Electrical Commission

1 APPROVED 2 MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE ELECTRICAL COMMISSION 3 VILLAGE OF NORTHBROOK 4 COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS 5 February 28, 2013 6 7 8 Commissioners Present (3) 9 Richard A. Jamerson, Chairperson 10 Robert Boiko 11 Bernard Petchenik 12 13 Ex Officio Commissioners Present (3) 14 Kevin Frangiamore, Director, Fire Prevention Bureau, Village of Northbrook 15 Mark Nolan, Fire Chief, Village of Northbrook 16 Tom Poupard, Director, Development and Planning Services, Village of Northbrook 17 18 Commissioner Absent (1) 19 Dennis Lauer 20 21 Other Village Staff Present 22 Jamie Clar, Electrical Inspector 23 Corey Friedman, Electrical/Mechanical Inspector and Electrical Commission Staff Liaison 24 Nick Desario, Assistant Director, Development and Planning Services, Village of Northbrook 25 Gale Cerabona, Recorder 26 27 Additional Attendees 28 Jerrold Frumm, Executive Vice President, Senior Lifestyle Corporation 29 Robert Gawronski, Vice President of Development & Acquisitions, Senior Lifestyle Corporation 30 Tom Herman, Senior Superintendent, Skender Construction 31 Steven Sussholz, Project Architect & Planner, SAS Architects 32 Blake MacGregor, Project Engineer, Skender Construction 33 Chris Tapas, Senior MEP Project Manager, Skender Construction 34 Joe Pecoraro, Senior Project Manager, Skender Construction 35 Jim Moran, Vice President, Moran Electrical Contracting 36 Stan Szydlowski; Director, Electrical Engineering; Klaucens & Associates 37 Andrew Qunell, President, VRQ LLC 38 39 1. Call to Order 40 Chairperson Jamerson called the meeting to order in the Terrace Room of Village Hall, 1225 Cedar Lane, 41 at 5:06 p.m. A quorum was present. 42 43 2. Review of Minutes 44 Fire Chief Nolan moved, seconded by Commissioner Petchenik, to approve the minutes of the January 45 31, 2013, Electrical Commission meeting with corrections (line 38 should state unsecured cable rather 46 than MC Cable; also correct city in TN is Memphis). On a voice vote, the motion unanimously carried. 47 48 3. Public Comments  Page 2 Minutes of the February 28, 2013 Electrical Commission Meeting 1 There were no comments from the public. 2 4. Using Stabiloy Cable 3 Commissioner Boiko commented that Inspector Friedman brought up a good point by installing Stabiloy. 4 It makes sense that RioTinto would have aluminum wire in the code (as it is based in Canada). He 5 experimented and displayed pipes that were placed in water for over one year illustrating the 6 difference. He asked if a representative from Klaucens is present. Stan Szydlowski stated he is. 7 8 Commissioner Boiko agreed insurance premiums may increase for the building and entire Village. He 9 noted Stabiloy did not create the patents. The original patent (#4,028,141) created by Southwire 10 Company on 6/7/77 states that the aluminum alloy, copper, having an electrical conductivity of at least 11 61% IACS is not designed for good terminals. The right (subsequent) patent (#4,080,222) from Southwire 12 on 3/21/78 states that the minimum conductivity should be at least 58% IACS – so there is a 13 contradiction. Further, a government agency/chemical safety board wrote a report in 2011. The hazard 14 board stated that inherently safer designs be utilized – an approach to design in process development. 15 16 Commissioner Boiko referenced the Klaucens’ letter, dated 1/29/13, recommending thermal scans. He 17 said it is positive, and everything is covered. Alcan states there has never been a problem, and it is safe. 18 Commissioner Boiko proceeded to share two cases from the U.S. Supreme Court where investigations 19 were conducted due to aluminum wire fires: 20  One case states that after replaceing old Aluminum wire with the newer version, there were still 21 several additional fires. After three fires, claims were paid however Safeco investigated the 22 third fire and deduced that it could have erupted from an improper torque, thermal shrinkage of 23 conductor, etc. 24  Another case relieved the landlord from being liable. Commissioner Boiko suggested – who then 25 shall be responsible? 26 27 Commissioner Boiko concluded that the savings for actual aluminum wire (1,000 circular mills) is not 28 worth the inherent risk. Aluminum wire is intrinsically more dangerous. 29 30 Chairperson Jamerson asked Mr. Frumm if the units are rental apartments. Mr. Frumm replied yes. 31 Chairperson Jamerson shared that voltage drop is cumulative. At the end of the furthest copper point, it 32 is over 5%. As the conductors are being upsized, there isn’t a whole lot of difference. The size into the 33 conduit was wrong; thermal scans were performed for a number of years. The Village is not in a position 34 to make that happen. Inspector Friedman inquired as to what the Village does if the owner doesn’t have 35 the funds. 