HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 78- 1009, Electrical regulations; repeals Ord. 959
463
ORDINANCE NO 1009
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
I ESTABLISHING MINIMUM REGULATIONS FOR THE INSTALLATION, ALTERATION
OR REPAIR OF ELECTRICAL WIRING AND THE INSPECTION THEREOF,PROVID-
JNG PENALTIES FOR ITS VIOLATION AND REPEALING ORDINANCE 959 MID
ALL OTHER ORDINANCES OR PARTS THEREOF OF THE CITY OF BOZEMAN IN
CONFLICT HEREWITH.
BE 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, 1978
Edition, published by the National Fire Protective Association," is hereby adopted as the Elect-
rical 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.
I 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
Permits
(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 alter-
ations be made in the wiring in any building after inspection, without first notifying the
Electrical Inspector and securing a permit therefor. Where work for which a permit is required
by this Ordinance is started or proceeded with prior to obtaining said permits, the fees spec-
ified shall be doubled, but the payment of said fee shall not relieve any person from fully com-
plying 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
I 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.
ORDINANCE NO. 1009
464
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: I
Circuits to each sign $1. 50
Connections to each sign $1. 50
6. Heating appliances:
For one heating appliance rated at not
more than 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 horsepower 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 I
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 under-
taken, 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 to entry during usual business hours, to inspect any and all buildings and premises in
the performance 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 In-
spector shall have supervision over all wires, materials, apparatus and fittings used for the I
transmission, distribution or consumption of electrical current for light, heat or power or for
any other purposes 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 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 other, 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
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the Electrical Inspectors, disconnect from any building the service on any circuit as designated
by the notice, 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
I 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 connection 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 ex-
ceeding 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 him twenty-four hours in which to make the required
inspection before such wires are concealed. Providing that on large installations where conceal-
ment of parts of the 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
I 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, de-
vices 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 statutes 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 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
I building 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 pur-
pose of transmitting electrical energy for light, heat or power, excluding any public electric
ORDINANCE NO. 1009
466
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 fail-
ure 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 I
approval.
If an owner desired to do wiring in his own home (single family residence), he may do so
without a license, but he must first obtain a permit required by this ordinance, provided, how-
ever, the Electrical Inspector may refuse to issue a permit to any person who in his estimation,
is not competent to install the electrical work in accordance with the regulation of this
Ordinance.
Sign companies shall be permitted to do wiring in signs and outline lighting on the sec-
ondary 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 a light, with a switch at
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. The protection and disconnect shall be within sight of the motor.
Section 9
Classifications I
All building coming under the following classifications must be wired in approved 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.
4. All alterations or additions to any buildings coming under the above classification
and where the alteration or addition is equal to 59% 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 elect-
rical installation in buildings coming under the above classification that have
been wired previous to the passage of this code, contrary to the above require-
ments, but if he deems it necessary, the entire building must conform with the
present requirements.
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 I
or electrical material for damages to persons 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 inspect-
ion 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 separate offense
for each and every day or portion thereof, during which any violation of any provision of this
ORDINANCE NO. 1009
467
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 ($300.00), or by impri-
sonment in the city jail for not more than twenty-five days or by both such fine and imprisonment.
Section 12
I 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 and after thirty days from its final
adoption.
PROVISIONALLY PASSED AND ADOPTED AT A REGULAR SESSION OF THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BOZEMAN
HELD ON THE 2ND DAY OF August, 1978.
ATTEST:
DUNCAN S. MACNAB, Acting Mayor
ERNA V. HARDING, Clerk of the City Commission
FINALLY ADOPTED AND APPROVED AT A REGULAR SESSION OF THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BOZEMAN HELD
ON THE 30th DAY OF August, 1978.
EDMUND P. SEDIVY, SR., MAYOR
ATTEST:
I ERNA V. HARDING, Clerk of the City Commission
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO
ADOPT ELECTRICAL CODE.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the City Commission of the City of Bozeman, intends to adopt
the 1978 "Electrical Code", as amended, and will consider final adoption of said Ordinance on
Wednesday, the 23rd day of August, 1978, at 1:30 o'clock p.m. in the Commission Room of the
City Hall of the City of Bozeman, Montana, and that three copies of said Electrical Code are
on file with the Clerk of the City Commission of the City of Bozeman for inspection by the
public.
DATED this 2nd day of August, 1978.
Clerk of the City Commission
State of Montana )
County of Gallatin)
City of Bozeman )
I, Erna V. Harding, Clerk of the Commission of the City of Bozeman, do hereby
I certify that the foregoing Ordinance No. 1009 was published by title and number in
the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, a newspaper of general circulation printed and published
in said Bozeman in the issue of the 8th day of August, 1978, 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 22nd day of August, 1978
Clerk of the City Commission
ORDINANCE NO. 1009