Building Review



Building Review
Review No:1 B-246808_2024-12-20_1st Review by JRW Building Review Comments The plans are required to be prepared, stamped and signed by a California licensed professional engineer with education, training and experience in engineering sciences and the application of special knowledge of the mathematical, physical and engineering sciences in such professional or creative work as consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning or design of public or private utilities, structures, machines, processes, circuits, buildings, equipment or projects, and supervision of construction for the purpose of securing compliance with specifications and design for any such work. Based on the scope of work outlined in the permit application, Santa Cruz County requires compliance with this provision by assigning a California-licensed electrical engineer for the electrical aspects and California-licensed professional qualified for structural design of the concrete pad and bollards. [§6701, 6702.1, 6734.1, 6735.3 California Business and Profession Code] According to the Santa Cruz County GIS, existing structures and equipment appear to be in close proximity to the proposed new equipment installation site. Please ensure that all site features, including structures and equipment, are accurately located, identified, and dimensioned on the plans. Specify the uses of these structures and equipment and provide details regarding any materials associated with processes or storage within them. A dedicated equipment zone is required and may be subject to adjustments or additional mitigating provisions based on any identified hazards in the vicinity. [CBC 107] [CEC 110.26(E)(2)] E1.11: Please provide clarification regarding the associated site work identified in the project scope. Please provide detailed specifications for the proposed impact protection bollards. Include the following information: Construction Materials: Specify the materials to be used for the bollards. Dimensions: Indicate the height above grade, embedment depth below grade, and overall diameter. Footing Details: Specify the materials and dimensions for the bollard footings. Structural Considerations: Ensure the design accounts for uses and loads involving unusual vibration and impact forces. This information is essential to confirm compliance with applicable codes and structural requirements. [CBC 1607.11] E6.11: Please list the available fault duty from the serving electric utility on the SLD. Equipment intended to interrupt current at fault levels shall have an interrupting rating at nominal circuit voltage at least equal to the fault current that is available at the line terminals of the equipment. [CEC 110.9] When modifications to the electrical installation occur that affect the available fault current at the service, the available fault current shall be verified or recalculated to ensure the service equipment ratings are sufficient for the available fault current at the line terminals of the equipment. Please provide a fault-circuit calculation for the proposed installation. The document shall include the date the fault-current calculation was performed. The calculation shall be documented and made available to those authorized to design, review, install, inspect, maintain, or operate the system. [CEC 110.24(A)&(B)] Please provide manufacturer’s specifications and installation instructions for the proposed new electrical equipment. The equipment shall be suitable for the locations installed and the short-circuit current ratings, and other characteristics of the circuit to be protected shall be selected and coordinated to permit the circuit protective devices used to clear a fault to do so without extensive damage to the electrical equipment of the circuit. [CEC 110.28] [CEC 110.10] Please provide manufacturer’s specifications and installation instructions for the proposed new electrical equipment. The equipment shall be suitable for the locations installed and the short-circuit current ratings, and other characteristics of the circuit to be protected shall be selected and coordinated to permit the circuit protective devices used to clear a fault to do so without extensive damage to the electrical equipment of the circuit. [CEC 110.28] [CEC 110.10] E2.13: Please indicate on the plan the spacing between each impact protection bollard and the distance between the bollards and the electrical equipment. In locations where electrical equipment is likely to be exposed to physical damage, enclosures or guards shall be so arranged and of such strength as to prevent such damage and allow for required working clearances. [CEC 110.27(B)] [CEC 110.26] E2.13: Please indicate on the plan the spacing of the electrical equipment enclosures from adjacent structures. Include the orientation and swing direction