36 37 Commissioner Petchenik commented: 38  What is the code? Inspector Friedman replied 5% across the feeder and 3% for a typical ranch. 39  A ground wire is not being used. Inspector Friedman stated the Village is still using conduit. 40 41 Commissioner Petchenik advised that Stabiloy can use the same conduit as it is compressed (indicating 42 he’s always used compression). Chairperson Jamerson reported that most are circuit breaker to circuit 43 breaker. Commissioner Petchenik asked if the tap box is custom made. Mr. Moran replied yes. 44 45 Mr. Moran inquired about the patent. Commissioner Boiko stated the 61% IACS patent is not preferred 46 (and doesn’t appear to be for termination use). The 58% IACS patent (for termination use) is preferred.  Page 3 Minutes of the February 28, 2013 Electrical Commission Meeting 1 Compounds from Stabiloy are not accurate. The original research from Southwire is different. 2 Chairperson Jamerson clarified there are two different patents with two different chemical make ups. 3 One is more resistant to high temperature. 4 5 Mr. Qunell reminded that Southwire is an old patent and Stabiloy is using an aluminum iron alloy. This 6 aluminum is not represented in the original patent. 7 8 Mr. Tapas stated that there is something added to Stabiloy’s product to eliminate such problems. A code 9 is the guide if Commissioners deem it worthy to use. We have an expert electrician where: 10  Feeders would be sized properly 11  The correct compound would minimize corrosions 12  There would be proper terminations 13 14 Inspector Friedman mentioned that UL had a product that was installed in numerous locations. A 15 settlement (from a class-action suit) was reached as the manufacturer built it incorrectly. 16 17 Chairperson Jamerson inquired to Mr. Moran as to training procedures from the manufacturer. Mr. 18 Moran replied he employs 18 workers who were trained by the manufacturer. Chairperson Jamerson 19 suggested that after the job is done, tenants may overload the circuits. The Village has no mechanism to 20 request a thermal scan from the owner. The terminations must stay tight so a fire doesn’t ensue. This 21 procedure doesn’t need to be done with copper conductors. Mr. Qunell suggested the terminations be 22 checked after the warranty period. Another audience member recommended compression fittings on 23 each termination. 24 25 Chairperson Jamerson shared that he is trying to avoid a catastrophic incident. Copper doesn’t expand 26 and contract as much as aluminum does. Commissioner Boiko confirmed that copper expands and 27 contracts 1/3 less than aluminum. Tightening errors are not as likely to occur with copper. 28 29 Mr. Moran stated that if compression fittings are applied to every termination, the difference in cost 30 from aluminum to copper is huge. Chairperson Jamerson advised there may be spacing issues on the 31 conductors; this would be noticed when it’s too late. The manufacturer is advising a thermal scan after 32 2-3 years. It is unknown as to how to make that happen. 33 34 Inspector Clar advised that a perfect installation can still fail. Plus a pin may not work. 90% of burned-up 35 panels (Stabiloy) are aluminum. It would be a real undertaking to police thermal scans with any resident. 36 37 Fire Chief Nolan reminded that a thorough code review was conducted one year ago, and old 38 amendments were adopted. 39 40 Mr. Frumm shared that a lot of time has been taken and the experts should know what needs to be 41 done. Senior Lifestyle Corporation would conduct the scans but he cannot speak for a future owner. The 42 #1 factor is resident safety. 43 44 Commissioner Petchenik stated this is only part of the discussion. Chairperson Jamerson concluded that 45 the concerns are due to the Village not having a method to police this matter. Mr. Frumm reminded he 46 is happy to be a long-term resident of Northbrook. 47  Page 4 Minutes of the February 28, 2013 Electrical Commission Meeting 1 Fire Chief Nolan moved, seconded by Commissioner Petchenik, to approve the Stabiloy wire cable as 2 presented. 3 4 On a roll call vote 5 Yea: Commissioner Petchenik 6 Nay: Chairperson Jamerson, Commissioner Boiko, Fire Chief Nolan 7 8 It was stated that the motion failed 1-3. 9 10 At 6:18 p.m., a 10-minute break was taken. At 6:32 p.m. the meeting reconvened. 