S&B Division Electrical Code Advisory Council Meeting Summaries

Meeting summaries are considered drafts until approved by council members at a subsequent meeting.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Town of Westport bulding, 5397 Mary Lake Road, Waunakee, Wisconsin

Council Members Attendance: Kevin Benner - Present; Tim Clay and Shannon Clark - P; Mark Cook - P; Brad Gruenewald - P; David Hansen - P; David Helgeson - P; Ron Janikowski (chair) - P; Charles L. Johansen - P; Jeff Knudtson - P; Tim O’Rorke - P; Leo Sokolik - Absent; Andrew T. Walton - P; David Washebek - Excused

Department of Safety and Professional Services Staff: Joe Hertel, Berni Mattsson, Norma McReynolds, Ray Weber.

Guests: Fred Brown, HI Electron; Joe Jameson, City of Middleton; Steve Froemming, City of Franklin; Pat Kilty, City of Marshfield;
Bill Neitzel, Madison; Rob Radmer, City of Milwaukee.

- Welcome, introductions, housekeeping and review of agenda: Joe Hertel opened the August 31, 2011, meeting of the Electrical Code Advisory Council, and asked council members, guests and department staff to introduce themselves. The council members reviewed the meeting’s agenda and accepted it as written.

- Review council manual and elect chair and co-chair: Joe explained that the Safety and Building Division in the Department of Safety and Professional Services had reconvened the council to update Chapter Comm 16, the Wisconsin electrical code. He reviewed the council member’s responsibilities and thanked everyone for agreeing to serve. When the Council last met, Ron Janikowski had served as chair. On motion, Cook/Benner, Ron was elected by a unanimous vote to serve as chair of the 2011 reconvened council. On motion of Janikowski/Cook, Kevin Benner was elected as vice chair of the council.

- Public comment period: Joe explained that public comments are welcome throughout the rule promulgation project.

- Division updates: Joe reported on the following legislative and Safety and Buildings Division activities:
Reorganization: The Department of Commerce was dissolved July 1, 2011, and replaced by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, which is a private entity. The divisions of Safety and Buildings and Environmental and Regulatory Services were merged with the Department of Regulation and Licensing to form the Department of Safety and Professional Services. The merger will not affect the council.

Berni Mattson has been serving since January 2011 as director of the Program Development Bureau and Tom Kasper was named acting director of the Integrated Services Bureau in February. Bill Wendle was appointed in late July to serve as administrator of both the Safety and Building Division and of the Environmental and Regulatory Services Division. Consideration is being given to combining the two divisions.

Implementation of 2011 Wisconsin Act 21: Effective June 8, 2011, Act 21 affects the promulgation of rules process. A major change involves routing the proposed code package through the governor’s office: 1) all scope statements must be approved by the governor before code development can begin, and 2) the governor must approve the final code draft before it is sent for legislative review. Another change that will have an impact on the timing of when a code becomes effective has to do with the process in election years. Currently, in an election year, the legislature does not take action on proposed rules from September 1 to January 1. Act 21 moves the date up to the end of the legislature’s final general-business floor period (usually in March or April) to when it reconvenes (January). Because of the additional requirements - governor's approval, economic impact analysis, and submittal to the legislature when in session - the promulgation of rules has become a 2- to 3-year process. For example, because 2012 is an election year, if the proposed chapter Comm 16 update is not ready for legislative review by next March, then it will be spring 2013 before it can become effective.
Biennial Budget Bill: Effective July 1, 2011, the biennial budget bill prohibits making any rule that increases the construction or remodeling costs of a 1- and 2-family dwelling by $1,000. See s. 227.131.3, Stats., for more information. In addition, Safety and Buildings lost 27 positions in the Budget Bill, and other district courts besides Madison can review the rules.

Commercial Building Code: The adoption of the 2009 International Code Council (ICC) standards as part of the Commercial Building Code update will be effective September 1, 2011. There are not a significant number of changes relating to the electrical code in the building code. One change that may have some affect is the expansion of the luminous, egress path-marking system to high-rise buildings (6 stories or 75 feet or taller). The change requires using luminous marking tape and may affect occupancy sensors in stairways.
Electrical code activity – Comm 5 relating to licenses, certifications and registrations is receiving a general update. The revision was prompted by 2009 Wisconsin Act 291 which mandated changing “indenture” to “apprentice contract.” Effective August 31, 2011, the Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards will require any individual completing his or her electrical apprenticeship to take the department’s exam to be certified as a journeyman electrician.