of hinged doors, specifying door sizes. Additionally, ensure that the required working space around the equipment is clearly dimensioned on the plans. [CEC 110.26] E6.11: Please specify the conduit types listed on the Panel Feeder Schedule. [CEC Chapter 3 & 9] Please clearly identify any proposed raceways that shall be installed underground. Provide raceway size and type. Provide trench details. Show any material at grade e.g. earth, concrete, asphalt, driveway, etc. that shall cover. Include minimum depth. Provide multiple trench details as necessary. [CEC 300.5] E6.11: The proposed feeder conductors appear to be undersized for the specified loads. An example illustrating this issue is provided in Comment 14 of this review. Please review the example and revise the feeders to ensure compliance with the applicable code requirements. Note: The provided example is illustrative and represents only one instance of potential non-compliance. Additional deficiencies may also require revision. Alternatively, under engineering supervision, conductor ampacities may be calculated using Equation 310.14(B) from the 2022 California Electrical Code. [CEC 310.14] E6.11: Proposed feeder 8004 is intended to serve an 800-amp overcurrent protective device (OCPD). According to CEC Table 310.16, 300 kcmil copper conductors rated at 75°C have an ampacity of 285 amps. The proposal includes three parallel conductors per phase and neutral, resulting in a total ampacity of 3 x 285 amps = 855 amps. However, per CEC 310.15(E), in a 3-phase, 4-wire wye-connected system, the neutral conductor must be considered current-carrying unless the majority of the loads are demonstrated to be linear. For more than three current-carrying conductors, derating is required. According to CEC Table 310.15(C)(1), the applicable derating factor for 4-6 current-carrying conductors is 80%. Applying this factor: 855 amps x 0.8 = 684 amps, which is insufficient to serve the 800-amp OCPD. Note: Any required feeder upsizing to meet the ampacity requirements may likely necessitate revisions to conduit sizes as well as bonding and grounding conductor sizes. Please update these elements accordingly to maintain compliance. E6.11: Please provide feeder conductor lengths and include voltage drop calculations for all proposed feeders. Conductors for feeders, as defined in Article 100, shall be sized to prevent a voltage drop exceeding 3 percent at the farthest outlet of power, heating, and lighting loads, or combinations of such loads, and where the maximum total voltage drop on both feeders and branch circuits to the farthest outlet does not exceed 5 percent, will provide reasonable efficiency of operation. [CEC 215.2(A)(1)(b) informational note 2] 1/E6.11: Please revise the detail and specify the bonding and grounding conductor sizes to ensure they meet the minimum requirements of the code based on the proposed design. [CEC 250.66] [CEC 250.102] [CEC 250.122] E6.11: Please provide bonding and grounding details for the proposed new separately derived system, transformer TX-DP1. [CEC 250.66] [CEC 250.102] [CEC 250.122] John Williams Certified Plans Examiner \| john.williams@santacruzcountyca.gov Review No:2 B-246808_2025-02-06_2nd Review by JRW Building Review Comments Note: The required response letter (LTR file) must provide a clear and specific response to each review comment citation. Each response must precisely indicate where the comment has been addressed, using conventional architectural drafting standards, including clouding and delta references. As previously stated, according to the Santa Cruz County GIS, existing structures (buildings) and equipment (tanks) appear to be in close proximity to the proposed new equipment installation site. Please ensure that all site features, including structures and equipment, are accurately located, identified, and dimensioned on the plans. Specify the uses of these structures and equipment and provide details regarding any materials associated with processes or storage within them. A dedicated equipment zone is required and may be subject to adjustments or additional mitigating provisions based on any identified hazards in the vicinity. [CBC 107] [CEC 110.26(E)(2)] As previously stated, the plans must be prepared, stamped, and signed by a California-licensed professional electrical engineer, in accordance with §§ 6701, 6702.1, 6734.1, and 6735.3 of the California Business and Professions Code. 11: Please provide the analysis and calculations that support the available fault current spreadsheet. The document shall be stamped and signed by the qualified electrical engineer in responsible charge. The document shall include the date the fault-current calculation was performed. The calculation shall be documented and made available to those authorized to design, review, install, inspect, maintain, or operate the system. [CEC 110.24(A)&(B)] 5/E6.11: Please submit analysis and calculations demonstrating compliance with applicable standards to support any proposed design of concrete pads that shall support equipment not associated with PG&E equipment. The documents (plans) and supporting analysis/calculations shall be stamped and signed by a California-licensed professional qualified in structural design. [§5536.1, 6735 California Business and Profession Code] [CBC 1607.11] 5/E2.13: Please submit PG&E approval for the proposed concrete pads that shall support their equipment. 