Washington Administrative Code

003 Examination, identification, installation, use, and listing (product certification) of equipment.(1) Listed electrical conduit can only be installed and used in accordance with its listing (i.e., as an electrical raceway for electrical conductors). If used as a sleeve for ele…

008(A) Dwelling units GFCI requirements.(1) In a garage or unfinished basement, a red receptacle, with a red cover plate, supplying a fire alarm system is not required to have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection. The receptacle must be identified for use only with the fir…

002 Minimum rating and size.(1) For other than one- or two-family dwelling feeders rated up to 400 amperes, if the feeder conductors have a lesser ampacity than the equipment rating that they terminate in or on, an identification plate showing conductor ampacity stating: "Feeder …

042 Lighting load calculations.In determining feeder and service entrance conductor sizes and equipment ratings, a building that is designed and constructed to comply with the currently adopted Washington state energy code unit lighting power allowance table and footnotes may be …

019 Clearances from buildings for conductors of not over 1,000 volts, nominal.(1) Add the following exception to NEC 225.19(A): Where the voltage between conductors does not exceed 300 and the roof area is guarded or isolated, a reduction in clearance to three feet shall be permi…

001 General service requirements.(1) The owner, the owner's agent, or the electrical contractor making the installation must consult the serving utility regarding the utility's service entrance requirements for equipment location and meter equipment requirements before installing…

402(B) Wiring methods.The installation of service entrance conductors exceeding 1,000 volts ac, 1,500 volts dc, nominal, within a building or structure must be limited to the following methods: Galvanized rigid metal conduit, galvanized intermediate metal conduit, schedule 80 pol…

024(C) Not exposed to physical damage.(1) Where the NEC or manufacturer's instructions do not specify minimum height requirements for equipment enclosures, enclosures installed outdoors containing an overcurrent device(s) shall be installed so the bottom of the enclosure containi…

028 (D)(3) Separately derived system with more than one enclosure.(1) NEC 250.28 (D)(3) is amended to read: Where a separately derived system supplies more than a single enclosure, the system bonding jumper for each enclosure shall be sized in accordance with 250.28 (D)(1) based …

(1) Cables and raceways for power limited, NEC Class 2 and Class 3 conductors must be installed in compliance with Chapter 3 NEC unless other methods are specifically required elsewhere in the NEC, chapter 19.28 RCW, or this chapter.005 Underground installations.(2) Induction loo…

029(A) Accessibility of conduit bodies and boxes.(1) Conduit bodies, junction, pull, and outlet boxes must be installed so that the wiring and devices contained in them is accessible without removing any part of the building structure, including insulation material.023(H) Flexibl…

010 Nonmetallic-sheathed cable.(1) The building classification, for subsections (2), (3), and (4) of this section, will be as determined by the building official. For the purposes of this section, Type III, IV-HT and V may be as defined in the International Building Code adopted …

010 Uses permitted.In addition to the uses allowed in NEC 336.10, Type TC cable may be used in any location allowed for nonmetallic-sheathed cable in NEC 334 if all the installation requirements in NEC 336 and 334 and WAC 296-46B-334 are met.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 19.28 RC…

012 Electrical metallic tubing.(1) In addition to complying with the provisions of Article 358 NEC, electrical metallic tubing may not be installed in direct contact with the earth or in concrete on or below grade. Also see NEC 300.6 for resistance to corrosion.(2) Where electric…

001 Knob-and-tube wiring.Article 394 NEC does not prohibit the installation of loose or rolled thermal insulating material in spaces containing existing knob-and-tube wiring provided that all the following conditions are met:(1) The wiring must be surveyed by an appropriately lic…

In addition to the requirements of NEC 230.70(A), service equipment, subpanels, and similar electrical equipment must be installed so that they are readily accessible and may not be installed in clothes closets, toilet rooms, or shower rooms.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 19.28 RC…

010 Luminaires in specific locations.(1) All luminaires within an enclosed shower area or within five feet of the waterline of a bathtub must be enclosed, unless specifically listed for such use; these luminaires, with exposed metal parts that are grounded, must be ground fault c…

