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HomeMy WebLinkAbout16823 ORD - 01/20/1982AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE, 1981 EDITION; MAKING IT UNLAWFUL TO UNDERTAKE THE INSTALLATION OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT WITHOUT A PERMIT THEREFOR, EX- CEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED; ESTABLISHING INSPECTION PERMIT FEES; ESTABLISHING INSPECTION DUTIES AND AUTHORITY; ADOPTING CERTAIN OTHER REGULATIONS; PRO- VIDING PENALITIES FOR VIOLATION; REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 14420 AS AMENDED; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE FROM AND AFTER MARCH 1, 1982. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS. Section 1. That Article III - ELECTRICAL of Chapter 13 of the Code Of Ordinances, City of Corpus Christi, 1976, as amended, is hereby amended by adding Division 2 - Electrical Code thereto, said Division 2 consisting of Section 13-90 through 13-98, which shall hereafter read as follows: DIVISION 2 - ELECTRICAL CODE Section 13-90. Title and Scope (a) The title of this Division shall be "The Corpus Christi Electrical Code," and may be cited as such and it will be referred to in this Division as "this code." (b) The "National Electrical Code," 1981 Edition, a copy of which is on file in the office of the City Secretary, is hereby adopted as part of this Code_ to the same effect as if copied verbatim herein and shall be in effect except as it may be -in -conflict with the provisions of this Division. (c) This Code shall govern all installation of electrical conductors or equipment hereafter made, and all existing installations which are altered, or for which the use has changed. Repair and maintenance work shall be such that if any "electrical conductor or equipment" is removed and later replaced, same shall be replaced in accordance with the provisions of this Code. (d) Low Energy Circuits: Permit requirements of this Code shall not apply - to low voltage electrical conductors or equipment installation meeting the require- ments of Article 720 and Article 725 of the National Electrical Code," 1981 Edition. (e) Other Permits: All constrictioncovered by other ordinances and codes of the city, including all sign structures, sign attachments to buildings, and/or foundations shall not be initiated until the proper permits have been issued in compliance with such codes and ordinances. 16823 sEp 2 8 1984 °FILMED' (0 Responsibility For Safe Work: This Code shall not be construed to relieve from or lessen the responsibility or liability of any person owning, operating, or installing electrical conductors, devices, appliances, fixtures, apparatus, motors, or equipment for damages to persons or buildings caused by any defect therein; nor shall the City be held liable for any damages by reason of the enforcement of this Code. Section 13-91. Definitions (a) Words when not otherwise separately defined shall have meanings which conform to the meanings set out in the "National Electrical Code," 1981 Edition, if set out; otherwise, they shall have their usual meanings. (h) Board: Board shall mean the Electrical Advisory Board as constituted and appointed by the City Council. (c) City: City shall mean the territory within the corporate limits of the City of Corpus Christi, Texas, or the legallyconstituted governing body thereof, its agents and its officers. (d) Chief Electrical Inspector: The employee of City appointed by the City Manager. (e) Inspector. Inspector shall mean an individual who has been designated by the City of Corpus Christi as an inspector. (f) Licensed Electrician: Licensed electrician shall mean a person who holds a current and valid license issued pursuant to Division 1 - Licensing of this Article. Licensed electrician shall include any individual licensed by some other governmental jurisdiction when a license has been issued under the provisions of said Division 1 without examination. (g) Maintenance; Maintenance shall mean the act of keeping in a state of safe operating condition any conductor or piece of equipment used inside or outside, attached or connected to any building electrical system by replacement of units or elements thereof, but shall not include additions to, or replacement of an existing system or branch thereof'. Section 13-92. Administration and Enforcement (a) Restriction On Employees: No employee of the Building Inspection Department, except one whose only connection is as a member of a board or committee appointed by the City Council, shall be financially interested in the furnishing of labor, • material, or equipment for the installation, alteration, or maintenance of electrical wiring, fixtures, or equipment, or in the making of plans or speci- fications therefor, unless said employee is the owner of the property on which the installation exists or is planned to take place. (b) Chief Electrical Inspector: The Chief Electrical Inspector is hereby designated as the person responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Corpus Christi Electrical Code, and who shall discharge the duties and have the authority hereinafter provided. The Chief Electrical Inspector may delegate said authority to inspectors and the other