City Council Adopts 2005 Electrical Code

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A Newsletter by the City of Saco, Maine	March, 2006	Return to newsletter index

The City of Saco adopts and enforces model construction codes designed to assure the safety of building, plumbing, electrical and fire protection installations. These codes are written and revised by membership organizations such as the International Code Council and the National Fire Protection Association. Every 3 years, a new edition of these codes is published that include newly adopted provisions that recognize changes in safety and design.

The City has adopted and enforced, under the authority of Title 30-A, M.R.S.A., ¤ 4171, the provisions of NFPA 70, The National Electric Code, for many years. NFPA has published the 2005 edition of the National Electric Code which the Council has now adopted.

After meeting with local electricians, several changes to the local amendments were adopted by the City Council:

The minimum wire size amendment has been removed. This was confusing for electrical contractors and made reference to a building code that has since been replaced.
The "Romex" wiring amendment has been removed. This made reference to a brand of wiring, not a type. The NEC is also clear on where sheathed cable on other types of cable are permitted and not permitted.
The "jumping of services" amendment has been removed. This is not permitted by the National Electrical Safety Code which is adopted for use by the City and Central Maine Power Company.
The local rule making authority has been removed. After meeting with local electricians, it was determined that any amendments should go through the council rather than being promulgated by staff.
A new smoke and heat detector section has been adopted as part of the ordinance.
The local ground fault interrupter outlet amendment has been removed. The new edition of the NEC now has language that covers this subject.
The non-combustible wiring amendment has been removed. The new edition of the NEC has clarified where this type of wiring method is required.

The Code Enforcement Office considers it a recognition of its work that the nationals codes have adopted what were local amendments.

—Dick Lambert, code enforcement officer, and Marcel Desrochers, electrical inspector