(Amended by Ord. No. 187,719, Eff. 1/23/23.)
Chapters 1 through 9, Annex C, H, G and I of the National Electrical Code (NEC), as published by the National Fire Protection Association (N.F.P.A. 70), the California Electrical Code (CEC) and the California Building Standards Code are adopted by reference as part of the Code. When there is a conflict between the NEC, the CEC and the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC), LAMC Section 93.0105 shall prevail. Except as specified in Divisions 1 through 7 of Article 3, Chapter IX of the LAMC, all electrical installations and materials shall be in conformity with the California Electrical Code, as adopted by reference to be part of this Code; and Subsections 93.0700.19, 93.515.17 and 93.515.18 are added as provided here.
EXCEPTION: Unit equipment branch circuits as permitted in CEC Section 700.12(I).
(a) This subsection shall be applicable to oil or gas wells located over water, on human-made islands offshore or at land-based locations. Area adjacent to oil or gas wells shall be classified as Class I locations as outlined below, and installations shall comply with the requirement for those locations.
(b) Definitions.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION. (as applied to enclosed areas) A mechanical ventilation system supplied from a nonhazardous source that provides for a minimum of 12 air changes per hour.
ENCLOSED AREA. Roofed areas having at least three walls, or open sumps or pits into which highly volatile liquids are run, or areas surrounded by buildings or walls in which flammable vapors may accumulate.
LOCOMOTIVE CABLE. Cable having the physical property of being oil resistant and constructed as to be suitable for application on power and control circuits in diesel or electric locomotives and suitable for oil rigging applications.
POSITIVE PRESSURE VENTILATION. A mechanical ventilation system capable of providing a minimum outward air velocity of 60 feet per minute through all openings.
(c) Drilling Wells.
1. Class I, Division I Locations. The following areas shall be classified as Class I, Division I locations:
A. Below-grade well cellars, sumps or ditches. See Figures 2 and 6 of Division 7, Article 3, Chapter IX of the LAMC.
B. Enclosed and inadequately ventilated areas below the derrick floor. See Figure 1 of Division 7, Article 3, Chapter IX of the LAMC.
C. Enclosed areas containing mud tanks or shale shakers. See Figures 3 through 6 of Division 7, Article 3, Chapter IX of the LAMC.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. Adequately ventilated enclosed areas shall be permitted to be classified as Class I, Division 2 locations.
2. (Over 600 volts, nominal): Oil or gas well in the process of drilling shall have a Division 2 classification within 25 feet (7.62 m) of the casing, with the 18 inch (457.2 mm) height limitation adjacent to the drilling platform. The entire area directly above and below the drilling platform proper shall be considered as Division 2 without height limitation.
2. Class I, Division 2 Locations. The following areas shall be classified as Class I, Division 2 locations:
A. Within 10 feet (3048 mm) horizontally and 18 inches (457.2 mm) vertically from the edge of the well cellars or other below grade, Class I, Division I locations.
B. Within 10 feet (3048 mm) radially of the center of the bell nipple in open derricks.
C. The entire area above the derrick floor in enclosed derricks.
D. Areas adjacent to mud tanks as required in Figures 3 and 4; pits as required in Figure 2; shale shakers as required in Figure 5; or openings as required in Figure 2. The figures referenced in this paragraph are located in Division 7, Article 3, Chapter IX of the LAMC.
EXCEPTION: In enclosures classified as Class I, Division I locations in Subsection (c) 1 above.
(d) Producing Wells.
1. Class I, Division I locations. The following areas shall be classified as Class I, Division I locations:
A. Below-grade well cellars. See Figures 7 and 9 of Division 7, Article 3, Chapter IX of the LAMC.
B. Enclosed areas such as, wellhead, compressor or pump rooms where volatile, flammable liquids or gases may be present in concentrations sufficient to render the area a hazardous location.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. Adequately ventilated enclosed areas shall be permitted to be classified as Class I, Division 2 locations.
2. (Over 600 volts, nominal): In case of producing oil wells, the Division 2 classification shall include an area within 3 feet (914.4 mm) of the well casing to a height of 3 feet around the stuffing box or lubricator, and the area extending 10 feet (3048 mm) from the well casing to a height of 18 inches (457.2 mm) above the grade level of all producing oil wells (pumped, flowing or gas injected) having a gas pressure sufficient to cause gas to be liberated to the atmosphere in quantities to create a hazard to employees should liberated gas become ignited. Producing gas wells shall have a similar classified area.
