August 12, 2014 – The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) today announced that the 2014 edition of the National Electrical Code® (NEC®) is now effective in 12 states: Alabama, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington and Wyoming. An additional 11 states are set to enforce the 2014 edition in the coming months.
The NEC is one of the most widely used codes for the built environment in the world, and sets the standard for safe electrical installation and inspection to protect people and property from electrical hazards. The NEC is adopted and used as the benchmark for safe electrical installations in all 50 states.
“We applaud all the states that are enforcing the 2014 edition of the NEC. Their efforts demonstrate a true understanding of the code’s impact on public safety and its value to electrical contractors in saving time and getting their jobs done,” said Mark Earley, NFPA’s chief electrical engineer. “We strongly encourage all states to follow their lead and ensure optimum safety.”
Many new and revised requirements in the code impact residential, commercial and industrial electrical installations. Important changes include expanded AFCI and GFCI protection in homes and other types of buildings; new approaches to photovoltaic electric systems that provide greater safety for first responders; and the best available fire and shock protection features for residential electrical systems.
The 2014 edition also added four new Articles on growing technologies:
- Low Voltage Direct Current Distribution Systems
- Modular Data Centers
- Fire Resistive Cable Systems
- Energy Management Systems
To further promote awareness of the 2014 edition of the NEC, NFPA is hosting its second annual NEC Challenge, a fun-spirited competition that tests electrical professionals’ knowledge of the code. In addition, an Android mobile app for the latest edition is now available. To download the NEC Android mobile app, visit the Google Play store. The 2014 NEC is still also available for Apple devices through iTunes.
About the National Electrical Code®
NFPA has been the developer and publisher of NFPA 70®, National Electrical Code® (NEC®) since 1911. The NEC continues to be the most widely used code for the built environment in the world, establishing the standard for safe electrical installations. The code has been adopted in every state in the U.S., in many territories, and in several countries. For more information about the 2014 edition of the NEC, visit www.necconnect.org.
About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
NFPA is a worldwide leader in fire, electrical, building, and life safety. The mission of the international nonprofit organization founded in 1896 is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. NFPA develops more than 300 codes and standards to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other hazards. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed at no cost at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.
