Residential Low income housing upgrade- Grandfathered?

[Amperess]

The term "grandfathered" was used to explain why this project was not complying to NEC. For example: Dish washer/ Disposal circuits were added but kitchen GFI circuits left out. Something about 50% upgrade and below, falling under the grandfather rule/option. Has anyone experienced working on a job with this classification? And if so, how do they determine the percentage?

 

[mgookin]

If you're asking if an improvement of 50% or more of the building value is triggered, do they have to comply with code for new construction, you'll need to address that with the building code for that jurisdiction. I've never heard of an exemption for low-income or poverty as related to building safety (or dangerously!), but in some codes the building official does have authority to grant one (or more) code exemption regardless of such factors. The building code adopts the electric code (in most jurisdictions) and so any such building code requirement will trickle to the electric code. I suggest you ask your building inspector, plans examiner or building official. Sounds like the jobs is more than just electrical.

If you're asking if the NEC has a 50% trigger and if any such trigger may be exempted based on the income of the owner, I can't answer that. But I'm sure many on here can.

 

[growler]

The term "grandfathered" was used to explain why this project was not complying to NEC. For example: Dish washer/ Disposal circuits were added but kitchen GFI circuits left out. Something about 50% upgrade and below, falling under the grandfather rule/option. Has anyone experienced working on a job with this classification? And if so, how do they determine the percentage?

When you say kitchen GFCI circuits are you talking about required small appliance circuits?

When you get a remodel or rehab permit it is possbile to do less than a total remodel and not bring everything up to current code cycle. I could add a dish washer circuit and not add an additional small appliance circuit ( if there was only one ).

What type of project are you looking at or working on and who is telling you that something is grandfathered?

For the low income housing that I have seen there will be an inspection to make sure that GFCI are installed, that all circuits are grounded, smoke detectors installed but they may not be 100% up to 2011 code. There may not be arc fault breakers and I don't think they have mandated T/R receptacles in this area. If you were to add or extend a circuit you would have to bring it up to code.