Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 16764-01-2006ORDINANCE NO 16764-01 2006 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FORT WORTH ELECTRICAL CODE, BYAMENDING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSES TO RECOGNIZE LICENSES ISSUED BY THE STATE OF TEXAS, ELIMINATING THE ISSUANCE OF NEW FORT WORTH LICENSES, TERMINATION OF THE RECIPRICAL LICENSE PROVISIONS AND GRANDFATHERING EXISTING FORT WORTH ELECTRICAL LICENSES THAT LICENSE HOLDERS CHOOSE TO KEEP ACTIVE, PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE, PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY CLAUSE, PROVIDING THAT[' THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE CUMULATIVE PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION IN PAMPHLET FORM, PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION IN THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE With the implementation of the State of Texas Electrical Licensing program those licenses need to be referenced in our city codes The Fort Worth Electrical License program is now an unnecessary duplication Elimination of the crty licensing program is considered a benefit to the trade and a more efficient usage of staff resources Those Fort Worth licenses already issued and kept active m accordance with this ordinance will continue to be grandfathered NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS. SECTION 1. That Section 11 2 of the Code of the City of Fort Worth (1986), Section C02, is hereby amended to read as follows. SECTION C02 WHOM PERMITS MAY BE ISSUED TO WHO MAY DO THE WORK C02.1 Whom permits may be issued to. C02.1 General. No permit shall be issued to any person or contractor to do or cause to be done any work regulated by this code, except to a person or contractor as listed in Sections C02.1 1 C02.1.2, C02.1.3 or C02.1 4 C02.1.1 Fort Worth Permit Master Electrician. A person holding a valid, unexpired and unrevoked Fort Worth Permitting Master Electricians License 1 C02.1.2 State of Texas Electrical Contractor A State of Texas Electrical Contractor as follows. (a) must be m possession of a current and valid State Electrical Contractor's License, (b) must have a current and active registration with the City of Fort Worth as an Electrical Contractor (c) must designate a State of Texas Master Electrician to act as the Master of Record who must be in possession of a current and valid State of Texas Master Electrician License. C02.1.3 Homestead owner Permits may be issued to a property owner who wishes to do electrical work in a building owned and occupied by him as lus homestead. This provision only permits the homeowner to work on that part of the electrical system that occurs after but does not include, the first main breaker behind the electrical meter The term `to do electrical work" shall be construed to mean work actually done personally by the owner C02.1.4 Homestead Master or Journeyman. Permits may be issued to a property owner who holds a current Master or Journeyman Electrician License who wishes to do electrical work m a building owned and occupied by him as his homestead. This provision allows any electrical work on the homestead property that would normally be permitted by a Permit Master Electrician. The term `to do electrical work" shall be construed to mean work actually done personally by the owner C02.2 Who may do the work. C02.2 General. It shall be unlawful for any person to do or cause to be done any electrical work within the City of Fort Worth except as provided in this section. Doing work, other than what is authorized by this section, is considered a violation by the worker as well as the Master and/or Contractor C02.2.1. Fort Worth licensees. C02.2.1.1 Master Electrician. A Master Electrician, also referred to as a Permit Master may contract for and engage m the business of installing, repairing, or replacing electrical wiring or equipment of any nature on or m buildings or structures other than signs. The Master Electrician may employ direct and supervise Journeyman Electricians, Residential Wireman Electricians, Maintenance Electricians, Residential Maintenance Electricians, helpers, and apprentice electricians. Exception. The Master Electrician may install, repair or replace the primary wiring on signs. A Master Electrician, also referred to as a Non Permit Master who does not wish to engage in the business, but only wishes to work in the trade, shall pay the license fees as required for a Master but shall adhere to the provisions of this code as for a Journeyman Electrician. 2 C02.2.1.2 Journey Electrician. A Journeyman Electrician shall be able to perform any type of electrical work under the supervision of a Master Electrician, or to perform any type of sign work as outlined by the ordinances of the City and under the supervision of a Master Sign Electrician, but m no case shall a Journeyman Electrician contract for or engage m the business of electrical work of any nature, nor shall he perform electrical work of any nature, except under the supervision of either a Master Electrician or a Master Sign Electrician. A Journeyman Electrician shall be able to lay out work for and to supervise helper or apprentice electricians, but shall not be able to employ same. A Journeyman Electrician may perform electrical maintenance work, as defined m this code. C02.2.1.3 Master Sign Electrician. A Master Sign Electrician shall be able to contract for and engage m the business of manufacturing electrical signs, luminous gas or electric discharge signs and luminous gas or electric discharge outline hghtmg from the secondary wiring power source or transformer m the sign and to employ and supervise Journeyman Sign Electricians and Journeyman Electricians m the performance of such work on such signs and/or outline hghtmg. C02.2.1.4 Journeyman Sign Electrician. A Journeyman Sign Electrician shall be able to perform any type of sign and/or outline hghtmg work of a Master Sign Electrician, provided that such work must be performed under the supervision of a licensed Master Sign Electrician. C02.2.1.5 Residential Wireman Electrician. A Residential Wireman Electrician shall be able to do electrical work under the supervision of a Master Electrician m one and two-family dwellings only C02.2.1.6 Maintenance Electrician. A