WSR 97-21-071

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

LABOR AND INDUSTRIES

[Filed October 15, 1997, 3:43 p.m.]

Original Notice.

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 97-16-119 on August 6, 1997.

Title of Rule: High voltage electrical, chapter 296-44 WAC.

Purpose: Chapter 296-44 WAC, Safety standards--Electrical construction code, the Department of Labor and Industries and a subcommittee of the Electrical Utilities Safety Advisory Committee (EUSAC) have been working together to review the high voltage electrical safety and health standards.

One of the standards reviewed was chapter 296-44 WAC, Safety standards--Electrical construction code. The chapter's existing content restates the requirements of the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) ANSI C.2 relating to the specifications for clearances, dimensions, voltages, and other conditions necessary in the construction and maintenance of high voltage electrical facilities. Whenever the National Electrical Safety Code changes, chapter 296-44 WAC must also be updated which requires a lengthy legal promulgation process as required by the Administrative Procedure Act, chapter 34.05 RCW. As a result, the standard has not kept current with the NESC.

Because chapter 296-44 WAC's purpose is merely to restate the National Electrical Safety Code, the EUSAC and the department agreed that NESC ANSI C.2 should be "referenced" in chapter 296-45 WAC, Safety Standards--Electrical workers. This amendment (which will be proposed in a separate filing package) will not change the applicability of NESC ANSI C.2 to the high voltage electrical industry, but will eliminate the need for chapter 296-44 WAC, and the need to update the standard each time the National Electrical Safety Code is updated.

