Légis Québec

Consolidated Statutes and Regulations Consolidated Statutes Consolidated Regulations Annual Statutes and Regulations Annual Statutes Annual Regulations Additional information Québec Official Publisher What’s new? Information note Policy of the Minister of Justice Laws: Amendments Laws: Provisions not in force Laws: Provisions brought into force Annual Statutes: PDF versions since 1996 Regulations: Amendments Annual Regulations: PDF versions since 1996 Court Decisions

B-1.1, r. 2 - Construction Code

Full text

In force date

2024-01-01 Show full text at this date

5.05. The Code is amended

(1) in Section 0:

(1) by striking out the following portion of the second paragraph of “Object”: “Safe installations may be also achieved by alternatives to this Code, when such alternatives meet the fundamental safety principles of IEC 60364-1 (see Appendix K). These alternatives are intended to be used only in conjunction with acceptable means to assess compliance of these alternatives with the fundamental safety principles of IEC 60364-1 by the authorities enforcing this Code.”;

(2) by striking out the part “Scope”;

(3) by striking out the definition of “Energized”;

(4) by replacing the definition of “Electrical installation” by the following:

“Electrical installation”: the installation of any wiring in or upon any land or in a building from the point or points where electric power or energy is delivered therein or thereon by the supply authority or from any other source of supply, to the point or points where such power or energy can be used therein or thereon by any electrical equipment and shall include the connection of any such wiring with any of the said equipment (see Appendix B).”;

(5) by striking out the definition of “Permit”;

(6) by striking out the definition of “Current-permit”;

(7) by striking out the definition of “Energized part”;

(8) by inserting the following definition after “Conduit”:

“Connecting point: The point at which the consumer’s service entrance is connected to the distributor’s supply, as specified by the supply authority.”;

(2) in Section 2:

(1) by striking out Rule 2-000;

(2) by replacing Rule 2-004 by the following:

“2-004 Declaration of work

(1) An electrical contractor or owner-builder shall declare to the Régie du bâtiment du Québec the construction work carried out to which Chapter V Electricity of the Construction Code (chapter B-1.1, r. 2) applies.

(2) The declaration shall contain the following information:

(a) the address of the work site;

(b) the name, address and telephone number of the person for whom the work is carried out;

(d) the dates scheduled for the beginning and end of the construction work;

(e) the nature and type of work, in particular the specific kind of work and a description of the powers to be installed; and

(f) the use of the building or installation and the number of stories and dwellings in the building.

(3) The declaration shall be made on the form provided for that purpose by the Board or on any other document containing the information required by Subrule (2).

(4) The declaration shall be sent to the Board not later than the twentieth day of the month following the date on which the work begins.

(5) Notwithstanding Subrule (1), the declaration of work is not required

(a) in the case of work mentioned in a request for supply made to a supply authority;

(b) in the case of work involving power of no more than 10 kW that does not require a replacement or addition of wiring; or

(3) by striking out Rule 2-006;

(4) by replacing Rule 2-008 by the following:

“2-008 Levies and fees

(1) The levy which every electrical contractor shall pay annually to the Régie du bâtiment du Québec is $913.85 plus an amount corresponding to a non-indexable value of 2.5% of the contractor’s payroll.

(2) For the purposes of this Rule, “payroll” means the total of payments made, before deductions, to apprentice electricians and journeyman electricians carrying out construction work on an electrical installation, including hourly or piece-work wages, commissions, bonuses, pay for leave and any other form of remuneration. The payments made annually to an apprentice electrician or a journeyman electrician by an electrical contractor are presumed to be made to a person assigned to construction work on an electrical installation.

(3) The following payments are not included in the payroll:

(a) payments to a person who qualifies an electrical contractor for the issue of a licence because of his or her technical knowledge;

(b) payments for construction work on an electrical installation at a hydroelectric power station at the time of the original construction.

(4) An electrical contractor renting the services of an apprentice electrician or a journeyman electrician through a third party that does not hold a licence shall include the cost of those services in calculating the payroll.

(5) An apprentice electrician or a journeyman electrician who is a partner in a partnership is, for calculation of the payroll, presumed to receive annual wages of $43,015.86 for the electrical installation work he or she carries out for the partnership.

(6) The fixed amount of the levy to be paid under Subrule (1) is established in proportion to the number of months for which the licence is valid, a part of a month being considered a full month.

(7) In the case of voluntary abandonment of a holder’s licence, the validity period of the licence is deemed to have ended on the date on which the Board received a notice to that effect.

(8) An electrical contractor shall pay the levy under this Rule to the Board not later than:

(a) 31 May for a payroll calculated for the period from 1 January to 31 March of the current year;

(b) 31 August for a payroll calculated for the period from 1 April to 30 June of the current year;

(d) 28 February for a payroll calculated for the period from 1 October to 31 December of the preceding year.

(9) Each payment shall also include the applicable portion of the fixed amount of the levy. An electrical contractor shall provide with each payment a written statement indicating the portion of the payroll applicable to each apprentice electrician or journeyman electrician identified by name. If a licence is issued to the electrical contractor during the year, the first statement and the first payment shall be made on the first date in Subrule (8) that is at least 2 months after the issue of the licence.

(10) If an electrical contractor fails to send the statement required under this Rule to the Board, or if the Board has reason to believe that the statement is inaccurate, the Board shall make an estimate of the contractor’s payroll. In such a case, it is the contractor’s responsibility to demonstrate that the estimate is inaccurate.

(11) If it is established that an electrical contractor’s payroll differs from the amount used to establish the levy, the Board shall bill or credit, as the case may be, an amount equal to the difference between the amount levied and the amount calculated according to the actual payroll.

(12) The levy that an electrical owner-builder shall pay annually to the Board in accordance with Subrule (8) is $685.42, plus inspection fees of $181.25 for the first hour of inspection or fraction thereof and half that rate for each half-hour or fraction thereof of inspection in addition to the first hour; an amount of $85.27 for each trip related to the inspection shall be added to those fees.