Passenger ropeways: The department is updating Comm 33 relating to passenger ropeways. The chapter adopts by reference the current edition of ANSI B77.1 for aerial tramways and lifts which exempts communication wiring and systems from the electrical code. The council recommended that communications wiring and systems and control wiring should not be exempted and should comply with code.

- Discuss scope of the rule update project: Council members had received by email a copy of the scope statement to update Comm 16 that was published in the February 28, 2011 Wisconsin Administrative Register. The objective of the rulemaking project is to incorporate by reference the 2011 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC) into Comm 16. 

- Review electrical materials, 2011 NEC, and discuss Comm 16 code revisions suggestions: Ron discussed the cCouncil’s procedure for reviewing code change proposals to Comm 16. The Council will discuss the merits of each proposal before the chair entertains a motion to accept or deny the rule change.

     The council reviewed the following 14 proposals, denying 6 and accepting 8:
1. Amend Comm 16.25 (4) (a), service disconnect - On motion of Cook/O’Rorke, the proposal to allow an exception for fire pumps was denied because of insufficient substantiation of a problem. (Vote was unanimous.)

2. NEC 100 “Grouped” amendment to Comm 16.100 - On motion of Benner/Knudtson, moved to accept the proposal to amend Comm 16.100. The motion to accept was defeated because of council members’ concern with the required 18-inch dimension. (Vote was 1-10.)

3. Definition for “structure” - On motion of O’Rorke/Hansen, the proposal to expand the NEC definition of “structure” to include what is not a structure was denied. (Vote was unanimous.)

4. Add new section to Comm 16.210 - On motion of O’Rorke/Walton, the proposal to delete “phase or line” in Comm 16.210 was denied. (Vote was unanimous.)

5. Add new section to Comm 16.547 - On motion of Cook/Hansen, the proposal to add a department exception limited to fence controllers was accepted. During the discussion it was pointed out that this exception used to be in the NEC. The council recommended using similar language as in Comm16.210 (2) (b) relating to sewer pumps. (Vote was unanimous.)

6. Delete Comm 16.210 (2) (c) - On motion of Benner/O’Rorke, the proposal to delete Comm 16.210 (2) (c) because the 2011 edition of the NEC contains similar language was accepted. (Vote was unanimous.)

7. Delete 201.12 (a) and (b) - On motion of Cook/Benner, the proposal to delete NEC 210.12 (a) because exception No. 1 contains similar language was accepted. (Vote was unanimous.)

8. Delete 16.210 (5) - On motion of Benner/O’Rorke, the proposal to delete 16.210 (5) was accepted. (Vote was unanimous.)
9. Delete Comm 16.255 (1) - On motion of Cook/O’Rorke, the proposal to delete Comm 16.255 (1) because the 2011 edition of the NEC has similar language was accepted. (Vote was unanimous.)

10. Revise Comm 16.225 (3) - On motion of Benner/Clark) the proposal to revise Comm 16.225 (3) to clarify the intent of the rule was accepted. (Vote was unanimous.)

11. Revise 16.230 (1) (b) - On motion of Cook/Gruenewald, the proposal asking for special permission to use was denied. (Vote was unanimous.)

12. Delete Comm 16.300 (2) - On motion of Helgeson/Johansen, the proposal to delete Comm 16.300 (2) which excludes the requirements in NEC 300.4 (D) was denied. (Vote was unanimous.)

13. Create Comm 16.210 (?), receptacle ratings - On motion of Clark/Benner, the proposal to allow 6-ampere, pin-type receptacles and cord caps was accepted. (Vote was unanimous.)

14. Amend Comm 16.210.8 (b) (3), rooftop receptacles for HVAC equipment - On motion of O’Rorke/Johansen, the proposal to add an exception for ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) at the point of use was accepted as modified by the council. The council recommended rewording the proposal so it is similar to NEC 620.85 and change elevators to rooftop equipment. (Vote was 7–3.)

