New Requirement for Concrete Encased Electrodes (Ufer Grounds)
Beginning March 1, in accordance with
WAC 296-46B-250(2), except for mobile/manufactured homes, a concrete encased grounding electrode must be installed and used at each new building or structure that is built upon a permanent concrete foundation. If the concrete encased grounding electrode is not available for connections, a ground ring must be installed per NEC 250. The concrete encased electrode must comply with NEC 250.52(A)(3). Inspection of the electrode 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 jobsite 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.
This is what the inspectors are going off. It is Washington state code. This house is about 3800 square feet so if a ground ring was installed it would be pretty expensive. I don't know why all of the sudden ground rods aren't good enough??
They said it matters when the building permit was issued to get around it. His was issued on April 16th