City of Lubbock, TX Generally

Branch circuits required - dwelling units.

Article 210.11(C)(1) is hereby amended to read as follows:

(1)	Small-Appliance Branch Circuits. In addition to the number of branch circuits required by other parts of this section, three or more 20-ampere small-appliance branch circuits shall be provided for all receptacle outlets specified by 210.52(B).

Arc-fault circuit-interrupter protection - dwelling units.

Article 210.12(A) is hereby amended by adding an exception as follows:

Exception: A 20-amp circuit supplying a single (simplex) receptacle outlet for a refrigerator in a kitchen shall not require AFCI protection.

Commercial office space receptacle outlets.

Article 210 Part III is hereby amended by adding Article 210.51 to read as follows:

210.51 Commercial Office Space Receptacle Outlets. Office spaces classified as Group "B"-Business by the Building Code shall be provided with a minimum of four (4) duplex convenience receptacle outlets per office, and/or shall be provided with a duplex convenience outlet for each twelve linear feet of usable wall space, with no point along such wall further than 6 feet from an outlet. Floor outlets further than two feet from a wall shall not be counted towards meeting this requirement. In no case shall more than seven (7) duplex convenience outlets be installed on one 20 amp circuit.

(d)

Dwelling unit receptacle outlets - small appliances.

Article 210.52 (B)(1)—(3) is hereby amended to read as follows:

(B) Small Appliances.

Receptacle Outlets Served. In the kitchen, pantry, breakfast room, dining room, or similar area of a dwelling unit, the three or more 20-ampere small-appliance branch circuits required by 210.11(C)(1) shall serve all countertop outlets covered by 210.52(C) only and shall exclude outlet for refrigeration equipment.

Exception No. 1: In addition to the required receptacles specified by 210.52, switched receptacles supplied from a general-purpose 20-ampere branch circuit as required in 210.70(A)(1), Exception No. 1, shall be permitted.

Exception No. 2: In addition to the required receptacles specified by 210.52, a receptacle outlet to serve a specific appliance shall be permitted to be supplied from an individual branch circuit rated 20 amperes or greater.

No Other Outlets. The three or more small-appliance branch circuits specified in 210.52(B)(1) shall have no other outlets.

Exception No. 1: A receptacle installed solely for the electrical supply to and support of an electric clock in any of the rooms specified in 210.52(B)(1).

Exception No. 2: Receptacles installed to provide power for supplemental equipment and lighting on gas-fired ranges, ovens, or counter-mounted cooking units.

Kitchen Receptacle Requirements. Receptacles installed in a kitchen to serve countertop surfaces shall be supplied by not fewer than three small-appliance branch circuits, either or both of which shall also be permitted to supply receptacle outlets in the same kitchen and in other rooms specified in 210.52(B)(1). Additional small-appliance branch circuits shall be permitted to supply receptacle outlets in the kitchen and other rooms specified in 210.52(B)(1). No small-appliance branch circuit shall serve more than one kitchen.

(e)

Island and Peninsular Countertops and Work Surfaces.

Article 210.52(C)(2)(a) is hereby amended to read as follows:

210.52(C)(2)(a) Island and Peninsular Countertops and Work Surfaces. At least one receptacle outlet shall be provided for the first 0.84 m² (9 ft²) of the countertop of work surface. A receptacle outlet shall be provided for every additional 1.7m² (18 ft²) of the countertop or work surface.

(f)

Branch circuit load calculations.

Article 220.10 is hereby amended to read as follows:

220.10 General. Branch-circuit loads shall be calculated as shown in 220.12, 220.14, and 220.16. Additionally, in dwelling units, 20-amp lighting and receptacle loads, other than the three required small appliance circuits specified in 210.11 (C)(1), shall be equally divided on twenty (20)-amp branch circuits.

(g)

Receptacle outlets.

Article 220.14(I) is hereby amended to read as follows:

(I) Receptacle Outlets. Except as covered in 220.14(J) and (K), receptacle outlets shall be calculated at not less than 180 volt-amperes for each single or for each multiple receptacle on one yoke. A single piece of equipment consisting of a multiple receptacle comprised of four or more receptacles shall be calculated at not less than 90 volt-amperes per receptacle. This provision shall not be applicable to the receptacle outlets specified in 210.11(C)(1) and (C)(2). In no case shall more than seven (7) duplex receptacles be installed on a single 20-amp circuit in commercial occupancies.