(13) The fees payable under Subrule (12) shall be paid not later than 30 days after the billing date.”;

(5) by deleting Rules 2-010 and 2-012;

(6) by replacing Rule 2-014 by the following:

“2-014 Plans and specifications

(1) An electrical contractor or owner-builder shall not start construction work on an electrical installation to which Chapter V Electricity of the Construction Code (chapter B-1.1, r. 2) applies unless plans and specifications have been prepared for the work if the installation requires a service exceeding 200 kW.

(2) The plans and specifications referred to in Subrule (1) shall contain the following information:

(a) name and address of the person responsible for preparing them;

(b) type of building or electrical installation and the location of the work;

(d) the supply voltage and the single-line diagram of the service line and distribution;

(e) loads, protection characteristics and identification of the feeder and branch circuits at their respective panelboards;

(f) rated power of each apparatus;

(g) type and size of raceways to be used;

(h) number and characteristics of conductors used in the raceways;

(i) cable characteristics;

(j) type of materials, accessories or apparatus installed in hazardous locations;

(k) size and location of grounding conductors;

(l) a description of all underground parts of the installation;

(m) for an addition to an existing electrical installation, all information on the part of the installation on which work is to be carried out and a list of the existing loads or of the maximum demand loads of the existing installation recorded for the last 12 months; and

(n) for an electrical installation exceeding 750 V, the vertical and horizontal clearances of live parts and a description of the grounding and mechanical protection of live parts.”;

(7) by deleting Rules 2-016 to 2-020;

(8) by replacing Rules 2-024 to 2-028 by the following:

“2-024 Approval of electrical equipment used in an electrical installation, intended to consume energy from an electrical installation or to supply such an installation (see Appendices A and B)

(1) The selling or renting of electrical equipment that has not been approved is prohibited.

(2) All electrical equipment used in an electrical installation shall be approved for the use for which it is intended. In addition, the use of electrical equipment that has not been approved in an electrical installation or the permanent connection of such equipment to such an installation is prohibited. However, for purposes of a test, exhibition, presentation or demonstration, electrical equipment shall be permitted to be used without being approved if a notice containing the following warning in letters at least 15 mm high is posted: “NOTICE: This electrical equipment has not been approved for sale or rental as required by Chapter V Electricity of the Construction Code (chapter B-1.1, r. 2).

(3) Subrules (1) and (2) do no not apply to electrical equipment

(a) located upstream from the connecting point;

(b) intended to be interconnected, in accordance with section 84 of the Code;

(d) whose power consumption is not more than 100 VA and whose voltage is not more than 30 V, except in the case of signs, lighting devices, luminaries, thermostats with heat anticipators, electromedical devices or apparatus installed in a hazardous location.

2-025 Approval of a Portable Generator

The selling or renting of a portable generator that has not been approved is prohibited.

2-028 Mark of Approval (see Appendix A)

(1) Electrical equipment that has received certification by a certification organization accredited by the Standards Council of Canada that has notified the Board of its accreditation and whose certification seal or label attests to compliance with Canadian standards is considered to be approved.

(2) Electrical equipment bearing the label of an organization accredited by the Standards Council of Canada that has notified the Board of its accreditation attesting that, without being certified in accordance with Subrule (1), the equipment is recognized as complying with the requirements of CSA SPE-1000-13, “Model Code for the Field Evaluation of Electrical Equipment”, or with the requirements of CSA SPE-3000-15, “Model Code for the Field Evaluation of Medical Electrical Equipment and Systems”, published by CSA Group, is also considered to be approved. However, amendments or subsequent editions of those Standards shall apply, for the purposes of this section, from the publication of their French and English versions. If those versions are not published at the same time, the amendments or editions shall apply as of the publication of the last version.

(3) Notwithstanding Subrules (1) and (2), approval is not required for each of the components of electrical equipment if the equipment has received an overall approval.”;

(9) by striking out Rules 2-128 to 2-132;

(10) by replacing Rule 2-324 by the following:

“2-324 Electrical equipment near a venting or relief discharge for combustible gas (see Appendix B)

(1) Arc-producing electrical equipment shall be installed at least 3 m from any venting or relief discharge for combustible gas.

(2) Notwithstanding Subrule (1), in the case of natural gas, the distance shall be permitted to be 1 m.”;

(11) by adding the following heading and Rule after Rule 2-404:

“Circuits from different buildings

2-500 Feeder or branch circuit from another building (see Appendix B)

A feeder or branch circuit from another building shall not be installed to serve electric equipment linked to a building already supplied by a separate consumer’s service, except

(a) in the case of emergency power sources; or

(b) in the cases provided for in Rule 6-106.”;

(3) in Section 4:

(1) by replacing Rules 4-006 (3), (4), (5) and (6) by the following:

“(3) Except for underground installations, Subrules (1) and (2) shall also apply to any allowable ampacity obtained from tables other than those mentioned in Subrule (1). If values different from those at 90 °C are not indicated in those tables, the correction factors in Table 12C shall then be applied.”;

(2) by adding the following Subrule at the end of Rule 4.024:

“(5) Notwithstanding Subrule (3), for underground consumer’s services exceeding 600 A fed by parallel conductors, each neutral conductor shall be minimally sized in accordance with Table 69.”;

(4) in Section 6:

(1) by replacing Rule 6-104 by the following:

“6-104 Number of consumer’s services

(1) The number of low-voltage consumer’s services terminating at any one overhead supply service run shall be limited by the following factors:

(a) the total calculated load shall not exceed 600 A; and

(b) the number of conductors connected to each supply service conductor shall not exceed 4.

(2) In the case of a change to the electrical installation of a building with more than 4 conductors connected to one supply service conductor, replacement of the conductors shall be permitted provided that the total number of conductors is not increased and the total calculated load does not exceed 600 A.”;

(2) in Rule 6-112:

(a) by replacing “9 m” in Subrule (2) by “8 m”;

(b) by adding the following after Subrule (8):

“(9) Notwithstanding Subrule (2), in the case of an existing installation and where it is impossible to comply with the minimum 1 m clearance set out in Subrule (3), the height of the point of attachment of service conductors shall be not more than 9 m, if such a measurement allows compliance with the clearance required.