Maintenance Electrician shall be able to perform electrical maintenance work as defined m this code. A maintenance electrician is not allowed to do installations or alterations. Nothing in this section shall be construed to lunrt: 1 The right of a Master Electrician to perform such electrical maintenance work, or to limit such work being performed by a Journeyman Electrician under the supervision, direction, or control of a Master Electrician, or to prohibit a Helper and/or Apprentice from working under the direct personal and constant supervision of a Maintenance Electrician. This shall not prohibit a service company from doing 'Electrical Maintenance with individuals possessing a Maintenance License or Residential Maintenance License on a contract basis, provided the company has a Permit Master Electrician. All maintenance work as defined herein shall only be performed by Maintenance Electricians or Residential Maintenance Electricians, as their licenses permit, or by individuals supervised on the site by such electricians, unless a Master or Journeyman electrician is on site as required elsewhere m this code. 2. The right of a Licensed Mechanical Contractor to perform such electrical maintenance work or to limit such work being performed by an employee of the Mechanical Contractor provided that the Mechamcal Contractor and the employee of the Mechamcal Contractor are Licensed Maintenance Electricians. 3 The electrical maintenance of heating, ventilating, air condrtiomng and refrigeration equipment by a service contractor provided such service contractor holds a valid Maintenance Electrician License and performs such work only wrtlun the heating, ventilation, air condrtiomng, and refrigeration equipment. 4 The electrical maintenance of specialized equipment by a manufacturer of equipment provided those persons that perform such electrical maintenance work hold a valid Maintenance Electrician License. 5 The right of a homeowner from performing electrical maintenance work on his residence. C02.2.1.7 Maintenance Electrician Trainee. A Maintenance Electrician Trainee shall be able to perform electrical maintenance work, as defined m this code, when employed by and under the supervision of a Maintenance Electrician who shall be responsible for his work. C02.2.1.8 Residential Maintenance Electrician. A Residential Maintenance Electrician shall be able to perform electrical maintenance work as defined m this code, and m accordance with the provisions as described for a Maintenance Electrician under section C02.2.1 6 except that the following restrictions also apply (1) All work shall be hmrted to residential properties only specifically one and two- family dwellings and apartment complexes. This license does not apply to motels, hotels, assisted living facilities, etc (2) All work shall be hmrted to 480 volts or less. (3) All work shall be hmrted to the property or properties owned or operated by the direct employer of the residential maintenance electrician except as described m the definition of Electrical Maintenance Work. C02.2.1.9 Helper or Apprentice. A Helper or Apprentice electrician may perform electrical work only when the work is laid out for loin and supervised by a Master Electrician, a Master Sign Electrician, a Journeyman Electrician, a Journeyman Sign Electrician, a Residential Wireman Electrician, Maintenance Electrician, or a Residential Maintenance Electrician. The supervising Master Electrician, Master Sign Electrician, Journeyman Electrician, Journeyman Sign Electrician, Residential Wireman Electrician, Maintenance Electrician, or Residential Maintenance Electrician shall be on the~ob site. 4 C02.2.2. State of Texas licensees. Individuals m possession of a State of Texas license may perform work as provided in this section. For work in the City of Fort Worth, the following provisions and hmrtahons shall be applicable to State Licensees. The following defimhons provided by the State shall be applicable to these provisions concerning State Licensees. When the term appears m italics form m this ordinance, rt shall mean the defimtions listed below Electrical work means any labor or material used m mstalhng, maintaimng, or extending an electrical wiring system and the appurtenances, apparatus, or equipment used m connection with the use of electrical energy m, on, outside, or attached to a building, residence, structure, property or premises. The term includes service entrance conductors as defined by the National Electrical Code. Electrical sign work means any labor or material used in manufacturing, installing, mamtaimng, extending, connecting or reconnecting an electrical wiring system and rts appurtenances, apparatus or equipment used m connection with signs, outline lighting, awnings, signals, fight emitting diodes, and the repair of existing outdoor electric discharge fighting. This also includes the installation of an electrical service integral to an isolated sign and/or outline lighting installation. Electrical maintenance work means the replacement, or repair of existing electrical appurtenances, apparatus, equipment, machinery or controls used m connection with the use of electrical energy m, on, outside, or attached to a building, residence, structure, property or premises. All replacements or repairs must be of the same rating and type as the existing installation. No improvements may be made that are necessary to comply with applicable codes. Electrical maintenance work does not include the replacement of any raceways, conductors, disconnecting means, or service feeder components. It also does not include the installation of any new electrical appurtenances, apparatus, equipment, machinery or controls beyond the scope of any existing electrical installation. Master Electrician may• a. On behalf of a Contractor perform all electrical work, b Provide on-site or general supervision of an electrician or other electrical workers, c. Serve as Master of Record for registered Electrical Contractor or registered Electrical Sign Contractor 2. Master Sign Electrician may• a. On behalf of an Electrical Sign Contractor perform electrical sign work. Such electrical work shall only include the electrical components of the sign up to but not including the disconnecting means. When the sign is a stand alone detached sign, with rts own isolated electrical service, such work may include the installation of the electrical service. b Provide on-site or general supervision of an electrician or other electrical 5 workers m the performance of allowable electrical sign work. c Serve as Master of Record for registered Electrical Sign Contractor Journeyman Electrician may• a. Under the general supervision of a Master Electrician, on behalf of an Electrical Contractor perform electrical work, b Under the general supervision of a Master Electrician or Master Sign Electrician, perform electrical sign work, c. Provide on-site supervision of other electrical workers. 