Hassled by City officials about Hanger(s)

[Kenny Gene]

Hey guys,

My hanger, (I rent 2 "T" hangers) was spot inspected by a city "official" and they pulled my electrical breaker.

Has anyone been hassled abut adding electrial plugs etc., while building their planes? Is there electrical code that says lights cannot be within 5 feet of a fuel tank?

Thanks.

Kenny Gene
294TC RV 7a 570 hrs (9-5-07)
484TC RV 10 finishing

[flion]

Every airport is different; heck, even a change in management can change things around. Unless specifically allowed in your lease agreement, you probably won't win this one. I've found it helpful to maintain a good relationship with the management at KFLG, but we just got a new manager so I'll be starting over again and just hope he doesn't try changing things too much.

Oh, and as for codes, it is my understanding that there really is no 'uniform code'. Your best bet will probably be to check with a local contractor or architect who is familiar with the local code enforcement. Such a person might be able to advise you how to change things for a suitable compromise.

[az_gila]

Originally Posted by Kenny Gene

Hey guys,

My hanger, (I rent 2 "T" hangers) was spot inspected by a city "official" and they pulled my electrical breaker.

Has anyone been hassled abut adding electrial plugs etc., while building their planes? Is there electrical code that says lights cannot be within 5 feet of a fuel tank?

Thanks.

Kenny Gene
294TC RV 7a 570 hrs (9-5-07)
484TC RV 10 finishing

...tank of a plane, but they have to be enclosed so no pieces fall if the bulb fails (explodes?). They might also be worried about the bulbs getting physically hit and breaking.

If you have flourescent tubes, you can buy clear slide-on lexan tubes to meet this requirement at Home Depot...

[JDRhodes]

Should come down to what the lease says. I'd pull it out and review.

If it's the city that is leasing you the hangar, and the lease doesn't say otherwise, I would think that it's a reasonalable expectation for power to be available. That said, often airport hangar lease arrangements anticipate the power use to be at a level needed for storing and airplane, no building one. That may be your problem.

[az_gila]

Originally Posted by flion

....
Oh, and as for codes, it is my understanding that there really is no 'uniform code'. Your best bet will probably be to check with a local contractor or architect who is familiar with the local code enforcement. Such a person might be able to advise you how to change things for a suitable compromise.

..the National Electrical Code (I think that's the correct name) and they are adopted by most localities.

I came across this when I built my hangar in 2001. The code also calls for explosion proof receptacles if they are less than 2 ft above the ground IIRC. Keep your electrical sockets at bench height.

[DanH]

....and there may be a lease clause stating "either party may terminate for any reason"....

Count your blessings.

[cfiidon]

Would I were you, I would politely ask for the code reference that describes what you did wrong. Then, you may act to rectify it. For example, if you hard wired in electric plugs that may very well be a violation of your lease and/or the codes, whereas extension cords to a power strip might be okay.

My brother is a local builder. Many times the inspector gives his opinion or interpretation of the regulations according to local policy. These types of issues are open to interpretation and subsequent negotiation.

I've seen some pretty strange things, such as hard wiring an orange extension cord into an outlet, then running the cord to the other side of the hangar, even to an outlet. Just say NO!

Usually, bare wire or romex needs to be in conduit, to approved outlet boxes properly mounted. However, such modification would undoubtedly be prohibited by your lease.

Don

[JonJay]

Originally Posted by cfiidon

Many times the inspector gives his opinion or interpretation of the regulations according to local policy. These types of issues are open to interpretation and subsequent negotiation.

Don

The only person that can interpret the code is the inspecting authority. His interpretation is the only one that counts. In my work, I have had occasion to contact the comittee, or person, that actually wrote the code when an inspector red tagged something that did not seem right. While the Code writers can comment on what their intent was, interpretation is strictly left to the field inspector, even if the inspector is not following the Codes intent.
Part of this has to do with the fact that an individual inspector is personally liable for what he inspects should there be an accident or injury due to his lack of enforcement. That is why they can be very difficult to work with once they have made a ruling. If they get their hackles up, they can be down right unreasonable.

Your best bet is to contact the individual inspector, ask what you can do to correct the situation, and see if he will work with you to get you back on line. What ever you do, don't put yourself in a position of arguing over code compliance with them.

[FresnoR]

Definately get a ruling of all the things they said you did wrong. At our airport it is actually the fire department that does inpections.

Remember, most these hangars were built for storage, to have one light bulb on the ceiling. Creative people have tapped into this power supply for all their equipment and flood lights and the electrical systems simply cannot handle it. It does become a fire hazard.

[JonJay]

Originally Posted by FresnoR

Definately get a ruling of all the things they said you did wrong. At our airport it is actually the fire department that does inpections.

Remember, most these hangars were built for storage, to have one light bulb on the ceiling. Creative people have tapped into this power supply for all their equipment and flood lights and the electrical systems simply cannot handle it. It does become a fire hazard.

The National Fire Protection Agency actualy publishes the National Electrical Code. Most existing structures are inspected by a Fire Marshal, or as is the case with my office building, the local Fire Department.
Normally the Electrical Inspector only inspects new buildings or structures.

Kenny, it would help you to know who did the actual inspection. I have found the Fire folks to be a lot more reasonable and easy to work with than the Electrical Inspectors. Your experience may vary!