Policy for public distribution November

Electrical Plan Requirements

Department of Planning & Development Review, Bureau of Permits and Inspections

City of Richmond

ELECTRICAL PLAN CHECKLIST

All electrical projects require plans except for s ingle family or duplexes. Two sets of bound plans shall be submitted. Where permitted by this handout a master electrician may prepare the plans provided the plans are of the same quality and detail as normally provided by an engineer. This checklist is to be used by the design professional to ensure his/her plans will meet the minimum standards required. General Drawings and copies shall be neat and legible and all of the same size. Drawing shall be either 22” x 34” (D size) or 34” x 44” (E size) Drawings shall be at least 1/8" scale or larger. Standard architectural scales are required and all lettering shall be at least 1/8" in height. All electrical/mechanical rooms etc. shall be a minimum of ½” scale or larger. Each sheet shall be numbered Each plan shall have a complete title block. (see example below). Site work requires plans Show all the engineering details required in this checklist on the plans; providing this information in the specifications only is not sufficient. A legend shall be provided for all symbols. All spaces and rooms shall be labeled as to their use. Indicate occupancy load, use group, (if a change of use so indicate) and building construction type on plans. Where typical plans are utilized, provide additional copies as necessary to have an individual plan for each individual unit on each floor. New work shall be differentiated from that which exists Engineer shall seal, sign and date each sheet OR Master tradesman shall sign and date each sheet, where permitted (see page 6). (master electrician for electrical plans, master plumber for plumbing plans, master gas fitter for gas plans) Provide seismic design details by a RDP for all class IV structures Provide COMCHECK for all lighting projects seals by a professional engineer or provide exemption details on why the building is exempt from the energy code Title Block Show title block on each plan.

Sample Title Block

Project Name: Project Address:

Designer’s Name: Designer’s License No. or Master No.:

Telephone No: Fax No:

Email: Scale:

Title: Sheet No:

Project Name: Project Address:

Designer’s Name: Designer’s License No. or Master No.:

Telephone No: Fax No:

Email: Scale:

Title: Sheet No:

Project Information- Must appear on front sheet of plans

Codes The design shall comply fully with the following codes. Specify on plans which edition the plans have been designed under. Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code- 2009 International Building Code IBC- IBC-2009 International Mechanical Code – 2009 International Plumbing Code – 2009 International Fuel Gas Code – 2009 ICC/ANSI A117.1 accessibility standards – 2009 International Energy Conservation Code - 2009 National Electrical Code 2008 ASME A17.1-2007 Elevator Code. Floor Plans / Fire Assemblies Label all fire rated assemblies, firewalls, fire separation walls as to their rating in hours on all electrical plans. No exceptions! Provide UL listed fire-stopping detail as found in the latest edition of the UL Fire Resistance Directory for the type of through penetration used – see www.ul.com if help is needed. If no rated assemblies are on the project put a note on the plans to that effect If no rated assemblies will be penetrated state that on the plans Make the indications of rated assemblies easy to pick out from the rest of the plans using darkened lines or hatched lines that show up well Flood Plain Show Design Flood Elevation on title sheet OR state “ Not in flood plain” on plans Design Flood Elevation is the NGVD29 Base Flood Elevation plus 12 inches Show floor elevations and flood elevations on each floor plan Revised Plans Revised plans are required to be the same size as original plans Provide clouds around new areas of change with numbered revision triangles and remove clouds from previously issued revision(s). Provide revision triangles with number, description and date Provide a complete list of all electrical drawings include all revisions and dates Do not skip revisions, submit all revisions for review that affect the permit when they are issued; do not wait until 2 or 3 revisions have been made to submit for review. Plan Review Procedure Plans will be reviewed in the order they are received. Plans that require additional information or that have code deficiencies will have a plan review comments sheet emailed if an email address is available or the comment will be faxed to the applicant and designer. It is the applicant's responsibility to get the revised plans submitted within 30 days. Failure to get revised plans back within 30 days will result in the permit being denied. Approved plans and permit will be at the front counter for pickup by the applicant One Line Diagram Do not submit a Riser Diagram for power and lighting in lieu of a one line diagram. Show fault currents at each bus and transfer switch Show all service equipment, distribution equipment, transformers, panelboards, and major equipment and disconnect switches. Show all Feeders larger than 40 amps Differentiate between existing and new work Show all fuse and/or circuit breaker sizes, conduit and wire sizes, wireway and trough sizes - do not say size per NEC. Show grounding electrodes and types. Size the grounding electrode conductors - do not say size per NEC.

