4089440 D.C. Electrical Code Supplement of 2013  

  • DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS
    CONSTRUCTION CODES COORDINATING BOARD

     

    NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING

     

    The Chairperson of the Construction Codes Coordinating Board (Chairperson), pursuant to the authority set forth in section 10 of the Construction Codes Approval and Amendments Act of 1986 (Act), effective March 21, 1987 (D.C. Law 6-216; D.C. Official Code § 6-1409 (2008 Repl.)) and Mayor’s Order 2009-22, dated February 25, 2009, as amended, hereby gives notice of the intent to adopt the following amendments to Title 12 (D.C. Construction Codes Supplement of 2008) of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations, as well as to rename Title 12.

     

    This proposed rulemaking would adopt the following codes published by the International Code Council (ICC), as amended by this rulemaking in a new District of Columbia Construction Codes Supplement of 2013, as the District of Columbia Construction Codes: the 2012 edition of the International Building Code; the 2012 edition of the International Residential Code; the 2012 edition of the International Fuel Gas Code; the 2012 edition of the International Mechanical Code; the 2012 edition of the International Plumbing Code; the 2012 edition of the International Property Maintenance Code; the 2012 edition of the International Fire Code; the 2012 edition of the  International Energy Conservation Code; the 2012 edition of the International Existing Building Code; the 2012 edition of the International Green Construction Code; the 2012 edition of the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code; and the 2011 edition of the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) published by the National Fire Protection Association.

     

    This proposed rulemaking would repeal the D.C. Construction Codes Supplement of 2008, adopted December 26, 2008 (55 DCR 13094), consisting of the following: the 2006 edition of the ICC International Building Code; the 2006 edition of the ICC International Residential Code; the 2006 edition of the ICC International Fuel Gas Code; the 2006 edition of the ICC International Mechanical Code; the 2006 edition of the ICC International Plumbing Code; the 2006 edition of the ICC International Property Maintenance Code; the 2006 edition of the ICC International Fire Code; the 2006 edition of the ICC International Energy Conservation Code; the 2006 edition of the ICC International Existing Building Code; and the 2005 edition of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 70) National Electrical Code.

     

    Comments on this proposed rulemaking must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday, January 25, 2013. The process for submitting comments is detailed on the final page of this proposed rulemaking.

     

    The Chairperson also hereby gives notice of the intent to take final rulemaking action to adopt this amendment.  Pursuant to section 10(a) of the Act, the proposed amendment will be submitted to the Council of the District of Columbia for a forty-five (45) day period of review, and final rulemaking action will not be taken until the later of thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice in the D.C. Register or Council approval of the amendment.

     

    Title 12 (D.C. Construction Codes Supplement of 2008) of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations is amended as follows:

     

    The title of title 12 is renamed as the District of Columbia Construction Codes Supplement of 2013.

     

    Subtitle 12 A (Building Code Supplement of 2008) is repealed in its entirety and replaced with a new Building Code Supplement of 2013.

     

    Subtitle 12 B (Residential Code Supplement of 2008) is repealed in its entirety and replaced with a new Residential Code Supplement of 2013.

     

    Subtitle 12 C (Electrical Code Supplement of 2008) is repealed in its entirety and replaced with a new Electrical Code Supplement of 2013.

     

    Subtitle 12 D (Fuel Gas Code Supplement of 2008) is repealed in its entirety and replaced with a new Fuel Gas Code Supplement of 2013.

     

    Subtitle 12 E (Mechanical Code Supplement of 2008) is repealed in its entirety and replaced with a new Mechanical Code Supplement of 2013.

     

    Subtitle 12 F (Plumbing Code Supplement of 2008) is repealed in its entirety and replaced with a new Plumbing Code Supplement of 2013.

     

    Subtitle 12 G (Property Maintenance Code Supplement of 2008) is repealed in its entirety and replaced with a new Property Maintenance Code Supplement of 2013.

     

    Subtitle 12 H (Fire Code Supplement of 2008) is repealed in its entirety and replaced with a new Fire Code Supplement of 2013.

     

    Subtitle 12 I (Energy Conservation Code Supplement of 2008) is repealed in its entirety and replaced with a new Energy Conservation Code Supplement of 2013.

     

    Subtitle 12 J (Existing Building Supplement of 2008) is repealed in its entirety and replaced with a new Existing Building Code Supplement of 2013.

     

    Subtitle 12 K (Fees) is redesignated as Subtitle M (Fees).

     

    A new Subtitle 12 K (Green Construction Code Supplement of 2013) is added.

     

    A new Subtitle 12 L (Swimming Pool and Spa Code Supplement of 2013) is added.

