Chicago weekly inspections 18-27-210.6

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rajenkins

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Frustrated building owner
I am a building owner in Chicago. I am told by am electrician that I have to register a contract for them to be inspector of record with the Electrical Bureau fo the Coty of Chicago.
OK no problem.
Then they tell me I have to pay for WEEKLY inspections. I have a hard tie believing that. They tell me I need this because of 18-27-210.6 "Branch Circuit Voltage Limitations" See copied below.

Could this be true? I see know where that it says weekly inspections. I have called Chicago and do not get a response.

Thanks

(c) 277 Volts to Ground. Provided the premises is under the supervision of a Supervising Electrician employed by the company or by a contract with a registered electrical contractor, circuits exceeding 120 volts, nominal, between conductors and not exceeding 277 volts, nominal, to ground shall be permitted to supply the following equipment:

(1) Lighting fixtures equipped with mogul- base screw shell lampholders or with lampholders other than the screw shell-type applied within their voltage ratings provided:

(a) The light fixtures are installed at least 8 ft above the floor;

(b) The light fixtures have a conspicuous warning notice within the wiring compartment indicating the circuit voltage;

(c) The light fixtures are permanently installed;

(d) Switching is by low-voltage remote control relays or by circuit breakers within the branch circuit distribution panel;

(e) Circuit interrupting toggle switches are not used;

(F) The lighting fixtures do not have integral switches.

(2) Auxiliary equipment of electric discharge lamps provided:

(a) The light fixtures are installed at least 8 ft above the floor;

(b) The light fixtures have a conspicuous warning notice within the wiring compartment indicating the circuit voltage;

(c) The light fixtures are permanently installed;

(d) Switching is by low-voltage remote control relays or by circuit breakers within the branch circuit distribution panel;

(e) Circuit interrupting toggle switches are not used;

(f) The lighting fixtures does not have integral switches.

(3) Permanently installed and connected utilization equipment provided:

(a) The equipment has a conspicuous warning notice within the wiring compartment indicating the circuit voltage;

(b) The equipment is permanently installed;

(c) Switching is by low-voltage remote control relays or by circuit breakers within the branch circuit distribution panel;

(e) Circuit interrupting toggle switches are not used.

(f) Kitchen equipment is not installed at voltages of more than 150 volts to ground.
 
It could be. When I look at the rules for " Supervised Industrial Installations" in the NEC, it is my opinion, that you need a qualified electrician on site, 100% of the time that the equipment is in operartion.
 
I do not understand anything about electrical or any construction/building work. The building is just a movie theater. Any idea what kind of equipment it would have that would make these tough requirements.

Thanks
 
rajenkins said:
I do not understand anything about electrical or any construction/building work. The building is just a movie theater. Any idea what kind of equipment it would have that would make these tough requirements.

Thanks
Click to expand...
I am not real versed in the Chicago Electrical Code, but based on what you posted, lighting equipment operating at 277 volts appears to trigger the requirement.
 
In the very old days film projection equipment using an electric arc light source required some specialized knowledge to operate and maintain, and used higher voltages to help sustain the arc.
You don't have any obsolete equipment or power sources that used to supply it sitting around in the projection booth?
If so, it might pay to have an electrician remove it.
If it is the general building lighting, and the weekly fee is obnoxious and your power bill is high, consider getting an LED retrofit done.
 
The 18-27 prefix of 18-27-210.6 indicates that it's from an older version of the Chicago Electrical Code.
210.6(F) of the current Chicago Electrical Code may pertain to your situation if your building has such voltages:

Chicago_Electrical_Code_210.6(F).png
 
Actually, the nitrate film was the real problem, but it pretty much disappeared from circulation by the early 1960s. And the carbon arcs of the time were actually lower voltage DC. Nothing that needed special electrical supervision (not even the motor-generator sets).

I think this person is trying to get a contract for the inspections and BS-ing a bit about the intervals- depending on a lot, the building might not even have 480/277 volt service. I'd ask another electrician, or if your projectionist is friendly, ask them, too.
 
Lived in Chicago my entire life and worked for several different EC's in the city... I've never heard of this before.
Then again I'm licensed in the suburbs, which utilizes the NEC... and Chicago is "special" and has its' OWN code, which is really just a slightly stricter version of the NEC. Like they take an NEC requirement that says you have to use 3" conduit and Chicago makes it 2-1/2". I'm oversimplifying, but that's pretty much the gist of it.

I mean obviously you're going to have a maintenance staff of SOME kind. But to REQUIRE you to contract w/ an EC seems like overkill.
I guess I could see it for large commercial/industrial properties... but @synchro 's code ref says anything above 150v triggers the requirement, which is, EVERY building, lol.

And I can say with absolute certainty not every building in the city has a contract w/ an EC.
 
As far as I'm aware, there's no "Electrical Bureau," but I could be wrong. There is a building department like in almost every city/village/municipality. But not a "bureau." That sounds like BS to me. Sounds like the EC is stretching a section of code and adding his own words. There may be a code requirement like the one provided by @synchro
 
Sounds like complete BS. I lived and worked in Chicago for years, and nothing close to this ever came up. Looks like someone is trying to scam uninformed businesses.


SceneryDriver
 
SceneryDriver said:
Sounds like complete BS. I lived and worked in Chicago for years, and nothing close to this ever came up. Looks like someone is trying to scam uninformed businesses.


SceneryDriver
Click to expand...
1602597685896.pngWhile I don’t agree with the weekly inspections, if the OP utilizes 277v lighting, luminares are listed as equipment in NEC section 100 definitions.
Not the electrical contractors fault for adhering to code, IMO, the OP needs to get a maintenance contract or accept the liability.
 
jusme123 said:
It states “nominal, to ground”
Click to expand...
Yea, the posted reg does but the OP posted

" (c) 277 Volts to Ground. Provided the premises is under the supervision of a Supervising Electrician employed by the company or by a contract with a registered electrical contractor, circuits exceeding 120 volts, nominal, between conductors and not exceeding 277 volts, nominal, to ground shall be permitted to supply the following equipment:"

So we have some slightly different wording between what the OP posted and what the regulation seems to actually say. 208 and 240 circuits would need the supervising electrician per the OP's post but not according to what looks to be the actual regulation.
 
PBC Chicago

Home » Chicago Electricity Bureau
Chicago Electricity Bureau
2451 South Ashland Avenue

Tried calling them. Had to leave a message no response two days later.
 
Turns out I have been paying $400 a week for weekly inspections since June 2011.
When asked why the electrical contractor only says:
"Our maintenance contract is the result of the City of Chicago Electrical Code 210.6(C)."

I see nothing that would require weekly inspections. Again, I have no problem with inspections. Would even accept the weekly requirement if someone could just tell me why it is required.
 
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