Basic Plan Review Procedure

From Phoenix Wiki

This document is a guideline for reviewing electrical plans as part of a major plan. It is assumed that the reviewer has basic blueprint reading skills and some plan review experience. Correction comments should be written on the plans in blue ink as the plans are reviewed. Correction comments should be typed as a Microsoft Word document and saved. A copy of this document can then be pasted into KIVA in the correct screen. See KIVA training module. Comments may be typed as the review is done or after all review comments are placed on the plan.

• Start with the plan log number pre-fix (LPRx type). LPR stands for Large Plan Reveiw.
  • LPRN = New project.
  • LPRR = Remodel project.
  • LPRS = Shell building.
  • LPRT = Tenant Improvement, usually the first project inside a shell building (LPRS).
  • LPRM = Miscellaneous or small project.
  • RVSN = Revision to a project after permit is issued, but before the permit is finalled. An -01, -02, etc., after RVSN indicates the revision number for that project.
  • LPST = Standard plan for use with multi-building projects.
  • PHAS = An LPRx project permitted in phases, usually foundation / shell / TI or in the case of multi-building projects.

• Review Scope of Work in KIVA to determine what the scope of work is for the project.
  • Verify that the scope matches the plan type according to the log pre-fixes shown above.

• Review the cover sheet, if available, to determine the intended occupancy type, size and construction type of the building.
  • Note whether the electrical sheets are listed in an index and verify that all sheets are in the set.
  • Note the intended use for the project.

• Review the architectural site plan to familiarize yourself with the layout of the building as it sits on the property.
  • Verify the physical location of the project. Use this information to determine the utility company serving the power to this project. This information may also be available on the electrical site plan.

• Briefly review the architectural floor plan sheets to familiarize yourself with the building floor plan.
  • This is usually where you will find room designations, dimensions, and references to details for interior elevations, building cross sections, area separations, etc.

• Briefly review the mechanical and plumbing sheets to familiarize yourself with the equipment to be installed for HVAC and any electric water heaters, sump pumps, sewage ejector pumps, etc.
  • This is also where you will find information on whether the space above the ceilings is "environmental air space" or not. Usually, this is where the equipment schedule for the HVAC equipment is.

• Briefly review all of the electrical sheets to verify that they are all in the set.
  • Familiarize yourself with the locations of the electrical site plan, the one-line diagram, panel schedules, fault calculations, load calculations, lighting and power plans, symbol legend, fixture schedule, and any equipment schedules.
  • For large projects with several panel schedules, it is helpful to sketch a small grid in pencil at the bottom of the panel schedule sheets.
  • Draw enough squares to write in the panel designation for each panel and use this as an index for the sheet.
  • For large projects with several plan sheets, it helps to use "sticky notes" to mark the one-line, panel schedules, lighting and power sheets, and any sheets with related details.

• Review the one-line diagram first.
  • After reviewing the one-line diagram and panel schedules, review the electrical site plan.

• Review the site plan for types of fixtures shown.
  • Verify that they correspond with the fixture schedule or lighting detail on the site plan sheet. Verify the circuits and conductor sizes.
  • When conductor sizes are increased due to longer runs in parking lots etc., verify compliance with NEC 250.122(B).
  • All branch circuits and feeders should have panel and circuit designations, conductor sizes and types, equipment grounding conductor sizes, and conduit types and sizes.(Add ratio formula here or in "Calculations" module?)
  • If there is a detail for pole mounted site lighting fixtures, note whether the height will be acceptable to the Site Reviewer.
• Verify whether there will be any signs or motorized gates on the property.
  • Sign circuits will be reviewed as part of the project. Signs themselves usually require a separate permit and are not included in building permits.
  • Motorized gates will require a disconnecting means per NEC 430.102, at each motor.
  • Signs will require a disconnecting means within sight. NEC 600.6
• Pools, spas, and other water features should be on the site plan and circuits for them should be reviewed at this time. NEC 680
• Parking canopies, ramadas, mail kiosks may be treated as "lighting standards" for disconnecting requirements per NEC 225.32 Exception 3.
• Determine the location of the project and which utility company serves power to the project.

• One of the most important issues for lighting plans is the circuiting for emergency and exit lighting.
  • Verify that the circuiting complies with NEC 700.12(F) or the Exception.
  • Most often, designers do not understand what "open and uninterrupted space" means in the wording of the Exception. Look at small rooms, bathrooms, hallways to see if the circuits feeding emergency and exit lights are not fed from circuits in another room or space.
• Review the symbols on the plan and verify the definitions in the symbol legend.
  • Review the fixture types shown on the plan and verify the descriptions shown in the fixture schedule.
  • Review the light fixture schedule to determine whether the emergency and exit fixtures are backed up with internal batteries or will be fed from a generator.
• Check to see if there are any "HID" fixtures to be installed and verify whether the emergency lighting scheme will comply with NEC 700.16.
• Verify the fixture voltage matches system voltage.
• Verify lighting circuits and loads correspond with panel schedules.
• Note locations of all lighting panels and the approximate distance from the service.
• Compare approximate feeder length with fault calculations.
• For track lighting, determine total length of the track shown and verify that the load shown on the panel schedules complies with NEC 220.43.
• Note whether exhaust fans located in bathrooms are connected to the local area lighting circuits. If not, the fans should be shown on the power plans.
• Review any interior signage shown. Some interior neon lighting may be included in the lighting plan.
• Note the connection of any specialty lighting and verify how it is controlled.
• Dimming Panels may control some lighting. Verify that the dimming panels are shown on the one-line.
• Verify that all circuits shown include an equipment-grounding conductor per the most current Phoenix requirements.

• Review general use receptacle outlet circuits.
  • Branch circuit designations should be on the plan.
  • Verify number of conductors per conduit shown.
  • Verify circuit numbers coincide with panel schedules.
  • Review any dedicated or special use circuits.
  • Verify the circuit conductors are protected per NEC 240.4, for all circuits greater than 20 amps.
  • Verify that all circuits shown include an equipment-grounding conductor per the most current Phoenix requirements.
  • If the Power floor plan includes HVAC equipment, verify that the minimum circuit ampacity (MCA) requirements are met for each branch circuit or feeder.
  • Verify that the overcurrent, short circuit and ground fault protection meets the requirements of NEC 440.
• For motor loads, verify that the minimum circuit ampacity requirements set forth in NEC 430.6 and 430.22 are met.
  • For appliances shown "hard wired" or fixed in place, verify the circuit is protected per NEC 240.4, and that the appliance is protected per NEC 422.
• Review locations of electrical rooms or vaults. Verify that the working space required by NEC 110.26 is provided for all panels and disconnects.
• Note the locations of transformers and any special instructions from the designer for mounting them. Transformers installed on walls, hung from ceiling structures, or stacked above each other, all have different requirements. See NEC 450.
• Verify all fan coil units, duct heaters, VAV equipment, etc. are protected per NEC 430, 424, and 440.
• For classified areas, see the Classified Locations Module.
• Verify whether there are any special conditions or equipment required by other disciplines such as Life Safety or Plumbing / Mechanical.
  • These may be considered "Legally Required" equipment and require standby power.
  • Verify this with reviewers from each discipline on your team.
• Verify any Emergency (NEC 700), Legally Required (NEC 701), or Optional Standby (NEC 702) wiring requirements. See Emergency Power Module.
• Review all low voltage circuits for compliance with Chapters 7 and 8. Pay specific attention to grounding requirements of NEC 725.6, 800.100, 810.21, and 820.100.