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HomeMy WebLinkAbout615 03-25-1980ORDINANCE NO. 615 AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING CERTAIN MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR REGULATING THE INSTALLATION OF ELECTRICAL WIRING AND APPARATUS IN THE CITY OF EULESS; PROVIDING CERTAIN DEFINITIONS, ADOPTING CERTAIN ELECTRICAL CODES; CREATING THE OFFICE OF ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR AND DEFINING THE DUTIES OF SUCH OFFICE; REQUIRING CITY INSPECTION OF ALL ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS, CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR; RE- QUIRING ELECTRICAL LICENSES AND JOB PERMITS AND PRO- VIDING FEES FOR THE ISSUANCE THEREOF; PROVIDING A SEVERANCE CLAUSE; REPEALING THE EXISTING ELECTRICAL CODE AND ALL AMENDMENTS THERETO; PROVIDING A PENALTY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the City of Euless has experienced and is experiencing a rapid increase in residential, commercial and industrial building and construction; and WHEREAS, such rapid increase in the volume of building and construction has emphasized a need for the revision of the Electrical Code; and WHEREAS, the Euless City Council deems it essential to protect the lives, safety, and property of its citizens, to enact a comprehensive electrical Ordinance, TEXAS: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EULESS, I. PURPOSE This Ordinance is and shall be deemed an exercise of the administrative and police powers of the City of Euless, Texas, enacted to protect public safety, comfort, welfare and property, and all the provisions hereof, shall be construed for the accomplishment of that purpose. II. DEFINITIONS 1. The term "electrical wiring" herein used is intended to mean the installation of electrical wires, fixtures, appliances, apparatus or the addition to any wires, fixtures, apparatus or appliances used or to be used on or in any building or in any premises for the purpose of transmitting electrical current for electric light, heat, power, house annuciator systems, electric bells, telephones, signal systems, private telephones or telegraph, radios, lighting fixtures, or for any purpose, of any kind, nature or description. 2. "Electrical Contractor shall mean any person, firm, partnership, or corpor- ation engaged in the business of installing or repairing, or contracting to install or repair any electrical wiring, conduits, fixtures, devices, equip- ment or other electrical materials for conducting, using or consuming electri- cal energy. 3. "Master Electrician" shall mean any person holding a current Master Electrician License. 4. "Journeyman Electrician" shall mean and include any person doing the work of installing, repairing or maintaining any electrical wiring, conduits, fixtures, or devices, or any other electrical materials or appliances for conducting, using or consuming electrical energy and who may engage in such work only under the supervision of, or in the direct employ of a Master Electrician, or Electrical Contractor. 5. "Apprentice Electrician" shall mean any person helping a Journeyman or Master Electrician. III. ADOPTION OF STANDARD CODES The City of Euless hereby adopts the National Electrical Code, 1978 Edition, as now existing or as hereinafter amended, as the standard for electrical wiring requirements for the City of Euless. Meter installations shall comply with specifications of utility company furnishing power. The utility company furnishing power shall have the right to designate service entrance location. IV. ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR 1. There is hereby created the office of Electrical Inspector of the City of Euless, Texas. It shall be the responsibility and duty of the Electrical Inspector of the City of Euless to carry out the terms, provisions and requirements of this Ordinance and to that end he shall be responsible to the Building Official. 2. There shall be designated from time to time as the need may arise such Assistant Electrical Inspectors as may be deemed necessary by the the administrative authority of the City of Euless. 3. The Electrical Inspectors are herein given authority to refuse to issue a permit on an addition to old work where the old work is in an unsafe condition until such is changed to come up to a satisfactory condition. All light, heat and power companies, shall be notified not to make service connections until they receive clearance on written permission from the Electrical Inspection Department. 