4 Journeyman Sign Electrician may• a. Under the general supervision of a Master Electrician or Master Sign Electrician, on behalf of an Electrical Sign Contractor perform electrical sign work; b Provide on-site supervision of other electrical sign workers. 5 Residential Wireman may• a. Under the general supervision of a Master Electrician, on behalf of an Electrical Contractor perform electrical work hmrted to single family and multifamily dwellings not exceeding four stories. Such work shall be hmrted to the residential umts, their connected private accessory garages, and common corridors/breezeways serving those umts. It does not include public common areas or commercial portions of the structure or building. b Provide on-site supervision of other residential electrical workers. 6 Maintenance Electrician may• Under the general supervision of a Master Electrician, on behalf of an electrical contractor perform electrical maintenance work. 7 On-site supervision. In the performance of electrical work, on-site supervision shall be provided for any electrical worker not m possession of a valid Master or Journeyman license. In the performance of electrical sign work, on-site supervision shall be provided for any electrical sign worker not m possession of a valid Master Master Sign, Journeyman or Journeyman Sign license. On-site supervision shall mean, on the fob site at all times electrical or electrical sign work, as allowed above, is in progress. C02.2.3 Homestead owner A homestead owner shall be able to perform work on his homestead property as provided for m sections C02.1.3 and C02.1 4 6 SECTION 2. That Section 11 2 of the Code of the Crty of Fort Worth (1986), Chapter D is hereby amended to read as follows. Chapter D Division I -Fort Worth Licensing The provisions of Division I shall apply to existing Fort Worth Licensee that mamtam a valid and active license. Effective 2 5-06, no new licenses shall be issued. Renewals of existing active licenses shall be permitted. Any Fort Worth license that is expired for more than one year shall not be permitted to be renewed. Only those individuals that posses an active Permitt Master License as of December 1 2005 may continue to take out permits provided they mamtam an active license. Non Permit Masters may not become Permit Masters. DO1-SCOPE DO1.1 General. Every person desiring to be licensed by the Crty of Fort Worth to engage m the electrical business or work m a capacity for which a license is required by this code shall comply with this chapter Every applicant shall 1 Take and pass an examination given by the City's officially designated examining agency for the grade of license sought. 2. Be the holder of a valid electrician license issued by a reciprocating city hereafter referred to as a reciprocal license, which license has been valid for one (1) year and is of a grade equal to that for which the applicant is applying. Exception. Applicants who obtained their license m a reciprocating city as a result of having passed an examination given by this City's officially designated or approved alternate testing agency are exempt from the one year requirement. or 3 Be the holder of a certificate of examination which states that the applicant has passed an examination qualifying the applicant for the grade of license for which applying and which certificate was issued to the applicant by an alternate examimng agency approved by the city m the manner prescribed herein. 7 D01.2 Grades. There shall be seven (7) grades of licenses Master Master Sign, Journeyman, Journeyman Sign, Residential Wireman, Maintenance Electrician and Residential Maintenance Electricians. D01.3 Duel Qualification, Dual Licensing. Neither this section nor this chapter shall be construed to prohibit: 1 The hcensing of a Master Electrician as a Master Sign Electrician, provided such Master Electrician has duly qualified as a Master Sign Electrician, 2. The hcensing of a Master Sign Electrician as a Master Electrician, provided such Master Sign Electrician has duly qualified as a Master Electrician, 3 The licensing of a Journeyman Electrician as a Journeyman Sign Electrician, provided such Journeyman Electrician has duly qualified as a Journeyman Sign Electrician, 4 The hcensing of a Journeyman Sign Electrician as a Journeyman Electrician, provided such Journeyman Sign Electrician has duly qualified as a Journeyman Electrician, and 5 Any other hcensing combination, provided that the hcensing prerequisites for the issuance of each such license are duly met. DO1 4 Company Representation. A Master Electrician who wishes to take out permits, referred to as a Permit Master may represent only one electrical company This electrical company must be registered with the Department of Development. Proof of assumed name must be provided. Licensees that represent the company shall not be simultaneously employed by or work for more than one business for the purpose of obtammg permits under this code or for the purpose of doing or supervising work that can only be done by authority of a permit obtained under the provisions of this code. Only one licensee for each company will be recognized for the purpose of obtammg permits. The licensee shall keep the Department of Development notified of any change m his/her employment. SECTION D02 APPLICATION D02.1 General. All applications for Electrical licenses shall be submitted to the code official. The applicant shall submit additional documents as required m this section. D02.2 New licenses. The applicant for a new license shall submit m person the 8 following: 1 Proof of recervmg a passing grade on an examination qualifying the applicant for the grade of license for which applying from the City's officially designated examining agency or an approved alternate examimng agency 2. Proof of required experience and/or education. (Notarized letters from employers or W 2 forms of employment.) 