ELECTRICAL

1007.1 Special occupancies. Where the occupancy of an existing building or part of an existing building is changed to one of the following special occupancies as described in NFPA 70, the electrical wiring and equipment of the building or portion thereof that contains the proposed occupancy shall comply with the applicable requirements of NFPA 70 and the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority's Reglamento Complementario al Código Eléctrico Nacional (Complementary Code), whether or not a change of occupancy group is involved: 1. Hazardous locations 2. Commercial garages, repair and storage 3. Aircraft hangars 4. Gasoline dispensing and service stations 5. Bulk storage plants 6. Spray application, dipping and coating processes 7. Health care facilities 8. Places of assembly 9. Theaters, audience areas of motion picture and television studios, and similar locations 10. Motion picture and television studios and similar locations 11. Motion picture projectors 12. Agricultural buildings 1007.2 Unsafe conditions. Where the occupancy of an existing building or part of an existing building is changed, all unsafe conditions shall be corrected without requiring that all parts of the electrical system comply with NFPA 70 and the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority's Reglamento Complementario al Código Eléctrico Nacional (Complementary Code). In case of a conflict between the Complementary Code and the NFPA 70, the Complementary Code will prevail. 1007.3 Service upgrade. Where the occupancy of an existing building or part of an existing building is changed, electrical service shall be upgraded to meet the requirements of NFPA 70 and the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority's Reglamento Complementario al Código Eléctrico Nacional (Complementary Code) for the new occupancy. In case of a conflict between the Complementary Code and the NFPA 70, the Complementary Code will prevail. CHAPTER 11 - ADDITIONS No amendments CHAPTER 12 - HISTORIC BUILDINGS No amendments 835 CHAPTER 13 - PERFORMANCE COMPLIANCE METHODS No amendments CHAPTER 14 - RELOCATED OR MOVED BUILDINGS No amendments CHAPTER 15 - CONSTRUCTION SAFEGUARDS No amendments CHAPTER 16 - REFERENCED STANDARDS PREPA Puerto Rico Power Authority PO Box 364267 San Juan, PR 00936-4267 5676-1997: Reglamento Complementario al Código Eléctrico Nacional (Complementary Code) [A]107.3, 807.1, 807.1.1, 1007.1, 1007.2, 1007.3 APPENDIX A - GUIDELINES FOR THE SEISMIC RETROFIT OF EXISTING BUILDINGS No amendments APPENDIX B - SUPPLEMENTARY ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES SECTION B101 - QUALIFIED HISTORICAL BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES B101.1 General. Qualified historic buildings or properties and facilities shall comply with Sections B101.2 through B101.5. B101.2 Qualified historic buildings or properties and facilities. These procedures shall apply to buildings and facilities designated as historic structures that undergo alterations or a change of occupancy. B101.3 Qualified historic buildings or properties and facilities subject to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. 836 B101.4 Qualified historic buildings and facilities not subject to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Where an alteration or change of occupancy is undertaken to a qualified historic building or facility that is not subject to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and the entity undertaking the alterations believes that compliance with the requirements for accessible routes, ramps, entrances, or toilet facilities would threaten or destroy the historic significance of the building or facility, the entity shall consult with the state government preservation program, Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña. .Where the state government preservation program, Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña determines that compliance with the accessibility requirements for accessible routes, ramps, entrances, or toilet facilities would threaten or destroy the historical significance of the building or facility, the alternative requirements of Section 305.9 for that element are permitted. APPENDIX C - GUIDELINES FOR THE WIND RETROFIT OF EXISTING BUILDINGS No amendments RESOURCE A - GUIDELINES ON FIRE RATINGS OF ARCHAIC MATERIALS AND ASSEMBLIES No amendments 837 828 PRPSDC Puerto Rico Private Sewage Disposal Code 840 PUERTO RICO PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL CODE 2018 As amended from INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL CODE 2018 "This AMENDMENTS to the 2018 INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL CODE contains copyrighted material from the 2018 Private Sewage Disposal Code, which is a copyrighted work owned by the International Code Council, Inc. Without advance written permission from the copyright owner, no part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including, without limitation, electronic, optical or mechanical means (by way of example