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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 56- 788, Regulates Installation, Repair, Etc., of Electric Wiring, Devices, Appliances, Etc 403 ORDINANCE NO. 788 AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE INSTALLATION, REPAIR, MAINTENANCE, StILE AND INSPECTION OF ELECTRIC WIRING, ELECTRIC DEVICES, APPLI- ANCES AND MATERIALS, PROVIDING FOR THE LICENSING OF PERSONS, FIRMS, OR CORPORATIONS ENGAGED IN THE BUSINESS OF INSTALLING OR REPAIRING OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, WIRING OR DEVICES, AND PROVID- ING FOR THE ISSUANCE-OF PERMITS FOR WORK TO BE DONE, THE PAYING OF FEES THEREFOR, THE INSPECTING OF WORK DONE, AND PROVIDING I PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION THEREOF, AND REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT WITH THIS ORDINANCE. Be it ordained by the City Commission of the City of Bozeman, Montana: EXCEPTIONS SECTION 1. This Ordinance is not designed to cover Central Stations, Power Houses or Sub-stations, nor is it designed to cover wiring engaged in by public tele- phone or telegraph companies, except that conduit of sufficient size shall be run to each room requiring communication equipment in commercial buildings. PERMITS, FEES AND PLANS SECTION 2. (a) Permit required. No alteration or additions shall be made in the existing wiring of any building, nor shall any building be wired for the placing of any electric lights, motors, heating devices, or any apparatus requiring the use of electrical current, nor shall any alterations be made in the wiring in any building after inspection, without first notifying the Electrical Inspector and securing a permit therefor. Application for such permit, describing such work, shall be made by the person, firm or corporation installing same on application blanks furnished by the City, and I permit when issued, shall be to such applicant. Permits shall not be required in connection with meters and service wires installed by light and power companies, nor in connection with installations or alterations in central stations, power houses or substations operated by light and power companies. (b) Fees for Permit. At the time when the application for a permit is made, -- the applicant shall pay the Electrical Inspector the following fees: 1. Wiring for lights and small appliances (Per switch, plug or light outlet box): 1 to 15 outlets, in c Ius 1 ve . . . . . . . . . $1.00 For additional outlets, each . . . . . . . . .05 Each eight (8) lineal feet (singular or group- ed) of gas tube lighting shall be considered an outlet. 2. For alterations and additions, same as new work. 3. For installation of main service only determined by name plate of main switch, for each Ampere up to 100 Amperes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .05 For each additional Ampere over 100 Amperes . . .01 4. Sign Wiring: Circuits to each sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.00 Connections to each sign . . . . . . . . . . . 1.00 I 5. Heating Appliances: For one heating appliance rated at not more than 10 Kilowatts the fee shall be . . . . 1.00 For each heating appliance rated over 10 Kilowatts the fee shall be . . . . . . . . . . 1.50 Additional heating appliances . . . . . . . . .25 For the installation of each electrically controlled gas heating appliance or device the fee shall be . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.00 6. Power Motors 1 horsepower or less . . . . . . . . . 1.00 More than 1 housepower but less than 10 . . . 1.50 404 Ten horsepower or more . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 2.00 Changes to existing motors . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Generators. For each generator for light and power purposes, including switchboard and connec- tions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.00 7. Minimum inspection fee . . . . . . . . . . 1.50 8. A charge of $1.50 may be made for each additional trip occasioned I by carelessness or neglect on the part of the contractor in calling for the inspection at an incorrect address or at a time when such inspection could not be made properly. 9. All work under $15.00 must be called in but no inspection fee will be charged. (c) Plans required. Accompanying the application for permit, if deemed necess- ary by the Electrical Inspector there shall be filed with the inspector plans of the work to be undertaken, showing the character and location of all features of the work, which plans shall also show the precise location of the premia es, the name of the owner, and shall be signed by the Electrical Contractor. Such plans shall be filed at least five days in advance of commencement of the work contemplated, provided, however, that no plans shall be required for electrical work in dwellings. The permit issued under this section shall not be held to allow cutting of any structural features of any building. Howe ver , joists may be notched one fifth of the depth of the joist but not further than one foot from its bearing and that joist may be notched one eighth the depth but not further than two (2) feet from its bearing. The permit shall cover the work set forth in the plans only and if additional work or changes in the loca tion of fixtures is to be undertaken, a new permit to cover such additional work or modifica- tion shall be secured in the usual manner. I INSPECTOR - POWERS AND DUTIES SECTION 3. (a) Powers and Duties. The office of the electrical inspector shall be made a part of the Department of Public Safety and the electrical inspector shall be appointed by the City Manager. He shall be of good moral character and fitted by train- ing and experience to properly fill the office of the Electrical Inspector, shall be well versed in approved methods of electrical construction for safety to life