SR-416-003 (9)
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City Council Meeting: May 10, 2005
MAY 1 0 Z005
Santa Monica, California '
TO:
City Council
FROM:
City Staff
Subject:
Recommendation to Adopt A Resolution Making Findings Regarding Local
Climatic, Geological And Topographic Conditions As Required To Adopt
Local Amendments To The 2004 Edition Of The California Electrical Code;
Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 8.24 of
the Santa Monica Municipal Code to Adopt the 2004 Edition of the
California Electrical Code And Local Amendments To The California
Electrical Code.
INTRODUCTION
This staff report explains the adoption process for building standards; why and how the
City can amend these codes; and what amendments will benefit the City at this time.
The report recommends that the Building and Safety Commission recommend to the
City Council that they adopt the attached resolution making findings of local climatic,
geological and topographical conditions (see Attachment A) and adoption of the
California Electrical Code and the Santa Monica amendments to the California Electrical
Code (see Attachment B).
BACKGROUND
Pursuant to the Health and Safety Code, the California Building Standards Code applies
throughout the State of California. This set of building standards incorporates by
reference various model codes with amendments created by interested State agencies.
The California Building Standards Commission publishes amended codes once every
three years. One hundred and eighty days later, all cities and counties must follow the
published standards unless the local jurisdiction amends them as allowed by law.
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MAY I 0 2005
During the period between publication of the California Building Standards Code and
mandatory local adoption, cities and counties may make amendments based on local
topographical, geological and climatic concerns. For amendments to be effective, the
local governing body must make specific findings that anyone or more of the
aforementioned concerns is applicable, approve an ordinance adopting the
amendments and file a copy of the express findings and local ordinance with the
California Building Standards Commission. These requirements apply to both new and
previously adopted local amendments.
The Santa Monica Municipal Code authorizes the Building and Safety Commission to
advise the City Council on new legislation and this report incorporates the
Commission's recommendations.
LOCAL AMENDMENTS TO THE CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE
The following paragraphs list the proposed local amendments to the building standards
found in the 2004 edition of the California Electrical Code. These amendments are
necessary due to a number of unique local conditions including climate, parcel
configuration, age of structures, water supply, proximity to seismic activity and ground
water. Existing local amendments that are required to be adopted again as a matter of
law start with the word "Continue" and the one new amendment starts with "Provide." All
of the following proposed amendments to the California Electrical Code are
reenactments of existing provisions that have existed in the Santa Monica Municipal
Code for several years except for the limit of nonmetallic-sheathed cable to single and
multifamily structures.
. Continue to ensure that any wiring not having metal protection over the
conductors shall be entirely concealed within the building structure to prevent
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and inhibit tampering and restrict the use of aluminum wiring found to be
hazardous (see Section 8.24.030).
. Provide for a limit of the use of nonmetallic-sheathed cable to single and
multifamily dwellings not exceeding three floors above grade (see Section
8.24.030).
. Continue to prohibit the use of any electrical material, device, or equipment
unless it complies with provisions of this section, including rating and
conformance with national standards (see Section 8.24.040).
. Continue to provide regulations for temporary service poles used on construction
sites (see Section 8.24.060)
. Continue to provide regulations for underground concrete vaults and handholes
(see Section 8.24.070).
. Continue to provide proper disconnecting means for multiple arrays on solar
photovoltaic systems (see Section 8.24.080).
The one proposed new amendment seeks to maintain the safe history of the current
electrical code and existing electrical practice and design standards that limit the use of
nonmetallic-sheathed cable to residential structures not exceeding three stories.
Without sufficient justification from a history of use, the new edition 2002 of the National
Electrical Code allows the use of this inferior wiring system now up to buildings of wood
frame construction that are five stories.
BUILDING AND SAFETY COMMISSION REPORT
On April 20, 2005, the Building and Safety Commission met to consider the
recommended resolution and ordinance. The Commission discussed the proposed
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amendment to the California Electrical Code that would limit the use of nonmetallic-
sheathed cable and how this limit would affect existing construction practices.
Discussion also continued on the history of former electrical code amendments and why
the sale of electrical materials was regulated in one of them. Upon conclusion of the
discussion, the Commission voted to recommend to the City Council the approval of the
resolution and ordinance with one additional change: eliminate the regulation of sale of
electrical materials while leaving the existing language related to regulation of use of the
materials. The proposed ordinance and resolution now incorporate the Commission's
recommended change.
BUDGET I FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No budget or financial impact is incurred as a result of action on this recommendation.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council take the following actions:
1. Adopt the attached resolution making findings of local climatic, geological and
topographical conditions as required to adopt local amendments to the California
Electrical Code.
