HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 7668 ORDINANCE NO. 7668
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 14 OF THE CODE OF
THE CITY OF FORT WORTH (1964), AS AMENDED, BEING AN
ORDINANCE SAFEGUARDING PERSONS AND PROPERTY AND
PROMOTING THE PUBLIC WELFARE; DEFINING TERMS; CRE-
ATING THE OFFICES OF CHIEF ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR AND
ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS AND PRESCRIBING THEIR RESPEC-
TIVE DUTIES, RIGHTS AND AUTHORITY; PROVIDING STANDARDS
FOR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT AND FOR ITS INSTALLATION AND
REQUIRING CONFORMITY THEREWITH; MAKING IT UNLAWFUL
TO UNDERTAKE THE INSTALLATION OF ELECTRICAL EQUIP-
MENT WITHOUT A PROPER LICENSE TO DO SUCH WORK,
EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED, AND WITHOUT FIRST
OBTAINING A PERMIT THEREFOR AND PAYING A FEE AS
PROVIDED HEREIN; PROVIDING FOR INSPECTIONS OF ELECTRI-
CAL INSTALLATIONS AND NOTICES; CREATING AN ELECTRICAL
BOARD AND PRESCRIBING ITS DUTIES; REQUIRING LICENSES
FOR MASTER ELECTRICIANS AND JOURNEYMEN ELECTRICIANS;
MASTER SIGN AND JOURNEYMEN SIGN ELECTRICIALS: PROVID-
ING FOR TEMPORARY WORKING PERMITS FOR UNLICENSED
ELECTRICAL WORKERS; PROVIDING FOR EXAMINATIONS OF
APPLICANTS FOR SUCH LICENSES AND PRESCRIBING ANNUAL
LICENSE FEES; PROVIDING FOR SUSPENSION AND REVOCATION
OF SUCH LICENSES; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES AND PARTS
OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; PROVIDING A SAVING
_. CLAUSE; FIXING A PENALTY FOR THE VIOLATION HEREOF; AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, it is deemed necessary to provide minimum standards for
electrical equipment and for the installation, alteration or repair of any
electrical equipment thereof, within the City to protect and promote public
safety, health and welfare; and,
WHEREAS, the present Electrical Code is in need of amendments in order
to protect and promote public safety, health and welfare under modern
conditions; and,
WHEREAS, the Electrical Code Revision Committee of the City of Fort
Worth has recommended the adoption of the provisions of the 1978 National
Electrical Code, with certain amendments; Now, Therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF FORT WORTH
SECTION 1. 1978 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE ADOPTED.
The Electrical Code of the City of Fort Worth is hereby revised .and amended to
conform to the 1978 National Electrical Code, as amended hereby, and the same
as amended is hereby adopted as the Electrical Code of the City of Fort Worth
from the effective date hereof. Three copies of the said 1978 National
Electrical Code with corrections, marked "Exhibit All, are incorporated herein by
reference and have been filed in the office of the City Secretary for permanent
record and inspection.
SECTION 2. AMENDMENTS. That the 1978 National Electrical Code
(Exhibit "A") be amended as shown by Exhibit "B" attached hereto, which
amendments are incorporated herein by reference and shall have been filed in the
office of the City Secretary for permanent record and inspection.
SECTION 3. PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS. It shall be unlawful for any
person to install, alter or repair any electrical equipment in the City or cause the
same to be done, contrary to or in violation of any of the provisions of this Code.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this Code shall be deemed
guilty of a misdemeanor, and each such person shall be deemed guilty of a
separate offense for each day or a portion thereof during which any violation of
the provisions of this Code is committed, continued or permitted, and each
violation shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $200.
SECTION 4. VALIDITY. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or
phrase of this Ordinance is, for any reason, held to be unconstitutional, such
decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance.
The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this Ordinance, and
each section, subsection, clause or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that
any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses and phrases be declared
unconstitutional.
SECTION 5. ORDINANCES REPEALED. Ordinance 6245 and all
a
Ordinances amendatory and all ordinances conflicting herewith are expressly
superseded by the terms of this Ordinance.
Electrical permits heretofore issued under existing Ordinances shall be
valid for the time for which they are issued under the existing Electrical Code,
but upon expiration thereof, the same shall be void.
All pending litigation and existing violations, both civil and criminal,
whether pending in court or not, under the Electrical Code and amendments
thereto superseded by this Ordinance, shall not be affected by this Ordinance,
but may be prosecuted until final dispositior9 by the courts.
SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. The fact that the present Electrical Code
is inadequate creates an urgency and an emergency for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health, comfort, safety and general welfare,
and requires that this Ordinance shall take effect immediately from and after its
passage, and it is accordingly so ordained.
SECTION 7. DIGEST AND REVISION. This Ordinance constitutes a digest
and revision of the Electrical Code Ordinances of the City of Fort Worth, Texas
as provided by Section 2, Chapter XXVI, and Section 10, Chapter XXVIII of the
Charter of said City, and the City Secretary is hereby directed to publish this
Ordinance in book or pamphlet form for general distribution among the public,
and this Ordinance, as so published in pamphlet form, shall be admissible in
evidence as provided in Section 3, Chapter XXVI, of the Charter.
SECTION 8. WHEN EFFECTIVE. The fact that the present Ordinances
providing for an Electrical Code and regulating the electrical installations within
the corporate limits of the City are deemed inadequate and there are conditions
existing in said City endangering the convenience, safety and welfare of the
public which creates an emergency and public necessity in the preservation of
the public health and safety thereof, the City Secret&.ry shall have this Ordinance
published promptly in pamphlet form as provided in Section 7 hereof, and it shall
become a law and be in full force and effect from and after such publication.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
fORIY XA
ATTEST:
CITY SECRETARY
s
P
ORDINANCE NO. 7668
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 14 OF THE CODE
OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH (1964), AS AMENDED, BEING
AN ORDINANCE SAFEGUARDING PERSONS AND PROPERTY
AND PROMOTING THE PUBLIC WELFARE; DEFINING TERMS;
CREATING THE OFFICES OF CHIEF ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR
AND ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS AND PRESCRIBING THEIR
RESPECTIVE DUTIES, RIGHTS AND AUTHORITY; PROVIDING
STANDARDS FOR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT AND FOR ITS
INSTALLATION AND REQUIRING CONFORMITY THEREWITH;
MAKING IT UNLAWFUL TO UNDERTAKE THE INSTALLATION
OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT WITHOUT A PROPER LICENSE
TO DO SUCH WORK, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED,
AND WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING A PERMIT THEREFOR AND
PAYING A FEE AS PROVIDED HEREIN; PROVIDING FOR
INSPECTIONS OF ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS AND
NOTICES; CREATING AN ELECTRICAL BOARD AND PRE-
SCRIBING ITS DUTIES; REQUIRING LICENSES FOR MASTER
ELECTRICIANS AND JOURNEYMEN ELECTRICIANS; MASTER
SIGN AND JOURNEYMEN SIGN ELECTRICIALS: PROVIDING
FOR TEMPORARY WORKING PERMITS FOR UNLICENSED
ELECTRICAL WORKERS; PROVIDING FOR EXAMINATIONS OF
APPLICANTS FOR SUCH LICENSES AND PRESCRIBING AN-
NUAL LICENSE FEES; PROVIDING FOR SUSPENSION AND a
REVOCATION OF SUCH LICENSES; REPEALING ALL ORDI-
NANCES AND PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HERE-
WITH; PROVIDING A SAVING CLAUSE; FIXING A PENALTY
FOR THE VIOLATION HEREOF; AND PROVIDING AN EFFEC-
TIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, it is deemed necessary to provide minimum
standards for electrical equipment and for the installation,
alteration or repair of any electrical equipment thereof, within
the City to protect and promote public safety, health and
welfare; and,
WHEREAS, the present Electrical Code is in need of amend-
ments in order to protect and promote public safety, health and
welfare under modern conditions; and,
WHEREAS, the Electrical Code Revision Committee of the
City of Fort Worth has recommended the adoption of the
provisions of the 1978 National Electrical Code, with certain
amendments; Now, Therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF FORT WORTH
SECTION 1. 1978 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE ADOP-
TED. The Electrical Code of the City of Fort Worth is hereby
revised and amended to conform to the 1978 National Electrical
Code, as amended hereby, and the same as amended is hereby
adopted as the Electrical Code of the City of Fort Worth from
the effective date hereof. Three copies of the said 1978
i
National Electrical Code with corrections, marked "Exhibit A",
are incorporated herein by reference and have been filed in the
office of the City Secretary for permanent record and inspec-
tion.
