HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 1227 ORDINANCE N0.
AN ORDINANCE CREATING THE OFFICE OF ELECTRICAL
INSPECTOR AND THE ELECTRICAL EXAMINING BOARD
AND DEFINING THEIR RESPECTIVE DUTIES RFGULAT—
ING THE TRAY AND IIANATER IN 7HICH ELECtRICAL 'SIRES
AND APPARATUS SHALL BE INSTALLED IN THE CITY OF
FORT WCRTH TEAS AM PROVIDING FCR THE GENERAL
INSPECTION'OF SLR$ ",TM- PROVIDING FOR THE IS—
SUANCE OF LICENSE AM MR1ITS- PROVIDING FOR FEES
TO BE CHARGED FOR DOING OF 6dH TC07- REPEALING
ORDINANCE NOS. AND ALA ORDINANCES
AND PARTS OF 0 ICT HEREWITH- PRO-
VIDING A PENALTY FOR VIOLATION OF THIS ORDIN&E.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY 0 OUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT NORM, TEXAS:
SECTION I. ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS.
That there is hereby created thethifice of Electrical
Inspectors of the City of Fort NorL3., Texas, Chief and Assistant
Inspectors, who shall be practical and skillful interior elec-
tricians, and habe had at least five (5) years of practical
experience as Journeymen electricians, and they shall give their
entire time to the duties of the office. An appeal may be taken
from any ruling, interpretation, requirement or decision made
by the Electrical Inspectors by filling an application with the
Board of Examiners and the decision of the Board of Examiners
in said matter appealed from shall be final.
SECTION II. APPLIC XTION FOR PERMIT.
That all companies, firms, co-partnerships, corpor-
ations or individuals who desire to have electric wiring,
fixtures or apparatus, or electrical work of any kind or de-
scription on or in any building or in any premises in the
corporate limies of this City, shall before such installation
Is coomenced make application to the Chief Electrical Inspector
for a permit to do such work.
SECTION III. DEFINITIONS.
(a) The term "electrical wiring" herein used
is intended to mean the installation of electrical wires,
fixtures, appliances, apparatus, or the addition to any
wires, fixtures or appiitatdo or appliance used or to be
used on or in any building, or in any premises for the
purpose of transmitting electrical current for electric
light, heat, power, house annunciator systems, electric
bells, telephones, signal systems, private telephone or
telegraph, radios, lighting fixtures or for any purpose,
of any kind, nature or description.
SECTION IV EWTI ING BO ICENSE FEES• INSPECT ON
1. Board of Exasminers Created; And Their Duties Defined.
That a Board of Electrical Examiners be and the same is hereby
created for the City of Fort Worth, Texas, to be known as the
"Electrical Examining Board", which shall consist of four
members, one member of which shall be an Electrical Contractor,
and one member shall be a Journeyman Electrician, and the Chief
Electrical Inspector and Public Utility Supervisor shall con-
stitute the other members of said Board, or more at the dis-
cretion of the Mayor. All members of said Board shall be re-
sidents of the City of Fort forth, Texas, and shall be appointed
by the Mayor. It is the duty of the Electrical Examining Board
to examine contractors as to their ability and qualifications
to do Electrical work in the City of Fort Worth, Texas, and if
found to be competent to issue said applicant a certificate
stating that applicant is to do Electrical work in the City of
Fort North, Texas. Provided that said Board may promulgate its
own rulings governing its meetings and proceedings before it.
2. All persons, firms, individuals, co-partnerships or
corporations desiring to engage in the business of installing
wires, appliance, apparatus, fixtures, or electrical signs,
shall, before doing any such work, take out license and make
a bond, acceptable to the City of Fort 'forth, Texas, and
pass examination by Examining Boat-d. The license shall be
issued by the City Electrical Inspection Department and the
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fee therefor shall be for the first year, payable
in advance. Said license shall be renewed at $25.00 per
annum as it expires, and may be revoked at any time by the
order of the Mayor and City Council for the violation of any
of the provisions of this Ordinance, and the offending persons
or firms or corporations shall be prohibited from engaging in
such work in the corporate limits of this City for one year.