4. It shall be the duty of the Electrical Inspector to inspect all public and isolated light plants (excepting property of companies and corporations operating under a regular franchise) now or hereafter in operation, at least once in each year, or more often if application is made by the owners thereof. They shall see that any dangerous or defective machinery, wires or apparatus are removed immediately at the expense of owner or agent of said property. - 2 - 5. It shall be the duty of the Electrical Inspector to cause all dead wires, un- used poles or electric apparatus on the outside of buildings or in streets or alleys to be removed at the expense of the owners by giving the said owners written notice. This does not apply to apparatus owned and operated by the Utility Company. 6. The City Electrical Inspector may be called upon as many times as required to inspect new buildings in course of construction in order not to delay construction, and must inspect such work within 48 hours from the time such request is received, Sunday and holidays excepted. 7. The Electrical Inspector shall have the authority to demand building contractors to open such work that in any manner conceals electrical wiring that has been closed without his knowledge or permission, and in no case shall inspector issue clearance until he is satisfied that the work is in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance. Inspectors shall have the right to refuse to issue a clearance on any wiring that is concealed in such manner that they cannot fully satisfy themselves that it has been done in accordance with this Ordinance. 8. The Electrical Inspector shall have the right at all times to make a thorough reinspection of the installation in or on buildings and /or premises of all electric wiring, electric devices and electric materials now installed or that may hereafter be installed, within the City of Euless, Texas. 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 in writing 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 fifteen (15) days from date of said notice or other reasonable period specified by the Electrical Inspector in said notice. 9. The Electrical Inspector is hereby empowered to disconnect or order the public utility company serving electric energy to sever the electrical service to such wiring, device and /or material found to be defectively installed until the installation of such wiring device and material has been made safe as directed by the Electrical Inspector. Any person, firm or corporation ordered to dis- continue any electrical service sahll do so within twenty -four (24) hours and shall not reconnect or allow it to be reconnected until notified to do so by the City Electrical Inspector. No person or persons shall hinder or prevent the City Electrical Inspector or his deputies from making any electrical in- spection. 10. When service is disconnected to any building used for commercial or mercantile purposes, theaters, gasoline stations and garages in the corporate limits of the City of Euless, Texas approval must be obtained from the City Electrical In- spector before reconnecting to the electrical energy. Provided, however, where service is terminated for non - payment of bill, it shall not be necessary to obtain City approval for reconnecting. 11. The City Electrical Inspector shall be permitted to enter any building, structure, alley, lot, manhole or subway during reasonable hours and while in the actual per- formance of his regular duties. Any person or persons refusing to permit the City Electrical Inspector to enter or interfering with the entrance of the City Electrical Inspector to any building, structure, alley, lot, manhole or subway during reasonable hours for the performance of his duties shall be guilty of a violation of this ordinance. - 3 - 5. It shall be the duty of the Electrical Inspector to cause all dead wires, un- used poles or electric apparatus on the outside of buildings or in streets or alleys to be removed at the expense of the owners by giving the said owners written notice. This does not apply to apparatus owned and operated by the Utility Company. 6. The City Electrical Inspector may be called upon as many times as required to inspect new buildings in course of construction in order not to delay construction, and must inspect such work within 48 hours from the time such request is received, Sunday and holidays excepted. 7. The Electrical Inspector shall have the authority to demand building contractors to open such work that in any manner conceals electrical wiring that has been closed without his knowledge or permission, and in no case shall inspector issue clearance until he is satisfied that the work is in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance. Inspectors shall have the right to refuse to issue a clearance on any wiring that is concealed in such manner that they cannot fully satisfy themselves that it has been done in accordance with this ordinance. 8. The Electrical Inspector shall have the right at all times to make a thorough reinspection of the installation in or on buildings and /or premises of all electric wiring, electric devices and electric materials now installed or that may hereafter be installed, within the City of Euless, Texas. 