Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 2014-67 - Electrical Code AdoptionORDINANCE NO;)01 4 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS AMENDING CHAPTER 15.16 "ELECTRICAL CODE" OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE 2014 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE AND CORRESPONDING LOCAL AMENDMENTS; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; REPEALING CONFLICTING ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, it is the desire of the City Council of Georgetown, Texas to adopt, in all respects, the "2014 National Electrical Code," with the associated commercial and residential code requirements and (appendices, errata, deletions, local amendments, and as amended in the future) relating to the building standards as set forth herein; and WHEREAS, the City Council of Georgetown, Texas has found that the present electrical codes of the City of Georgetown has become obsolete and inadequate; and WHEREAS, the City Council of Georgetown, Texas has determined that the adoption of the 2014 National Electrical Code is done to facilitate proper inspection activities by Georgetown, Texas relating to electrical standards within the corporate city limits of Georgetown, in extraterritorial jurisdiction of Georgetown, and for commercial buildings served by Georgetown utilities, relating to public safety, health, and general welfare; and WHEREAS, the Building Standards Commission, which has been appointed by the City Council, has (1) reviewed the effect of the proposed regulations; (2) held public hearings related to same; and (3) made recommendations to the City Council for adoption of the same, including amendments noted herein; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, THAT: Section 1. The meeting at which this ordinance was approved was in all things conducted in compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 551. Section 2. The facts and recitations contained in the preamble of this ordinance are hereby found and declared to be true and correct and are incorporated by reference herein and expressly made a part hereof, as if copied verbatim. Section 3. Chapter 15.16, "Electrical Code," is hereby amended in its entirety as shown on Exhibit A. Section 4. All projects that are under construction and all projects with complete applications for a building permit accepted by the City of Georgetown, Texas prior to the Effective Date of this shall be allowed to complete construction under the terms of the prior provisions of Chapter 15.16 and shall not be required to meet the requirements of the 2014 National Electrical Code. All permit applications submitted on or after the Effective Date of this Ordinance shall comply with the terms of Chapter 15.16 as amended by this Ordinance in its entirety, Ordinance Number: Page I of 2 Description: Electrical Code Ado tion Date Approved: , ,_, 2414 Section 5. If any provision of this ordinance or application thereof to any person or circumstance shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions, or application thereof, of this ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared to be severable. Section 6. All ordinances that are in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance be, and the same are hereby, repealed and all other ordinances of the City not in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance shall remain in full force and effect. Section 7. The Mayor is hereby authorized to sign this ordinance and the City Secretary to attest. This Ordinance shall become effective on January 1, 2015 and in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the City of Georgetown. PASSED AND APPROVED on First Reading on the 9th day of September , 2014. PASSED AND APPROVED on Second Reading on the 23d day of SeRtember, 2014. ATTEST: Je r 137rettle, City Secretary Bridget Chap an, City Attorney By: Dale Ross, Mayor Ordinance Number: C,?Ojq Page 2 of 2 Description: Electrical Code Adoption Date Approved: dA'25 2014 fiffrWITWOTIN ARTICLE 1. GENERAL 15.16.040 Licenses - Registrations, Permits Required No person shall enter upon the erecting, construction, alteration or change of any electrical installation, work, wiring or fitting or electrical machinery covered by this chapter until such person shall have first secured all necessary State of Texas license registration and permits as required by this chapter. 15.16.050 Supervision of Placement of Wires. Etc. The City Electrical Department or a regular franchised utility company, is hereby authorized, empowered, and directed to have general supervision over the placing, stringing or attaching of telegraph, telephone, electric light or other wires and cables, and !he placing of all poles and appliances, within their own system, so as to prevent fires, accident or injury to persons or property; to cause all such wires and electric lights to be so placed, constructed, and guarded as not to cause fire, accident, or endanger the life or property of any inhabitant of the city; and all such lights and wires or electrical apparatus now existing, as well as those hereafter constructed and placed, shall be subject to such 2 Chapter 15.16 Code and amendments 15.16.080 Definition For the purpose of this chapter, the "Commission" shall mean the Building Standarl Commission of the City of Georgetown. 