HVAC lack of electric receptacals and hose bibs

[TheFred1952]

lack of for thought it's the same way when your working on cars or any thing else for that mater the enginers do not think of what needs to be done down the road

[DrZarkloff]

@TheFred1952 Amen to that.

[d1incharge]

I guess it is a trifecta when you get a city council that chooses which codes to follow, a bunch of suits deciding const. issues really makes sense. Here they chose to require R-15 vs. R-13 in walls, moderate climate, REMdesign shows and avg. 8$/year savings on a 500-1k$ added cost. Ofcourse with a mortgage and a 1k cost that is @ 60$/year to save 8$. How much labor expense would an outlet and a bib save? What would it's cost be. People are seperating from govt., codes will cont. downhill

[DrZarkloff]

@d1incharge Thanks for the insight on this matter. I usually have to run a few hundred feet of hose and electrical cord just to clean and maintain an air conditioner, especially rooftop packages.

[d1incharge]

Hate to say it, but HVAC is complicated, and it is one small part of building a home. For you it sounds easy, but for a builder all of those little items can fill a plate, even the little costs. I would like that code, but they literally spell check our breaker boxes, so coping now is tough. Builders, HVAC, Plumbers, Electricians don't write the codes, booknerds that dont understand do. Icing on the cake is the even more ignorant inspectors that municipalities are quite efficient at finding.

[Harveyallparts]

In the great state of North Carolina there is a code for receptacle for all H A V C units to have one it's a hidden code but it is there down to North Carolina. They do nothing about it also since North Carolina changed the building codes three years ago to meet the rest of United States. I bet if you did some digging you would find it under electrical or HVAC. I do not have the new codebook when I see my license electrician that I use when I install heat pumps for pool heaters. I'll ask him for

[DrZarkloff]

@Harveyallparts Cool.

[62636263c]

Can I say a big Amman!

[BYENZER]

Doc:

For commercial bldgs and roofs, please add to your video HVAC code request to require a FULL FLOW, NON-RESTRICTED, HOSE BIB located on the ROOF, within 35 feet of each condensing unit, and or require a commercial grade HOSE REEL with enough hose to reach all units and it be mounted within a sun protected box. Why? Many commercial roofs are hundreds of feet long. One bib won't do it. And regarding 120V outlets, ON THE ROOF, and within 35 feet max distance from every rooftop unit.

[DrZarkloff]

@BYENZER Thanks for adding this information.

[douglas787]

Funny, I came across a NEC code that says you have to have a 120 volt GFI convenence outlet within so many feet of a hot tub / spa. Of course, nobody thinks of the guy who works for a living.

[62636263c]

@douglas787 lol, so true.

[chompychomps]

It does seem better than evrybody having water tanks and generators on their trucks just for that.

[eggman9713]

I feel for you. I am a commercial HVAC/plumbing engineer. I mostly do commercial but some multifamiliy residential and I always make sure to provide these amenities in my designs. However, in construction the owner often will cheap out and not to do it. And unless I have been contracted to do construction admin (periodic inspections, etc.) there isn't a lot I can do. On those design-only jobs (which are rare) I just pray the inspector knows code. Had good luck around here with that.

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks for your feedback. I hope that more engineers will give us HVAC techs a break, too.

[dennisthemenaceru]

The interanational residential code says: receptacle installed within 25 ft of the equipment, should be on the same level of equipment and accessible. Dont think they have any codes for hose bi. Your local code inspectors should enforce those laws, for new constructions

[kastnmagic]

It's on my "new construction" list. We'll be building a new home... I would have never known if you hadn't brought this to our attention. Thank You!!!

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks. You're a/c tech will thank you for it.

[thebacon1lb]

Or how about when a freezer or cooler is frozen solid and they dont have a hot water hook up anywhere! This sucks.

[DrZarkloff]

Been there; done that. I feel your pain. Thanks.

[HvacPro84]

I had a run in with some equipment at a mall. plenty of power outlets around. The problem was that near none had power supplied to them. nearest one took 150 or power cord to get power for my vacuum pump.

[DrZarkloff]

I've had the same problem many times when the the power receptacles were dead. I usually have to run my entire 200 feet of cord and sometimes I have to borrow a cord from the building supervisor.

[StinkyBammerHater]

Don't hold your breath waiting for a law that makes people do that. I don't blame people for building like they want to it's more of the building contractors fault anyway. More laws suck . You should get a Rocket Sprayer or some other kind of motorized backpack sprayer.

