Finger Lakes Building Officials, Inc.

An Affiliated Member of the New York State Building Officials Conference

DATE: June 17, 2003

FROM: Cheryl A. Fischer, P.E.

NOTE: Requirements for arc-fault circuit-interrupters and permits

Attached is a copy of a letter which clearly states when arc-fault circuit-interrupters are required and when they are not. You will notice that NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code, is not applicable to buildings constructed under the Residential Code of New York State, because the electrical requirements are in Part VIII of that code. The referenced version of the NEC is 1999.

Section 210-12 became effective January 1, 2002. However, the use of the 1999 version of the NEC became effective January 1, 2003 as a reference to the new Codes of New York State (19 NYCRR). The requirement for arc-fault circuit-interrupters cannot be applied retroactively nor can it be applied to those buildings which received building permits under the previous Uniform Code (9B NYCRR), even when the buildings are not yet completed.

Al03-145

Finger Lakes Building Officials Association, Inc.
3100 Atlantic Ave.
Penfield, NY 14526