Obligation to tie to the grid?

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wrobotronic

wrobotronic

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Colorado
Can anyone tell me of a code book that requires a class S1 structure to be tied to the electrical grid, as opposed to only using solar power?
I have a customer submitting for a barn that the AHJ is making an S1 structure, but he only wants to use solar power and batteries to light the egress paths and other S1 requirements for lighting.

I cant find a local ordinance or anything in the IBC or NEC that requires connection to the monopolistic utility. Basically, the AHJ cant provide a source for this requirement other than because "that's what he said" and everyone must be on the grid...

Seems odd...

Thank you very much,
GREG
 
Try the local "health and safety code". We have requirements here, such a you can repair a septic tank, but you can not be on septic if you are within 200' of a sewer line and you also have to be connected to electricity and gas and water as there are heating and sanitation requirements.
 
cowboyjwc said:
Try the local "health and safety code". We have requirements here, such a you can repair a septic tank, but you can not be on septic if you are within 200' of a sewer line and you also have to be connected to electricity and gas and water as there are heating and sanitation requirements.
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Do those connection requirements apply to a barn, or only to a residence?
 
BS!

You do not have to do S..t
This is America

After all think about it, Amish do not have Utility electric ran to their homes, yet they do use solar panels, etc to provide power for lights if they wish.
 
Were talking about electric supply, not the safety of our health concerning sewage.(that's a different subject) to which one would use a septic system unless one lives in a municipality which may require being tied to a central sewage system.
 
mopowr steve said:
Were talking about electric supply, not the safety of our health concerning sewage.(that's a different subject) to which one would use a septic system unless one lives in a municipality which may require being tied to a central sewage system.
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And when one lives in a municipality one is usually required to be tied to the electrical grid too, for their house that is. I don't think your barn needs to be tied to the grid.
 
A barn is classified as a U use in the 2015 IBC. Will there be animals in the barn? if so, is there a need for electricity to care and safeguard the animals?
or the people using the barn.
 
I have a hard time imagining a law requiring grid connection - that just seems ripe for a lawsuit by someone who has the time and money.

A similar but more extreme thing I have pondered is if one can build a house without any wiring at all. What if I dont want to use 'lectricity? Maybe its against my religion.
 
electrofelon said:
I have a hard time imagining a law requiring grid connection - that just seems ripe for a lawsuit by someone who has the time and money.

A similar but more extreme thing I have pondered is if one can build a house without any wiring at all. What if I dont want to use 'lectricity? Maybe its against my religion.
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The religious exemption can often override individual safety, but never public safety. More details needed to differentiate.
CA has just limited exemption from vaccination, for example.

Note carefully that we are not discussing politics here, just regulation. :angel:

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Ok so your saying in not so many words that electric is mandated for residential applications, then how can a power company turn power Off at all even if someone fails to pay them then?
Now if electric is provided through TAXES then I would see it as a legal binding situation (sounds communistic though)

Isn't electric a convenience not a necessity. Again one can provide power for themselves in their own fashion, regardless of being tied to a utility; if one so desires or has need for.
 
Redcliffe said:
A barn is classified as a U use in the 2015 IBC. Will there be animals in the barn? if so, is there a need for electricity to care and safeguard the animals?
or the people using the barn.
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Not to incite madness but,
Electric in itself is a risk of many things (mostly when installed wrong) of fire and electrocution. Things that some may not want to subject themselves or animals to.
 
ActionDave said:
And when one lives in a municipality one is usually required to be tied to the electrical grid too, for their house that is. I don't think your barn needs to be tied to the grid.
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I would be interested in seeing the regulations of a municipality requiring electric supplied by the grid. Respectfully.
Now I'm going to check my zoning regulations where I live to see if there is something in there.
Again Amish communities do not have electric going to their homes from utilities.
 
mopowr steve said:
Ok so your saying in not so many words that electric is mandated for residential applications, then how can a power company turn power Off at all even if someone fails to pay them then?
Now if electric is provided through TAXES then I would see it as a legal binding situation (sounds communistic though)

Isn't electric a convenience not a necessity. Again one can provide power for themselves in their own fashion, regardless of being tied to a utility; if one so desires or has need for.
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If you want to live your life free from electricity and other mandated oppression's there are a lot of places in the country where you can do that (the bad lands of New Mexico is just a stones throw away from where I live) and I support anybodies right to go there. If you want all the good stuff that modern civilized life has to offer, staying alive without having to build a fire everyday for instance, then you are going to have to make some compromises.
 
Yes, but the OP said he would run off his own solar power. It sounds like there are many successful cabins and remote dwellings that do just that. So telling someone they have to be tied to the Grid sounds crazy.

Now, take a breath and look at all these modern amenities. Haven't you ever wondered what it would be like to live a simpler life? After all you don't own them, they own you!
 
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