3. The application for a license before same is issued,
shall be made to Chief Electrical Inspector, and he shall so
notify the Examining Board who shall certify that the applicamA
has been duly qualified by examination before license is issued
by City Electrical Inspection Department, and in no case shall
a license be issued to a minor.
4. Any person, firm, or corporation holding a license or
transferring same, or allow the use of same directly or indirectly
by any other person or firm, for the Purpose of obtaining a per-
mit to do any electrical work herein specified, shall be fined
as herein provided or their license revoked or both upon con-
viction.
5. License which are allowed to lapse, not to exceed
thirty days shall upon renewal be dated back to expiration of
old license. A lapse of more than thirty days requires a new
application.
6. All licehsed electrical contractors, firms or corpor-
ations shall file with the City Electrical Inspection Department
their correct addresses and telephone number, and any changes
in address should be immediately filed with the City Electrical
Inspection Department.
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7. 'Where the holder of a license changes the firm
name, or where additional members are taken into the firm,
or where a firm is incorporated, a notice of such change
must be forwarded at once to City Electrical Inspection De-
partment, otherwise license will be revoked because of its
questionable ownership.
8. Surety Bonds acceptable to the City of Fort Ifforth,
Texas, shall be furnished to the amount of $1,000.00 and
shall be renewed each year, to insure faithful performance
of all the provisions of this Ordinance.
9. INSPECTION FEES: The fess to be charged for inspec-
tions of any electrical work in the corporate limit of the
City of Fort Worth, Texas, shall be as follows, and shall be
paid at the office of the Electrical Inspector:
(a) For from one to ten outlets,' new or old work,
$1.00. For each additional outlet five (.05) cents. All
switch loops other than entrance switch loops are classed as
outlets.
(b) For electrical motors, $1.00 each. For electrical
generators $2.00 each, including switchboard.
(c) For electric signs, $1.00 each.
(d) Motion picture machines, $1.00 each.
(e) For temporary installation of show windows, or
exhibitions, conventions and the like, there shall be charged
a fee of $1.00 for each inspection.
(f) For inspection of electrical apparatus for which
no fee is herein prescribed, or for re-inspection of work being
rejected after second inspection, a fee of $1.00 will be chargedt
such fee must be paid before the person, firm,company or cor-
poration doing such work will be granted other permits.
(g) For repairs where no additional outlets are added,
or for new or extended service, a fee of seventy-five (.75) cents
for each inspection will be charged.
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(h) Store buildings, or apartments, each store, each
apartment where separate service is installed, a permit must
be procured for each store or apartment, as the case may be.
(i) For electric fixtures, from one to ten, a fee of
$1.00 will be charged, and five (.05) cents for each additional
fixture installed.
(j) Ceiling fans classed as fixtures and charged for
as same. Where an addition or extension is made to any
electric installation or any change is made therein, that was
not covered by original permit, then a permit must be obtained
for such change or extension.
SECTION V. DUTIES OF INSPECTORS,
1. Upon the completion and receipt of final inspection
papers covering work upon which a permit has been issued, the
Electrical Inspectors' Department shall make final inspection
and if found to comply with this Ordinance a certificate of
inspection shall be issued stating that the work has been done
according to the provisions of this Ordinance and the rules
governing the respective class to which it belongs.
2. Whenever an addition is made to old work which is not
in a safe condition, the Electrical Inspector shall issue a
statement that the new work complies with the rules.
3. The Electrical Inspectors are herein given authority
to refuse to issue permit on an addition to old work where the
old work is in an unsafe condition, until such is changed to
come up to a satisfactory condition. And all light, heat and
power companies shall be notified not to make sergice connections
until they receive clearance or written permission from the
Electrical Inspection Department.
S'
4. The Electrical Inspectors are hereby granted authority
to inspect and re-inspect all overhead, underground and in-
terior wires and apparatus conducting current for light, Aaar
rat
and power, excepting1property of companies and corporations
operating under a regular franchise, and when said apparatus
is found to be in a condition dangerous to life or property,
he shall notify the owner thereof to replace them in a safe
condition within 48 hours, or be subject to the penalties here-
inafter provided, (excepting cases where more than 48 hours
are required to do such work) . Whenever it shall become
necessary the Electrical Inspector shall call upon the Depart-
ment of Police and it shall be their duty to assist in the
enforcement of provisions of this Ordinance.