- Set next meeting and adjourn: The council will continue to review code revision proposals and the 2011 NEC. Members are welcome to make code change suggestions and to solicit proposals. The meeting adjourned.

The council’s next meeting will be Thursday, October 6, 2011, with the location [Room 3B, Thompson Commerce Building, 201 West Washington Ave., Madison, Wisconsin] to be announced. Contact Joe Hertel, 608- 266-5649, joe.hertel@wisconsin.gov with questions.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thompson Commerce Center, Conference Room 3B, 201 West Washington Ave., Madison, Wisconsin

Members: Kevin Benner - Present; Shannon Clark - Present; Mark Cook - Present; Tim LeMere (alternate for Brad Gruenewald) - Present; David Hansen- Present; Steve Fick (alternate for David Helgeson) - Present; Ron Janikowski, chair - Present; Charles L. Johansen - Excused; Jeff Knudtson - Present; Richard Lynes - Present; Tim O’Rorke - Present; Leo Sokolik - Present; and David Washebek - Present

Department of Safety and Professional Services Staff: Joe Hertel, Dan Meneguin, Jim Quast, Norma McReynolds and Ray Weber

Guests: Dave Boetcher, IBEW; Fred Brown, HI Electron; Bob DuPont, Regulatory Guidance & Design, LLC; John Milke, Associated Building Contractors

Welcome, introductions and review of agenda
Joe Hertel opened the June 29, 2010, meeting of the Electrical Code Advisory Council and asked Council members, guests and Department staff to introduce themselves. The Council accepted the agenda as written.

Review progress notes from previous meeting
The Council reviewed the progress report from its September 8, 2009, meeting. A discussion ensued about job ratios and the intent of the following motion relating to job ratios made at the September meeting:

“Discussion focused on having a ratio for beginning electricians that also recognized the state apprenticeship program. The consensus of the Council was to recommend implementing a parallel training path for registered beginning electricians. ON MOTION (Boetcher/Benner) the Council recommends a ratio requirement of 2 beginners to 1 journeyman plus 2 beginners on the job site. Staff will research DWD’s apprenticeship requirements and look at developing a ratio system for beginning electricians.”

Council members and guests asked if the original intent of the motion was to include apprentices. Staff explained that Commerce does not regulate apprentices and purposely excluded apprentices because their ratios and standards are set by the Department of Workforce Development (DWD).

Dave Boetcher, who was an alternate for Leo Sokolik at the September meeting, explained that when he made the motion for a 2 plus 2 ratio, his intent was that apprentices were part of the ratio.

ON MOTION (Washebek/Benner) the progress report from the September 8, 2009, meeting of the Electrical Advisory Code Council will be corrected to show that the intent of the Boetcher/Benner motion was to include both beginners and apprentices in the 2 plus 2 ratio. (Vote was 10–0 with 2 members abstaining.)

ON MOTION (Cook/LeMere) the September 8, 2009, progress report was approved as corrected.

Division updates
Joe updated the members on the following legislative and Safety and Buildings Division activity:

• Electrical code activity – Because it is an election year, code proposals must be submitted for legislative review before September 1, 2010. For example, the inspection code package is looking at how to address farms, and if these issues are not resolved by September, then it will have to wait until the legislature reconvenes in January.
• Other code packages – For the Commercial Building Code revision to meet the September 1, 2010, deadline, a public hearing will need to be held in July. Currently the code package is in the Secretary’s Office awaiting his signature.
  • The Uniform Dwelling Code Council met June 9, 2010, and discussed implementation language for 2009 Wisconsin Act 158 relating to carbon monoxide alarms in one- and 2-family dwellings. Because the act has an effective date of February 1, 2011, the Department plans to have a public hearing in August.
  • A revision of Chapter Comm 40 relating to gas systems will begin in September.
• Staff updates – Tom Kasper, section chief in the Integrated Services Bureau has been named temporary director for the Program Development Bureau.
• Commercial electrical inspections – Because there is not enough staff to perform commercial electrical inspections, the Department is considering contracting with municipalities to do their own. A survey is being developed to determine interest.

