General statement of policy and interpretative rules

1. Purpose and scope. The purpose of these standards is the practical safeguarding of persons and of buildings and building contents from electrical hazards arising from the use or control of electricity for light, heat, power, and control thereof, fire detection systems, and power limited systems. It covers the electrical and power limited installations and associated equipment necessary for its safe operation. 2. These standards, based on the National Electrical Code, are the result of years of experience and research to meet the demand for uniform standards to govern electrical and power limited systems wiring in North Dakota, and provide basic rules for intelligent and uniform installation and inspection. 3. All requirements contained herein must be given careful consideration to ensure greatest permanence, convenience, and safety. These standards do not constitute a design specification for any particular installation, or an instruction manual for untrained individuals. Skill and experience are necessary factors for a safe and adequate wiring installation. Whenever these requirements differ or are in conflict with the requirements of the NFPA 70 2026 edition, National Electrical Code (first version, printed in 2025) and NFPA 101 2024 edition Life Safety Code®, and applicable articles in locally adopted codes or North Dakota State Building Code pertaining to fire detection, fire alarms, fire communications, and smoke detectors, the more restrictive requirements are the minimum. 4. Severability. If any section, sentence or clause, or provision of this chapter or the applicability thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the remainder of this chapter and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances are not affected thereby.