEC.

     009 Awning electrical signs.

     (2) Luminaires in outdoor awnings must be suitable for wet locations and be connected by a wiring method suitable for wet locations.

     (3) Fluorescent luminaires must be located at least six inches from the awning fabric. Incandescent lamps or luminaires must be located at least eighteen inches from the awning fabric. A disconnecting means must be installed per Article 600 NEC.

     (4) Listed awning signs must be installed in compliance with the manufacturer's instructions and the NEC.

     010 Portable or mobile outdoor electrical signs.

     (5) A weatherproof receptacle outlet that is weatherproof with the supply cord connected must be installed within six feet of each electrical sign.

     (6) Extension cords are not permitted to supply portable outdoor signs.

     (7) All portable outdoor electrical signs must be listed or field evaluated by a laboratory accredited by the department.

     030 Neon tubing.

     (8) NEC 600, Part II, Field-Installed Skeleton Tubing, will apply to all neon tubing and neon circuit conductors.

296-46B-680
Special equipment — Swimming pools, fountains and similar installations.

  

     001 General.

     (1) Package spa or hot tubs. Electrical heating, pumping, filtering, and/or control equipment installed within five feet of a spa or hot tub must be listed or field evaluated as a package with the spa or hot tub.

     (2) A factory assembled skid pack of electrical heating, pumping, filtering, and/or control equipment (skid pack) must be installed more than five feet from a spa or hot tub and shall be listed as a package unit.

     (3) The maintenance disconnect and field installed, listed electrical equipment for a hot tub, spa, or swim spa must be located at least five feet from the hot tub, spa or swim spa. Field installed listed equipment must meet the following additional requirements:

     (a) The heater is listed as a "spa heater or swimming pool heater";

     (b) The pump is listed as a "spa pump" or "swimming pool/spa pump" (the pump may be combined with a filter assembly); and

     (c) Other listed equipment such as panelboards, conduit, and wire are suitable for the environment and comply with the applicable codes.

     (4) Field installed, listed electrical equipment for a swimming pool must be located at least five feet from the swimming pool. Field installed listed equipment must meet the following additional requirements:

     (a) The heater must be listed as a "swimming pool heater or a spa heater";

     (b) The pump must be listed as a "swimming pool pump" or "spa pump" or "swimming pool/spa pump"; and

     (c) Other equipment such as panelboards, conduit, and wire must be suitable for the environment and comply with the applicable codes.

     The five-foot separation may be reduced by the installation of a permanent barrier, such as a solid wall, fixed glass windows or doors, etc. The five-foot separation will be determined by the shortest path or route that a cord can travel from the spa, hot tub, swim spa, or swimming pool to an object.

     (5) The field assembly or installation of "recognized components" will not be