December 27, 2002—New York City has adopted NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (NEC), with localized amendments, to serve as the New York City Electrical Code.
By adopting an amended 1999 NEC, the city will be advancing its code in areas such as low voltage systems, fiber optics, digital control systems, and solar and fuel cell technology. The NEC, which is updated every three years, focuses on the proper installation of electrical systems and equipment in order to protect against the hazards associated with electricity. The NEC is adopted in all 50 states and is considered the foundation for electrical safety worldwide.
NFPA develops the NEC and more than 300 other safety codes and standards through full and open discussion, guaranteeing that no single interest group may dominate its code-development process. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI), a private, nonprofit organization that administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system, accredits NFPA’s code-development process. The NEC is an approved ANSI code.
The NEC is a key element of the Comprehensive Consensus CodesT (C3), the first full, integrated set of codes and standards developed through ANSI-accredited processes. The C3 set will also include codes that provide safety guidelines for plumbing, liquefied petroleum gas, building and construction, HVAC and refrigeration systems, energy systems, flammable and combustible liquids, and other standards. The C3 set is being developed through a partnership involving NFPA, the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA), and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
The NFPA can be reached at 617/770-3000.
