If the Rules for Snow and Snowstorms Were Governed by the National Electrical Code

As I watched a somewhat incompetent snowstorm sputter and fumble around my house (and then finally give up and crawl away) yesterday afternoon, the thought occurred to me that snow and snowstorms suffer from a lack of oversight and standardization.  Having worked with the National Electrical Code (NEC) for some thirty years, I am of a mind that snow and snowstorms might do well if adopted and administered by the NEC.

The NEC works well for governing electrical systems—why not snow?   I think that an Article between Motors and Transformers in Chapter 4 would suffice.  Here are a few provisions of Code I would like to see for Article 444: Snow and Snowstorms.

·         All forms of snow (from sleet to fluff) shall be tested and listed by an independent testing agency such as Underwriter’s Laboratories

·         Snowflakes shall be standardized in size and shape, dependent on the type of snow

·         Snowstorms shall operate on firm schedules governed by astronomical timing devices and the timing devices shall be provided with holiday setbacks

·         A lockable disconnecting means for snowstorms shall be located in a readily accessible location

·         Snow shall not be allowed in Classified (Hazardous) locations as defined by the local authority having jurisdiction

·         Snow shall not suck unless expressly permitted in other Sections of this Code

--Mitchell Hegman