City of Lawrence

Neighborhood Resources Department

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:              David L. Corliss, Interim City Manager

 

FROM:         Victor Torres, Director, Neighborhood Resources

 

DATE:           August 3, 2006

 

RE:              National Electric Code adoption

 

 

The Board of Electrical Examiners met August 2, 2006 and unanimously approved the July 19 meeting minutes to adopt the 2005 Edition of the National Electric Code with amendments (attached). 

 

A new item with this code adoption will be the requirement of connecting a concrete encased electrode on new dwellings and apartments.  The concrete encased electrode has been used on most commercial and industrial projects for some time and will now be required on residential projects as well.  

 

A concrete encased electrode can consist of either 20’ of bare #4 copper installed within or near the bottom of the footing or at least 20 feet of ½ inch reinforcing steel located in the same area.  The cumulative length of footing steel can be achieved by normal methods of steel tie wires joining shorter lengths.

 

Building and Electrical contractors will receive a letter from this office describing the new electrical code adopted and additional requirements.

 

Let me know if you have any questions.