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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2946 ORDINANCE NO. z~ AN ORDINANCE relating to electricity, pro- viding regulations and standards for the installation, alteration, extension and use of electric wire apparatus and fixtures in the City of Bremerton, Washington, and for the inspection of the same; providing for the issuance of permits and work to be done and setting a schedule of fees for permits and inspection; providing for the issuance of licenses and setting fees therefor, pro- viding penalties for the violation of said ordinance; and repealin~ Ordinances No. 1948~' 1963~ 2009~ 2081~ 2188,~2388[' 2630~and 2~74,~ and all other ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith and declaring an emergency. THE CITY OF BREMERTON DOES ORDAIN: SECTION I,iDUTIES OF INSPECTOR 1. The City of Bremerton Electrical Inspector shall inspect the installation of wires to convey electric current or electric apparatus to be operated by such current and race- ways and enclosures, or any change, addition or alteration there- to required by this ordinance. 2. The Inspector or his assistants shall have the right to enter any building at any reasonable time for the purpose of making inspections, and it shall be unlawful for any person to prevent such inspector from so doing. 3. The Inspector shall answer any relevant questions concerning, or give any desire~ information in respect to the meaning, intent or application of the provisions of this ordinance or any rules adopted in connection therewith. The Inspector is not, however, empowered to, and shall not, lay out work or act in the capacity of consulting engineer for contractors, electricians or owners. SECTION II, INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATE 1. When any part of a wiring installation, for which a permit has been or is required, is to be hidden from view by the permanent placement of parts of the building, the permittee shall notify the Electrical Inspector and such parts of the wiring installations shall not be concealed until they have been inspected and approved or until twenty-four hours shall have elapsed from time of such notification excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, providing that on large installations where concealment of parts of the wiring proceed continuously the permittee shall give the Electrical Inspector due notice and he shall make periodical inspection during the progress of the work. 2. A preliminary Certificate of Inspection may be issued authorizing the connection and use of certain portions of an incompleted installation. Such preliminary certificate may be revoked for cause. 3. Upon completion of the work which has been authorized by the issuance of a permit, it shall be the duty of the permittee to notify the Electrical Inspector who shall inspect the instal- lation within twenty-four hours of the time such notice is given, or as soon thereafter as is practicable, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Upon approval, a written certificate authorizing the connection for the power company will be left on the job. 4. If, upon final inspection, it is found that the installation is not in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance, the Electrical Inspector shall notify, in writing, the permittee stating the defects which exist and must be corrected before a Certificate of Inspection will be issued. 5. When the Electrical Inspector has issued a Certificate of Inspection authorizing the connection and use of temporary work, such certificate shall expire at the time stated therein and shall be revocable for cause. SECTION III, DEFECTS TO BE CORRECTED 1. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to make connections to a source of electrical energy or to supply electric service to any electric wiring, device, appliances or equipment until defects found by the Electrical Inspector have been corrected. The Electrical Inspector may inspect wiring installation within the City of Bremerton, and where he finds any wiring installation dangerous to the safety of life and property, or the same constitutes a fire hazard, he shall serve written notice upon the consumer, owner or lessee of the property of the dangerous condition of such wiring installations and order the immediate alterations, repairs, or changes necessary to conform to the provisions of this Ordinance. If the consumer, owner or lessee fails, neglects or refuses to comply with such order within five ($) days, the Electrical Inspector shall disconnect such installation or cause it to be disconnected from its source of supply until such wiring and installation is made to conform to the provisions of this Ordinance. 2. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to reconnect to any source of electric energy any electric wiring, devices, appliances, or equipment which has been disconnected or ordered disconnected, or the use of ~which has been ordered discontinued, until a Certificate of Inspection has been issued authorizing the reconnection and use of such wiring, devices, or equipment, including electric signs. 3. When the Electrical Inspector finds extrahazardous conditions to exist, he is authorized to immediately disconnect or order the immediate disconnection of electric service. 