HomeMy WebLinkAbout023032 ORD - 08/12/1997AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI,
CHAPTER 13, BUILDINGS; CONSTRUCTION AND RELATED
OPERATIONS; HOUSING AND HOUSING PREMISES STANDARDS, TO
ADOPT THE 1996 NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODE, WITH MINOR
ALTERATIONS, AS THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI ELECTRIC CODE,
AND TO MAKE MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS TO THE
ADMINISTRATIVE CHAPTER OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI
TECHNICAL CONSTRUCTION CODES; PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE; AND PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION.
WHEREAS, the 1996 Edition of the National Electric Code was approved at the National Fire
Protection Association, Inc., Annual Meeting, on May 25, 1995; released by the National Fire
Protection Association Standards Council on July 21, 1995; and approved by the American
National Standards Institute on August 18, 1995;
WHEREAS, the City of Corpus Christi desires to amend the City of Corpus Christi Electrical
Code to adopt the 1996 National Electric Code, including the changes made since the 1993
edition of the National Electric Code, for regulatory purposes and in the interest of life and
property protection;
WHEREAS, as part of its review of the 1996 National Electric Code, the existing local changes
and requirements in the City of Corpus Christi Electric Code, and the administrative provisions
governing the City of Corpus Christi Technical Construction Codes, the Electrical Advisory
Board has recommended that several provisions of the Administrative Chapter be revised to
improve the administration of the Technical Construction Codes and that the format of the local
changes and requirements in the City of Corpus Christi Electric Code be modified to improved
cross-reference with the National Electric Code;
WHEREAS, the Building Official, Building Code Board of Appeals, and Mechanical/Plumbing
Advisory Board have reviewed and concurred in the amendments proposed by the Electrical
Advisory Board;
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI,
TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 103.1.1.4. of Chapter 1, Administration, of the SBCCI Standard
Building, Gas, Mechanical, and Plumbing Technical Construction Codes, 1991 Edition, as
amended and adopted by Section 13-1 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Corpus Christi is
amended to read as follows:
103. Permits.
103.1. Permit application.
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103.1.1. When required.
103.1.1.4. Homeowner's permit. A permit may be issued to property
owners for construction, alteration, installation or repairs within the scope
of this code, in a building owned or and occupied by them as their
homestead.
SECTION 2. Section 103.1.3. of Chapter 1, Administration, of the SBCCI Standard
Building, Gas, Mechanical, and Plumbing Technical Construction Codes, 1991 Edition, as
amended and adopted by Section 13-1 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Corpus Christi is
amended to read as follows:
103.1.3. Minor repairs and alterations. Ordinary repairs and minor alterations
may be made without obtaining a permit, provided that such repairs and
alterations do not violate any of the provisions of the technical construction codes.
Permits are not required for the repair, replacement, alteration, or installation of
the following:
103.1.3.1. Building:
a. Screens for windows and doors;
b. Fences less than seven (7) feet in height measured from the lowest
at grade level;
c. Driveways and paving within your property not to be used to
support a structure;
d. Roof patching (less than twenty-five (25) per cent of roof areas
may be repaired within any twelve-month period);
e. Painting (interior, exterior);
f. Floor or wall covering;
g. Repair and/or replacement of exterior siding, brick veneers,
masonry, trims or other exterior wall coverings not exceeding
twenty-five (25) per cent of the wall being repaired and/or
replaced;
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h. Cabinets without furr down spaces (surface mounted);
i. Replacing doors or windows;
j. Batting cages of chain link;
k. Repairing nonstructural and/or non -fire resistive components of a
building without altering the exit system;
1. Replacing or repairing sheetrock and paneling that maintains
existing standards;
m. Uncovered patios (flat work without a pier and beam support
system) at ground level;
n. Tennis courts fencing of chain link;
o. Fixing broken stair treads;
P. Installing or replacing locks;
q. Shelves;
r. Anchored/tied down pet housing less than forty (40) square feet in
area;
s. Temporary frame work used to protect shrubbery from freeze
conditions;
t. Recreational equipment such as pre -fabricated swing sets, picnic
tables, lawn furniture and other portable equipment;
u. Clothes hanging pole supports; and
v. Tree forts (play houses) less than sixty (60) square feet in area.