3 Proof of insurance as required by Section D07 4 A check for the first year license fee If not approved, the check will be returned. Make checks payable to City of Fort Worth. Exception. Agencies of any Federal, State or local government shall be exempt from the payment of hcensmg fees in cases where the electrician performing the work is an employee of such agency and the work is to be performed on premises owned or controlled by such agency 5 Valid picture ID (Example Drivers License, State ID etc.) D02.3 Reciprocal licenses. The holder of a valid electrical license or certificate of registration issued by a reciprocating city may apply for the grade of license comparable to that which the applicant holds or has qualified for elsewhere without taking the written examination given by the City's officially designated examimng agency The applicant for a reciprocal license shall submit m person the following: 1 Reciprocal letter from the city where the current license was issued. The date of the reciprocal letter must be within the effective date of the current home base license required under item 2 of this subsection. Applicants for reciprocal licensees are required to keep their home base license current and in good standing. 2. Copy of current license card showing expiration date and a valid picture ID (Example Drivers License, State ID etc ) ]Exception. An applicant holding a current Fort Worth reciprocal Maintenance Electrician License, issued based upon a Crty of Dallas home base license, may renew although Dallas has eliminated the Dallas Maintenance Electrical License program. 3 Proof of insurance as required by Section D07 4 Certificate of Occupancy for the business address or a photo of place of business showing company name and address of business. 5 A check for the first year license fee. If not approved, the check will be returned. Make checks payable to City of Fort Worth. Exception. Agencies of any Federal, State or local government shall be exempt from the payment of hcensmg fees m cases where the electrician performing the work is an employee of such agency and the work is to be performed on premises 9 owned or controlled by such agency D02.4 Approval. Upon receipt of all the appropriate documents and payment of the appropriate fee, the code official shall review the application. If m compliance with the requirements of this code, the code official shall issue a hcense to the applicant of the grade for which certified. Upon acquiring a Master or Master Sign license, a copy of this code shall be obtained. If, in the opinion of the code official, all of the requirements are not met, the application shall be denied. Appeals concerning the issuance and/or denials of electrical licenses may be made to the Board. D02.5 Issuance/Transfer No hcense shall be issued under the terms of this code to any other than a natural person. No license m effect, issued, or renewed under the terms of this code shall ever be transferred to or used by any other person other than the one to whom the same is issued. Nor shall a holder of a license allow his name or license to be used by any other person to obtain a permit or to perforin work under such license. SECTION D03 QUALIFYING EXPERIENCE D03.1 General. To be qualified, an applicant for a hcense shall have passed a required examination administered by the City's officially designated examining agency or hold a certificate of examination from an approved alternate examining agency or hold a license or certificate of registration from a reciprocating city and have the minimum qualifications and experience as listed in this section. D03.2 MASTER ELECTRICIAN LICENSE 1 Shall have had at least four (4) years experience as a Journeyman Electrician m the construction industry• or 2. Shall be a graduate of a recognized Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training (a division of the U S Department of Labor) electrical trade school with a four (4) year cumculum and have had at least two (2) years experience as a Journeyman Electrician, or 3 Shall have graduated after majoring m electrical engineering from an accredited college or university which has not less than a four (4) year cumculum and shall have had at least one (1) year of practical electrical experience. D03.3 MASTER SIGN ELECTRICIAN LICENSE 1 Shall have had at least three (3) years experience as a Journeyman Sign Electrician m the installation and/or manufacturing of electrical signs, exclusive of experience devoted to non-electrical components, or 10 2. Shall have graduated after ma~ormg m electrical engmeenng from an accredited college or university which has not less than a four (4) year curnculum and shall have had at least eighteen (18) months experience of practical electrical sign experience. D03.4 JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAL LICENSE 1 Shall have had at least four (4) years of electncal installation experience under a Master Electrician m the electncal construction mdustry• or 2. Shall be a graduate of a recognized Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training electncal trade school with a four (4) year curnculum. NOTE A Journeyman Electrician may work m the capacity as a Residential Wireman Electrician, Maintenance Electrician or Residential Maintenance Electrician. D03.5 JOURNEYMAN SIGN ELECTRICIAN LICENSE 1 Shall have at least three (3) years experience m the installation of electrical sign or outline lighting equipment, exclusive of experience devoted to non-electrical components such as enclosures, or 2. Shall have had two (2) years college credit ma~onng m electrical engmeenng m an accredited college or universrty• including completion of that university or college published curnculum for freshman and sophomore electncal engineering of electrical engmeenng ma~or• and shall have had at least eighteen (18) months experience of practical electncal sign experience. D03.6 RESIDENTIAL WIREMAN ELECTRICIAN LICENSE 1 Shall have at least two (2) years experience m the installation of electncal equipment m one and two-family