(10) Notwithstanding Subrules (2) and (9), in the case of an existing installation and where it is impossible to comply with the minimum 1 m clearance set out in Subrule (3), it shall be permitted to install a barrier made of solid material so as to make service conductors exposed to persons from a window, door or porch permanently inaccessible.

(11) Notwithstanding Subrule (6), in the case of an existing installation in which the service presents no noise problem due to the amplification of vibrations caused by the mutual repulsion of the conductors, it shall be permitted to fasten the service conductor support to a solid wooden structural member of a wall with a lag screw not less than 9 mm in diameter. The threaded part of the lag screw shall penetrate the solid wooden structural member to a depth of at least 75 mm.”;

(3) by replacing Rule 6-206 by the following:

“6-206 Consumer’s service equipment location (see Appendices B and G)

(1) Service boxes or other equivalent consumer’s service equipment shall be

(a) installed in a location that complies with the requirements of the supply authority;

(b) readily accessible or have the means of operation readily accessible; and

(c) except as provided by Subrules (3), (4), (5), and (6), placed within the building being served, as close as practicable to the point where the consumer’s service conductors enter the building and not located in

i. coal bins, clothes closets, bathrooms, or stairways;

ii. rooms in which the temperature normally exceeds 30 °C;

iii. dangerous or hazardous locations;

iv. locations where the headroom clearance is less than 2 m, except in the case of a renovation in a building, provided that the existing clearance is not reduced; or

v. any other similar location.

(2) Notwithstanding Subrule (1)(b), where subject to unauthorized operation, the service disconnecting means shall be permitted to be rendered inaccessible by

(a) an integral locking device;

(b) an external lockable cover; or

(3) Notwithstanding Subrule (1)(c), if the environmental conditions inside the structure are not acceptable, it shall be permitted, where a deviation has been allowed in accordance with Rule 2-030, to place the service disconnecting means on the outside of the building or on a pole provided that it is

(a) installed in an enclosure approved for the location or of the type approved as protected against the weather; and

(b) protected against mechanical damage if it is located less than 2 m above ground.

(4) Notwithstanding Subrule (1)(c), in the case of single dwellings or apartment and similar buildings, the service box shall be permitted to be a meter mounting device equipped with a combined breaker outside the building or on a post, provided that an associated distribution panelboard equipped with a main breaker of a current rating equal to or lower than that of the meter mounting device is used inside the building. The service box shall

(a) be weatherproof and specifically approved for that use;

(b) be protected against mechanical damage if installed less than 2 m above ground;

(d) supply only one feeder dedicated to the associated distribution panelboard.

(5) The meter mounting devices installed in compliance with Subrule (4) shall be grouped.

(6) The consumer’s service heads connected to the meter mounting devices installed in accordance with Subrules (4) and (5) shall be grouped so as to require a single connecting point.”;

(4) by replacing Rule 6-300(1)(b)(ii)(B) by the following:

“(B) where a conductor transition is necessary to compensate for a voltage drop provided for in Rule 8-102, provided that the conditions set out in Rule 12-112 (5) (a) or (b) are complied with (see Appendix B).”;

(5) by replacing Rule 6-302(2) by the following:

“(2) Except for an installation or an existing trestle, no portion of the conductors that is run on the supply side of the consumer’s service head on outside building surfaces shall be permitted to be run as exposed wiring.”;

(6) in Rule 6-308, by inserting “Except for 347/600 V underground consumer’s service in a raceway,” at the beginning;

(7) by replacing Rule 6-310 (c) by the following:

“(c) where a conductor transition is necessary to compensate for the voltage drop provided for in Rule 8-102, provided that the conditions set out in Rule 12-112(5) are complied with.”;

(5) in Section 8:

(1) by striking out Rule 8.002;

(2) by striking out Rule 8-102(3) and (4):

(3) by replacing Rule 8-106(6) to (10) by the following:

“(6) The ampacity of conductors of feeders or branch circuits shall be determined in accordance with the Section(s) dealing with the type of equipment being supplied.

(7) Notwithstanding the requirements of this Section, the ampacity of the conductors of a feeder or branch circuit shall not be required to exceed the ampacity of the conductors of the service or of the feeder from which they are supplied.

(8) Where additional loads are to be added to an existing service or feeder, the augmented load shall be permitted to be calculated by adding the sum of the additional loads, with demand factors as permitted by this Code to the maximum demand load of the existing installation as measured over the most recent 12-month period, but the new calculated load shall be subject to Rule 8-104(5) and (6).

(9) The method of calculation in Subrule (8) shall be permitted to be used for the replacement of a service or feeder of an existing installation, with or without additional load.”;

(4) in Rule 8-108:

(a) by replacing the part of Subrule (1) preceding Subrule (1)(a) by the following:

“(1) For a single dwelling, the panelboard shall provide space for at least the equivalent of the following number of 120 V branch circuit overcurrent devices, including enough space for two 35 A double-pole overcurrent devices and for all the other devices required:”;

(b) by replacing Subrule (2) by the following:

“(2) Notwithstanding Subrule (1), sufficient spaces for overcurrent devices shall be provided in the panelboard for the two 35 A double-pole overcurrent devices and for all other overcurrent devices, and at least 2 additional spaces shall be left for future 120 V branch circuit overcurrent devices, and 2 additional spaces for future 240 V double-pole devices.”;

(5) in Rule 8-200:

(a) by replacing “the greater of Item (a) or (b)” in the part of Subrule (1) before Item (a) by “the greater of Item (a) or (b), and be increased to include the load provided for in Item (c) in the case of a single dwelling referred to in that Item”;

(b) by replacing Items (vi) and (vii) of Subrule (1)(a) by the following:

“(vi) any loads provided for in addition to those outlined in Items (i) to (v) at 25% of the rating of each load with a rating in excess of 1,500 W if an electric range has been provided for, or 100% of the rating of each load up to a total of 6,000 W, plus 25% of the load in excess of 6,000 W if an electric range has not been provided for; or”;