SECTION Z. AMENDMENTS. That the 1978 National
Electrical Code (Exhibit "A") be amended as shown by Exhibit "B"
attached hereto, which amendments are incorporated herein by
reference and shall have been filed in the office of the City
Secretary for permanent record and 'inspection.
SECTION 3. PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS. It shall be
unlawful for any person to install, alter or repair any electrical
equipment in the City or cause the same to be done, contrary to
or in violation of any of the provisions of this Code.
i
Any person violating any of the provisions of this Code shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and each such person shall be
deemed guilty of a separate offense for each day or a portion
thereof during which any violation of the provisions of this Code
is committed, continued or permitted, and each violation shall be
punishable by a fine not to exceed $200.
SECTION 4. VALIDITY. If any section, subsection, sentence,
clause or phrase of this Ordinance is, for any reason, held to be
unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the
remaining portions of this Ordinance. The City Council hereby
declares that it would have passed this Ordinance, and each
section, subsection, clause or phrase thereof, irrespective of the
fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences,
clauses and phrases be declared unconstitutional.
e
SECTION 5. ORDINANCES REPEALED. Ordinance 6245 and
all Ordinances amendatory and all ordinances conflicting here-
with are expressly superseded by the terms of this Ordinance.
Electrical permits heretofore issued under existing Ordinances
shall be valid for the time for which they are issued under the
existing Electrical Code, but upon expiration thereof, the same
shall be void.
}
All pending litigation and existing violations, both civil and
criminal, whether pending in court or not, under the Electrical
Code and amendments thereto superseded by this Ordinance,
shall not be affected by this Ordinance, but may be prosecuted
until final disposition by the courts.
i
SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. The fact that the present
Electrical Code is inadequate creates an urgency and an
emergency for the immediate preservation of the public peace,
health, comfort, safety and general welfare, and requires that
this Ordinance shall take effect immediately from and after its
passage, and it is accordingly so ordained.
SECTION 7. DIGEST AND REVISION. This Ordinance
constitutes a digest and revision of the Electrical Code Ordi-
nances of the City of Fort Worth, Texas as provided by Section 2,
Chapter XXVI, and Section 10, Chapter XXVM of the Charter of
said City, and the City Secretary is hereby directed to publish
this Ordinance in book or pamphlet form for general distribution
among the public, and this Ordinance, as so published in pamphlet
form, shall be admissible in evidence as provided in Section 3,
Chapter XXVI, of the Charter.
SECTION 8. WHEN EFFECTIVE. The fact that the present
Ordinances providing for an Electrical Code and regulating the
electrical installations within the corporate limits of the City
are deemed inadequate and there are conditions existing in said
City endangering the convenience, safety and welfare of the
public which creates an emergency and public necessity in the
preservation of the public health and safety thereof, the City
Secretary shall have this Ordinance published promptly in
pamphlet form as provided in Section 7 hereof, and it shall
become a law and be in full force and effect from and after such
publication.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
dP 1, FAA"
CITY ATTORNEY
G
ATTEST:
CITY SECRETARY
6
The following Chapters, Sections and parts of the 1978
National Electrical Code (Exhibit "A") are hereby amended and
after having been so amended shall be and read as follows:
PART 1 -- ADMINISTRATIVE
CHAPTER 1 --TITLE AND SCOPE
SECTION 101. This ordinance shall be known as
the "Electrical Code," may be cited as such, and will
be referred to herein as "this code."
SECTION 102. The purpose of this Code is to
provide minimum standards to safeguard life or limb,
health, property and public welfare by regulating and
controlling the installation and alteration of electri-
cal equipment, which shall include electrical conduc-
tors, fittings, devices, sign primaries, fixtures,
motors, generators, starters, controls, raceways and
that part of elevator installations consisting of signal
systems, fans, electric lighting fixtures, illuminated
thresholds, feeder conductors and raceways to motor
and generator disconnect switches and controllers and
all electrical installations in connection with inter-
locking devices, other than on automatic elevators,
located within or on public and private buildings and
prmises except as excluded by Section 104; and by
regulating and licensing those persons who will install
or maintain such electrical equipment.
SECTION 103. (a) GENERAL. On installations
where existing electrical wiring or equipment is
altered or added to, the provisions for new installa-
tions will apply.
(b) The electricity supply agency shall disconnect
the electrical service to any building or premises
except private residences and duplex apartments each
time such building or premises changes ownership, is
leased, or changes occupancy, and it shall not again
supply electricity to such buildings or premises until
authorized to do so,by the Electrical Inspector. The
owners or the new occupants of such buildings or
premises shall make application to the Chief Electri-
cal Inspector for an inspection. The Chief Electrical
Inspector shall make the inspection within forty-eight
hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and holidays,
of the time such application is made or as soon
thereafter as practicable. No charge shall be made
nor fee collected for such inspections.
.(c) It shall be unlawful for any person to connect
to a supply of electricity, or to supply electricity to
any electrical equipment for the installation of which
a permit is required, or which has been disconnected
or ordered to be disconnected by the Electrical
Inspector, or, except for private residences, which
has been disconnected for any reason whatsoever,
until such connection has been authorized by the
Electrical Inspector.
(d) Electricity shall not be supplied to a part or
parts of buildings or premises unless all of such
buildings or premises have been made to conform
with the provisions of this Code.
(e) All buildings or structures subjected to damage
by deterioration by fire shall be inspected by the
Chief Electrical Inspector, and all unsafe wiring or
electrical equipment shall be repaired or replaced.
(f) If upon inspection an installation is found to be
unsafe by reason of inadequate maintenance or
repair, the Chief Electrical Inspector may require
that the electrical wiring or equipment be made to
conform to the provisions of this Code.
(g) Except for mobile homes, the provisions of this
Code shall apply to all buildings or structures moved
into or built in the City of Fort Worth.