15.16.100 Categories of Electricians The City of Georgetown recognizes the same categories of electricians as the State of Texas as set forth in Chapter 1305 of the Texas Occupations Code. 15.16.110 Supervision All work shall be done under the general supervision of a licensed Master Electrician. 15.16.120 Qualifications- Requirements for Registration of State Licenses Any person meeting the requirements of the State of Texas for a particular category o license and possessing a valid license issued by the State of Texas shall be qualified to register that license in the City of Georgetown. 15.16.140 Examinations of Electricians Examinations will be conducted by the State of Texas in accordance with the Tex Electrical Safety and License Act. I iP5r^--%V1M:T =-M 15.16.160 Registration and Fees A. All electricians will register with the City of Georgetown at the Buil ng ce P or to commencing any work. Every application shall show a valid State of Texas Driver's License Number, and provide the full name, date of birth, weight, height, color of eyes, color of hair, ciender, residence address, business address, and a photo ID of the applicant issued by a government agency. The applicant shall be required to have his/her license and registration in his/her possession at all times while on the job. B. Registrations to be issued under the provisions of this article shall be issued only after the payment and collection of the following fees: CLASS ORIGINAL ORIGINAL FEE AND RENEWAL FROM JUNE -DEC. FEE Electrical Contractor $150.00 $75.00 Electrical Sign Contractor Master Electrician Journeyman Electrician 1110111 �1� Residential Wireman (Restricted) Journdyman Sign Electrician Building Maintenance Electrician Apprentice Electrician 15.16.190 Renewal of City Registration A. Each registrant under the provisions of this article shall be entitled to renew his/her City Registration of his/her State of Texas Electrical License upon the payment of the renewal fee set forth above, provided such payment is made on or before the expiration date. Renewals shall be made every 2 years with City License registration expiring on December the 31st of that 2 -year period. tfie ti e of renewal. 15.16 .200 Transfer It is unlawful for any person to transfer his/her electrician's State of Texas license or City of Georgetown registration to allow the use of this license directly or indirectly by another person for the purpose of obtaining a permit to do electrical work. It is unlawful for any person not holding a State of Texas license or City of Georgetown registration to use the same of another, for purpose of doing electrical work or securing a permit to do electrical work. 15.16.220 Revocation of Registration A. An electrical registration of any class issued by the City under the provisions of this ordinance may be suspended or revoked upon the unanimous decision of the Commission. B. Registrations may be suspended or revoked should the holder violate any provisions of the Code as adopted, State Law or City Ordinance or regulation relating to or governing electrical wiring, repairing or construction. In the event termination of a suspension or revocation of an electrical license registration should 4 Chapter 15.16 Code and amendments 2014 National Electrical Code fall within the next registering year, the electrician shall be required to pay for that new registration in full. C. No registration shall be suspended or revoked unless the registrant shall have been given an opportunity to appear and be heard by the Commission. The registrant shall have at least ten (10) days written notice specifying the reason(s) for suspension or, revocation. MIMM�` •= 5 Chapter 15.16 Code and amendments 2014 National Electrical Code "TMARS-14M MMUMTRIM11 15.16.280 Inspection Does Not Relieve • Responsibility This article shall not •- construed to relieve from or lessen the responsibilities of any person who owns, operates, or installs electrical wires, appliances, apparatus construction or equipment for the damage to property or persons, injured by any defect therein nor shali the City or any agent thereof be deemed to assumeany such liability by reason of the inspection authorized herein • the certificate of inspection issued by the City Building Official or desiqnee. FAII M-41311UE Mar-Rillaw- 15.16.290 Permits Required A. No person shall commence the erection, construction, alteration or changeof any electrical installation, machinery, r•r work or wiring in the City until a permit has been issued by the City Building Official or designee covering each installation to be made. B. When any wiring • apparatus is installed, in such a manner that the same could be used for electric light or power purposes, it shall be deemed that the wiring or apparatus is used for such purposes and permit shall be required and inspection made as provided for such purpose. C. It shall be unlawful for the City Electric Department to do any wiring of any nature in • on any building, except power houses and substations • electric light, heat and power companies operating under a franchise granted bv the City, for which a permit has not • issued, or to make any electrical connections to any building or electrical wiring or apparatus until a certificate of inspection or written statement authorizing connection has been issued by the City Building Official or designee. All persons operating under a regular franchise granted by the City shall, upon written notice by the City Building Official • designee, disconnect any circuit, main service wires, branch feeder wires, or distribution system, as designated by such notice, • shall not reconnect such installation `• •• written permission from the City Building Official or designee. D. No permit shall be required for the installation of wires to operate telephon telegraph or • messenger services, or repair or replacement • the sa electrical equipment wiring or apparatus. 