     

    For purposes of clarity, the following table lists each chapter of the ICC and NFPA 70 codes amended by the District of Columbia Construction Codes Supplement of 2013:

     

    Subtitle A – Building Code Supplement

     

    Chapter 1        Administration and Enforcement

    Chapter 2        Definitions

    Chapter 3        Use Group and Classification

    Chapter 4        Special Detailed Requirements Based on Use and Occupancy

    Chapter 5        General Building Heights and Areas

    Chapter 7        Fire-Resistance-Related Construction

    Chapter 9        Fire Protection Systems

    Chapter 10      Means of Egress

    Chapter 12      Interior Environment

    Chapter 14      Exterior Walls

    Chapter 15      Roof Assemblies and Rooftop Structures

    Chapter 16      Structural Design

    Chapter 18      Soils and Foundations

    Chapter 26      Plastic

    Chapter 30      Elevators and Conveying Systems

    Chapter 31      Special Construction

    Chapter 32      Encroachments into the Public Right-of-Way

    Chapter 33      Safeguards During Construction

    Chapter 34      Existing Structures

    Chapter 35      Referenced Standards

    Appendix E     Supplementary Accessibility Requirements

     

    Subtitle B – Residential Code Supplement

     

    Chapter 1        Scope and Administration

    Chapter 2        Definitions

    Chapter 3        Building Planning

    Chapter 9        Roof Assemblies

    Chapter 11      Energy Efficiency

    Chapter 12      Mechanical Administration

    Chapter 15      Exhaust Systems

    Chapter 16      Duct Systems

    Chapter 24      Fuel Gas

    Chapter 25      Plumbing Administration

    Chapter 29      Water Supply and Distribution

    Chapter 30      Sanitary Drainage

    Chapter 44      Referenced Standards

    Appendix H    Patio Covers

    Appendix J      Existing Buildings and Structures

    Appendix K    Sound Transmission

    Appendix M    Home Day Care – R-3 Occupancies

     

    Subtitle C – Electrical Code Supplement

     

    Article 90        Introduction

    Article 408      Switchboards and Panelboards

     

    Subtitle D – Fuel Gas Code Supplement

     

    Chapter 1        Scope and Administration

    Chapter 2        Definitions

    Chapter 5        Chimneys and Vents

    Chapter 8        Referenced Standards

     

    Subtitle E – Mechanical Code Supplement

     

    Chapter 1        Scope and Administration

    Chapter 2        Definitions

    Chapter 4        Ventilation

    Chapter 5        Exhaust Systems

    Chapter 6        Duct Systems

    Chapter 8        Chimneys and Vents

    Chapter 9        Specific Appliances, Fireplaces and Solid Fuel-Burning Equipment

    Chapter 10      Boilers, Water Heaters and Pressure Vessels

    Chapter 11      Refrigeration

    Chapter 15      Referenced Standards

     

    Subtitle F – Plumbing Code Supplement

     

    Chapter 1        Scope and Administration

    Chapter 3        General Regulations

    Chapter 4        Fixtures, Faucets and Fixture Fittings

    Chapter 6        Water Supply and Distribution

    Chapter 8        Indirect/Special Waste

    Chapter 11      Storm Drainage

    Chapter 13      Nonliquid Saturated Treatment Systems

     

    Subtitle G – Property Maintenance Code Supplement

     

    Chapter 1        Administration and Enforcement

    Chapter 2        Definitions

    Chapter 3        Requirements

    Chapter 4        Light, Ventilation and Occupancy Limitations

    Chapter 5        Plumbing Facilities and Fixture Requirements

    Chapter 6        Mechanical and Electrical Requirements

    Chapter 7        Fire Safety Requirements

    Chapter 8        Referenced Standards

     

    Subtitle H – Fire Code Supplement

     

    Chapter 1        Administration and Enforcement

    Chapter 2        Definitions

    Chapter 3        General Requirements

    Chapter 5        Fire Service Features

    Chapter 6        Building Services and Systems

    Chapter 9        Fire Protection Systems

    Chapter 10      Means of Egress

    Chapter 11      Construction Requirements for Existing Buildings

    Chapter 56      Explosives and Fireworks

    Appendix B    Fire-Flow Requirements for Buildings

    Appendix C    Fire Hydrant Locations and Distribution

    Appendix D    Fire Apparatus Access Roads

    Appendix H    Hazardous Materials Management Plan (HMMP) and Hazardous Materials Inventory Statement (HMIS) Instructions

     

    Subtitle I – Energy Conservation Code Supplement

     