Upcoming 2011 NEC Code
The draft of the 2011 edition of the National Electrical Code is available online. Code books will be available in late September. The Wisconsin chapter of the International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI) is hosting a 3-day seminar on changes in the 2011 NEC this fall in Green Bay.

Reciprocal licensing agreement
The Council reviewed informational materials relating to a multi-state reciprocal licensing agreement for journeymen electricians. To participate in a reciprocal program, Wisconsin would need to resolve the following:

• Exam requirement – After completing an apprenticeship, Wisconsin does not require an examination for the journeyman credential while other states do require an exam. After passing the exam and achieving journeyman status in one state, the individual can apply to and pay for certification in reciprocal programs in other states.
• Change in Wisconsin law – Rule changes would include aligning the requirements for hours of job experience and eligibility to more closely correspond to those required by the reciprocal programs in the other states.

Other topics
The Council discussed several other topics including:

• U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) ban of electric resistant water heaters – Shannon Clark reported that DOE’s ban will create a problem in rural Wisconsin where many dairy farms use heat pump water heaters.
• Chapter Comm 16 ratio requirement – On MOTION (Sokolik/Washebek) the Council recommends initiating a rule-making procedure to implement the 2 plus 2 registered electricians (including apprentices) ratio as moved and passed to correct the September 8, 2009, progress notes. (Vote was 10–2.) The Department will take the recommendation under advisement. Staff will research how to proceed, and reiterated that DWD regulates the apprenticeship program.

Set next meeting and adjourn
ON MOTION (Cook/Benner) the meeting adjourned.

No date was set for the next Council meeting. Please contact Joe Hertel at (608) 266-5649 or email joe.hertel@wisconsin.gov with questions.

Tuesday, September 8 , 2009, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Thompson Commerce Center, Conference Room 3B, 201 West Washington Ave., Madison, Wisconsin

Members: Kevin Benner - Present; Shannon Clark - Excused; Mark Cook - Present; Brad Gruenewald - Present; David Hansen- Present; David Helgeson - Present; Ron Janikowski, chair - Present; Charles L. Johansen - Present; Jeff Knudtson - Present; Richard Lynes - Present; Tim O’Rorke - Present; David Boetcher (alternate for Leo Sokolik) - Present; and David Washebek - Present

Department of Safety and Professional Services Staff: Bob DuPont, Monte Ewing, Joe Hertel, Dan Meneguin, Jim Quast, and Norma McReynolds

Guests: Bryan Brooks, Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA); Fred Brown, HI Electron; Bob Fahey, City of Janesville; Beata Kalies, Electric Co-ops; and Bill Neitzel, City of Madison

Welcome, introductions and review of agenda
Joe Hertel opened the meeting and asked Council members, guests and Department staff to introduce themselves. He reviewed the agenda and the Council accepted it as written.

Review progress notes from previous meeting
The Council reviewed and accepted the progress report from its January 15, 2009, meeting.

Division updates
Bob DuPont, Program Development Bureau Director, updated the members on legislative and division activity:

• Budget Constraints – Because of budget issues, the Department recently send layoff “at-risk” notices to nine employees. None of the affected staff are in the electrical program. Currently, the division is monitoring all expenditures and looking at services that it provides but for which it does not receive revenue. For example, the division proposed charging a fee to review continuing education courses. The proposal drew objections by education providers at a July 28, 2009, public hearing.

• Building Contractors Registration (BCR) – Persons holding an electrical contractor or electrical contractor-restricted certification do not need to register as building contractors. After the BCR emergency and permanent rules became effective, the 2009-2010 Budget Bill passed legislation that delegates broader authority including a penalty for not registering. Before developing code, the Department is researching forfeiture systems such as the one used in plumbing. It was pointed out that administrative fines do not go to the Department; they go to the state school fund.

  The Council suggested the Department work with municipalities to recommend they hire contractors who are registered with the state. Several Council members, who represent cities, said they were asking for credential numbers on bid applications.