employees of the Building Inspection Department as may be required to carry out his duties. The Chief Electrical Inspector shall be responsible to the Building Official, the Assistant City Manager, and the City Manager, each of whom are authorized to act in lieu of and with the same authority as the Chief Electrical Inspector. (c) Powers Of Inspectors: The Chief Electrical Inspector and Inspectors shall have the following powers: (1) To enforce the provisions of this Code and to arrest any person who violates any of such provisions. For such purpose, the inspectors shall have the powers of a Police Officer. (2) To enter any house or premises by due process of law, if necessary, during reasonable hours, or while any electrical wiring or fixtures or equipment is being installed; to examine any electric wiring or installation of electrical wiring, fixtures or equipment therein, in the performance of official duties. (3) To order electric service disconnected where improper or defective wiring exist a or where electrical construction or equipment has been installed without a permit as required herein. (4) To order complianOre with provisions of this Code where a change of occupancy occurs in a building which requires changes or alterations to existing wiring. (5) To disconnect electrical service or services, in cases of emergency where necessary for safety of persons or property or where electrical equipment may interfere with the work of the Fire Department. (6) To attach to electrical equipment or electrical meters any official notice or seal which might be necessary to prevent the use of electricity; and it shall be unlawful for any person to use any such seal or break, change, destroy, tear, mutilate, cover or otherwise deface Or injure any such official notice or seal posted by any Inspector. -3- (d) Liability Of Inspectors: Where action is taken by the Chief Electrical Inspector or other Inspectors to enforce the provisions of this Code, such acts shall be done in the name of and on behalf of the City, and the inspectors in so acting for the City shall not render themselves personally liable for any damage which may accrue to persons or property as a result of any act committed in good faith in the discharge of their duties, and any suit brought against any inspector by reason thereof, shall be defended the City Attorney until final termination of the proceedings contained therein. (e) Technical Ruling: If a technical ruling by the Chief Electrical Inspector is necessary to govern electrical construction for some particular occupancy oF building not covered by this Code whereby all wiring for similar types of occupancy or buildings will be established for the future, a copy of such ruling shall be approved by the Board before it becomes effective. (f) Modifications: The electrical regulations of this Code may be modified in particular cases where such modification is reasonable, does not differ from the intent of this Code, and does not create an injustice. Approval of any such modification shall in all cases be obtained from the Chief Electrical Inspector in writing and shall be approved by the Board and entered into its minutes prior to starting the work. Section 13-93. Permits and Fees (a) Permits Required: It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to install or cause to be installed, or to permit any person to install any electrical wiring, fixtures, or equipment or to make any alterations, additions, changes or repairs within the scope of this Code without first having procured a permit therefor issued by the Chief Electrical Inspector, except as provided herein. There shall be one permit for each huilding for which rough work for electrical conductors, or electrical equipment is installed. Accessory buildings, tourist cottages or group houses shall not be considered separate buildings when the Work is to be installed as one complete project, and at one time; except where separate switches or meter loops. are installed thereon. (b) Permits Not Required: (1) No permit shall be required for the installation of electrical con- ductors or equipment to be installed where such installation is in accordance with the plans and specifications approved by the City, and where such installation will be within and on premises within the control and supervision of the State Highway Department of Texas, and where such installations will be a part of highway facilities operated, maintained or controlled by said State Highway Department of Texas. (2) No permit 'shall be required for maintenance work performed by a Licensed Electrician on the premises of his employer. (3) No permit shall be required of an established refrigeration or air-conditioning firm or organization for the replacing of a refrigeration or air-conditioning system motor by another motor of the same horsepower and rating. (4) Where any industry occupies a site of twenty (20) or more acres and the use of said plant site and the conduct of general operations is such that the plant site is inaccessible to the general public and the operations on the -plant site involve the assembly, disassembly, reassembly, alterations or improve- ments under the supervision of a Registered Professional Architect