010 Water heater circuit.Water heaters with a rated circuit load in excess of 3,500 watts at 208 or 240 volts must be provided with branch circuit conductors not smaller than #10 AWG copper or equal. Overcurrent protection must comply with NEC 422.11(E).[Statutory Authority: Chap…

007 Marking on motors and multimotor equipment.Except as required by the National Electrical Code, there is no requirement for motors to be identified for use or listed/field evaluated by a laboratory. All motors must be manufactured according to National Electrical Manufacturer'…

027 Flammable-liquid or oil-filled transformers installed outdoors.(1) Flammable-liquid or oil-filled transformers installed outdoors must meet the following requirements:(a) A transformer installed adjacent to a building/structure with any combustible surface may be located only…

005 Classification of locations.Classification of locations may only be done by the authority having jurisdiction or a professional engineer registered in Washington who uses appropriate National Fire Protection Standards as a basis for classification. The authority having jurisd…

001 Sewage disposal systems.(1) Pumping chambers for sewage, effluent, or grinder pumps in on-site and septic tank effluent pump (S.T.E.P.) disposal systems will be considered unclassified when not more than five residential units are connected to the system, residential units ar…

007 Implementation of zone classification.For the purposes of NEC 505.7, qualified person means a professional engineer registered in Washington.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 19.28 RCW, RCW 19.28.031 and 19.28.251. WSR 24-05-085, § 296-46B-505, filed 2/21/24, effective 4/1/24. St…

001 Scope.The scope for NEC 513 applies only when the property containing the building is classified or zoned as an aircraft hangar by the authority having jurisdiction.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 19.28 RCW, RCW 19.28.031 and 19.28.251. WSR 24-05-085, § 296-46B-513, filed 2/21/…

001 General.(1) In addition to the scope included in NEC 514.1, Article 514 NEC must be complied with for all liquefied flammable gas storage or transfer facilities.003 Classifications of locations.(2) For the purposes of NEC 514.3 (D)(2), delete Exception No. 1 and No. 2 and rep…

001 Health care facilities.In health care facilities, the following methods must be used to determine adequate capacity and ratings of equipment providing electrical power for the essential electrical systems defined in Article 517 NEC:(1) Systems in new facilities:(a) Essential …

001 Scope.NEC 547 requirements apply only when the agricultural building is greater than 1,000 square feet and is used as part of a business or commercial farming activity.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 19.28 RCW, RCW 19.28.031 and 19.28.251. WSR 24-05-085, § 296-46B-547, filed 2/…

001 Mobile/manufactured homes - Inspection.(1) All alterations to the mobile/manufactured home electrical system must be permitted and inspected.(a) Any circuit or feeder that is fed from the pedestal or panel from an outbuilding feeding the mobile/manufactured home requires a pe…

(1) For the purposes of NEC 555.7, transformer terminations must be located a minimum of 12 inches above the deck of a dock (datum plane requirements do not apply for this section).(2) For the purposes of NEC 555.4, adjacent means within sight.(3) For the purposes of NEC 555.30, …

001 Temporary installations.(1) For the purposes of this section, any circuit used for construction purposes is considered to be temporary.003 Temporary installations - Time constraints.(2) Temporary construction service equipment may only be used for construction purposes and mu…

001 Electrical signs - General.(1) All electrical signs and outline lighting, regardless of voltage, must be listed or field evaluated by a testing laboratory accredited by the department to the applicable ANSI UL Standard. Installations will be inspected for compliance with inst…

051 Disconnecting means.In accordance with WAC 296-96-02460, elevator section:(1) The main line disconnect(s) must be located per NFPA 70, Article 620.51(C) and:(a) Inside the machine room door on the strike side of the machine or control room door;(b) Not more than 24 inches fro…

001 General.(1) Package spa or hot tubs. Electrical heating, pumping, filtering, and/or control equipment installed within five feet of a spa or hot tub must be listed or field evaluated as a package with the spa or hot tub.(2) A factory assembled skid pack of electrical heating,…

