Code of Ordinances Amendment - Title 14 - Electrical Code Copyright 2014
City of Dubuque Action Items # 7.
ITEM TITLE: Code of Ordinances Amendment Title 14 - Electrical Code
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending approval of an ordinance that
prohibits the use of PVC when penetrating through a roof
and/or soffit.
ORDINANCE Amending City of Dubuque Code of
Ordinances Title 14 Building and Development, Chapter 1
Building Codes, Article D Electrical Code, Section 14-1 D-2
National Electrical Code Amendments by amending Uses
Not Permitted to include where overhead lines and/or wires
attach to PVC
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Motion B; Motion
A
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
National Electric Code-MVM Memo City Manager Memo
Staff Memo Staff Memo
Ordinance Ordinance
Suggested Motion Supporting Documentation
THE CITY OF Dubuque
DUB TEMWinrkaCky
1111.
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2007.2012.2013
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: National Electric Code
DATE: October 10, 2016
Currently, the National Electric Code allows other forms of conduit and tubing to
penetrate a roof, soffit, or to extend above a roof line, including the use of Poly-vinyl
chloride (PVC). The Electrical Board feels that PVC is not of sufficient strength to hold
up to weather and stress relating to wiring and feel the use of Rigid Metallic Conduit
(RMC) should be the only type of conduit used when penetrating a roof, soffit, or
extending above the roof line of a structure.
City Attorney Crenna Brumwell recommends City Council approval of an ordinance that
prohibits the use of PVC when penetrating through a roof and/or soffit.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
THE CITY OF
DUB E MEMORANDUM
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
CRENNA M . BRUMWELL , qEsQ.
CITY ATTORNEY
To: Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
DATE: October 10, 2016
RE: National Electric Code
Currently, the National Electric Code allows other forms of conduit and tubing to
penetrate a roof, soffit, or to extend above a roof line. There was a past installation that
used Poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) to penetrate a soffit and extend above a roof line for an
electrical service. The Electrical Board felt this installation and the possible continued
use of this practice of using PVC was unsafe and therefore should no longer be
allowed. The Electrical Board felt that the PVC was not of sufficient strength to hold up
to weather and stress related to wiring. The stress produced on the PVC would
eventually damage the conductors inside of the PVC causing a short circuit situation
which could start a fire or possible shock or electrocution. RMC is the strongest and
most durable of conduit and tubing, therefore the Electrical Board wishes to accept this
type of conduit, and this type only, as a means when penetrating a roof, soffit, or
extending above the roof line of a structure.
Rigid Metallic Conduit (RMC) shall only be used when penetrating a roof, soffit, or
extending above the roof line of a structure. RMC shall be secured and supported
according to Article 344 Section 344.30 (A) and (B) of the National Electric Code.
Attached is an ordinance which prohibits the use of PVC where penetrating through a
roof and/or soffit. I recommend that the ordinance be submitted to the City Council for
consideration. Please let me know if you need further information.
Thank you.
Prepared by: Crenna M. Brumwell, Esq. 300 Main Street Suite 330 Dubuque IA 52001 563 589-4381
ORDINANCE NO. 56-16
AMENDING CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES TITLE 14 BUILDING AND
DEVELOPMENT, CHAPTER 1 BUILDING CODES, ARTICLE D ELECTRICAL CODE,
SECTION 14-1D-2 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE AMENDMENTS BY AMENDING
USES NOT PERMITTED TO INCLUDE WHERE OVERHEAD LINES AND/OR WIRES
ATTACH TO PVC
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. Section 14-1D-2 of the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances is
amended to read as follows:
352.12 Uses Not Permitted
PVC conduit shall not be used under the conditions specified in 352.12(A) through (P). 6
(A) Hazardous (Classified) Locations. In any hazardous (classified) location, except
as permitted by other articles of this Code.
(B) Support of Luminaries. For the support of luminaries or other equipment not
described in 352.10(H).
(C) Physical Damage. Where subject to physical damage unless identified for such
use.
(D) Ambient Temperatures. Where subject to ambient temperatures in excess of
50°C (122°F) unless listed otherwise.