and property, the statutes of the State of Montana relating to electrical work, the rules and regulations issued by the Public Service Commission of Montana under authority of the s ta tutes, the National Electrical Code, as approved by the American Standards Associa tion, the Na tional Elec trical Safe ty Code as approved by the American Standards Association and other installation and safety rules and standards approved by the American Standards Associa tion, including the "Minimum Specifications for Adequate Wiring of Lighting Circuits" as issued by the National Electric Light Association. (b) Authority. Right of Access to Buildings. Said Electrical Inspector shall have the right during reasonable hours to enter any building in the discharge of I his official duties, or for the purpose of making any inspection or test of the in- stallation of electric wiring, electric devices, and/or electrical material contained therein, and shall have the authority to cause the turning off of all electrical currents in cases of emergency to any wire where such electrical currents are danger- ous to life or property or may interfere wi th the work of the fire department. The Electrical Inspector is hereby authorized, empowered and directed to have general Ordinance No. 788 405 supervision over the placing, stringing or attaching of electric light and power wires, telephone, telegraph, messenger call, or other wires in buildings, so as to preven t fire, accident or endanger life, and property, and any or all such wires or electrical appara- tus now existing, as well as those hereafter constructed and placed, shall be subject to I such supervision. Whenever any electrical wire or other piece of electrical apparatus is or shall become defective by reason of improper or insufficient insulation or for any other reason become dangerous, the Electrical Inspector shall at once notify the owner or agent of said wire or electrical apparatus to repair or remove the same, and upon the owners failure to repair or remove the wire within forty-eight hours time, the Elect1'ical Inspector shall cause said wire or apparatus to be removed at the expense of said owner or agent, and such expense shall be assessed by the City Commission against such owner. ( c) Stoppage of Work. The work shall at all times be under the supervision of the Inspector and for the failure to comply with the provisions of this Code, the In- spector may order the stoppage of the work and revoke the permi t . In such case it shall be unlawful to further continue work. (d) Stoppage of Service. The Electrical Inspector is hereby given supervi- sion over any and all wires, materials, apparatus and fittings in buildings used for the transla tion, transmission, or consumption of electric current for light, heat or power, or, for any other purpose, whether new or old; and, whenever any such wires, material, apparatus or appurtenances is, or shall become, dangerous to life or property, or liable I to cause fire, accident or injury, is empowered to order the owner or agent or user to remove or repair the same within forty-eight hours upon the receipt of such notice, the Electrical Inspector shall cause the current to be disconnected from said electrical installation or that part of it which is considered hazardous, and all owners, agents, users, light and power companies and others, sha 11 not ha ve the current connected again until the said electrical Inspector has given permission to do so. All firms, corpora- tions or individuals whether operating under a regular franchise granted by the City of Bozeman, or not, shall upon written notice from the Electrical Inspector, disconnect from any building the service or any circuit as designated by said notice, and shall not reconnect said building service or circuit, except upon notice from said Electrical Inspector. (e) Inspection. Upon the completion of the wiring or alterations or additions to the wiring of any building, it shall be the duty of the person, firm, or corporation ins taIling the same to notify the Electrical Inspector, who shall inspect the installa- tion within forty-eight hours of the time such notice is given, Sundays and holidays excepted, and if it is found to be fully in compliance with this Ordinance and does not I constitute a hazard to life and property, he shall sign the inspection card posted for that job which signing will authorize connection to the electrical service and the turning on of the current. Provided, however, tha t the Inspector may give temporary permission to furnish electric current or the use of the electric current, through any wires, or other equipment for a length of time not exceeding thirty days, if it appears that such wires, etc. may be used safely, and that there exists an urgent .." ~- necessity for such use and special permission. All wires which are to be hidden from Ordinance No. 788 4.0(i view shall be inspected before concealment and any person, firm, or corporation in- stalling such wires shall notify the Electrical Inspector, giving him twenty-four house in which to make the required inspection before such wires are concealed. Pro- viding that on large installations where concealment of parts of the wiring proceeds continuously, the person, firm, or corpora tion ins ta lling the wiring sha 11 give the I Electrical Inspector due notice and inspections shall be made periodically during the progress of the work. (f) Re-inspection. When considered advisable by the Electrical Inspector or upon request by the fire chief, light and power company or the owner or tenant of any building the Electrical Inspector shall make a thorough re-inspection of the in- stallation in any buildings of all electric wiring, electrical devices and electrical material now installed or that may hereafter be install~d, within the City of Bozeman. When the installation of