State of NY LV Requirements

[dereckbc]

OK guys no politics here but I have a question for those of you working in New York.

I have a friend who called me, he is a director for a state university, and is considering hiring what he calls Cable Tech's to run, install, terminate, maintain, test, etc of IT type cables like Cat-6. That person will also maintain some of the IT equipment. Right now they use contractors, but they are looking at the cost and considering go in-house to do the work.

So I have two thoughts, but do not know the state as whole to advice and would like some feedback:

*License and Union requirements to do LV work in the state of New York?

Please keep it clean and on point, with just the facts.:grin:

THX

Dereck

 

[lpelectric]

I am thinking that whoever is the employee that is doing the actual electrical work would be subject to State laws and regulations, but exempt from local rules as they would apply to work being performed in State buildings on State properties. For example, electrical licensing as a city requirement might apply within the corporate boundaries of the city for municipally owned and privately owned buildings but not extend into State owned buildings. It would seem that maintenance workers might not be subject to the same rules as contract electricians working under fair labor laws. Just my humble opinion. Here's some helpful info on the requirements for code compliance. This also affects voltages under 50. The installation of new or extension of any electrical system(s) requires a permit :smile:

PART 1204 - UNIFORM CODE: ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT BY STATE AGENCIES​

[FONT=trebuchet ms, Arial, Helvetica]?1204.1 Introduction.

Section 381 of the Executive Law directs the Secretary of State to promulgate rules and regulations prescribing minimum standards for administration and enforcement of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (Uniform Code). Section 1201.2(d) of this Title provides that the State shall be accountable for administration and enforcement of the Uniform Code with respect to buildings, premises, and equipment in the custody of, or activities related thereto undertaken by, a State agency. This part establishes procedures for the administration and enforcement of the Uniform Code by State agencies. Buildings and structures exempted from the Uniform Code by other preclusive statutes or regulations are not subject to the requirements of this part.

​

?1204.7 Construction Permits.
(a) On or after July 1, 1990, no State agency shall commence the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, improvement, relocation, removal, or demolition of any building or structure without first obtaining a construction permit from a construction-permitting agency. Work which is not subject to the Uniform Code shall not require a permit. No permit shall be required for the performance of necessary repairs which do not materially affect structural elements and/or the plumbing, electrical, or heating/ventilation systems, nor for the construction of storage facilities of less than 3000 cubic feet. No permit shall be required for work costing $20,000 or less on an existing building provided that such exemption does not conflict with the procedures of any construction-permitting agency involved in the project. All work shall nevertheless be done in conformance with the Uniform Code.

This rule in it's entirety is here: http://www.dos.state.ny.us/code/part1204.htm

:smile:
[/FONT]

 

[hbiss]

I can sum it up for you easily. In NY there are no licensing requirements for ECs or LV contractors. Everything is handled on a local level, each county handles its own licensing. ECs are all licensed but I can't think of any place that licenses LV contractors. Many places require a permit be pulled however and an inspection, contact the local municipality.

As for unions, unless this is new construction I don't know how they would even enter into the equation.

-Hal

 

[lpelectric]

ECs are all licensed[/b] but I can't think of any place that licenses LV contractors.

Not so. Very few communities require licensing of electrical contractors.

........Many places require a permit be pulled however and an inspection, contact the local municipality.

Every community in New York State (with the exception of NYC) is required to abide by the NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code which at 1203, requires building permits for electrical work being performed as spelled out within the text.

 

[hbiss]

Don't know where in NY you are. I live and work here. Generally it's the counties that handle their own licensing with the exception of New York City. Talk to any EC in NY and they will tell you what an expense and PITA maintaining separate licenses for every area they work in is.

Inspections can be handled by your choice of independent inspection services though some areas like cities will have their own inspectors.

Permitting is usually handled at the local level, meaning the local building department. I was refering to the lack of a requirement for a LV permit.


-Hal

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

Dereck
NYS is a quarky state to work in, whether it is electric work or LV work.

There is no Statewide license required in NYS for LV work. I will say that there are some municipalities that are rewriting or have rewritten their LV wiring requirements in regards to LV. My advice is to contact the building department for the jurisdiction where the work will be performed, as a local law may be different than what most jurisdictions require.

There are some towns that do require permits for LV work, but a license is not required to pull the permit. Those municipalities that require the permit, will also require that an inspection by an electrical inspector will be required for the said work.

 

[ceknight]

*License and Union requirements to do LV work in the state of New York?

I'm pretty sure all SUNY maintenance depts are represented by either CSEA or SEIU.

Licensing of any sort isn't likely to be an issue for maintenance work, except maybe in the context of competitive hiring.

 

[wbalsam1]

Low voltage electrical installations, whether they are extensions of existing systems or new circuits are required to be permitted and have construction inspections. This has been required since January 1st, 1984 by the NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code which is in effect in all areas of the state except NY City.
The rule extends from Chapter 27 of the BCNYS and Chapters 33-42 of the RCNYS. The NEC is the generally accepted reference standard for LV systems and is referenced in Chapter 42 of the RCNYS. All the LV Articles in the NEC are dealing with "electrical systems".
Communities may have their own local laws as well, but have to petition the Codes Council for permission to amend this rule.

