When do current NEC requirements not apply to existing facilities? Are existing installations grandfathered so that code violations are not applicable since they have been operating under those conditions for years or are they subject to upgrading for safety reasons? I recently visited a site that was awash with safety violations such as improper overcurrent protection, excessive mounting heights for service disconnect switches, below minimum working clearances, etc. Must these be corrected now or only if other work is being done on the system itself?
grandfathered/exempt installations
- Thread starter jimbob
- Start date
- Status
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- engineer
Re: grandfathered/exempt installations
generally, it is not your problem to deal with code violations. it is the property owner's problem. you are only responsible for the work you do.
generally, it is not your problem to deal with code violations. it is the property owner's problem. you are only responsible for the work you do.
tony_psuee
Senior Member
- Location
- PA/MD
Re: grandfathered/exempt installations
jimbob,
Electrical work must meet the code cycle in force at the time. As the code changes, existing installations do not have to be updated for compliance to the current code cycle. Any work done to an existing installation must be done to the current code, and that could require the changes you are asking about. There is the possibility that OSHA could dictate what changes need to be made to the installation for safety rather than the NEC. There has been much discussion previously on this site regarding maintenance and upkeep and how the NEC fits into those categories. In my experience the AHJ only inspects during the install, not on an ongoing basis afterwards.
Tony
jimbob,
Electrical work must meet the code cycle in force at the time. As the code changes, existing installations do not have to be updated for compliance to the current code cycle. Any work done to an existing installation must be done to the current code, and that could require the changes you are asking about. There is the possibility that OSHA could dictate what changes need to be made to the installation for safety rather than the NEC. There has been much discussion previously on this site regarding maintenance and upkeep and how the NEC fits into those categories. In my experience the AHJ only inspects during the install, not on an ongoing basis afterwards.
Tony
- Status