Review proposed inspection code package and public hearing comments
Joe asked the Council to review the proposed rules in final draft form for chapters Comm 5 and 16 relating to Electrical Inspections, Clearinghouse Rule 09-029. The draft was emailed to Council members September 1, 2009. Council Chair Ron Janikowski pointed to the following sections that had been changed in the proposed rules draft:

• Comm 5.62 (6) (d) – A time frame of “…2 business days…”was added.
• Comm 16.003 (6)(b) – Paragraph (b), which relates to change of use, shifts the responsibility to the owner without taking away authority from the inspector. The Council suggested substituting “ensure” for “determine whether.”
• Comm 16.011 and 16.012 – The scope of the rules was broadened to include campgrounds, manufactured home communities, public marinas, piers, docks or wharfs and recreational vehicle parks.
• Effective date for Comm 16.012 and 16.013 (1) – The effective date was changed from April 1, 2010, to April 1, 2011, to give the Department more time to develop and implement the inspection system. Jim Quast directed the Council’s attention to the summary document of the public hearing comments and the agency responses that was emailed to the members September 1, 2009. Jim also reviewed the rule making process. The next step is to submit the rule packages for the Department of Safety and Professional Services Secretary’s signature and then to the Legislature where they have 30 days to review them. The last step is to file the adoption papers. Most likely the rules will be printed in the Wisconsin Administrative Register in November or December, 2009, and become effective in January or February, 2010.

Review proposed licensing code package and public hearing comments
The Council reviewed the proposed rules in final draft form for chapter Comm 5 relating to Licensing of Electrical Contractors and Electricians, Clearinghouse Rule 09-028. The draft and corresponding public hearing comments and agency response were emailed to members on September 1, 2009. The discussion, which was led by Chair Ron and Jim, focused on the following areas:

• Comm 5.41 ( 4) (c) and (d) – These two paragraphs require that licensed electrical contractors contract with someone who holds a credential and that they will include their license numbers on all construction bids and contracts.
• Comm 5.42 (1) (d) and (h), Comm 5.42 (3), Comm 5.42 (4) (b) and Comm 5.443 – These sections create new categories for an industrial journeyman electrician and a registered beginning electrician-industrial apprentice. Comm 5.42 (3) and (4) (b) limits industrial electricians to performing electrical wiring within the facility or plant where they are employed. Instead of creating an industrial master electrician license, the qualifications for the master electrician license in Comm 5.43 (2) (a) were changed to allow electrical engineers with no field experience to take the master electrician license examination. Discussion centered around requiring experience in addition to graduation from a college with an engineering degree. Staff noted the Council’s concern and will review the text, rework as needed and send the final version to Council members via email.
• Comm 5.43 (6) (a) and Comm 5.435 (6) (a) and (b) – These sections were created to deal with “exchanges” or reciprocation. They allow a master electrician to exchange his or her license for a journeyman electrician license. However, it is the licensee’s responsibility to prove that he or she had a master when he or she wants to exchange the journeyman license for the master license.

• Limiting employment – Currently, master electricians can work for multiple employers. Council members expressed concern that some master electricians are “selling their licenses.” It was pointed out that in the future the regulatory system may include administrative forfeiture authority.
• Ratio requirement –Joe has researched the multi-state group and the majority of the states have ratio requirements that allow 3 beginners (non-registered in Minnesota) to 1 journeyman as a job-site ratio. Discussion ensued during which it was pointed out that the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has a 1-to-1 plus 1 ratio (one beginning electrician-apprentice for each journeyman electrician plus one at the job site) for its apprenticeship program. Discussion focused on having a ratio for beginning electricians that also recognized the state apprenticeship program. The consensus of the Council was to recommend implementing a parallel training path for registered beginning electricians. ON MOTION (Boetcher/Benner) the Council recommends a ratio requirement of 2 beginners and/or apprentices to 1 journeyman plus 2 beginners and/or apprentices on the job site. Staff will research DWD’s apprenticeship requirements and look at developing a ratio system for beginning electricians that will correspond with DWD's requirements. (Motion corrected per June 29,2010, Electrical Code Advisory Council meeting.)

ON MOTION (Helgeson/Johansen) the meeting adjourned.

If there are any questions, please contact Joe Hertel at (608) 266-5649 or email joe.hertel@wisconsin.gov or Norma McReynolds at (608) 267-7907 or email at norma.mcreynolds@wisconsin.gov.

