Chapter 15.12
ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS

Sections:

15.12.010    National Electrical Code Adopted–Copies On File

15.12.020    Electrical Inspector

15.12.030    Permit Required Generally–Fees

15.12.040    Applicability and Scope of Permit Requirements

15.12.050    Special Permits for Temporary Wiring–Fees

15.12.060    Issuance of Permit Not Deemed Approval of Wiring Diagrams and Specifications

15.12.070    Inspection of Work

15.12.080    Amendments to Electrical Code

15.12.090    Additions to and Changes in Old Wiring

15.12.100    Repairs to Wiring Necessitated by Fire or Other Causes–Approval Required for Reconnection

15.12.110    Required Conduit and Fireproof Covering

15.12.120    Violations–Penalties

15.12.010 National Electrical Code Adopted–Copies On File

There is adopted by the city, for the purpose of establishing rules, regulations and minimum requirements for installation of electrical wiring in the construction, alteration or repair of buildings, structures, fixtures and appurtenances thereto, the National Electrical Code, 1984 Edition, published by the National Fire Protection Association, and all future editions, revisions or additions thereto, hereinafter designated "electrical code," of which not less than three copies have been and now are filed in the office of the city clerk, and such code is by reference made a part of this chapter as though fully and completely set forth herein. From the date on which this section shall take effect, the provisions and requirements of the code shall be controlling and in full force and effect within the corporate limits of the city. (Prior code § 5-18)

15.12.020 Electrical Inspector

A.    The office of electrical inspector, hereinafter called "inspector," is created, to be known as and combined into the office of building inspector.

B.    The inspector shall have all the powers and duties specified herein and in the code herein adopted.

C.    The inspector, and such assistants as may be necessary in the proper performance of the duties of the office, shall be appointed by the mayor and council of the city. (Prior code § 5-19)

15.12.030 Permit Required Generally–Fees

Wiring, in connection with the construction, installation or alteration of any building, structure, fixture or appurtenance thereto, shall not be commenced until a permit therefor has been issued and the required fees paid to the City. The permit fees required to be paid to the City shall be as set forth in the schedule of rates, fees and charges (City Ordinance No. 637). (Ord. 1144 (part), 2011: prior code § 5-20)

15.12.040 Applicability and Scope of Permit Requirements

A.    No person shall engage in or work at the installation, extension or alteration of electric wiring of any building, structure, apparatus or equipment within the corporate limits of the city until such person has secured a permit to do the proposed work.

B.    No permit shall be issued to any person who proposes to contract the doing of electrical work regulated by this code, unless the person requesting the permit is the holder of a valid license as required by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.

C.    The preceding provisions of this section shall not apply to a person, firm or corporation operating an industrial or manufacturing plant or other institution regularly employing electricians for the maintenance, operation and repair only, of electrical equipment upon the premises owned and occupied by such person, firm or corporation, and incidental to the business carried by such person or firm. (Ord. 1144 (part), 2011; prior code § 5-21)

15.12.050 Special Permits for Temporary Wiring–Fees

A.    Special permits may be issued by the inspector for the use of certain classes of temporary open wiring, including but not limited to carnivals, fairs, demonstrations, religious meetings, town parties and auction sales. Such special permits shall be granted for a period not to exceed three (3) weeks, including extensions of time thereof, and the fee for such special permit shall be as set forth in the schedule of rates, fees and charges (City Ordinance No. 637).

B.    Special permits shall also be granted for the use of temporary wiring for lights and power on buildings under construction. Such permits are void automatically upon cessation of active construction or when, in the judgment of the inspector, such wiring becomes hazardous.