13: Please submit PG&E approval for proposed bollard design. 9/E2.13: Please submit PG&E approval for proposed conduit trench detail. 9/E2.13: Please reference/key the trench detail to the enlarged proposed site plan for installation that is not related to utility service conductors, as applicable. 9/E2.13: Please specify a conduit that is suitable for direct burial underground installation, as proposed. [CEC 300.5] Please provide manufacturer’s specifications and installation instructions for the proposed new 150kVA, 480V – 240/120V Delta Transformer. The equipment shall be suitable for the locations installed and the short-circuit current ratings, and other characteristics of the circuit to be protected shall be selected and coordinated to permit the circuit protective devices used to clear a fault to do so without extensive damage to the electrical equipment of the circuit. [CEC 110.28] [CEC 110.10] Please provide detailed plan and elevation drawings illustrating the required mounting of the proposed new 150kVA, 480V – 240/120V Delta Transformer. All electrical equipment must be listed and labeled, securely fastened to its mounting surface, and installed in compliance with the manufacturer’s instructions included in the listing or labeling and meet provisions of a dedicated equipment zone. [CEC 110.3(B)(C)] [CEC 110.13] [CEC 110.26(E)(2)] 11: Please add Feeder Tag 8004, 2254, and 1003 represented on the SLD to the panel feeder schedule. 11: Please key Feeder Tag 4003 represented in the panel feeder schedule onto the SLD. 11: The proposed feeder conductors appear to be undersized for the specified loads. An example illustrating this issue is provided in Comment 16 of this review. Please review the example and revise the feeders to ensure compliance with the applicable code requirements. Note: The provided example is illustrative and represents only one instance of potential non-compliance. Additional deficiencies may also require revision. Alternatively, under engineering supervision, conductor ampacities may be calculated using Equation 310.14(B) from the 2022 California Electrical Code. [CEC 310.14] 11: Proposed feeder 4004 is intended to serve a 400-amp overcurrent protective device (OCPD). According to CEC Table 310.16, 600 kcmil copper conductors rated at 75°C have an ampacity of 420 amps. However, per CEC 310.15(E), in a 3-phase, 4-wire wye-connected system, the neutral conductor must be considered current-carrying unless the majority of the loads are demonstrated to be linear. For more than three current-carrying conductors, derating is required. According to CEC Table 310.15(C)(1), the applicable derating factor for 4-6 current-carrying conductors is 80%. Applying this factor: 420 amps x 0.8 = 336 amps, which is insufficient to serve the 400-amp OCPD. Note: Any required feeder upsizing to meet the ampacity requirements may likely necessitate revisions to conduit sizes as well as bonding and grounding conductor sizes. Please update these elements accordingly to maintain compliance. John Williams Certified Plans Examiner \| john.williams@santacruzcountyca.gov Review No:3 B-246808_2025-03-11_3rd Review by JRW Building Review Comments Note: The required response letter (LTR file) must provide a clear and specific response to each review comment citation. Each response must precisely indicate where the comment has been addressed, using conventional architectural drafting standards, including clouding and delta references. As previously stated, the plans must be prepared, stamped, and signed by a California-licensed professional electrical engineer, in accordance with §§ 6701, 6702.1, 6734.1, and 6735.3 of the California Business and Professions Code. E6.11: As previously stated, please provide the analysis and calculations that support the available fault current spreadsheet. The document shall be stamped and signed by the qualified electrical engineer in responsible charge. The document shall include the date the fault-current calculation was performed. The calculation shall be documented and made available to those authorized to design, review, install, inspect, maintain, or operate the system. [CEC 110.24(A)&(B)] John Williams Certified Plans Examiner \| john.williams@santacruzcountyca.gov