15.16.300 To Whom Permits Shall Be Issued Ell 15.16 .310 Permit Fees A. •. fees for Electrical work shall be set forth by the City Building • or design • adopted by the City Council. B. In case any is for which a permit is required by this chapter, is started prior to obtaining said permit, the fee above specified shall be doubled. The payment of such doubled fee shall not relieve any person from fully complying with the requirements of this chapter in the execution of work nor from other penalties prescribed herein. 15.16 .320 Issuance --- Electrical '• The City Building Official or designee shall issue an electrical permit showing the permi) number, the building or house number, a description of the work to be conducted, and the name •' the contractor. 15.16.330 Construction Power Service. General Construction power services shall be authorized for a period of time necessary for completion, final inspection, and testing of the building or structure's electrical system. This service is not to exceed six months for dwelling unit or one year for commercial or institutional occupancies. An extension may be granted by the City Building Official or designee for up to three months on dwelling unit construction sites and six months on commercial or industrial sites. Construction power service can be ordered disconnected at any time by the City Building Official or designee when the installation is declared unsafe or construction work ceases for a period of one month. Reconnection of construction service thus ordered shall not be reconnected until approved by the City Building Official or designee and a renewal fee is paid to the City utility department. A. Temporary Construction Power Poles. A temporary construction power pole shall be authorized to service not more than one construction site and only when the following requirements are met: 1. The responsible contractor applies for service at the City Utility Office; furnishes the assigned address for the site involved; certifies that a temporary metered construction power pole meeting city standards has been erected on the site within 60 feet of utility pole which is capable of providing the service; and the site has been marked with an address -sign clearly visible from the street. 2. The temporary power pole shall be long enough in length to be a minimum of 12 to 14 feet above grade after installation. Pole shall be set in the earth and shall be guyed to withstand lateral pressures of the service under normal weather and wind conditions and will provide a 12' clearance over driveways and an 18' clearance over public streets. 3. The temporary power pole shall be grounded as per City of Georgetown requirements and have a metered service of sufficient size to meet the construction needs. All receptacle outlets shall be protected by G.F.C.1's as required per Article 590.6 of the Code. B. Permanent Construction Service. Permanent construction service may be ?.uthorized for a building or structure under construction provided that: 1. The permanent service equipment has been instal e an t e u ing is 2. The service disconnect and service grounding system has been 3. All construction feeders and branch circuits to be activated are installed and properly safe -guarded from electrical shOGk and overload. 4. A notice is posted on the main disconnect and all activated main and sub - panels indicating they are in-service and are not to be opened except by the responsible electrical contractor. 5. The system has been inspected and approved by the City Building Official or designee. 8 Chapter 15.16 Code and amendments 6. The fuses in the main disconnect switch or the breaker shall be in place when the City Building Official or designee performs the permanent power inspection of the electrical work. Permanent construction service Will be required on the building or structure prior to fin inspection and certification by the City Building Official or designee. i 15.16.340 Inspections Inspections by the City Building Official or designee shall be requested by the person performing electrical work for which a permit has been issued. The electrical inspector shall make the inspection as soon as practicable exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. The electrical contractor, electrical sign contractor or the Master Electrician responsible may be required to be present at the construction site during the final inspection. 15.16.340 Work Not to be Concealed Work will not be concealed until inspected and approval given of such work by the City Building Official or designee. 