(h)

Non-residential buildings with multiple services served by underground service laterals.

Article 230.2 is hereby amended by adding a new subsection (F), as follows:

(F) Non-Residential Buildings with multiple services served by underground service laterals. For every non-residential building where multiple services are authorized and are supplied by underground service laterals, there shall be a designated metering/service location at the rear of such building on the exterior wall. There shall be no point along this wall more than seventy-five (75) linear feet from a metering/service location. No utility service point shall be closer than one hundred fifty (150) feet from another utility service point unless otherwise approved. The arrangement and installation of the conductors and equipment shall be as provided for in Article 230.69.

(i)

Point of attachment.

Article 230.26 is hereby amended to read as follows:

230.26 Point of Attachment.

The point of attachment of the service-drop conductors to a building or other structure shall provide the minimum clearances as specified in 230.9 and 230.24. In no case shall this point of attachment be less than 3.0 m (10 ft.) above finished grade.

The point of attachment of overhead service drops on a residence or building shall be on the rear of the building (alley side), or at a point agreed upon by the authority having jurisdiction and the serving utility.

(j)

Service masts as supports.

Article 230.28 is hereby amended to read as follows:

230.28 Service Masts as Supports. Only power service-drop or overhead service conductors shall be permitted to be attached to a service mast. Service masts used for the support of service drop or overhead service conductors shall be installed in accordance with the 230.28(A) and (B):

Strength. The Service mast shall be adequate strength or be supported by braces or guys to withstand safely the strain imposed by the service-drop or overhead service conductors. Hubs intended for use with conduit that serves as a service mast shall be identified for use with service-entrance equipment. Where raceway-type service masts are utilized, masts shall consist of rigid metallic conduit (RMC) or intermediate metallic conduit (IMC) not less than 2-inch trade size.

Attachment. Service-drop or overhead service conductors shall not be attached to a service mast between a weatherhead or the end of the conduit and a coupling, where the coupling is located above the last point of securement to the building or other structure or is located above the building or other structure. The point of attachment of the service cable shall be no less than twenty-four (24) inches above the roof.

(k)

Number of service-entrance conductor sets.

Article 230.40, Exception No. 1, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Exception No. 1: A building with more than one occupancy shall be permitted to have one set of service-entrance conductors for each service, as defined in 230.2, run to each occupancy or group of occupancies. If the number of service disconnect locations for any given classification of service does not exceed six, the requirements of 230.2(E) and Article 230.69 shall apply at each location. If the number of service disconnect locations exceeds six for any given supply classification, all service disconnect locations for all supply characteristics, together with any branch circuit or feeder supply sources, if applicable, shall be clearly described using suitable graphics or text, or both, on one or more plagues located in an approved, readily accessible location(s) on the building or structure served as near as practicable to the point(s) of attachment or entry(ies) for each service drop or service lateral and for each set of overhead or underground service conductors.

(l)

Service equipment - general.

Article 230 Part V is hereby amended by adding Article 230.68 to read as follows:

230.68 Meter Installation.

Each meter socket installation shall be on the outside of the building, residence or other structure and shall be mounted not more than six (6) feet nor less than five (5) feet above the level of the standing space measured to the center of the meter face, except when the device or area for mounting the meter base is provided by the serving utility or otherwise approved by the authority having jurisdiction and/or servicing utility.

Multi-meter bases of two (2) or more meters at any one location shall have a marking of a permanent type to identify the unit and/or space served. Lettering shall no less than one-eight of an inch, clearly visible while facing meterbase. Marking shall be done in a manner that does not allow for weather fading and/or accidental damage or removal without extensive work. Stamping is permitted.

(m)

Non-residential buildings with multiple services served by underground service laterals.

Article 230 Part V is hereby amended by adding a new Article 230.69 to read as follows:

Article 230.69. Non-Residential Buildings with multiple services served by underground service laterals. Non-Residential Buildings with multiple services served by underground service laterals shall have all services configured in accordance with 230.69(1) through (6).

Taps and service connections, less than 600 amperes. Services rated less than 600A can consist of gutters, wire-way, or wire-trough with a minimum size of ten (10) inch x ten (10) inch x seventy-two (72) inch or as determined by NFPA 70, whichever is greater to contain the service conductors to supply the meter bases and service disconnects at each metering location. Conductors shall be required to traverse the entire length of the wire-way and shall be terminated on an approved termination lug or block. Termination point shall be service rated.

