On Behalf of Name of Company Omitted., I am researching the licensing requirements for Louisville, Kentucky as it pertains to low voltage electrical work. Name of Company Omitted is interested in performing PC Installation and Servicing, Home Theater Installations, and Cabling/MSO operations in Louisville. I reviewed the web-site and did not see any explicit definition regarding licensing in this field of work. Can you advise if Louisville requires licensing for the work I have detailed? I do understand the language regarding permits. It appears that as long as we are not installing new receipticals and breakers, we would not have to pull a permit for search work. Can you also verify this information?

At this time the state nor the city require a license or a permit for 50 volts or below (low voltage).

Troy Crawford,
Chief Electrical Inspector

I am working on a Name of Company Omitted project in Louisville, They are going to replace signs with they new logo. The wall signs will be the same size or smaller than what they currently have. Will an electrical permit be required for the sign change? There is existing wiring for the current sign.

As long as your not adding any wiring and using the same type of equipment you should be fine without a permit.

Troy Crawford,
Chief Electrical Inspector

What type off permit is needed for paint booth installation?

The permit required is a H.V.A.C. permit ( licensed HVAC contractor). The fee is 35.00 dollars

Norm Stoops,
Chief Mechanical Inspector

I live in a patio home complex. We have both duplex and fourplex units. A year ago, we learned of a "class action lawsuit" that had been filed against several manufacturers of CSST flexible gas line tubing regarding an unreasonable risk of lightning strikes. All of our units (95) have this tubing manufactured by Wardflex (one of the defendent companies). Wardlex, along with the other manufacturers, has agreed to offer "vouchers" to help defray some of the cost of "lightning protection" although they maintain that there is no "undue risk of lightning strike" if installed according to building codes and installation instructions". I have spoken with both the "CSST claims administrater" as well as a local electrician and am confused:

1. "Wardflex" manufactured by Ward Mfg Co., according to their website, has required "supplemental direct bond" since October 2007. Our units were built in early 2000. Our units were built according to code. When I contacted Rourke Plumbing/Heating, they told me that they had no knowledge of any potential problem since the units were constructed according to code and inspected.

2. The CSST claim administrater has offered a choice of two solutions.

a) Lightning Protection System. Pretty expensive, even after the "settlement" reimbursement.

b) Grounding and Bonding. Appears to be less expensive.

3. Our patio homes are individually owned (fee simple) and any costs will have to be borne by the individual homeowner if they choose to have the work done for their unit. The claim administrater told me that they have only a few claims from Kentucky. I am sure that there are many dwelling in Jefferson Co. KY that are similarly "plumbed" and have no participated in this suite.

4. I am aware that "class action lawsuites" are often filed to enrich attorneys. Is this corrective lightning protection something that we should consider, and if so, which type.

This bonding method is not addressed in the (NEC) electrical code ,you must follow manufacture specification.
Address: Ward manufacturing Inc
P.O.box 9
Blossburg, Pa 16912
(717) 638-2131

Troy Crawford,
Chief Electrical Inspector

1. Is a building permit required for the replacement of a 10'x20' wood deck for a single family residence?

2. To what code(s) must the deck coform?

The deck would require a building permit and would be reviewed under the 2007 Kentucky Residential Code.

Allen Porter,
Chief Building Inspector

I'm looking to do work myself. I need to use same location minemizing down time. Is it possible to do a tare out and install panel without upgrades thru home? I would like to rework and connect next day.

It is possible to do this, however you will need to get a permit from us and approval for the location from LG&E prior to beginning any work. You will need to coordinate with the inspector in you area once you get your permit as many days in advance as possible (2 or 3) should be fine. It is not necessary to upgrade the rest of the house, however if there are any life safety issues they will have to be corrected such as broken receptacles, wire hanging out of a wall, 3 prong receptacles with no ground.

Troy Crawford,
Chief Electrical Inspector

What is the proper application (use) of arc fault breakers in residential new construction, are they needed on all single pole branch circuits?

That is article 210.12B 2005 NEC. Applies to 15 and 20amp branch circuits for bedrooms in dwelling units.

Troy Crawford,
Chief Electrical Inspector

I have a double bowl vanity 5 foot in length in a duplex residential home. Am I required to have 2 GFCI outlets(one on each side) or can I have one outlet in center?

Either installation should work. Check 210.52D in the 2005 National Electrical Code to see if you meet the requirements.

Troy Crawford,
Chief Electrical Inspector

I am looking for information on how to become licesed/certified to perform commercial refrigeration installation/service.

Any person engaged in the installation or repair of commercial refrigeration equipment shall be identified ( license not required). This will not include H.V.A.C. work which requires a license. For more information please call me at 574-6412.

Norm Stoops,
Chief Mechanical Inspector

I am a builder and have a contract to build in Gardiner Park, I have not built in Jefferson County for 5-6 yrs. I primary build in Oldham and surrounding counties. On the plan review checklist. It lists a energy efficiency building method, or prescriptive, rescheck, other. What do I need to include in plans or with plans. is this just showing the new insulation codes or more than that. This house will be on crawlspace, what requirements do we need to meet for the energy code for crawlspace, can I insulation floor joists only or do i need to insulate block wall. Does all of this need to be noted on prints. Any help would be appreciated.

You will need to include in your plans the R values of the entire building envelope or submit a REScheck. The crawl space can be insulated at the block walls or the floor joists may be insulated.

Allen Porter,
Chief Building Inspector

I placed a new kitchen in my new home. I have an island with an elect cook top. I dont want to cut into the new expensive island. Is it necessary to have an electrical outlet on the island?

When installing a 100 amp over head service in a single family dwelling, can I use #4 thhn copper for my service entrance conductors and a # 8 thhn copper for the grounding electrode conductor.

Over head conductors are exposed to rain and sunlight so they would have to be marked as suitable for these locations. Most conductors suitable for wet locations will have a W in the markings such as: THHW, TW, XHHW. These types of wires would be suitable for wet locations article 310.8ABCD. You should also look for a mark indicating sunlight resistant. #4 copper is suitable for a 100amp service on a residence, article 310.15(B)6. #8 is a suitable size GEC for a 100 amp service, article 250.66.

Troy Crawford,
Chief Electrical Inspector

What are the reguirements for grounding when upgrading from 100 to 200 amp service. Is it still OK to put in #4 ground at water main and #6 ground to driven ground? I was told I needed 2 ground rods driven within 5' of one another on a new installation. If so can the groung wire between the rods and the ground bar be cut or spliced?

If we can insure there is at least 10' of metal water pipe in contact with the earth a 200 amp service would need a #4 copper to the water pipe and a #6 copper to the driven ground. If you can't prove to us you meet the water pipe requirements then you would have to drive 2 ground rods at least 6' apart and bond together with a continuous #6 or make it continuous by splicing it with a irreversible means. Code references are 250.66, 250.53, 250.56, 250.64(c).

Troy Crawford,
Chief Electrical Inspector

Is there any kind of ordinance or law against putting a metal roof on a home in the metro area?? Please email me with some info on this, I am in the process of replacing storm damage, and would like to go with metal. Also do i have to have a building permit for replacing the storm damage?

There is no problem with metal roofing and if there is no structural damage a building permit is not required.

Allen Porter,
Chief Building Inspector

I would like to install a wood burning stove at my residence. My question: what is the minimum required clearance (from combustibles) of single, double, and triple wall stove pipe

Single wall 18 inches
Double wall Manufacturers requirements
Triple wall Manufacturers requirements

Norm Stoops,
Chief Mechanical Inspector