and not limitation, photocopying, or recording by or in an information storage retrieval system). For information on permission to copy material exceeding fair use, please contact: Publications, 4051 West Flossmoor Road, Country Club Hills, IL 60478- 5771. Phone 1-888-ICC-SAFE (422-7233). Trademarks: "International Code Council," the "International Code Council" logo and the "International Existing Building Code" are trademarks of the International Code Council, Inc." 841 842 CHAPTER 1 - SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION PART 1 - SCOPE AND APPLICATION SECTION 101 - GENERAL [A]101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Puerto Rico Private Sewage Disposal Code, hereinafter referred to as "this code." [A]101.2 Scope. Septic tank and effluent absorption systems or other treatment tank and effluent disposal systems shall be permitted where a public sewer is not available to the property served. Unless specifically approved, the private sewage disposal system of each building shall be entirely separate from and independent of any other building. The use of a common system or a system on a parcel other than the parcel where the structure is located shall be subject to the full requirements of this code as for systems serving public buildings and any other applicable state or federal regulation. [A]101.2.1 Appendices. Provisions in the appendices shall not apply unless specifically adopted. [A]101.3 Public sewer connection. Where public sewers become available to the premises served, the use of the private sewage disposal system shall be discontinued within that period of time required by law, but such period shall not exceed one year. The building sewer shall be disconnected from the private sewage disposal system and connected to the public sewer. [A]101.4 Abandoned systems. Abandoned private sewage disposal systems shall be plugged or capped in an approved manner. Abandoned treatment tanks and seepage pits shall have the contents pumped and discarded in an approved manner. The top or entire tank shall be removed and the remaining portion of the tank or excavation shall be filled immediately. [A]101.5 Failing system. When a private sewage disposal system fails or malfunctions, the system shall be corrected or use of the system shall be discontinued within that period of time required by the code official, but such period shall not exceed one year. [A]101.5.1 Failure. A failing private sewage disposal system shall be one causing or resulting in any of the following conditions: 1. The failure to accept sewage discharge and backup of sewage into the structure served by the private sewage disposal system. 2. The discharge of sewage to the surface of the ground or to a drain tile. 3. The discharge of sewage to any surface or ground water. 4. The introduction of sewage into saturation zones adversely affecting the operation of a private sewage disposal system. 843 [A]101.6 Intent. The purpose of this code is to establish minimum standards to provide a reasonable level of safety health, property protection and public welfare by regulating and controlling the design, construction, installation, quality of materials, location, operation and maintenance or use of private sewage disposal systems. [A]101.7 Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this code is for any reason held to be unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this code. SECTION 102 - APPLICABILITY [A]102.1 General. Where there is a conflict between a general requirement and a specific requirement, the specific requirement shall govern. Where, in any specific case, different sections of this code specify different materials, methods of construction or other requirements, the most restrictive shall govern. [A]102.2 Other laws. The provisions of this code shall not be deemed to nullify any provisions of local, state or federal law. [A]102.3 Application of references. Reference to chapter section numbers, or to provisions not specifically identified by number, shall be construed to refer to such chapter, section or provision of this code. [A]102.4 Existing installations. Private sewage disposal systems lawfully in existence at the time of the adoption of this code shall be permitted to have their use and maintenance continued if the use, maintenance or repair is in accordance with the original design and no hazard to life, health or property is created by the system. [A]102.5 Maintenance. Private sewage disposal systems, materials and appurtenances, both existing and new, and all parts thereof shall be maintained in proper operating condition in accordance with the original design in a safe and sanitary condition. Devices or safeguards that are required by this code shall be maintained in compliance with the edition of the code under which they were installed. The owner or the owner's authorized agent shall be responsible for maintenance of private sewage disposal systems. To determine compliance with this provision, the code official shall have the authority to require reinspection of any private sewage disposal system. [A]102.6 Additions, alterations or repairs. Additions, alterations, renovations or repairs to any private sewage disposal system shall conform to that required for a new system without requiring the existing system to comply with all the requirements of this code. Additions, alterations or repairs shall not cause an existing system to become unsafe, insanitary or overloaded. Minor additions, alterations, renovations and repairs to existing systems shall meet the provisions for new construction, unless such work is done in the same manner and arrangement as was in the existing system, is not hazardous and is approved. 