CEI Plan Review & Permit Processing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When reviewing electrical plans for a commercial building, which document takes precedence if the drawings conflict with the specifications?
- Specifications always govern over drawings
- Drawings always govern over specifications
- The more stringent requirement governs (Correct answer)
- The AHJ determines which document governs on a case-by-case basis
Correct answer: The more stringent requirement governs
When conflicts exist between drawings and specifications, the more stringent requirement governs to ensure code compliance and safety.
Question 2: A permit applicant submits plans for a 480V motor control center. Which NEC article primarily governs the review of this equipment?
- Article 430 (Correct answer)
- Article 480
- Article 408
- Article 445
Correct answer: Article 430
NEC Article 430 governs motors, motor circuits, and controllers, making it the primary reference for motor control center plan review.
Question 3: During plan review, an inspector notices that the submitted load calculations show a 200A residential service. The calculated load is 195A. What is the correct determination?
- Reject — service must be upsized to 225A
- Approve — 200A service is adequate since it exceeds calculated load (Correct answer)
- Reject — residential services must be 400A minimum
- Approve only if arc fault protection is included on all circuits
Correct answer: Approve — 200A service is adequate since it exceeds calculated load
A 200A service is adequate because it exceeds the 195A calculated load per NEC 220 demand calculations.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of requiring a permit for electrical work?
- To generate municipal revenue
- To ensure work is inspected for code compliance and public safety (Correct answer)
- To track contractor licensing
- To document property improvements for tax assessment
Correct answer: To ensure work is inspected for code compliance and public safety
Permits exist to ensure electrical work is inspected for compliance with adopted codes, protecting public health and safety.
Question 5: An electrical plan shows conduit routed through a fire-rated wall without a listed fire stop. What action should the plan reviewer take?
- Approve with a note to the contractor
- Issue a correction requiring fire-stop specification before approval (Correct answer)
- Approve because the NEC does not address fire stopping
- Defer the issue to the fire marshal only
Correct answer: Issue a correction requiring fire-stop specification before approval
The reviewer must require a correction to specify listed fire-stopping materials before approving plans with penetrations through fire-rated assemblies.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes a 'deferred submittal' in the context of electrical plan review?
- Plans submitted after the permit is issued for subsequent review and approval (Correct answer)
- Plans that are rejected and must be resubmitted
- Plans submitted by a subcontractor instead of the engineer of record
- A permit application that is placed on hold pending fee payment
Correct answer: Plans submitted after the permit is issued for subsequent review and approval
A deferred submittal involves certain design elements submitted after initial permit issuance, reviewed and approved before that portion of work begins.
Question 7: A plan reviewer finds that the submitted riser diagram shows feeders without indicating wire size or conduit type. What is the correct course of action?
- Approve and note deficiency in the inspection file
- Issue incomplete submission notice and request corrected documents (Correct answer)
- Calculate the wire size independently and approve
- Approve if the general notes reference the NEC
Correct answer: Issue incomplete submission notice and request corrected documents
Incomplete submissions lacking required information such as conductor and conduit sizing must be returned for correction before approval.
CEI Plan Review & Permit Processing 2
When reviewing electrical plans for a commercial building, which document takes precedence if the drawings conflict with the specifications?