HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 75- 959, Adopts National Electrical Code. 365
ORDINANCE NO. 959
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA, PROVIDING FOR THE
PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY: REQUIRING A PERMIT
AND INSPECTION FOR THE INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF ELECTRICAL
WIRING: CREATING AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE: DEFINING CERTAIN
TERMS: ESTABLISHING MINIMUM REGULATIONS FOR THE INSTALLATION,
ALTERATION OR REPAIR OF ELECTRICAL WIRING AND THE INSPECTION
THEREOF: PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR ITS VIOLATION AND REPEALING
ORDINANCE 913 AND ALL OTHER ORDINANCES OR PARTS THEREOF OF THE
CITY OF BOZEMAN IN CONFLICT HEREWITH:
HE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA, AS FOLLOWS, TO WIT:
Section 1.
ADOPTION
A certain document, three copies of which are on file in the office of the Building Inspector
of the City of Bozeman, Montana, being marked and designated as "National Electrical Code, 1975
Edition, published by the National Fire Protective Association", is hereby adopted as the
Electrical Code of the City of Bozeman for the regulation of electrical installation, repair
and maintenance in the City of Bozeman, being referred to, and made a part hereof as if fully
set out in this Chapter.
Section 2.
MUNICIPALITY AND CITY DEFINED
Whenever the words "Municipality" or "City" are used in the code hereby adopted, they shall
mean the City of Bozeman.
Section 3.
ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR DEFINED
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. Whenever the term
"Electrical Inspector" is used in the code hereby adopted, it shall be construed to mean the
Electrical Inspector or his authorized representative.
Section 4.
(a) Permit Required. No alteration shall be made in the existing wiring of any building,
nor shall any building be wired for the placing of any electrical current, nor shall any altera-
tions be made in the wiring in any building after inspection, without first notifying the Electrical
Inspector and securing a permit therefore. Where work for which a permit is required by this
Ordinance is started or proceeded with prior to obtaining said permit, the fees specified shall
be doubled, but the payment of said fee shall not relieve any persons from fully complying with
the requirements of this Ordinance in the execution of the work, nor from the other penalties
prescribed herein.
(b) Fees for Permits. At the time the application for a permit is made, the applicant shall
pay to the Electrical Inspector the following fees.
1. For each permit $3.00
2. Wiring for lights and small appliances (per
switch, plug or outlet box) ;
1 to 15, inclusive - $2.00
for additional outlets, each $ . 10
Ten foot or fraction thereof of continuous outlet
stripping shall be one outlet.
3. For alterations and additions, same as new work.
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4. For installation of main service only, determined
by name plate of main switch up to 100 ampheres $4.00
For each additional 100 Amp. or portion thereof $1.50
5. Sign wiring:
Circuits to each sign $1.50
Connections to each sign $1.50
6. Heating appliances:
For one heating appliance rated at not more than
ten kilowatts, the fee shall be $2.00
Additional heating appliances, 10 Kilowatts or less $1.00
For each heating appliance rated over 10 Kilowatts,
the fee shall be $3.00
7. Power:
One motor, one horsepower or less $2.00
Additional motors of this size $ .50
More than 1 but less than 10 h.p. $3.00
Additional motors of this size $1.00
Ten horesepower or more $4.00
Changes to existing motors $1.00
Generators. For each generator for light and power
purposes, including switchboard and connections $8.00
8. Minimum inspection fee $5.00
9. A charge of $5.00 shall be made for each additional trip occasioned
by carelessness or neglect on the part of the contractor in calling
for an inspection at an incorrect address or at a time when such
inspection could not be made properly.
10. All work under $25.00 must be called in but no inspection fee will
be charged.
(c) Plans Required. Accompanying the application for permit there shall be filed with the
inspector plans of the work to be undertaken on all non-residential construction and, if deemed
necessary by the Electrical Inspector, plans may be required for residence type work. The above
mentioned plans shall show the character and precise location of the premises. The permit shall
not be held to allow cutting of any structural features of any buildings. The permit shall
cover the work set forth in the plans only, and if additional work is to be undertaken, a new
permit to cover such additional work shall be secured in the usual manner.
Section 5.
INSPECTION AUTHORITY AND DUTIES
(a) Right of Access to Buildings. The Electrical Inspector and Assistants shall carry
proper credentials of their respective office, upon exhibition of which they shall have the right
of entry during usual business hours, to inspect any and all buildings and premises in the per-
formance of their duties. However, should the owner or occupant disapprove entry, the inspector
shall produce a search warrant signed by the proper authority.
(b) Discontinuance of Service. Authority to order service stopped. The Electrical
Inspector shall have supervision over all wires, materials, apparatus and fittings used for the
transmission, distribution or consumption of electrical current for light, heat, or power or for
any other purpose, whether new or old; and whenever any such wires, materials, apparatus or
appurtenances are, or may become dangerous to life or property, or liable to cause fire, accident
or injury, he is empowered to order the owner, agent, or user to remove or repair such within
forty-eight hours after receipt of the notice. In case the order is not complied with, the
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3(37
Electrical Inspector shall order the current to be disconnected, from the installation or the part
of it which is considered hazardous, and all owners, agents, users, light and power companies and
others, shall not have the current or circuit connected again until the Electrical Inspector has
given a written permit to do so. All firms, corporations, or individuals, whether operating under
a regular franchise granted by the City or not, shall, upon written notice from the Electrical
Inspector, disconnect from any building the service on any circuit as designated by the notice,
and shall not reconnect the building service or circuit, except upon written notice from the
Electrical Inspector.