2. Introduce and approve for first reading the attached ordinance amending Chapter
8.24 of the Santa Monica Municipal Code to adopt the 2004 Edition of the
California Electrical Code and Santa Monica amendments to the California
Electrical Code.
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Prepared by:
Attachment A:
Attachment B:
Andy Agle, Interim Director of Planning & Community Development
Timothy P. McCormick, P.E. & C.B.O., Building Officer
Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Santa Monica
Making Findings Regarding Local Climatic, Geological And
Topographic Conditions Pursuant To Health And Safety Code
Sections 17958.5, 17958.7 And 18941.5 As Required To Adopt
Local Amendments To The 2004 Edition Of The California
Electrical Code
An Ordinance Of The City Council Of The City Of Santa Monica
Amending Chapter 8.24 Of The Santa Monica Municipal Code To
Adopt The 2004 Edition Of The California Electrical Code And
Local Amendments To The California Electrical Code
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Attachment A
See Adopted Resolution No. 10036 (CCS).
Attachment 8
Follows below...
Attachment B
City Council Meeting May 10, 2005
Santa Monica, California
ORDINANCE NUMBER (CCS)
(City Council Series)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
AMENDING CHAPTER 8.24 OF THE SANTA MONICA MUNICIPAL CODE
TO ADOPT THE 2004 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE
AND LOCAL AMENDMENTS TO THE CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE
WHEREAS, on October 8, 2002, the City Council adopted Ordinance Number 2054
(CCS), which adopted by reference certain Technical Codes, the Santa Monica local
amendments to these Technical Codes and the California Building Standards Code; and
WHEREAS, Health and Safety Code Section 18938 provides that the triennial
edition of the California Building Standards Code establishes building standards for all
occupancies throughout the State and requires that these standards incorporate the latest
editions of the Technical Codes with necessary California amendments; and
WHEREAS, in February of 2005, the State Building Standards Commission
approved and published the 2004 edition of the California Electrical Code, which
incorporated the 2002 edition of the National Electrical Code by reference with necessary
California amendments; and
WHEREAS, Health and Safety Code Sections 18938 and 17958 'TIake the California
Building Standards Code applicable to all cities and counties throughout California,
including the City of Santa Monica, 180 days after publication by the State Building
Standards Commission, which is August 1, 2005; and
WHEREAS, Health and Safety Code Section 18941.5 provides that the City may
establish more restrictive building standards if they are reasonably necessary due to local
climatic, geological or topographical conditions; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has considered the 2004 edition of the California
Electrical Code, which incorporates by reference the 2002 edition of the National Electrical
Code, and all of the referenced standards, tables, matrices and appendices of this code;
and
WHEREAS, based upon the findings contained in the Resolution adopted
concurrently with this Ordinance, the City Council has found that certain modifications and
additions to the California Electrical Code are reasonably necessary based upon local
climatic, topographical and geological conditions;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 8.24 of the Santa Monica Municipal Code is hereby amended
to read as follows:
Chapter 8.24 Electrical Code.
8.24.010 Adoption
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That certain document entitled "California Electrical Code, 2QQ.1- 2004
Edition," as published by the California Building Standards Commission and
the National Fire Protection Association, which adopts by reference the
National Electrical Code, 4-Q.9.9 2002 Edition, and the local amendments of
this Chapter, is hereby adopted as the Electrical Code of the City of Santa
Monica.
8.24.020 Local Amendments to the California Electrical Code.
Notwithstanding any provisions of the California Electrical Code, or
other codes adopted by any Chapter in Article VIII of the Municipal Code to
the contrary, the following local amendments shall apply.
8.24.030 Wiring.
(a) Wiring methods permitted by the California Electrical Code may be
installed provided that any wiring not having metal protection over the
conductors shall be entirely concealed within the building structure to prevent
and inhibit tampering.
(b) Conductors for general wiring made of aluminum alloys containing
more than 50% aluminum base metal shall not be permitted in diameters
smaller than NO.6.
(c) Nonmetallic sheathed cable may only be used in sinqle and
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multifamilv dwellinqs not exceedinq three floors above qrade.
8.24.040 Electrical Appliances, Devices, Materials and Equipment
Regulations.
(a) Use of Approved Materials. No person, firm or corporation shall
sell, offer f{)r sale, loan, rent, dispose of by gift or premium, give or otherwise
furnish, provide or make available for use any electrical material, device,
appliance or equipment, designed or intended for attachment, directly or
indirectly, to any electrical system, circuit or electrical service for light, heat or
power in the City unless such electrical material, device, appliance or
equipment complies with the provisions of this Chapter. The Building Officer
is hereby empowered to enforce the provisions of this Chapter.