dwellings. NOTE The residential wireman electrician license restricts the holder of such licenses to do electncal work m one and two-family dwellings only D03.7 MAINTENANCE ELECTRICIAN LICENSE Shall have four (4) years experience m maintaining and repairing electrical apparatus which is already installed. A certificate from an approved two (2) year service maintenance training school may be deemed the equivalent of two (2) years experience. Written documentation as to proof of experience and education shall be required. Exception. With approval of the code official of the City of Fort Worth, a Maintenance Electrician Training License may be issued to trammg school graduates. D03.8 RESIDENTIAL MAINTENANCE ELECTRICIAN LICENSE 11 Shall have three (3) years experience m maintaining and repairing electrical apparatus, on residential properties, which are already installed. A certificate from an approved two (2) year service maintenance training school may be deemed the equivalent of two (2) years experience. Written documentation as to proof of experience and education shall be required. Exception. Until July 1 2002, existing residential maintenance electricians who can show four (4) years experience, or a combination of two (2) years experience and two (2) years service maintenance training school, may obtain a license without the taking of the exam. SECTION D04 EXPIKATION/RENEWAL D04.1 GeneraIl Any license issued under the terms of this Code shall expire January 1 of each year unless the annual fee specified m Table D04 1 is paid. Each license renewal shall be accompanied with a copy of a current valid picture ID Reciprocal renewals shall also be accompanied with a copy of a current valid home base license. (Note: Due to staffing needs the Code Official may at his discretion, install a license renewal program in which licenses expire at various times throughout the year in lieu of having all licenses expire on January 1 In order to implement the program the Building Official may assign new xpiration dates to existing licenses and charge apro-rated renewal fee.) Exception. Agencies of any Federal, State or local government shall be exempt from the payment of hcensmg fees m cases where the electrician performing the work is an employee of such agency and the work is to be performed on premises owned or controlled by such agency The holder of a Master License or Master Sign License who fails to pay the annual fee due for such license within thirty (30) days after the expiration date shall be required to pay a late fee as specified m Table D04 1 The holder of a Journeyman License, Journeyman Sign License, Residential Wireman Licenses, Maintenance License or Residential Maintenance License who fails to pay the annual fee due for such license within thirty (30) days after the expiration date shall be required to pay a late fee as specified in Table D04 1 Any Fort Worth license that is expired for more than one year shall not be permitted to be renewed. 12 TABLE D04.1 Electrical License Fees 1 Annual license fee1,2 Master electrician $120 00 Master sl.gn electrl.c><an 120 00 Master late fee 60 00 Journeyman electr><c><an 12.00 Journeyman sl.gn electrician 12.00 Residential wireman electr><cl.an 12.00 Maintenance electrician 12.00 Residential Maintenance electrician 12.00 Late fee 12.00 2. Permit Master change of business $60 00 Annual fee due full the first day of January ch yeaz Fees will of be pro ated for licenses taken ut during the yeaz. (As staffing and allow the Code Official may allow ewal to be for up to two years with the payment of pro-rated fee. Due to staffing eds the Code Official may at his discretion, stall license ewal program which licenses xpire at various times throughout the year lieu of having all licenses xpire January I Jn rder to implement the program.the Code Official may assign ew xpiration dates to sting licenses and charge pro- ated ewal fee.) Failure to ew within 30 days after xpiration shall ult penalty fee as specified ction D04 1 SECTION DOS LICENSE SUSPENDED, REPEALED OR REVOKED DO5.1 General. A license or permit may be suspended, repealed or revoked by the Code Official by reason of the occurrence of one or more of the following: 1 Ad~ud><cation of msamty• 2. Fraud or misrepresentat>on ><n obtaining a license or permit; 3 Violation of a prov>slon of this ordinance, the Res>dential, Plumbing, Mechanical, or Bul.ldmg Codes or any other regulatory ordinances of the City applicable to the >nstallation or alteration of appll.ances, equipment or systems as set forth m this code, 4 Conviction of defraudl.ng a person for whom he has rendered or contracted to render servl.ce; 5 Fa><lure to obtain a permit or the attempted assignment of a permit for others, 6 Failure to pay permit fees or the voluntary or involuntary filing of bankruptcy proceedings by or against the firm, partnership, association, or corporation, and, 7 The sending of sl.x (6) notifications within a six (6) month penod that the license is m v>olat><on of thl.s chapter D05.2 Work Suspension. Upon suspensl.on or revocation of said Master Electncl.an or Master Sign Electnc>an L><cense, same shall be null and void and no work thereafter may be performed thereunder D05.3 Board Affirmation. Upon appeal to the Board, the Board may affirm, rev><se or modify such suspensl.on or revocation. 13 SECTION D06 INFORMATION/IDENTIFICATION D06.1 Information. Each holder of a license issued under the provisions of this Code shall furnish the code official with a written notice of any change of information, including but not hmrted to address, telephone number company name, etc. When the change involves moving of the permit Master from one company to another a fee as specified in Table D04 1 shall be charged. Each holder of Master Electrician license shall furnish the code official with a written notice of the address and telephone number of his regular established place of business, and if actively engaged in the electrical contracting business, a list of Journeyman Electricians and other electrical workers employed by him. D06.2 Identification. 