 

[lpelectric]

I can sum it up for you easily. In NY there are no licensing requirements for ECs or LV contractors. Everything is handled on a local level, each county handles its own licensing. ECs are all licensed but I can't think of any place that licenses LV contractors. Many places require a permit be pulled however and an inspection, contact the local municipality.

As for unions, unless this is new construction I don't know how they would even enter into the equation.

-Hal

Hal: I am just saying that out of the 880 communities across New York, very few are actually requiring licensing electrical contractors. There may be a lot from your local region if you live within a large metropolitan area, but on average very few municipalities require licensing. :smile:

 

[hbiss]

That very well may be. I'm just North of NYC and a license is required anywhere you are likely to travel to. I've been West by Utica and Buffalo and I'm told a license is required there too. But there is a lot of real estate in between with very small towns and I can believe they will let anybody do electrical work. All the more reason for NY having a state wide license like many other states.

-Hal

 

[lpelectric]

That very well may be. I'm just North of NYC and a license is required anywhere you are likely to travel to. I've been West by Utica and Buffalo and I'm told a license is required there too. But there is a lot of real estate in between with very small towns and I can believe they will let anybody do electrical work. All the more reason for NY having a state wide license like many other states.

-Hal

I'd vote for that in a New York minute (pardon the pun) if it would also include licensing private third-party electrical inspectors. :smile:

 

[hbiss]

if it would also include licensing private third-party electrical inspectors.

Pierre should be able to tell you about that.

-Hal

 

[quogueelectric]

licensing here is at the county and TOWN level

licensing here is at the county and TOWN level

Within a 50 mile radius of me there are at least 20 different town and incorporated village licences required along with contractor registration fees required by Southampton Town Within Suffolk County You must have each license to work in each County/town/village. Southampton in particular requires you use only their inspectors. Nassau county is reciprocal only if you are a nassau resident. If you live in suffolk you must get all licenses. Thousands of hours and dollars in red tape Statewide licensing would be relief and get rid of the good ole boy networks and be better for more competitive pricing. The point of licensing is to protect the consumer from unqualified contractors not to keep competition away from the existing contractors.

 

[quogueelectric]

How come noone likes the #13 post??

How come noone likes the #13 post??

Is it bad luck or something??

 

[lpelectric]

Within a 50 mile radius of me there are at least 20 different town and incorporated village licences required along with contractor registration fees required by Southampton Town Within Suffolk County You must have each license to work in each County/town/village. Southampton in particular requires you use only their inspectors. Nassau county is reciprocal only if you are a nassau resident. If you live in suffolk you must get all licenses. Thousands of hours and dollars in red tape Statewide licensing would be relief and get rid of the good ole boy networks and be better for more competitive pricing. The point of licensing is to protect the consumer from unqualified contractors not to keep competition away from the existing contractors.

Very well said.! :smile:

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

if it would also include licensing private third-party electrical inspectors.

Pierre should be able to tell you about that.

-Hal

Right now, as of this very second, if the state required electrical inspectors in NYS to be licensed or to test for certification, the state would most likely loose 50% or more of the existing electrical inspectors.

IN MY OPINION - that would be a good thing and a bad thing

Good - because there are so many electrical inspectors who really have no clue

Bad - because the contractors would have to wait so long for an inspection by the depleted number of inspectors.

Good - for the legitimate electrical contractors, as competition out there would be on an even playing field.

Bad - for the contractor who is not used to getting a real inspection or for the ones who are shopping for the "right" inspector.

 

[secure15]

Low Voltage License

Low Voltage License

Suffolk County views electrical work that is not part of "an off-premise"
monitored system to require either a Master Electricians License for the County OR a separate Low Voltage License in ADDITION to the NY State Security and Fire Alarm Installers License with the additional requirement of "Work Experience in the trade" for 2 of the last 5 years- proof by W2, etc.
This includes: CCTV, Intercom, Network, Telephone and Internet Broadband and the lo voltage wiring to Central VAC Systems!
NY City has a separate Low Voltage License in the books also- for non- fire
installations- not highly enforced though.
To install Fire Systems in NYC you need the 7 years experience, a MAster Electricians License and the NYS installers License---- lots of O.O.P. dollars!
Mike S

 

[LawnGuyLandSparky]

Thousands of hours and dollars in red tape Statewide licensing would be relief and get rid of the good ole boy networks and be better for more competitive pricing. The point of licensing is to protect the consumer from unqualified contractors not to keep competition away from the existing contractors.

Do you really believe that a statewide license would allow better pricing in the incorporated villages? Realistically, competitive pricing comes into play once a certian level of competition has been established. After that, you could add another 10,000 competitiors to the fray , the pricing is NOT going to get any better.

Be truthful, your wish for statewide licensing has nothing to do with saving customers money, and has everything to do with your wish to enrich yourself.

 

[wbalsam1]

Do you really believe that a statewide license would allow better pricing in the incorporated villages? Realistically, competitive pricing comes into play once a certian level of competition has been established. After that, you could add another 10,000 competitiors to the fray , the pricing is NOT going to get any better.

Be truthful, your wish for statewide licensing has nothing to do with saving customers money, and has everything to do with your wish to enrich yourself.

Will you please develop this reasoning a little for me. I don't understand what you're hinting at. Thanks.:smile:

 

[hbiss]

Do you really believe that a statewide license would allow better pricing in the incorporated villages?

Ok, $500/yr for Westchester county alone. I believe the state of NJ charges $75. You tell me which is a better deal.

-Hal