HomeMy WebLinkAbout05050050 Correspondence
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broad ripple design associatesr LLC
02.21.06
Jim Ochs
Building & Code Enforcement
City of Carmel
I Civic Square
Carmel. Indiana 46032
Project: Pede or Square Office Building
335 City Center Drive
Carmel. Indiana 46032
Re: Notice of Violation 02.10.06
Dear Mr. Ochs:
This letter is in response to the Notice of Violation issued for the above Project on 02.10,06 concerning a citation for
providing a grounding system to the concrete foundation's embedded reinforcing bars.
The first code documentation of a concrete-encased grounding electrode system occurs in the 2005 Edition of the
National Electrical Code (NFPA 70-2005). I believe that it is important to note that this project was tiled with the
Indiana Department of Homeland Security, reviewed, and issued a Release For Construction on 04.06.05, with was
nearly 8 months prior to the promulgation of the 2005 NEe. The code in force at the time of this project filing was
the Indiana Electrical Code 2002, based on NFPA 70-2002. This code was repealed on 11.21.05 and replaced with
the current Indiana Electrical Code 2005.
Hovvever, in an effort to meet current thinking on the new NEC and to satisfy the local requirements, \ have reviewed
the sections of2005 NEC that you have been cited. Here is the language in the first article cited:
"250.50 Grounding Electrode System. All ground electrudes as descrihed in 250.52 (A)(I) through (A)(6) that are
presenr at each building or structure served shall he honded together toform the grounding electrode jyslem.
Where none of these grounding electrodes exist, one or more of the grounding electrodes specified in 25(),52(A}(4}
through (A)(7) shall he installed and used"
The items described by 250.52(A)(I) through (A)(6) are, in brief; metal underground water pipe, metal trame orthc
building or structure, concrete-encased electrode, ground ring, rode and pipe electrodes, and plate electrodes.
respectively. Given that all buildings or structures don't necessarily have metal frames (for example). it is clear that
this is a list of options that may be used, and that there is no requirement to provide each of them at every building or
structure. This paragraph simply requires bonding together the components of a grounding electrode system,
whatever those components might be.
In addition, you have cited the following article:
"250.52 (A)(3) Concrete-Encased Electrode. An electrode encased by at least 50 mrtl (2 in.) of concrete, located
within and near the hallam of a concrete foundation or footing that is in direct contact with the earth, consisting of
at least 6. 0 m (20ft) of one or more bare or zinc galvanized or other electrically conductive coated steel reinforGing
hal'S or rods of not less than 13 mm (1/2 in.) diameter, or consisting of at least 6.0 m (20 fi) of bare copper
conductor not smaller than 4 A WG. ReinforGing bars shall be permitted to be bonded together by the usual steel tie
wires or other effective means. "
Article 250.52 (A)(3) is simply the definition of, and the requirements for, a "concrete-encased electrode". These
requirements are applicable it~ and only if, the designer chooses to use a concrete-encased electrode as one
component in the grounding electrode system for the building or structure.
In the case of this project, Pede or Square Buildings 4 and 5, a concrete-encased electrode is not intended to be part
of the grounding electrode system for the buildings. The groul1ding electrode systems designed for these buildings
consist of Article 250.52 (A)(I) metal underground water pipe and Article 250.52 (A)(5) rod electrodes, which will
be bonded together as required under Article 250.50. A concrete-encased electrode system could be part of the
overall grounding system, but it is not required when other approved electrode systems are provided.
. 660 east 62nd street . indianapolis, indiana 46220-1870 . 317.251.0533 . fox 317.255.2885 .
I trust that this explanation is acceptable and that the Contractor may continue with the \vork as designed. We will
proceed with the balance of the foundation and footing work, unless YOll advise us differently.
Sincerely,
James R.
Presidell
(Architect
cc: Steve Warne; Signature Construction
Chuck Sawochka; Signature Construction
Dan Weekes; Pedear Design Group
NOTICE OF VIOLATION 02.10.06
Page 1 of 1
.. .' ~.
Ochs, James A
From: Ochs. James A
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Thursday, February 23. 2006 8:22 AM
'Jim Stutzman'; Chuck Sawochka
Blanchard, Jim E; Blanchard, Jim E; Brennan, Kevin S; Hohlt, William G; Kendall, Jeff A; Mast, Darren; Schriner,
Adam J
Subject: RE: NOTICE OF VIOLATION 02.10.06
Mr. Stutzman,
I disagree with your reasons not to bond the concrete encased electrode (UFER) as required by the
Indiana Electrical Code.
In addition, the authority to determine electrical requirements is vested in the Authority Having Jurisdict'lon,
not by the designer of record.
The State of Indiana has provided this Statutory Authority in 675 lAC 17-1.7-9, Sec. 9 (b) to the City of Carmel.
The use of a concrete encased electrode has been used for more than 20 years.
And, has been required to be bonded where present.
If you would like further clarification please refer to an electrical engineer or seek a variance from the
State of Indiana.
Jim Ochs, C.B.O
mnOriginal Message-m-
From: Jim Stutzman [mailto:jrs@pedcor.net]
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2006 8:48 AM
To: Ochs, James A; Chuck Sawochka
Subject: NOTICE OF VIOLATION 02,10.06
Mr. Ochs:
Attached is information concerning the recent Notice of Violation for Pedcor Square Building 4 & 5.
James R. Stutzman, AlA, NCARS, CSI
PEDCOR DESIGN GROUP
Vice President; Senior Principal Architect
335 Ridgepoint Drive
Carmel, Indiana 46032
317.705.7979
GPS, N 39057.945' W 086007.987'
02/23/2006