Commercial Renovation Investigation Program

Transcription

1 TM News, Views and Updates from the Electrical Safety Authority Summer 2018 Commercial Renovation Investigation Program 445 investigations completed from Oct 2017 Mar regions Durham + Ottawa 260 sites with NO permit First look at upcoming 2018 OESC changes p.3 Test Your Licensing I.Q. p ESA-SAFE ESASAFE.COM What s Inside 2 Year-to-Date Convictions 7 Worth Knowing 8 Spotlight on Common Defects

2 Electrical Safety Enforcement Convictions Jan.1, 2018 Mar.31, 2018 Convictions of Unlicensed Individuals Get Plugged In TM Digital Today! Benefits include: Exclusive online features and links to videos and photo galleries Advance access to the latest issue Convenience of reading it anywhere, anytime. Consider the environment, and switch from hard copy to digital today! To sign up for the e-version of Plugged In TM instead of print: TODAY! Connect with facebook.com/ ElectricalSafetyAuthority Electrical Safety Authority Janusz Pagacz, Burlington Panel change $3,000 fine, plus $750 victim surcharge no Electrical Contractor (EC) Licence $1,500 fine, plus $350 victim surcharge unauthorized connection Paul Dodds, Cambridge $2,000 fine, plus $300 victim surcharge no EC Licence $1,500 fine, plus $225 victim surcharge failure to apply Wilco Kanters operating as Dutch Design and Finishing, London $2,000 fine no EC Licence $2,000 fine failure to apply Ahmad Reze Darabi operating as Edison Electrical Services Inc , Sudbury Commercial renovation $2,000 fine, plus $500 victim surcharge no EC Licence (Edison Electrical) $500 fine, plus $125 victim surcharge no EC Licence (Ahmad Darabi) $1,500 fine, plus $375 victim surcharge failure to apply (Edison Electrical) $500 fine, plus $125 victim surcharge failure to apply (Ahmad Darabi) David Pakeman, Ottawa $2,000 fine, plus $500 victim surcharge no EC Licence John Brian Gallagher operating as JG Construction, Kitchener multiple locations $6,000 fine, plus $1,500 victim surcharge no EC Licence $3,600 fine, plus $900 victim surcharge failure to apply Peter Charles operating as Reverse Air Systems, Oakville Paint booth $3,500 fine, plus $875 victim surcharge no EC Licence Christopher Michael Jackson operating as Jackson Construction, Windsor $3,000 fine, plus $750 victim surcharge no EC Licence Joel Clement, Ottawa $3,000 fine, plus $750 victim surcharge no EC Licence If you are aware of anyone doing electrical work in violation of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code or electrical contractor licensing regulations, report it to Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) at or at esasafe.com and you can do so confidentially. ESA looks into every such report we receive. 2

3 Technically Speaking Upcoming Changes to the 2018 Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC) As we prepare for the adoption of the 27 th edition of the OESC, let s explore some of the upcoming changes: One of the major changes in CE Code 2018 is a revised Section 10 Grounding and Bonding. This Section has been misunderstood by many in the past, with some of its requirements considered controversial and confusing. Section 10 requirements for bonding and grounding have been reorganized and reduced in size with some changes that will improve safety and simplify the installations. For example, system grounding at a second building fed from the same service is no longer permitted for any type of building. Requirements for one point grounding in installations with multiple buildings fed from the same service will increase safety since this change will eliminate the alternative part (earth) for neutral currents that exist when multiple services are grounded. Expand the requirement of tamper-resistant receptacles to more than just child care facilities. Currently, the Code requires tamper-resistant (TR) receptacles in dwelling units and child care facilities only. However, from 2006 to 2015 in Ontario, 1,475 children between the ages of 0-14 have reportedly been to the emergency department due to electrical injuries. This change will expand the requirements for TR receptacles to guest rooms of hotels, preschools and elementary education facilities. The safety impact outweighs the additional costs incurred by this change, since the difference in cost between TR and standard receptacles is negligible. Recognizing Energy Management Systems; new rules in the Code will recognize energy management systems associated with electrical vehicle installations. This change will help to facilitate the provincial government s initiative to encourage the use of EVs and support EV supply equipment infrastructure for the people of Ontario. This change will have positive impact to business, specifically the building industry and utilities as it helps avoid over sizing transformers and the electrical system which should result in cost reductions. Recognizing Power Over Ethernet (PoE) in the Code by adding requirements to recognize Class 2 power and data communication circuits known as PoE (Power over Ethernet). PoE originally served as the backbone for voice-over IP (VoIP) systems; the technology has grown to power other office systems. The range how PoE is applied continues to grow steadily due to its increasing power-carrying capacity. It was at seven watts 17 years ago; today, it is at 60W. Additionally, LED lighting technology, with its low power consumption, has expanded the scope of applications for PoE. Requirements for installing an identified (neutral) conductor at each control location of permanently installed luminaires. Manual general use switches do not require the identified conductor, but automatic devices such as a motion sensor, a photocell, a light dimmer and energy management devices do require it for the safe operation. Increased use of LEDs and electronic controls has surfaced the issue of using a bonding conductor as a current carrying conductor because of the traditional wiring practice for standard manual switches. Bonding conductor should not be used as a current-carrying conductor; it is a safety hazard for installers who do not expect any current on bonding conductor during normal operation. The new requirements for installing an identified (neutral) conductor will increase safety. News, Views and Updates from ESA 3

