The Importance of Electrical Permits
Renovating your home or workplace or involved in a new construction project? One important thing to consider before any new project begins is that you obtain the proper electrical permits.
Electrical permits help ensure that construction and major renovations or operations of electrical equipment comply with local bylaws, building codes as well as health and safety standards, and are definitely something that you do not want to overlook!
The penalties can be hefty if permits are ignored and consequences can range from a warning to a monetary penalty or prosecution, so it’s best to make your electrical permits a priority.
There are two types of electrical permit required here in BC, depending on the type of equipment or project: An Installation Permit or an Operating Permit.
Allow us to elaborate on the two and the core differences:
INSTALLATION PERMITS
Installation Permits are required for:
Licensed contractors installing electrical equipment
Homeowners
Whether you are renovating your home or hiring a contractor to install electrical equipment in your home, it’s important to ensure that you or your contractor has a permit to do so. In British Columbia specifically, Installation Permits are generally issued by Technical Safety BC, however, we advise to check with your municipality or district as there are a few areas of BC that have their own permitting requirements. Find out more here. Electrical Contractors, like ourselves here at Grove Electric, for example, always ensure we have the right permits in which we can operate our work.
The fee for an Installation Permit completely depends on the type of work you are doing as well. Visit the Technical Safety BC Fee Schedule here.
Overall, an Installation Permit signifies that you have met the requirements to do the work you are proposing.
OPERATING PERMITS
On the contrary, Operating Permits are required for:
Owners of industrial, commercial, residential, and institutional facilities operating or maintaining regulated electrical equipment and systems (ie. schools, hospitals, office towers, for example.)
In British Columbia specifically, Operating Permits are issued by Technical Safety BC, however, we advise to check with your municipality or district as there are a few areas of BC that have their own permitting requirements. Find out more here.
In addition to Installation Permits, the fee’s completely depend on the type of work you are doing as well - Visit the Technical Safety BC Fee Schedule here.
Operating Permits relate more so to the operation of electrical equipment. If you do not have an Operating Permit, it increases your risk of developing electrical hazards. You may also be subject to enforcement action, which of course, would not be a good situation to be in.
Commercial sites, in particular, commonly have electrical equipment that require operating permits, as an example. In addition, below you will find a few examples of the kind of equipment that warrants an electrical operating permit:
Operation or design of electrical equipment requires regular or ongoing maintenance
Supply to privately owned equipment is greater than 750 volts (except for high voltage neon signs)
Equipment operated or maintained for emergency service and/or is part of a fire alarm system
Rated service capacity of equipment as per the manufacturer’s nameplate rating is capable of handling electrical supply of over 250 kVA (e.g, main service switch, main transforming equipment, electrical panel, or transformer)
Equipment that is operated within the class or zone designations for hazardous locations.
Overall, electrical permitting is extremely important to be aware of, and knowledge of the different types of permitting required depending on the jurisdiction you are in is equally important as well.
Permitting and compliance is our top priority here at Grove Electric, and we always ensure any project we take on, whether it’d be residential, commercial or industrial all have the proper electrical permitting in place prior to commencement.
Should you have any questions regarding electrical permitting and what type of permitting you may need for your upcoming project? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of experts, we are always happy to help.