Historical Building Who?s Codes and Jurisdiction

[stuartdmc]

I have the privilege of being a part of preserving/upgrading the electrical system within the Ennis House, built in 1924 by Frank Lloyd Wright in Los Angeles California, while touring the house today their intentions are to install AC units throughout the 9k square foot house well we all know that this means a panel upgrade.. Currently, it’s being feed with 100amp 120/240v single phase. (By today’s electrical codes its way under sized)
My questions are,
1. Does the local city, county and or state code enforcement have any Jurisdiction over Historical Building and if so is there an historical electrical code book?
2. An upgrade will be needed; can the old service be removed? And if so does the utility companies’ service planner have the jurisdiction

 

[jumper]

Privilege???? Sounds more like a penalty, historical societies are real PITA.

 

[cowboyjwc]

There is a Historic Building Code, but I don't know whether LA (City or County?) adopts it or not. I did just find out that they do have a chapter in their building code.

As the past president of the Simi Valley Historical Society, I can tell you that the local AHJ does have authourity over the building. Now that depends on who the building belongs to also, if it's a state historical landmark, it may be the state. Being that it's one of the Wright houses it belongs to LA most likely.

Now as for removing the panel, depending on how accurate they want the building to be, the historical review committee (or something along those lines) may want you to keep the old panel and hide the new panel where it can't be seen. And yes to the service planner.