Building Code Year: Electrical Code Year: Construction Type:

Use Group Change of Use? Yes No Occupancy Load:

Is project in flood plain? BFE per NGVD1929: DFE:

Square footage of project Total square footage of building

Grounding Details for Services and Separately Derived Systems Show grounding electrodes and types. Size the grounding electrode conductors - do not say size per NEC.

Service Details Show location of meter or CT cabinet on power floor plan. All electrical room, electrical closets etc. shall be a minimum of ½” scale or larger Show location of service equipment on power floor plan: locate service disconnecting means nearest point the service conductors enter the building. All electrical room, electrical closets etc. shall be a minimum of ½” scale or larger. Size service conductors, raceway; specify raceway type (rigid, PVC, IMC etc), wire type (THHN, THWN, etc) state copper or aluminum wire. Show AIC rating of service equipment and all panelboards on schedules and/or on the one line diagram Show service switchboard and panelboard schedules with fuse and breaker sizes. Provide fault current calculations. Provide service load calculations and show total connect load summary on plan. See Annex D in the NEC Size all wireways - do not say size per NEC. A Dominion Virginia Power Company fault current letter and a service final inspection are required before a service can be energized Panelboards Provide panelboard schedule with loads in amps or KVA (indicate which) fuse or circuit breaker sizes and wire sizes - see samples. Show panelboard and transformer locations on floor plans. Indicate main lugs only, or main fuse, or main circuit breaker size. Indicate panelboard, voltage, phase, size in amps and AIC rating. Transformers Indicate size in KVA, primary and secondary voltage and phases on one line diagram. Indicate primary and secondary wire and conduit sizes, wire types on one line diagram. Transformers larger than 112.5 KVA, state class 155 or higher or provide 1- hour room. Show grounding electrode conductor size and indicate where it is to be run on one-line diagram. Show overcurrent protection. Transformer secondary conductor length shall not exceed 10’-0” per NEC 240.21 (C) (2) or not more than 25’0” per NEC 240.21 (C) (3).

Transformer Vaults Show sprinklers if used - may reduce ratings to one hour. Type of wall materials - studs and wallboard not permitted. Fire rating in hours - must be 3 hours if not sprinkled in most cases. Sump details - must have sump and sill to take care of leakage. Type of transformer oil. If flammable, a vault is required.

Feeder Details Show conduit size and type on one-line diagrams. Show wire size and type on one-line diagrams. Show feeder loads and overcurrent device size and type on one-line diagram. Size all wireways - do not say size per NEC. Show wire sizes on panel schedules

Branch Circuit Details Show major equipment on floor plan. Indicate limits of all wet or hazardous locations on plans and elevations. Show circuit connections for exit and egress lighting - must be on same circuit as area lighting with certain exceptions and must provide a minimum of 1 FC maintained through the path of egress Check for too many fixtures on a circuit Check for too many receptacles on a circuit Show wire sizes on panel schedules

Disconnects and Starters Show location of disconnects and starters on the floor plan - in sight of equipment. Show size and type; indicate if fused or non fused, NEMA type Show fuse size and AIC rating of device Maintain required clearances per NEC SECT 110.26 (A)

Lighting Fixture Schedule Show all lighting fixture types in lighting fixture schedule Show input watts per fixture and total count for each fixture type Equipment Show equipment location on floor plan Show equipment disconnect switches

Fire Alarm System See Fire alarm handout Fire Pumps Comply with the requirements of NEC 695.3 (B) (3) - provide sufficient details to show how the fire pump will be protected from interruption of its source of power. Comply with NEC 695.6 (A) and (B).