SECTION 104. The provisions of this Code shall
not apply to:
(a) Installations in mines, ships, railway cars, or to
automotive equipment;
(b) The installation, alteration or repair of
electrical equipment installed by or for an electricity
supply agency for the use of such agency in the
generation, transmission, distribution or metering of
electricity when such equipment is located within or
on such buildings or premises used by such an agency
for said purposes, or when such equipment is located
on public thoroughfares; however, the provisions of
this Code shall apply to all other electrical installa-
tions or equipment used for any other purposes not
specifically excepted herein and located within or on
such buildings or premises;
(c) Installations by or for communication agencies
in connection with the operation of signals or the
transmission of intelligence, nor to the employees
making such installations by or for such agencies, but
the provisions of this Code shall apply to Article 800
of the National Electrical Code and to installations
for heat, decoration, amusement, ventilating equip-
ment, and general lighting not attached to and power
not directly used in connection with installations for
communications, signals, and the transmission of
intelligence;
(d) The installations and equipment employed by a
railway utility in the exercise of its functions as a
utility, and located outdoors 'or in buildings used
exclusively for that purpose, but the provisions of this
Code shall apply to installations and equipment used
for light, heat, power, decoration, amusement, and all
other purposes located within or on such buildings or
premises;
(e) Special radio equipment used exclusively for
radio transmissions by persons or organizations
licensed to operate by the Federal Communications
Commission; however, the provisions of this Code
shall apply to all electrical equipment used for power
supply to radio transmitting equipment;
(f) The replacement of lamps or the connection of
portable electrical equipment to suitably permanently
installed receptacles;
(g) The installation, alteration, or repair of
electrical equipment for the operation of signals or
the transmission of intelligence, or to installations of
communication facilities by or for communications
agencies;
(h) Any work involved in the manufacturing or
testing of electrical equipment or apparatus, except
that this exemption shall not include any permanent
wiring;
W Installation in mobile dwelling structures,
trailers, and other structures designed for portability;
(j) The installetiona alterations or repair of
electrical equipment, devices, or conductors designed
or used for a voltage of twenty-four (24) volts or less.
CHAPTER 2 — ORGANIZATION AND
ENFORCEMENT
SECTION 201. (a) GENERAL. There is hereby
created the office of Chief Electrical Inspector. The
Chief Electrical Inspector shall, be appointed by the
Building Official.
(b) The Chief Electrical Inspector shall be of good
moral character, shall be possessed of such executive
ability as is requisite for the performance of his
duties, and shall have a thorough knowledge of the
standard materials and methods used in the installa-
tion of electrical equipment; shall be well versed in
approved methods of construction for safety to
persons and property, the statutes of the State of
Texas relating to electrical work and any orders,
rules, and regulations issued by authority thereof, the
National Electrical Safety Code, and the National
Electrical Code as approved by the American Stan.�
dards Association; shall have had at least five years
experience as an electrical inspector or in the
installation of electrical equipment, at least two
years of which shall have been in a responsible
supervisory capacity; or in lieu of such experience
shall be a graduate in electrical engineering of an
accredited college or university, and shall have had
two years practical electrical experience.
(c) The Chief Electrical Inspector may employ
assistants to be electrical inspectors, who shall be
designated Electrical Inspectors, and clerical assis-
tants necessary for the proper conduct of his office
and the inspection of electrical installations as
provided for in this Code.
The Chief Electrical Inspector may delegate any of
his powers or duties to any such Electrical Inspectors.
(d) It shall be unlawful for the Chiu Electrical
Inspector or any Electrical Inspector, while employed
by the City of Fort Worth, to engage in the business
of the sale, installation, repair or maintenance of
electrical equipment, either directly or indirectly, or
to have financial interest in any concern engaged in
such business in the City of Fort Worth, Texas.
SECTION 202. (a) GENERAL. It shall be the duty
of the Chief Electrical Inspector to enforce the
provisions of this Code. He shall, upon proper
application by any Master Electrician licensed by the
City, issue permits for the installation or alteration
of electrical equipment, and shall make inspections of
such installations or alterations, as provided for in
this Code.
(b) The Chief Electrical Inspector shall �e
oigM during reasonable hours to enter any building or
premises in the discharge of his official duties, or for
the purpose of making any inspection, reinspection, or
test of the electrical equipment contained therein, or
its installation.
(c) It shall be unlawful for any person to hinder or
interfere with the Chief Electrical Inspector or any
of the Electrical Inspectors in the discharge of their
duties under this Code. The Chief Electrical Inspec-
tor and all Electrical Inspectors shall have peliee
power to cause the arrest of any person violating any
of the provisions of this Code.
(d) The Chief Electrical Inspector shall keep
complete records of all permits issued, inspections
and reinspections made and other official work
performed in accordance with the provisions of this
Code. He shall also keep on file a list of electrical
equipment inspected and certified by Underwriters'
Laboratories, Inc., which list shall be accessible for
public reference during regular office hours.
SECTION 203. (a) GENERAL. As used in this
Code, "safe condition" as applied to electrical instal-
lation and electrical equipment means installations
and equipment which, in the opinion of the Electrical
Inspector, can be used in the service for which the
same are intended or likely to be used with minimum
hazard to life, limb, or property.
(b) When any electrical equipment is found by the
Electrical Inspector to be dangerous to persons or
property, he shall notify the persons or agent respon-
sible for the electrical equipment in writing, and such
person shall make any changes or repair which are
required to make such equipment in safe conditions
within ten days or longer period that may be specified
by the Electrical Inspector in such notice.
(c) When the person has been duly notified and
does not make the required changes or repairs to the
electrical equipment within the period set out in the
notice, then the Electrical Inspector shall have the
authority to disconnect or order the electricity supply
agency to disconnect such electrical equipment and
the premises in or upon which the same is located
from the source of electricity.
(d) In case of emergency, where necessary for
safety to persons or property, or where electrical
equipment may interfere with, the work of the Fire
Department, the Chief Electrical Inspector shall have
the authority, without notice to anyone, to disconnect
immediately or to cause the immediate disconnection
of any electrical equipment from the source of
electrical supply.
CHAPTER 3 -- PERMITS AND INSPECTIONS
SECTION 301. (a) GENERAL. No person shall
install electrical equipment within or on any building,
structure, or premises publicly or privately owned,
nor shall any person make any alteration or addition
to any such existing equipment without having first
secured a permit to do such work from the Chief
Electrical Inspector. The Chief Electrical Inspector
shall issue such permits only to Master Electricians
licensed under the provisions of this Code.
(b) No permit for constructing, installing, altering,
extending, maintaining, repairing, or replacing any
electrical wiring, apparatus, or equipment or any
voltage in excess of twenty-four (24) volts shall be
issued to any person other than a Master Electrician
licensed by the City of Fort Worth. No permit for
installing, altering, extending, maintaining, repairing,
or replacing remote-control, low-energy power, low-
voltage power, or signal circuits of any voltage shall
be issued to any person other than a Master Electri-
cian licensed by the City.
(c) No permit shall be issued for installing,
altering, extending, or replacing any electrical wiring
or equipment on any building, structure, or premises,
either publicly or privately owned, within the City, if
any unlawful electrical wiring or equipment exists on
the same premises, until a permit to correct such
conditions is first obtained by a Master Electrician,
and all necessary corrections are made by an electri-
cian qualified to do so under the provisions of this
Code.
(d) If a permit to correct defective wiring is
issued, such work shall be started within forty-eight
hours of the issuance of the permit and completed
without delay.
(e) If work, for which an electrical installation
permit is issued, has not been started within six
calendar months from the date of issue of such
permit, then such permit shall be null and void from
and after the expiration of such six months period.
Fees for cancelled permits shall not be refunded.
SECTION 302. (a) GENERAL. Application for a
permit required herein shall describe the work to be
done and shall be made in writing to the Chief
Electrical Inspector by the Master Electrician instal-
ling the work.