Therefore, the department is proposing to repeal chapter 296-44 WAC in its entirety. The following sections are proposed to be repealed: WAC 296-44-005 Preface, 296-44-010 Definitions of special terms, 296-44-011 Definitions of special terms applicable to this chapter, 296-44-013 Purpose and scope, 296-44-015 Lines constructed prior to these rules, 296-44-016 Applicability, 296-44-017 References, 296-44-023 Grounding methods for electric supply and communication facilities, 296-44-02301 Purpose, 296-44-02305 Scope, 296-44-02309 Point of connection of grounding conductor, 296-44-02315 Grounding conductor and means of connection, 296-44-02319 Grounding electrodes, 296-44-02323 Method of connection to electrode, 296-44-02329 Ground resistance, 296-44-02335 Separation of grounding conductors, 296-44-02349 Grounding methods for telephone and other communication apparatus on circuits exposed to supply lines or lightning, 296-44-025 Applicability of rules--Lines constructed prior to these rules, 296-44-035 Rules for the installation and maintenance of electric supply stations and equipment, 296-44-03505 Purpose, 296-44-03509 Scope, 296-44-041 Protective arrangements in electric supply stations, 296-44-04105 General requirements, 296-44-04109 Illumination, 296-44-04125 Floor, floor openings, passageways, stairs, 296-44-04129 Exits, 296-44-04135 Fire extinguishing equipment, 296-44-051 Installation and maintenance of equipment, 296-44-05105 General requirements, 296-44-05109 Inspections, 296-44-05115 Guarding shaft ends, pulleys, belts and suddenly moving parts, 296-44-05119 Protective grounding, 296-44-05125 Guarding live parts, 296-44-05129 Working space about electric equipment, 296-44-05131 Equipment for work on energized parts, 296-44-05135 Classified locations, 296-44-05141 Identification, 296-44-065 Rotating equipment, 296-44-06505 Speed control and stopping devices, 296-44-06511 Motor control, 296-44-06517 Mobile hydrogen equipment, 296-44-074 Storage batteries, 296-44-07405 General, 296-44-07411 Location, 296-44-07417 Ventilation, 296-44-07423 Racks, 296-44-07427 Floors in battery areas, 296-44-07433 Illumination for battery areas, 296-44-07439 Service facilities, 296-44-086 Transformers and regulators, 296-44-08605 Current-transformer secondary circuits protection when exceeding 600 volts, 296-44-08611 Grounding secondary circuits of instrument transformers, 296-44-08619 Location and arrangement of power transformers and regulators, 296-44-098 Conductors, 296-44-09805 Electrical protection, 296-44-09811 Mechanical protection, 296-44-09819 Isolation, 296-44-09826 Conductor terminations, 296-44-110 Circuit breakers, reclosers, switches and fuses, 296-44-11005 Arrangement, 296-44-11021 Application, 296-44-11029 Circuit breakers, reclosers and switches containing oil, 296-44-11035 Switches and disconnecting devices, 296-44-11041 Disconnection of fuses, 296-44-125 Switchgear and metal enclosed bus, 296-44-12505 Switchgear assemblies, 296-44-12515 Metal enclosed bus, 296-44-134 Surge arresters, 296-44-13405 General requirements, 296-44-13415 Indoor locations, 296-44-13421 Grounding conductors, 296-44-13431 Installation, 296-44-170 Safety rules for the installation and maintenance of overhead electric supply and communication lines, 296-44-17005 Purpose, 296-44-17017 Scope, 296-44-17029 Application of rules, 296-44-182 General requirements, 296-44-18205 Referenced sections, 296-44-18225 Induced voltages, 296-44-18239 Accessibility, 296-44-18250 Inspection and tests of lines and equipment, 296-44-18261 Grounding of circuits, supporting structures, and equipment, 296-44-18273 Arrangement of switches, 296-44-194 Relations between various classes of lines, 296-44-19405 Relative levels, 296-44-19421 Avoidance of conflict, 296-44-19433 Joint use of structures, 296-44-212 Clearances, 296-44-21209 General, 296-44-21221 Clearances of supporting structures from other objects, 296-44-21230 Vertical clearance of wires, conductors, cables, and live parts of equipment above ground, rails, or water, 296-44-21241 Clearances between wires, conductors, and cables carried on different supporting structures, 296-44-21253 Clearance of wires, conductors, and cables from buildings, bridges, rail cars, swimming pools, and other installations, 296-44-21265 Clearance for wires, conductors, or cables carried on the same supporting structure, 296-44-21273 Climbing space, 296-44-21279 Working space, 296-44-21287 Vertical clearance between certain communication and supply facilities located on the same structure, 296-44-21295 Clearances of vertical and lateral conductors from other wires and surfaces on the same support, 296-44-242 Grades of construction, 296-44-24205 General, 296-44-24213 Application of grades of construction to different situations, 296-44-24221 Grades of construction for conductors, 296-44-24233 Grades of construction for line supports, 296-44-263 Loading for Grades B, C, and