or a Registered Professional Engineer, no permit shall be necessary and no inspection shall be performed by the City for electrical work in the erection of the plant or the assembly, disassembly, remodeling, alterations or improvements of the plant or any portions thereof used in any manufacturing process, pilot plant use, laboratory testing or use of any mechanical process equipment or laboratory testing of chemical or chemical manufacturing equipment. Any building used principally as office building, shipping docks, assembly room, restrooms, warehousing, and not directly related to the manufacturing or testing of equipment or operations, shall not be exempt under this section from the necessity of obtaining a permit and any con- struction or repair of any such building or structure shall be required to have a permit and shall be permitted only under a permit as for the same type of building elsewhere within the City limits. In order to qualify for an exemption of the provisions hereof, an affidavit shall first be filed in the office of the Building Inspection Department of the City of Corpus Christi, setting forth sufficient facts to show that the affiant is entitled to the exemption requested, on the form pro- vided hy the Building Inspection Department. (5) Permits and inspections are not required for construction, repair or.alteration of any building which is being used exclusively in connection with the ranching or agricultural use of any tract of land of ten acres or more in area, within the City of Corpus Christi, at the time of annexation so long as the entire premises being used for agricultural or ranching purposes at the time of annexation is not converted to any other use. Any building for residential occupancy shall not be exempt under this section from the requirements for permits and inspections. -5- (c) Permit Fees: Before proceeding with the installation, alteration of or the addition to any electrical wiring or equipment within the City, the individual in charge of such proposed work shall first file with the City an application requesting a permit to carry on such work and the necessary inspections and pay fees to the City in accordance with the following schedule: (1) Permit Fees Required: Construction Loop $2.60 ea. *Circuits 2-.60 ea. Fixtures, Residential 0.26 ea. Fixtures, (Commercial Building) 0.26 ea. Motor 1 H.P., and smaller 2.60 ea. Motor over 1 H.P. to and including 10 H.P. 5.20 ea. Motor over 16 H.P. 10.40 ea. Services up to 100 Amperes 2.60 ea. Services 101 to 200 Amperes 7.80 ea. Services 201 to 400 Amperes 13.00 ea. Services over 400 Amperes 26.00 -ea. Services each additional meter 2.60 ea. Appliances (trash compactors, dishwasher, disposers, etc.) 2.60 ea. Equipment -Heating (Heating and Commercial Cooking Units and Hot -Water Heaters) 2.60 per 5KW or fraction thereof Equipment -Moving picture projector 13.00 ea. Equipment -X Ray Machine 13.00 ea. Equipment -Welding Machine 5.20 ea. (transformer type) Equipment -Gasoline pump or dispenser 5.20 ea. Equipment -Elevators 13.00 ea. Equipment -Swimming Pool 13.00 ea. Equipment70thers 5.20 ea. Signs -More than 4 transformers (per Transformer) 2.60 ea. General repairs not including any of the above 5.00 ea. *The term "circuit" herein shall.mean each main feeder, submain or branch circuit, for electrical services; and each fused or other type of automatic cutout protected wire of a final branch multiwire circuit. Each such circuit shall be charged for and considered as a separate circuit within the terms of this section.. . (2) Residential: -An -alternate fee schedule for one and two family dwellings, apartments, townhouses and condOminUms shall be 2.6e per square foot of the main buildings excluding garages. (3) If the office of the Chief Rlectrical Inspector has not been notified within seventy-two (72) hours (Saturday, Sunday and Legal Holidays excepted) after a specific job is started, then the permit fee shall be doubled. The collection made is to help defray the additional cost of inspecting -work already done and issuing a permit under such circumstances and is not a penalty and is not pre- clusive of any remedy otherwise available to the City to enforce this Code. (4) Permit applications covering the installation of motors on any job shall specify each motor individually and no grouping of motors per machine, or other such grouping of horsepower shall be permitted. ' (5) In the event the total fees per installation charged are less than Five ($5.00) Dollars then the minimum permit charge of $5.00 shall apply. If such total fees exceed the sum of Five ($5.00) Dollars the greater amount shall he charged. (6) In the event that an inspection is made and the resultant discovery is that work for which a permit is required by this Code has been done but the required - permit has not been issued, then a $10.00 investigation fee shall be added to the permit fee. (7) When an inspection is made as required by this Code, and the work as completed fails to pass so that an additional inspection is required, then a Five ($5.00) Dollar reinspection fee shall be charged. (8) Fees for permits which require inspection outside the City limits shall be increased by Thirteen ($13.00) Dollars. (9) Agencies