(b) Plans, specifications, and schedules shall be
required on all electrical work in Group A through
Occupancies as defined in the Building Code, and on
all electrical work in which the total value of all
labor and materials exceed twenty-five hundred
dollars ($2,500.00). Such plans shall be signed by a
Registered Professional Electrical Engineer or a
Master Electrician.
Master Electricians, Electrical Engineers, Consult-
ing Engineers, and Architects responsible for electri-
cal design, Shall furnish to the plan checking division
a complete set of electrical plans and specifications
for each project. Plans shall be submitted and
approved prior to issuing the Building permit. The
plans shall indicate all necessary information requir-
ed, such as:
a. Calculated loads
b. Main and feeder size
c. Maximum short circuit current available at
each point of application of each protective device
used on the project.
Any deviation from the approved plans must be
approved by the Chief Electrical Inspector.
(c) No deviation may be made from the installation
described in the permit without the written approval
of the Chief Electrical Inspector.
(d) Applications for permits shall include the
correct street address and number of premises, the
type of occupancy, the name of the owner or
occupants, and the number of square feet in any
occupancy where demand factors are or may be based
on square-foot areas.
(e) The issuance of a permit shall not be construed
as approval of plans, specifications, or schedules, or
of work contemplated by such permit.
SECTION 303. (a) A separate permit shall be
required for each separate electrical service instal-
led.
(b) In trailer and mobile home parks, the individual
trailer or mobile home disconnect switches shall not
be deemed separate services.
(c) Inspection fees for each permit shall be
charged as set out in the Fee Schedule.
SECTION 304. No permits shall be issued to any
Master Electrician unless and until such Master
Electrician shall have paid all fees for prior permits
and inspections issued to and charged to him,
SECTION 305. The Building Official may make and
issue in writing such administrative regulations in
connection with the filing of applications of permits
by telephone, the filing and recording of applications
and permits and the billing and collecting of inspec-
tion and permit fees.
SECTION 306. INSPECTIONS. (a) GENERAL. It
shall be unlawful for any person to place in operation
any electrical equipment for which a permit is
required and which has not been inspected and
approved by the Chief Electrical Inspector.'
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to conceal
any electrical equipment which has been disapproved
or condemned by the Chief Electrical Inspector unless
and until the same has been so repaired or altered
that it complies with all provisions of this Code and
has thereafter been approved by the Chief Electrical
Inspector.
EXCEPTIONS: When any electrical equipment is to
be hidden from view by the permanent placement of
parts of the building or equipment, the Master
Electrician installing the equipment shall notify the
Chief Electrical Inspector and such equipment shall
not be concealed until it has been inspected and
Approved by the Chief Electrical Inspector or until
forty-eight hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays,
and holidaysp shall have elapsed from the time of such
notification; provided, that on large installations
where the concealment of equipment proceeds con-
tinuously, the Master Electrician installing the elec-
trical equipment shall give the Electrical Inspector
due notice, and inspections shall be made periodically
during the progress of the work.
(c) The Chief Electrical Inspector shall have the
authority to require any person to uncover any wiring
or electrical equipment which has been concealed
without the knowledge or permission of the Electrical
Inspector.
(d) Upon completion of any installation of electri-
cal equipment which has been made under a permit
issued pursuant to this Code, it shall be the duty of
the Master Electrician making the installation to
notify the Chief Electrical Inspector who shall in-
spect the installation within forty-eight hours, ex-
clusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, of the
time such notice is given.
(e) Where the Chief Electrical Inspector finds the
installation to be in conformity with the provisions of
this Code, he shall issue to the Master Electrician
making the installation a notice of conformance,
which shall be placed on the equipment or premises,
authorizing the use of the installation.
(f) When the Chief Electrical Inspector has issued
a Notice of Conformity, he shall send written notice
to the agency supplying the electric service author-
izing connection of the conforming installation to
such service.
(g) When the owner or his agent requests a
Certificate of Approval for a conforming installation,
the Chief Electrical Inspector shall issue such a
certificate which will accurately describe the instal-
lation and certify its inspection and approval.
(h) When a certificate of approval is issued
authorizing the connection and use of a temporary
installation, such certificate shall be issued for a
specified period as stated thereon, and shall be
revocable by the Chief Electrical Inspector for good
cause.
(i) If, upon inspection, the installation is found not
to conform with the provisions- of this Code, the
Chief Electrical Inspector shall issue a notice of
nonconformance and shall notify the Master Electri-
cian making the installation of the defects which
have been found to exist. All defective work shall be
.corrected and brought in conformity with the provi-
sions of this Code within} ten (10) days from the date
of the written notices. If the defective work is not
corrected within the said ten (10) days, no further
electrical work will be permitted within or on the
building or premises and the Master Electrician
making the installation will not be issued any other
permits to perform any other electrical work.
The provisions of this section shall in no way nullify
the Emergency Powers set out in Section 204 of this
Code.
SECTION 307. Each Master Electrician applying
for a permit shall pay an Inspection Fee as set out by
SCHEDULE 307A. Payment of such fees shall in no
way excuse the Master Electrician from the penalties
set forth in this Code.
SCHEDULE 307A--INSPECTION FEES
Minimum Fee .. ... . .. .. . . ..0 . .. .. . . . . ... . . . .. . .. $10-op
LIGHT OUTLETS, FIXTURES, SWITCHES,
RECEPTACLE, VENT FANS
Up to 100 -- .20 each
Allover 100 .15 each
APPLIANCES, MACHINES, CONTROLS, EQUIPMENT
MOTORS, GENERATORS, WELDERS
Up to 100 -- $2.00 each
All over 100 -- 1.50 each
MISCELLANEOUS
Services including 150 amp. . . . . .. . :. . . .. .. ... . .. $ 5.00
Services over 150 amp. 10.00
Swimming pools 25.00
Construction pole ... . . . . . . . . . . 5.00
First turndown .. ..... .... .. ... . . ... . . .. . . .... . . 5.00
Successive turndown .. ... ... . ... . . . . . . .... . .. . .. . 15.00
Wrong number or locked .. .. ... . . . . . ... . .. . . . . . . 5.00
Sign connections, each .. . . . . . . 3.00
SECTION 308. When electrical work requiring a
permit is found to be in progress or completed and no
permit has been issued for such work, an Investigation
Fee of double the amount of the Inspection Fee shall
be charged to the Master Electrician doing all or part
of the work in addition to such fees as are required by
this Code.
EXCEPTION: No Investigation Fee shall be char-
ged when the work is performed by a Master
Electrician or by a licensed Journeyman Electrician
under the supervision of a licensed Master Electrician
at night, on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays, so long as
a permit for such work is obtained between 8;00
o'clock a.m. and 9:00 o'clock a.m. on the first regular
working day after such work has been done.
SECTION 309• The following definitions shall apply
in determining Inspection Fees.
(a) APPLIANCES, MACHINES, EQUIPMENT are
those items that contain motors, generators, welders
and controls that are delivered on the job site as a
packaged unit and are prewired according to the
National Electrical Code.
(b) CONTROLS, MOTORS, WELDERS, GENERA-
TORS are separate items that are required to be
connected separately.
(c) SERVICES include temporary and permanent,
main or branch service connection.
(d) TURNDOWN occurs where a reinspection is
required by the Electrical Inspector because non-
conforming work was found by the Electrical Inspec-
tor in the prior inspection.