(b) Rating. All electrical materials, devices, appliances, or equipment
designed or intended for attachment, directly or indirectly, to any electrical
system, circuit or electrical service for light, heat or power, shall be only those
wt=H6R that conform with the requirements of this Chapter. Each such article
shall bear or contain the maker's name, trademark or identification symbol,
together with such rating by the manufacturer as may be necessary to
determine the intended use. The correct operating voltage, amperage and
total watts shall be stated and no person shall remove, alter, deface or
obliterate any such marking.
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(c) Approvals. All electrical materials, devices, appliances, or
equipment covered by and intended to be regulated by this Chapter shall
conform to the published National Safety Standards for such materials,
devices, appliances or equipment on file in the office of the United States
Bureau of Standards. Copies of these standards are on file in the office of
the Supervising Inspoctor Buildinq Officer and shall be open to inspection by
the public. Listing or labeling by the Underwriter's Laboratories, Inc., or other
recognized testing laboratory whose standards are on file with the United
States Bureau of Standards shall be prima facie evidence of conformity with
these required standards. Where no such standards exist for any material,
device, appliance or equipment, the Building Officer may designate a
standard for each article submitted, which shall specify the tests necessary to
provide the degree of safety to life and property as is generally required by
the National Standards for approved materials, devices, appliances and
equipment of similar or related character or nature.
(d) Revocation. Any approval granted by the Building Officer may be
revoked if the electrical material, device, appliance, or equipment is found to
be hazardous, unsuitable for the purpose used or intended, or does not
conform with the standards under which it was approved for use.
(e) Exceptions. The provisions of this Chapter shall not be deemed to
apply to:
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(1) Safe, substantial, used or second-hand devices or appliances,
provided that all parts or equipments used in rebuilding or reconstruction
shall conform in all particulars with the National Standards for such article,
and provided further, that such articles 'Nhen offered f-or sale shall have the
same degree of safety to life and property as may then be required in a new
article of the same type.
(2) Electrical materials, devices, appliances and equipment which are
safe and suitable for the purpose used or intended, provided such materials,
devices, appliances and equipment are already fully covered and regulated
by existing laws and ordinances now in effect.
(3) Vehicles or motor vehicle equipment.
(4) Industrial or commercial appliances which are to be used in a
specific location, and which have been submitted to a recognized laboratory
for approval as conforming to the standards required hereof but on which
final approval is still pending; provided, however, that exemption from the
provisions of this Code shall be granted separately for each appliance only
when satisfactory written evidence has been filed that laboratory approval
has been applied for, and shall continue in force only during such time as the
Building Officer has reason to believe that the testing laboratory will grant
final approval certifying compliance to the prescribed standards.
(5) Generating, transforming or converting devices or appliances, nor
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any device or appliance for measuring or recording current voltage or power.
8.24.050
Used Materials.
Previously used materials shall not be re-used in any work without the
advance approval of the Building Officer.
8.24.060 Temporary Service Poles and Associated Feeder Poles.
(a) The minimum size of a wood pole used to support service
equipment, distribution equipment and/or conductors shall be 6 inches by 6
inches (nominal) if square, or have a top diameter of at least 5 inches if
round, and be of sufficient length to maintain all required overhead
clearances as specified in the California Electrical Code, Section 225-18, but
in any case, shall not be less than 20 feet long. The lower end shall be
embedded not less than 4 feet in the ground. An approved self-supporting
pole of a material other than wood, if of equivalent strength, may be used.
See Electrical Service Requirements of the Serving Agency or Serving Utility
for poles exceeding more than 16 feet above grade.
Exception: A 4-inch by 4-inch (nominal) wood pole, or equivalent,
embedded 4 feet in the ground, shall be permitted for distribution poles used
to support temporary wiring for other than construction power in conformance
with Article 305 of the California Electrical Code and located in areas
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accessible to pedestrians only,
(b) Provisions for Temporary Services.
(1) Service Equipment. The service equipment including meter
enclosures shall be properly identified for the intended use.
(2) Wiring Methods. Raceways on temporary service poles shall be
rigid metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing or schedule 80 rigid nonmetallic
conduit. The raceways shall be supported at intervals not to exceed 3 feet.
Metallic raceways shall be enclosed by wood molding or nonmetallic conduit
not less than 8 feet below the service head.
(3) Protective Wood Block. A 4-inch by 4-inch protective wood block
shall be through-bolted to wooden poles immediately above metallic service
heads or open non-insulated grounded conductors. The block shall be
placed in a %-inch gain on round wood poles.