of the federal, state, county and city governments are exempt from the payment of fees in connection with the construction or repair of buildings used, owned, -and located on property owned by said governmental agencies. Permit fees for public schools and other political subdivisions having ad valorem tax -exempted status, and for church sanctuaries and all other State constitutionally exempted ad valorem tax entities shall be fifty (50%) per cent of the regular permit fee. (10) Fees for permits for installations in buildings or building com- ponents which are manufactured and inspected outside the City limits prior to being Tmved into the City may be increased by the Building Official'once annually per manufacturing plant by twenty-six ($.26) cents per mile plus Twenty -Six ($26.00) Dollars per 200 miles for the distance between the City and the plant, to allow for annual in -plant inspections. (A) Application For Permit:. Application for permits shall be made in writing upon forms provided by the City for that purpose. When required by the Chief Electrical Inspector, the application shall include a diagraM or plan showing clearly the character and kind of wiring or installation of fixtures or equipment work to be done. The plan or diagram shall show the manner in which the electrical installation is to be made and/or the character of any repairs to any existing electric installation. The pian or diagram shall be to a scale, showing.the point .at which service connection is iequired, the definite site of the.feeders and sub - feeders, the location of service switches and centers of distribution, the arrange- ment of circuits and the number of outlets connected thereto. -7- (e) Permits -- To Whom Issued:, Permits shall be issued to: (1) .Licensed Master Electricians, qualified,to secure permits as determined by -Division 1 - Licensing of this Article, or their duly authorized Agents, who shall be certified to the Chief Electrical Inspector by affidavit stating that said Electrician assumes all and full responsibility for any permit issued to said Agent. This affidavit shall be kept in file after it has been approved by the City Attorney. (2) Property owners for electrical installations or maintenance in single family dwellings owned and occupied by them as their homes. (f) Chief Electrical Inspector Shall Issue Permit: When the Chief Electrical Inspector -finds the application, the diagram or plans and specifications appear to be in compliance with this code, and all fee S have been paid, the permit shall , be issued. Upon receipt Of such permit, the electrician may start or cause to start the proposed job and make the installation described in the application, requesting inspection by—the Chief Electrical Inspector in the proper sequence as the work progresses. (g) Permits For Part Jobs: When one electrician completes the rough work, In whole or in part, on any electrical wiring or installation of fixtures or equipment and a second electrician is called upon to complete the work in whole or in part, then, in that event, a separate permit is required for which regular fees shall he paid for the work to be done. Each electrician shall be held responsible only for the portion of the work actually installed. Before the second electrician is issued a permit for the completion of electrical wiring or installation of fixtures or equipment, the Chief Electrical Inspector shall first notify the electrician holding the original or first permit, if he can be found, that the second permit is proposed to be issued. The issuance of the second permit shall cancel the first permit and'no refund of fees paid fof such cancelled permit shall be made. (h) Time Limitation Of Permits: If electrical wiring or installation of fixtures or equipment work authorized under a permit is not started within sixty (60) days after issuance of such permit, or if the work is started and then discontinued and the work remains discontinued for a period of sixty (60) days, the permit shall become void, and no work shall be done on the premises until a new permit is issued and all necessary fees paid. No refunds shall be made for permits that have become void. -8- (i) Revocation Of Permits: The Chief Electrical Inspector shall have the right to declare a permit null and void if there has been misrepresentation of facts or any violation of ,the provisions of this Code and after any such declaration no work shall be done until a new permit is issued, and all fees have been paid. (j) Refund Of Permit And Inspection Fees: An electrical permit may be cancelled upon written application by the applicant at any time within sixty (60) days of the date of its issuance. If no work has been done under such permit, a refund may he paid when formally requested in writing by the applicant, provided that the City shall retain Ten Dollars ($10.00) to cover the cost of auditing the fee and preparing the request for refund. Section 13-9.4. Inspections (a) Inspections Required: It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to make connections from a source of electrical energy to any electrical wiring, devices or equipment on an installation for which a permit is required, as set forth in this Code, until