(e) WRONG ADDRESS is that situation where a
field inspection was attempted but not completed
because a wrong address was given by the Master ,
Electrician.
SEC'T'ION 31Q. Permits stall be issued for electri-
cal fences only upon approval by the Electrical Board.
CHAPTER 4 -- APPEAL PROCEDURE
SECTION 401. The Electrical Board shall hear the
appeals of persons aggrieved by orders or decisions
made by the Chief Electrical Inspector, his assistants,
or the Building Official under this Code, and shall
render a decision on each appeal.
SECTION 402. APPEAL PROCEDURE. The ap-
pellate procedure shall be as follows:
(a) The appeal shall be filed with the City
Secretary of the City of Fort Worth in writing within
fifteen days from the date of the decision or order
appealed from. Such appeal shall be in duplicate,
shall refer to the specific decision or order appealed
from and shall clearly state the appellant's grounds
for appeal.
The City secretary shall notify the Chairman of the
Electrical Board of all appeals filed. Such appeals
shall be placed on the agenda of the Electrical Board
for hearing. The Board shall notify all necessary
parties of the date and location of the hearing.
Parties may appear before the Electrical Board in
person, by agents, or by attorney. The Board may
require such additional data and tests it deems
necessary for adequate decision of the appeal.
(b) The appellant shall be required to pay a fee of
Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00) per appeal, which fee
shall be returned to the appellant if the decision of
the Building Official or Chief Electrical Inspector is
reversed.
(c) The Building Official. and Chief Electrical
Inspector shall transmit to the Electrical Board all
records and data in their .possession which are
relevant to the appeal. .
(d) All orders or decisions made pursuant to this
Code which are appealed from shall be stayed pending
the final decision of the Board. However, if the
Building Official certifies to the Board that by
staying such order or decision a hazardous situation
to life or property would exist, then such order or
decision shall remain in full effect pending the final
decision of the Board.
(e) The Electrical Board shall have the power in all
cases appealed to it to affirm, reverse or modify in
whole or in part the decision or order which is
appealed from. No decision of the Board shall vary or
be inconsistent With the terms, provisions and re-
quirements of this Code.
(f) The Building Official shall enforce and execute
all legal decisions and orders of the Electrical Board.
(g) The Board shall have the power to approve
alternate and new materials, methods and decisions in
accordance with the applicable provisions of this
Code. However, the Board shall have no power to
limit, amend, modify or change the provisions of this
Code.
CHAPTER 5 --FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
CHAPTER 6 --FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
CHAPTER 7 T-FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
PART II— ELECTRICAL BOARD AND LICENSING
CHAPTER 8 , ELECTRICAL BOARD
SECTION 801. There is hereby created an Electri-
cal Board composed of nine members, appointed by
the City Manager, by and with the advise and consent
of the City Councils as follows;
PLACE 1. One Master Electrician, who is engaged
in the business of installation of electrical equipment
in the City, is licensed by the City. This place shall
be nominated by the National Electrical Contractor's
Association.
PLACE Z. One Master Electrician who is engaged
in the business of installation of electrical equipment
in' the City is licensed by the City. This place shall
be nominated by the Associated Independent Electri-
cal Contractors of America.
PLACE 3. One Electrical Engineer registered in
the State of Texas who is not employed by the City of
Fort Worth.
PLACE 4. One Electrical Contractor who is en-
gaged in the business of installation of electrical
equipment within the City and who is a Master Elec-
trician licensed by the City.
PLACE 5. One Sign Contractor who is engaged in
the business of installing electric signs within the
City and who is a licensed Master Sign Electrician as
defined by the Ordinance of the City of Fort Worth.
PLACE 6. One licensed Journeyman Electrician
who is licensed to engage in the electrical trade in
the City of Fort Worth, and who is actively engaged
with the tools of the trade as a Journeyman Elec-
trician in the trade within the City.
PLACE 7. One licensed Journeyman Electrician
who is licensed to engage in the electrical trade in
the City of Fort Worth, and who is actively engaged
with the tools of the trade as a Journeyman Electri-
ciao in the trade within the City.
PLACES 8 AND 9• Two residents of the City of
Fort Worth above the age of 25 years who are not
engaged in any branch of the construction industry.
SECTION 802. Six members of the Electrical
Board present at any meeting shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of any business or the
carrying out of any duties, but any action taken at
any meeting shall require the affirmative vote of at
least five members. The Chairman of any meeting of
the Board shall vote. The Chief Electrical Inspector
shall not vote when the Board is reviewing appeals to
the technical provisions of the code but may vote on
those matters relating to licensing and during the
formulation process of codes.
SECTION 803. Each member of the Board shall
serve without pay. The term of office of each
member shall be for a period of two years or until his
successor shall have been appointed, and his appoint-
went confirmed by the City Council. The City
Council may remove any member, and its decision
thereon shall be final.
SECTION 804. Employment of the Journeyman
Electrician member of the Board by either of the
Master Electrician members or the Master Sign
Electrician member of the Board for as long as two
consecutive months shall automatically disqualify the
Journeyman Electrician from further membership on
the Boardp and a successor shall be appointed forth-
with to serve the remainder of the term of such
disqualified member.
SECTION 805. The Chief Electrical Inspector shall
be Secretary of the Board, and shall keep a record of
all examinations held and applicants examined and
the results thereof, together with any other records
as the Board may direct. The records of the names of
each applicant and the number, date and result of the
examinations taken by each applicant shall be kept
permanently.
SECTION 806. The absence of any board member
from the regular scheduled monthly meeting of the
board for three (3) consecutive meetings shall be
removed, and a successor shall be appointed forthwith
to serve the remainder of the term of such disquali-
fied member.
SECTION $07. The Electrical Board shall have the
power to make and promulgate its own rules govern-
ing its meetings and proceedings, including selection
of a Chairman, subject to the provisions of this Code.
CHAPTER 9 -- TESTING PROCEDURE
SECTION 901. A .person wishing to be examined
for one of the grades of electrical licenses issued by
the City of Fort Worth shall file a written application
for such examination with the Secretary of the Board
at least thirty days before the date set for examina-
tions. Such application shall state the grade of
license for which he wishes to be examined, and shall
have attached thereto such documentary information
as is required by this Code and the Board.
SECTION 902. The Board shall give written
examinations to those applicants who have satisfied
the provisions of Section 901 to determine whether
each,applicant is qualified for the grade of license for
which he has applied.
SECTION 903. Each applicant for the Master
Electrician's examination and each applicant for the
Master Sign .9lectrician's examination shall pay an
examination fee of ten dollars ($10.00) to the
Secretary of the Board; and each applicant for the
Journeyman Electrician's examination and each appli-
cant for the Journeyman Sign Electrician's examinaw
tion shall pay an examination fee of two dollars
($2.00) to the Secretary of the Board.
SECTION 904. Examinations may be held in the
City Hall. Such examinations shall be of four hour
duration and shall be held, between the hours of 8:00
a.m. and 5:00 p.m., the exact time of such period to
be set by the Board. The Secretary shall notify each
applicant of the exact time' and location of the
examination.
SECTION 905. Three or more members of the
Board shall be present at all examinations, and shall
supervise the applicants during the entire course of
such examinations.
SECTION 906. Examination questions shall be
typed or mimeographed, and the answers shall be
written in ink by the applicant.
