The city council approved the 2005 version of the National Electrical Code Tuesday. The 2005 version makes it mandatory for all new buildings in Charleston to abide to the new design standards for electrical wiring and equipment.

One of the new requirements is that all bedrooms must have Arc Fault Breakers. The Arc Fault Breakers detect non-working electrical arcs and disconnects them before an arc fire begins.

Mayor John Inyart said although there are newer versions of the electrical code, the city agreed to wait until all the kinks are worked out of the newer versions.

The city was using the 2002 version of the National Electrical Code.

The raffle licenses will not be voted on until the next council meeting because Inyart and council member Jim Dunn were not present at the meeting.

Larry Rennels, a city council member, said in order for raffle licenses to be approved all members of the council have to be present.

Desiree Morris can be reached at 581-2812 or dnmorris2@eiu.edu.