Wireless,
I am located in Southern California too, and have dealt with City / County of Los Angeles DBS over the past 20+ Years.
First things to mention are:
A:As of October 1st, 2005, the entire State of California is (supposed to be) following the 2004 version of the CEC (California Electrical Code, or Title 24, Part 3). The 2004 CEC is based on the 2002 NEC, with Articles either accepted in full, adopted by certain state agencies, or ammended by certain state agencies.
The 2002 NEC is "Model Code", and the 2004 CEC is minimal compliance for
CURRENT Electrical Installations (Permits Applied for as of 10-01-2005).
B:The Project you are involved with may or maynot need to conform to CURRENT CEC Compliance.
* If nothing has been altered or newly installed, then the compliance relates to when the structure was first built.
* If things have been altered or new installations, then these will need to conform to whatever code version was in effect at that time - or made to comply to current CEC.
* If > 50% of the structure has been altered, then the entire thing needs to comply to whatever effective CEC version.
(feel free to debunk this everyone!)
C:What does the Insurance Policy / Carrier state is required for Code Compliance?
Find out what exactly is requested, and start from there.
Does the policy require the entire structure conforms to the most current adopted electrical code - regardless of existing conditions?
Is it asking for "Simple Things" - such as GFCI Receptacles in Bathrooms, Outdoors, Kitchen Countertops, and such; or is it diving into extreme details - such as AFCI protected circuits, etc.
Has an Independent Inspection (not a CBO Inspector) been done on the structure? If yes, does the Insurance Company request compliance to the Inspection Report?
Does the Owner want to bring everything up to current CEC conformity, or maybe a few things?
Is there any indication of what the heck the Insurance Company is referring to, which requires code compliance?
D:Is this project Residential, Commercial or Industrial?
If Residential (at least single family dwellings in LA city / county), you have several state agencies that may be involved with compliance. Each one having different requirements.
Commercial projects might require compliance to current code versions - especially if this is a structure with recent T.I. work (Tenant Improvement), or is intended to be something "Built To Suit" or "Spec. Suites".
If the building will be "cleaned out" and left as an unimproved "Shell", only the remaining equipment - such as the Service Equipment and possibly any lighting, signs, HVAC branch circuitry and general use Receptacles, may be required to conform to current standards.
I would think the same applies to an Industrial setting, as would be for a Commercial setting, but not really sure.
A good idea would be to check with the Department of Building and Safety (DBS - the Building Department), and related agencies.
You're best option to find out what the heck is required per Local AHJ on this project, would be to query the Building Department - either in person, or by phone.
FYI, here are some links to California's Building Standards Commission, + the City of LA's DBS:
Building Standards Commission Los Angeles DBS Mainpage Housing Department - City of LA City of LA Planning Department LA Community Redevelopment Agency Inspection Requirements of Property sale Google search of relative Los Angeles items This would verify what is required to be the minimal compliance, per the Local agencies, and give you something to shoot for.
Really need to know exactly what the Insurance people want, what the AHJ(s) want, and apply this to what the Client wants.
Sorry to not give exact answers, but I think this information should help out alot.
Good Luck.
Scott35