4 Licensing Matters Test Your Licensing Obligations I.Q What changes need to be reported to ESA, in writing, within five days of the change? a) contact information b) change of Designated Master Electrician (DME) c) change of company principals d) all of the above Answer D. A Notice of Change form is available at esasafe.com which can also be used to update your company name, Certificate of Qualification holder, Workers Safety and Insurance Board certificate and preferred method of correspondence. Master Electricians (MEs) must maintain their trade qualification (i.e. Ontario College of Trades membership): a) True b) False Answer A. Did you know that Licensing staff conducts random audits on MEs to confirm this? In the last year, nine MEs had their licenses suspended due to invalid trade qualifications. Within the scope of Ontario Regulation 570/05, an ME designated by an electrical contractor is responsible for ensuring: a) Code non-compliances are corrected b) workers are qualified to complete the job at hand c) required applications for inspections are taken out d) all of the above Answer D. In addition to the Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC), a DME also has responsibilities for ensuring that the electrical work carried out on behalf of the LEC is performed in accordance with applicable law, including the Ontario Electrical Safety Code and the laws relating to health and safety and consumer protection. 4 Your EC licence number must be displayed only: a) when communicating with a customer b) in online advertisements including Kijiji c) on company vehicles that include the company name d) all of the above Answer D. LECs are required to prominently display their licence number in all correspondence, contracts and advertisements, on business vehicles and, generally, in all situations where they are communicating with the public. For more information see licence-display How did you score? 4 News, Views and Updates from ESA

5 Licensing Matters Master Electrician Exam Pass Rate Changes as of Sept.1, 2018 As of Sept.1, 2018 individuals writing the ME exam will need to achieve a minimum score of 60 per cent in each of the following three areas: the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, Worker Safety and Business Administration. This is in addition to achieving an overall score of at least 70 per cent. Previously, individuals would be able to pass the exam with an overall pass rate of 70 per cent, regardless if they failed one of the three sections. This change is being made to ensure MEs have balanced knowledge in the three competency areas deemed necessary to be an effective Designated Master Electrician. Individuals who are not successful passing the exam will need to rewrite the full exam. ESA offers the option to write the exam electronically or by paper, English or French, and translation services are still available. The cost of the exam remains the same. The Electrical Contractor Registration Agency Advisory Council recommended to ESA that this change be made so that prospective employers and the public can be assured that MEs have received the designation without gaps in their knowledge. If you have any questions about the Master Electrician Examination, please send them to masters.exam@electricalsafety.on.ca NEW ME Exam Requirement 60% SCORE in three areas, in addition to an overall score of 70% or more. OESC th edition Next Steps The CSA Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) was published January Ontario adopts the CEC with Ontario Amendments (OA) as the Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC). One of the important tasks is to update the OA. Proposals for the OA were posted for consultation from March 6 to April 20, All comments received during the consultation are reviewed and resolutions will be posted on esasafe.com. The OA will be finalized in cooperation with the Ontario Provincial Code Committee which is made up of safety partners, electrical manufacturers, LECs and standards associations. Once the overall adoption of OESC th edition is endorsed by the ESA Board of Directors, the recommendation to adopt will be submitted to the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services (MGCS) for the legal adoption. Pending MGCS approval, the OESC will come into effect May There will be updates on the new OESC in upcoming issues of Plugged In. News, Views and Updates from ESA 5

6 Customer Experience Commercial Renovation Investigation Program Update How the program works: The underground economy in construction and renovation is an ongoing problem that can put public safety at risk. Contractors have indicated strong support for ESA s efforts to deal with the issue of illegal electrical work. In 2017, ESA established the Commercial Renovation Investigation Program with the aim to: reduce the amount electrical work being performed in the underground economy, reinforce the need and obligation to take out wiring notifications, increase compliance with the OESC, enhance ESA s oversight and enforcement efforts, and increase safety. From October 2017 to March 2018, ESA looked into illegal electrical work in Durham and the Ottawa area. The goal was to complete 250 investigations during this period. As a reminder, it is a licence holder s responsibility to ensure that electrical work is conducted in accordance with the Code and to take out permits accordingly. Please be sure to notify ESA s Customer Service Centre of electrical work and request permits within 48 hours of the work beginning. Results to date: An ESA Inspector uses insights from data such as building department records to identify active commercial renovation sites. The Inspector visits to determine if permits were requested in accordance with the Ontario Electrical Safety Code. If the Inspector verifies that electrical work has been performed without a permit or licence, the Inspector follows processes to ensure permits are requested. The Licensing Department follows up with standard enforcement and discipline procedures. Durham Area, October - December sites out of 191 completed investigations were found to have NO permits. Of the 93 sites, five were found to have unlicensed contractors performing electrical work, 33 were found to have property owners who did not obtain permits, and 55 sites involved Licensed Electrical Contractors (LECs) who did not obtain permits. Ottawa Area, January - March sites out of 254 completed investigations were found to have NO permits. Of the 167 sites, 25 were found to have unlicensed individuals performing electrical work, 54 were found to be property owners who did not obtain permits, and 88 involved LECs who did not obtain permits. ESA will be expanding the Commercial Renovations Investigations program to additional cities across the province. 6 News, Views and Updates from ESA

