Food truck

[101010]

Has anyone ever wired a food truck? I don’t believe they have to follow the NEC but this one has no boxes for outlets or switches. Just a hole . Has anyone seen this or worked on one?

 

[kwired]

I would think they likely need to follow NEC. However many places may not have any kind of provisions in their laws to require permits or inspections of them. That don't mean there wouldn't be lawsuits should some incident occurs and they bring up NEC requirements as evidence against whoever was responsible for the installation.

 

[infinity]

Food trucks are not covered by the NEC. They're typcially part of the health department regulations.

 

[Jpflex]

And if the circuits are 12 to 24 volts dc it’s just normal low voltage automotive wiring under the bureau of automotive repair but not so much NEC unless we’re talking motor homes or the like.

Wiring on automotive is so relaxed, wiring size is often overlooked or not regarded. You don’t derate wire ampacity or worry about termination temperature obviously

I was an ASE verified and licensed mechanic electrician years ago

 

[zbang]

IMHO, the line voltage part of food trucks should fall under the codes for RVs or park trailers (or ?), and many seem to be wired by RV people; some even do a good job of it, then there are the rest.

 

[LarryFine]

It could be that the hollow space is an enclosed compartment.

 

[kwired]

Food trucks are not covered by the NEC. They're typcially part of the health department regulations.

Which those departments typically know little to nothing about electrical, mechanical or constructions codes/methods. All they are looking into is things that effect food safety. They may pick on electrical items that are located in food zones and want them to be something that is easily sanitized, won't easily collect foreign materials which can get into food and things of that nature. A common electrically related issue they likely intervene with would be luminaires with some sort of containment for glass lamps if that applies. Things like GFCI protection is not really a food safety issue, not having proper device box for a receptacle isn't exactly a food safety issue either, nor would they necessarily even look for this if it is behind a cover that is flush with the wall.

 

[infinity]

Which those departments typically know little to nothing about electrical, mechanical or constructions codes/methods.

That's very likely. I'm surprised the NFPA hasn't created an electrical standard for food trucks that can be adopted by health departments.

 

[CoolWill]

That's very likely. I'm surprised the NFPA hasn't created an electrical standard for food trucks that can be adopted by health departments.

If they thought they could make money from it, they would.

 

[kwired]

These food trucks kind of borderline on being a 551 application. But even those the local inspectors don't normally look at the RV's just the site wiring they connect to.

Many these food trucks are custom built or a vehicle that has been modified for some purpose than it's original intent. I just recently connected a service and a 50 amp receptacle for one that was originally a bus and someone made into a food truck. I don't know what was all done electrically in it, I just checked to make sure there were no neutral to EGC bonds made so that it wouldn't give trouble with my GFCI I provided and mostly stopped there with looking at what is on the vehicle. The person that owns it bought it with most of what is there already set up by someone else. I know most the major cooking appliances were gas so that lessened concern of whether 50 amp supply was enough.

 

[tom baker]

In WA it’s not about making money, but ensuring safety for the public. Our AHJ requires permits and inspections, not just electrical, but DWV, propane, FW. They are treated like like a factory assembled structure.

 

[CoolWill]

In WA it’s not about making money, but ensuring safety for the public. Our AHJ requires permits and inspections, not just electrical, but DWV, propane, FW. They are treated like like a factory assembled structure.

I think that's what the inspector's think they do it for. And that's how it's sold to the public, but the reality is that it generates revenue and covers the city/county/state from liability. The idea that the government does anything for true public safety makes me giggle.

 

[kwired]

I think that's what the inspector's think they do it for. And that's how it's sold to the public, but the reality is that it generates revenue and covers the city/county/state from liability. The idea that the government does anything for true public safety makes me giggle.

The permit is for revenue, the inspection is for safety.

Now if you require annual permit and inspection you have increase in both revenue and safety

 

[drcampbell]

... The idea that the government does anything for true public safety makes me giggle.

"Anything"? The death rate dropped in half from 1966 to 1976 as pre-FMVSS vehicles aged out of the fleet and were replaced with vehicles designed in accordance with the FMVSS.

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[retirede]

"Anything"? The death rate dropped in half from 1966 to 1976 as pre-FMVSS vehicles aged out of the fleet and were replaced with vehicles designed in accordance with the FMVSS.

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Plus, the Cuyahoga river doesn’t catch fire any more!

 

[CoolWill]

"Anything"? The death rate dropped in half from 1966 to 1976 as pre-FMVSS vehicles aged out of the fleet and were replaced with vehicles designed in accordance with the FMVSS.

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

You have to protect the electorate. A dead tax payer doesn't pay taxes. And you get to look like you care about the people and thus increase votes. I am not against safety or the enforcement of standards. But for-profit companies (even if they claim to be non-profit) and revenue-reliant governments do not care about the issues they support beyond making sure the money keeps flowing and the voters keep voting. Wrapping anything in the blanket of "safety" automatically grants it immunity from scrutiny, because then the counter argument is "Why would you be against safety?"

 

[tom baker]

I think that's what the inspector's think they do it for. And that's how it's sold to the public, but the reality is that it generates revenue and covers the city/county/state from liability. The idea that the government does anything for true public safety makes me giggle.

Giggle? I was an IMSA certified traffic signal tech and the signal techs for the city it was all about public safety. Lamp out, signal pole knock down, cabinet damage, conflict monitoring testing…
A dark signal will cause accidents. See it many times

 

[zbang]

I'm really curious what all this has to with food trucks.

 

[tom baker]

Well nothing. Thank you, no more giggling here