1 Journeyman Electricians, Journeyman Sign Electricians, Residential Wireman Electricians, Maintenance Electrician and Residential Maintenance Electricians shall carry their license and a valid picture ID on their person at all times while performing electrical work, and they shall produce and present such license or permit immediately upon request by an Electrical Inspector 2. Each licensed Master Electrician and Master Sign Electrician shall have lis company name and his Electrician license number as follows. E or approved Universal Number permanently affixed on each front door or fender of each truck or vehicle which said electrician operates m connection with the installation, alteration or repair of electrical wiring, equipment or signs within the city m letters and numerals of at least two and one half (2 1/2) inches m height. Such name and number shall be the same for all vehicles so operated by any one Licensed Master Electrician or any one Licensed Master Sign Electrician. Such name and number shall not be of the magnetic type SECTION D07 INSURANCE D07.1 General. Each Master Electrician and Master Sign Electrician who intend on taking out permits shall furnish to the code official a certificate of insurance as evidence of the insurance required. Exception. A Master Electrician or Master Sign Electrician employed by the City of Fort Worth shall be exempt from the insurance requirement. The insurance policy shall have hmrts of habilrty m the amounts of not less than $300 000 00 per occurrence for bodily injury including death, and not less than $100 000 00 per occurrence for property damage. 14 Such insurance policy shall provide that rt cannot be canceled or amended without at least thirty (30) days notice to the City of Fort Worth. The certificate of insurance shall clearly state the Master and/or Master Sign Electricians individual name and license number along with the name of the business and address. The holder of the certificate shall be City of Fort Worth, Department of Development, 1000 Throckmorton Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76102. Division II -State License/Registration The provisions of Division II shall apply to State of Texas Licensees contracting or performing electrical work. D08 -SCOPE D08.1 General. Every person with a State of Texas License desiring to perform electrical work m the City of Fort Worth shall comply with this chapter D08.2 Registration. Every person with a State Electrical Contractor or State Electrical Sign Contractor License desiring to contract for electrical work m the City of Fort Worth shall register and pay a registration fee. All applications for registration shall be submitted to the code official. The applicant shall submit additional documents as required m this section. D08.2.1. New applications. The applicant for a new registration shall submit m person the followmg• 1 Copy of State of Texas Electrical Contractor or State of Texas Electrical Sign Contractor credentials. 2. Valid picture ID (Example• Drivers License, State ID etc.) 3 Copy of current and active State of Texas Master Electrician license or State of Texas Master Sign Electrician license who will act as Master of Record. 4 A check for the first year registration fee as specified in Table D08.2.1 If not approved, the check will be returned. Make checks payable to City of Fort Worth. Exception. Agencies of any Federal, State or local government shall be exempt from the payment of licensing fees m cases where the electrician performing the work is an employee of such agency and the work is to be performed on premises owned or controlled by such agency 5 Proof of assumed name or letter of incorporation. 15 Table D08.2.1 1 Annual Contractor registration fee Electncal Contractor $120 00 Electncal Sign Contractor 120 00 Contractor late fee 60 00 2. Change of Master of Record $60 00 D08.2.2 Approval. Upon receipt of all the appropriate documents and payment of the appropriate fee, the code official shall review the application. If m compliance with the requirements of this code, the code official shall approve the registration for the category certified. Upon acquiring a registration, a copy of this code shall be obtained. If, in the opinion of the code official, all of the requirements are not met, the application shall be dewed. Appeals concerning the issuance and/or denials of a registration may be made to the Board. D08.3 Issuance/Transfer No registration in effect, issued, or renewed under the terms of this code shall ever be transferred to or used by any other Contractor other than the one to whom the same is issued. Nor shall a holder of a registration allow his name or registration to be used by any other person to obtain a permit or to perform work under such registration. D08.4 Contractor Representation. A State of Texas Master Electrician may only be assigned to a single Electrical Contractor or Electrical Sign Contractor not both. A State of Texas Master Sign Electrician may only be assigned to a single Electrical Sign Contractor The registered contractor shall keep the Department of Development notified of any change mhis/her business information or any change mhis/her Master of Record assigned to the contracting business. SECTION D09 EXPIRATION/RENEWAL D09 1 General Any registration issued under the terms of this Code shall expire one year after the date of approval unless the annual fee specified m Table D08.2.1 is paid. Each registration renewal shall be accompanied with a copy of a current valid picture ID Exception. Agencies of any Federal, State or local government shall be exempt from the payment of registration fees in cases where the electrician performing the work is an employee of such agency and the work is to be performed on premises owned or controlled by such agency The holder of a registration who fails to pay the annual fee due for such registration 16 within thirty (30) days after the expiration date shall be required to pay a late fee as specified m Table D08.2.1 SECTION D10 REGISTRATION SUSPENDED, REPEALED OR REVOKED D10.1 General. A registration or permit may be suspended, repealed or revoked by the Code Official by reason of the occurrence of one or more of the following: 1 Adjudication of msamty• 2. Fraud or misrepresentation m obtaimng a license or permit; 3 Violation of a provision of this ordinance, the Residential, Plumbing, Mechamcal, or Building Codes or any other regulatory ordinances of the City applicable to the installation or alteration of appliances, equipment or systems as set forth in this code; 4 Conviction of defrauding a person for whom he has rendered or contracted to render service; 5 Failure to obtain a permit or the attempted assignment of a permit for others, 6 Failure to pay permit fees or the voluntary or involuntary filing ofbankruptcy proceedings by or against the firm, partnership, association, or corporation, and, 7 The sending of six (6) notifications within a six (6) month period that the license is m violation of this chapter 8 When the State Contractor license expires or is suspended for any reason. 