any such wiring, devices and/or materials is found to be in a dangerous or unsafe condition, the person, firm or corporation owning, using or operating the same shall be notified and shall make the necessary repairs, or changes reauired to place such wiring, devices and material in a safe condition and have such work completed within four days, or any longer period specified by the Electrical In- spector in said notice. The Electrical Inspector is hereby empowered to order the discontinuance of electrical service to such wiring, devices and/or material so found to be defectively installed until the installation of such wiring, devices and mater- ial has been made safe as directed by the Electrical Inspector. I (g) Construction Requirements. No inspection shall be approved unless the electrical light, power and heating installations are in strict conformity with the provisions of this ordinance, the statutes of the State of Montana, the rules and regulations issued by the Public Service Commission of Montana under authori ty of the State statutes, and unless they are in conformity with approved methods of con- struction for safety to life and property. The regulations as laid down in the latest issue of the National Electrical Code, as approved by the American Standards Associa- tion, shall be prima facie evidence of such approved methods. (h) Records of Permits and Inspections. The Electrical Inspector shall keep complete records of all permits issued and inspections made and other official work performed under the provisions of this ordinance. He shall be provided with the necessary clerical help to carry out the provisions of this section. He shall pay all fees collected by him to the Director of Finance on the last day of each month and take his receipt therefor. He shall, upon the first of each month, make a written report to the Mayor and City Commission showing all permits issued, inspections made and fees collected by him under the provisions of this Ordinance for the preceding month. I ( i) Review. When the Electrical Inspector condemns all or part of any electrical installation, the owner may within five days after receiving written notice from the Electrical Inspector, file a petition in writing for review of said action of the Electrical Inspector with the City Clerk who shall refer the petition to the District Inspector for the National Board of Fire Underwriters, or to a board . of three competent parties to be appointed by the Mayor, with the approval of the City . Ordinance No. 788 407 Commission, upon receipt of which the said Inspector or Board shall at once procede to determine whether said electrical installation complies with this Ordinance, and within three days shall make a decision in accordance with its findings, which shall be returned to the City Clerk for action. I APPROVED MATERIALS SECTION 4. No electrical materials, devices, or appliances shall be sold, offered for sale, installed or used unless the yare in conformity with the provisions of this Ordinance, the Statutes of the State of Montana, the rules and regula tions issued by the Public Service Commission of the State of Montana, under authority of the state s ta tu tes, and unless they are in conformity with approved methods of con- struction for safety to life and property, conformity of electrical materials, devices and appliances with the standards of Underwriters' Labratories, Incorporated, or other approved labratories, shall be prima facie evidence that such electrical materials, devices and appliances comply with the requirements of this Ordinance. The maker's name, trademark or other identification symbol shall be placed on all electrical ma terial, devices or appliances sold, installed or used under this Ordinance. The Electrical Inspector may grant provisional approval of any electrical materials, devices or appliances as in conformity with the provisions of this Ordinance under any of the following conditions: (a) Where no standard has been prepared by the Underwriters' Laboratories, I Incorporated, to which the material, device or appliance shall conform. (b) where no other material, device or appliance of similar type is avail- able which is in conformity with the standards of Underwriters' Labora tories. ( c ) In emergency, temporary approval may be given to materials, devices or appliances which have not been passed on by Underwriters' Labora tories, Incorporated, provided such materials, devices or appliances have been submitted to Underwriters' Laboratories, Incorporated, for test and approval. Such temporary approval shall not be granted for a longer period than ninety days. CONNECTIONS SECTION 5. It shall be unlawful for any electric light or power company or electric utili ty, to make any electrical connections to any building or premises until the wiring has been approved by the Electrical Inspector, provided, however, special permission may be given by him to make a temporary connection and use portions of the wiring in a building during construction, if it appears that this can be safely done, and there exists an urgent necessity for such use and for such special permission. UNLAWFUL WIHING I SECTION 6. It shall be unlawful for property owner or contractors not holding permits for doing electric wiring, to interfere in any manner with any electric wiring in, or on, any building. If, in any case the wiring is in such position as to interfere with the completion of the building as called for by the plans, the wiring contractor shall be notified to have it changed. No metal work is to be placed by any person within two inches of any electrical conductor, unless such conductor be properly protect- ~ ed by being enclosed in approved conduit or tubing which will make it possible to replace conductors. Ordinance No. 788 ~, 4l()~ LICENSE, BOND AND OWNER'S RIGHTS ........