a Certificate of Approval has been issued by the Chief Electrical Inspector authorizing such connection and the use of such wiring devices or equipment. (b) Rough Inspection: When the rough wiring or installation work is completed on any premises, the person responsible therefor shall notify the Chief Electrical Inspector that the job is ready for inspection, giving proper identification of the work, address and permit number. The Chief Electrical Inspector shall then make an inspection of the electric installation. If said wiring or installation work has heen installed in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Code, the Chief Electrical Inspector shall sign the inspection card, noting thereon the date of approval of work. More than one rough inspection may be made without charge when the progress of construction requires such inspection. (1) Faulty Work: If the electrical wiring or installation of fixtures or equipment is found to be faulty, or incorrectly or defectively installed, the Chief Electrical Inspector shall notify the responsible person who installed such work of the changes necessary to be made in order that the work may conform to this Code. (2) Correction of Faulty Work: The permittee shall within forty-eight (48) hours from the time of notification make or start to make the changes ordered and shall proceed with the work until the same is completed. Upon completion thereof and payment of the Reinspection Fee, permittee shall notify the Chief -9- Electrical Inspector to the effect that faulty work has been corrected. The latter shall then cause the reinspection to be made, and if said work is found to comply with this Code, sign the inspection card noting thereon the date of approval of the work: If the Chief Electrical Inspector shall again find the work incorrectly installed, the permittee shall be notified of the necessary changes, and the permittee shall pay an additional Reinspection Fee. If the permittee fails to correct the faulty work within a reasonable time, the Chief Electrical Inspector shall refuse to issue to any such person any further permits until said work in question is corrected and approved. (c) Final Inspection: Upon the completion of all electrical wiring and installation of fixtures or equipment in any building, or any premises, the permittee shall notify the Chief Electrical Inspector that the work is ready for final inspection, giving the Electrical Permit Number and Street Address; and the Chief Electrical Inspector shall then make the inspection, and if any faulty or defective wirilayor equipment is found, the permittee shall be notified of the changes to be made in order that such work shall conform to this Code. If such work is found to be correctly installed, replaced or repaired, the Chief Electrical Inspector shall endorse approval upon the inspection certificate stating that the wiring or installation work has been installed in accordance with the provisions of this Code. (d) Work Left Open: It shall be unlawful for any person to cover or cause to be covered any part of a wiring installation with flooring, lath, wall board or other -material until the Chief Electrical Inspector shall have approved the _ wiring installation in part or as a whole, except as herein set forth. CO Inspector's Removal Request: All abandoned dead wire, unused poles or electrical apparatus on the outside of the buildings or in streets or alleys shall be removed at the expense of the owners thereof, and the said owners shall respond promptly to any inspector's removal request. (f) Interference: It shall be unlawful for any unauthorized person to in any manner change or alter electrical conductors or equipment in or on any building. If in the course of the erection of a building or structure, electrical conductors or equipment have previously been installed in such position as to interfere with the erection or completion of the structure, notice shall be immediately given to the authorized person or firm using the electrical conductors or equipment, who shall accomplish this needed change in accordance with this Code. -10- (g) Periodic General Inspection: The Chief Electrical Inspector shall inaugurate periodic reinspections of installations of all electric wiring, electric devices, and electric equipment ROW installed, or that may hereafter be installed, and within the scope of this code and when the installation of any such wiring, devices or equipment is found to be defective, dangerous or in an unsafe condition, the person, firm or corporation owning, using or operation the same shall be notified in writing and shall make the necessary repairs or changes required to place such wiring, devices, or equipment in a safe condi- tion within five days, or any longer period specified by the Chief Electrical Inspector in said notice. The Chief Electrical Inspector shall immediately order the disconnection, or discontinuance of electrical services to such wiring devices or equipment which appears to be unsafe until same has been made safe as directed. (h) Electrical Service Connection: It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to make connections from a source of electrical energy to any electrical wiring device or