[110380michael]

Yep, I know this all too well. I go out to do a contract commercial pm and there is no water for more the 1500 feet. Office is yelling to get it done and my morals are telling me to do it right. lol

[DrZarkloff]

Yikes! I thought that I had it bad when I had to stretch out 300 feet of hose.

[110380michael]

yea it was a strip mall and my two York RTUs were in the center and the closet water bib is at the end of the building. customer refused to let me string hose through their customer area which I don't blaim them. Stores on both sides just look at me like I am stupid when I ask about there water.

[Refrigeratetheworld]

Just smile, because we love our jobs. A minor inconvenience that is such a bummer shouldn't ruin your day.

[doesure]

I took a small pair of jumper cables and cut off 1 end. I striped the wires from the cut end and conected them to a female cord end from lowes. I can take the inside cover off a disconnect and connect the leads. 1 to a 120v leg... and the other to ground. Instant outlet!!!!

[DrZarkloff]

I have a bunch of cheater cords. Now if I could make up a cheater hose bib. lol

[110380michael]

a fuse maybe? 15 amp?

[waters65]

thats what generators and 50 gallon drums r for

[bubba008009]

I so agree with you on this video. I have pondered this situation for years. 5 * !

[erd675]

dude u hit it right on the button.i dread going on a quartley service knowing that have run a million feet of hose just wash condensers its bs and upseting.nice rant

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one.

[electricalron]

Exception: A receptacle outlet shall not be required at

one- and two-family dwellings for the service of evapora-

tive coolers.

FPN: See 210.8 for ground-fault circuit-interrupter

requirements.

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks for sharing the NEC code for this.

[electricalron]

No problem, glad I could help. This code is also required on non-dwelling buildings like churches, schools, and places of assembly.

[electricalron]

The receptacle outlet shall not be connected to the

load side of the equipment disconnecting means.

[electricalron]

210.63 Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration

Equipment Outlet. A 125-volt, single-phase, 15- or 20-

ampere-rated receptacle outlet shall be installed at an ac-

cessible location for the servicing of heating, air-

conditioning, and refrigeration equipment. The receptacle

shall be located on the same level and within 7.5 m (25 ft)

of the heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration equip-

ment.

[electricalron]

Doc, love your videos and always watch them, but don't always comment on them. Here is the exact code working from the 2005 NEC.

[suprservtech]

A great point has been made. great video by the way where in fl do you service at? I see alot of newbys watch these . A video on service clearance when they install a new one would be great.thanxs

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks. I live in Florida.

[HvacPro84]

good point on running hose across a roof to clean coils. I maintain the equipent at a location that need 500+ feet of hose to clean all 50 RTU's.

[DrZarkloff]

The water pressure must be next to nothing by the time it gets to the end of the hose. Thanks for feeling my pain.

[raidermandave]

good video

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks.

[djastram]

Here in South Dakota, a 120V GFCI with a "while in use" outlet box be installed within 25 feet of the outdoor unit. This applies to new construction, as well as retro installs of new equipment.

FYI.

[DrZarkloff]

That's good. Now all you need is a hose bib.

[anvilthedog]

Dr Z

I feel you on this. I already had a hose bibb and installed a 120V GFCI protected receptacle while remodeling an adjacent bathroom. Your rant could include the whole house. Why don't they put in adequate receptacles and switch plugs when the house is built and it takes about two minutes. Thanks for the great videos.

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks. Hopefully, the right people will see this video.

[co2x3]

NO ONE CARES DUDE YOUR ON YOUR OWN

[co2x3]

IT SUCKS I WILL ASK GOD WHY NOT?

[codymania2639]

In the 2008 NEC it is code, usually cities are one code cycle away, I guess to work out the bugs

[DrZarkloff]

I wonder about the plumbing code.

[BigVOLdaddy]

i want that shirt.....how do i get 1 of those?

[DrZarkloff]

I think that my niece bought it online somewhere.

[MrMadeintheusa]

i dont know if its code but i have both ac and water near my air cond, unit

[DrZarkloff]

Lucky you.

[cuttlefsh]

Are you not allowed to use a cheater cord to hookup your vaccum pump?

[DrZarkloff]

I use cheater cords all the time. I'd rather not though.

[cuttlefsh]

wooot the green screen is workin good!

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks. It's fun too.

[ryanb788]

I agree totally that they need to have electrical outlets and a hose bib near by a ac condensing unit. and futher more all buildings should have receptlcles outside for any use such as service work.....Oh yeah I am a union electrician too lol. :)

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks. It's frustrating as a service tech to have to run 300 feet of cord and hose to service an a/c system.