Taps and service connections, 600 amperes or greater. Services rated 600 amperes or greater shall have a tap box specifically manufactured with UL listing for the purpose of tapping service conductors at each meter location. It shall possess the full current rating of service and be sized to accommodate bending radius of conductors. Tap box shall be manufactured with correct lug configuration to accommodate the appropriate phases, voltage, conductor size, conductor material, and number of service conductors possible or designed. Enclosure shall be manufactured as suitable for wet location, shall be lockable, and corrosion resistant. In addition to tap box requirements, services rated 600 amperes or greater may consist of gutters, wire-ways, or wire trough with a minimum size of ten (10) inch x ten (10) inch x seventy-two (72) inch or as determined by NFPA70, whichever is greater to contain service conductors to supply the meter bases and service disconnects at each meter location.

Conductors and raceways. The contractor shall provide service conductors and raceways from the tap-box, wire-way or wire-trough to the point of connection of the serving utility. There shall be one additional four-inch conduit provided from each point of connection of the serving utility or a terminal junction box adjacent to the metering location. The contractor shall provide an acceptable means for at least six (6) meter taps from the service feed brought to each point of service connection.

Sizing of service entrance conductors and equipment. If the actual load of the building is not known, an assumed load of twenty (20) volt-amperes per square foot shall be used to size the service conductors.

Phase-matching and balancing of load. All service taps which connect to the building service shall match the phasing of the building service. Service taps connecting to a 3-phase 4-wire building service shall be 3-phase and 4-wire taps. Service taps shall be load balanced before a final inspection is granted and the system shall be balanced back to the building service.

(6)

Method of grounding services. Multi-meter services shall be grounded at the service connection point in the wire way and all service taps shall be grounded to that point. The grounding conductor shall be sized according to the requirements of Article 250 for the service size.

(n)

Grounding electrode system.

Article 250.50 is hereby amended to read as follows:

250.50 Grounding Electrode System. All grounding electrodes as described in 250.52(A)(1) through (A)(7) that are present at each building or structure served shall be bonded together to form the grounding electrode system. Where none of these grounding electrodes exist, one or more of the grounding electrodes specified in 250.52(A)(4) through (A)(8) shall be installed and used. In new construction, or in any building reconstruction or addition involving the new construction of a concrete foundation containing reinforcing steel that complies with the requirements of Article 250.52(A)(3), a concrete encased electrode shall be provided as part of the grounding electrode system. Where a concrete encased electrode or metallic water piping is used, a supplemental electrode complying with 250.52(A)(5) shall be provided.

Exception: Concrete-encased electrodes of existing buildings or structures shall not be required to be part of the grounding electrode system where the steel reinforcing bars or rods are not accessible for use without disturbing the concrete.

(o)

Minimum size of conductors.

Article 310.3(A) is hereby amended to read as follows:

310.3(A) Minimum Size of Conductors. The minimum size of conductors for voltage rating up to and including 2000 volts shall be 12 AWG copper or 10 AWG copper-clad aluminum except as permitted elsewhere in NFPA 70 as adopted.

Exceptions:

Pendant and portable cords.

Fixture wire.

No. 14 AWG copper or 12 AWG copper-clad aluminum may be used for individual fixture leads at an outlet box.

No. 14 AWG copper or 12 AWG copper-clad aluminum may be used for control circuits operating contactors or relays of a size that cannot exceed the load requirements of the control circuit.

Wiring for systems covered under Article 700 (Emergency Systems).

(6)

Wiring for systems covered under Article 600 (Electrical Signs).

(7)

No. 14 AWG copper or 12 AWG copper-clad aluminum may be used for the wiring of switch legs in residential occupancies where provided with appropriate over current device and calculated switch leg load does not exceed 15 amperes.

(8)

Notwithstanding exceptions (1)-(7) above, where permitted elsewhere in NFPA 70 as adopted.

(p)

Conductor material.

Article 310.3(B) is hereby amended to read as follows:

(B) Conductor Material. Conductors in this article shall be of aluminum, copper-clad aluminum, or copper unless otherwise specified. Solid aluminum conductors 8, 10, and 12 AWG shall be made of an AA-8000 series electrical grade aluminum alloy conductor material. Stranded Aluminum conductors 8 AWG through 1000 kcmil marked as Type RFF, RHW, XHHW, THW, THHW, THWN, THHM, THHN, service-entrance Type SE Style U, and SE Style R shall be made of an AA-8000 series electrical grade aluminum alloy conductor material. Aluminum conductors shall be terminated properly with lugs or termination rated for use with conductor material and installed in accordance with NFPA 70B with proper tools for torque. Such conductors may also be used as branch circuit wiring in commercial and industrial applications in No. 4 AWG or larger wire sizes, subject to further conditions outlined herein.

