• Welcome to The Building Code Forum

    Your premier resource for building code knowledge.

    This forum remains free to the public thanks to the generous support of our Sawhorse Members and Corporate Sponsors. Their contributions help keep this community thriving and accessible.

    Want enhanced access to expert discussions and exclusive features? Learn more about the benefits here.

    Ready to upgrade? Log in and upgrade now.

Wide Variations in State Adoptions of the NEC® Reveal Neglect of Electrical Safety

The NEC is revised a year before the International Codes, which adds a year to the process when the NEC is adopted along with the International Codes which reference it.

Virginia has an Administrative Process Act which states how many hearings have to be held, length of comment periods, etc. We used to adopt new codes and amendments about 18 months after the ICC issued the new codes, but after the latest enhancement of the APA it takes about 3 years. The 2018 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, which incorporates the 2017 NEC, became effective July 1, 2021, but plans based on the 2015 code could be submitted for permit for a year after that. I expect many other states have similar cumbersome adoption processes.
 
", over 80 percent of U.S. residents
polled feel that policymakers should make it a priority
to ensure electrical and fire safety codes are up-to-date, and
86 percent believe that if they purchased a newly-constructed
home today, it would meet the most up-to-date codes.
States should strive to meet these expectations."

Yet the end users and builders complain with each new code cycle adoption of the cost is to much
 
Yet the end users and builders complain with each new code cycle adoption of the cost is to much
End users only complain because they are fed this information by the builders who use codes as reasons why homes are so expensive. Historically contractors blame the building department for everything, including project delays and changes, when in fact, they need to look inward.

It's OK to upsell the $10,000 granite kitchen island but it's a problem when the electrical panel has $700 worth of AFCI breakers.
 
jar564, I agree, pointing out that statics are misleading, the question asked to get the data often skews the results
 
", over 80 percent of U.S. residents
polled feel that policymakers should make it a priority
to ensure electrical and fire safety codes are up-to-date, and
86 percent believe that if they purchased a newly-constructed
home today, it would meet the most up-to-date codes.
States should strive to meet these expectations."

Yet the end users and builders complain with each new code cycle adoption of the cost is to much
And none of them realize that better enforcement of existing codes would save more lives and money than adopting the "latest and greatest" codes...
 
Back
Top