103.1.3.2. Electrical:
a. Garage door openers, if plug-in type;
b. Replacement of light fixtures with similar fixtures including
ceiling fans;
c. Replacing fluorescent ballasts in a residence by the home owner;
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d. Replacement of receptacles or light switches;
e. Replacement of residential type garbage disposals, dishwashers
and trash compactors provided that the electrical system is not
modified;
f. Replacement of residential type electric water heaters when wired
with copper wire. If wired with aluminum wire a qualified
electrician shall make the connections;
g. Replacement of circuit breakers in electric panels with other circuit
breaker of same brand and amperage;
h. Replacement of any fluorescent ballast by any licensed electrician
under contract to perform routine maintenance by the owner or
manager of the structure. or by a certified electrical maintenance
person, employed to perform building maintenance while on the
premises of their employer (for the purposes of this subsection
"replacement" includes the changing of individual items that are
broken or that are changed out with a similar item as part of an
ongoing routine maintenance program. but does not include the
replacement with a different type of ballast. which requires
rewiring of a fixture or fixtures. or the change out of more than
25% of the ballasts in a structure within a one year period. unless
the item has a shorter life expectancy. is no longer functioning or
is damaged);
i. Replacement of air conditioning system or furnace if done by state
licensed mechanical contractor with a city mechanical permit;
j. Disconnection, installation of disconnects, and connection of air
conditioning systems or furnaces, if done by a licensed electrical
contractor;
k. Oil well pump and service wiring;
1. Changing light bulbs, flood lights or lamps;
m. Maintenance work performed by a city licensed electrician on the
premises of his employer; and
n. Replacement of any sign ballast and transformer up to a rating of
fifteen thousand (15,000) secondary volts (sixty (60) ma), by any
city licensed master electrician:; and
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Installation of an electric sign where no electric work is being
performed by the installer. (However. a building permit may be
required.)
103.1.3.3. Gas:
a. Replacement of any fixtures or appurtenances thereto which are to
remain at their existing location.
b. Repair of sections of gas lines which do not exceed five (5) feet in
length.
c. Replacement of residential type water heaters (excluding boilers)
without any changes to the gas system, to the capacity, to the type
of heat source, or to the location, provided that the exhaust vent
consists of a double -walled vent pipe, and that the temperature and
pressure relief valve is replaced with a new valve.
103.1.3.4. Mechanical:
a. Repair of any electrical portable heating device.
b. Repair of any portable ventilation equipment.
c. Repair of any portable cooling unit.
d. Repair of any steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating
or cooling equipment regulated by this code.
e. Replacement of any individual component part or composite
component part within an approved assembly unit, in which its
replacement and replacement part do not alter its original approval
or make it unsafe and complies with this code. This exception shall
not be construed to include replacement of a complete assembly
unit such as a condensing unit, furnace, or other such assembly
units as assembled by the original equipment manufacturer.
f. Repair of any portable evaporative cooler.
g. Repair of any self-contained refrigeration system containing ten
(10) pounds (four and fifty-four hundredths (4.54) kg) or less of
refrigerant and actuated by motors of one (1) horsepower (seven
hundred forty-six (746) W) or less.
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h. Replacing or repairing of existing vent pipes with proper clearance
and roof flashing.
i. Replacement or extension of ducts within the space of existing
ducts.
j. Replacement of grilles.
103.1.3.5. Plumbing:
a. Repair of leaks which do not alter the plumbing system.
b. Replacement of shower heads, including spray massage.
c. Replacement and resetting of any plumbing fixtures, faucets, or
appurtenances thereto which are to remain at their existing
location.
d. Repair of sections of water or sewer lines which do not exceed five
(5) feet in length.
e. Replacement of appliances such as garbage disposals, trash
compactors, and dishwashers without altering the plumbing
system; excluding boilers.
f. Replacement of residential type water heaters (excluding boilers)
without any changes to the gas system, to the capacity, to the type
of heat source, or to the location, provided that the exhaust vent
consists of a double -walled vent pipe, and that the temperature and
pressure relief valve is replaced with a new valve.
g.
The use of temporary hoses connected to the outlets of clothes
washing machines and condensate drains from dehumidifiers and
air conditioning units that allow the greywater or condensate to be
used to irrigate vegetation or water the building's foundation.
h. The installation of a separate drain for clothes washing machines
that allows the greywater to be used to irrigate vegetation or water
the building's foundation. The drain may not be connected to the
plumbing system, and the drain may not be connected to any
device used to store greywater for future use.