Building Review

Review No:1

B-246808_2024-12-20_1st Review by JRW

Building Review Comments

The plans are required to be prepared, stamped and signed by a California licensed professional engineer with education, training and experience in engineering sciences and the application of special knowledge of the mathematical, physical and engineering sciences in such professional or creative work as consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning or design of public or private utilities, structures, machines, processes, circuits, buildings, equipment or projects, and supervision of construction for the purpose of securing compliance with specifications and design for any such work. Based on the scope of work outlined in the permit application, Santa Cruz County requires compliance with this provision by assigning a California-licensed electrical engineer for the electrical aspects and California-licensed professional qualified for structural design of the concrete pad and bollards. [§6701, 6702.1, 6734.1, 6735.3 California Business and Profession Code]
According to the Santa Cruz County GIS, existing structures and equipment appear to be in close proximity to the proposed new equipment installation site. Please ensure that all site features, including structures and equipment, are accurately located, identified, and dimensioned on the plans. Specify the uses of these structures and equipment and provide details regarding any materials associated with processes or storage within them. A dedicated equipment zone is required and may be subject to adjustments or additional mitigating provisions based on any identified hazards in the vicinity. [CBC 107] [CEC 110.26(E)(2)]
E1.11: Please provide clarification regarding the associated site work identified in the project scope.
Please provide detailed specifications for the proposed impact protection bollards. Include the following information: Construction Materials: Specify the materials to be used for the bollards. Dimensions: Indicate the height above grade, embedment depth below grade, and overall diameter. Footing Details: Specify the materials and dimensions for the bollard footings. Structural Considerations: Ensure the design accounts for uses and loads involving unusual vibration and impact forces. This information is essential to confirm compliance with applicable codes and structural requirements. [CBC 1607.11]
E6.11: Please list the available fault duty from the serving electric utility on the SLD. Equipment intended to interrupt current at fault levels shall have an interrupting rating at nominal circuit voltage at least equal to the fault current that is available at the line terminals of the equipment. [CEC 110.9]
When modifications to the electrical installation occur that affect the available fault current at the service, the available fault current shall be verified or recalculated to ensure the service equipment ratings are sufficient for the available fault current at the line terminals of the equipment. Please provide a fault-circuit calculation for the proposed installation. The document shall include the date the fault-current calculation was performed. The calculation shall be documented and made available to those authorized to design, review, install, inspect, maintain, or operate the system. [CEC 110.24(A)&(B)]
Please provide manufacturer’s specifications and installation instructions for the proposed new electrical equipment. The equipment shall be suitable for the locations installed and the short-circuit current ratings, and other characteristics of the circuit to be protected shall be selected and coordinated to permit the circuit protective devices used to clear a fault to do so without extensive damage to the electrical equipment of the circuit. [CEC 110.28] [CEC 110.10]