9 When the State License of the Master of Record expires or is suspended for any reason. D10.2 Work Suspension. Upon suspension or revocation of said registration, same shall be null and void and no work thereafter may be performed thereunder D10.3 Board Affirmation. Upon appeal to the Board, the Board may affirm, revise or modify such suspension or revocation. SECTION D11 INFORMATION/IDENTIFICATION D11.1 Information. Each holder of a registration issued under the provisions of this Code shall furiush the code official with a written notice of any change of information, including but not limited to address, telephone number company name, etc. When the change involves the installation of a new Master of Record, a fee as specified m Table D08.2.1 shall be charged. D 11.2 Identification. 1 Master Electricians, Master Sign Electricians, Journeyman Electricians, Journeyman Sign Electricians, Residential Wireman Electrncians, and Maintenance Electricians shall carry their license and a valid picture ID on their person at all times while performing electrical work, and they shall produce and present such license or permit immediately upon request by an 17 Electrical Inspector 2. Each registered Electrical Contractor shall have his company name and license number displayed on both sides of each vehicle owned or operated by the business and used in the conduct of electrical work. Lettering shall be of a contrasting color and at least two inches in height. The license number shall be preceded by the letters `TECL. Such name and number shall be the same for all vehicles so operated by the electrical contractor Such name and number shall not be of the magnetic type. 3 Each registered Electrical Sign Contractor shall have lis company name and license number displayed on both sides of each vehicle owned or operated by the business and used in the conduct of electrical sign work. Lettering shall be of a contrasting color and at least two inches m height. The license number shall be preceded by the letters `TSCL. Such name and number shall be the same for all vehicles so operated by the electrical contractor Such name and number shall not be of the magnetic type. SECTION 3. That Section 11 2 of the Code of the Crty of Fort Worth (1986), Chapter E is hereby amended to read as follows Chapter E Approval of Reciprocating Cities and Examining Agencies The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to existing Fort Worth Licensees that maintain a valid and active license. Effective 2 5-06, no new Reciprocating Cities or Examining Agencies shall be approved. SECTION E01 RECIPROCATING CITIES E01.1 General. The Board may list other cities as approved Reciprocating Cities under the following guidelines 1 The Board shall confirm that the electrician license or certificate of registration issued by another city is of a grade equal to that license for which the applicant is applying. 2. The Board may adjust the years of training, education, work experience or required period of experience after the issuance of the license from that city as necessary to make the license or certificate match the grade of that being applied for 3 The Board may not require the city to test through a specific agency or organization 18 but will evaluate the test chosen by that city as to rt being equivalent to the testing standards used by the City of Fort Worth. SECTION E02 EXAMINING AGENCIES E02.1 Officially Designated Examining Agency The City Council may authorize the City Manager to contract with an examination agency to perform examination services for the licensing of electricians, or the City Council may authorize the City Manager to contract with other cities m the North Texas Region m the form of an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement allowing the cities as a unit to contract for the services of an examining agency The selected agency shall be the City's officially designated examining agency and shall perform all examination services requested by the City when issuing electrical licenses. E02.2 Alternate Examining Agencies. The code official shall be authorized to approve those examining agencies whose certificates of examination will be accepted by the City m lieu of the certificate of examination issued by the City's officially designated examining agency Such agencies shall be known as alternate examining agencies. It shall be the responsibility of the Board of the City of Fort Worth to review the qualifications and testing standards of such agencies, and to submit its recommendation to the code official, provided, however that such recommendation shall be advisory only and the final decision as to approval of an alternate examining agency and the acceptance of its certificates of examination shall be vested solely m the code official. The code official shall not approve an examining agency which does not maintain examination standards at least equal to those required by this code E02.3 Test Application. A person wishing to take a test for a license issued by the City of Fort Worth shall file a written application with the City's officially designated examining agency or alternate examining agency Such application shall be completed and filed m accordance with the procedures prescribed by the examining agency E02.4 Responsibilities of the Examining Agency Examination fees, dates, times and places of the examinations, procedures for administering the examinations, grading of the examinations, examination security and examination site security examination content, notification of examination results, repeat examinations, and appeal of examination scores, shall be the sole responsibility of the agency administering the examination. 