“(c) in the case of a single dwelling with a garage, a carport or a parking area, a load provided for the supply of electric vehicle supply equipment, according to the following cases:

i. 35% of the power rating of the first supply equipment and 70% of the power rating of the second, if an electric range and electric water heater have been provided for and in addition the electric space-heating load does not come from a central unit and is at least 14 kW;

ii. 70% of the power rating of the first supply equipment and 80% of the power rating of the second, if an electric range and electric water heater have been provided for and the electric space-heating load does not come from a central unit and is less than 14 kW; or

iii. 90% of the power rating per supply equipment in the cases not covered by Items (i) and (ii).”;

(d) by adding the following after Rule 8-200(3):

“(4) For the purposes of this Rule, it is prohibited to use, to calculate the minimum ampacity of service or feeder conductors for a single dwelling with a garage, carport, or parking area, the relaxations provided for in Rule 8-106 (1) and in Table 39.”;

(6) in Rule 8-202:

(a) by adding the following after Subrule (1)(a)(vii)(B):

“(C) Notwithstanding Items (A) and (B), in the case of a load for the supply of electric vehicle supply equipment, that load shall be calculated in accordance with the method provided for in Rule 8-200(1)(c); or”;

(b) by replacing Subrule (3)(e) by the following:

“(e) in addition, any lighting, heating, and power loads not located in dwelling units shall be added to the preceding loads, by using a demand factor of 75%, except automobile heater receptacles included in the basic load of each dwelling.”;

(7) by replacing Rule 8-204(1)(c) by the following:

“(c) electric space-heating, air-conditioning, and total loads of other permanently connected equipment based on the rating of the equipment installed, subject to Rule 8-106(4); plus”;

(8) by replacing Rule 8-206(1)(c) by the following:

“(c) electric space-heating, air-conditioning, and total loads of other permanently connected equipment based on the rating of the equipment installed, subject to Rule 8-106(4); plus”;

(9) by replacing Rule 8-208(1)(c) by the following:

“(c) electric space-heating, air-conditioning, and total loads of other permanently connected equipment based on the rating of the equipment installed, subject to Rule 8-106(4); plus”;

(10) in Rule 8-400:

(a) by replacing Subrule (1) by the following:

“(1) In the application of this Rule, the following definition shall apply:

Controlled — supply to the receptacle is cycled by other than a manual operation.”;

(b) by replacing Subrules (3) to (5) by the following:

“(3) Service or feeder conductors shall be considered to have a basic load of

(a) 1,300 W for each of the first 30 duplex receptacles;

(b) 1,100 W for each of the next 30 duplex receptacles; and

(4) If the load is controlled, the ampacity of the service or feeder conductors shall:

(a) be determined in accordance with Subrule (3), considering only the maximum number of duplex receptacles that can be supplied simultaneously; or

(b) not be lower than 125% of the rating of the load controller.

(5) For the purposes of Subrules (3) and (4), 2 single receptacles shall be considered to be one duplex receptacle.”;

(6) In Section 10:

(1) by adding the following in Rule 10-802:

“(3) Copper-clad aluminum is prohibited.”;

(2) by replacing Rule 10-812 by the following:

“10-812 Grounding conductor size for ac systems and for service equipment (see Appendix B)

(1) Subject to Subrule (2), the copper grounding conductor size connected to a grounding electrode shall not be less than No. 6 AWG.

(2) The copper grounding conductor size connected to water distribution metal piping shall be determined according to the ampacity of the largest ungrounded conductor in the circuit or the equivalent for multi-conductors and shall be sized not smaller than

(a) No. 6 AWG for an ampacity of 250 A or less;

(b) No. 3 AWG for an ampacity of 251 A to 500 A;

(d) No. 00 AWG for an ampacity of 1001 A or more.

(3) If a material other than copper is used for a grounding conductor, the material shall have a conductivity equivalent to what is required in Subrule (1) or (2).”;

(7) in Section 12:

(1) by replacing Rule 12-012(8) by the following:

“(8) Raceways shall be permitted to be installed directly beneath a concrete slab at grade level, provided that the concrete slab is not less than a nominal 100 mm in thickness, the location is adequately marked, and the raceway will not be subject to damage.”;

(2) by adding the following after Rule 12-020:

“12-022 Wiring under the metal deck of a roof

Except for rigid metal conduits, no wiring shall be installed less than 38 mm from the underside of the metal deck of a roof.”;

(3) by replacing Rules 12-108(2) and (3) by the following:

“(2) Notwithstanding Subrule (1)(a), a single splice per conductor shall be permitted if a transition between conductors is necessary to compensate for the maximum voltage drop provided for in Rule 8-102, provided that it is spliced in the same manner, and that

(a) in the case of an overhead installation, the splice is thermit-welded or made by means of a compression connector applied with a compression tool compatible with the particular connector; or

(b) in the case of an underground installation, the splice complies with the conditions set out in Rule 12-112(5)(a) or (b).

(3) Notwithstanding Item (1)(f), conductors of one phase, polarity, or grounded circuit conductor shall not be required to have the same exact length as those of another phase, polarity, or grounded circuit conductor.”;

(4) by adding the following Subrule at the end of Rule 12-116:

“(5) Cutting or adding strands or altering conductors in any other way to connect them to terminal parts, lugs or other junctions is prohibited.”;

(5) by replacing Rule 12-312 by the following:

“12-312 Conductors over buildings

Only conductors entering a building shall be permitted to run over the building.”;

(6) by adding the following Subrule at the end of Rule 12-510:

“(5) Except in the locations provided for the installation of cupboards or counters, non-metallic-sheathed cables concealed in the inside walls of a dwelling unit that are located 1 to 2 m from the floor shall

(a) be installed in a completely vertical manner;

(b) have their outer surface located more than 32 mm from the hidden edge of the finishing element; or

(7) by replacing Rule 12-516 by the following:

“12-516 Protection for non-metallic-sheathed cable in concealed installations (see Appendix G)

(1) The outer surfaces of non-metallic-sheathed cables shall be kept a distance of at least 32 mm from the edges of the members intended to be used as support for sheathing or cladding, or the cable shall be effectively protected from mechanical damage.