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 in writing 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 fifteen (15) days from date of said notice or other reasonable period specified by the Electrical Inspector in said notice. 9. The Electrical Inspector is hereby empowered to disconnect or order the public utility company serving electric energy to sever the electrical service to such wiring, device and /or material found to be defectively installed until the installation of such wiring device and material has been made safe as directed by the Electrical Inspector. Any person, firm or corporation ordered to dis- continue any electrical service shall do so within twenty -four (24) hours and shall not reconnect or allow it to be reconnected until notified to do so by the City Electrical Inspector. No person or persons shall hinder or prevent the City Electrical Inspector or his deputies from making any electrical in- spection. 10. When service is disconnected to any building used for commercial or mercantile purposes, theaters, gasoline stations and garages in the corporate limits of the City of Euless, Texas, approval must be obtained from the City Electrical In- spector before reconnecting to the electrical energy. Provided, however, where service is terminated for non - payment of bill, it shall not be necessary to obtain City approval for reconnecting. 11. The City Electrical Inspector shall have the power to enter any building, structure, alley, lot, manhole or subway during reasonable hours and while in the actual performance of his regular duties he shall have power to arrest, or cause the arrest of any person or persons violating any of the provisions of this Ordinance. - 3 - v. ELECTRICAL LICENSES 1. Electrical Contractors, as that term is defined in paragraph II hereof, shall be required to have an Electrical Contractor's license issued by the City of Euless. An applicant for an Electrical Contractor's license must hold a Master Electrician's license as that term is herein defined. The fee for an Electrical Contractor's license shall be $100.00 for a period of one year with an annual license renewal fee of $25.00. No person, firm or corporation shall engage in the City of Euless in the business of installing, altering or repairing any electrical wiring, device or equipment, or the installation, alteration or repair or replacement of starters, motors, generators, signs or stationary electrical apparatus or appliances nor shall any person, firm or corporation in any manner undertake to execute such work without an Elect - tical Contractor's license issued by the City of Euless, Texas. 2. No person shall act as a Master Electrician or a Journeyman Electrician with- out an appropriate current electrician's license issued by the City of Euless. All applicants for a Master Electrician's license and Journeyman Electrician's license shall be required to pass an examination given by the City. Tests will be conducted periodically by the City as the same may be necessary. Applications must be filed with the Building Official a minimum of ten (10) days prior to the date of the test. An examination fee of $10.00 shall be required for a Master Electrician test; an examination fee of $5.00 shall be required for a Journeyman's Electrician test. A Master Electrician's license shall cost $5.00 annually and a Journey- man's Electrician license shall cost $2.00 annually. 3. Any person, firm or corporation failing to renew the electrical license held within thirty (30) days after the expiration of same shall be required to make a new application therefore, pay the usual fee for an initial application and pass an examination as required by this Ordinance. 4. No person shall help or assist a Master Electrician or Journeyman Electrician without an Apprentice Electrician's license issued by the City of Euless. An Apprentice Electrician's license shall be issued upon request of a licensed Electrical Contractor for an annual fee of $1.00. An Apprentice Electrician shall not be employed or work on any electrical job without supervision by a Master Electrician or a Journeyman Electrician as that term is herein provided. 5. The licenses issued hereunder shall be in the name of the person, firm or corporation as Certified by the City Electrical Inspector. 6. It shall be unlawful for any person holding any electrical license issued hereunder to transfer or allow the use of same directly, or indirectly, by any other person, firm or corporation, for the purpose of obtaining a permit to do electrical work in the City of Euless, Texas. 7. No minor, nor any person or persons not of lawful age will be issued a Master Electrician's license. 