---- SECTION 7. No person, firm or corporation shall engage in installing, repair- ing or altering electrical wiring or conductors within the corporate limits of the City of Bozeman, Montana, for the purpose of transmitting electrical energy for light, heat, or power, without first obtaining a license therefor from the Electrical Inspect- or, and furnishing a liability bond as hereinafter required. The Electrical Inspector, I before issuing a license, shall determine that the applicant is familiar with the Ordinances of the City of Bozeman regulating the installation, repair, and mainten- ance of electrical wiring and that such applicant is qualified to engage in such work, for the protection of life and property. This section is not designed to cover persons, firms or corporations whose only electrical work is the sale, hookup or repair of elec- trical appliances. There shall be two classes of licenses: ( a ) Contractors' licenses for any person, firm or corporation doing elec- trical contracting. (b) Individual electricians' licenses. The fee for a Contractor's license shall be $10.00 annually. The bond for a Contractor's license shall be $5,000.00 and no license shall be issued until a bond has been filed as herein required. The bond herein required shall be approved as to form and sufficiency by the City Commission and conditioned that he or they will in good faith perform all of the things required by the Ordinances of the City of Bozeman, and that, if any injury to any person or damage to any property results by reason of I his or their failure or neglect to conform with any ordinance relating to the installa- tion of electric wiring and equipment, he or they shall save harmless and indemnify such person injured or the owner of such property damaged. The fee for an individual electrician's license shall be $10.00 the first time the license is issued and $5.00 for each consecutive year thereafter. All licenses shall be issued for one year and obtained on or before January 30th of each year and will expire on ~e 31st day of December of the current year. Any individual electric- ian's license not renewed on or before January 30th shall revert to $10.00. A license of any person, firm or corporation engaged in doing electrical work may by the City Commission be revoked if it is proven to the satisfaction of said City Commission that such person, firm, or corporation wilfully or through carelessness or ignorance, violates or permits its employees to violate any of the provisions of this ordinance. If an owner wishes to do wiring in his own home, he may do so without a license, but he must first obtain a permit reauired by this ordinance, provided, however, the Electrical Inspector may refuse to issue a permit to any person who, in hls estimation, I is not competent to install the electrical work in accordance with the regulations of this ordinance. Sign companies shall be permitted to do wiring in signs and outline lighting on the secondary side of the transformers only. ordinance No. 788 409 SPECIAL WIRING RULES SECTION 8. The following table shall be the minimum service entrance requirements for New Buildings: Circuits Wire Size -- I 2 8 AWG 3-6 6 n 7-10 4 " 11-16 2 ft 17-28 0 " 28-32 2/0 AWG over 32 Nat' Elec. Code Where high capacity unit such as water heater, clothes drier, etc. is ins taIled, above wire sizes shall be increased one size. All installations requiring over 2 circ- uits shall be 3 wire. Service wires in new dwellings over 700 sq. ft. in area shall be a 3 wire service and not less than No.2 in size. All lighting circuits and circuits for convenience outlets shall be not less than No. 12. RESPONSIBILITY SECTION 9. This Ordinance shall not be construed to relieve from or lessen the responsibility or liability of any party owning, operating, controlling or installing any electric wiring, electric devices and/or electric material for damages to person or property caused by any defect therein nor shall the City or the Inspector be held as assuming any such liability by reason of the inspection authorized herein, or cer- I tificate of inspection issued as herein provided. PENALTIES SECTION 10. Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this Ordinance shall be deemed guilty of a misdeameanor, and each such person shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day or portion thereof, during which any violation of any provision of this Ordinance is committed, continued or per- mitted, and upon conviction of any such violation, such person shall be punishable by a fine of not more than Three Hundred Dollars, or by irrprisonment in the city jail for not more than twenty-five days or by both such fine and imprisonment. VALIDITY OF REGULATIONS If any section, paragraph, subdivision, clause, phrase or provision of this Ordinance shall be adjudged invalid or held unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of this Ordinance as a whole, or any part or provision thereof, other than the part so decided to be invalid or unconstitutional. SECTION 11. All Ordinances and parts of Ordinances in conflict herewith are here- by repealed. ~I Passed by the City Commission and approved by the Mayor this 25th day of January, 1956. Approved: ~--' Attest: ( ......../0// /. IL~/J1A.1 ert-l~f <L-/ , 'Ya yor . r ~f the ity ommission State of Montnna, Coun ty of Galla tin) SSe I, L. G. Shsdoan, Clerk of the Commission of The City of Boze~an, do hereby certify th8t the foregoing Ordinance ~o. 788 was published by title and number in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, in the issue of. February 1st, 1956, and th8t due proof of said public8tion is on fl1e in my office. IN WI TNESS V'JHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and affix the co rpora te seal of my office ttis 2nd day of February, 195€'. d!,~~-e~ _J Ordinance No. 788 Cle of the Com~i8sinn