7 Worth Knowing Risk-based Oversight Town Hall Goes Online The first round of ESA s Risk-based Oversight (RBO) Contractor Town Halls are now complete. For those who were unable to attend the Town Hall workshops, there is now a video of the town hall presentation available at esasafe.com/rbo. Please share your comments by Friday, May 25, ESA will consolidate all feedback received and will share results with contractors in June. Recap: RBO Town Hall Workshop ESA provided contractors with an introduction to RBO, reviewed how RBO may change how often ESA makes site visits and discussed potential adjustments to ACP (visit esasafe.com/rbo to watch a video of the town hall presentation). Contractors were then put to work in breakout groups. ESA asked the contractors to document their thoughts on RBO s impact on their business operations, and each group reported back to the rest of the participants. This feedback is proving to be helpful as contractors pointed out what they like about RBO and what concerns they have with RBO, where ESA needs to provide more details and how ESA can consider the contractor perspective. ESA will issue a report that consolidates all of the feedback heard across the province and will make it available on the ESA s RBO website This will not be the last time ESA will be asking for contractor feedback on RBO. As ESA moves toward an RBO implementation date in 2020, we will be coming back out to ask the contractor for more insights on RBO processes that have yet to be determined like fees and scheduling visits. ESA s RBO team would like to thank all of the contractors and their staff who took time out their schedules to provide us with their thoughts. WHAT IS RISK-BASED OVERSIGHT? Risk-based oversight means that ESA will use risk criteria to determine what wiring work requires a site visit. Permits will have a risk level assigned to it based on:? Who does the installation work? What the installation is? Where the installation is All high-risk work must be inspected, and medium- and low-risk work will be subject to selective inspection. That is, for every two, three, five or ten installations, one will have a physical site visit by an inspector but this ratio is still to be determined. More than 490 people attended one of the 15 RBO Contractor Town Halls held across Ontario between February and April. News, Views and Updates from ESA 7

8 Spotlight on Common Defects Marking of Electrical Equipment Over the past year, ESA inspectors identified nearly 9,000 defects related to the marking of electrical equipment. Equipment marking contributes to the safety of electrical installations by: Identifying what a switch or circuit breaker controls so that circuits can be de-energized; Allowing for the timely and accurate identification of circuits so that loads are not inadvertently deenergized; Providing workers the means to de-energize electrical circuits more conveniently, reducing the likelihood that a worker will engage in unsafe work practices. Although it may be difficult to identify the area where general lighting and receptacle circuits are used, all circuits in electrical installations should be described accurately with as few words as practical. It is not acceptable to mark circuits only as lights and plugs. An effort should be made to either provide the room number(s) where the circuit is present, or describe the area that the circuit supplies, such as basement, living/dining room, or bedroom. The Ontario Electrical Safety Code requires distribution points, circuit breakers, fuses, and switches be marked in a conspicuous location and in a legible manner to indicate which portion of the installation they protect or control. Additionally, where specific fuse types are required such as: Type P, Type D, HRC Form 1, the fuse type shall be shown with the permitted maximum fuse rating. SAVE THE DATE: What s Happening 2018 Annual Meeting & Ontario Electrical Safety Awards Sept.27, Living Arts Centre, 4141 Living Arts Drive, Mississauga To register visit: esasafe.com/awards2018 UPS PANEL - A CCT Amp Description 1 Lights & Plugs 3 Lights & Plugs 5 Lights & Plugs 7 Lights & Plugs 9 Lights & Plugs 11 Lights & Plugs 2018 Annual Licence Holder Meetings Ottawa Oct.16, Hilton Garden Inn, 2400 Alert Road, Ottawa GTA Nov.27, 2018 Mississauga Grand, 35 Brunel Road, Mississauga To register visit: esasafe.com/licensing/lhm UPS#1 Max fuse 125AA Type RK5 PANEL - A CCT Amp Description 1 15 Hall Receptacles 3 15 Hall Lights & Smoke Det S.W. Bedroom Recept S.E. Bedroom Recept N.W. Bedroom Recept Bedroom Lighting See Bulletin 2-5-* Circuit identification for additional information ESA-SAFE ESASAFE.COM TM We d like your input Please send your comments or story ideas to plugged.in@electricalsafety.on.ca.