(2) Where non-metallic-sheathed cables pass through a metal member, they shall be protected by an insert approved for the purpose and adequately secured in place.

(3) Where non-metallic-sheathed cables are installed behind a baseboard, moulding or other similar finishing element, their outer surfaces shall be kept a distance of at least 32 mm from the hidden edge of the element, or they shall be effectively protected from mechanical damage from driven nails or screws.”;

(8) by adding the following Subrule at the end of Rule 12-616:

“(3) The installation of armoured cable in a concealed space in a metal element constituting the roof deck of a building or structure is prohibited.”;

(9) in Rule 12-904:

(a) by replacing Subrule (1) by the following:

“(1) Except for single-conductors installed in non-metallic raceways, all conductors of a circuit shall be contained in the same raceway, or in the same channel of a multiple-channel raceway except that, where it is necessary to run conductors in parallel due to the capacity of an ac circuit, additional raceways shall be permitted to be used, provided that

(a) the conductors are installed in accordance with Rule 12-108(1);

(b) each raceway includes an equal number of conductors from each phase, including the neutral conductor and the bonding conductor, if required; and

(b) by striking out “Except for cable tray,” at the beginning of Subrule (2);

(10) by striking out “either during installation or afterwards” in Rule 12-1106;

(11) by striking out Rule 12-1204;

(12) by striking out “either during installation or afterwards” in Rule 12-1404(a);

(13) by striking out Rule 12-1718(2);

(14) by replacing Rule 12-2200(7) and (8) by the following:

“(7) At least one expansion joint shall be installed in any cable tray run where the expansion of the cable tray due to the maximum probable temperature change could damage the cable tray.”;

(15) by replacing Rule 12-2208 by the following:

“12-2208 Provisions for bonding

(1) Where metal supports for metal cable trays are bolted to the tray and are in good electrical contact with the grounded structural metal frame of a building, the tray shall be deemed to be bonded to ground.

(2) If Subrule (1) does not apply, metal cable tray shall be properly bonded at intervals not exceeding 15 m and the size of bonding conductors shall be based on the ampacity of the largest ungrounded conductor as specified in Rule 10-814 in the circuits carried by the cable tray.”;

(8) in Section 14, by striking out Rule 14-104(2);

(9) in Section 26:

(1) by striking out Rule 26-354;

(2) by striking out Rule 26-700(13);

(3) in Rule 26-710:

(a) by adding “and” at the end of Item (m);

(b) by replacing “; and” at the end of Item (n) by “.”;

(4) in Rule 26-712:

(a) by replacing Items (iv) and (v) in Item (d) by the following:

“(iv) at least one receptacle (15 A split or 20 A T-slot) installed at each permanently fixed island counter space;

(v) at least one receptacle (15 A split or 20 A T-slot) installed at each peninsular counter space, except if the wall adjacent to the mating edge of the peninsula is equipped with a receptacle provided for in Item (iii); and”;

(b) by replacing Item (g) by the following:

“(g) all receptacles of CSA configuration 5-15R and 5-20R shall be tamper-resistant receptacles and shall be so marked.”;

(5) by inserting “ground floor” before “single dwelling” in Item(a) of Rule 26-714;

(6) in Rule 26-722:

(a) by adding “and” at the end of Item (e);

(b) by replacing “; and” at the end of Item (f) by “.”;

(7) by replacing Rule 26-724(g) by the following:

“(g) Notwithstanding Item (f), the entire branch circuit shall not be provided with arc-fault protection where

i. an outlet branch-circuit-type arc-fault circuit interrupter is installed at the first outlet on the branch circuit; and

ii. the wiring method for the portion of the branch circuit between the branch circuit overcurrent device and the first outlet consists of metal raceway or an armoured cable;

(h) notwithstanding Rule 8-304, the number of outlets installed on a branch circuit provided with arc-fault protection shall not exceed 10.”;

(10) in Section 28:

(1) by adding the following Subrule at the end of Rule 28-204:

“(5) Where a feeder supplies electric equipment, such as a splitter, motor control centre, switchgear or switchboard, it is permitted that the overcurrent protection that supplies the feeder be determined according to the value of the rating of the circuit, provided that it does not exceed the value of the rating indicated on that equipment, unless Rule 14-104 authorizes it.”;

(2) by replacing Items (a), (b) and (c) of Rule 28-604(4) by the following:

“(a) it is capable of safely making and interrupting the locked rotor current of the connected load; and

(b) it is capable of being locked in the open position.”;

(11) in Section 30:

(1) by replacing Rule 30-308(4) by the following:

“(4) Each fluorescent luminaire installed in a branch circuit exceeding 150 volts-to-ground shall

(a) include a disconnecting means integrated into the luminaire, that cuts simultaneously all the circuit conductors between the branch circuit conductors and the ballast supply conductors; and

(b) bear a conspicuous, legible, and permanent marking adjacent to the disconnecting means, identifying the intended purpose.”;

(2) by replacing item (b) of Rule 30-320(3) by the following:

“(b) if the requirement of Item (a) cannot be complied with, be protected by a Class A ground fault circuit interrupter and be installed inside the room without being located within the perimeter of the bath or shower.”;

(3) by striking out Rules 30-500 to 30-510.

(12) in Section 32:

(1) by replacing the title of Section 32 by the following:

“Fire pumps”;

(2) by replacing Rule 32-000(1) by the following:

“(1) This Section applies to the installation of fire pumps required by Chapter I Building of the Construction Code (chapter B-1.1, r. 2).”;

(3) by striking out Rules 32-100 to 32-110;

(4) by replacing Rule 32-206 by the following:

“32-206 Disconnecting means and overcurrent protection (see Appendices B and G)

(1) It shall be permitted to install immediately downstream of the service box the disconnecting means and associated overcurrent protection device permitted in Chapter I Building of the Construction Code (chapter B-1.1, r. 2) and capable of interrupting the circuit of the fire pump.