844 [A]102.7 Change in occupancy. It shall be unlawful to make any change in the occupancy of any structure that will subject the structure to any special provision of this code applicable to the new occupancy without approval of the code official. Change in the occupancy or a new occupancy, shall comply with the Puerto Rico Building Code and the Joint Regulation. [A]102.8 Historic buildings. The provisions of this code relating to the construction, alteration, repair, enlargement, restoration, relocation or moving of buildings or structures shall not be mandatory for existing buildings or structures identified and classified by the state or local jurisdiction as historic buildings when such buildings or structures are judged by the code official to be safe and in the public interest of health, safety and welfare regarding any proposed construction, alteration, repair, enlargement, restoration, relocation or moving of buildings. [A]102.9 Moved buildings. Except as determined by Section 102.4, private sewage disposal systems that are a part of buildings or structures moved into or within the jurisdiction shall comply with the provisions of this code for new installations. [A]102.10 Referenced codes and standards. The codes and standards referenced in this code shall be those that are listed in Chapter 14 and such codes and standards shall be considered to be part of the requirements of this code to the prescribed extent of each such reference and as further regulated in Sections 102.10.1 and 102.10.2. Exception: Where enforcement of a code provision would violate the conditions of the listing of the equipment or appliance, the conditions of the listing and the manufacturer's installation instructions shall apply. [A]102.10.1 Conflicts. Where conflicts occur between provisions of this code and the referenced standards, the provisions of this code shall apply. [A]102.10.2 Provisions in referenced codes and standards. Where the extent of the reference to a referenced code or standard includes subject matter that is within the scope of this code, the provisions of this code, as applicable, shall take precedence over the provisions in the referenced code or standard. [A]102.11 Requirements not covered by code. Any requirements necessary for the proper operation of an existing or proposed private sewage disposal system, or for the public safety, health and general welfare, not specifically covered by this code, shall be determined by the code official. PART 2-ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT The administrative provisions of Part 2 of this Code are derived from provisions established by the Act 161-2009, as amended, Act 416-2004, as amended, the Joint Regulation and the Puerto Rico Building Code. 845 SECTION 103 - ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS [A]103.1 General. The administrative provisions and compliance of this Code will be those established by the Puerto Rico Energy Conservation Code, the Puerto Rico Building Code, the OGPe-DDEC, the Puerto Rico Planning Board and the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources. CHAPTER 2 - DEFINITIONS SECTION 201 GENERAL 201.1 Scope. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words and terms shall, for the purposes of this code, have the meanings indicated in this chapter. 201.2 Interchangeability. Words used in the present tense include the future; words in the masculine gender include the feminine and neuter; the singular number includes the plural and the plural, the singular. 201.3 Terms defined in other codes. Where terms are not defined in this code and are defined in the Puerto Rico Building Code or the Puerto Rico Plumbing Code, such terms shall have meanings ascribed to them as in those codes. 201.4 Terms not defined. Where terms are not defined through the methods authorized by this section, such terms shall have ordinarily accepted meanings such as the context implies. SECTION 202 GENERAL DEFINITIONS AGGREGATE. Graded hard rock that has been washed with water under pressure over a screen during or after grading to remove fine material and with a hardness value of 3 or greater on Mohs' Scale of Hardness. Aggregate that will scratch a copper penny without leaving any residual rock material on the coin has a hardness value of 3 or greater on Mohs' Scale of Hardness. [P]AIR BREAK (Drainage System). A piping arrangement in which a drain from a fixture, appliance or device discharges indirectly into another fixture, receptacle or interceptor at a point below the flood level rim and above the trap seal. ALLUVIUM. Soil deposited by floodwaters. BEDROCK. The rock that underlies soil material or is located at the earth's surface. Bedrock is encountered when the weathered in-place consolidated material, larger than 0.08 inch (2 mm) in size, is more than 50 percent by volume. 