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NECA Standards & Safety Expert Urges Direct Adoption Of National Electrical Code In Pennsylvania
The Electrical Code Coalition was formed in 1996, with NECA leading the effort. It was originally called the “Electrical Inspection Initiative,” and its original purpose was to promote electrical safety though qualified electrical inspections at a time when many budget-strapped states and local governments were cutting back on this important function.
Qualified electrical inspections are still an important issue for the coalition, but its focus was expanded (and the name changed) in response to some building organizations developing electrical codes of their own, through their own closed processes, placing them in direct competition with the National Electrical Code (NEC), and peddling these conflicting documents to the governmental bodies responsible for local code adoption. These many years later, the Electrical Code Coalition is continuing the effort to uphold the integrity of the NEC and promote its widespread adoption.
This effort was most recently exercised in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the state’s capital, during a hearing before the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council (RAC). Our coalition was there to encourage state officials to amend Pennsylvania Act 106 of 2008 to directly adopt the newest version of the NEC, together with provisions for proper inspection that verifies conformance, and to adopt it by reference from the International Residential Code (IRC).
[The International Residential Code (IRC) is a comprehensive, stand-alone residential code that creates minimum regulations for one- and two-family dwellings of three stories or less. It brings together all building, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, energy and electrical provisions for one- and two-family residences. It is among the International Code Council (ICC) codes recognized in Pennsylvania’s Uniform Construction Code.]
The NECA contingent of the Electrical Code Coalition was represented by our Executive Director for Standards and Safety Mike Johnston and Jeff Scarpello, executive of our Penn-Del-Jersey Chapter. Three other coalition organizations sent representatives to the meeting — the International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI), the National Association of Electrical Manufacturers (NEMA), and our labor partners in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).
Johnston presented testimony supporting the NEC as the most up-to-date and comprehensive electrical code and the one most familiar to the electrical industry. He also pointed out that “Not referencing the NEC from the International Residential Code can result in inconsistencies in design, installation, and conformance assessment. These concerns are expressed in the interest of public protection and maintaining stability in the electrical contracting business.” (For the full text of NECA’s testimony, click the link at the end of this article.)
“The Review and Advisory Council was receptive to our testimonies and is planning to move forward with a recommendation to the legislators to amend Act 106 in the fall of 2009” to include direct adoption of the NEC, Johnston reports “We’ll be keeping a watch on developments.”
NEC Adoption Update
Since the most recent (2008) edition of the NEC was published last fall, approximately 18 states have adopted it.
Approximately 18 states are currently enforcing the 2005 NEC and 14 states have their own electrical code or are enforcing the NEC by local jurisdiction.
For more information on NEC adoption in your area, check out the online NEC adoption map.
Why Join NECA?
Electrical contractors count on NECA to deliver the resources that help them make better business decisions, provide excellent customer service, and take advantage of innovative technology. NECA’s national office and local chapters advance the electrical construction industry through advocacy, education, research, and standards development.