11 12 5. Using MC Cable for Feeders and Branch Wiring 13 Chairperson Jamerson advised there are three components: 14  PVC-coated MC Cable 15  Regular circuit-size MC Cable 16  Feeder below 2 amps 17 18 Chairperson Jamerson advised this would be the first installation of the PVC-coated MC Cable (via the 19 manufacturer) in this area, and he is not comfortable being the beta test site. Also as it’s contained in a 20 slab, if a conductor fails, it could be detrimental. 21 22 Commissioner Boiko moved, seconded by Commissioner Petchenik, to approve the use of PVC-coated 23 MC Cable wire cable in the slab as presented. 24 25 On a roll call vote 26 Yea: None 27 Nay: Chairperson Jamerson, Commissioners Boiko & Petchenik, & Fire Chief Nolan 28 29 It was stated that the motion failed 0-4. 30 31 Chairperson Jamerson referenced the multi-circuit conduit in the public areas (as described in the letter 32 dated 2/19/13 from Moran Electrical i.e.): 33  Conduit shall be run when surface-mounted (ex. Storage room and stairwells) 34  Multi-circuit home runs shall be in conduit 35  Emergency multi-circuit home runs shall be run in conduit 36  Electrical closets will have exposed MC when used as sub feeds 37  MC Cable shall be used for one and two-circuit feeds to various devices (ex. Receptacles, 38 switches, and fixtures) 39  MC Cable shall be used for one and two-circuit feeds to various emergency devices (ex. 40 Receptacles, switches, fixtures, and exit signs) 41 42 Mr. Moran displayed a drawing and explained the process. Fire Chief Nolan asked if tracks for drywall 43 will be mounted to the ceiling and inquired as to how drop ceilings are mounted. Mr. Moran replied that 44 in a drop ceiling, the conduit is installed just as in drywall. Chairperson Jamerson described a grid 45 placement. Inspector Friedman referenced under “Supporting for MC Cable” (330.30 on page 194) to 46 determine whether it’s okay to lay a strap on. Fire Chief Nolan stated if conduit or something is loose  Page 5 Minutes of the February 28, 2013 Electrical Commission Meeting 1 when pulled, the concern is that the grid be properly mounted initially. Mr. Moran confirmed that the 2 grid would be secure. 3 4 Commissioner Petchenik inquired about secure low voltage wiring. Mr. Qunell confirmed it is secure. 5 Others shared that for every 4 ft., low voltage is secured. The grids are 4x2. Mr. Pecoraro stated that 6 only the first 2 floors of the building are drywall ceilings. 7 8 Chairperson Jamerson inquired about MC-Quik cable. Mr. Moran defined it as a continuous aluminum 9 strand. Chairperson Jamerson and Commission Petchenik reminded that a neutral wire is required 10 intermittently. 11 12 Commissioner Boiko shared an IBEW experiment where a building using conduit was built faster; 13 conduit can be modified. He revealed that he is not against MC, but he will be voting no. Commissioner 14 Boiko urged all to purchase the book “The Half-Life of Facts”. 15 16 Mr. Qunell shared that the new nurse-call systems are wireless. 17 18 Commissioner Boiko urged Mr. Moran to think through the use of MC Cable very thoroughly. 19 20 Commissioner Petchenik moved, seconded by Fire Chief Nolan, to approve the use of MC Cable as 21 presented. Chairperson Jamerson amended that certain forthcoming conditions will be determined by 22 electrical commissioners. Commissioner Petchenik and Fire Chief Nolan accepted the amendment. 23 24 On a roll call vote 25 Yea: Chairperson Jamerson Commissioner Petchenik, Fire Chief Nolan 26 Nay: Commissioner Boiko 27 28 It was stated that the motion passed 3-1. 29 30 Fire Chief Nolan suggested that Inspector Friedman work with Mr. Moran in advance. 31 32 Audience members departed at 7:15 p.m. 33 34 Chairperson Jamerson advised that MC Cable is here to stay but important issues have to be controlled. 35 36 6. Inspector Report – Installation and Challenges 37 Inspector Friedman distributed a Photo Bulletin of Electrical & Other Code Violations, Defects and 38 Hazards report. Violations and hazards were identified and discussed. Commissioner Petchenik asked if 39 certain workers (performing substandard work) can be banned. Director Poupard responded that 40 individuals can be revoked. Inspector Friedman reminded that no HVAC contractors are licensed. 41 Commissioner Boiko suggested talking to the Architectural Control Commission so that they may allow 42 inspectors to enforce penalties. Inspector Friedman responded that fines are enforced. 43 44 7. New Business 45 There was no new business. 46 47 8. Old Business  Page 6 Minutes of the February 28, 2013 Electrical Commission Meeting 1 There was no old business. 2 9. Adjournment 3 There being no further business, Commissioner Boiko moved, seconded by Commissioner Petchenik, to 4 adjourn the meeting. On a voice vote, the motion unanimously carried. Chairperson Jamerson 5 adjourned the meeting at 7:31 p.m. 6 7 Respectfully submitted, 8 9 10 Gale Cerabona 11 Recorder