Chicago weekly inspections 18-27-210.6

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synchro said:
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:

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Thank you for our help. But I do not see that "regular inspection" language in the 18-27-210.6 that I have found online. Are you saying an older version had that language?

I sincerely appreciate your help. Not at all trying to argue with you. Thank you.
 
rajenkins said:
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.


Maybe I’m missing something. I don’t see anything that states An inspection interval. Just a copy of the contract.
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§ 18-27-210.6. Branch circuit voltage limitations.
Latest version.
  • (a) Occupancy Limitations. In dwelling units and guest rooms of hotels, motels, and similar occupancies, the voltage shall not exceed 120 volts, nominal, between conductors that supply the terminals of:
    (1) Lighting fixtures;
    (2) Cord- and plug-connected loads of less than 1440 volt-amperes nominal.
    (b) 120 volts Between Conductors. Circuits not exceeding 120 volts nominal, between conductors shall be permitted to supply the following:
    (1) The terminals of medium-base screw-shell lampholders or lampholders of other types applied within their voltage ratings;
    (2) Auxiliary equipment of electric discharge lamps;
    (3) Cord and plug connected or permanently connected utilization equipment.
    (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.
    (d) 600 Volts Between Conductors. 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 277 volts, nominal, to ground and not exceeding 600 volts, nominal between conductors shall be permitted to supply the following equipment:
    (1) The auxiliary equipment of electric discharge lamps mounted in permanently installed fixtures where the fixtures are mounted in accordance with one of the following:
    (a) Not less than a height of 22 feet (6.71 m) on poles or similar structures for the illumination of highways, roads, bridges, athletic fields or parking lots;
    (b) Not less than a height of 18 feet (5.49 m) on or in other structures.
    (2) Permanently installed utilization equipment in industrial occupancies.
    (e) Qualified Maintenance. Any building utilizing equipment at voltages exceeding 150 volts to ground or distribution systems at voltages exceeding 600 volts to ground shall have the premises under the supervision of a supervising electrician employed by the building owner, tenant, or by a contract with a registered electrical contractor.
    Copies of all maintenance contracts, including contracts required by Sections 18-27-210.6 (c) and 18-27-210.6 (d), shall be filed with and approved by the Electrical Bureau prior to the installation of the electrical equipment.
    FPN: See Section 18-27-410.78 for auxiliary equipment limitations.
    Exception No. 1 to (b), (c), and (d) of this section: For lampholders of infrared industrial heating appliances as provided in 18-27-422.14.

 
rajenkins said:
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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Wow, you really pay someone blindly $20, 000 a year for 9 years and you don't even know what it is for? There must be much more to this story.
 
For 20k a year, I’ll get my Chicago license and fly up there once a year to do an inspection.
 
rajenkins said:
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.
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Wow. I've never heard of this. Ever.

Website says it's a Department of Streets and Sanitation... and why Streets and San would have oversight over Electrical is beyond me.
Website also says they are in charge of MUNICIPAL buildings. Your building is NOT a municipal building.
 
I think you're being taken advantage of. I wouldn't sign anything. That's just my opinion. I could be wrong.

If anything, @synchro 's code reference could be applicable, but it leaves "regularity" up to interpretation.
I think the EC is stretching "regular inspection" to mean "weekly" to benefit himself.
If this were true for all buildings in Chicago, every small business would be boarded up.

The website gives an address at the Daley Center. Head on down and pay them a visit.
 
Chicago has adopted the 2017 NEC with its own amendments to it. Page 15 and 16 in the following document show the specific modifications made by Chicago to 210.6 in 2019. The requirement for regular inspections and maintenance is at the top of page 16.


The gray areas in the following subsections of 210.6 in the Chicago code are amendments to the 2017 NEC, and with the inspection and maintenance requirements in 210.6(F) :

Chicago_Electrical_Code_210.6(C).png
Chicago_Electrical_Code_210.6(D).png
Chicago_Electrical_Code_210.6(E)-(F).png

Like I mentioned earlier, code with the prefix 18-27 is older and predates the adoption
of a modified version of the 2017 NEC, and it is no longer in force.
 
synchro said:
Chicago has adopted the 2017 NEC with its own amendments to it.
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Yea, but it still doesn't define what "regular" is. Also, the "Bureau" he's referring to seems to be in charge of municipal buildings.
I think you know as well as I do that if this were required of every building in Chicago, this city would be 100x worse off than it already is.
 
GoldDigger said:
At 4 inspections per day, 5 days a week, I would not even charge extra for parking. :)

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F'n Chicago man. Like, we already have the Grandfather Clause because people can't afford to bring their systems up to code... and now you want to force building owners to contract up w/ an EC for weekly inspections? Ridiculous idea.

This EC has to be either intentionally or unintentionally stretching some relative requirement.
I can see it having SOME plausibility for Commercial, Industrial, and Municipal buildings, but that's it.

If it were 100% up to these Gold Coast politicians, and it practically is, no one earning less than $200k/yr would live within the city limits and every street would look like Michigan Ave.
 
Got a call back from Chicago electrical supervisor of some sort. He tells me there is no weekly requirement.

He said that what I am talking about must be required because of some high voltage equipment, probably lighting. That explains the Chicago municipal code that the electrical contractor referred me to, 18-27-210.6, and the language in the contract about maintain equipment over 150 volts. The contract talks about maintaining and servicing:
480/277 volt distribution and load centers
277 volt lighting
277 volt heating
277 volt equipment

The gentleman explained to me that because of the high voltage any maintenance, and he said even changing light bulbs, required obtaining a monthly permit under 14A-4-403.1. That permit costs $75.

The contract calls for “preventive maintenance” with “inspection and identification of defect or required repairs.” I am starting to wonder if these $400 weekly inspections I have been paying for were not just to check for burnt out lightbulbs.

Thanks to everyone for your input and help. If anyone have a Chicago license and would be interested in being the electrician of record and having a legit contract let me know.

Thanks
 
rajenkins said:
Got a call back from Chicago electrical supervisor of some sort. He tells me there is no weekly requirement.

He said that what I am talking about must be required because of some high voltage equipment, probably lighting. That explains the Chicago municipal code that the electrical contractor referred me to, 18-27-210.6, and the language in the contract about maintain equipment over 150 volts. The contract talks about maintaining and servicing:
480/277 volt distribution and load centers
277 volt lighting
277 volt heating
277 volt equipment

The gentleman explained to me that because of the high voltage any maintenance, and he said even changing light bulbs, required obtaining a monthly permit under 14A-4-403.1. That permit costs $75.

The contract calls for “preventive maintenance” with “inspection and identification of defect or required repairs.” I am starting to wonder if these $400 weekly inspections I have been paying for were not just to check for burnt out lightbulbs.

Thanks to everyone for your input and help. If anyone have a Chicago license and would be interested in being the electrician of record and having a legit contract let me know.

Thanks
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For 20k a year I’m on it...

seriously...
I think you’ve been fleeced long enough with the crooks your dealing with now.
 
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