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HomeMy WebLinkAbout784 04-10-1984ORDINANCE NO. 784 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 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 construc- tion 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 Ordin- ance, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EULESS, TEXAS: 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 elect- rical energy. 3. "Master Electrician" shall mean any person holding a current Master Elect- rician 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 employee 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, 1984 Edition, as now existing or has 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 locations. 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 admin- istrative 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 con- dition 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) new 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- ORDINANCE NO. 784, PAGE TWO OF EIGHT 5. It shall be the duty of the Electrical Inspector to cause all dead wires, unused 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, Sundays and holidays excepted. 7. The Electrical Inspector shall have the authority to demand building contrac- tors 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 discontinue 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 inspection. 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 Inspector 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. -3- ORDINANCE NO. 784, PAGE THREE OF EIGHT 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 the power to arrest, or cause the arrest of any person violating any of the provisions of this Ordinance. 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. The 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 on behalf of another without an Electrical Contractor's license issued by the City of Euless, Texas. 2. No person shall act as a Master Electrician or a Journeyman Electrician without an appropriate current electrician's license issued by the City of Euless, Texas. All applicants for a Master Electrician's license or Journeyman Electrician's license shall be required to pass an examination given by a reciprocating city of the Dallas -Fort Worth metroplex. The fee for a Master Electrician's license shall be $25.00 for the first year with a renewal fee of $5.00 per year. Journeyman Electrician's license fee shall be $2.00 per year. 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. 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 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. -4- ORDINANCE NO. 784, PAGE FOUR OF EIGHT 8. Any.perso?, 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 futher handling in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Ordinance. 9. It shall be the duty of the Chief Electrical Inspector to make such invest- igation as he may deem necessary as to all applicants, as to their qualifi- cations, fitness, reputation, character and financial ability, and if after such investigation, the Chief Electrical Inspector is satisfied with the qualifications 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. 10. Recognition of Electrical Licenses issued by other Texas cities. An Electri- cian holding a current electrical license issued by another incorporated city in the State of Texas, such license being substantially the same as that defined in Section II 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 the Euless Electrical Board that such applicant's license was issued under conditions comparable to those required by Section V. 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 qualifi- cations and ability and vote affirmatively to grant such license. (d) Payment is made of the license registration fee required by this Ordin- ance 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. VI. ELECTRICAL PERMITS 1. No wiring device or equipment for the transmission, distribution or utili- zation of electrical energy for light, power and /or heat 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 obtain- ing a permit therefore from the Inspection Department as stated in the following. 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. -5- ORDINANCE NO. 784, PAGE FIVE OF EIGHT 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 their 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 $15.00 where it is necessary to the Electrical Inspector to reinspect any phase of an electrical job. VII. ELECTRICAL WIRING REQUIREMENTS 1. Wiring installed in the City of Euless, Texas, is to be no less than non- metallic cable. Aluminum wiring may not be used in any installations except for the entrance service cable installed by the electric utility provider and the service entry cable from the meter base to the control panel only. All other installations shall be copper. Wiring of hazardous locations shall, however, comply with Article 500 of the National Electric Code. 2. All dwellings of 1050 square feet to 1999 square feet must have not less than 100 amps service entrance conductors. All dwellings of 2000 square feet or more must have not less than 150 amps service entrance conductors. 3. Service panel boards for dwellings may be installed in any readily accessible location in dwellings excluding bathroom, heating and clothes closets. 4. Service mast through the roof for overhead service from meter socket must be 2' galvanized rigid conduit or larger with no coupling or fitting between the weatherhead and meter socket. 5. Rigid PVC conduit shall not be used for underground service risers to service equipment outside of a commercial or industrial building or structure. 6. All temporary poles must be a minimum of 12' in height for overhead service drop. The meter socket must be mounted a minimun of 4' and maximum of 6' from grade to center of meter socket. The minimum service conductors shall be no smaller than number 6'AWG and a 50 amp main 2 pole volts disconnect- ing breaker. ORDINANCE NO. 784, PAGE SIX OF EIGHT 7. Non - metallic device boxes may be used as per 370 -7 (c) and the equipment grounding conductors connected together in a spliced form shall be secured by an approved device such as a wire nut, scotchlock, etc. 8. On all commercial installations, the Electrical Contractor shall furnish the City of Euless Inspections Department a calculated load and riser diagram prior to requesting an electrical permit. 9. On all re- wiring of old installations, the wiring may be done according to Chapter 9, Table 4 -A, National Code on re- wiring. The existing load plus additional 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' within the hollow space of a frame building unless provided with automatic over - current protection at their outer ends. 11. All electrical panels and meters on frame shall be mounted on 2" x 4" board backing and in installations on brick veneer lead anchors must be used. No electrical panels or electric boxes shall be mounted on opposite side of walls of bathtub enclosure. VIII. SEVERABILITY CLAUSE That it is hereby declared to be the intention of the City Council that sections, paragraphs, sentences, clause 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, cluase, sentence, paragraph or section. IX. ORDINANCES REPEALED Ordinances No. 122, 150, 157, 206, 304, 501, 615, and 696 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. However, 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 amendments, there- fore, 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 -7- ORDINANCE NO. 784, PAGE SEVEN OF EIGHT shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and the person, firm or corporation or an employee, an agent, manager of 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 violation, by any person, firm or corporation as aforesaid, or their agents, employees, ser- vants 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 of 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 17th day of March 1984 , at a ra9u1ar meeting of the City Council of the City of Euless, Texas, and given the Second Reading, passed and approved on the 10th day of April 1984 , by a vote of 4 ayes and 1 nays at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Euless, Texas. ATTEST: SECRETARY V APP S TO ORM: CITY ATTORNEY APPROVED: MAYOR ORDINANCE NO. 784, PAGE EIGHT OF EIGHT