15.16.370 Approval Tag After inspecting any electrical wiring, the City. Building Official or designee shall leave notice in the form of a tag or label attached to the service entrance switch; which such 11 r- r1w ct sat! i � . . .. �91 . . -t. -- -R�i - MR4 Ve 11 r corr ctio 15.16 ' 380 Defective Workmanship Any person engaged in the business of electrical construction or the installation of wiring or apparatus for electric light or power in the City who shall fail to correct any defect(s) in any work done by him after having been notified of such defect(s) by the City Building Official or designee and given a specified period of time within which to make such correction and fails or refuses within such time to correct such defect(s) in conformity with this ordinance or the lawful orders of the City Building Official or desiqnee, shall not be issued any further permits until such defect(s) have been corrected. On any case in which any person shall continue to or persistently violate the provisions of this ordinance or the orders of the City Building Official or designee in relation to the same, the license of such person may be suspended or revoked upon recommendation by the Commission. 15.16.390 Certificates of Inspection #n the satisfactory completion of the work covered by a permit in accordance with all *rdinances and laws, the City Building Official or designee shall issue a certificate of inspection. The certificate of inspection shall certify that the work is in accordance with the rules governing the respective class to which it belongs. 15.16.400 Effect of Nonconforming Existing Work on issuance of Certificate of inspection Where a permit is issued for an addition to existing work, wherein the new work is satisfactorily completed, but the existing work to which it is connected does not conform to the rules laid down by this ordinance, the City Building Official or designee shall issue a written statement to the effect that the new work complies with the rules, but that the existing work may not comply with the provisions of this ordinance. This statement shall constitute notice to the owner or other interested party that the entire installation may not comply with the provisions of this ordinance and may not prevent the issuance of a completion certificate for the new work. 15.16.410 Refusal of Certificate of Inspection The City Building Official or designee is hereby given the authority to refuse to issue a certificate of inspection for any addition, or extension to any electrical wiring in or on any building wherein it is determined that the wiring is in an unsafe condition. The City Building tit, power company shall connect electrical current to the same if any violations of this ordinance exist. 15.16.420 Routine Inspection It shall be the duty of the City Building Official or designee to inspect all electrical wiring and apparatus in the city at any time in order to ascertain whether such electrical wiring or apparatus is in any respect dangerous to life or property; and, if any part of such electrical wiring or apparatus is found to be in a defective or dangerous condition, the ity Bu ing Official or designee shall have the authority to take whatever action is necessary for safety of life and property. City Building Official or designee shall notify the property owner or tenant within a reasonable time of any defect and/or action taken. If the owner of such defective wiring or equipment shall refuse or fail to comply with this requirement, he/she shall be held to be in direct violation of this ordinance. 15.16.430 Commercial Buildings --Raceways A. All commercial buildings shall be wired in raceways; B. All existing commercial buildings and those buildings used as residential -use buildings and thereafter converted to commercial usage, the requirement for the installation of raceway will be determined on a case by case basis by the City Building Official or designee and/or Building Standards Commission. 15.16.440 2014 National Electrical Code A. The governing edition of the 2014 National Electrical Code shall be that edition accepted by an adopting Ordinance approved by the Commission and enacted by the City Council for the City of Georgetown. MIT insulator of sufficient size to support the service for the distance and size Wire Involved, bolted through a major structural member of the building or structure and installed prior to the electrical rough -in inspection by the contractor. 15.16.470 Service --Entrance All service entrance wires making overhead entrances into buildings shall be carried in metal conduit with weatherproof service head, and the conduit shall be brought from the entrance to the fuse switch or breaker. The service entrance to the service switch cabinet shall be as short as possible, but in no case greater than three feet within the building without the special permission from the City Building Official or designee, Length of outside service wire extension beyond service head shall not be less than two feet. 15.16.480 Service --Mast A service Mast is a service which penetrates a roof or supports a service drop. A mast shall be used anytime proper clearance cannot be achieved without penetrating the roof. A mast shall conform to the following specifications: A. Minimum 2" IMC or galvanized rigid conduit, B. No coupling above the roofline; C. Mast must penetrate a minimum of 18" above roof measured on the hiah side of conduit; D. Any mast over 3' in length (measured from high side of conduit) must be properly guyed so as to relieve the strain of the service drop-, and E. Properly installed flashings and fittings must be installed to prevent leakage. A. Underground secondary service conductors shall be run in 2 inch schedule 40 PVC conduit or better, B. Conduit trenches shall be left open until they are inspected and approved by the City Building Inspection Department or the City Electrical Department; C. Greater than 200 amp services for Laterals shall be installed in a minimum 3" Raceway. 