D, 296-44-26309 General loading requirements and maps, 296-44-26321 Conductor loading, 296-44-26333 Loads upon line supports, 296-44-278 Strength requirements, 296-44-27809 Preliminary assumptions, 296-44-27821 Grades B and C construction, 296-44-27833 Grade D construction, 296-44-27847 Grade N construction, 296-44-29501 Line insulation, 296-44-29509 Application of rule, 296-44-29515 Material and marking, 296-44-29523 Ratio of flashover to puncture voltage, 296-44-29529 Insulation level, 296-44-29539 Factory tests, 296-44-29541 Special insulator applications, 296-44-29551 Protection against arcing and other damage, 296-44-29563 Mechanical strength of insulators, 296-44-29572 Aerial cable systems, 296-44-317 Miscellaneous requirements, 296-44-31709 Structures for overhead lines, 296-44-31719 Tree trimming, 296-44-31729 Guying and bracing, 296-44-31738 Insulators in guys attached to supporting structures, 296-44-31749 Span-wire insulators, 296-44-31757 Overhead conductors, 296-44-31765 Equipment on supporting structures, 296-44-31772 Communications protective requirements, 296-44-31783 Circuits of one class used exclusively in the operation of circuits of another class, 296-44-31792 Electric railway construction, 296-44-350 Safety rules for the installation and maintenance of underground electric-supply and communication lines, 296-44-35009 Purpose, 296-44-35021 Scope, 296-44-365 General requirements applying to underground lines, 296-44-36518 Installation and maintenance, 296-44-36527 Accessibility, 296-44-36539 Inspection and tests of lines and equipment, 296-44-36551 Grounding of circuits and equipment, 296-44-36563 Communication protective requirements, 296-44-36575 Induced voltage, 296-44-370 Strength requirements--Grade N construction, 296-44-386 Underground conduit systems, 296-44-38609 Location, 296-44-38628 Excavation and backfill, 296-44-38641 Ducts and joints, 296-44-38653 Manholes, handholes and vaults, 296-44-398 Supply cable, 296-44-39809 General, 296-44-39823 Sheaths and jackets, 296-44-39842 Shielding, 296-44-39855 Cable accessories and joints, 296-44-413 Cable in underground structures, 296-44-41309 General, 296-44-41321 Installation, 296-44-41333 Grounding and bonding, 296-44-41341 Fireproofing, 296-44-41359 Communication cables containing special supply circuits, 296-44-425 Direct buried cable, 296-44-42509 General, 296-44-42521 Location and routing, 296-44-42533 Clearances from other underground structures (sewers, water lines, fuel lines, building foundations, steam lines, other supply or communication conductors not in random separation, etc.), 296-44-42541 Installation, 296-44-42559 Random separation--Additional requirements, 296-44-440 Risers, 296-44-44009 General, 296-44-44021 Installation, 296-44-44033 Pole risers--Additional requirements, 296-44-44047 Pad-mounted installations, 296-44-452 Supply cable terminations, 296-44-45209 General, 296-44-45219 Support at terminations, 296-44-45231 Identification, 296-44-45243 Separations and clearances in enclosures or vaults, 296-44-45257 Grounding, 296-44-467 Equipment, 296-44-46709 General, 296-44-46733 Design, 296-44-46739 Location in underground structures, 296-44-46747 Installation, 296-44-46755 Grounding, 296-44-46761 Identification, 296-44-491 Installation in tunnels, 296-44-49109 General, 296-44-49121 Environment, 296-44-850 Pole lines that overbuild or underbuild existing pole lines, 296-44-855 High potential lines overbuilding telephone, telegraph, or signal wires, 296-44-860 Crossings over railroads, street railroads, telephone, telegraph, signal or other power lines--General requirements, 296-44-865 Crossings over railroads, street railroads, telephone, telegraph, signal or other power lines--Loads, 296-44-870 Crossings over railroads, street railroads, telephone, telegraph, signal or other power lines--Factors of safety, 296-44-875 Crossings over railroads, street railroads, telephone, telegraph, signal or other power lines--Working unit stresses, 296-44-880 Crossings over railroads, street railroads, telephone, telegraph, signal or other power lines--Clearance, 296-44-88001 Figure 1--Ground wire clearance, 296-44-88002 Figure 2--Basic wire crossing clearance, 296-44-88003 Figure 5--Clearances above ground for underground risers and horizontal clearance of poles from hydrants, curbs and railroads, 296-44-88004 Illustration--Working space, 296-44-88005 Figures 6.A - 9.A--Clearances, 296-44-88006 Figure--Climbing space, 296-44-88007 Illustration--Climbing space, 296-44-88008 Illustration--Climbing space, 296-44-88009 Illustration--Footnote 7 of Table 11--Climbing space, 296-44-88010 Figure 11.A--Minimum vertical separation between horizontal crossarms, and 296-44-88011 Illustration--Climbing space--Location and spacing of crossarms.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 49.17 RCW.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 49.17.040, [49.17].050, [49.17].060.