equipment which has been disconnectedWorder of the Chief Electrical Inspector or the use of which has been prohibited for reasons herein set forth until a certificate of approval has been issued by him authorizing the reconnection and use of such wiring, devices or equipment. It shall be unlawful for any unauthorized person, firm or corporation to disconnect any ser'vice, except in cases of emergency. (i) Service Of Notice: If the person to whom any order or notice issued pursuant to the provisions of this Code cannot be found after reasonable search has been nadev,- then such order or notices may be served by posting same in a conspicuous. place upon the premises occupied by said person or the premises where the defects recited In the order or notice are alleged to exist or on the premises'whiChuey be deemed unsafe or dangerous. Such service shall be equivalent .to personal service of such order or notice. An order to comply with the terms of such order or notice shall be sent by nail in sealed envelope with postage prepaid and directed to the address of the person performing the electrical work or the address of -the owner, lessee or occupant of the premises where the defects recited in the order are alleged to exist and shall be equivalent .to the personal services of such order. .Section 13-95. Standards Standards For Electrical Equipment and Signs: Conformity of electrical equipment with the applicable standards of the Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., shall be prima facie evidence that such equipment is reasonably safe to persons 11 and property. Only standard parts and materials approved by Underwriters' Laboratories Inc., or by the Chief Electrical Inspector as set forth in Section 13-96, herein, shall be permitted in electrical repair or maintenance work. Conformity of all types of electrical signs with applicable standards of the Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., National Electrical Safety Code or electrical provisions of other safety codes which have been approved by the American National Standards Institute shall be prima facie evidence that such .installations are reasonably safe to persons and property. Section 13-96. Local Environmental, Atmospheric And Soil Conditions (a) General: Due to climatic conditions prevailing in and about Corpus Christi, certain special rules covering electrical wiring and equipment instal- lations are set forth herein, and certain exceptions established to the rules and regulations of the National Electrical Code to raise the safety level of electrical installatiorig--.i.Wd prevent the rapid deterioration of electrical materials and equipment from severe atmospheric and underground corrosive action; all of which exceptions are set forth in this Section. (b) Underground Conduit: All exterior underground installations of single runs or grouped runs of conduit shall be nonmetallic. In lieu of rigid metal conduit for underground wiring in hazardous locations, schedule 80 PVC may be used. (c) Electrical Metallic Tubing: Electrical metallic tubing shall not be installed in any exposed outside location or underground. (Q. Prohibited Connectors: The use of crimp type connectors and couplings used with electrical metallic tubing shall be prohibited. (e) Distribution To And In Buildings: Service entrance conductors and feeders shall run in conduits or raceways. A masthead used for support of service drop conductors and extending forty-two inches above the roof shall be two inches or larger rigid metal conduit. (f) Special Electrical Circuit Rules: The following additional requirements shall be met for all new construction: (1) All circuits, except lighting circuits, shall have conductors , ,sized, to provide a -minimum current capacity of circuit conductors of twenty (20) amperes. Not more than ten lighting fixtures and general use receptacles (duplex) shall be installed on a 120 volt branch circuit. Not more than three receptacles (duplex) shall be installed on each of the two required small appliance circuits in dwellings. -12- (2) The following listed buildings shall have a minimum of one (1) receptacle installed for every twenty lineal feet measured horizontally around the interior wall at the floor level of each room, excluding storage rooms: Office Buildings Bank Buildings Store Buildings Mechanical Garages Restaurants Studios Taverns (3) One spare circuit shall be installed for every five (5) circuits in all new buildings. For each panel a spare one (1") inch raceway shall be installed from the panel to an accessible location. (4) If one or more 120 volt receptacles having ground fault circuit interrupter protection are provided in a garage of a dwelling unit (required in attached garages), then three additional receptacles may be provided in the garage without ground fault circuit interrupter protection: One receptacle (single) for a deep freezer. (5) One receptacle (single) for a garage door opener. One receptacle (single) on a separate circuit for the laundry circuit for the dwelling. Grounding Systems (1) Made Electrodes. Pipe Electrodes: Electrodes of pipe shall be of brass or copper. Rod Electrodes: Rod Electrodes shall be of brass, copper or copper clad steel and shall be at