(2) It shall be permitted to install downstream of the service box of the normal supply circuit, regardless of the presence or not of the disconnecting means referred to in Subrule (1), an unfused switch lockable in the OFF position and labelled in a conspicuous, legible, and permanent manner, identifying it as the fire pump disconnecting means.

(3) The unfused switch referred to in Subrule (2) shall

(a) be capable of safely making and interrupting the locked rotor current of the connected load;

(b) comply with the requirements of the supply authority;

(c) bear a marking indicating the need to maintain it at all times in the ON position to ensure functionality of the fire pump; and

(d) be equipped with at least one of the activation supervision devices permitted under Chapter I Building of the Construction Code (chapter B-1.1, r. 2), to signal the provisional deactivation of the fire pump.”.

(13) by striking out Section 38 — Elevators, dumbwaiters, material lifts, escalators, moving walks, lifts for persons with physical disabilities, and similar equipment;

(14) in Section 44, by striking out Rule 44-100;

(15) in Section 46:

(1) by striking out Rule 46-102(2);

(2) by adding the following Subrule to Rule 46-108:

“(6) Notwithstanding Subrules (4) and (5), it shall be permitted to provide power to new life safety system loads, provided that they are

(a) located in the same building and supplied from a panelboard put into place before 1 March 2011 in that same building; or

(b) supplied from a new panelboard, located in a new part of the building, provided that the panelboard is supplied by a single feeder from a panelboard put into place before 1 March 2011.”;

(3) by replacing Rule 46-202(3) by the following:

“(3) Where a generator is used, it shall be

(a) of sufficient capacity to carry the load; and

(b) arranged to start automatically without failure and without undue delay upon the failure of the normal power supply to any transfer switch connected to the generator.”;

(4) by striking out Rule 46-204;

(16) by striking out Section 54 — Community antenna distribution and radio and televisions installations;

(17) by striking out Section 58 — Passenger ropeways and similar equipment;

(18) in Section 60:

(1) by striking out Rule 60-108;

(2) by striking out Rules 60-500 to 60-510;

(3) by striking out Rules 60-600 to 60-604;

(19) in Section 62:

(1) by inserting the following definition in Rule 62-104 in alphabetical order:

“Wire mesh heating system — any heating system that uses concrete-embedded wire mesh as a heating element.”;

(2) by striking out Rule 62-108(4);

(3) by inserting “Except for branch circuits supplying water heaters, ” at the beginning of Rule 62-114(7);

(4) by adding the following heading and Rules at the end of Section 62:

“Wire mesh heating systems

62-500 Wire mesh heating systems

Rules 62-502 to 62-506 apply to the supply and connection of wire mesh embedded in a concrete slab or concrete wall for heating, from the point of emergence of the wire mesh at the slab level. However, those rules do not apply to the wire mesh or to the part of busbars embedded in concrete.

62-502 Use

(1) Connection of wire mesh to the electrical supply if the wire mesh is installed in shower rooms, in or around swimming pools or in other locations involving similar hazards, is prohibited.

(2) If a wire mesh heating system produces electrical currents in metallic parts other than the mesh, the mesh shall be supplied only if the currents have been eliminated.

62-504 Other conductors and outlets in a heated slab

(1) Any other conductor shall be located at least 50 mm from the wire mesh and busbars and shall be considered to operate at an ambient temperature of 40 °C.

(2) Any outlet to which a lighting fixture or other heat-producing equipment is likely to be connected shall be located at least 200 mm from the wire mesh.

62-506 Transformers for wire mesh heating systems

(1) Transformers supplying wire mesh heating systems shall have a grounded electrostatic shield between the primary and secondary windings.

(2) The secondary voltage of a transformer supplying a wire mesh heating system shall not exceed 30 V measured on the secondary side of a single-phase transformer or between 2 phases on the secondary side of a three-phase transformer.

(3) The conductors connected to the secondary side of a transformer supplying a wire mesh heating system do not require overcurrent protection.”;

(20) by striking out Section 64 — Renewable energy systems;

(21) in Section 66:

(1) by replacing Rule 66-000(2) and (3) by the following:

“(2) The requirements of this Section supplement or amend the general requirements of this Code.”;

(2) by adding the following heading and Rules at the end of Section 66:

“Itinerant rides

66-600 Bonding

Notwithstanding Rules 66-200 and 66-202, an itinerant ride shall be permitted to be bonded to ground by one of the following means:

(a) a loop-shaped copper conductor at least equal in size to that specified in Table 16 A, but not less than No. 6 AWG, installed so as to form a loop around the ride or around the group of rides connected to the supply system of those rides; the ends of the loop shall be connected to a copper busbar whose terminals are connected to the grounded neutral conductor of the supply system. The non-current-carrying metal parts of the supply system and of the rides connected to the system shall be connected to the loop-shaped conductor by means of a copper conductor at least equal in size to that specified in Table 16 A, but not less than No. 6 AWG; or

(b) an insulated copper conductor, attached to the supply cable, at least equal in size to that specified in Table 16 A, but not less than No. 6 AWG.

66-602 Splitter

An itinerant ride shall be permitted to be connected to the supply system by means of a movable splitter provided that the splitter is waterproof and dustproof and is raised at least 25 mm from the surface on which it is installed.

66-604 Bare live parts

The cover of a box containing live parts shall be screwed shut or key-locked. Failing that, the box shall be inaccessible to the public.

66-606 Supply

A receptacle used to supply an amusement ride shall be of the locking type or the equivalent. In addition, a receptacle that does not ensure the simultaneous disconnecting of all conductors shall be inaccessible to the public.”;

(3) by replacing Rule 68-304 by the following:

“68-304 Control

The electric controls of a hydromassage bathtub shall

(a) be located in the room where the bathtub is; and

(b) unless the controls are an integral part of an approved factory-built hydromassage bathtub, be equipped with an on-off switch located behind a barrier or not less than 1 m horizontally from the wall of the bathtub.”;

(22) in Section 72, by adding the following Subrules at the end of Rule 72-110:

“(5) Each recreational vehicle lot equipped with sewers shall be provided with at least one receptacle of each type described in Subrule (1)(a) or (b) and (1)(c).