19 SECTION 4. This article shall be cumulative of all provisions of ordinances of the Code of the City of Fort Worth, Texas (1986), affecting Electrical Code provisions, as amended, and shall not repeal any of the provisions of such ordinances, except in those instances where provisions of such ordinances are m direct conflict with the provisions of this ordinance. SECTION 5. It is hereby declared to be the intention of the City Council that the sections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, and phrases of this ordinance are severable, and, if any phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph, or section of this ordinance shall be declared void, ineffective, or unconstitutional by the valid judgment or decree of any court of competent ~unsdiction, such voidness, ineffectiveness, or unconstitutionality shall not affect any of the remaining phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs, and sections of this ordinance, since the same would have. been enacted by the City Council without the incorporation m this ordinance of any such void, ineffective, or unconstitutional phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph, or section. SECTION 6. Any person, firm, or corporation violating any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000 00) for all violations involving fire safety or public health and sanitation and shall be fined not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500 00) for all other violations of this ordinance. Each day or any portion thereof during which any violation of this ordinance occurs or continues shall be deemed a separate offense and upon conviction thereof shall be punishable as herein provided. SECTION 7 All rights and remedies of the Crty of Fort Worth, Texas are expressly saved as to any and all violations of the previous Electrical Code, or any other ordinances affecting construction and fire safety which have accrued at the time of the effective date of this ordinance. and, as to such accrued violations and all pending litigation, both civil and criminal, whether pending m court or not, under such ordinances, same shall not be affected by this ordinance but may be prosecuted until final disposition by the courts. SECTION 8. The Deparhnent of Development of the Crty of Fort Worth, Texas, is hereby authorized to publish this ordinance m pamphlet form for general distribution among the public, and the operative provisions of this ordinance as so published shall be admissible m evidence m all 20 courts without further proof than the production thereof, as provided in Chapter XXV Section 3 of the Charter of th.e Crty of Fort Worth, Texas. SECTION 9 The City Secretary of the City of Fort Worth, is hereby directed to publish the caption and Sections 1 6 9 and 10 of this ordinance for two (2) days in the official newspaper of the Crty of Fort Worth, Texas as authorized by Section 2, Chapter XXV of the Charter of the Crty of Fort Worth, Texas and by Section 52.013 (a) of the Texas Local Government Code. SECTION 10. This ordinance shall be m full force and effect February 5 2006 APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY sy• GAM,~2' Assistant Crty Attorney 2 5-06 21 Page 1 of 2 City of Fort Worth, Texas Mayor and Council Communication COUNCIL ACTION Approved on 1/19/2006 Ordinance No 16764-01 2006 & 16765-01 2006 DATE Thursday January 19 2006 LOG NAME 06ELECT/LICENSE REFERENCE NO *G-15061 SUBJECT Adopt Ordinances Recognizing State of Texas Issued Electrical Licenses and Amendments to Electrical and Sign Codes RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached ordinances listed in the following items. Adoption of an amendment to the Fort Worth Electrical Code providing for the following changes, a. Recognition of State of Texas Electrical Licenses allowing for Electrical permits to be obtained by Texas Electrical Contractors b Termination of the current Fort Worth Electrical Licensing program testing program and reciprocal city provisions, c. Allowing for the grandfathering of existing Fort Worth Electrical licenses, for individuals wishing to maintain their existing license provided they do not let their Fort Worth license expire for over one year d Providing a registration fee for State of Texas Electrical Contractors and Electrical Sign Contractors that is equivalent to Fort Worth Master Electrician and Master Sign Electrician fees. 2. Adoption of an amendment to the Fort Worth Sign Code providing for the following changes, a Recognition of State of Texas Electrical Sign Licenses, allowing for Electrical Sign permits to be obtained by Texas Electrical Sign Contractors. b Making reference to the Fort Worth Electrical Code for the remaining provisions associated with electrical sign licenses. DISCUSSION After years of effort, the State of Texas has created an Electrical licensing program The two attached ordinances will recognize those licenses for electrical and electrical sign work and the obtainment of permits. The City of Fort Worth will discontinue its license issuance program However it will grandfather those individuals who wish to maintain their Fort Worth license provided they do not let it expire for more than one year With the State of Texas program many Fort Worth licensees will elect to roll over their city license to a State license As such it is expected that they will stop renewing their Fort Worth licenses. The loss of revenue has been reflected in the Development Department adopted budget. A registration fee will be established for State of Texas Contractors desiring to obtain permits. This follows the same Fort Worth guidelines for State of Texas Plumbers wishing to obtain Fort Worth permits. Approval of the attached ordinances will establish an effective date of February 5 2006 http.//www cfwnet.org/council~acket/Reports/mc~rint.asp 1/23/2006 Page 2 of 2 FISCAL INFORMATION/CERTIFICATION The Finance Director certifies that the expected loss of revenue for Journeyman License renewals is predicted to be $43 000 and has been included in the revenue projections of the general fund budget. TO Fund/AccountlCenters FROM Fund/Account/Centers Submitted for City Manager's Office b~ Dale Fisseler (6140) Originating Department Head. Bob Riley (8901) Additional Information Contact: AI Godwin (7825) http.//www cfwnet.org/council~acket/Reports/mc~rmt.asp 1/23/2006