least 5/8" in diameter. (2) Ground Rod Protection: Ground rods located within 1 foot of a building wall and extending to a height between 6 inches and 8 inches above finished grade shall be considered adequately protected against physical damage. (h) Construction, Rat Proof: All foundation and exterior wall openings around electrical cables and conduits shall be protected against the passage of rats by closing such openings with cement mortar, concrete masonry, or non -corrodible metal. (1) Commercial Buildings: _ 1 (J.) All commercial buildings shall be wired in raceways, except as provided in 'subparagraphs (2) and (5) of this paragraph. (2) The requirements of subparagraph (1)shallnot be applicable with regard to pre-existing wiring in buildings which 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 -13- to commercial usage, such pre-existing electrical wiring, fixtures and apparatus in such building conforms to all other applicable provisions of this Code, including the requirements that the electrical wiring system shall be effectively grounded by including or providing a grounding conductor in such wiring system to which the receptacles, cord connectors, lighting fixtures, wall switches and other electrical apparatus shall be securely connected. To obtain the benefit of the exemption granted by this subdivision, the owner or occupant of such building must obtain an inspection and certificate as required by Subparagraph (4). (3) Any installation of new electrical wiring, fixtures or apparatus installed in any building which is the subject of the exception stated in sub- paragraph (2) of this paragraph, or any rewiring of such building, shall be wired in raceways (including flexible metal conduit which may be used in otherwise inaccessible areas) as required by subparagraph (1). (4) The exception stated in subparagraph (2) hereof shall be strictly construed. In order to -obtain the benefits thereof, prior to the time ,that any building is converted to commercial use as specified in subparagraph (2), an electrical inspection of the electrical wiring, fixtures and apparatus in such building shall be made by the Chief Electrical Inspector for the purpose of determining whether such building conforms to all other applicable provisions of this Code at the time such building is converted to commercial use. If the Chief Electrical Inspector determines that such building does not conform to . all other applicable provisions of this Code, then the provisions of subparagraph (2) shall not be applicable. (5) Temporary buildings, the uses of which are incidental to construction oper.ations or sale of lots during development being conducted on the same or adjoin- ing tract or subdivision and which shall be removed upon completion of development, shall not be required to be wired in raceway. (j) Individual Metering Required: A building or buildings containing more than five dwelling units shall provide for individual metering or submetering of each dwelling unit. (k) Prohibited Conductors: The use of aluminum conductors of No. 2 gage and smaller shall be prohibited in electrical wiring installations, except that exterior, overhead conductors shall be exempted from this prohibition. -14- Sectibn 13,97 (a) Use Of Unapproved Appliance Prohibited: It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, association, or corporation within City to use any appliance which . has not been endorsed by the Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., or other nationally recognized standards association; or without first obtaining approval from the Chief Electrical Inspector in absence of such evidence of safety approval. (b) Approval Given: The Chief Electrical Inspector shall approve for use electrical equipment, material, conductors, apparatus, or appliance as are reasonably safe to persons and property. Conformity of such equipment and material with the standards of the Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., shall be prima facie evidence that such equipment is reasonably safe to persons and.property. (c) Request For Approval: Should any material or equipment be submitted for approval which is not listed as ,a0proved by the Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., the Chief Electrical Inspector shall, within ten days of the receipt of written request for special approval, approve, provisionally approve, or disapprove such electrical material or equipment. (1) Approval shall be based on reasonable safety to persons or property and material and equipment shall be considered as adequate for approval if the standards of -the Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., and/or provisions of this Code are met. When material or equipment is approved by the Chief Electrical Inspector, such approval shall continue until the material or workmanship on the article approved is changed. When material or workmanship is changed, the article shall be re-examinend approved prior to use. . (2) When no applicable standard can be used to determine whether an article is reasonably safe, the Chief Electrical Inspector may grant provisional approval and allow its use until such time as it can be tested or determined whether the article is safe to