Summary: See Purpose above.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: See Purpose above.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Tracy Spencer, Tumwater, (360) 902-5530; Implementation and Enforcement: Michael A. Silverstein, Tumwater, (360) 902-5495.

Name of Proponent: Department of Labor and Industries, governmental.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: See Purpose above.

Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: See Purpose above. No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The department has considered whether the proposed rules are subject to the Regulatory Fairness Act and has determined that an SBEIS is not required because the proposal does not have the potential of placing an economic impact on business.

RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption. Significant rule-making criteria does not apply to these rule amendments because they meet the exempt criteria outlined in RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(iii) and (iv). Significant rule-making criteria does not apply when adopting federal statutes or regulations without material change, or when adopting rules to correct information that is housekeeping in nature (typographical errors, address/name changes, or clarification of rule language without changing its effect).

Hearing Location: Department of Labor and Industries Building, Auditorium, 7273 Linderson Way, Tumwater, WA, on December 3, 1997, at 9:30 a.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Linda Dausener by November 20, 1997, (360) 902-5516.

Submit Written Comments to: Tracy Spencer, Standards Manager, WISHA Services Division, P.O. Box 44620, Olympia, WA 98507-4620, by 5:00 p.m. on December 10, 1997. In addition to written comments, the department will accept comments submitted to FAX (360) 902-5529. Comments submitted by FAX must be ten pages or less.

Date of Intended Adoption: February 27, 1998.

October 15, 1997

Gary Moore

Director

REPEALER

The following chapter of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:

WAC 296-44-005 Preface.

WAC 296-44-010 Definitions of special terms.

WAC 296-44-011 Definitions of special terms applicable to this chapter.

WAC 296-44-013 Purpose and scope.

WAC 296-44-015 Lines constructed prior to these rules.

WAC 296-44-016 Applicability.

WAC 296-44-017 References.

WAC 296-44-023 Grounding methods for electric supply and communication facilities.

WAC 296-44-02301 Purpose.

WAC 296-44-02305 Scope.

WAC 296-44-02309 Point of connection of grounding conductor.

WAC 296-44-02315 Grounding conductor and means of connection.

WAC 296-44-02319 Grounding electrodes.

WAC 296-44-02323 Method of connection to electrode.

WAC 296-44-02329 Ground resistance.

WAC 296-44-02335 Separation of grounding conductors.

WAC 296-44-02349 Grounding methods for telephone and other communication apparatus on circuits exposed to supply lines or lightning.

WAC 296-44-025 Applicability of rules--Lines constructed prior to these rules.

WAC 296-44-035 Rules for the installation and maintenance of electric supply stations and equipment.

WAC 296-44-03505 Purpose.

WAC 296-44-03509 Scope.

WAC 296-44-041 Protective arrangements in electric supply stations.

WAC 296-44-04105 General requirements.

WAC 296-44-04109 Illumination.

WAC 296-44-04125 Floor, floor openings, passageways, stairs.

WAC 296-44-04129 Exits.

WAC 296-44-04135 Fire extinguishing equipment.

WAC 296-44-051 Installation and maintenance of equipment.

WAC 296-44-05105 General requirements.

WAC 296-44-05109 Inspections.

WAC 296-44-05115 Guarding shaft ends, pulleys, belts and suddenly moving parts.

WAC 296-44-05119 Protective grounding.

WAC 296-44-05125 Guarding live parts.

WAC 296-44-05129 Working space about electric equipment.

WAC 296-44-05131 Equipment for work on energized parts.

WAC 296-44-05135 Classified locations.

WAC 296-44-05141 Identification.

WAC 296-44-065 Rotating equipment.

WAC 296-44-06505 Speed control and stopping devices.

WAC 296-44-06511 Motor control.

WAC 296-44-06517 Mobile hydrogen equipment.

WAC 296-44-074 Storage batteries.

WAC 296-44-07405 General.

WAC 296-44-07411 Location.

WAC 296-44-07417 Ventilation.

WAC 296-44-07423 Racks.

WAC 296-44-07427 Floors in battery areas.

WAC 296-44-07433 Illumination for battery areas.

WAC 296-44-07439 Service facilities.

WAC 296-44-086 Transformers and regulators.

WAC 296-44-08605 Current-transformer secondary circuits protection when exceeding 600 volts.

WAC 296-44-08611 Grounding secondary circuits of instrument transformers.

WAC 296-44-08619 Location and arrangement of power transformers and regulators.

WAC 296-44-098 Conductors.

WAC 296-44-09805 Electrical protection.

WAC 296-44-09811 Mechanical protection.

WAC 296-44-09819 Isolation.

WAC 296-44-09826 Conductor terminations.

WAC 296-44-110 Circuit breakers, reclosers, switches and fuses.

WAC 296-44-11005 Arrangement.

WAC 296-44-11021 Application.

WAC 296-44-11029 Circuit breakers, reclosers and switches containing oil.

WAC 296-44-11035 Switches and disconnecting devices.

WAC 296-44-11041 Disconnection of fuses.