8. Any person, firm or corporation desiring to secure an Electrical Contractor's license under the terms and provisions of this Ordinance, shall file with the Building Official an application in writing and shall deliver the said appli- cation to the Chief Electrical Inspector for further handling in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Ordinance. - 4 - 9• It shall be the duty of the Chief Electrical Inspector to make such investi- gation as he may deem necessary as to all applicants, as to their qualifications, fitness, reputation, character and financial ability, and if after such investi- gation the Chief Electrical Inspector is satisfied with the qualification and fitness of the applicant, he shall notify said applicant in writing of such decision and advise the applicant that if he desires an examination,a date, time and place will be set for same. The Chief Electrical Inspector shall notify any applicant that takes such examination of his grade within five (5) days after such examination is held. A general average of 75 will be the minimum passing grade. 10. In the event an applicant fails a city electrical test and feels that he has been treated unfairly, he may appeal from the decision of the City Electrical Inspector to the City Manager who may order and supervise a second examination. 11. Upon approval of an examination, the Chief Electrical Inspector shall certify such approval to the Inspection Department who shall, upon payment of the fee as required by this Ordinance, issue to the applicant a certificate of quali- fication and license. 12. Recognition of Electrical Licenses issued by other Texas Cities. An electrician holding a current electrical license issued by another incor- porated city in the State of Texas, such license being substantially the same as that defined in Section 2 of this Ordinance, may apply for and receive a similar electrical license in the City of Euless, Texas without taking an examination, provided: (a) Such applicant electrician shall satisfy a two- thirds majority of the Euless Electrical Board that such applicant's license was issued under conditions comparable to those required by Section 5 of this Ordinance. (b) That the city which issued such applicant electrician's license has a similar reciprocal condition in its Ordinances permitting the holder of the type of electrical licenses issued by the City of Euless to obtain a license in such other city without an examination. (c) That the Euless Board shall be satisfied with the applicant's qualifications and ability and vote affirmatively be a two - thirds majority to grant such license. (d) Payment is made of the license registration fee required by this Ordinance and subsequent Amendments thereto. (e) Such applicant shall be subject to and comply with and adhere to all other requirements of the Electrical Ordinance of the City of Euless, Texas. - 5 - VI. ELECTRICAL PERMITS 1. No wiring device or equipment for the transmission, distribution or utilization of electrical energy for light, power and /or hear shall be installed within or on any building or structure, nor shall any alteration or addition be made to any such existing wiring device or equipment without first obtaining a permit therefor from the Inspection Department as stated in the following paragraphs. 2. No permit will be required for the replacement of lamps or the connection of portable devices to suitable receptacles which have been permanently installed. 3. No permit will be required for the installation of wiring and equipment for the operation of transmission of intelligence where such wiring, devices and equipment operate at a voltage not exceeding 25 volts between conductors. 4. Application for electrical permits shall describe the work to be done and shall be made in writing to the Electrical Inspector by the person, firm or corporation installing the work and the permit, when issued, shall be to such applicant. 5. The Electrical Inspector may require that an applicant for a permit furnish complete plans and specifications for the installation showing sizes of con- ductors and such other details as may be necessary to determine whether the installation as described will be in conformity with the requirements of this Ordinance. 6. The issuance of a permit shall not be taken as permission to violate any of the requirements of this Ordinance. 7. The fees to be charged for any electrical work in the City of Euless, Texas, shall be in accordance with the City of Euless Schedule of Fees, Table A, attached hereto. 8, There shall be a reinspection fee of $10.00 where it is necessary for the electrical inspector to re- inspect any phase of an electrical job. VII. ELECTRICAL WIRING REQUIREMENTS 1. Wiring installed in the City of Euless, Texas is to be no less grade than non - metalic sheathed cable. Aluminum wiring may be used as designated in the National Electrical Code, provided that aluminum wire smaller than 6 -AWG shall not be used. All stranded aluminum wire connections must be treated with a product equal to or better than penetrox corrosion preventative. 