(4) Receptacle Outlets. 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere
receptacle outlets shall have ground-fault interrupters for personnel
protection. Receptacles of different voltage and current ratings shall not be
interchangeable.
See the California Electrical Code, Article 240 for Overcurrent
Protection of Conductors and Article 250 for Grounding and Bonding
requirements.
If a made pipe or rod electrode is used for grounding, it shall be driven
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at least 8 feet into the earth and spaced at least 18 inches from the pole.
8.24.070 Underground Concrete Vaults and Handholes.
(a) Scope: The following requirements apply to the use of specially
constructed underground concrete vaults and to handholes.
(b) Definitions:
(1) Vault. A chamber in an underground conduit distribution system
containing sufficient working space and an entrance for personnel.
(2) Handhole. A chamber smaller than a vault in an underground
conduit distribution system having a removable cover and used in lieu of a
listed pull box.
(c) Concrete Vault Provisions:
(1) The inside dimensions of an underground concrete vault shall be
not less than 4 feet in width and 4 feet in length.
(2) The inside height shall be not less than 5 feet between the floor
and the top or ceiling.
(3) Circular access openings shall be not less than 26 inches in
diameter and rectangular access openings shall be not less than 24 inches
by 26 inches.
(4) Vaults shall be installed only in permanently accessible locations
outside of buildings.
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(5) Where exposed to vehicular traffic, the enclosures and their related
covers shall be designed for that purpose.
(6) Where subject to inundation or exposure to the elements, covers
shall be suitably sealed.
(7) Conduits shall enter the vault in a manner consistent with the type
of wiring method used in accordance with the following:
(A) Conduits shall enter the enclosure through the walls and be
terminated in a manner that provides suitable protection for the type of wiring
method used.
(B) Conduits entering the enclosure walls shall terminate not less than
2 inches from the bottom or one foot from the top.
(C) Direct burial conductors shall enter the enclosure by means of
conduit nipples which shall be suitably sealed.
(8) Suitable wall supports or racks shall be provided to secure open
conductors in a fixed position 2 inches or more above the floor.
(9) Walls and floors shall be made of concrete having a minimum
thickness of 6 inches. Ceilings shall be made of concrete having a minimum
thickness of 8 inches. Vault dimensions shall be not less than set forth in
Article 370 of the California Electrical Code.
(10) Exposed noncurrent-carrying metal parts of equipment, conductor
supports or racks, conduits and other metal appurtenances, including any
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metal cover and its supporting ring, shall be bonded together and connected
to a common ground. The size of the grounding means shall be as
prescribed in Section 250-95 of the California Electrical Code. Where the run
is exposed, the grounding conductor shall be not smaller than # 8 AWG.
(d) Handholes Provisions.
Except as modified by this Subsection, the provisions of Subsections
(c)-4 through (c)-10 for vaults shall apply to handholes.
(1) The handhold shall be so designed that the conductors may be
pulled, spliced or otherwise handled without requiring a person to enter the
enclosure.
(2) The minimum depth of handholes shall be 18 inches and the width
shall not be less than half the depth. Handholes shall not exceed three foot
in depth from finish grade to the bottom of the handhold.
(3) Covers for handholes shall be full opening, made of carbon steel
floor plate or equivalent, and shall have a minimum thickness of 1/4-inch,
except when they are subjected to vehicular traffic.
(e) Prefabricated concrete boxes and their covers that are designed
for the purpose of hand holes, having dimensions less than set forth in
Subsections (c) and (d) of this Section, may be used as vaults and handholes
where specifically approved by the Building and Safety Division.
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8.24.080 Solar Photovoltaic Systems- Disconnecting Means For
Multiple Arrays
Where more than one array is combined to form a single output rated
more than 50 volts and/or 10 amperes, a disconnecting means rated for the
output shall be installed immediately adjacent to the combiner box on the
output side unless the combiner box is located adjacent to the inverter(s).
SECTION 2. This ordinance shall be effective on August 1,2005.
SECTION 3. Any provision of the Santa Monica Municipal Code or appendices
thereto, inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance, to the extent of such
inconsistencies and no further, are hereby repealed or modified to that extent necessary to
effect the provisions of this Ordinance.
SECTION 4. If any Section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this
Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any court
of any competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining
portions of this Ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this
Ordinance, and each and every Section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase not
declared invalid or unconstitutional without regard to whether any portion of the Ordinance
would be subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional.
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SECTION 5. The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall attest to the passage of
this Ordinance. The City Clerk shall cause this ordinance, or a summary thereof to be
published once in the official newspaper within 15 days after its adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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