5. It shall be the duty of the Electrical Inspectors to
inspect all public and isolated light plants (excepting pro-
perty of companies and corporations operating under a regular
franchise) now or hereafter in operation, at least once in
each year, or more often if application is made by the owners
thereof: They shall see that any dangerous or defective
machinery, wires or apparatus are removed or repaired im-
mediately at the expense of owner or agent of said property.
6. It shall be the duty of the Electrical Inspectors to
cause all dead wires, unused poles or electric apparatus on
the outside of buildings or in streets or alleys to be re-
moved at the expense of the owners thereof by giving the said
owners written notice.
7. The City Electrical Inspectors may be called upon
as many times as required to inspect new building in course of
construction in order not to delay construction, and must
inspect such work within 48 hours from time notice is received,
time to start from time stamped upon ticket by Permit Clerk,
Sundays and Holidays excepted.
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8. The Electrical Inspectors shall have the authority
to demand building contractors to open such work that in
any manner conceals electrical wiring that has been closed
without his knowledge or permission, and in no case shall
inspectors issue clearance until he is satisfied that the
work is in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance.
Inspectors shall also have the right to refuse to issue a
clearance on any wiring that is concealed in such a manner
that he cannot fully satisfy himself that ie has been done in
accordance with this Ordinance.
SECTION VI. DUTIES OF TIRING CONTRACTORS:
1. All persons desiring to engage in the- business of
installing electrical wires or apparatus must take out license,
make surety bond, and take out permits covering such work be-
fore commencing work of any kind.
2. No person not employed by a licensed contractor or
electrician shall be permitted to engage in the business of
installing wires for profit or otherwise and if found guilty
shall be fined according to penalties of this Ordinance.
3. Wiring contractors shall turn in to City Inspectors
all additions to old work or new work for inspection, im-
mediately upon completion of work. If necessary, an in-
spection must be turned in upon work that is under construction
before completion in order not to delay construction, and
when finished, must have a final inspection. In order for a
final clearance to be is.3ued all work must be completed, i. e.
fixtures all hung, and switches and plates all on.'�i YoOractors,
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upon request, shall submit plans to the Electrical Inspectorg'
Department before permit will be issued.
4. Wiriug contractors must make all connections, leaving
leads for fixtures, connect up all switches and receptacles
installed by him, also solder and tape all joints and correct
any defect that he may be notified of by Inspectors' De-
partment within the limit specified. Permits for the in-
stallation of fixtures must be taken out by party hanging
them, and separate inspection fees paid.
SECTION VII. TEMPORARY CLEA OCE OR HOOK UPS:
1. When for good and sufficient cause it becomes
necessary to have electricity on any installation before
final clearance is issued, the Electrical Inspectors may,
if all parts to which current is applied are in a safe and
satisfactory condition, issue a temporary clearance, pro-
vided further that a temporary service is installed satis-
factory to Electrical Inspectors, and Electric Company must
not make connection to permanent service until after permanent
clearance is issued. Temporary clearance will automatically
lapse at the expiration of 30 days, and must re renewed, if
necessary.
2. It shall be unlawful for any owner, contractor or
workman in any manner to interfere with any electric wir-
ing being installed in or on any building. If in course of
construction of building the wiring is in such a position as
to interfere with its erection or completion as called for
by plans, notice shall immediately be given the person in-
stalling the wiring, and the needed change shall be made by
such person. On inspecting the klectrical wiring of any
building, the Electrical Inspectors shall leave a tag or
notice attached to service. This notice shall state clearly
whether the wiring is approved or is to be kept open for
correction, and if wiring is to be kept open for further in-
spection no person shall lathe, ceil or in any manner conceal
any wiring until they are informed that such wiring has been
approved by the Electrical Inspectors. The general contractor
or owner shall be held responsible for any violation of this
Section. do
3. It shall be unlawful for any Public Service
Company ;wing the City of Fort Worth to hook up to
any building, tent, outdoor wiring of any nature, kind
or description, without first obtaining a clearance from
Electrical Inspectors' Department. Whenever service is
discontinued to any building in firelimits for any cause
whatever (excepting non-payment of bill) clearance will be
necessary before reconnecting This shall mean any time
a building is vacated the Electrical Inspectors must satisfy
themselves that there has not been any additions or altera-
tions made to wiring of such buildings that might create a
fire hazard. There will be no charge made for clearance
covering such buildings and clearance will be issued as often
as necessary.