Please provide manufacturer’s specifications and installation instructions for the proposed new electrical equipment. The equipment shall be suitable for the locations installed and the short-circuit current ratings, and other characteristics of the circuit to be protected shall be selected and coordinated to permit the circuit protective devices used to clear a fault to do so without extensive damage to the electrical equipment of the circuit. [CEC 110.28] [CEC 110.10]
E2.13: Please indicate on the plan the spacing between each impact protection bollard and the distance between the bollards and the electrical equipment. In locations where electrical equipment is likely to be exposed to physical damage, enclosures or guards shall be so arranged and of such strength as to prevent such damage and allow for required working clearances. [CEC 110.27(B)] [CEC 110.26]
E2.13: Please indicate on the plan the spacing of the electrical equipment enclosures from adjacent structures. Include the orientation and swing direction of hinged doors, specifying door sizes. Additionally, ensure that the required working space around the equipment is clearly dimensioned on the plans. [CEC 110.26]
E6.11: Please specify the conduit types listed on the Panel Feeder Schedule. [CEC Chapter 3 & 9]
Please clearly identify any proposed raceways that shall be installed underground. Provide raceway size and type. Provide trench details. Show any material at grade e.g. earth, concrete, asphalt, driveway, etc. that shall cover. Include minimum depth. Provide multiple trench details as necessary. [CEC 300.5]
E6.11: The proposed feeder conductors appear to be undersized for the specified loads. An example illustrating this issue is provided in Comment 14 of this review. Please review the example and revise the feeders to ensure compliance with the applicable code requirements. Note: The provided example is illustrative and represents only one instance of potential non-compliance. Additional deficiencies may also require revision. Alternatively, under engineering supervision, conductor ampacities may be calculated using Equation 310.14(B) from the 2022 California Electrical Code. [CEC 310.14]
E6.11: Proposed feeder 8004 is intended to serve an 800-amp overcurrent protective device (OCPD). According to CEC Table 310.16, 300 kcmil copper conductors rated at 75°C have an ampacity of 285 amps. The proposal includes three parallel conductors per phase and neutral, resulting in a total ampacity of 3 x 285 amps = 855 amps. However, per CEC 310.15(E), in a 3-phase, 4-wire wye-connected system, the neutral conductor must be considered current-carrying unless the majority of the loads are demonstrated to be linear. For more than three current-carrying conductors, derating is required. According to CEC Table 310.15(C)(1), the applicable derating factor for 4-6 current-carrying conductors is 80%. Applying this factor: 855 amps x 0.8 = 684 amps, which is insufficient to serve the 800-amp OCPD. Note: Any required feeder upsizing to meet the ampacity requirements may likely necessitate revisions to conduit sizes as well as bonding and grounding conductor sizes. Please update these elements accordingly to maintain compliance.
E6.11: Please provide feeder conductor lengths and include voltage drop calculations for all proposed feeders. Conductors for feeders, as defined in Article 100, shall be sized to prevent a voltage drop exceeding 3 percent at the farthest outlet of power, heating, and lighting loads, or combinations of such loads, and where the maximum total voltage drop on both feeders and branch circuits to the farthest outlet does not exceed 5 percent, will provide reasonable efficiency of operation. [CEC 215.2(A)(1)(b) informational note 2]
1/E6.11: Please revise the detail and specify the bonding and grounding conductor sizes to ensure they meet the minimum requirements of the code based on the proposed design. [CEC 250.66] [CEC 250.102] [CEC 250.122]
E6.11: Please provide bonding and grounding details for the proposed new separately derived system, transformer TX-DP1. [CEC 250.66] [CEC 250.102] [CEC 250.122]

