sundance-communications.com/forum Forums General General Telephone & Systems Information Permit needed to run new voice/data cabling in Richmond VA?

Do any members here know if a permit is needed to install new voice and data cabling in an existing building within the city of Richmond Virginia?

Thanks for the info,
-Scott

may wanna check the electrical inspector office
at city hall he'd or she'd know!!

Scott: Not only yes, but hell yes! The city of Richmond is extremely strict. You will need to have a statewide contractor's license (804-367-8500 for details) and a city business license. Then, you will need to go to the city hall and fill out a permit form, and have them review your plans. Yes, they require plans to be reviewed and approved. In addition, you will need detailed drawings of any and all firewall penetrations plus the manufacturer's spec sheets for any firestopping devices that will be used. These too have to be approved prior to getting the permit issued.

Lastly, you MUST be on site the day the inspector comes; they will not commit to a time, but they also won't perform the inspection unless the installer is there. This means you have to sit there all day and wait. Do not even leave to feed the parking meter! We had a technician wait all day until 4:20 and had to go out to move his truck. He came back to the suite ten minutes later and found out the inspector showed up during that time and rejected it because we "weren't there". They probably passed in the elevators.

They are also very strict about cables being secured every four feet USING YOUR OWN ATTACHMENTS. You can't attach to anything being used to support electrical or mechanical systems OR the ceiling grid wires. You will need to use a Hilti gun or some kind of fasteners every four feet. Oh, and don't forget the red plenum cable ties. They will get you for that too.

So, in a nutshell, Richmond is one of the most strict jurisdictions I have ever done work in. It turns out that the director of the permits section is the former fire chief. There's your sign!

Ouch! Man, we got it easy down here. For now.

so I guess a last minute move and change is out of the question. We could use a standard (not so stringent) up here. ever see the wiring inside these NYC buildings?
Tj

Yeah, I have seen it alright. Ceiling tiles can't even be lifted because they have 200 75 pair cables sitting on top of them. I think that wiring in New York is a big reason that the National Electrical Code started covering communications wiring. Actually I think it was a masive fire in a central office in Manhattan in 1975 that started any code enforcement talks.

Ed

You are right about the fire aspect . It was the 1980 MGM Las Vegas fire where over 30 people died from toxic smoke that caused the rethinking of low voltage wiring regulations . All the exposed ceiling low voltage wiring was PVC based and created a stew of toxic smoke . It was the beginning in my opinion .

nice,I always thought the heavy cable was to keep the rats from chewing eveything

Ed,

Thanks for the info. Jeez...I was afraid of that.

What about re-using existing cabeling? For instance, use the pre-existing cable runs but add new jacks and faceplates?

Scott:

The answer to your question is entirely up to the general contractor. Replacing the face plates will not require a permit or inspection. At this level, you are at the mercy of the GC.

The GC knows what they can get away with, yet many times they force you to get a permit even when it's not required. My advice is to buy the lead electrician a case of beer and while you are at it, figure out what makes the construction superintendent happy and bring him some of those as well.

Just make sure that whatever work you do is done correctly since these guys have to deal with the local inspectors daily. They will not be happy with you if your work screws up their inspections and schedules. God forbid you run into them on another project after inspection failures due to your work delayed them. Richmond isn't that big of a city. CYA and make friends.