SECTION VI I I. UNLA"'OL TO USE DEFEC T I TTE MATERIAL,
It shall be unlawful for any person to use or in-
stall any electrical apparatus, material, appliances, or
fixtures for interior 'ruing of any kind in the corporate
limits of the City of Fort Worth, Texas, unless such apparatus,
materials or fixtures meet the requirements of the National
Board of Fire Underwriters and must bear their label, and of
this Ordinance. The rules of the National Board of Fire Under-
writers, known as National Electric Code, are hereby made a
part of this Ordinance, and will be considered as authority
upon all questions pertaining to installations of electrical
wiring not covered in this Ordinance.
SECTION IX. INSTALLATIONS.
1. All ungrounded wires of a branch circuit, must be
protected by fuses or circuit breakers. The neutral conductor
must be identified and properly connected to all branch cir-
cuits and to be the screw shell of all sockets and need not
be fused.
2. Wiring for light, heat or power in all buildirZg
hereinafter erected, and all additions to existing buildings
in the fire limits of the City of Fort Worth, Texas, shall be
installed in a rigid iron conduit, or metal moulding system.
All buildings hereinafter erected for mercantile purposes,
all churches, schools, roominghouses, garages for three or
more cars, hotels, hospitals, factories, grain elevators,
filling stations, regineries, apartment houses for more than
two apartments, all basements, all buildings other than
private residences of two or more stories, and all buildings to
be used for public entertainments within the city limits of the
City of Fort Worth, Texas, shall have all wiring for light,
hiat and power installed in a complete conduit or metal mould-
ing system. All changes or addition to wiring used for light,
heat and power within the fire limits shall be in conduit or
metal moulding.
3. All power wiring shall include all necessary wiring
for electric motors, rectifiers, generators, electric heating
and all electrical apparatus other than lighting and signalling
equipment, and shall be in rigid iron conduit. All switches
controlling motors or lights other than those mounted on switch-
boards shall be what is known as safety type externally operated,
indicating the on or off position.
4. Metal moulding can only be used on exposed work.
5. All current consuming openings installed on main
ceiling of store buildings for general illuminations shall be
made of 300 watts capacity, and in no case will more than four
such openings be permitted on one circuit of No. 14 wire. For
ceiling fan outlets four only will be permitted on one circuit
of No. 14 wire, and circuits and outlets must be tagged so as to
identify them. In all other installations eight current con-
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suming outlets with a maximum of twelve hundred watts con-
sumption, shall be considered a circuit.
6. All conduits must be secured to boxes, junction
boxes or cabinets by placing approved logs nuts on outside
of box and bushings inside of boxes. The point of entrance of
service wires in all cases be designated by the Power Company,.
unless proper lines carrying the proper current desired do
exist at a point easily accessible and at shortest distance"
to supply, necessitating only one point of contact to cus-
tomer's building.
7. All service leads must be enclosed in continuous
rigid iron conduit as covered by Code. The wire used shall
not be smaller than a f10 B 8! S Gaage copper rubber covered
wire, as covered by Code. All service conduit must be provided
with approved fittings, with drop loop and wire extending at
least 24 inches beyond its end, at a location as outlined above,
and at least 10 feet, and not more than 20 'feet, from the ground.
Where buildings are constructed of bricks stucco, plaster, stone
or tile, 1/2" eye bolts must be provided to securely support all
service wires.
8. The service ccalduit must terminate in a main line safety
cabinet of approved design. It must include in one unit an ex-
ternally operated switch, service fuses and meter testing con-
nections, except where main lines, switch or circuit breakers are
installed on a switchboard or panel-board, supported by switch-
board fittings and not mounted on or in walls or cabinets.
The main line safety switch must be designed with only
one set of fua" and accessible to caustoeiar on.ig xb= snitch is
in "off" position. And cannot be restored to closed position
until fuse compartment is entirely closed. It must enclose the
terminal chamber of the meter and all conductors between the
switch and the meter and must be sealed (by the Power Company.
