Hot answers tagged code-compliance
18
I was curious so I just did some googling around and it seems that, if anything, some lenders might require a closet for a room to be included in the bedroom count for the house. I imagine this might be to help ensure consistency in home valuations. Check the first few results here for more info.
Code does require a bedroom have an egress window however. ...
12
Looking in 2011 National Electric Code Changes of Interest, they reference NFPA 90A-2009 :
Section 4.3.4 of NFPA 90A-2009 states that “Wiring shall not be installed in air ducts” unless it is “directly associated with the air distribution system and does not exceed 1.22m (4 ft).”
I don't have access to the full code, but just in the notes on the ...
11
I couldn't find a solid source that says a closet is Required, to make a room a bedroom. It seems to depend more on the agency listing the property, and the mortgage company financing the sale of said property.
The only requirement I could find dealing with bedrooms from the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), was that an emergency exit is required.
...
10
Per the wording of that code, you can't be adding anything to the floor or the ceiling as you'll be under the 7' minimum. You could consider a super-thin flooring (stain the concrete? Linoleum?) and then, as you suggest, put the sheetrock between the joists (though that sounds like a finishing nightmare).
Alternatively, raise the foundation (likely cost ...
10
This wil depend on where exactly you live. There're many possible outcomes, including the following:
nothing bad happens
you can be fined
the house can be demolished and you'll have to pay for that
you'll be forced to go through the "proper channels" later
you'll face minor or major problems when you try to sell/lease/insure the house
Also don't forget ...
10
Double Taps
With most devices you can only have one wire per screw terminal, however, some breakers do support multiple wires under terminals. If the device allows multiple taps, it must be listed for the purpose.
NEC 2008
110.14 Electrical Connections.
(A) Terminals. Connection of conductors to terminal parts shall ensure a thoroughly good ...
10
A sub panel must have the neutral and ground isolated. Panels come with a very long, rather thick (about 1/4 x 20) green bonding screw that connects the neutral bar to the can in the case of a primary panel. You don't get a neutral from your utility, you create one with that bonding screw.
Sub panels should be fed with 3 insulated conductors of appropriate ...
10
NEC 2008
210.21 Outlet Devices. Outlet devices shall have an ampere rating that is not less than the load to be served and shall comply with
210.21(A) and (B).
(B) Receptacles
(1) Single Receptacle on an Individual Branch Circuit. A single receptacle installed on an individual branch circuit shall have an
ampere rating not less than that of ...
9
If the #14 or #12 wire is a branch going to specific loads, then it is "safe" with respect to that load. It won't overload that wiring regardless of the breaker capacity use (or even if the breaker is bypassed entirely). However, this is unsafe in the context of changes in usage. The electrical code focuses on safety and rightly prohibits this. The ...
8
Overcurrent protection devices must be Readily Accessible. The NEC defines Accessible as...
Accessible (as applied to equipment). Admitting close approach; not guarded by locked doors, elevation, or other effective means
Accessible (as applied to wiring methods). Capable of being removed or exposed without damaging the building structure or finish or
...
8
There should only be one wire per screw terminal. One of my wiring books says that some local codes allow splices inside a service panel, and some don't, so you should check with your local authority to make sure it's OK in your area.
However, regular circuit breakers are only a few dollars, so even if it's allowed in your area, my advice would be to ...
8
If you are going in-wall over 16 feet, you need an active extender as many have pointed out. One alternative to this is to use a Cat5 extender: this allows you to run Cat5e/6 in-wall (riser or plenum cable is rated for in-wall use), then convert to USB at both ends as needed. One I found at Monoprice is rated for 150ft.
7
@Karl Katzke is correct that this is allowed in NEC 2008 code, but it is not allowed according to NFPA 2009 code. @Joe is correct that NEC 2011 has made changes to the code introducing sections 770.113(B), 800.113(B), 820.113(B) and 830.113(B) to match more closely to NFPA standards.
Personally I would try to avoid it if at all possible, if only for the ...
7
If your wall is closed up then you don't have to worry about it. It looks like class 2 wire is rated to go into walls. Only use wire that is rated to be in the walls for uses like what you have. The only things to worry about with class 2 or class 3 wiring is:
Class 2/3 should never be used in the same electrical box (without a low voltage divider or in ...
7
I'm not sure i fully understand exactly what you intend to do from the sub-panel in the garage, but I think I understand that you want to parallel off the existing input lugs of the 50 amp breaker to an additional panel. If this is the case, what you are contemplating is called double tapping and is forbidden. You may not connect two wires to any hot lug in ...
