Importance of Electrical Code Compliance
Electrical hazards from old wiring, wiring not done properly, and other electrical risks result in tens’ of thousands of residential and commercial accidents each year. These accidents include over 30,000 home fires, 200 deaths, nearly 1,000 injuries, and over $600 million in property damage are associated with electric wiring, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Over 20 percent of the accidents cause electrocution to adults and children alike, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International. Failure of a home or business to be up to the current electrical code is often to blame. There are hundreds of these types of accidents to Kansas City metro businesses every year. Having our certified commercial electricians to inspect and update, if needed, the electrical wiring of your business based on National, Kansas City, or the local city code should be looked at every year.
What are electrical code updates?
The National Electric Code (NEC) is the nation’s singular code for safe electrical installation that first published electrical safety code in 1897. Prepared under the direction of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the NEC sets electrical code standards for safe electrical design, installation, and inspection to protect people and property from electrical hazards.
Updates are made to the NEC’s electrical code and updated every three years to safeguard people and buildings by minimizing accidents and fire hazards resulting from the use of electricity. The 2014 NEC is the most current edition.
Current electrical code updates for 2017 include:
(Resources from the National Fire Protection Association)
- Large-Scale Photovoltaic (PV) Electric Power Production Facility (New Article 691) covers systems that produce at least 5 megawatts (MW) of power, or enough to power 800+ U.S. homes.
- Energy Storage Systems (New Article 706) governs ESS installation, disconnection, shutdown, and safety labeling.
- Stand-Alone Systems (New Article 710) covers power production sources that are not connected to the grid, including PV and wind-powered systems.
- Direct Current Microgrids (New Article 712) concerns independent energy distribution networks that allow the utilization of power from dc sources to direct-current loads. Microgrids are on the rise worldwide
- new labeling, such as detailed arc flash hazard warning on equipment, helps workers and supervisors assess electrical risks.
- new minimum space clearances for equipment installation clarify the safeguards needed to protect installers and maintainers.
- fixed Resistance and Electrode Industrial Process Heating Equipment (New Article 425) presents needed regulations for industry.
- revised provisions for AFCI and GFCI protection improve electrical and fire safety in homes.
Call CEI Electrical & Mechanical today for your business to get an electrical safety check up. As we stay up-to-date on electric code, we can ensure the safety of your business, family, employees and co-workers with the most up to date safety information available.