WAC 296-44-125 Switchgear and metal enclosed bus.

WAC 296-44-12505 Switchgear assemblies.

WAC 296-44-12515 Metal enclosed bus.

WAC 296-44-134 Surge arresters.

WAC 296-44-13405 General requirements.

WAC 296-44-13415 Indoor locations.

WAC 296-44-13421 Grounding conductors.

WAC 296-44-13431 Installation.

WAC 296-44-170 Safety rules for the installation and maintenance of overhead electric supply and communication lines.

WAC 296-44-17005 Purpose.

WAC 296-44-17017 Scope.

WAC 296-44-17029 Application of rules.

WAC 296-44-182 General requirements.

WAC 296-44-18205 Referenced sections.

WAC 296-44-18225 Induced voltages.

WAC 296-44-18239 Accessibility.

WAC 296-44-18250 Inspection and tests of lines and equipment.

WAC 296-44-18261 Grounding of circuits, supporting structures, and equipment.

WAC 296-44-18273 Arrangement of switches.

WAC 296-44-194 Relations between various classes of lines.

WAC 296-44-19405 Relative levels.

WAC 296-44-19421 Avoidance of conflict.

WAC 296-44-19433 Joint use of structures.

WAC 296-44-212 Clearances.

WAC 296-44-21209 General.

WAC 296-44-21221 Clearances of supporting structures from other objects.

WAC 296-44-21230 Vertical clearance of wires, conductors, cables, and live parts of equipment above ground, rails, or water.

WAC 296-44-21241 Clearances between wires, conductors, and cables carried on different supporting structures.

WAC 296-44-21253 Clearance of wires, conductors, and cables from buildings, bridges, rail cars, swimming pools, and other installations.

WAC 296-44-21265 Clearance for wires, conductors, or cables carried on the same supporting structure.

WAC 296-44-21273 Climbing space.

WAC 296-44-21279 Working space.

WAC 296-44-21287 Vertical clearance between certain communication and supply facilities located on the same structure.

WAC 296-44-21295 Clearances of vertical and lateral conductors from other wires and surfaces on the same support.

WAC 296-44-242 Grades of construction.

WAC 296-44-24205 General.

WAC 296-44-24213 Application of grades of construction to different situations.

WAC 296-44-24221 Grades of construction for conductors.

WAC 296-44-24233 Grades of construction for line supports.

WAC 296-44-263 Loading for Grades B, C, and D.

WAC 296-44-26309 General loading requirements and maps.

WAC 296-44-26321 Conductor loading.

WAC 296-44-26333 Loads upon line supports.

WAC 296-44-278 Strength requirements.

WAC 296-44-27809 Preliminary assumptions.

WAC 296-44-27821 Grades B and C construction.

WAC 296-44-27833 Grade D construction.

WAC 296-44-27847 Grade N construction.

WAC 296-44-29501 Line insulation.

WAC 296-44-29509 Application of rule.

WAC 296-44-29515 Material and marking.

WAC 296-44-29523 Ratio of flashover to puncture voltage.

WAC 296-44-29529 Insulation level.

WAC 296-44-29539 Factory tests.

WAC 296-44-29541 Special insulator applications.

WAC 296-44-29551 Protection against arcing and other damage.

WAC 296-44-29563 Mechanical strength of insulators.

WAC 296-44-29572 Aerial cable systems.

WAC 296-44-317 Miscellaneous requirements.

WAC 296-44-31709 Structures for overhead lines.

WAC 296-44-31719 Tree trimming.

WAC 296-44-31729 Guying and bracing.

WAC 296-44-31738 Insulators in guys attached to supporting structures.

WAC 296-44-31749 Span-wire insulators.

WAC 296-44-31757 Overhead conductors.

WAC 296-44-31765 Equipment on supporting structures.

WAC 296-44-31772 Communications protective requirements.

WAC 296-44-31783 Circuits of one class used exclusively in the operation of circuits of another class.

WAC 296-44-31792 Electric railway construction.

WAC 296-44-350 Safety rules for the installation and maintenance of underground electric-supply and communication lines.

WAC 296-44-35009 Purpose.