4. In the case, on existing installations, where the cost of alterations or additions to the wiring system exceeds 50% of the total value of the electrical installation, the entire system must be revised to comply with the provisions of this ordinance. SECTION IV, PERMITS 1. The Inspector may issue a permit to the owner of any building used and occupied by him or who is purchasing under a bonafide real estate contract, or who is building the same to occupy as his residence, for which a permit is required by this Ordinance, if said work actually shall be done by the owner or a member of his immediate family and the applicant therefor shall furnish a sworn statement to that effect. The home owner shall appear before the Electrical Inspector and show by questioning, his ability to perform work specified in the permit. Provided, however, no permit shall be issued to the owner of any building to do his own wiring if the building for which the permit is required is used as a place of business, apartment house, rental unit or as. a house offered for resale. 2. The Inspector may issue a permit to a school, church, public building, owner or occupant of a commercial or industrial building regularly employing a qualified electrician or maintenance engineer for the repair and replacement of wiring, apparatus or fixtures in any such building. 3. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to place or install, or cause or permit to be placed or installed, in, on or about any building or structure any wiring apparatus or fixtures for the use of electricity for he~ing, lighting or power purposes or communicating purposes when the voltage exceeds 50 volts, or to make, or cause or permit to be made any alterations or changes in or additions to any wiring, apparatus or fixtures for such use without first ob- taining from the Building Department of the City of Bremerton a written permit so to do, with the following exceptions: a. No permit shall be required for minor repair work, replacement of lamps, installation of meter, or the connection of portable devices to suitable receptacles which have been permanently installed. b. No permit shall be required for the installation, alteration, or repair of wiring, devices, appliances or equipment for the operation of signals or the transmission of intelligence, where such wiring, devices, appliances or equipment operate at a voltage not to exceed 50 volts between conductors and does not include generating or trans- forming equipment capable of supplying 50 Watts of energy or less. c. No permit shall be required for the installation, alteration, or repair of electric wiring, devices, appliances and equipment installed by or for an electrical service corporation for the use of such corporation in the generation, transmission, distribution or metering of electrical energy, or for the use of such a corporation in operation of signals or the transmission of intelligence. d. No permit shall be required from a public service company for the installation of temporary wiring for testing electrical apparatus or equipment. 4. Every permit issued by the Building Department under the provisions of this Code shall expire by limitation and become null and void, if the building or work authorized by such permit is not commenced within sixty days from the date of such permit, or if the building or work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after the work is commenced for a period of sixty (60) days. Before such work can be recom- menced a new permit shall be first obtained so to do, and the fee shall be one-half the amount required for a new permit, provided no changes have been made in the original plans and specifications for such work; and provided, further, that such suspension or abandonment has not exceeded one year. If work for which a permit is required is started before the permit is obtained, the fee for said permit shall be doubled. Payment of such increased fee shall in no way relieve the permittee from penalties prescribed for a violation of this code. SECTION V, PERMIT FEES FOR RESIDENTIAL WIRING 15 outlets or less, switches included 1.50 Over 15 outlets, for each 2 outlets .15 Temporary Service 2.00 New or relocated service not over 100 ampere with 1 meter base and. panel 2.00 New or relocated service over 100 ampere 2.50 Each additional meter base and/or panel 1.50 Each electric range, oven cooking unit, water heater, dryer, dishwasher, garbage disposal, furnace using electric motors and any other appliance requiring a separate circuit not specifically listed herein 1.50 Minimum residential permit fee 1.50 RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL PERMIT FEES Swimming pools 5.00 Electric Heating: Any type of electric space heating equipment, swimming pool heaters, sauna heaters, electric furnaces or boilers of any voltage, per KW or fraction .50 Motors, heat pumps and/or air conditioners: Per motor H.P. for first 5 H.P. 1.50 For each H.P. over 5 H.P. .50 Auxiliary Electric heaters per KW or fraction thereof .50 Electric signs of 1 circuit 1.50 Each additional circuit 1.00 'Mobile home service and feeder 5.00 6 COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL FEES Where value is $1.00 to $300 the fee is 2% with minimum 1.50 $300. to $600. $6.00 plus 1 1/2%over $300. $600. to $1,000. $10.50 plus 1% over $600. $1,000. to $3,000. $14.50 plus 1/2% over $1,000. over $3,000. $24.50 plus $3.00 per thousand or fr~¢tion thereof Fees to be based on contractors bid price or labor and material including light fixtures and all other wiring materials. An inspection fee not less than $5.00 will be charged for appraisal of a building or other than routine inspection by the Electrical Inspector. SECTION VI, EXCEPTIONS TO STATE AND NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE 1. Ail new electric wiring, apparatus and fixtures in, on, or about buildings and other structures, within the provisions of this ordinance in the City of Bremerton, shall be governed by and conform to the rules and regulations as laid down by the 1968 National Electrical Code except where specifically modified by this Ordinance. Three copies shall be filed with the City Clerk of the City of Bremerton and said date of filing shall constitute the date of adoption of the Code Edition. Ail such electrical wiring, apparatus and fixtures shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of this Ordinance. 