Thursday, January 15, 2009, 9:30 a.m., Commerce Building, Room 3B, 201 West Washington Ave.,
Madison, Wisconsin

ATTENDANCE

MEMBERS: Kevin Benner - Present; Shannon Clark - Excused; Mark Cook - Excused; Brad Gruenewald - Present; David Hansen- Present; David Helgeson - Present; Ron Janikowski - Present; Charles L. Johansen - Present; Jeff Knudtson - Present; Richard Lynes - Present; Tim O’Rorke - Present- Leo Sokolik - Present; David Washebek - Present

GUESTS: Fred Brown, HI Electron; Robert Bolle, Electrical Inspector; David Boetche, International Brotherhood of Elecrical Workers; Ron House, Communications Workers of America; James Courchane, Communications Workers of America; George Walls, Communications Workers of America; Jason Kallmet, WE Energies; Beata Kalies, Electric Co-ops; Bill Neitzel, City of Madison

Department of Safety and Professional Services STAFF: Adam Burkhalter, Lori Ann Curley, Bob DuPont, Monte Ewing, Joe Hertel, Greg Jones, Jim Quast, Todd Taylor

Welcome, Introductions and Review Agenda
Joe Hertel opened the meeting with a round of introductions, and he reviewed the meeting agenda. No revisions were made.

Comm 16 Status
Joe informed the Council that the Comm 16 changes are currently at the Legislative Reference Bureau where they are being prepared for publication. The updated code is expected to go into effect March 1, 2009.

Division Updates
Bob DuPont updated the members on legislative and division activity:
- Due to budget constraints, the State of Wisconsin has implemented a hiring freeze and has limited travel for both in and out of state trips.
- Registration of building contractors is being proposed. A public hearing on the proposed code is scheduled for 10 a.m., Wednesday, January 21, 2009, in Room 3B at the Department of Commerce, 201 W. Washington Ave., Madison, WI.

Wisconsin Building Safety Network
Bob gave a PowerPoint presentation on the Wisconsin Building Safety Network. This network of municipal and state inspection services will be used for implementing statewide electrical inspections in Spring 2010.

Licensing Presentation
Joe Hertel gave a PowerPoint presentation on 2007 Wisconsin Act 63 which affects Wisconsin Statute Chapter 101 relating to regulation of electricians and electrical inspections.

Discuss Licensing Code Draft
Ron Janikowski led a discussion of the draft of the proposed licensing code. Topics discussed included:
- Four new categories of electricians will be added to the credentials list: Residential Master Electrician, Residential Journeyman Electrician, Beginning Electrician-Apprentice, and Beginning Electrician Residential-Apprentice.
- Eventually the Electrical Contractor-Restricted will be deleted. Anyone currently holding this credential will be issued a license as an Electrical Contractor after April 1, 2013.
- Exemptions in Wisconsin Statute s. 101.862(4) raised questions as to their logic or purpose under various scenarios. Future rules may be needed to clarify the exemptions.

Discuss Inspection Code Draft
Ron led a discussion of the draft of the proposed inspection code. Topics discussed included:
- What does and does not apply to municipalities relative to street lighting?
- What does a “Final Inspection” mean? The scope of the permit?
- Is there a need for an agriculture specialty inspection?

No date was set for the next council meeting. A meeting likely will be scheduled after the public hearings on the licensing and inspection code drafts. Public hearings are expected in March or April. Joe Hertel asked council members to e-mail him (joe.hertel@wisconsin.gov) any comments on the two code drafts by January 31, 2009.

COUNCIL MEMBER ATTENDANCE:
Kevin Benner (Present), Shannon Clark (Present), Mark Cook (Present), Brad Gruenewald (Present), David Hansen (Present), David Helgeson (Present), Ron Janikowski - Chair (Present), Charles L. Johansen (Present), Jeff Knudtson (Present), Richard Lynes (Present), Tim O’Rorke (Present), Leo Sokolik (Present), David Washebek (Present)

VISITORS:
Richard Pokorny, City of Marshfield, WI; Jeff Fecteau, NEMA; Patrick Clancy; Ed Larson, Square D; Bill Neitzel, City of Madison; Steve Montgomery, OFI, Inc.; Fred Brown, HI Electron; Steve Froemming, WC IAEI; Eric Reiter, Cooper Bussman; Engelbert Hetzmannseder, Eaton Corp.; Paul Schulz, 2D2C, Inc.; Greg Baker, 2D2C, Inc.