WAC 296-44-35021 Scope.

WAC 296-44-365 General requirements applying to underground lines.

WAC 296-44-36518 Installation and maintenance.

WAC 296-44-36527 Accessibility.

WAC 296-44-36539 Inspection and tests of lines and equipment.

WAC 296-44-36551 Grounding of circuits and equipment.

WAC 296-44-36563 Communication protective requirements.

WAC 296-44-36575 Induced voltage.

WAC 296-44-370 Strength requirements--Grade N construction.

WAC 296-44-386 Underground conduit systems.

WAC 296-44-38609 Location.

WAC 296-44-38628 Excavation and backfill.

WAC 296-44-38641 Ducts and joints.

WAC 296-44-38653 Manholes, handholes and vaults.

WAC 296-44-398 Supply cable.

WAC 296-44-39809 General.

WAC 296-44-39823 Sheaths and jackets.

WAC 296-44-39842 Shielding.

WAC 296-44-39855 Cable accessories and joints.

WAC 296-44-413 Cable in underground structures.

WAC 296-44-41309 General.

WAC 296-44-41321 Installation.

WAC 296-44-41333 Grounding and bonding.

WAC 296-44-41341 Fireproofing.

WAC 296-44-41359 Communication cables containing special supply circuits.

WAC 296-44-425 Direct buried cable.

WAC 296-44-42509 General.

WAC 296-44-42521 Location and routing.

WAC 296-44-42533 Clearances from other underground structures (sewers, water lines, fuel lines, building foundations, steam lines, other supply or communication conductors not in random separation, etc.).

WAC 296-44-42541 Installation.

WAC 296-44-42559 Random separation--Additional requirements.

WAC 296-44-440 Risers.

WAC 296-44-44009 General.

WAC 296-44-44021 Installation.

WAC 296-44-44033 Pole risers--Additional requirements.

WAC 296-44-44047 Pad-mounted installations.

WAC 296-44-452 Supply cable terminations.

WAC 296-44-45209 General.

WAC 296-44-45219 Support at terminations.

WAC 296-44-45231 Identification.

WAC 296-44-45243 Separations and clearances in enclosures or vaults.

WAC 296-44-45257 Grounding.

WAC 296-44-467 Equipment.

WAC 296-44-46709 General.

WAC 296-44-46733 Design.

WAC 296-44-46739 Location in underground structures.

WAC 296-44-46747 Installation.

WAC 296-44-46755 Grounding.

WAC 296-44-46761 Identification.

WAC 296-44-491 Installation in tunnels.

WAC 296-44-49109 General.

WAC 296-44-49121 Environment.

WAC 296-44-850 Pole lines that overbuild or underbuild existing pole lines.

WAC 296-44-855 High potential lines overbuilding telephone, telegraph, or signal wires.

WAC 296-44-860 Crossings over railroads, street railroads, telephone, telegraph, signal or other power lines--General requirements.

WAC 296-44-865 Crossings over railroads, street railroads, telephone, telegraph, signal or other power lines--Loads.

WAC 296-44-870 Crossings over railroads, street railroads, telephone, telegraph, signal or other power lines--Factors of safety.

WAC 296-44-875 Crossings over railroads, street railroads, telephone, telegraph, signal or other power lines--Working unit stresses.

WAC 296-44-880 Crossings over railroads, street railroads, telephone, telegraph, signal or other power lines--Clearance.

WAC 296-44-88001 Figure 1--Ground wire clearance.

WAC 296-44-88002 Figure 2--Basic wire crossing clearance.

WAC 296-44-88003 Figure 5--Clearances above ground for underground risers and horizontal clearance of poles from hydrants, curbs and railroads.

WAC 296-44-88004 Illustration--Working space.

WAC 296-44-88005 Figures 6.A - 9.A--Clearances.

WAC 296-44-88006 Figure--Climbing space.

WAC 296-44-88007 Illustration--Climbing space.

WAC 296-44-88008 Illustration--Climbing space.

WAC 296-44-88009 Illustration--Footnote 7 of Table 11--Climbing space.

WAC 296-44-88010 Figure 11.A--Minimum vertical separation between horizontal crossarms.