Load side fuses accessible to the customer are required on all
circuits, including siggle circuit installation. All meter and
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entrance cabinets are sealed by the Power Company. The
breaking of these seals by unauthorized persons, or tempering;
with the meters or cut-out protecting the same, or any wires
or switches in connection with the meter wiring, is prohibited,
and such persons will be prosecuted.
9. All installations of six circuits or more must have
standard panel boards enclosed in standard approved steel cabinets.
10. Exit lights will be required in all apartments, and
hotel buildings more than two stories high, and must be con-
nected direct to house meter. All lights indicating fire
escape exits shall be red lights with the words "Exit" clearly
lettered.
11. All condgits installed in underground work, ice boxes
and refrigerating plants must bd in rigid galvanized iron pipe
and leadcovered wire.
12. All ceiling and bracket outlet boxes must be equipped
with standard fixtures studs. Fixture studs must also be se-
curely fastened with stove bolts and not less than four bolts
to the stud will be accepted, or an approved boltless stud.
SECTION X. INTERIOR CONDUITS ETD MRING.
10 Conduit must be installed as a complete system before
wires are installed. Conduit must be equipped at every outlet
with approved fittings or outlet box. In completed installations
the box must be covered by an approved cover.
2. For concealed work in walls and ceilings composed of
water on wooden joints or stud "astructi::=w, outlat ba4es and
cutout cabinets must be installed so that the front edge will
be even with finish surface.
3. In wood walls and ceilings, outlet boxes and cabinet
boxes must be installed so that fron edge will either be flush with
the finished surface or project therefrom. Junction boxes must
be placed in accessible positions.
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4. In extra hazardous locations where exposed to in-
flammable gasses all wiring must be done with vapor proof fittings.
SECTION XI. FIXTURES.
1. All joints in fixtures must be soldered, or an
approved solderless connection.
2. Ceiling fans may be connected with approved solderless
connections.
SECTION XII. TEMPORARY AND OUTDOOR 17IRING.
1. Wiring for temporary service such as open air and tent
exhibitions must be done in such a way that the Inspection De-
partment can satisfy itself that wiring is safe from fire hazards
and for public safety.
2. In tent organizations carrying their own electricians,
inspections shall be made upon application.
3. Wiring for lawn parties must be done in a safe manner,
satisfactory to City Inspectors' Department.
4. Architects and builders are required, when drawing
plans and specifications, to make provisions for channeling and
pocketing of buildings for electrical condnetors as may be re-
quired by the City Inspectors, and to state definitely in such
specifications, and mark on such plans, the location of all
switches (except main line switch and cut-out), and state the
maximum number of lamps at each outlet.
SECTION XIII. MES.
It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to
replace any fuse or fuses with a greater capacity than permitted
by the National Code or to replace any fuse or protectiwg devices
with any type of substitute other than that approved by the
National Code.
SECTION XIV. PENALTY
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the
provisions,of this Ordinance shall be deemed guilty of a mis-
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demeanor and the person, firm or corporation or any employee,
agent, manager or officer thereof, who is guilty of violation
of any of the provisions, shall, upon c cnviction thereof be
fined not less than $10.00 and not more than $200.00 for each
offense, and every violation of and each and every days failure
or refusal to comply-with the said provisions *ifln constitute
a separate offense and in case of willful or continued viola-
tions by any person, firm or corporation as aforesaid or their
agents, employees, servants or officers, the }City shall have
the power to revoke and repeal any license under which said
person, firm- or corporation may be acting and to revoke and
repeal all permits privileges and franchises granted to said
person, firm or corporation as aforesaid.
SXTION XV.
That Ordinance Numbers 4.nd
and all Ordinances or parts of Ordinances in conflict here-
with are hereby repealed.
SECTION M.
The rules and requirements of the National Board of
Fire Underwriters for the instillation of electric wiring and
apparatus known as the "National Electrical Code" are recognized
as standard authority on the subject of electric wiring and
installation of electric apparatus and the City Inspectors, in-
specting all electrical installations, are hereby instructed
to refer thereto.
SECTION XVII.
This Ordinance shall take effect thirsty days after its
final passage, approval and publication, as required by law.
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PASSED AND APPROVED, Ehi s _day of 4
A.D. 192 7 .
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ATTEST:
i y Secretary-Treasurer