846 [A]BUILDING OFFICIAL. The Auxiliary Secretary of the Permits Management Office of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (OGPe-DDEC), or a duly authorized representative. CESSPOOL. A covered excavation in the ground receiving sewage or other organic wastes from a drainage system that is designed to retain the organic matter and solids, permitting the liquids to seep into the soil cavities. CLEAR-WATER WASTES. Cooling water and condensate drainage from refrigeration compressors and air-conditioning equipment, water used for equipment chilling purposes, liquid having no impurities or where impurities have been reduced below a minimum concentration considered harmful, and cooled condensate from steam-heating systems or other equipment. [A] CODE OFFICIAL. The officer or other designated authority charged with administration and enforcement of this code or a duly authorized representative. COLLUVIUM. Soil transported under the influence of gravity. COLOR. The moist color of the soil based on Munsell soil color charts. [AJCONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS. All the written, graphic and pictorial documents prepared or assembled for describing the design, location and physical characteristics of the elements of the project necessary for obtaining a building permit. The construction drawings shall be drawn to an appropriate scale. CONVENTIONAL SOIL ABSORPTION SYSTEM. A system employing gravity flow from the septic or other treatment tank and applying effluent to the soil through the use of a seepage trench, bed or pit. [BS]DESIGN FLOOD ELEVATION. The elevation of the "design flood," including wave height, relative to the datum specified on the community's legally designated flood hazard map. In areas designated as Zone AO, the design flood elevation shall be the elevation of the highest existing grade of the building's perimeter plus the depth number (in feet) specified on the flood hazard map. In areas designated as Zone AO where a depth number is not specified on the map, the depth number shall be taken as being equal to 2 feet (610 mm). DETAILED SOIL MAP. A map prepared by or for a state or federal agency participating in the National Cooperative Soil Survey showing soil series, type and phases at a scale of not more than 2,000 feet to the inch (24 m/mm) and which includes related explanatory information. DOSING SOIL ABSORPTION SYSTEM. A system employing a pump or automatic siphon to elevate or distribute effluent to the soil through the use of a seepage trench or bed. EFFLUENT. Liquid discharged from a septic or other treatment tank. [BS] FLOOD HAZARD AREA. The greater of the following two areas: 847 1. The area within a flood plain subject to a 1-percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year. 2. The area designated as a flood hazard area on a community's flood hazard map or as otherwise legally designated. HIGH GROUND WATER. Soil saturation zones, including perched water tables, shallow regional ground water tables or aquifers, or zones seasonally, periodically or permanently saturated. HOLDING TANK. An approved water-tight receptacle for collecting and holding sewage. HORIZONTAL REFERENCE POINT. A stationary, easily identifiable point to which horizontal dimensions are related. (JOINT REGULATION) JOINT PERMITS REGULATIONS FOR THE EVALUATION AND ISSUANCE OF PERMITS RELATED TO DEVELOPMENT, LAND USE AND BUSINESS OPERATION. As defined in the "Reglamento Conjunto de Permisos para Obras de Construcción y Uso de Terrenos de Puerto Rico, (Reglamento Conjunto)" as established by the Act No. 161 of December 1, 2009, "Ley para la Reforma del Proceso de Permisos de Puerto Rico, as amended". LEGAL DESCRIPTION. An accurate metes and bounds description, a lot and block number in a recorded subdivision, a recorded assessor's plat or a public land survey description to the nearest 40 acres (16 ha). MANHOLE. An opening of sufficient size to permit a per- son to gain access to a sewer or any portion of a private sewage disposal system. MOBILE UNIT. A structure of vehicular, portable design, built on a chassis and designed to be moved from one site to another and to be used with or without a permanent foundation. MOBILE UNIT PARK. Any plot or plots of ground owned by a person, state or local government upon which two or more units, occupied for dwelling or sleeping purposes regardless of mobile unit ownership, are located and whether or not a charge is made for such accommodation. [P]NUISANCE. Public nuisance as known in common law or equity jurisprudence; whatever is dangerous to human life or detrimental to health; whatever building, structure or premises is not sufficiently ventilated, sewered, drained, cleaned or lighted, in reference to its intended use; and whatever renders the air, human food, drink or water supply unwholesome. (OGPE-DDEC) PERMITS MANAGEMENT OFFICE. As defined in the Act 141, of July 10, 2018, "Ley de Ejecución del Plan de Reorganización del Departamento de Desarrollo Económico y Comercio". 