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SECTION 3. Sections 108.2.5.3. and 108.2.5.5 of Chapter 1, Administration, of the
SBCCI Standard Building, Gas, Mechanical, and Plumbing Technical Construction Codes, 1991
Edition, as amended and adopted by Section 13-1 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Corpus
Christi is amended to read as follows:
108. Licensing.
108.2. Electricians.
108.2.5. Types of licenses.
* * * * *
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108.2.5.3. Master electrician -sign or elevator. If the applicant desires to
do work in electrical elevator or electrical sign installation, sipn
manufacturing, repair, alteration. and/or maintenance, he shall pass a
special examination on the same basis as that given to his particular
classification. Such applicant shall file with the application an affidavit
setting forth that such applicant is not less than eighteen (18) years of age
and has had not less than five (5) years experience in the installation,
alteration, maintenance and repair of electrical elevators or signs, or
equally qualifying experience for at least five (5) years. Applicant shall be
examined as provided herein. A certificate of graduation or successful
completion of a recognized technical school or college on the electrical
field shall be credited one (1) year of experience for one (1) year of
education not to exceed three (3) years as part of the required five (5)
years experience.
108.2.5.5. Limited journeyman electrician. An applicant for license as a
limited journeyman electrician shall file with the application and affidavit
setting forth that he is not less than eighteen (18) years of age, and that he
has had not less than two (2) years experience in the electrical trade.
Applicant shall make in his application affidavit a statement that he will
engage only as an employee or under the supervision of a master
electrician (sign) or a master electrician (elevator); and that he shall
perform all installation, sign manufacturing, alteration maintenance and
repair of equipment in accordance with the Corpus Christi Code and that
he will not independently engage in the business of contracting such
electrical work.
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SECTION 4. The City of Corpus Christi Electrical Code, as adopted by Section 13-2 of
the Code of Ordinances, City of Corpus Christi, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 13-3. Electrical code.
Sec. 13-3.1. City of Corpus Christi Electrical Code adopted; amendments.
The -1993 1996 edition of the "National Electrical Code," a copy of which is on file in the
office of the city secretary, is hereby adopted and amended as part of the Code of Ordinances of
the City of Corpus Christi as adopted and amended it shall be known as the City of Corpus
Christi Electrical Code to the same affect as if copied verbatim herein and shall be in effect
except as it may be changed, modified, or amended herein.
Sec. 13-3.2. Local changes to National Electric Code (NEC).
Local requirements. Certain special local rules covering electrical wiring and equipment
installations are set forth herein, and certain additions and exceptions are hereby adopted to the
rules and regulations of the National Electrical Code to raise the safety level of electrical
installations and to prevent the rapid deterioration of electrical materials and equipment from
severe atmospheric and underground corrosive action, all of which additions and exceptions are
set forth in this chapter section.
NEC 90-2(b)5, Electrical Utility Companies. Permits and inspections are required for
electric utility companies, their employees and agents, to install exterior lighting, except
exterior lighting located in public streets or alley rights-of-way and except exterior
lighting located in utility or electric easements recorded on plats filed for record in the
plat records of the county clerk's office.
NEG -90-10. Individual metering required. A building or buildings containing more than
five (5) dwelling units shall provide for individual metering or submetering of each
diva.
NEC 210-21. 210-22, 210-23. and 210-24, 210 52 aid 310 5, Current Capacity. All
circuits, except lighting circuits, shall have conductors sized to provide a minimum
current capacity of twenty (20) amperes. Not more than ten (10) incandescent lighting
fixtures and/or general use receptacles (duplex) shall be installed on a one hundred twenty
(120) volt branch circuit. Not more than three (3) receptacles (duplex) shall be installed
on each of the required small appliance circuits in dwellings. For circuits supplying
lighting fixtures having ballasts, transformers, or autotransformers, the computed load
based on the total ampere ratings of such fixtures shall determine the number of fixtures
on a lighting circuit.