(E) Theaters and Similar Locations. In theaters and similar locations, except as
provided in 518.4 and 520.5.
(F) Overhead Lines and/or Wires. Where overhead lines and/or wires attach to PVC.
(G) Roof and/or Soffit. Where penetrating through a roof and/or soffit.
In addition to the conditions in 352.12(A) through (G), PVC conduits are not permitted to
be installed in ducts, plenums, and other air -handling spaces. See 300.22, which limits
the use of materials in ducts, plenums, and other air -handling spaces that may
contribute smoke and products of combustion during a fire.
Section 2. This Ordinance takes effect upon publication.
Passed, approved, and adopted the 17th day of Ictober, 2016.
Attest:
Kevin Firnstahl, City CI
Roy D. Buol, ayor
STATE OF IOWA {SS:
DUBUQUE COUNTY
CERTIFICATION OF PUBLICATION
I, Suzanne Pike, a Billing Clerk for Woodward Communications, Inc., an Iowa corporation, publisher
of the Telegraph Herald,a newspaper of general circulation published in the City of Dubuque, County
of Dubuque and State of Iowa; hereby certify that the attached notice was published in said newspaper
on the following dates: October 21, 2016, and for which the charge is $22.67.
Subscribed to before me a otary Pub 'c in and for Dubuque County, Iowa,
this e.5 day of , 20 % .
2717,0ey‘ir47:2,4,,
Notary Public in and for Dubuque County, Iowa.
OFFICIAL
PUBLICATION
ORDINANCE NO. 56-16
AMENDING CITY OF'
DUBUQUE CODE OF
ORDINANCES TITLE
14 BUILDING AND DE-
VELOPMENT, CHAP-
TER 1 BUILDING CO -1
DES, ARTICLE D ELEC.'
TRICAL CODE, SEC-
TION 14.11)-2 NA-
TIONAL ELECTRICAL
CODE AMENDMENTS
BY AMENDING USES
NOT PERMITTED TO
INCLUDE WHERE
OVERHEAD LINES'
AND/OR WIRES AT
TACH TO PVC
NOW, THEREFORE,.
BE IT 'ORDAINED BY 1
THE CITY COUNCIL;+
OF THE CITY OF DU-
BUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. Section 14- I
1D-2 of the City of Du-
buque `i Code of Ordi-
nances is amended to
read as follows:
35212 Uses Not
Permitted
PVC conduit shall not
be used; under the con-
ditiens specified in
352,12(A) through (F).
(A) Hazardous (Clas-
sified) :Locations. In
any hazardous (classi-
fied) location, except
as permitted by other
articles of this Code.
(B) Support of Lumi-
naries. For the support
of luminaries or other
equipment not descri-
bed in 352.10(H). 3'
(C) Physical Damage.
Where subject to phys-
ical damage unless
identified for such use.
(D) Ambient Tempera-
tures. Where subject to
ambient "temperatures
'n excess of 50°C
(122°F) unless listed
otherwise..
(E) Theaters and Simi-
lar Locations. In'thea-
ters and similar loca-�
`tions,. except as provid-
ed in 518.4 and 520.5
(F) Overhead Lines
and/or Wires. Where
overhead .lines and/or
wires attach to PVC. " ri
(G) Roof and/or Soffit.
Where penetrating
through a roof and/or'""
soffit.
In addition to the con-
ditions in 352.12(A) 1
through (G), PVC con-
duit are not permitted ;1
to be installed in ducts,
plenums, and other'air-'j
handling spaces. See
300.22, which limits the
use of materials in
ducts, plenums, and
other air -handling
spaces that may con-
tribute smoke - and
products of combus-
tion during a fire.
Section 2. This Ordi-
nance takes effect 1
upon publication.
Passed, approved,
and adopted the 17th
day of October, 2016.
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Attest:
Kevih S. Firnstahl,
City Clerk.'
Published officially in
the Telegraph Herald
newspaper on the 21st
day of October, 2016.
/s/Kevin S. Firnstahl,
City Clerk
it 10/21