SECTION 907. (a) GENERAL. At least seventy-
five percent (75%) of the total number of questions in
each half of the Master Electrician's examination and
the Journeyman Electrician's examination and of the
Journeyman Electrician's examination shall be based
upon the National Electrical Code, the National
Electrical Safety Code, and this Code. Not more
than twenty-five percent (25%) may be based upon
additional electrical questions.
(b) FIRST TWO HOURS. The first two hours of the
four-hour Master Electrician's examination period and
the first two hours of the four-hour Journeyman
Electrician's examination period shall each be
devoted to questions on this Code, the National
Electrical Code, and the National Electrical Safety
Code, and other electrical questions of a nature
designed to test the applicant's technical competence
and his general overall knowledge of and familiarity
with this Code, the National Electrical Code, and
National Electrical Safety Code. During the first
two-hour section of such four-hour examination per-
iods, the applicant shall not be permitted to use any
codes, books, tables, or any other aids whatsoever.
(c) SECOND TWO HOURS. The second two hours
of such four-hour examination periods shall each be
devoted to problems to determine the applicant's
ability to use this Code, the National Electrical Code,
the.National Electrical Safety Code, and their asso-
ciated tables, and other technical,inf ormation'which,
in the opinion of the Board, is necessary for technical
competence. During the second twohour section of
such four-hour examination period, the applicant will
be permitted to use the National Electrical Code or
any other books or tables.
SECTION 908. The Master Electrician's examina-
tion shall be based on the National Electrical Code,
the National Electrical Safety Code, this Code and all
amendments thereto, together with any additional
technical problems which, in the opinion of the Board,
will test the applicant's competence.
SECTION 909• The Journeyman Electrician's
examination shall be based on this Code and all
amendments thereto, the National Electrical Code,
the National Electrical Safety Code, and the addi-
tional technical information generally, but shall not
be as extensive or difficult as the Master Electri-
cian's examination, and the problems to be solved
therein shall be those of the same type and nature as
would be likely to be encountered and would ordinar-
ily be solved by electricians working under the
supervision of a Master Electrician.
SECTION 910. (a) FIRST TWO HOURS. The first
two hours of the Master Sign Electrician's four-hour
examination period and the first two hours of the
Journeyman Sign Electrician's four-hour examination
period shall each be devoted to questions based upon
Article 600 of the National Electrical Code and all
provisions of the Sign Code to determine the appli-
cant's general over-all knowledge of and familiarity
with such codes. During the first two-hour section of
such four-hour examination periods, the applicant
shall not be permitted to use any codes, books, tables
or any other aids whatsoever.
(b) SECOND TWO HOURS. The second two hours
of such four-hour examination periods shall each be
devoted to problems and/or sketches to determine the
applicant's ability to use Article 600 of the National
Electrical Code and the Sign Code, their associated
tables and other technical information which, in the
opinion of the Board, is necessary for technical
competence. During the second two-hour section of
such four-hour examination period, the applicant will
be permitted to use this Code, the Sign Code and any
other books and tables.
SECTION 911. The Master Sign Electrician's
examination shall be based upon the Sign Code and
Article 600 of.the National Electrical Code and all
respective amendments thereto, together with any
additional technical problems which, in the opinion of
the Board, will test the applicant's competence.
SECTION 912. The Journeyman Sign Electrician's
examination shall be based upon the Sign Code and
Article 600 of the National Electrical Code and all
respective amendments thereto, and technical infor-
mation generally, but shall not be as extensive or
difficult as the Master Sign Electrician's examination,
and the problems to be solved therein shall be those
of the same type and nature as would be likely to be
encountered and would ordinarily be solved by sign
electricians working under the supervision of a
Master Sign Electrician.
SECTION 913. Each section of each examination
shall be of equal value in determining the final grade.
A minimum grade of seventy percent (70%) shall be
required as a passing grade.
The Electrical Board shall grade all examination
papers and shall certify to the chief electrical
inspector the name of each applicant passing the
examination and the grade of license for which he has
qualified. Upon such certification and the payment
of the fee herein prescribed and filing of a bond in
cases where a bond is required, the applicant shall be
issued a license at the grade for which he has been
certified, which license shall be signed by the Chief
Electrical Inspector.
SECTION 914. The Electrical Board shall notify an
applicant of his grade within ten (10) days after the
date of the examination.
SECTION 915. No applicant for an electrician's
license who fails to pass his first examination shall be
examined again prior to the expiration of two (2)
calendar months from the date of said first examina-
tion. No applicant who fails to pass his second
examination shall be examined again prior to the
expiration of six (b) calendar months from the date of
his last such examination.
CHAPTER 10 -- LICENSING
SECTION 1001. Every person desiring to be
licensed by the City to engage in the electrical
business in a capacity for which a license is required
by this Code shall:
(1) Take an examination given by the Board for the
grade of license sought; or,
(2) Be the holder of a valid electrician's license or
certificate of registration issued by another city
which license or certificate is of a grade equal to
that for which he is applying; or,
(3) Be the holder of a certificate of examination
which states he has passed an examination qualifying
him for the grade of license for which he is applying
and which certificate was issued to him by an
examining agency approved by the Board; and,
(4) Comply with all other licensing requirements
herein. There shall be four (4) grades of licenses and
one (1) grade of temporary working permit.
SECTION 1002. Either the holder of a valid
electrician's license or certificate of registration
issued by another city or the holder of a certificate
of examination issued by an examining agency ap-
proved by the Electrical Board may apply for the
grade of license comparable to that which he holds or
has qualified for elsewhere without taking the written
examination given by the Board. Such application
shall be submitted to the Secretary of the Electrical
Board and shall be accompanied by evidence showing:
(1) That the applicant holds either a valid
electrician's license or certificate of registration
issued by another city which is of a grade equal to
that license for which he is applying or a certificate
of examination issued by an examining agency ap-
proved by the Board which qualifies him for the grade
of license for which he is applying;
(Z) That such certificate of examination, electri-
cian's license or certificate of registration was issued
to the applicant by such examining agency or other
city after the applicant had taken and passed a
written examination administered to him by such
agency or city;
(3) That the examination and the applicant's
passing performance thereon are equal to those
required by the provisions of this Code; and that the
other city from which the applicant holds a license or
certificate of registration allows holders of electri-
cian's licenses issued under the provisions of this
Code to receive equivalent licenses from such city on
a reciprocal basis and without written examinations.
Upon receipt of such information the Board shall
certify to the Chief Electrical Inspector that the
applicant is qualified for the grade of license for
which he is applying.
Upon such certification, payment of the prescribed
license fees by the applicant and the filing of a bond
by applicant where required, a license shall be issued
to the applicant of the grade for which he is
certified. A license issued under the provisions of
this section shall be the equivalent of a license of the
same grade which is issued under the provisions of
this Code.
SECTION 1003. The Electrical Hoard may list
agencies whose certificates of examinations the Board
will accept in lieu of examinations given by the
Board.
The Board shall. determine whether the various
grades of written examination given by the 818010"
are the equivalent of those given by,the Board under
the.paovisions of this Code. The Board shall further
determine whether the standards required by such
agency for the issuance of such a certificate of
examination are equal to the standards. required by
the Board for a psssing grade on an equivalent
examination given under the provisions of this Code.