2. Class I, Division 2 Locations. The following areas shall be classified as Class I, Division 2 locations:
A. Within 10 feet (3048 mm) horizontally and 18 inches (457.2 mm) vertically from the well casing and three feet radially from the stuffing box of all producing wells equipped with beam pumping units.
B. Within ten feet horizontally and 18 inches (457.2 mm) vertically above grade from the edge of well cellars or other below grade Class I, Division I locations.
C. Within 10 feet (3048 mm) horizontally and vertically from openings in enclosed areas classified as Class I, Division I locations in Subsection (d) 1 above.
3. Class I, Division 1 and 2. Areas within a 10 foot (3048 mm) radius of oil field auxiliary equipment such as gas vents, oil-gas separator vessels, tanks, pumps, compressors and similar equipment shall be classified in accordance with Figures 11 through 19 of Division 7, Article 3, Chapter IX of the LAMC.
(e) Overload Protection. No overload protection will be required for drilling rigs using railroad locomotive power systems for the draw works, rotary tables and mud pumps.
NOTE: In this electrical system, generators, generator power leads, and DC motors are automatically protected against overload by inherent characteristics of compound and differential field windings in the DC motor and generator, respectively.
(f) Wiring Methods.
1. General. Where drilling platforms are not enclosed around the drilling operation, all wiring and equipment within 25 feet of the casing of the well being drilled shall be of the type required for Class I, Division 2 locations, or be installed in enclosed areas supplied with adequate ventilation. The electrical power supply to wiring and equipment within positive pressure ventilated areas shall be arranged to prevent energizing the electrical wiring and apparatus until air pressure has been established, for not less than two minutes, and arranged to automatically actuate an audible and visual alarm with a 5-minute shutdown time delay to allow safe operational shutdown prior to de-energizing the wiring and apparatus when the ventilation fails.
Enclosed areas supplied with positive pressure ventilation from a nonhazardous area shall be permitted to be classified as nonhazardous areas, provided no flammable vapor source exists within the enclosed areas.
2. Locomotive Type Cables. Special locomotive cables and other equivalent portable cables may be run in cable trays under the following conditions in all locations:
A. Open cable trays may be run horizontally under floors or ceilings.
B. In all locations, solid covers shall be installed on horizontal runs where persons or materials may accidentally contact the conductors.
C. Vertical runs of trays shall be totally enclosed.
D. Where the rig moves over a series of well holes and a transverse section of cable tray drops trailing cables in a long fixed runway tray, cleats or other means shall be used to secure the cable against shifting in the moving section of the tray.
E. For single hole setups onshore, cables may be buried in the earth or run in covered, wooden troughs between outdoor units of equipment. A substantial, nominal 2-inch thick wooden cover or equivalent, shall be installed over the trough.
(g) Lighting. Lighting systems for oil or gas well drilling rigs, production hoists, derricks or masts shall be permitted to be wired using an approved prefabricated assembly of flexible cables with vulcanized, molded or other approved terminating receptacle devices so designed that electric arcs will be confined within the receptacle enclosure which shall be the concealed contact-type. The lighting fixture shall be of the type permitted for Class I, Division I locations, or of the enclosed gasketed-type. These assemblies shall be securely fastened to the drilling rig or hoist structure and so located that they will be protected from physical damage.
(a) Scope. The provisions of this section shall apply in addition to the requirements of Article 515 of the CEC.
(b) Definitions. (Amended by Ord. No. 179,325, Eff. 12/10/07, Oper. 1/1/08.)
BULK STORAGE PLANT or TANKER LOADING DOCK DESIGNATIONS. The bulk storage plant and tanker loading dock designation shall also include locations where ships carrying bulk cargoes of gasoline or other volatile flammable liquids are loaded or unloaded.
WATER LEVEL. The water level shall be the measured mean value of the high tide lines.
(c) Loading and Unloading Tanker Ships. (Amended by Ord. No. 179,325, Eff. 12/10/07, Oper. 1/1/08.)
1. The interior of a building, any portion of which is located in a Class I, Division 2 location, shall be classified as a Class I, Division 2 location.
EXCEPTION: Buildings that are provided with satisfactory positive pressure ventilation, and safeguards, with air taken from a clean air source may be considered to be a nonhazardous location.
2. All electrical power drive pumps and transfer apparatus for flammable liquids shall be provided with an identified “stop” or normal control switch within sight and readily accessible to the person operating the equipment.
(d) Existing Tanker Loading Dock Installations. All existing electrical installations at tanker loading docks shall comply with the provisions of this section and Article 515 of the CEC.