[StBernard] Reciprocal Agreement

[Westley Annis]

Mr. Richardson,
 
I will review the info and respond shortly.
 
Craig 
 
-----Original Message-----

Westley:
 
Thank you for continuing your efforts to provide this valuable source of
information.  Mr. Taffaro was of great assistance to me in letting me know
that the Parish Council had approved a reciprocal agreement, so that my
wife's uncle could assist us in handling the electrical work needed to
repair our homes.  As instructed, I contacted Mr. Hunnicutt's office for
instructions and was advised that we needed to fax a copy of my uncle's
electrical license, driver's license, and contact telephone number.  I was
told that the information would be reviewed by Mr. Hunnicutt for approval.
Just when I think I have everything under control, additional issues surface
where I have to again call upon either Mr. Taffaro or Mr. Hunnicutt to
verify information. 
 
Specifically, it was my understanding that we would not need a permit from
the parish to restore our home to its condition prior to the flood, except
for an inspection of any electrical or plumbing work performed .  I was told
today what I hope is erroneous information, specifically, that any
electrical work had to be in compliance with the "National Electrical Codes
of 2005".  If this is the case, am I supposed to remodel my second floor to
be in compliance, or is any electrical or gas work "grandfathered" to the
standards in effect when my house was built in 1995?  I ask this  because
compliance to the NEC of 2005 will increase my repair costs unnecessarily.
For example, the revised code requires a smoke detector outside of each
bedroom.  When I pointed out that I have a monitored alarm system and smoke
detectors located in the upstairs and downstairs halls, the kitchen, and in
both attic spaces, I was told that even after replacing the alarm panel
which was damaged by the flood, that my monitored system would not meet
current electrical codes.  Similarly, I was told that there had to be
specific distances between each outlet.  One example was, if I remember
correctly, that the kitchen required outlets every two feet.  This is not
remotely feasible.  I would have an outlet falling directly behind the top
of my stove! 
 
I am not claiming that I understand the new codes, but I do not see where
using the codes in existance ten years ago as opposed to today would be of
any significant benefit, nor present any safety hazards.   It was my plan to
replace the entire circuit breaker panel, outside panel, have the romex
wiring cut about an inch away from the current end to remove any
rusted/damaged wiring, then installed into new electrical outlets, so that
everything was the same as before Katrinia.   
 
Please clarify for me if my understanding is correct and that as long as we
rebuild to the same standards as prior to the storm, that we will be in
compliance with the parish codes.  Outside of a change in wall-paper,
different cabinets, doors, and carpet, I intended to rebuild our downstairs
to its pre-Katrina state.  If a permit is needed, do I submit a listing of
my intentions, or do I have to pay to have plans redrawn to repair our
downstairs area? 
 
I apologize for the length of this document, but there are considerable
dollars involved here and I do not want to continue repairing my home, only
to find that it fails to meet parish standards.  Please understand that I am
commuting from Chattanooga every other week, and cannot be there throughout
the repair process, thus my reasons for using qualified friends and
relatives to the extent possible.   Any guidance from would be very much
appreciated. I offer a special thanks to Mr. Taffaro for his continued
involvement in handling my requests, as well as the many other requests for
assistance that he receives.  

-- 
John F. Richardson 
(504) 228-1542