John Williams Certified Plans Examiner | john.williams@santacruzcountyca.gov

Review No:2

B-246808_2025-02-06_2nd Review by JRW

Building Review Comments

Note: The required response letter (LTR file) must provide a clear and specific response to each review comment citation. Each response must precisely indicate where the comment has been addressed, using conventional architectural drafting standards, including clouding and delta references.
As previously stated, according to the Santa Cruz County GIS, existing structures (buildings) and equipment (tanks) appear to be in close proximity to the proposed new equipment installation site. Please ensure that all site features, including structures and equipment, are accurately located, identified, and dimensioned on the plans. Specify the uses of these structures and equipment and provide details regarding any materials associated with processes or storage within them. A dedicated equipment zone is required and may be subject to adjustments or additional mitigating provisions based on any identified hazards in the vicinity. [CBC 107] [CEC 110.26(E)(2)]
As previously stated, the plans must be prepared, stamped, and signed by a California-licensed professional electrical engineer, in accordance with §§ 6701, 6702.1, 6734.1, and 6735.3 of the California Business and Professions Code.
11: Please provide the analysis and calculations that support the available fault current spreadsheet. The document shall be stamped and signed by the qualified electrical engineer in responsible charge. The document shall include the date the fault-current calculation was performed. The calculation shall be documented and made available to those authorized to design, review, install, inspect, maintain, or operate the system. [CEC 110.24(A)&(B)]
5/E6.11: Please submit analysis and calculations demonstrating compliance with applicable standards to support any proposed design of concrete pads that shall support equipment not associated with PG&E equipment. The documents (plans) and supporting analysis/calculations shall be stamped and signed by a California-licensed professional qualified in structural design. [§5536.1, 6735 California Business and Profession Code] [CBC 1607.11]
5/E2.13: Please submit PG&E approval for the proposed concrete pads that shall support their equipment.
13: Please submit PG&E approval for proposed bollard design.
9/E2.13: Please submit PG&E approval for proposed conduit trench detail.
9/E2.13: Please reference/key the trench detail to the enlarged proposed site plan for installation that is not related to utility service conductors, as applicable.
9/E2.13: Please specify a conduit that is suitable for direct burial underground installation, as proposed. [CEC 300.5]
Please provide manufacturer’s specifications and installation instructions for the proposed new 150kVA, 480V – 240/120V Delta Transformer. The equipment shall be suitable for the locations installed and the short-circuit current ratings, and other characteristics of the circuit to be protected shall be selected and coordinated to permit the circuit protective devices used to clear a fault to do so without extensive damage to the electrical equipment of the circuit. [CEC 110.28] [CEC 110.10]
Please provide detailed plan and elevation drawings illustrating the required mounting of the proposed new 150kVA, 480V – 240/120V Delta Transformer. All electrical equipment must be listed and labeled, securely fastened to its mounting surface, and installed in compliance with the manufacturer’s instructions included in the listing or labeling and meet provisions of a dedicated equipment zone. [CEC 110.3(B)(C)] [CEC 110.13] [CEC 110.26(E)(2)]
11: Please add Feeder Tag 8004, 2254, and 1003 represented on the SLD to the panel feeder schedule.
11: Please key Feeder Tag 4003 represented in the panel feeder schedule onto the SLD.
11: The proposed feeder conductors appear to be undersized for the specified loads. An example illustrating this issue is provided in Comment 16 of this review. Please review the example and revise the feeders to ensure compliance with the applicable code requirements. Note: The provided example is illustrative and represents only one instance of potential non-compliance. Additional deficiencies may also require revision. Alternatively, under engineering supervision, conductor ampacities may be calculated using Equation 310.14(B) from the 2022 California Electrical Code. [CEC 310.14]
11: Proposed feeder 4004 is intended to serve a 400-amp overcurrent protective device (OCPD). According to CEC Table 310.16, 600 kcmil copper conductors rated at 75°C have an ampacity of 420 amps. However, per CEC 310.15(E), in a 3-phase, 4-wire wye-connected system, the neutral conductor must be considered current-carrying unless the majority of the loads are demonstrated to be linear. For more than three current-carrying conductors, derating is required. According to CEC Table 310.15(C)(1), the applicable derating factor for 4-6 current-carrying conductors is 80%. Applying this factor: 420 amps x 0.8 = 336 amps, which is insufficient to serve the 400-amp OCPD. Note: Any required feeder upsizing to meet the ampacity requirements may likely necessitate revisions to conduit sizes as well as bonding and grounding conductor sizes. Please update these elements accordingly to maintain compliance.

John Williams Certified Plans Examiner | john.williams@santacruzcountyca.gov

Review No:3

B-246808_2025-03-11_3rd Review by JRW

Building Review Comments

Note: The required response letter (LTR file) must provide a clear and specific response to each review comment citation. Each response must precisely indicate where the comment has been addressed, using conventional architectural drafting standards, including clouding and delta references.
As previously stated, the plans must be prepared, stamped, and signed by a California-licensed professional electrical engineer, in accordance with §§ 6701, 6702.1, 6734.1, and 6735.3 of the California Business and Professions Code.
E6.11: As previously stated, please provide the analysis and calculations that support the available fault current spreadsheet. The document shall be stamped and signed by the qualified electrical engineer in responsible charge. The document shall include the date the fault-current calculation was performed. The calculation shall be documented and made available to those authorized to design, review, install, inspect, maintain, or operate the system. [CEC 110.24(A)&(B)]

John Williams Certified Plans Examiner | john.williams@santacruzcountyca.gov

CDI - Application Status