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NEC210-50 210-52, Receptacles Required. The following listed buildings shall have a
minimum of one (1) receptacle installed for every twenty (20) feet measured horizontally
around the interior wall at the floor level of each room, excluding storage rooms:
Office Buildings
Restaurants
Bank Buildings
Mechanical Garages
Taverns Studios
NEC 210-52 Current Capacity All circuits except lighting circuits shall have
conductors sized to provide a minimum current capacity of twenty(201 amperes Not
more than ten (10) incandescent lighting fixtures and/or general use receptacles (duplex)
shall be installed on a one hundred twenty (120) volt branch circuit. Not more than three
(3) receptacles (duplex) shall be installed on each of the required small appliance circuits
in dwellings. For circuits supplvina lightina fixtures having ballasts. transformers, or
autotransformers. the computed load based on the total ampere ratings of such fixtures
shall determine the number of fixtures on a lighting circuit.
NEC 230-65 230 E, Minimum Fault Current Protection. All electrical service entrance
equipment, except for temporary construction loops, shall be provided with fault current
protection of not less than twenty-two thousand (22,000) amps, in addition to that
required by Article 230-65 of the National Electrical Code. When approved by the
building official or his authorized representative, the provisions of this subsection article
need not apply to any particular installation for which compliance with Article 230-65 of
the National Electrical Code has been certified by a professional registered engineer in
the State of Texas.
used with el.,etrieal mctalliettubit.g shall be prehibit d.
NEC 250-81, Service Grounding. Electrical service equipment shall be grounded as per
the requirements in NEC Article 250-81, grounding electrode system. A metal
underground water pipe shall be supplemented by an additional electrode of a type
specified in Article NEC 250-81 or NEC 250-83. Where none of the electrodes specified
in Article NEC 250-81 is available a made electrode shall be used:
a. Pipe electrodes --Electrodes of pipe shall be of brass or copper; or
b. Rod electrodes --Rod electrodes shall be of brass, copper, or copper clad steel, and
shall be at least 5/8" D x 8' L.
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NEE300-1(c). Raceways or metal clad cables in commercial buildings. All commercial
buildings shall be wired in electrical conduits or with metal clad cables. except as
provided herein.
(1) Exceptions to raceways or metal clad cables. Raceways or metal clad cables
will not be required when structures were originally constructed and used as single-
family single -story residential -use buildings and which are thereafter converted to
commercial usage if. at the time such building is converted to commercial usage. such
preexisting electrical wiring. equipment and fixtures in such structures conform to all
other applicable provisions of this code. To obtain the benefit of the exemption granted
by this article. the owner or occupant of such building must obtain an inspection for a
certificate of occupancy as required. Any installation of new electrical wiring. fixtures or
apparatus installed in any building which was converted to commercial usage. or any
rewiring of such structure shall be wired in raceways or metal clad cables.
(2) Construction/development temporary buildings. Tempos buildings. the
uses of which are incidental to construction operations or sale of lots during development
being conducted on the same or adjoining tract or subdivision and which shall be
removed upon completion of development. are not required to be wired in raceways or
metal clad cables.
NEC 310, Prohibited Conductors. As of March 1982, the use of aluminum conductors of
No. 2 gauge and smaller shall be prohibited in electrical wiring installations, except that
exterior, overhead conductors shall be exempted from this prohibition.
NEC 310-5. See amendment to NEC Article 210-22, Current Capacity, above.
NEC 338-2 and 338-3. Service entrance conductors and sub feeds to electrical
distribution panels shall run in conduits or raceways. A masthead used for support of
service drop conductors shall extend forty-two (42) inches above the roof and shall be
two (2) inches or larger rigid metal conduit.
NEC 346-111-0, Underground Electrical Conduit. All underground installations of single
runs or grouped runs of electrical conduit shall be nonmetallic. In lieu of rigid metal
conduit for underground wiring in hazardous location, schedule 80 Electrical PVC may
be used.
NEC 3 70-1 7 348-8, Prohibited Connectors. The use of crimp type connectors and
couplings used with electrical metallic tubing shall be prohibited.
NEC 384-1 and NEC 384 15, Spare a cuts “rid Raceways. Onc (1) spore e:rei.it shall
.. :. For each panel a spare one -
inch raceway shall be installed from the panel to an accessible location.
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NEC 34-TandNEC 384-15, Spare Circuits . One (1) spare circuit shall
be installed for every five (5) circuits in all new buildings. Fe. caeh pancl a 3pa.c onc
NEC 440-B 11 Disconnecting Means. A disconnecting means shall be provided in the
ungrounded conductors of each branch circuit to electrically operated air conditioning
components. The disconnecting means shall be within sight of and in no case farther than
six (6) feet from the equipment. A fusible disconnect switch shall be installed for single
phase air conditioning equipment of five (5) tons rating or less. Disconnecting means
shall not be required on equipment with integrally installed disconnecting means.