002 Definitions.(1) Building integrated means: Photovoltaic cells, modules, panels, or arrays that are integrated into the outer surface or structure of a building and serve as the outer protective surface of that building, such as the roof, skylights, windows, or facades.004 Ins…

A fuel cell system design review defined in WAC 296-46B-100 must be available at the installation site at the time of the first inspection and until the inspection process is complete.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 19.28 RCW, RCW 19.28.031 and 19.28.251. WSR 24-05-085, § 296-46B-6…

A wind driven generator system design review defined in WAC 296-46B-100 must be available at the installation site at the time of the first inspection and until the inspection process is complete.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 19.28 RCW, RCW 19.28.031 and 19.28.251. WSR 24-05-085,…

001 Emergency systems - General.(1) In all health or personal care facilities defined in this chapter, educational facilities, institutional facilities, hotels, motels, and places of assembly for 100 or more persons, all exit and emergency lights must be installed in accordance w…

007 Signs.(1) The sign(s) required in NEC 701.7 must be placed at the service disconnecting means and the meter base if the service disconnecting means and meter base are not located within sight and within five feet of each other.032 Selective coordination.(2) The requirements f…

007 Signs.The sign(s) required in NEC 702.7(A) must be placed where required and at the meter base if the meter base is not located within sight and within five feet of where a sign is required by NEC 702.7(A). When a disconnecting means required by NEC 230.85 is not present, the…

(1) For utility interactive systems, any person making interconnections between a power production source and the utility distribution network must consult the serving utility and is required to meet all additional utility standards.011 Supply side source connections.(2) In addit…

A system design review defined in WAC 296-46B-100 is required when power sources regulated under NEC articles 445 (Generators); 480 (Stationary Standby Batteries); 690 (Photovoltaic Systems); 692 (Fuel Cell Systems); 694 (Wind Electric Systems); 700 (Emergency Systems); 701 (Lega…

Device and junction boxes for fire alarm systems other than the surface raceway type, must be substantially red in color, both inside and outside. Power-limited fire protective signaling circuit conductors must be durably and plainly marked in or on junction boxes or other enclos…

Chapters 1 through 7, NEC, supplement and modify the requirements of chapter 8, NEC. If there are specific requirements or exceptions described in chapter 8, NEC, that are different from those in chapters 1 through 7, NEC, chapter 8 will prevail.001 Installation.(1) All telecommu…

Definition of occupancies.(1) Occupancies are defined as follows:(a) Educational facility refers to a building or portion of a building used primarily for educational purposes by six or more persons at one time for twelve hours per week or four hours in any one day. Educational o…

General.(1) When an electrical work permit is required by chapter 19.28 RCW or this chapter, inspections may not be made, equipment must not be energized, or services connected unless:(a) A valid electrical work permit is obtained and posted per subsection (5) of this section;(b)…

(1) Any city that does electrical or telecommunications inspections must declare their intent to do inspections by ordinance. See RCW 19.28.010(3) for city inspection and inspector requirements. The department may enforce city electrical or telecommunications ordinances where tho…

General.(1) The standard(s) used, as the basis of electrical product certification, field evaluation, or department approval must be determined by the department to provide an adequate level of safety or define an adequate level of safety performance. Except for the reference of …

(Effective until July 1, 2026)To calculate inspection fees, the amperage is based on the conductor ampacity or the overcurrent device rating. The total fee must not be less than the number of progress inspection (one-half hour) units times the progress inspection fee rate from su…

Provisional electrical work permit - Use/duration/refunds.(1) Only licensed electrical or telecommunications contractors can use provisional electrical work permits.(2) If a provisional electrical work permit label is used, the following requirements must be met:(a) Prior to begi…

Class B electrical work permit - Use.(1) The Class B basic electrical random inspection process (Class B process) may only be used by:(a) Licensed electrical/telecommunication contractors; or(b) Health care, commercial, or industrial facilities using an employee(s) who is an appr…