15.16.500 Service Disconnects A. Single Family residences shall have a single current limiting service disconnect located or adjacent to its primary service equipment. This disconnect must be located on the building and not be a part of city distribution equipment; 15.16.510 Meters --Types City Electric Department shall determine the type of metering and its locatiol 15.16 .520 Meters --installation A. The meter shall be installed outside the building unless special permission N is granted by the City Electrical Department. B. Under no circumstances shall any meter be moved or relocated unless authorization is given by employees of the City Electrical Department. C. For 1 & 2 Family Dwelling and Commercial applications- meters shall be placed between (4) four feet and (6) six feet above the finished grade measured to center of meter can. The City Electrical Department Will furnish the meter can, but the contractor shall install them. if the height exceeds six feet special permission is required by the City Electrical Department. D. For three or more meters installed in anyone location, meters shall be installed not less than four feet from finished grade and no more than six feet from finish grade. Special installation shall be approved by the City Inspection Department or City Electrical Building Official. 15.16.530 Circuit Wire Sizes --- Copper A. Wire of size not smaller than No.12 AWG shall be used for lighting distribution circuits from panels to outlets. B. Exceptions are in residential installations wherein No.14 AWG wire may be used for switch legs serving hot more than 600 Wafts. All utility outlets shall be minimum No.12 AWG. C. Control wiring maybe a No.14 AWG conductor and must be fused by not more than 15 amperes. 12 Chapter 15.16 Code and amendments 2014 National Electrical Code 15.16 .540 Aluminum Conductors A. Aluminum and copper -clad aluminum conductors of sizes smaller than No. 6 AWG shall not • used. 15.16 .570 Grounding The grounding and bonding methods shall comply with 2014 National Electrical Code adopted and as specified by this section for each service installed, including but not limi to - A. An underground metallic water pipe shall not be used as the Only groundi electrode for a service-, B. Primary Electrode. Due to the amount of rock in the Georgetown area, Article 250-52 (A) 3, "Concrete -Encased Electrode" shall apply to that of all new construction within the corporate city limits and the ETJ areas where the City of Georgetown supplies and inspects for Electrical service installations; 13 Chapter 15.16 Code and amendments 2014 National Electrical Code C. The grounding and bonding systems for the new construction of Commercial and metal or steel structures shall meet the requirements of the 2014 National Electrical Code and those as specified herein, D. Bonding and/ or grounding conductors shall be installed so as to prevent contact between dissimilar metal(s); E. Gas piping shall not be permitted for use as a Grounding Electrode. This includes the following systems materials — Metal underground gas piping systems and aluminum. w w W- aw W of lei 0 of a a 0 • 15.16 .580 Safeguards A. Color coding of conductors: 1, Single Phase 120/240 Volt System Phase. A Black B Red Neutral White 2. Three Phase 120/240 Volt center tap Delta System. Phase: A Black B Orange (high leg) 14 C Red Neutral White 3, Three Phase 480 Volt Delta System Red Phase: Blue A Brown B Yellow C Purple Phase: A Black B Red C Blue Neutral White 5. Three Phase 277/480 Volt WYE System Phase: A Brown B Yellow C Purple Neutral Natural Gray 1 1 11111 iiii I 1 0 M a a � I E. All gutters shall be marked on the exterior with available voltage, amperage and phases. 15.16.590 Installation of Cabinets and Panel Requirements A. All main and branch circuit panels shall be attached to wall or panel mountin with screws, studs, • toggle bolts. B. Ail panels installed for electrical disconnecting means shall be installed with spare spaces and raceways for future use: 1. For each panel in residential buildings, a minimum of one (1) spare one -inch raceway shall be installed from the panel to an accessible location in the attic or crawlspace for recessed panels only. All disconnect panels installed in residential occupancies must be large enough to accommodate the present load requirements and have at least three (3) spare circuits for future use. 2. For each panel installed in commercial buildings, the requirements for that of paragraph (1) of this section shall apply; except that all disconnect panels installed in commercial occupancies shall provide at least four (4) spare circuits for future tise. 15.16.600 Engineers Seal Required In accordance with the Texas Engineering Practice Act, all drawings pertaining to non - dwelling construction projects of five thousand (5,000) square feet or more shall bear the seal of an engineer licensed in the State of Texas. The Building Official is hereby authorized to require at his/her discretion, said seal to be placed upon drawings for nOn- dwelling construction projects of lessor square footage. 16 Chapter 15.16 Code and amendments 2014 National Electrical Code