Emergency Systems NEC 700.9 (B) (3) requires separation of emergency wiring and equipment from all other wiring. NEC 700.9 (C) requires sufficient details to show how the emergency systems will be protected from fire if normal power equipment catches on fire. NEC 700.12 (E) has specific requirements for unit equipment. See exception. Legally Required Standby Comply with NEC 701.11 (E) as to separation Comply with NEC 701.11 regarding protection from hazards Egress Lighting Plans Show path of egress on a separate electrical plan that complies with IBC Chapter 10 Indicate width of path of egress Show emergency exit and egress lighting Indicate circuiting for exit and egress lighting Show footcandle photometrics at the floor for projects in excess of 10,000 SF Site Plans The contractor must file separate permits for site lighting and exterior electrical work, so interior electrical work will not be delayed by additional review time by zoning. Show outline of building Show any parking lot lighting, site lighting and/or signage Show all wire and conduit sizes and type of pipe if owner provided and minimum burial depth, if installed underground Show any streets and alleys and property lines Are there any encroachments within the scope of this work Provide a point to point photometric site plan showing property line Provide cut sheets and mounting heights of lighting fixtures. Compliance with IECC 2009 Show compliance with the IECC Chapter 5. PE stamped and signed COMcheck printouts is required.. Submit energy analysis (COMcheck is accepted as stated above) based on not only the new luminaries but also the entire space being served if existing luminaries exist. Show method of complying with automatic control for building exceeding 5000 sq ft Fixture Schedule Show all fixture types in a schedule along with symbols, voltages, input watts. These must match the ComCheck.

METHOD OF MEASURING 1 FOOTCANDLE I want to make sure that there is no misunderstanding at the end of the job that could cause delays or additional expense to the owner. The electrical plans are required to have the path of egress shown so that, when the project nears completion we will have the floor plans to show the IBC-2009 required paths of egress. The IBC-2009 International Building Code states: “1006.2 Illumination level: The means of egress illumination level shall not be less than 1 footcandle (11 lux) at the floor.” The electrical contractor will arrange an inspection with. Usually these are done at night but they can be done in daylight if in a part of the building that is blocked off from outside light. The procedure is as follows: Egress lighting will be measured at the floor along the entire path of egress as marked on the plans by the building inspector A digital light meter will be used by a City Electrical inspector to take all measurements The meter will be moved along the path of egress at floor level If a generator is involved we will also kill the power and check for correct pickup and measure the light level at the 10 second interval when the power picks up If discharge lighting is involved either with or without quartz restrikes we will measure the lighting level prior to the discharge lighting reaching normal operation that is when the restrikes are operating. This has been a problem in the past when the restrikes did not give one foot-candle at the floor If the readings at any point fall below 1 foot-candle the test will fail. The installation shall comply with the IBC-2009 International Building Code, specifically section 1006.2. Some of the problems we see are: Lighting mounting height is high enough that the intensity is too low at the floor Fixtures are mounted too far apart Bulbs are to small in wattage for the area served Wall, ceiling and floor coverings are dark or dull and kill the reflected light Emergency generator does not power up in ten seconds Quartz restrikes are not bright enough to give 1 footcandle until 5 to 10 minutes have passed and the discharge lighting has picked back up Emergency lights are on the wrong circuit – see NEC section 700.2(E) Contractors buy a different light than the one indicated on the plans and it fails to give sufficient light

Selective Coordination Provide a selective coordination study on projects where the NEC requires selective coordination: Show overcurrent device curves on a graph along with the maximum fault currents Provide a one line diagram with the study showing all bus, transfer switches and the fault current at each bus Curves shall not overlap so it is clear which device will activate first Study shall be sealed and signed by a Virginia registered professional engineer If the person doing the study is not the engineer of record, the engineer of record shall review the study and provide a letter certifying the study is done correctly This study shall be submitted to the City prior to calling for inspection on the service

Seismic Details Show all bracing and mounting details for raceways, lights and electrical equipment Prior to calling for inspection provide shake table test results certified by a third party for light fixtures, panels, MCC’s, switchboards, Transfer switches, generators, UPS equipment, bus duct, and other similar electrical equipment

Solar Installations Follow separate solar handout along with this electrical handout

Requirements for Electrical Drawings and Engineer’s Seal

Use Group

Description 1 To 3 Stories

Over Three Stories

0 to 800 Amp Service

Over 800 Amp Service

0 to 600 Volts

Over 600 Volts

A1A Theater With Stage Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal A1B Theater - No Stage Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal A2A Night Club Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal A2B Restaurant Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal A3B Museum/Art Gallery Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal A3C Library, Exhibits Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal A3D Passenger Terminal Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal A3E Recreation Center Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal A3F Lecture Hall Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal A3G Restaurant Fast Food Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal A3H Church Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal

A4A Recreation Center Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal B1 Business: Auto Dealership (1) (2) (1) Seal (1) Seal B2 Business: Doctor’s Office (1) (2) (1) Seal (1) Seal B3 Business: Bank (1) (2) (1) Seal (1) Seal B4 Business: Car Wash (1) (2) (1) Seal (1) Seal B5 Business; Fire Station (1) (2) (1) Seal (1) Seal B6 Business: Funeral home (1) (2) (1) Seal (1) Seal B7 Business: Laundry (1) (2) (1) Seal (1) Seal B8 Business: Medical offices (1) (2) (1) Seal (1) Seal B9 Business: Offices (1) (2) (1) Seal (1) Seal B10 Business: Miscellaneous (1) (2) (1) Seal (1) Seal E1 Education: School 1 to 12 Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal EE2 Daycare over 2 ½ years Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal F1 Factory Moderate Hazard Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal F2 Factory Low Hazard Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal H1-5 High hazard Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal I1 Group Home 6 or More Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal I2A Institutional Incapacitated Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal I2B Day Nursery Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal I3 Institutional Restrained Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal

M1 Retail: Convenience Store (1) (2) (1) Seal (1) Seal M2 Retail: Department Store (1) (2) (1) Seal (1) Seal M3 Retail: Supermarket (1) (2) (1) Seal (1) Seal M4 Retail: Store (1) (2) (1) Seal (1) Seal M5 Retail: Service Station (1) (2) (1) Seal (1) Seal R1H Hotel (1) (2) (1) Seal (1) Seal R1M Motel (1) (2) (1) Seal (1) Seal R2A Dormitories (1) (2) (1) Seal (1) Seal R2B Multifamily - 3 or more units (1) (2) (1) Seal (1) Seal R3 1&2 Family over 3 stories (4) (4) (4) Seal (4) (3) R4 Assisted Living (4) (4) (4) Seal (4) (3) R5A 1 Family attached 1-3 Stories (4) (4) (4) Seal (4) (3) R5B 2 Family attached 1-3 Stories (4) (4) (4) Seal (4) (3) R5C 1 family detached 1-3 Stories (4) (4) (4) Seal (4) (3) R5D 2 Family Detached 1-3 Stories (4) (4) (4) Seal (4) (3) S1 Storage Moderate Hazard (1) (2) (1) Seal (1) Seal S2 Storage - Low Hazard (1) (2) (1) Seal (1) Seal U Temporary, Miscellaneous (1) (2) (1) Seal (1) Seal ANY Hazardous Location Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal

A3M Misc Assembly Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal

I4B Child care 5 or more under 2.5 years Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal Seal

Seal- Engineer's Seal Required (1) Master Electrician or Contractor's qualified individual on state license can do drawings if of same quality as a professional engineer would normally submit (2) Master Electrician or Contractor's qualified individual on state license can do drawings if of same quality as a professional engineer would normally submit, (3) if work involves only branch circuits 30 amps and under, no panels or feeders included (3) Voltages over 600 volts not permitted in this use (4) No plans are required

Bureau of Permits & Inspections 900 E. Broad Street, Room 110 Richmond, Virginia 23219

Phone: 804-646-4169 Fax: 804-646-6948

Department of Planning & Development Review

“Committed to Building a Better Richmond .... Together”

Electrical Plans Review: 646-3611

Mechanical Plans Review: 646-6982

Important Phone Numbers:

Main Number: 646-4169

Single Family Plan Review: 646-6975

Structural Plans Review: 646-6978

Plumbing Plans Review: 646-6979

Permits for: Sewer Connection, On-site

Storm Sewer , Driveways, Work in Streets & Alleys, Land Disturbing;

Flood Plain Information; Chesapeake Bay Preserva-

tion Program: 646-6956

Zoning: 646-6340

Fax Number: 646-6948

Permit Fax: 646-1568

For Inspection Requests, please use our automated system, SPANLINK:

646-0770

Policy 08-04 2011

Reference Documents for this Policy: 2009 International Building Code 2008 National Electrical Code 2009 International Model Energy Code