Department of Safety and Professional Services STAFF:
Joe Hertel, Program Development Bureau; Amanda Berry, Program Development Bureau; Ray Weber, Integrated Services Bureau; Dan Meneguin, Integrated Services Bureau; Monte Ewing, Integrated Services Bureau

Welcome and Introductions
Ron Janikowski opened the meeting with a round of introductions and he reviewed the meeting agenda. No revisions were made.

Review Progress Report
Ron Janikowski reviewed the Progress Report from the January 3, 2008 meeting. It was accepted as written unanimously by the Council.

Division Updates
Joe Hertel updated the members on legislative and Division activity:
• Assembly Bill 294, which addresses electrical licensing, will likely be introduced to the legislature in February or March.
• The Department of Safety and Professional Services is in the process of revising Comm 2, relating to fees, but this should not affect the electrical program.

Review potential changes to Comm 16:
Joe Hertel reviewed the proposed changes to Comm 16 in relation to NEC 2008, and the following rules and topics were discussed:
• Comm 16.26, relating to grounding electrode system installation, will be deleted.
• Comm 16.38 will be deleted.
• NEC 700.27, NEC 701.18, and 708.54, all relating to coordination of overcurrent protection, will be modified in Comm 16 by adding the requirement for faults with duration of 0.1 seconds or longer.
• NEC 517.26, relating to essential electrical systems, will be amended in Comm 16 to require essential electrical systems at healthcare facilities get stamped and approved by a professional engineer.
• NEC 406.11 does not apply in Wisconsin.
• NEC 406.8 (A) and (B), the last sentence, does not apply in Wisconsin.
• NEC 110.10 does not apply to meter sockets and meter pedestals.

Set next meeting and adjourn:
The next meeting of the Electrical Code Council is scheduled for:
Thursday, March 13, 2008 starting at 9:30 am
Madison, Wisconsin

Thursday, January 3, 2008, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Tommy G. Thompson Commerce Center, Third Floor Conference Room #3B, 201 West Washington Ave., Madison, Wisconsin

COUNCIL MEMBER ATTENDANCE:
Kevin Benner (Present), Shannon Clark (Excused), Mark Cook (Present), Brad Gruenewald (Present), David Hansen (Excused), David Helgeson (Present), Ron Janikowski (Present), Charles L. Johansen (Present), Jeff Knudtson (Absent), Richard Lynes (Present), Tim O’Rorke (Present), Leo Sokolik (Present), David Washebek (Present)

VISITORS:
Richard Pokorny, City of Marshfield, WI; Pradip Tolat, State of Wisconsin, DOA/DSF; John Stehly, State of Wisconsin, DOA/DSF; Alan Manche, Square D; Jeff Fecteau, NEMA; Patrick Clancy; Steve Froemming, WCIAEI

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE STAFF:
Joe Hertel, Program Development Bureau; Amanda Berry, Program Development Bureau; Ray Weber, Integrated Services Bureau; Greg Jones, Safety and Buildings Division Administrator

Welcome and Introductions:
Joe Hertel opened the meeting with a round of introductions and he reviewed the meeting agenda. Greg Jones welcomed the Council and stressed the importance of this council is to provide expertise for the advancement and safety of electrical systems in Wisconsin.

Review Council Manual/Election of Chairperson:
•Amanda Berry reviewed the Code Council Manual and guidelines of council meetings.
•Amanda Berry opened the floor for council Chairperson and nominations.
•Ron Janikowski was elected as Chairperson by unanimous vote.

Division Updates:
Joe Hertel updated the members on legislative and Division activity:
• Expect the Division to update Comm 2, relating to fee schedules. There will be an increase in fees to cover the cost of inspections and programs.
• Next year, 2008, is an election year. It is important to submit the proposed changes to Comm 16 within a timeframe for the rules to be adopted before September 1, 2008.
• There is currently a proposed bill, Assembly Bill 294, at the legislature that would mandate the licensing of electricians. If it passes, the Electrical Code Advisory Council would need to take up this issue because the Department would have one year to come up with rules regarding the mandate.