(6) Each recreational vehicle lot equipped with only one water outlet shall be provided with one receptacle of the type described in Subrule (1)(a) or (b).”;

(23) in Section 76:

(1) in Rule 76-014 by replacing “except by special permission” by “unless an appropriate warning is displayed at all the points of interconnection or other dangerous areas”;

(2) in Rule 76-016 by replacing “having CSA configuration 5-15R or 5-20R” by “of 15 A and 20 A to 125 V”;

(24) in Section 86 by inserting the following Rule after Rule 86-200:

“86-202 Branch circuits for single dwellings

(1) For each new single dwelling equipped with a garage, a carport or a parking area, a conduit or cable shall be installed in anticipation of a separate branch circuit dedicated to supply electric vehicle supply equipment, in accordance with Section 12.

(2) The installation provided for in Subrule (1) shall be capable of supplying a circuit of a minimum capacity of 40 A.

(3) The installation provided for in Subrule (1) shall come from a panelboard and end in an outlet box approved for the location and intended to receive a receptacle conforming to CSA configuration 6-50R, 14-50R, L6-50R or L14-50R, located in the garage, in the carport or near the parking area of the single dwelling.”;

(25) in Table 1, by replacing the allowable ampacities in the first three rows and in columns 2 (60 °C), 3 (75 °C) and 4 (90 °C) by the following:

“ 20	20	20
25	25	25
40	40	40  ”;

(26) in Table 2, by replacing the allowable ampacities in the first three rows and in columns 2 (60 °C), 3 (75 °C) and 4 (90 °C) by the following:

“ 15	15	15
20	20	20
30	30	30  ”;

(27) in Table 3, by replacing the allowable ampacities in the first three rows and in columns 2 (60 °C), 3 (75 °C) and 4 (90 °C) by the following:

“ 20	20	20
30	30	30
45	45	45 ”;

(28) in Table 4, by replacing the allowable ampacities in the first three rows and in columns 2 (60 °C), 3 (75 °C) and 4 (90 °C) by the following:

“ 15	15	15
25	25	25
30	30	30 ”;

(29) by striking out Table 68;

(30) by adding the following after Table 68:

“Table 69

Minimum size of each neutral conductor for underground consumer’s services of more than 600 A supplied by conductors in parallel
[See Rule 4-024 (5).]

Rating of the service box A	Size of each copper neutral conductor, AWG	Size of each aluminium neutral conductor, AWG
601 to 1,200	0	000
1,201 to 2,000	00	0000
2,001 and more	000	250 kcmil
		”;

(31) in Appendix B:

(1) in Section 0, by inserting the following Note in alphabetical order:

“Electrical installation

From the definition of “electrical installation”, it is understood that installations, from the connecting point where the supply authority supplies the customer or from any other supply, to the connection point where the equipment receives its power to function, are electrical installations as defined in the Code. “Electrical installation” therefore means the infrastructure used to direct the electrical current to equipment requiring the current to function (appliance, equipment, specialized system) but not such equipment. The following systems in particular are not electrical installations as defined in the Code: intercommunication systems, public address systems, synchronized clock systems, visual, sound, or voice signalling systems, telephony systems, their interconnection to the telephone network, closed circuit television systems, access cards, community antennae, instrumentation and regulation systems related to heating, air conditioning, air venting and industrial processes, burglar alarm systems, fire alarm systems, and the metering equipment of the supply authority.

”;

(2) in Section 2, by striking out the Note concerning Rule 2-026;

(3) in Section 2, by replacing the Note to Rule 2-324 by the following:

“Rule 2-324

Flowmeters are not considered to be devices equipped with a vent or relief discharge for combustible gas.

The prescribed distances are measured from the combustible gas relief device and not from the appliance. An appliance may be located near arc-producing equipment provided that an airtight conduit conveys the exhaust gas beyond the prescribed distances.”;

(4) in Section 2, by adding the following Note after the Note to Rule 2-400:

“Rule 2-500

The intent of this Rule is to limit as much as possible the mixing of circuits of one building with those of another so as to ensure the safety of occupants, particularly in cases of emergency or maintenance work.”;

(5) in Section 4, by striking out the Note to Rule 4-006;

(6) in Section 4, by striking out the Note to Rule 4-006(4) and (5);

(7) in Section 6, by replacing “that does not exceed 200 A and 750 V, and whose supply service span length is 30 m or less,” in the Note to Rule 6-112(4) by “that does not exceed 750 V”;

(8) in Section 6, by inserting the following after the Note to Rule 6-206(2):

“Rule 6-300(1)(b)(ii)(B)

The joints and splices should be installed

(a) in a junction box adequately protected from mechanical damage, located at least 1 m above the ground and attached to a building or post; or

(b) with devices or material specifically approved to make underground joints and splices.

The compatibility of the conductors’ material with the material of the devices used to make the joints and splices should be ensured.

Special care should be given to the location of those joints and splices to limit as much as possible the length of the shortest conductors. All the precautions necessary should also be taken regarding a possible movement of the soil (in particular frost), as specified in Rule 12-012(12).

“Rule 6-310(c)

See the Note to Rule 6-300(1)(b)(ii)(B).”;

(9) in Section 8, by striking out the Note to Rule 8-002;

(10) in Section 8, by striking out the Note to Rule 8-102(3);

(11) in Section 8, by striking out the Note to Rule 8-106(10);

(12) in Section 10, by replacing the Note to Rule 10-802 by the following:

“Rule 10-802

Although copper is the most common material used to manufacture grounding conductors, other materials may also be used, such as aluminium, copper-clad steel, steel-clad copper, or steel-clad aluminium. For that purpose, copper-clad aluminium is not accepted. Where materials other than copper are used, precautions should be taken, both at the terminations and all along the route as well. Most of the grounding electrical equipment available on the market is compatible with copper only. Different solutions exist to make the materials compatible with the terminations. Thermit-welding or approved adaptors are used the most.