ARTICLE 695.696 -- ELECTRICALLY -CHARGED FENCING
X93696-1 Electrically -charged fencing Installation of electrically -charged fencing for
the purpose of security. animal containment and other similar uses shall be in accordance
with approved Underwriters' Laboratories or anv other nationall�ecognized testing
agency. devices. Upon installation such fencing shall be clearly identified with signage
not to exceed a fifty -foot maximum spacing on this electrical fencing. The signage shall
be legible from a distance of five (5) feet and shall be properly maintained while fence is
in use.
Scc. 13 3.3. Local r..guireinents i.. add:tiei. to NEC.
13 3.3.2. Rac.way,,' et metal clad cables. A-11-ce.m.ntti,ial buildings -anon}, aci .,1
will not be &qu r.d ,shen struetunds were originally ee..st actcd anti us.,d as sine,
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mctal clad eablcs.
SECTION 5. If for any reason any section, paragraph, subdivision, clause, phrase, word
or provision of this ordinance shall be held invalid or unconstitutional by final judgment of a
court of competent jurisdiction, it shall not affect any other section, paragraph, subdivision,
clause, phrase, word or provision of this ordinance, for it is the definite intent of this City
Council that every section, paragraph, subdivision, clause, phrase, word or provision hereof be
given full force and effect for its purpose.
SECTION 6. A violation of this ordinance or requirements implemented hereunder shall
constitute an offense, punishable as provided in Section 1-6 of the City Code of Ordinances.
SECTION 7. Publication shall be made in the official publication of the City of Corpus
Christi as required by the City Charter of the City of Corpus Christi.
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That the foregoing o dinance was read for the first time and passed to its second reading on this
the Ath Day of , 1997. by the following vote:
Loyd Neal
Jaime Capelo
Melody Cooper
Alex L. Garcia, Jr.
Arnold Gonzales
Betty Jean Longoria
John Longoria
Edward A. Martin
Dr. David McNichols
That the f e oing o dinance was read for the second time and passed finally on this the / { I
Day of , 1997 by the following vote:
Loyd Neal
Jaime Capelo
Melody Cooper
Alex L. Garcia, Jr.
Arnold Gonzales
PASSED AND APPROVED, this the
ATTEST:
Betty Jean Longoria
John Longoria
Edward A. Martin
Dr. David McNichols
Day of alliPth , 19 /7.
4at
Armando Chapa, City Secr'tary Mayor
The City of Corpus Christi
APPROVED: aC DAY OF JO /-/ , 1997:
James R. Bray, Jr., City Attorney
By:
R. Ja ' ei ing
As istan City Attorney
R60326D3.202
State of Texas
County of' Nueces
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PUBLISHER'S AFFIDAVIT
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI
ss: Ad # 1521325 - fl» 139SeA
PO #
Before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public, this day personally came Darrell
G. Coleman, who being first duly sworn, according to law, says that he is Vice -
President and Chief Financial Officer of the Corpus Christi Caller -Times, a daily
newspaper published at Corpus Christi in said City and State, generally
circulated in Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Duval, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Karnes,
Kenedy, Kleberg, Live Oak, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria and Webb
Counties, and that the publication of, NOTICE OF PASSAGE OF ORDINANCE
NO. 023032 which the annexed is a true copy, was inserted in the Corpus
Christi Caller -Times on 18TH day(s) of AUGUST, 1997.
ONE (1) Time(s)
$52.38
to di ordl
nances, ity of Cotpus geietk
i, Chapter 13, Buildings; Con-,
istruction and Related
Operations; Housing and
Housing Premises Standards.;
to adopt the 1996 National'
Electric Code, with minor alter-
! ations to the City of Corpus
Christi Electric Code and to
make miscellaneous amend-
ments to the administrative
' chaappter of the City of Corpus
Christi Technical Construction
t Codes; providing for penalties;
providing for severance; and
providing for publication. This
ordinance was passed and ap-
proved by the City Council of
the City of Corpus Christi on
the, 12th day. of August;
.d
liNgt
iyfr a rams:
Vice -President and Chief Financial Officer
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 20TH
day(s) of AUGUST. 1997.
l� L
Notary Public, Nueces County, Texas
CONNIE HARALSON
Print or Type Name of Notary Public
My commission expires on 5/14/01.