2. NEW WIRING IN 1ST, 2ND AND 3RD FIRE DISTRICTS: Ail new wiring for heat, light or power in the first three fire districts for the City of Bremerton shall be encased in rigid metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing, cast in place raceways or under floor ducts with the following exceptions: a. Three feet of flexible metal conduit for motor connections; b. Surface metal raceways within a room; 7 c. Flexible metal conduit upon receipt of permission of the Electrical Inspector may be used where it is impractical to use other raceways; d. The use of B~ wiring and service entrance cable is prohibited; e. Ail service entrance conductors shall be installed in rigid conduit; f. Aluminum conductors smaller than No. 8 A.W.G. shall not be used except that copper clad aluminum conductors No. 12 or larger may be used; g. Duplex convenience outlets shall be wired with not smaller than No. 12 A.W.G. all copper wire. Whenever lights and convenience outlets are combined on a circuit, No. 12 copper shall be used and not more than 10 outlets shall comprise the circuit. No. 14 copper wire may be used for lighting circuits only; h. Furnace circuits shall terminate in a disconnect switch on or within five (5) feet of the furnace; i. Approved rigid non-metallic conduit may be used underground and in concrete; j. Existing single or two family dwellings used solely as such. 3. In schools, theaters, commercial buildings, nursing homes, churches, hospitals, assembly halls, public buildings, hotels, motels and apartment buildings, the wiring shall be encased in rigid metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing, cast in place raceway, or under floor duct. For classification of buildings, the description and types will be found in the current Building Code and/or Zoning Ordinance of the City of Bremerton. In apartment buildings, motels and dormitories not located within the first three Fire Zones, non-metallic sheathed cable with grounding conductor may be used as the wiring method for branch circuits in such wood frame occupancies of not more than three (3) stories not including a basement where no apartments are located. Approved raceways shall be installed for feeders or sub-feeders. SECTION VII, ALTERNATE MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION 1. The provisions of this Ordinance are not intended to prevent the use of types of construction or materials offered as an alternate for the types of construction or materials required by this Ordinance, but such alternate types of con- struction or materials to be given consideration shall be offered for approval as specified in this section. Corresponding materials or types of construction referred to in this Ordinance, the use of which is the same as is intended for the new material or construction, and approved, shall be considered as standards of quality and strength if no specification is provided. 2. Any person desiring to use types of construction or materials not specifically mentioned in this Ordinance shall file with the Electrical Inspector authentic proof in support of claims that may be made regarding the sufficiency of such types of construction and materials and request approval and permission for their use. 3. Ail electrical installations and equipment must be installed to conform to all requirements as laid down by the Building, Fire and Plumbing Code affecting the installation of electrical equipment. SECTION VI~ INVALIDATION 1. If any clause, sentence, paragraph or part of this ordinance shall for any reason, be adjudged to be invalid or unconstitutional, such judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder of this ordinance, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment shall have been rendered. SECTION IX, PENALTY 1. Every person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this ordinance or who shall refuse to comply therewith shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $300.00 or by imprisonment in the City Jail for a period of not exceeding 90 days or by both such fine and imprisonment. SECTION X, LIABILITY 1. This Ordinance shall not be construed to relieve or lessen the responsibility of any person owning, operating or installing any electrical equipment, for damages or for injury to any person or property by any defect thereof, nor shall the City nor any agent thereof be held as assuming any such liability by reason of the inspection authorized herein or under the certificate of inspection issued by the Inspector. SECTION XI, ORDINANCES REPEALED 1. Ordinances No. 1948, 1963, 2009, 2081, 2188, 2388, 2630, 2~74, and all other ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith be and the same hereby are repealed. SECTION XII, EFFECTIVE DATE 1. That an emergency exists affecting the public peace, health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the City 10 of Bremerton, and this Ordinance shall take effect i~ediately following passage and publication. PASSED unanimously on first reading by the City Council of the City of Bremerton, signed by the Mayor and attested by the City Clerk in authentication of such passage this ~~day of March, 1971. GLENN K. JARSTAD,X~Mayor ATTEST: ii. C./~YEADON, St ~., City Clerk