Even if adaptors are used at the terminations to ensure longevity, documentation confirming the suitability of the material may be required, especially if there is a risk that the conductor made from a material other than copper could come into contact with dissimilar metals along its route. Subrule (2), as well as Rules 2-112 and 10-602, require that consideration be given to materials subject to galvanic action or corrosion. For instance, copper conductors in contact with aluminium are subject to galvanic action. Building covering materials and aluminium conductors in contact with masonry or earth are also subject to corrosion. Precautions should be taken at all times to ensure that deterioration from corrosion or galvanic action will be avoided all along the route. The durability of the grounding, which is essential, must be ensured at all times.”;

(13) in Section 12, by inserting the following after the Note to Rule 12-108:

“Rule 12-108(2)(b)

See the Note to Rule 6-300(1)(b)(ii) (B).”;

(14) in Section 26, by striking out the Note to Rules 26-700(13) and 26-712(h);

(15) in Section 26, by inserting the following after the Note to Rule 26-704:

“Rule 26-710(e)(iv)

It is understood from the expression “unfinished” that even after the installation of the wall covering (gypsum, etc.), it may be impossible to find the appropriate location for the installation of the receptacles required by Rule 26-712(a) if partitions and usable wall space have not yet been delimited. A basement is not considered to be a “finished basement” if the foundation walls are finished but the ceiling is not finished or is partly finished. However, the installation of a duplex receptacle required under Rule 26-710(e)(iv) does not remove the requirement to install the receptacles for specific use already required by other rules of the Code.”;

(16) in Section 26, by striking out the Note to Rule 26-710(o);

(17) in Section 26, by striking out the Note to Items (iv) and (v) of Item (d) of Rule 26-712;

(18) in Section 26, by striking out the Note to Rule 26-712(d)(v);

(19) in Section 32, by replacing the Note to Rule 32-200 by the following:

“Rule 32-200

The intent of this Rule is to select the size of the conductors so as not to compromise the integrity of their insulation when they are subject to a fault current (see Rule 32-206 and the associated Note in Appendix B).

The intent of this Rule is also to protect the feeder conductors between a fire pump and an emergency power source from fire damage.

Chapter I Building of the Construction Code (chapter B-1.1, r. 2) requires that conductors supplying life and fire safety equipment be protected against exposure to fire to ensure continued operation of this equipment for a period not less than 1 hour.

NFPA 20 also mandates protection of circuits feeding fire pumps against damage by fire.

Specific requirements pertaining to the fire resistance rating of a material or an assembly of materials can be found in Article 3.2.7.10 of Chapter I Building of the Construction Code (chapter B-1.1, r. 2) or in the appropriate municipal legislation.”;

(20) in Section 32, by replacing the Note to Rule 32-206 by the following:

“Rule 32-206

Through the requirements of Chapter I Building of the Construction Code (chapter B-1.1, r. 2) related to the installation of fire pumps (NFPA 20), the intent of this Rule is to allow only a circuit breaker lockable in the closed position and identified as the fire pump disconnecting means to be installed upstream from the fire pump controller in a normal power supply circuit, or upstream from the fire pump transfer switch in an emergency power supply circuit. In Québec, as in the Canadian Electrical Code, it is permitted that the disconnecting means capable of interrupting the circuit of the fire pump, where applicable, be installed immediately downstream of the service box (or equivalent), and not only upstream.

This Rule requires that a fire pump overcurrent protection device be set to enable uninterrupted operation under fire pump starting conditions. Such overcurrent protection devices are installed upstream from a fire pump controller or upstream from a fire pump transfer switch, and have that capability whether they form part of the normal power supply circuit or the emergency power supply circuit.

A typical locked rotor current for a fire pump is at least 500% of the full load current and fire pump suppliers should be consulted to determine the specific locked rotor current for the fire pump selected for a specific application. The setting of the overcurrent protection of the circuit breaker in a normal power supply circuit should be able to carry the locked rotor current of the fire pump indefinitely. The setting of the overcurrent protection of the circuit breaker in an emergency power supply circuit (generator) should be coordinated with the integral overcurrent protection of the fire pump controller or the transfer switch in such a manner that the upstream overcurrent protection devices do not disconnect the circuit prior to the operation of the fire pump controller or transfer switch overcurrent protection.

Chapter I Building of the Construction Code (chapter B-1.1, r. 2), through NFPA 20, allows the bypass of the main protection of the generator by a direct connection between the emergency power supply circuit and the fire pump transfer switch. That relaxation eliminates the requirements of coordination between the main protection of the generator and the protection of the fire pump circuit, as required by Rule 46-208(1).

It should also be noted that Chapter I Building of the Construction Code (chapter B-1.1, r. 2), through NFPA 20, requires that the fire pump controller or transfer switch protection have an instantaneous trip setting of not more than 20 times the full load current. NFPA 20 also requires that the fire pump controller or transfer switch protection carry a minimum of 300% of the fire pump full load current during 8 to 20 seconds.

Lastly, Subrule (2) allows the installation downstream of the service box (or equivalent) of the normal supply circuit, regardless of the presence or not of a disconnecting means referred to in Subrule (1), of an unfused switch between the service box (or equivalent) of the normal power supply circuit and a fire pump transfer switch or controller.

The activation supervision devices allowed under Chapter I Building of the Construction Code (chapter B-1.1, r. 2) (to signal the temporary deactivation of the fire pump) and referred to in Subrule (3)(d) are found in Article 9.2.3.3 of the 2010 edition of NFPA 20.”;

(21) in Section 62, by striking out the Note to Rule 62-108(4);

(32) by striking out Appendix L — Engineering guidelines for determining hazardous area classifications.

O.C. 961-2002, s. 5; 722-2018O.C. 722-2018, s. 11.

2023-01-01 Show full text at this date