848 PAN. A soil horizon cemented with any one of a number of cementing agents such as iron, organic matter, silica, calcium, carbonate, gypsum or a combination of chemicals. Pans will resist penetration from a knife blade and are slowly permeable horizons or are impermeable. PERCOLATION TEST. The method of testing absorption qualities of the soil (see Section 404). PERMEABILITY. The ease with which liquids move through the soil. One of the soil qualities listed in soil survey reports. PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM. A soil absorption system using a pump or automatic siphon and smaller diameter distribution piping with small-diameter perforations to introduce effluent into the soil. PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM. A sewage treatment and disposal system serving a single structure with a septic tank and soil absorption field located on the same parcel as the structure. This term also means an alternative sewage disposal system, including a substitute for the septic tank or soil absorption field, a holding tank, a system serving more than one structure or a system located on a different parcel than the structure. A private sewage disposal system is permitted to be owned by the property owner or a special-purpose district. PRIVY. A structure, not connected to a plumbing system, that is used by persons for the deposition of human body waste. (PRPB) PUERTO RICO PLANNING BOARD. Government Agency created by ACT No. 75 of June 1975 as amended, hereinafter PRPB. In addition, it is the State Agency Coordinator of the National Flood Insurance Program. [AJREGISTERED DESIGN PROFESSIONAL. An individual who is registered or licensed to practice their respective design profession, as defined by the statutory requirements of the professional registration laws of the state or jurisdiction in which the project is to be constructed. SEEPAGE BED. An excavated area more than 5 feet (1524 mm) wide that contains a bedding of aggregate and has more than one distribution line. SEEPAGE PIT. An underground receptacle constructed to permit disposal of effluent or clear wastes by soil absorption through its floor and walls. SEEPAGE TRENCH. An area excavated 1 foot to 5 feet (305 mm to 1524 mm) wide containing a bedding of aggregate and a single distribution line. SEPTAGE. All sludge, scum, liquid and any other material removed from a private sewage treatment and disposal system. SEPTIC TANK. A tank that receives and partially treats sewage through processes of sedimentation, flotation and bacterial action to separate solids from the liquid in the sew-age, and which discharges the liquid to a soil absorption system. 849 SOIL. The unconsolidated material over bedrock, 0.08 inch (2 mm) and smaller. SOIL BORING. An observation pit dug by hand or backhoe, a hole dug by augering or a soil core taken intact and undisturbed with a probe. SOIL MOTTLES. Spots, streaks or contrasting soil colors usually caused by soil saturation for one period of a normal year, with a color value of 4 or more and a chroma of 2 or less. Gray-colored mottles are called low chroma; reddish-brown, red- and yellow-colored mottles are called high chroma. SOIL SATURATION. The state in which all pores in a soil are filled with water. Water will flow from saturated soil into a bore hole. VENT CAP. An approved appurtenance used for covering the vent terminal of an effluent disposal system to avoid closure by mischief or debris and still permit circulation of air within the system. VERTICAL ELEVATION REFERENCE POINT. An easily identifiable stationary point or object of constant elevation for establishing the relative elevation of percolation tests, soil borings and other locations. WATERCOURSE. A stream usually flowing in a particular direction, though it need not flow continually and is sometimes dry. A watercourse flows in a definite channel, with a bed, sides or banks, and usually discharges itself into some other stream or body of water. It must be something more than mere surface drainage over the entire face of a tract of land, occasioned by unusual freshets or other extraordinary cause. It does not include the water flowing in the hollows or ravines in land, which is the mere surface water from rains or melting snows, and is discharged through them from a higher to a lower level, but which at other times are destitute of water. Such hollows or ravines are not, in legal contemplation, watercourses. WORKMANSHIP. Work of such character that will fully secure the results sought in all the sections of this code as intended for the health, safety and welfare protection of all individuals. CHAPTER 3 - GENERAL REGULATIONS