The Board shall neither approve nor listar being
approved MY examining which does not
maintain examinations standards at least equal to
those sequieed by this Code,
S$CTION 1004. . To be qualified, an applicant for a
lieease shall have passed a required examination, or
hold a certificate of examination from an approved
examining MI McyP or hold a license or certificate of
registration from another city# and have the following
minimum qualifications and experience;
(a) MASTER MECTRICL46NS UCENS$
(1) Shall have had M least four (4) yearn
experience as a Joufaeyman Electrician in the
construction industry; -or$ shall be a graduate
'of a recognised electrical trade school�with a
four (4) year curriculum and have had at least
two. (Z) years experience as a journeyman
electrician.
(2) Shall have graduated after majoring in
electrical engineering from an accredited col-
lege or university which has not less than a
four (4) year .curriculum and shall have had at
least one (1) year of practical electrical
experience.
(b) JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN LICENSE
Shall have had at least four (4) years exper-
ience in the electrical construction industry,
or shall be a graduate of a recognized electri-
cal trade school with a four (4) year curricu-
lum.
(c) MASTER SIGN ELECTRICIAN LICENSE
Shall have had at least three (3) years of
experience in the installation and/or manufac-
ture of electrical signs, exclusive of exper-
ience devoted to non-electric components,
such as enclosures; or in lieu of such exper-
ience, shall have graduated after majoring in
electrical engineering from an accredited col-
lege or university which has not less than a
four (4) year curriculum and shall have had at
least one (1) year of practical electrical sign
experience; or, in lieu of either of the above
requirements, shall have had either two (2)
years' college credit in an accredited college
or university or be a graduate of a recognized
electrical trade school and shall have had at
least eighteen (18) months of practical electri-
cal experience.
(d) JOURNEYMAN SIGN ELECTRICIAN LICENSE
Shall have at least one (1) year of experience
in the installation of electrical sign or outline
lighting equipment, exclusive of experience
devoted to nonelectrical components, such as
enclosures.
(e) DUAL QUALIFICATION, DUAL LICENSING
Neither this section nor this chapter shall be
construed to prohibit:
(1) The licensing of a Master Electrician as a
Master Sign Electrician, provided such Master
Electrician has duly qualified as a Master Sign
Electrician;
(2) The licensing 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 licensing of a Journeyman Sign
Electrician as a Journeyman Electrician, pro-
vided such Journeyman Sign Electrician has
duly qualified as a Journeyman Electrician;
and
(5) Any other licensing combination, provided
that the licensing prerequisites for the issu-
ance of each such license are duly met.
SECTION 1005. TEMPORARY WORKING PER-
MITS shall be issued under the following conditions:
(a) An applicant for a Temporary Working Permit
shall file a written application with the Chief
Electrical Inspector.
(b) No examination is required for Temporary
Working permits.
SECTION 1006. Only the following licensees shall
be permitted to do the electrical work specified
below:
(a) A Master Electrician may contract for and
engage in the business of installing, repairing or
replacing electrical wiring or equipment of any
nature on or in buildings or structures other than
signs. The Master Electrician may install, repair or
replace-the primary wiring on signs and may employ
and supervise Journeyman Electricians, Temporary
Working Permit holders, helpers and apprentice elec-
tricians.
(b) 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 in no case shall a Journeyman
Electrician contract for or engage in the business of
electical 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 he shall not be able to
employ same.
(c) A Master Sign Electrician shall be able to
contract for and engage in the business of manufac-
turing electrical signs, luminous gas or electric
discharge signs and luminous gas or electric discharge
outline lighting from the secondary wiring power
Source or transformer in the sign and to employ and
supervise Journeyman Sign Electricians in the perfor-
mance of such work on such signs and/or outline
lighting.
(d) A Journeyman Sign Electrician shall be able to
perform any type of sign and/or outline lighting work
of a Master Sign Electrician, provided that such work
must be performed under the supervision of a licensed
Master Sign Electrician.
(e) A Temporary Working Permit holder may
perform work in the capacity of a Journeyman
Electrician, so long as the Temporary Working Permit
is valid.
(f) A helper or apprentice electrician may perform
electrical work only when the work is laid out for him
and supervised by a Master Electrician, a Master Sign
Electrician, a Journeyman Electrician, a Journeyman
Sign Electrician or a holder of a Temporary Working
Permit.
The supervising Master Electrician, Maste Sign
Electrician, Journeyman Electrician, Journeyman
Sign Electrician or holder of a Temporary Working
Permit shall be on the job site.
SECTION 1007. The following shall be required
licensing fees:
5
(a) The first annual fee shall be paid in advance:
Master Electrician License . . . . . . $100.00
Master Sign Electrician License. . 100.00
Journeyman Electrician License. . 10.00
Journeyman Sip Electrician
License .. . . .. . ... . . . . . 10,00
(b) The annual renewal fee shall be payable in full
on the first day of January of each year:
Master Electrician License .. . . . $25.00
Master Sign Electrician License. . 2,5.00
Journeyman Electrician License. . 5.00
Journeyman Sign Electrician
License .. . .. . . ... . . . ... . . 5.00
(c) Journeyman Electricians, Journeyman Sign
Electricians or holders of Temporary Working Permits
who are not the holders of valid Master Electrician
Licenses or valid Master Sign Electrician Licenses
shall carry their Journeyman Electrician licenses or
Journeyman Sign Electrician licenses or Temporary
Working Permits on their persons at all times while
performing electrical work, and they shall produce
and present such licenses or permits immediately
upon request by any Electrical Inspector.
(d) Each holder of a license of any grade or of a
Temporary Working Permit shall furnish the Chief
Electrical Inspector with a written notice of his
permanent address, and each holder of a Master
Electrician license or Master Sign Electrician license
shall furnish the Chief Electrical Inspector with a
written notice of the address and telephone number
of his regularly established place of business and, if
actively engaged in the electrical contracting busi-
ness or electrical sign contracting business, a list of
Journeyman Electricians or Journeyman Sign Electri-
cians and other electrical workers employed by him.
SECTION 1008. Any license issued under the terms
of this Code shall expire thirty days after the annual
renewal fee becomes due and payable unless such fee
is paid within such thirty-day period.
SECTION 1009• The holder of any grade of license
who fails to pay the annual renewal fee due for such
license within thirty days of the date the same
becomes due shall be required to pay as a renewal fee
for such license the same amount as the fele for the
first full year.
SECTION 1010. The holder of a license of any
grade who fails to pay the renewal fee due for such
license within one year after the date such fee
becomes due shall forfeit such license, and the same
shall be void from and after the expiration of such
one year period.
SECTION 1011. Any applicant who passes an
examination for any grade of license and fails to
obtain the license for the grade of license as
prescribed herein within a period of 60 days of such
examination date shall forfeit his right to obtain such
license until he again qualifies himself by passing
another examination or applies for a license as
required herein.
SECTION 1012. (a) If, after a permit is issued to a
named licensee under the provisions hereof, said
licensee abandons the job, becomes incapacitated or
his services are terminated prior to final inspection
and approval by the Building Official, the permit
holder of the person engaging the services of the
Licensee shall immediately notify the Building Offi-
cial in writing. Upon such notification, the Building
Official shall immediately have an inspection made of
the work completed to that time, and he may revoke
the outstanding permit and require that a new permit
be obtained before the work is allowed to resume.
(b) A license or permit may be suspended,
repealed or revoked by the Building Official by reason
of the occurrence of one or more of the following:
1. Adjudication of insanity;
2. Fraud or misrepresentation in obtaining a
license or permit;
3. Violation of a provision of this ordinance, the
Plumbing, Mechanical, or Building Codes or
any other regulating ordinances of the City
applicable to the installation or alteration of
appliances, equipment or systems as set forth
in Ordinance No. 76a as amended;
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;
6. The voluntary or involuntary filing of bank-
ruptcy 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 licensee is in
violation of Ordinance No.?���, as amended.