[irish77777]

Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.

[DrZarkloff]

I so agree.

[CallerX64]

the green screen has to go

[DrZarkloff]

but it's so much fun.

[dav1099]

You are right on about this, I used to work on McDonalds HVAC/R in the area and they had electric outlets at each unit and a hot & cold water tap in the knee wall, only 50 feet of hose to reach all units. it was very Sweet!

[DrZarkloff]

It sounds like someone at McDonalds knows how to design a building.

[itscool1968]

when i install a system i dont do the line set work or freon i run the power to em i put an outlet and hose outlet:)

[DrZarkloff]

Cool.

[MinTrinidad]

Cause the government has shares in extension cord and hose companies. Lol Strangely my folks home in Fl got a bib and 120 volt outlet in reach and it was build over 12 years ago. Just poor planning i guess.

[DrZarkloff]

lol. I guess the government lost out on your folks home.

[co2x3]

doc excellent point but if you cant payoff the city officals to make it code then start a state wide champain an tell obama. he should come come an mediate this

[DrZarkloff]

It could create jobs. :)

[sonitx]

Are you trying to put me out of business :). Just kidding, I love ya man! See the video response.

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks for the response.

[V8Jagnut]

lol. i know what you mean. thats why i got a gen-set and have a 200L water tank with pump when im on site.

[DrZarkloff]

That would come in real handy in many places I work.

[HannahB0316]

I have to ask... where did you get the shirt??

[DrZarkloff]

My niece gave it to me for Christmas.

[AMD1]

I made myself a cheater cord from a cut cord I found at the job site. It's nice because it has the neon lamp in the plug so I know I have power. Remember to hook it up to the high leg or bolth hots if you want to recover faster.

[DrZarkloff]

:) I tend to stay off the high leg for 120 volt equipment.

[bowlingballout]

Unions...

[DrZarkloff]

Gotta love them...

[leshoffman1]

The PROBLEM is EVERYONE KNOWS but NOBODY CARES!!!! I know they recently changed the building code about 2 years ago in the state of VA which now requires a GFI receptacle to be installed within 25' of the outdoor unit. But nothing on the hose bib. I will say thanks to the people at PETSMART who actually do install hose bib's as well as receptacles on the roof of there stores and I'm sure theres more but I'm not aware of them.

[DrZarkloff]

It seems that the lack of hose bibs is worse than the lack of receptacles.

[Darvin1964]

Yea Doc. Im with ya on this. But you know as well as I and everybody in the work force.The higher ups do not think about the Tecks (REPAIR MEN & WEMON) As long as the project gets done. thats it

[DrZarkloff]

I think you're right. They don't care unless it means the difference between the a/c getting fixed or not.

[jimmyfuckinmusic]

YES,YES,YES!!! we were just talking about this today......I had to go to lowes to buy another 100' extension cord to run my recovery and vac pump.

[DrZarkloff]

Crazy isn't it?

[jhansen2085]

you need to make a cheater cord but the water hose I can't help yea

[DrZarkloff]

I use a cheater cord all the time. I'd rather not.

[Kingratass]

couldnt you get an old air tank and fill it up about 1/2-3/4 way with water, like one of the portable $50 5gal deals, and drop some air in it, hook your hose up to that (whats the pressure rating on hoses? heh), also what about getting an isolation/step down transformer to go from 208/240/440 etc down to 120v for a vacuum pump?

extra equipment to haul around but i bet its easier than unwrapping 300' of hose, drying it and winding it back up

[Kingratass]

not enough letters, and i do agree with you..but you could probably make your life easier in the mean time with just a couple cheap easily found things you can use

of course it might not be that easy to haul that stuff up on a roof..cant imagine hauling a 5 gallon air tank with 4 gal of water in it up a ladder which im sure you are stuck with in some installations

[leshoffman1]

thats crazy to try and haul that amount of equipment up to the roof I'll take the end of the hose any day. Besides there are very few roofs I've been on where I didn't have to check multiple pieces of equipment.

[Kingratass]

yeah, honestly i had intended my ideas for equipment on the ground..

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks for sharing. I'm just hoping to make it easier at future buildings.

[Xaves511]

Good vlog. Love the use of chroma key. Very cool.

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks. I've been having some fun with it.

[RockinGuy1994]

I'm with you all the way on this. Did you get my message about my channel?

[DrZarkloff]

Yes and I subscribed.

[IChoseTheRedPill]

submit your idea to the national electrical and plumbing code organization...

[DrZarkloff]

That might be what it will take. Thanks.