C.    Section 15.12.040 shall not apply to circuses, carnivals and similar transient enterprises which regularly employ qualified electricians, provided electric current is derived from their own generating plant, and further provided, that the wiring is confined to private property on which the tents and equipment of the transient enterprises are located. In such cases:

1.    An electrical permit must be secured from the inspector by the owner of the enterprise or his authorized representative, and such permit shall be issued for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days;

2.    The wiring shall be inspected by the inspector and shall meet his approval for safety requirements; and

3.    The fee for such permit shall be as set forth in the schedule of rates, fees and charges (City Ordinance No. 637). (Ord. 1144 (part), 2011; prior code § 5-22)

15.12.060 Issuance of Permit Not Deemed Approval of Wiring Diagrams and Specifications

A.    The issuance of an electrical permit shall not be construed as an approval by the inspector of wiring diagrams, drawings, specifications or details of contemplated work insofar as the same or any portion thereof is in conflict with this chapter or any other rules or regulations governing electric installations in the city. The holder of an electrical permit shall not do or perform any work other than that designated in the application for the permit without first notifying the inspector and paying any required additional fee therefor. No work shall be permitted at any location other than that designated by the permit.

B.    All buildings requiring four hundred (400) ampere loads or over must be certified by a registered electrical engineer, and the necessary calculations must be furnished to meet the city electrical code. (Prior code § 5-23)

15.12.070 Inspection of Work

A.    The inspector, upon notification from the permit holder or his agent, shall make the following inspections and shall either approve that portion of the construction related to electrical wiring as completed or shall notify the permit holder wherein the same fails to comply with this code:

1.    Rough inspection: that inspection to be conducted prior to the time that any electrical wiring has been covered or concealed.

2.    Final inspection: that inspection to be made after the building is completed and ready for occupancy.

B.    No work shall be done on that part of the building or structure affecting electrical wiring beyond the point indicated in the inspections as listed in subsection A of this section without first obtaining the written approval of the inspector. Such written approval shall be given after an inspection is made as indicated by inspections required in subsection A of this section. (Prior code § 5-24)

15.12.080 Amendments to Electrical Code

The following are amendments to the code adopted by this chapter:

A.    Section 230-70(A)(1) shall be added to read:

The disconnecting means and meters shall be located at a readily accessible point outside the building, and meters shall not be installed higher than six and one-half (6 1/2) feet above grade, unless otherwise approved by the inspector.

B.    Section 310-22 shall read:

Knob-and-tube wiring as described in Article 394 of National Electrical Code shall not be allowed within the city of Winslow.

(Ord. 1144 (part), 2011: prior code § 5-25)

15.12.090 Additions to and Changes in Old Wiring

A.    Additions to or changes in old wiring must be in accordance with the electrical code and this chapter, regardless of the manner in which the previous work was done. No addition shall be made to any circuit which will overload the circuit when calculated by the rule applied to wiring of different classes of buildings in new work. New circuits, when added to old installations, must be carried to the meter board cabinet or center of distribution and a separate cutout of branch block provided to protect the old work. When the total number of added circuits plus the old circuits exceed the allowable carrying capacity of the old service wires as calculated for new work, new service must be provided and the meter board and equipment brought up to requirements for new work.

B.    When a building is moved to a new location, it must have electrical service equipment brought up to requirements for new work.

C.    The wiring in a building which is moved into the city limits shall be brought up to the requirements of new work. (Prior code § 5-26)

15.12.100 Repairs to Wiring Necessitated by Fire or Other Causes–Approval Required for Reconnection

A.    When repairs to wiring are made necessary by fire or any other cause, this section shall control the amount of replacement necessary. If seventy-five (75) percent of the lineal feet of a circuit requires replacement, the whole circuit must be completely replaced. If the damage of the entire installation equals seventy-five (75) percent of the total lineal feet, the whole installation must be brought up to the requirements of this electrical code.

B.    When an electric installation has been disconnected by the power company or the Fire Department as a result of fire or other damage, no such wiring shall be reconnected without prior written approval of the inspector. (Prior code § 5-27)

15.12.110 Required Conduit and Fireproof Covering

All electrical wiring installed in commercial buildings within the inner fire zone as described in Section 15.04.010 shall be enclosed in electrical metallic tubing (EMT). (Ord. 1144 (part), 2011: prior code § 5-28)

15.12.120 Violations–Penalties

It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to violate any of the provisions or requirements of this chapter or the code, and any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions or requirements of this chapter or the code shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. Each separate day or any part thereof during which any violation of this chapter occurs or continues shall be deemed to constitute a separate offense, and upon conviction thereof shall be punishable as provided by state law. (Ord. 1047 (part), 2007: Ord. 658 § 1 Exh. A (part), 1994; prior code § 5-29)