Discuss scope of the rule update project:
Joe Hertel explained the scope of this rule project is to review and revise Comm 16 based on the updates to the NEC 2008. First the Council will review the technical changes. Then it will consider revisions to licensing and inspections.

Review potential changes to Comm 16:
Joe Hertel reviewed the department’s proposed changes to Comm 16 in relation to NEC 2008, and the following rules and topics were discussed:
• Comm 16.17, relating to definitions, (c) will be changed to (d), and (c) will now be “Nonrated Construction: Types III, IV, and V construction is considered to be nonrated for the purpose of this code.” This modification coincided with the current IBC.
• In Comm 16.17 (2), relating to definitions and substitutions, the note which declares electrical generating equipment is not a structure will be deleted.
• Comm 16.17 (3), relating to omissions in definitions, will be deleted because “structure” is already defined in the building code and the same definition is used in the NEC-2008.
• In Comm 16.20 (2), relating to ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection, the following will be inserted to clarify this is a requirement for commercial buildings: “In addition to the requirements of the NEC 210.8, all 125-volt single phase 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in repair and storages areas in commercial garages where electrical diagnostic equipment, electrical hand tools, or portable lighting equipment is to be used shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.” Also, (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) will be deleted.
• In Comm 16.21, relating to arc-fault circuit-interrupter protection, “NEC 210.12 does not apply in Wisconsin” will be deleted, and will be changed to “Where RMC, IMC, EMT or steel armored cable, Type AC or MC, meeting the requirements of 250.118 using metal outlet and junction boxes is installed for the portion of the branch circuit between the branch-circuit overcurrent device and the first outlet, it shall be permitted to install a combination AFCI at the first outlet to provide protection for the remaining portion of the branch circuit.”
• In Comm 16.24, relating to outside branch circuits and feeders, Comm 16.24 (1) title will be changed to “Clearance for Overhead Conductors and Cables.” Also, (3) will be renumbered to (3) (b), and (3) (a) will read: “This is a Department rule in addition to NEC 225.30 Number of Supplies. Introduction. For the purpose of this section, multiple feeders that are supplied from the same distribution point, rated 300 amperes or greater and supply not more than 6 disconnecting means grouped at the same location, are considered one supply.”
• Comm 16.25 (6), Comm 16.26 (2), Comm 16.27, Comm 16.294, Comm 16.30 (2), Comm 16.42, and Comm 16.435 will be deleted.
• Comm 16.265 will be added to read: “Resistance of Rod, Pipe, and Plate Electrodes. A single electrode consisting of a rod, pipe, or plate shall be augmented by one additional electrode of any of the types specified in NEC 250.52 (A) (4) through (A) (8).”
• Comm 16.327 will be renumbered (1), and “(2) NEC 334.12 (A)(2) does not apply in Wisconsin.” will be added.
• In Comm 16.392, delete “Classifications of locations NEC 511.3” and insert “Area Classifications, General 511.3 (C) (1) (a) and 511 (C) (2) (a) do not apply in Wisconsin.”
• In Comm 16.45 (1) (b) (1), relating to emergency systems, “AC cable” will be added as an option of where to list emergency circuit wiring.
• In Comm 16.45 (1) (b) (2), delete (2) (a) and (b). Add “(2) Emergency lighting fixtures may use flexible cord connections in compliance with NEC 410.62 (C) for electric discharge luminaries
• In Comm 16.45 (2) and Comm 16.48 (1), delete “one-half” from both. Also, both will be changed according to submitted Code Change Proposals.

Set next meeting and adjourn:
The next meeting of the Electrical Code Advisory Council is scheduled for:
Tuesday, February 12, 2008, 9:30 am to 2:30 pm
UW – Madison Agricultural Research Station
8502 Mineral Point Road
Madison, Wisconsin

At this meeting we will discuss Comm 16.38, NEC 700.12 (D), and the location of natural gas generators in the building code and their use in the electrical code. Also at this meeting, we will look into any other issues with technical code requirements, and begin discussing licensing requirements.

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