Section 1013. (a) Upon suspension or revocation of
said Master Electricians or Master Sign Electricians
License, same shall be null and void and no work
thereafter may be performed thereunder.
(b) Upon appeal to the Electrical Board, said Board
may affirm, revise, or modify such suspension or
revocation.
SEC77ON 1014. (a) All persons who are currently
licensed shall be licensed under this Code, and such
licenses shall expire at the expiration date set out on
such licenses unless renewed as provided in this Code.
(b) No license shall be issued under the terms of
this Code to any other than a natural person.
(c) No license in 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
or to which 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 perform work
under such license.
(d) Journeyman Electricians or holders of Tempor-
ary Working Permits who are not the holders of valid
Master Electrician's licenses shall carry their Jour-
neyman Electrician's licenses or Temporary Working
Permits on their persons at all times while perform-
ing electrical work, and they shall produce and
present such licenses or permits immediately upon
request by any Electrical Inspector.
(e) Each holder of a license of any grade or of a
Temporary Working Permit shall furnish the Chief
Electrical Inspector with a written notice of his
permanent address, and each holder of a Master
Electrician's license shall furnish the Chief Electrical
Inspector with a written notice of the address and
telephone number of his regularly established place of
business, and if actively engaged in the electrical
contracting business, a list of Journeyman Electri-
cians and other electrical workers employed by him.
(f) Each licensed Master Electrician and Master
sign Electrician shall have his company name and his
Electrician's license number as follows: FW E
or approved Universal Number, permanently
affixed on each front door of each truck or vehicle
which said electrician operates in connection with the
installation, alteration or repair of electrical wiring,
equipment or signs within the city, in letters and
numerals of at least two and one-half (2%") inches in
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 Electri-
cian. Such name and number shall not be of the
plastic magnetic type.
(g) This Code shall not be construed to affect the
responsibility or liability of any party owning, opera-
ting, controlling or installing any electrical equip-
ment for damages to persons or property caused by
any defect in such equipment or in the installation
thereof, nor shall either any Electrical Inspector or
the City assume any liability by reason of the
inspection or reinspection authorized in this chapter
or by reason of the certificates of conformance or
nonconformance or by reason of the approval or
disapproval of any equipment authorized in this
chapter or by the issuance of any permits or licenses.
(h) The regulations provided in this Code are
hereby declared to be governmental and for the
benefit of the general public. Any member of the
City Council, any City official or employee or any
member of the Electrical Board charged with the
enforcement of this chapter, acting for the City in
the discharge of his duty, shall not thereby render
himself personally liable and he is hereby relieved
from all personal liability for any damage that may
accrue to persons or property as the result of an act
required or permitted in the discharge of his duties.
Any Suit brought against such official or employee
because of such act performed by him in the
enforcement of any provision of this chapter shall be
defended by the Department of Law until the final
adjudication of the proceedings.
"(i) Agencies of any federal, state or local
government shall be exempt from the payment of
licensing fees in cases where the electrician perform-
ing the work is an employee of such agency and the
work is to be performed on premises owned or
controlled by such agency. This exemption shall not
void the requirements of the other sections of
Ordinance No. the 1978 National Electrical
Code or this ordinance."
CHAPTER 11 --FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
CHAPTER 12 FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
CHAPTER 13 --FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
CHAPTER 14 --FOR FU'T'URE DEVELOPMENTS
PART III-- STANDARDS FOR THE
INSTALLATION OF
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
CHAPTER 15 -- GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
SECTION 1501. All installations of electrical
equipment and wiring made within the City shall be
made so that they will be in safe condition and will
conform with the provisions of this Code, and all
applicable Federal and State laws and regulations.
SECTION 1502. (a) If electrical equipment and
installations conform with all applicable regulations
set forth in the National Electrical Code and the
National Electrical Safety Code, then such conform-
ity shall be prima facie evidence that such equipment
and installations are in safe condition, provided that
such conformity does not conflict with this Code or
any other Ordinances of the City, or any State or
Federal laws or regulations.
(b) All installation of electrical wiring and
equipment shall conform to requirements of Articles
90 through 820 and the accompanying tables of the
1978 edition of the National Electrical Code (Nation-
al Fire Protection Association No. 70-1978) except as
modified by the provisions of this Ordinance.
(c) Installations of electrical wiring and equipment
not in conformance with the requirements of the 1978
edition of the National Electrical Code or not in
conformance with this Ordinance are not in a safe
condition and are a violation of this Ordinance.
SECTION 1503. If electrical equipment or wiring
conforms with all applicable standards of Under-
writers Laboratories, Inc., such conformity shall be
prima facie evidence that such equipment or wiring is
in safe condition.
SECTION 1504. All unused electrical equipment
within or on public or private buildings or premises
shall be removed if such equipment, in the opinion of
the Electrical Inspector, constitutes a hazard or
danger to life or property.
SECTION 1505. The location and illumination
requirements for emergency exit electrical lighting
systems shall be as required. in the Fort Worth
Building Code and installed in accordance with the
National Electrical Code.
CHAPTER 16 — GENERAL WIRING METHODS
AND MATERIALS
SECTION 1601, All electrical wiring methods used
within or on all buildings hereafter erected and all
alterations in and additions to such wiring in or on
buildings now existing shall be:
(a) Type MI cable.
(b) Approved metal raceway system and/or approv-
ed multi-outlet assemblies.
(c) Aluminum sheathed cable systems.
(d) Limited use of interlocking armored power
cable for feeder circuits in accessible locations is
permitted, provided the cable is not subject to
mechanical injury, the cable is #1/0 or larger, and is
supported by and securely fastened to a suitable
metal rack or tray which is designed for such purpose
and which is made electrically continuous throughout
its length and property grounded at the source end.
SPECIAL EXCEPTION: (1) The provisions of this
Section shall apply to all buildings used as a combina,
tion living quarters and a business, commercial, or
industrial establishment.
11(2) The provisions of this section shall not apply
to Group H apartment houses, Group I Occupancies
and Group J Occupancies, three stories or less in
height, as same are defined in the Fort Worth
Building.Code. The provisions of this section shall
apply to the separate branch service conductors to
individual apartment breaker panels, to occupancies
other than Group H apartment houses, Group I
Occupancies and to occupancies where two or more
washing machines or drying machines are located, and
to mechanical buildings and other nonresidential
occupancies."
SECTION 1602. Flexible metal conduit shall not be
used in exposed locations where flexibility is required
because of vibration or adjustment needs, and then
only in lengths not greater than needed and in no case
shall such sections be greater than six feet in length
except by special permission.
SECTION 1603. Electrical Metallic Tubing shall
not be installed in the ground or in concrete slabs
poured on the ground.
r
"SECTION 1604. Exposed raceways and cables
shall be run parallel or at right angles to building
lines and securely fastened .to structural parts of
buildings."
SECTION 1605. A minimum of a one and one-
fourth inch (1%") raceway shall be required from a
service panel to an approved load center in each
heater closet. Provided, however, that all or a
portion of any raceway may be installed in an attic or
in the crawl space between the underfloor and
ground, or in both; however, if the electric furnace is
10 KW or smaller the raceway size may be reduced.