Electrical Safety

Changes to the Scope of Work for an Annual Maintenance Permit : NS Labour and Advanced Education, Building and Equipment Safety

Electrical Bulletin 2006-07

From: David MacLeod,C.E.I.,P.Eng.
Provincial Chief Electrical Inspector

Date: May 17,2006
Rev 1, January 2007

Subject: Changes to the Scope of Work for an Annual Maintenance Permit

Please be advised of a recent policy change that will make it easier for annual maintenance permit holders to carry out routine electrical maintenance work without compromising safety.

The Electrical Code Regulations (Regulations) require the installation of electrical wiring and equipment to be performed under a separate wiring permit for each separate project. The permits are obtained from the local electrical inspection department and the work is inspected each time.

One exception is work performed under an annual maintenance permit, which are available to large industrial and commercial establishments ,where electrical work of a routine nature and connected with the maintenance and operation of the establishment is required. The existing rules associated with annual maintenance permits is not clearly defined and somewhat restrictive.

Therefore the scope for annual maintenance permits has been rewritten.

The new scope, which is indicated below, expands and clearly defines the kind of work that will be permitted under an annual maintenance permit while providing a more consistent guideline for inspectors across the province.

Also, the qualifications of the electricians performing the work will be consistent with the Apprenticeship Trade Regulations.

These changes will assist annual maintenance permit holders to better comply with the requirements of the Regulations.

The new scope shall be applied for all those applying for or presently performing work under the annual maintenance permit system.

Permits can be obtained from the local electrical inspection department.

All electrical work performed under an annual maintenance permit must be consistent with the following Scope and general requirements: ( Rev 1, January 2007 )

  1. The total amount of electrical work for the year, which is based on a 12 month period from the date of issue of the annual permit, must not exceed 15 % of the main service entrance VA rating for each building or area where the electrical work is being performed. This includes new electrical loads or the redesign of existing electrical loads or a combination of both.

    Where the electrical work is being performed in an area that is not in an enclosed building, such as a pump alley or an electrical installation located in an outdoor area , the amount of VA is based on the VA rating of the feeder or branch circuit and would count towards the 15% VA limit.

    Raceway systems associated with any power cables installed within the 15 % VA limit are permitted under the annual maintenance permit .

  2. Life safety systems, including but not limited to, fire alarm systems, fire pumps, emergency and exit lights ,UPS or generators as required by any enforceable or adopted code or standard, shall be verified or re-verified by a qualified third party prior to being put in operation. The permit holder must keep a copy of the verification and provide a copy to the inspection department upon request.

  3. Permit holders performing electrical work in hazardous locations, as defined in the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) Sections 18 and 20, must submit drawings for review and acceptance to the electrical inspection department, indicating the details as specified in Electrical Bulletin 2002-01 , prior to starting the work.

  4. Electrical work performed under an annual maintenance permit is limited to 750 V or less.

  5. Electrical work performed at a new building, substation or major addition shall not be covered under the annual maintenance permit even if the electrical work being performed is below the 15% VA limit.

    A major addition is defined when a building or area has additions or renovations that exceed 20% of the existing building or area in which the electrical work is being performed. ( See general requirements item 5 )

  6. Electrical work that involves a new or separate service supply from the utility shall not be covered under the annual maintenance permit.

  7. All electrical work performed under the annual maintenance permit must be installed by a construction or industrial electrician which is determined by the environment in which the work is being performed. ( See general requirements item 1 ).

    All work performed under a general wiring permit must be performed by a construction electrician.

  8. Communications cabling work may be performed under the annual maintenance permit based on the following:

    The communications cabling is installed by a construction or industrial electrician or if not in a location referred to in section 18 or 20 of the CEC a communications cabling specialist ( CCS ) . All communications cabling installed by a CCS in a location referred to in section 18 or 20 of the CEC requires a separate wiring permit. ( Rev 1, January 2007 )

    Communication raceway systems ( ie conduit, cable tray etc ) less than 30 m in total length may be installed under the annual permit. Where the installation of any raceway system associated with the communication cabling exceeds 30 m a separate wiring permit is required for each such installation.

    A communications cabling specialist is not permitted to install the raceway as described above.

  9. Electrical work , inclusive of communications cabling work , done under an annual maintenance permit must be of a routine nature and connected with maintenance or operation of the establishment .

    In the event of a dispute between the permit holder and the electrical inspection department over what can be performed under the annual maintenance permit, the Provincial Chief Electrical Inspector shall make the final determination of what can be performed.

  10. Only electrical work , inclusive of communications cabling work , as described within the scope of the annual maintenance permit can be performed under the annual maintenance permit. All other work ,unless exempt per the Electrical Code Regulations, is required to be performed under a separate permit.

    Failure to comply with the requirements to obtain an annual maintenance permit or to follow the scope requirements for the annual maintenance permit may result in a summary offence prosecution or other action including the possible disconnection of power to any electrical equipment installed without the appropriate electrical permit.

  11. Annual maintenance permit holders will be required to sign an application form with a statement of declaration indicating that they will employ and use the properly qualified persons as indicated in this scope to perform the work.

General requirements:

  1. Industrial electricians performing electrical work under the annual maintenance permit are limited to the environment ( ie setting, boundary or establishment ) and scope in which they can work as identified by the Dept. of Education’s Industrial Electrician Trade Regulations. The qualifications for an industrial electrician will be as required by the Dept. of Education’s Trade Regulations. The employer may be required , upon request by the Provincial Chief Electrical Inspector, to provide proof of adequate training for employees who are performing work within the trade scope.

    Electrical work performed under the annual maintenance permit outside of the identified environment and scope for the industrial electrician must be performed by a construction electrician.

  2. The permit holder is responsible for keeping a record of all work performed under the annual permit and upon request provide the record to the inspection department. The permit holder shall also ensure that all installations meet the minimum requirements of the CEC and are tested prior to energizing.

    Testing, as a minimum, shall include polarity and megger testing of all wiring and connections and the operation of any over current device or safety device . ( ie. over current relays ,emergency stops, interlocks ,verification of any monitoring devices set values for proper operation-for example gas detection devices, etc )

  3. The permit holder must provide proof of each test , signed by a person responsible for the electrical work , upon request by the electrical inspection department.

  4. The permit holder must annually sign an application form provided by the electrical inspection department for an annual maintenance permit which may incorporate some of the requirements listed above.

  5. With regard to major additions the 20 % for a multi floor building being renovated would only apply to each floor area in which the work is being performed not 20 % of the total building area. Where an addition is being added to the building then the 20 % is of the buildings total area. In all instances the 15 % total VA requirement would apply.

  6. Annual permits may be issued in the name of the employer or the company.

  7. All of the above requirements are to be used in conjunction with any other requirements not specifically listed herein but are required by the Electrical Installation and Inspection Act , Electrical Code Regulations ,CEC or any bulletins and is subject to change by the Provincial Chief Electrical Inspector as may be required.

Any deviations or questions concerning this Bulletin may be forwarded to the :
Provincial Chief Electrical Inspector - David MacLeod, C.E.I., P.Eng at 902-424-8018
or by email - macleodd@gov.ns.ca