    Chapter 1[CE] Administration

    Chapter 4[CE] Commercial Energy Efficiency

    Chapter 1[RE] Scope and Administration

     

    Subtitle J – Existing Building Code Supplement

     

    Chapter 1        Scope and Administration

    Chapter 2        Definitions

    Chapter 4        Prescriptive Compliance Method

    Chapter 6        Repairs

    Chapter 7        Alterations-Level 1

    Chapter 8        Alterations-Level 2

    Chapter 9        Alterations-Level 3

    Chapter 10      Change of Occupancy

    Chapter 15      Construction Safeguards

     

    Subtitle K – Green Construction Code

     

    Chapter 1        Scope and Administration

    Chapter 2        Definitions

    Chapter 3        Green Building Act and ASHRAE 189.1

    Chapter 4        Site Development and Land Use

    Chapter 5        Material Resource Conservation and Efficiency

    Chapter 6        Energy Conservation, Efficiency, and CO2e  

    Chapter 7        Water Resource Conservation, Quality and Efficiency

    Chapter 8        Indoor Environmental Quality and Comfort

    Chapter 9        Commissioning

    Chapter 10      Existing Buildings

    Chapter 11      Existing Building Site Development

    Chapter 12      Referenced Standards

    Appendix A    Project Electives

     

    Subtitle L – Swimming Pool and Spa Code Supplement

     

    Chapter 1        Scope and Administration

    Chapter 2        Definitions


    DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

    CONSTRUCTION CODES SUPPLEMENT OF 2013

    12 DCMR C ELECTRICAL CODE SUPPLEMENT

     

     

    The District of Columbia has adopted the 2011 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC), as amended by this Supplement.

     

    NEC CHAPTERS AMENDED BY THIS SUPPLEMENT:

     

    ARTICLE 90              INTRODUCTION

    ARTICLE 408                        SWITCHBOARDS AND PANELBOARDS

     


    CHAPTER 1             AMENDMENTS TO NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE

     

    101      NEC Article 90 - Introduction

    102      NEC Article 408 - Switchboards and Panelboards

     

     

    101      NEC ARTICLE 90 - INTRODUCTION

     

    Strike Article 90 of the National Electrical Code in its entirety and insert new Article 90 in the Electrical Code in its place to read as follows:

     

    ARTICLE 90 - INTRODUCTION

     

    90.1 General.  Administration and enforcement of the Electrical Code shall be governed by Chapter 1 of the Building Code, 12 DCMR A.

    102      NEC ARTICLE 408 - SWITCHBOARDS AND PANELBOARDS

     

    Insert new Section 408.23 in Article 408 of the National Electrical Code to read as follows:

     

    408.23 Switchboards of 1000 Amperes or Larger.  It shall be the responsibility of the owner of a switchboard having a capacity of 1000 amperes or larger, or the owner’s responsible agent, to have a licensed master electrician disconnect said equipment once every three years or less to perform prescribed preventive maintenance.  Preventive maintenance shall consist of, but not be limited to:

     

    1.                  Vacuum entire interior of switchboard.

     

    2.                  Clean bus and contracts with suitable non-conductive solvents.

     

    3.                  Lubricate all moving mechanisms.

     

    4.                  Check all conductors for abrasions and deterioration; recommend replacement if found to be in poor condition.

     

    5.                  Torque bus and conductor connections to manufacturers’ recommended specifications.

     

    6.                  Check calibration of overcurrent trip units and protective devices.

     

    7.                  Megger board to manufacturers’ specifications before re-energizing.

     

    8.                  Replace worn, damaged or deteriorating components.

     

    A copy of current inspection and service reports shall be available for public inspection on site.

     

     

     

     

    All persons desiring to comment on these proposed regulations should submit comments in writing to Helder Gil, Legislative Affairs Specialist, Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, 1100 Fourth Street, SW, Room 5164, Washington, D.C. 20024, or via e-mail at ConstructionCodes@dc.gov, not later than 5 p.m. on Friday, January 25, 2013.

     

    Comments should clearly specify which Subtitle, Chapter, and Section of the proposed District of Columbia Construction Codes they are related to.

     

    Persons with questions concerning this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking should call (202) 442-4400. Copies of the proposed rules can be obtained from the address listed above.  A copy fee of one dollar ($1.00) will be charged for each copy of the proposed rulemaking requested.

     

    Free copies of these proposed regulations are available on the DCRA website at http://dcra.dc.gov by going to the “About DCRA” tab, clicking on “News Room”, and then clicking on “Rulemaking”. Additionally, the DCRA website will list links to each of the ICC and NFPA 70 codes.