(c) 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 installing the same to notify
the Electrical Inspector, who shall inspect the installation within twenty four 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 constitute a hazard to life and property he will authorize connect-
ion to the electrical service and the turning on of the current. Provided, however, that the
inspector may give temporary permission to furnish electric current to 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 that are to be hidden from view shall be inspected
before concealment and any person, firm or corporation installing such wires shall notify the
Electrical Inspector, giving his twenty-four hours in which to make the required inspection before
such wires are concealed. Providing that on large installations where concealment of parts of the
111 wiring proceeds continuously, the person, firm or corporation installing the wiring shall give the
Electrical inspector due notice and inspection shall be made periodically during the progress of
the work.
(d) 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 installation in any buildings of all electric wiring,
electrical devices and electrical material now installed or that may hereafter be installed within
the City of Bozeman. When the installation of any such wiring, devices 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 required to place such
wiring, devices and materials in a safe condition and have such work completed within four days,
or any longer period specified by the Electrical Inspector in said notice. The Electrical Inspector
is hereby empowered to order the discontinuance of electrical service to such wiring, devices or
materials so found to be defectively installed until the installation of such wiring, devices and
material has been made safe as directed by the Electrical Inspector.
(e) 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 stat-
utes of the State of Montana, and the National Electric Code as herein adopted.
(f) Review. When the Electrical Inspector condemns all or part of any electric 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 a board of three competent parties to be appointed by the Mayor, with
the approval of the City Commission, upon receipt of which the Board shall at once proceed to
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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.
Section 6.
CONNECTIONS. It shall be unlawful for any electric utility to make any electrical connections to
any buildings or premises until the wiring has been approved by the Electrical Inspector, provided,
however, special permission may be given to 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.
Section 7.
BOND AND OWNERS RIGHTS. No person, firm or corporation shall engage in installing, repairing 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, excluding any public
electric utility, without first filing a $5,000 bond 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 his or their failure or neglect
to conform with any ordinance relating to the installation of electric wiring and equipment, he or
they shall save harmless and indemnify such person injured or the owner of such property damaged.
Said bond shall be filed in the office of the Building Official for approval.
If an owner desires to do wiring in his own home, he may do so without a license, but he must first
obtain a permit required by this Ordinance, provided, however, the Electrical Inspector may refuse
to issue a permit to any person who in his estimation, is not competent to install the electrical
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work in accordance with the regulation of this Ordinance.
Sign companies shall be permitted to do wiring in signs and outline lighting on the secondary side
of the transformers only.
Section 8.
WIRING RULES . To supplement the National Electric Code and the Montana State Electrical Code.
1. All furnace and air-conditioning rooms or areas, must have alight, with a switch at the entrance.
2. Where installation of stationary motors 1/6 h.p. and over are made, a non-temperable fuse, or
other approved device shall be used where built-in protection is not provided. This protection and
disconnect shall be within sight of the motor.
Section 9.
CLASSIFICATIONS: All buildings coming under the following classifications must be wired in approved
metallic conduit and be so installed throughout and in accordance with the requirements of conduit
construction provided, however, that service metal raceways, electrical metallic tubing and under
floor raceways may be used under conditions designed in the latest issue of the National Electrical Code.
1. All buildings within Fire Zone I, except private dwellings and their accessory building used for
non-commercial use.
2. All public, commercial and industrial buildings.
3. All apartment houses, tenement houses and flats.
4. All alterations or additions to any buildings coming under the above classification and where
the alteration or addition is equal to 50% of the installation, the whole building shall be brought
up to the requirements of this code. The inspector may allow alterations or smaller additions to be
made with metal molding to the electrical installation in buildings coming under the above classifi-
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cation that have been wired previous to the passage of this code, contrary to the above requirements,
but if he deems it necessary, the entire building must conform with the present requirements.
5. All power wiring except in private dwellings.
6. All hazardous locations as set forth in the National Electric Code.
Section 10.
RESPONSIBILITY. 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 or electrical material for damages to persons or property cause 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 certificate of inspection issued as herein provided.
Section 11.
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this Ordinance shall be deemed
guilty of a misdemeanor, and each such person shall be deemed guilty of a seperate offense for
each and every day or portion thereof, during which any violation of any provision of this Ordinance
is committed, continued or permitted, and upon conviction of any such violation, such person shall
be punished by a fine of not more than Three Hundred Dollars ($300) , or by imprisonment in the city
jail for not more than twenty-five (25) days or by both such fine and imprisonment.
Section 12.
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 13.
This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from after thirty (30) days from its final adoption.
Finally adopted and approved at a regular session of the Commission of the City of Bozeman
held on the 26th day of August, 1975.
JAMES W. VOLLMER, Acting Mayor
ATTEST:
/
ERNA V. HARD NG,
Clerk of the City Commission
State of Montana )
County of Gallatin : ss
City of Bozeman )
I, Erna V. Harding, Clerk of the Commission of the City of Bozeman, do hereby
certify that the foregoing Ordinance No. 959 was published by Title and number
in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, a newspaper of general circulation printed and
published in Bozeman in the issue of the 7th day of September, 1975, and due
proof of such publication is on file in my office.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I hereunto set my hand and affix the corporate seal of my
office this 25th day of November, 1975.
ETNA V. HARDING,
Clerk of the City Commission
ORDINANCE NO. 959