Arc-fault circuit interrupter requirements - DCBS Welcome - State of ...

Question
If a facility has limited maintenance electricians
working under the direct supervision
of a plant supervisor, are they
allowed to make new electrical installations
under the master permit program?
Answer
No. OAR 918-309-0100(1) is authorized by
ORS 479.560 and deals only with electrical
master permits and shall not be interpreted
as changing any licensing requirement.
Question
Can a facility have multiple contractors
working under the master permit program
at one time? (“Retainer” applied
in this context may imply a single
contractor.)
Answer
Yes. When an electrical contractor under
a continuing retainer ceases to serve the
covered facility, notice of termination must
be filed with the inspecting jurisdiction by
the permit holder within 10 working days of
termination.
The master permit program was designed to
allow a facility to engage in electrical repair,
maintenance, and installations within the
guidelines of 918-309-0100(4)(b) less than 25
percent of an area, no change in use or occupancy,
no additional square footage added,
no termination of usual activities for more
than 10 days, and within service capacity.
Nothing in OAR 918-309-0100 removes or
modifies the requirements of licensing, cover
inspections (when applicable), or the requirement
to obtain a separate electrical permit
when other trades and permits are involved. ■
Limitation of plumbing regulations for medical
gas systems
Not all medical-gas installations are equal
or are regulated the same under the state
building code. OAR 918-690-0420(11) defines
medical gas as “any gas and vacuum
system or equipment intended for medical
and dental procedures in health care and
non-health care facilities within the scope
of the National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA) Standard 99C-1999.”
The NFPA standard (Section 1-1) is limited
to establishing criteria to minimize the hazards
of fire, explosion, and electricity in
health-care facilities providing services to
human beings. This is significant because
not all medical-gas installations are in this
type of facility. For example, veterinary
clinics, hospitals, and testing or research
laboratories do not provide services to
humans; therefore, they are not regulated
as plumbing installations under the state
building code.
These installations are under the Oregon
Mechanical Specialty Code and some
portions are within the scope of the state
fire marshal. Plumbing licensing, plan
review, and inspection requirements are
exempted for medical-gas installations in
facilities that do not provide services to
humans. However, mechanical or structural
permits and inspections may be required. ■
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