Public Chapter 177 Guidance Document
With the passage of Public Chapter 177 (2021), the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) requires that all equipment delivering electricity to the point of interconnection with a power distribution grid, long-distance power transmission grid, or other facility by and through which electricity is distributed or transmitted to one (1) or more customers be inspected by a state-certified electrical inspector effective immediately.
When such equipment is used to deliver electricity to the point of interconnection with a power distribution grid, long-distance power transmission grid, or other facility by and through which electricity is distributed or transmitted to one (1) or more customers, installation of such equipment and its safety mechanisms must be inspected. This includes installation of either:
A manually operating and visible load-breaking disconnect switch on the exterior of the property between the equipment delivering electricity that is readily accessible to and may be locked by the applicable non-consumer owned electric system as defined in § 65-34-102, or public electric system, as defined in § 65-34-102; or
Other disconnecting safety mechanisms approved by the applicable non-consumer owned electric system or public electric system.
Public Chapter 177 also includes notification requirements. When equipment is used to deliver electricity to the point of interconnection with a power distribution grid, long-distance power transmission grid, or other facility by and through which electricity is distributed or transmitted to one (1) or more customers, notification to the applicable non-consumer owned electric system or public electric system prior to interconnection must occur so that the applicable non-consumer owned electric system or public electric system may be present for testing that verifies that all disconnects are fully functional and are in proper working order.
In order to adhere to the above-requirements, when a contractor requests an inspection either after the service has been de-energized to facilitate the connection of the supply conductors or prior to commissioning by the power company, only a service release will be issued until commissioning. Furthermore, Deputy Electrical Inspectors should perform the final inspection at commissioning. Finally, when inspecting the utility interactive connection of non-utility power sources, the rapid shutdown requirement must be in working order before issuing a final inspection.
- § 65-34-102 defines non-consumer owned electric system as “any public electric system other than electric and community service cooperatives and municipal electric systems.”
- § 65-34-102 defines public electric system to “include electric and community service cooperatives, municipal electric systems, and every individual, co-partnership, association, corporation or joint stock company, their lessees, trustees or receivers, appointed by any court whatsoever, that own, operate, manage, or control any electric power system, plant, or equipment within Tennessee affected by and dedicated to public use.”