2. All Three (3) phase power wiring shall be installed in metal conduit. All electric motors must be grounded. 3. Service entrance panels may be installed in any accessible place in dwellings excluding baths and heater closets. All service entrance risers must be conduit. Meter base and riser must be secured on service mask, not less than 2" ridgid pipe must be used. - 6 - 4. All dwellings of 1050 sq. ft. to 1999 sq. ft. must have not less than 100 amps service entrance conductors. All dwellings of 2000 sq. ft or more must have not less than 150 amps service entrance conductors. 5. Dishwashers, washing machines and disposals must each be on a single circuit of no less than No. 12 -2 with ground. Clothes dryers must be on a separate circuit of no less than No. 10 -3 with ground. Where electric ovens and ranges are separate and distinct appliances, they shall be on separate circuits of not less than No. 10 -3 with ground provided such wire is capable of carrying connected load. Where electric ranges and ovens are a single unit, no less than No. 6 -2 8 -1 conductors shall be used, provided conductors must be sized to carry connected load. 6. All electric homes must have a computed load and entrance cable size turned in with application for electrical permit. Installation shall be 125% of calcu- lated load. All calculations shall be made according to the National Electri- cal Code specifications. 7. All temporary poles must be at least 10 ft. high and have two circuit breakers in approved rain shield type box. No fuses will be allowed. Switch box and sockets must be grounded and pole properly braced. Utility company may re- fuse to hook up any pole found in an unsafe condition. 8. On all commercial installations the Electrical Contractor shall furnish the City of Euless Inspection Department a calculated load and riser diagram prior to requesting electrical permit. All commercial installations shall be 125% of the calculated load. 9. On all rewiring of old installations the rewiring may be done according to Chapter 9, Table 4 -A, National Code on rewiring. The existing load plus additi- onal load must be calculated and riser size and entrance cable sized accordingly. 10. Service entrance conductors shall not be run at a distance greater than 25 ft. within the hollow space of a frame building unless provided with automatic over - current protection at their outer ends. 11. All exposed electrical wiring must be layed in conduit. All electrical wiring layed or installed through masonery shall be installed in conduit. 12. No fuse or circuit breaker or current limiting device shall be replaced with a fuse, circuit breaker or current limiting device of greater current limiting capacity than that specified in the National Electrical Code. 13. All electrical service must be grounded with not less than No. 8 wire. If water line is not available, grounding shall comply with National Electrical Code specifications. 14. For residential wiring not more than eight hot openings shall be installed on one 15 amp circuit. Two appliance circuits must be installed in all new work. There shall be at least one base receptacle but not more than four on a circuit of No. 12 wire. The appliance circuit load shall not exceed a 1350 watt load. A grounded appliance plug will be used on all appliance circuits. - 7 - 15'. All underground wire of branch circuit must be protected by fuses or circuit breakers. The neutral conductors must be identified and properly connected to all branch circuits and connected to the screw shell of all sockets and need not be fused. 16. Main entrance switches or circuit breakers in excess of 400 amps must be mounted on plyboards, approved for the purpose and location. 17. Service entrance switches, circuit breakers, or fuse cabinets installed on the outside of buildings or structures must be National Electrical Code approved weather -proof design. 18. No open splices will be allowed in any electrical wiring. All green field must terminate in a box. 19. This Ordinance shall apply to electrical work done upon any structure in the City of Euless, Texas. 20. Only authorized personnel of power company shall be permitted to make electrical service connections to power company lines. In emergency situations where a representative of power company cannot be contacted, Electrical Contractors licensed by the City of Euless may be permitted to make connections. In such event, the Contractor must notify the power company and the City Electrical Inspector within twenty -four hours. 