How many of you are permitting low voltage and communication wiring??

Contractors can identify limited energy sub-contractors on a sub-sheet at the end of the work or the electrical contractor / limted energy contractor can pull a separate permit for their portion of the work.

We will permit and inspect any and all limited energy work other than satelite installations.

We require permits also.

I am diligently working towards permitting for limited energy work in our city and county. I have been requested by the inspection staff of several areas to see if the IAEI has a limited energy class available. If it does not, I will work to put one together and get is registered so CEU's will be avbailable for it. Anybody know if we have one already?

Koert Van Wormer
Melbourne Fire Department
Deputy Building Official
321-674-5773

Hello Koert,

Yes, the Florida Chapter has an approved 1 hour techinacal course that covers NEC Articles 720, 725, and 760 Low Voltage and Fire Protection. It is course Number 1529.

We do not appear to have any courses that specifically covers communication systems.

That will come as a shock to all of the yard men and greens keepers who install irrigation and Malibu lights.

I guess the real question is where do you draw the line. TV cable? LAN cable? Phone?

Back in the olden days these were installed by utility reps who had company training and the installation was company owned and maintained. Now it is more likely this is a sole proprietor "contractor" (AKA trunk slammer) and the installation is customer owned/maintained.

Its alot easier if a county does permit low volt.We now have to write violation on the elec. permit even if they didint do the work,since its in the nec.Then tell the gc to get his low volt. contractor to fix it.

Its alot easier if a county does permit low volt.We now have to write violation on the elec. permit even if they didint do the work,since its in the nec.Then tell the gc to get his low volt. contractor to fix it.

Can I get an update on this discussion. How many are now permitting for low voltage work such as, phone wiring,data,CCTV, security, sound etc.? Please be specific as to what areas you are permitting. Thanks

Yes...permitting & inspections.

Palm Beach and surrounding counties permit all of those items you mention and I'm not too sure about the last item (sound). They are all subpermits.

Like described by Nick, we at the City of North Port require sub-permits for all limited energy work (not exempt by the FCC or FBC) unless it is being performed under the scope of the main electrical contractors permit.

Homeowners having new phone, sound, cable, etc. wiring are not required to obtain a permit. Fire alarm or security alarms do. Any limited energy work performed in a commercial occupancy requires a permit.

What is the difference between homeowner and contractor?
Are you saying if a homeowner adds a phone outlet no permit but if a contractor does, a permit is required?

No. Sorry I didn't word that correctly. Limited energy circuits and systems at residential (one- and two-family dwellings) occupancies are exempt from permitting and inspections, except for fire and burgular alarm systems.

For example, if a HO hires a contractor or company to install new data lines, phone lines, cable TV, etc. in their home, we don't require permits.

However, we do aise HO's to only use licensed and insured contractors to perform this type of work.

Any and all systems installed in a commercial occupancy require inspections.

Bryan, maybe you still didn't word it correctly?

Homeowners are not required to have separate permits for such because usually that wiring is all installed by the same electrical contractor who is already part of the residential permit. We still inspect "under 50 volts" as it is part of the NEC.

Commercial is another can of worms. You may have one CCTV contractor, one data contractor, one fire alarm contractor, etc., etc., etc.

I agree with Nick. The old exemption for permitting and inspections for systems under 50 volts is out of the code since SBCCI.

In Sumter County all residential limited energy system permits fall under the main permit, since the electrician does the work. Additinal permits are not required.

Just like Nick said with commercial that is another ball game.

Yeah, I think we are all saying the same thing. Sorry for the confusion...

We have been permitting and inspecting Low Voltage for at least 2 years here in Plant City, I understand that the City of Tampa is also starting to permit and inspect LV

The problem is getting permits and inspections on homes already CO'd, especially from the 'national' installers like the big telecom and cable companies.

Some of the worst installations I have seen are the DISH SYSTEMS (DIRECT TV, DISH NETWORK). Namely the grounding practices and methods.

Not much we can do about these either...