For questions relating to compliance with laws and ordinances of federal, state/province and local jurisdictions. Questions should also be tagged with the specific area of construction involved.
Questions tagged [code-compliance]
972 questions
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What are the consequences of building without a permit?
Suppose someone decided to build a house without getting the required permits. What are the possible consequences?
I'm not talking about slipshod workmanship, or ignoring safety of structure, fire, and sewage. I'm talking about doing good quality…
Jay Bazuzi
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Do UL-listed product specifications or NEC rules take precedence?
An interesting question arose elsewhere. Suppose you break out a "New, Old Stock" item. It is UL-approved and has UL-approved instructions.
The instructions say to do X.
However, since the item was UL-approved, NEC has changed. Doing X is now…
Harper - Reinstate Monica
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6
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1 answer
What is "code" and what should a DIYer know about it?
I've heard people who work in construction and here on this site discuss "code", and when this happens someone sites a specific document such as the National Electrical Code or International Plumbing Code or similar.
(I'm assuming electrical and…
Billy ONeal
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I want to run 75C wire. Can I overcome 60C receptacle ratings with a pigtail?
Hypothetical. I am hooking up a range/oven that requires 50A. Its terminations are rated 60C, and there's no way around it.
The 100' wiring run is all in EMT conduit and I am running THHN wires, so I am entitled to use the 75C column. #8 copper…
Harper - Reinstate Monica
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5
votes
2 answers
How do easements work? Who can use them?
For the sake of clarifying the question, I'll offer this hypothetical.
Assume I had a neighbor down the street and I wanted to run a cable between our homes. There is an existing utility easement running along the street.
Is it possible to take…
JohnFx
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4
votes
2 answers
Maximum Distance Between Outlets
In an answer to this question Iggy's answer contains a picture that says "Maximum spacing between receptacles on the same countertop space is 4ft."
Does this mean if I were to build a house with 28 feet of countertop in the kitchen, I'd be legally…
nexus_2006
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Can I print plastic blank space fillers for my service panel?
I'm guessing the answer is "no" but I saw this question and got curious. If panel fillers are expensive, and you don't have a breaker, can you 3d print your own? I'm guessing the panel front cover and fillers are part of UL and therefore making your…
Sam
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1 answer
Can Canadian panels be used in the USA?
Here's a slick Canadian subpanel with a "generator interlock". It is a normal 2-pole panel, just like common USA panels, and it's Square D QO, which is common as dirt in the USA. However for the generator interlock, it uses 3-pole breakers (this…
Harper - Reinstate Monica
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4
votes
1 answer
What is the legal definition of a habitable space/room?
I am confused as to what rooms are habitable rooms in regards to permitting. According to ASHI
Habitable rooms are living, sleeping, eating and cooking rooms. Common terms for these rooms include living rooms, family rooms, dens, bedrooms,…
StrongBad
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Exactly what does this note mean in my main panel what is a 4 wire feeder system and why is my whole system designed as one and what's the purpose?
The note in my panel reads:
The electrical system of this home has been designed for a four wire feeder system. The grounding system is isolated from the neutral system. Be sure to connect a separate insulated green colored conductor to the service…
Chase Price
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3
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Does NEC apply to temporary structures, container homes, trailers, houseboats, etc.?
A question from Owain I thought worth asking:
Does the NEC apply to structures like temporary buildings, shipping container homes, trailers or even houseboats?
I don't plan to self-answer.
Harper - Reinstate Monica
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3
votes
4 answers
Is a dedicated circuit to gas furnace always required?
USA NEC 2014.
Is there any way to dodge the requirement for a dedicated circuit for a gas furnace? I need to hang one more small hardwired load right near the furnace, and would rather not run a new circuit.
The other load is not HVAC related, and…
Harper - Reinstate Monica
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3
votes
2 answers
Can you serve a multi-wire branch circuit off a pendant?
I've seen a slick trick done in some maker spaces. They have a big room full of project desks. Above each desk is an air hose on a retractable reel... And a NEMA L14-20 receptacle.
Dangling off the receptacle is a pendant: a hefty cord, properly…
Harper - Reinstate Monica
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2 answers
Do I need to install carbon monoxide detectors to be up to code?
My home was constructed in 2003 and has a natural gas furnace. Do I need to install carbon monoxide detectors to be up to code? It seems confusing since the first code IRC 315.1 is only for new construction, but the second code IRC 315.3 loops back…
JMD
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Can television cables be run through a downspout?
Is it against code (Houston, Texas; Harris County) to drop cable wires down a downspout? This is a condo complex, bottom floor unit. The cable company dropped their cable down the downspout of the gutter system.
At the end of the downspout, there is…
sandy
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