persons or property. (3) Approval by the Chief Electrical inspector shall not become final until concurred in by the Board. Denial by the Chief Electrical Inspector may be appealed to the Board. Unless appealed by any party to the City Council, action by the Board shall be final. (4) A complete list of electrical equipment, material, appliances and devices approved by Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., provisionally approved, or disapproved for use within City shall be maintained in the Chief Electrical Inspector's office. This list shall be available to the public during regular working hours. -15- Section 13-98. Penalties (a) Penalty For Violation Of Electrical Code: Any person, firm, corporation or association who violates any of these provisions of this Code shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred ($200.00) dollars, and each and every day of continuance thereof shall constitute a distinct and separate offense. (b) Violation: Violation of any of the terms or provisions of this Code by any corporation or association shall subject the officers and agents actively in charge of the business of such corporation or association to the penalty herein provided. (c) Conviction: Conviction under the provisions of this Code shall be deemed just cause for the revocation of any license which said person, firm corporation or association may have and/or hold under the provisions of this Article. (d) Injunction: In addition to the penal remedy herein, the City Attorney shall, upon the directio6-of the City Manager, institute any appropriate action or proceeding, including actions for injunction to prevent, restrain, correct or abate any act, conduct, work, business, practice or use which is a violation of and illegal under this Division."1:!, Section 2. If for any reason, any section, paragraph, subdivision, clause, phrase, or provision of this, ordinance shall be held invalid, it shall not affect any valid provisions of this or any Code of the City of Corpus Christi to which these rules and regulations relate. Section 3. Ordinance No. 14420, passed and approved by the City Council on August 9, 1978, is hereby repealed. Section 4. This Ordinance shall be published one time in the official 1 publication of the City of Corpus Christi, prior to becoming effective, which publication shall contain the caption stating in summary the purpose of the ordinance and the penalty for violation thereof. Section 5. This Ordinance shall take effect from and after March 1, 1982. -16- • That the foregoing ordinanceftwead for passed to its second reading on this the day of first time Awe , 19 , by the following vote: Luther Jones Betty N. Turner Jack K. Dumphy Bob Gulley Herbert L. Hawkins, Jr. Dr. Charles W. Kennedy Cliff Zarsky That the foregoing ordinance was readIthe second.time alid passed to its third reading on this the )S day o , 19„rzi , by the following vote: Luther Jones Betty N. Turner Jack E-D-umPhy Bob Gulley Herbert L. Hawkins, Jr. Dr. Charles W. Kennedy Cliff Zarsky de That the foregoing ordinance "read for the thkj time and passed finally on this the a4.69 day of , 19 j'L.- 2 by the following vote: Luther Jones Betty N. Turner Jack K. Dumphy Bob Gulley Herbert L. Hawkins, Jr. Dr. Charles W. Kennedy Cliff Zarsky PASSED AND APPROVED, this the .219 day ATTEST: Ci Secretary A VED: 0 DAY OF rIIMAAur, hiI LI J. BRUCE AYCOCK, TY, ATTiIRNEY to° By MA 1f5823 THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS y PUBLISHER'S AFFIDAVIT STATE OF TEXAS, County of Nueces. Before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public, this day personally came LORRAINE CORTEZ who being first duly sworn, according to law, says that he is the ACCOUNTING CLERK of the Corpus Christi Caller and The Corpus Christi Times, Daily Newspapers published at Corpus Christi, Texas, in said County and State, and that the publication of NOTICE OF PASSAGE OF ORDINANCE NO. 16823,... #V333320 - CITY OF C.C. THE CORPUS CHRISTI CALLER -TIMES of which the annexed is a true copy, was published in JANUARY day on the 25 th day of 19.§2.., and once each thereafter consecutive. one day Times. $ 14-44 LORRAINE CORTEZ KCCOMITTITT CIERIc A.):Mai./.171..' &I -Tv i., Mr , Subscribed and sworn to before me this 27th day of JAN.iraip 1.9..U_.... d ,v 1 EUGENIA S. CORTEZ Notary Public, Nu nty, Texas • rNOTICE QF— PASSAGE OF ORDINANCE NO v ADOPTING THE NA- TIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE, 1981 EDITION MAK- !MG IT UNLAWFUL TO UN- DERTAKE THE INSTAL- , LATION OF ELECTRICAL 1 EQUIPMENT WITHOUT Ai PERMIT THEREFOR, EX -1 CEPT AS OTHERWISE' PROVIDED, ESTAB- LISHING INSPECTION . PERMIT FEES; ESTAB- LISHING INSPECTION DUTIES AND AUTHOR- ' ITY; ADOPTIN4 CERTAIN !OTHER REGI/LATIONS; PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION; RE- ; PEp,LING ORDINANCE 1 NO. 14420 AS AMENDED; PROVIDING FOR PUBLI- CATION; PROVIDING FOR ' AN EFFECTIVE DATE ' FROM AND AFTER4 MARCH 1, 1982 i Was passed and approved by the City Connell of the City of Corpus Christi, Texas on January 20, 1982. The full text of said ordinance is available to the public in the Office of the City Secretary. 8 day of January 1982. Witness my hand this 2116 i rrrV117' n111-8!- Wig Cif y Secretor - •••"'