NFPA Journal - Winter 2021 - 60

In Compliance
may be forced to wait for the electric
utility to disconnect the dwelling's electricity.
But waiting can compound other
risks for responders and for people who
may be trapped in burning structures.
For example, homes constructed under
newer codes often use lighter weight
construction materials that burn faster
and release more toxic fumes than the
materials used in homes built under
older codes. As responders know only
too well, time is life.
To minimize the waiting, first
responders try to work in parallel with
local utility companies to have the utilities
disconnected as they fight a fire.
In some cases, responders can't wait for
the utility and disconnect the electricity
themselves. This is accomplished by
removing or pulling the electric meter,
frequently done under load, which
may cause an arc flash incident with a
resulting injury. Many fire departments
around the country are small, rural
efforts that often depend on part-time
volunteers-farmers, business owners,
teachers-to fight fires, and these
smaller departments may not have the
equipment necessary or the extensive
electrical safety training to safely mitigate
electrical hazards. Entering the
building does not necessarily expose
them to electrical hazards, but the
increased use of synthetic building
materials in newer homes means firefighters
frequently need to open walls
and ceilings, possibly exposing themselves
to concealed electrical circuits
that when energized may increase their
exposure to electrical shock hazards.
The 2020 NEC provides a solution
to help first responders and
utility workers safely deenergize the
electrical service and equipment in
one- and two-family dwellings. Section
230.85 provides for the installation
of emergency disconnects at a readily
accessible outdoor location at these
dwelling types and offers installers
several options to choose from. This
section becomes enforceable when the
2020 NEC is adopted legislatively and
then enforced by authorities having
jurisdiction (AHJs).
As adoption of the 2020 NEC
spreads across the United States,
60 | NFPA JOURNAL * WINTER 2021
AHJs will begin to see an increased
number of emergency disconnects as
electrical services are upgraded and
installed, and this will require them
to become familiar with this newer
installation. Electricians should
confirm which edition of the NEC is
being enforced and if an emergency
disconnect is required. Depending
on the installation, the emergency
disconnect may be the same as the
service disconnect; as a result, proper
labeling is required by the NEC so
that first responders can turn off the
correct disconnect.
Fighting a fire is a big enough hazard
with an involved one- or two-family
dwelling. Having an emergency disconnect
installed would eliminate one more
hazard from the equation. Deenergizing
the service at a dwelling can now be as
simple as flipping a switch.
Dean Austin is a senior electrical content specialist
at NFPA. NFPA members and AHJs can use the
Technical Questions tab to post queries on NFPA 70 at
nfpa.org/70. To follow the progress on the upcoming
edition of the code, visit nfpa.org/70next.
The 2020 NEC includes a new section on emergency
disconnects intended to help first responders and
utility workers mitigate electrical hazards safely in oneand
two-family dwellings during a fire event.
DOUG STERNBERG
http://www.nfpa.org/70 http://www.nfpa.org/70next
NFPA Journal - Winter 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NFPA Journal - Winter 2021
