14.13.060 Approval.
A. Approval.
1. Approved materials and equipment. All materials, equipment and devices approved by the code official shall be constructed and installed in accordance with such approval.
a. Technical assistance. To determine the acceptability of technologies, processes, products, facilities, materials and uses attending the design, operation or use of a building or premises subject to the inspection of the department, the code official is authorized to require the owner or the person in possession or control of the building or premises to provide, without charge to the jurisdiction, a technical opinion and report.
The opinion and report shall be prepared by a qualified engineer, specialist, laboratory or organization acceptable to the code official and shall analyze the properties of the design, operation or use of the building or premises and the facilities and appurtenances situated thereon, to recommend necessary changes. The code official is authorized to require design submittals to be prepared by, and bear the stamp of, a registered design professional.
2. Modifications. Wherever there are practical difficulties involved in carrying out the provisions of this code, the code official shall have the authority to grant modifications for individual cases, provided the code official shall first find that special individual reason makes the strict letter of this code impractical and that the modification is in compliance with the intent and purpose of this code, and that such modification does not lessen health, life and fire-safety requirements. The details of action granting modifications shall be recorded and entered in the files of the department of electrical inspection.
3. Alternative materials, methods, equipment and appliances. The provisions of this code are not intended to prevent the installation of any material or to prohibit any method of construction not specifically prescribed by this code, provided that any such alternative has been approved. An alternative material or method of construction shall be approved where the code official finds that the proposed design is satisfactory and complies with the intent of the provisions of this code, and that the material, method or work offered is, for the purpose intended, at least the equivalent of that prescribed in this code in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability and safety.
4. Material, equipment and appliance reuse. Materials, equipment, appliances and devices shall not be reused unless such elements have been reconditioned, tested and placed in good and proper working condition and approved.
B. Testing.
1. Required testing. Wherever there is insufficient evidence of compliance with the provisions of this code, or evidence that a material or method does not conform to the requirements of this code, or in order to substantiate claims for alternative materials or methods, the code official shall have the authority to require tests as evidence of compliance to be made at no expense to the jurisdiction.
2. Test methods. Test methods shall be as specified in this code or by other recognized test standards. In the absence of recognized and accepted test methods, the code official shall approve the testing procedures.
3. Testing agency. All tests shall be performed by an approved agency.
4. Test reports. Reports of tests shall be retained by the code official for the period required for retention of public records.
C. Alternative Engineered Design.
1. General. The design, documentation, inspection, testing and approval of an alternative engineered design electrical system shall comply with this section.
2. Design criteria. An alternative engineered design shall conform to the intent of the provisions of this code and shall provide an equivalent level of quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability and safety. Materials, equipment or components shall be designed and installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
3. Submittal. The registered design professional shall indicate on the permit application that the electrical system is an alternative engineered design. The permit and permanent permit records shall indicate that an alternative engineered design was part of the approved installation.
4. Technical data. The registered design professional shall submit sufficient technical data to substantiate the proposed alternative engineered design and to prove that the performance meets the intent of this code.
5. Construction documents. The registered design professional shall submit to the code official two complete sets of signed and sealed construction documents for the alternative engineered design. The construction documents shall include floor plans and a diagram of the work.
6. Design approval. Where the code official determines that the alternative engineered design conforms to the intent of this code, the electrical system shall be approved. If the alternative engineered design is not approved, the code official shall notify the registered design professional in writing, stating the reasons therefore.
7. Inspection and testing. The alternative engineered design shall be tested and inspected in accordance with the requirements of this code.