HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 09261989 - IO.1 E
TIC,: Board of Supervisors
FROM: INTERNAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE a .
DATE: September 18, 1989
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SUBJECT: ADOPTION OF THE 1987 ELECTRICAL CODE
Specific Request(s) or Recommendations(s) & Background & Justification
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Introduce, waive reading and fix October 3, 1989 for adoption of an ordinance to adopt by reference the 1987
National Electrical Code, 1981 National Electrical Code Tables and other publications, with the exception of
that portion of the proposed ordinance which would eliminate the use of pull-out switches for electrical service.
2. Request the Director of Building Inspection to ask the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local
1245 and Pacific Gas and Electric Co. for written statements regarding their opinion on the wisdom I of
eliminating the use of pull-out switches for electrical service and forward their replies to our Committee on
November 13, 1989.
3. Request the Director of Building Inspection to obtain additional data on the dates when the equipment was
installed which was involved in the injuries which were brought to our attention by Chief of Electrical Inspection
J. E. Goodnough to determine whether the equipment was manufactured and installed before or after the
Underwriters Laboratory changed their testing standards some 17 to 20 years ago and provide our Committee
a report on this subject on November 13, 1989.
4. Request the Director of Building Inspection to provide our Committee additional information on the cost of pull-
out switches versus the cost of fast make/fast break switches and any additional information which will assist
our Committee in making a decision on this issue.
5. Request the Director of Building Inspection to notify all interested parties that our Committee will hear this item
again on Monday, November 13, 1989 at 10:30 A.M.
6. Leave this issue on referral to our Committee.
Continued on attachment: YES Signature:
Recomm ° io Co ty Administrator Recommendation of Board Committee
ove er:
Slignature(s): T N OWERS SUNNE WRIGHT MC PEAK
Action of Board on: September 26_, 1989__ , Approved as Recommended x Other
Vote of Supervisors I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
X Unanimous (Absent III ) AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE
Ayes: Noes: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON DATE SHOWN.
Absent: Abstain: p�
cc: county Administrator Attested 4,0 a6 /98g
Director or Building inspection Phil Batchelor, Clerk of the Board
County Counsel of Supervisors and Count Administrator'
Paul Royalty,Square D Company h Y
Wayne Menuz,UL �Q
Robert W.Baird,NEMA By �o o�w�u.�La.� , Deputy Clerk
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BACKGROUND:
On July 25, 1989 the Board of Supervisors held a hearing on the proposal from the Director of Building Inspection
that the Board adopt by reference the 1987 National Electrical Code,the 1981 National Electrical Code Tables and
other related publications. At the conclusion of the hearing and on the recommendation of the Director of Building
Inspection the issue was referred to our Committee because of some opposition surrounding one of the amendments
which is being proposed to the 1987 National Electrical Code.
On September 18, 1989 our Committee met with the Director of Building Inspection, his Chief of Electrical
Inspection Services and representatives from the Square D Company, the Underwriters Laboratory, the Bussman
Company,the National Electrical Manufacturers Association,the City of San Ramon,the International Brotherhood
of Electrical Workers, the Grand Jury and County Counsel's Office.
The issue confronting our Committee is whether the County should prohibit the use of pull-out switches as electrical
service disconnect switches or whether such switches should be permitted.
The Bussman Company indicated they were opposed to the proposal to prohibit the use of pull-out switches as
electrical service disconnect switches. The National Electrical Manufacturers Association also,indicated their
opposition to this prohibition. The Underwriters Laboratory indicated that while there had been some problems with
pull-out switches up to about 17 to 20 years ago, UL changed their testing criteria and methods, necessitating
improvements in the products by the manufacturers. There appears to be little evidence of such switches being safety
hazards since these improvements were made. However,we feel we need more information on the extent to which
such accidents have occurred.
The representative from the City of San Ramon-agreed with the Director of Building Inspection that the use of pull-
out switches as service disconnect switches should be prohibited.
There is a dispute about whether pull-out switches are inherently unsafe since an electrician must stand in front of
the switch to putt it out and replace it,thereby taking the risk of an electrical arc which could cause injury or death.
Based on our discussion with all parties we are recommending that the Board of Supervisors approve the above
recommendations. Following our Committee's receipt of these additional reports we will make a further
recommendation to the Board.
In the meantime we are recommending that the Board go ahead and adopt the majority of the amendments which
have been recommended since there is no controversy about any of them.
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