Exceptions:

No aluminum conductors shall be installed on any branch circuits.

No aluminum conductors shall be installed on any grounding systems.

(q)

Source of supply.

Article 408.4(B) is hereby amended to read as follows:

408.4(B) Source of Supply. All switchboards, switchgear and panelboards supplied by a feeder(s) in other than one- or two-family dwellings shall be permanently marked to indicate each device or equipment where the power originates unless located (same room) and arranged so that source is evident. The label shall be permanently affixed, of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved, and not handwritten.

(r)

Panelboard overcurrent device capacity.

Article 408 Part III is hereby amended by adding article 408.35 to read as follows:

408.35. Panelboard Spare Circuit Capacity. Panelboards serving dwelling units shall be provided with capacity for two additional 120-volt branch circuits and shall be provided with a spare raceway of not less than 3/4" trade size installed from the panel to an accessible crawl space in the attic, under the floor, or to the outside of the house where there is no accessible attic or crawl space.

(1983 Code, secs. 6-196, 6-242–6-267; Ordinance 8856, sec. 2, adopted 12/12/1985; Ordinance 2002-O0114, sec. 16, adopted 11/14/2002; Ordinance 2008-O0089, sec. 2, adopted 11/6/2008; Ordinance 2009-O0043, sec. 1, adopted 6/11/2009; Ordinance 2013-O0056, sec. 2, adopted 6/13/2013; Ordinance 2024-O0028 adopted 3/26/2024)

§ 28.12.008 Interpretations; appeals.

It shall be the duty of the building official to interpret the provisions of this code as may be necessary to administer and enforce the provisions hereof.

Any person or persons, jointly or severally, who may be aggrieved by the interpretation of the code rendered by the building official may appeal the decision of the building official to the board.

Any person or persons seeking to appeal the decision of the building official rendered in accordance with this section shall comply with the following requirements:

Written notice of the appeal must be made to the board within five (5) days of the date on which the building official rendered his decision.

The appeal must clearly set forth the decision of the building official, together with the position of the person taking the appeal to the board.

The person seeking the appeal must set forth his reasons in support of his position, together with any evidence he may have in support of his position.

The written appeal shall be filed with the secretary of the board and a copy delivered to the building official.

The building official shall have a period of five (5) days from receipt of the appeal to file a response thereto with the board.

(6)

In cases of emergency to life or property, which emergency shall be specifically set forth in the written appeal filed with the board, the board shall render a decision on such appeal within twenty-four (24) hours from the time said appeal is filed with the board. The board shall determine in any such case whether or not a true emergency exists and its decision in this regard shall be final.

(7)

In every case to be heard by the board on an emergency basis the building official shall be present and be allowed to present his position to the board.

(8)

The decision of the board on any appeal taken under this section shall be final and binding.

(1983 Code, sec. 6-135; Ordinance 8856, sec. 2, adopted 12/12/1985; Ordinance 2024-O0028 adopted 3/26/2024)

§ 28.12.009 Interference with entry of inspector; concealment of wiring, etc.

Right of entry.

Whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce any of the provisions of this code, or whenever the building official or inspector has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in any building or upon any premises any condition or code violation which makes such building or premises unsafe, dangerous or hazardous, the building official or inspector may enter such building or premises at all reasonable times to inspect the same or to perform any duty imposed upon the building official or inspector by this code, provided that if such building or premises be occupied, he shall first present proper credentials and request entry; and if such building or premises be unoccupied, he shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other persons having charge or control of the building or premises and request entry. If such entry is refused, the building official or inspector shall have recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure entry.

Compliance.

When the building official or inspector shall have first obtained a proper inspection warrant or other remedy provided by law to secure entry, no owner or occupant or any other persons having charge, care or control of any building or premises shall fail or neglect, after proper request is made as herein provided, to promptly permit entry therein by the building official or inspector for the purpose of inspection and examination pursuant to this code.

(1983 Code, sec. 6-137; Ordinance 8856, sec. 2, adopted 12/12/1985; Ordinance 2024-O0028 adopted 3/26/2024)

§ 28.12.010 Violation; notification.

