Electrical Work at a School

[PDickerson]

Hello,

I am a member of the Buildings and Grounds committee at a private k-8 school. There are currently not enough receptacles in the school's administration room leading to the excessive use of extension cords. I am looking into having additional receptacles (maybe 3 or 4)and an additional circuit added if needed. I have been told that because the work is to be done at a school, it will be much more complicated than if the work were to be done at a residence. I have been told that the work will need to be overseen by an electrical engineer, that we will need to provide or create as-builts reflecting current utilization, and that the cost for such work will like be $3-5K. This seems excessive. Would someone be willing to enlighten me as to the requirements of making small electrical upgrades at a school?

 

[peter d]

Re: Electrical Work at a School

Who told you all of that? Perhaps you have some local law that requires this.

 

[PDickerson]

Re: Electrical Work at a School

Someone at the school called an electrician about the work. The info in the first post came from the electrician.

 

[peter d]

Re: Electrical Work at a School

I would suggest getting some more estimates.

 

[bob]

Re: Electrical Work at a School

You do not need an engineer to add a few receptacles. However the wiring may need to be in conduit which is not required in a residence. You may want to speak to the electrical inspector and find out what is required.

 

[petersonra]

Re: Electrical Work at a School

I am not sure you have to get an engineer involved just to add a few outlets, BUT, in some jurisdictions you might need a set of sealed plans to do much more, which would require a PE to get involved.

Once a PE is involved, the cost skyrockets.

My inclination would be to see if one of the parents in the school is either a PE or an electrician and talk to them about what you can do in a cost effective way.

 

[charlie b]

Re: Electrical Work at a School

In Washington State, that is true.

Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 296-46-010 (16)(b):

Electrical plan review is required for all other new or altered electrical projects in educational, institutional, or health care occupancies classified or defined in this chapter.

WAC 296-46-010 (16)(e):

All electrical plans for educational facilities, hospitals and nursing homes must be prepared by, or under the direction of, a consulting engineer registered under chapter 18.43 RCW, and chapters246-320, 180-29, and 388-97 WAC and stamped with the engineer's mark and signature.

 

[PDickerson]

Re: Electrical Work at a School

Charlie B,

Thank you for your post. I looked up the WAC you referenced. The first section defines projects that do not require a plan review.


WAC 296-46B-010(16) Electrical plan review.

(a) Electrical plan review is not required for:

(iii) Projects where the:

Service and feeder load calculation is affected by five percent or less;

Affected service or feeder does not exceed 250 volts, 400 amperes;


The way I read this, an electrical plan review will not be required in this case because 1) The load calc will not be affected by greater than 5% (to be confirmed by an electrician), and 2) The panel where the circuit originates is a 220V, 200A panel. It looks like we are in good shape. If anyone has a different interpretation, I would like to know.

 

[charlie b]

Re: Electrical Work at a School

I looked up the WAC just to confirm what other members had already mentioned: that local codes may include more stringent requirements than are required by the NEC. I had no idea that you were in Washington.

Looking back at that WAC section, I agree with your interpretation. I think you have a good basis for getting a more reasonable estimate from an electrician. Good luck.