21. Electrical job permits are not transferrable. Electrical Contractor holding permit on job must request final inspection by the City. No Electrical Con- tractor will be issued a permit on any building where another contractor holds a permit for same building. No contractor can continue to complete another contractor's work unless the original contractor cancels his permit, or the Building Official finds Electrical Contractor at fault in failing to complete his work. VIII. SEVERABILITY CLAUSE That it is hereby declared to be the intention of the City Council that the sections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses and phrases of this Ordinance are severable, and if any phrase, clause, sentence paragraph or section of this Ordinance shall be declared unconstitutional by the valid judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, such unconstitutionality shall not affect any of the remaining phrases, clauses, sentences,paragraphs and sections of this Ordinance, since the same would have been enacted by the City Council without the incorporation in this Ordinance of any such unconsti- tutional phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph or section. IX. ORDINANCES REPEALED Ordinances Nos. 122, 150, 157, 206, 304 and 501 and all Ordinances amendatory thereto, are expressly superseded by the terms of this Ordinance. Electrical permits heretofore issued under existing Ordinances shall be valid for the time for which they were issued under the existing electrical Ordinance, how- ever, upon expiration of said date, the same shall become void. All pending litigation and existing violations, both civil and criminal, whether pending in courts or not, under the electrical Ordinance and amend- ments, therefore, superseded by this Ordinance, shall not be affected by this Ordinance, but may be prosecuted until final disposition by the courts. X PENALTY Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this Ordinance shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and the person, firm or corporation, or an employee, an agent, manager, or office thereof shall be fined in any amount not less than $25.00 nor more than $200.00 for each offense, and every violation of each and every day's failure or refusal to comply with the said provisions will constitute a separate offense, and in case of willful or continued violations by any person, firm or corporation as aforesaid, or their agents, employees, servants or officers, the City shall have power to revoke and repeal any license under which said person, firm or corporation may be acting, and revoke all permits, privileges and franchises granted to said person, firm or corporation aforesaid. XI. EFFECTIVE DATE This Ordinance shall become effective and be in full force and effect from and after the date of its adoption and publication as by law provided. PRESENTED AND GIVEN FIRST READING on the Ilth day of Marsh 1980 , at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Euless, Texas, and given Second Reading, passed and approved on the 25th day of March 1980 , by a vote of 4 ayes and nays at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Euless, Texas. APPROVED: ATTEST MAYOR City Secretary I City Attorney Pr — CITY OF EULESS SCHEDULE OF FEES TABLE A TYPE OCCUPANCY BUILDING AREA gn11LRF PFFT BUILDING PERMIT FEE 1. Group R -3 1,000 or less $ 156.00 (Single Family Dwelling, 1,001 - 1,250 187.00 Duplex, Townhouse). 1,251 --1,500 201.00 1,501 - 1,750 216.00 1,751 - 2,000 231.00 2,001 - 2,250 246.00 2,251 - 2,500 261.00 2,501 - 3,000 281.00 3,001 - 3,500 301.00 3,501 - 4,000 321.00 4,001 - 4,500 341.00 4,501 or more 360.00 II. Apartments 2,000 - 20,000 $ .10 /sq. ft. 20,001 - 50,000 600 + .07 /sq. ft. 50,001 - 100,000 1,600 + .05 /sq. ft. 100,000 - 200,000 2,600 + .04 /sq. ft. 200,001 or more 5,600 + .025/s q. ft. III. A, E, I, R -1 (except apartments); B -2 (office 0 51 - 50 - 100 $ 20. minimum 25. buildings, drinking and dining 101 - 250 40. establishments only) 251 - 500 60. 501 - 100,000 10. + .10 /sq. ft. 100,001 - 500,000 2,010 + .08 /sq. ft. 500,001 or more 7,010 + .07/s q. ft. IV. B -1, B -2 (except office 0 - 50 $ 20. minimum buildings, drinking and dining 51 - 250 25. establishments shall be per- 251 - 500 35. mitted under category III) 501 - 5,000 5 + .06 /sq. ft. B -3, B -4, H,M 5,001 - 100,000 55 + .06 /sq. ft. All shell buildings 100,001 - 500,000 1,555 + .035 /sq. ft. 00 001 or more 6,555 + .025/sq. ft. V. Any Occupancy Group Fees for Alterations and Repairs, Alterations, Repairs; Value of Proposed Project permit Miscellaneous work Work (Sewer Line replacement $ 0- 500 $ 10. Air conditioner re- 501 - 1,500 20. placement, Hot water 1,501 - 3,000 30. heater, swimming pool, 3,001 - 5,000 1% fence, etc.) 5,001 - 50,000 12.50 + 0.75% 50,001 - 100,000 112.50 + 0.55% Completion of all shell 100,001 - 500,000 312.50 + 0.35% buildings 500,001 or more 1,312-50 + 0.15% VI. Commercial Certificate of Occupancy $ 10.00 Reins ection Fee 10.00