When the building official or inspector observes or if it comes to his attention that any electrical work is installed contrary to or in violation of the provisions of this code, it shall be his duty to immediately notify the licensed electrical contractor, or the owner or occupant of the premises to immediately correct such installation or cease work on the entire installation until the violation is corrected.

(1983 Code, sec. 6-138; Ordinance 8856, sec. 2, adopted 12/12/1985; Ordinance 2024-O0028 adopted 3/26/2024)

§ 28.12.011 Premises involved in fire; reinstatement of service.

In every case where the chief of the fire department of the City of Lubbock or its fire marshal determines that a fire originated due to any of the following causes:

Faulty electrical wiring;

Overloading of electrical equipment;

Unauthorized electrical installation; or

If a fire originating from any cause results in damage to an electrical system it shall be the duty of the fire chief or fire marshal to have the premises involved fully inspected by the building official.

In every case where the building official finds that a fire has caused damage to an electrical system or finds that a fire has originated for any of the reasons set forth in this section, no electrical service shall be reinstalled or reconnected to the property by any licensed electrical contractor or by the owner of such property or any other person until such time as such system has been repaired in compliance with this code. All inadequate, substandard or hazardous electrical conditions shall be repaired to meet present code requirements and be approved by the building official.

Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the building official may approve temporary electrical service necessary to complete repairs or reconstruction of the property in question.

(1983 Code, sec. 6-136; Ordinance 8856, sec. 2, adopted 12/12/1985; Ordinance 9288, sec. 3, adopted 7/13/1989; Ordinance 2024-O0028 adopted 3/26/2024)

§ 28.12.012 Improperly installed or defective equipment.

In the event any part of any electrical equipment or wiring in or about any building, facility, installation, premises or lot within the City of Lubbock is found to have been installed or connected in violation of the provisions of this code, it shall be the duty of the building official or inspector to notify in writing the owner of the premises, or the tenant of the premises, or the person in possession of the premises to immediately cease using electrical current in any such violation identified by the building official or inspector.

In the event any part of any electrical equipment or wiring in or about any building, facility, installation, premises or lot within the city is found to have fallen into a state of disrepair which would render the use of such electrical equipment dangerous to life or property, it shall be the duty of the building official or inspector to notify in writing the owner of the premises, or the tenant of the premises, or the person in possession of the premises to immediately cease using electrical current in any such violation or condition identified by the building official or inspector.

The written notice required in this section shall state the following:

The date that the inspection was made by the building official or inspector where violations of this code or conditions dangerous to life or property were found.

The section or sections of the code which the inspection reveals have been violated.

In the case of conditions dangerous to life or property, a brief description of said conditions.

A specified time, not to exceed ten (10) days from the date of the written notice, to correct all code violations identified or to correct all conditions identified as dangerous to life or property.

A statement advising the owner, tenant or person in control and possession of the building, facility, installation, premises or lot that, if there are any persons using the area in question who require electrical service for life support, that it is the duty of the person receiving this notice to immediately and without failure notify the building official of such fact.

(d)

In the event that the owner, tenant or person in possession of the premises identified in the above written notice fails to take action necessary to correct any and all code violations or conditions dangerous to life or property within the time specified in the written notice, the building official or inspector shall take the following action:

The building official or inspector shall serve upon the owner, tenant or person in possession of the property an order to cease use of the property, facility, installation, premises or lot until such time as proof is presented to the building official that all defects have been corrected and such work is verified by inspection; or

In every case where the violation of this code found to exist is of such a nature as to cause immediate danger to life or property, the building official shall issue an order to the public utility supplying such power to immediately terminate such electrical service until such time as all code violations are corrected.

In the event that the owner, tenant or person in possession of the building, facility, installation, premises or lot fails to comply with an order of the building official issued under subsection (1) above set forth within three (3) days of receipt of said order, then in such event the building official shall issue his order as provided in subsection (2) above set forth to the public utility providing the electrical services.

Notwithstanding any provision set forth in subsections (1) through (3) above, when the building official has been notified by the owner, tenant or person in possession of the building, facility, installation, premises or lot that there is a person residing within any of the foregoing structures or areas who requires electrical service for life support, the building official is authorized to take one or all of the following courses of action:

Notify the owner, tenant or person in possession of the structure or area described above to immediately make arrangement to provide an alternative location for the person involved.