6
You're mucking around with 125V subpanels, which I don't know enough about to comment on. However, here are two other options:
You may be able to replace existing full-size breakers with duplex breakers. The limits on the number of breakers may be printed on the panel somewhere, or you can check with the manufacturer.
You can also replace the existing ...
6
I'm not really sure exactly what your question is in reference to the multiple room examples you give. Without referencing the exact NEC sections, it basically allows 15amp circuits in living spaces and bedrooms, a minimum of two 20amp circuits in kitchens with home runs (single purpose circuit) for certain Higher draw appliances such as refrigerators, ...
6
Around here, 4x4s are not uncommon. This table shows that a 4x4 pine post that is 6 ft or shorter can support a load area of up to 10 ft² assuming 50 lbs/ft².
Don't trust me or a random table on the internet; make our own calculations from tables in the building code or other trusted sources and consider having them checked by an engineer.
6
Yes:
NEC 2011 334.30(B): Unsupported cables. Nonmetallic-sheathed cable shall be permitted to be unsupported where the cable:
(1) Is fished between access points through concealed spaces in finished buildings or structures and supporting is impracticable.
(2) Is not more than 1.4 m (4½ ft) from the last point of cable support to the point of ...
6
Workmanlike manner is a really subjective term. It is a catch all for neat, orderly and following the rules. A lot of inspectors fail an inspection using that term when actually specific violations are numerous. Common items such as not securing wires close enough to plastic boxes, crossbeaming, sagging cable, holes drilled too close to the edge of joists, ...
5
As longneck said, the utility easement is for use by the utility companies only, and you would be unlikely to get regulatory blessing from the TUC (Texas Utility Commission) or local service providers.
You MAY be able to convince your neighbors to allow a new easement. However, this may also be unlikely, for a couple of reasons:
Easements are generally ...
5
Since you are in a one-family dwelling, there is really only one important article to be aware of.
800.26 Spread of Fire or Products of Combustion. Installations of communications cables and communications raceways in hollow spaces,
vertical shafts, and ventilation or air-handling ducts shall be made
so that the possible spread of fire or products of ...
5
You cannot cover any junction box that still has live wires in it. Your best bet is to either remove the box all together or just put a cover plate on it. Your other option is to run a new circuit to the new box and de-energize the circuit to the old box and mark the source wires as "NOT IN USE" at your panel in which case I believe you could cover it over. ...
5
Does not meet NEC because the circuit is rated 15 amp by breaker size [210-3], regardless how much copper you choose to waste on over sized conductors. ( ;-) there are legitimate reasons to over size conductors) Table 210-21(b)(3) [outdated version used, sorry] thus indicates receptacles on such circuit cannot be rated over 15 amp.
5
First off let me quote the American Wood Council PRESCRIPTIVE RESIDENTIAL WOOD DECK CONSTRUCTION GUIDE (which I recommend looking through).
MANUFACTURED WOOD I-JOIST: Many new homes constructed with wood I-joists include 1" or thicker engineered wood products (EWP) – such
as oriented strand board (OSB) or structural composite lumber (SCL)
including ...
4
Just to add what others have said, the consequences can be extreme, or not. It would depend on many factors beyond your control. But don't think that just because you believe everything is up to code, that high quality work was done, that this will be enough.
Look at this from the point of view of the permit issuing authority, and the building inspector who ...
4
If you want to connect two load wires to a breaker, you must use a breaker that is "labeled and listed" for two wires.
Otherwise a wirenut connecting two circuits to a pigtail should be ok, as it is not a "circuit passing through" which would fall under the prohibited junction box usage.
A Tandem Breaker is of course the best solution, as long as you
...
4
It appears to be permitted to use a 15A receptacle with 20A breaker and 12 AWG wire. The reasoning is that you can't plug a 20A appliance into the 15A receptacle because of the side tang.15A receptacle on 20A breaker.
Apparently a 15A receptacle is safe to use @ 20A. The thinking is that more appliances are drawing more power these days and 15A is to low. ...
4
In NEC 2008 Tamper Resistant receptacles are covered in section 406.11
406.11 Tamper-Resistant Receptacles in Dwelling Units. In all areas specified in 210.52, all 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles
shall be listed tamper resistant receptacles.
Since section 210.52 specifies receptacles located within cabinets or cupboards, even those ...
4
If you are using USB 2.0 and your run is more than 16 feet, then I would suggest not to run it. USB 2.0 standards specifies that the maximum length to be not more than for 5 meters (16.4 feet). USB 3.0 does not have a length rating but the wire gauge (26 AWG) limits it to 3 meters, or 9.8 feet. Source is from Wikipedia.
EDIT gregmac is bang on with ...
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