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Ordinance 313 - Creates Office of City Electriciann ORDINANCX, NO. 313. AN ORDINANCE CREATING THE OFFICE OF THE CITY FILECTRICIAX OF THE CITY.OF KALISPELL AND REGULATING AND REqUIRING THE INSPECTION OF INDOORS ELECTRICAL WIRING, MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND MOVING P I C TURE',MACH INES AND PROVIDING FOR A LICENSE TO DO SUCH WORK, PROVIDING FOR THE DUTIES OF THE CITY ELECTRICIAN AND PENALTIES FOR A VIOLATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KALISPELL, Section 1. That the office of the City Electrician of the City of Kalispell is hereby created. The Mayor ehall name and by and with the consent of, the City Council appoint one City Electrician of the City of Kalispell. Said City Electriciari may be an officer or other employee of the City of Kalispell, and if so, shall receive no further compensation. When not such officer, or employee his compensation shall be as the City Council may from time to time provide. The City Electrician shall have supervision of the installation of all. electric wiring, appliances and apparatus of whatsoever nature in or about any building in the City of Kalispell, and it shall be his duty to see that all 'electric wir- ing is done in accordance with the ordinance of the City of Kalispell and to enforce the provisions of the ordinance relative to electric wiring. The City Electrician shall at all times have access to any building in which electric wiring is being done, or in which such wiring has been done, provided that such inspection shall be made at reasonable hours. Section 2. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to place or install in any building any wiring, apparatus or fixture for the use of electric current for light, heat or power, or to make any alterations, or changes in or additions to any wiring, apparatus or fixtures for such use without first notify- ing the City Electrician in luriting and obtaining from him a R written permit to d-o such work. Such permit shall state the kind of work to be done and shall cover only the kind of work designed. Said permit shall 1-;.Iso state the location by .street and number of the building where such work is to be done and shall be valid only for the location so stated. In order to secure a. permit for the installation of electric wiring Rppg.rq-.tus or fixtures for light, heat or power, or for malaing any alterations in addition to old wiring or equipment for light, heat or power, said person, firm or corporation shall pay to the City Electrician the amount or amounts as required by the following schedule: Provided, how- ever, that this section shall not be construedasrequiring payment for a permit for minor repairs to old installations value where the cost of such repn.ir's, including time and material does not exceed the sum of five dollars, but permits must be obtained to do such repair work, before commencing work. In cases of emergency, the work may be done, but permit must be filed by noon of the following work day. FZp,s -urR. 1-,ER1fITS AND INSP7CTIONS. Incandescent Lamps ---Yew Work. For from one to ten outlets the sun of $1.00; for each additional outlet five cents. Eacb connection or tap brought out for vi light, or lights, or wall switch is to constitute an outlet. Addition to Old Work. For more than one and not more than six lights, $1.00; for each additional light, five cents;, for each switch ten cents. Are Lamps. For are lamps, either series or constant potential, for one lamp, $1.00 each, for additional lamps 25 cents. This rate to be either for new installation or' for additions to old work, provided that this shall not apply to any lights ordered installed for the use and benefits of they- City of Kalispell. Electric Signs. For each electric sign a rate of'$1.00 will be charged where the total number of lamps used *does ,not exceed twenty (20), and $1.00 per hundred for each hundred or part thereof in excess of twenty (20). Motors. For each motor having P, rated capacity of one horse- power or less, $1.00. For esch motor having ri rated capacity of more than one horsepower and less than ten horse - For power purposes, including switchboard and connections for generator to switchboard, $5.00. Electric Heaters. Electric smoothing irons, sad irons and similar or other heating devices that are intended to be applied to combustible articles, twenty-five cents each. Portable cooking units, twenty-five cents each. Stationary units for cooking, heating, drying and other uses consuming up to six (6) amperes or 660 watts, twenty five cents each. For each five hundred watts or part thereof, five cents; additional, providing that, excePt in the cases of installation for electrical boilers, no charge shall exceed one dollar q,rid in theseboiler installations the vrRtt9ge con- sumed shall be the basis on which the charge Will be made per schedule for stationary units. If for any reason after a permit is issued it is necessary to provide additional outlets or lights not included in the permit, a new permit must be taken out to cover all I additi6nal work for five or more outlets or lights. SECTION 3. On the completion of the work covered by P permit in accordance with the rules and requirements of this ordinance, and to the satisfaction of the City Electrician, said City Electrician shall issue q, c_ertifict4te of inspection. In this certificate said City Electrician shall certify that the work is in accordance with the rules governing the respective class to which it belongs, as specified by this ordinance. Whenever a permit is issued for an addition, to old, work which does not conform to the rulep, ^,nd -requirements of this ordinance, the City Blectrician shall issue a statement that the new work complies with. the rules, but that a certificate cannot be issued, owing to its connections with the old work, which does not comply with the 'rules. SECTION 4. The City Electrician is hereby given the authority to refuse to issue a permit for any addition, or any extention to 1Rny wiring system in or on any building where, in his estimation, the wiring is in an unsafe condition. If, after a permit Is, issued, the work for any reason covered by this permit does not comply with the regulations of this ordinance, the City Electrician may refuse to issue a certificate of inspec'tion, and 411 owners of building-, or occupants thereof, and all electric light and power companies are notified not to have connections made, nor to connect to any building without baveing s certificate of inspection, or written permission of the City Electrician. Upon no consideration shall a. certi-ficate of in- spection be issued on work that is conceRled in such a manner that it cannot be properly examined. SECTION 5. It shall be unlawful for Rn�T electric light or power companies to do any wiring of any nature, in or on, any build- ing (excepting power houses and sub -stations of electric light or power companies operating under a franchise granted by the City of Kalispell) for which a, permit has not be en issued, or to make any electrical connections to any building until a certificate stating that the wiring has been approved, has been issued by the City Electrician, and 1; label denoting such approval is attached to service switch. All firms, corporations.and individuals, whether operating under a regular franchise granted by the City of a Kalispell or not, shall, upon written notice from the City Electrician disconnect from any building service or any circuit as designated by said notice, and shall not reconnect a said buildings service or circuit, except upon written notice from the City of Kalispell. It SECTION 6. It shall be unlawful for, -all owners, contractors or workmen or other persons, not holding licenses for doing electrical wiring, to in any manner interfere with any electric wiring in or on any building. If in any case the wiring is in such %;, position as to interfere with the completion of the building as called, for by the plans, the wiring, contractor must be notified to have it changed. No wo*od or metal work is to be, placed within one or five inches respectively of any electric, conductor, unless such conductor is properly pro- tected by and enclosed in approved. conduit or tubing. On inspecting the electric witing of any building, Vne City Blectricig.n, or his qualified representatives, shall leave a notice in the form of a tag or label attached to the switch service. This notice shall clearly state that the work has been passed upon b-Y the City Electrician, or his qualified representatives, and is approved for covering., No workman, or other person, shall 15th, seal, cover or in any manner conceal any electric wiring until such tag or label shall be attached thereto. The City Electrician must in all cases inspect, or cause to be inspected, by a qualified representqtive, all electric wiring within the corporate limits of the City of Kalispell, within forty-eight hours from the recej�rt of notice from the electric wiring contractor that the work is completed. (Holidays -ind Sundays -not incliided in this time.) All steam 'fitting, furnace work, plumbing, gas fitting and telephone wiring, which is to be concealed, must be in place brefore the electric wiring is completed, and no wiring will be considered completed until the work above referred to is in place. M, SECTION 7. All companies, firms, corporations or individuals ex- cepting public telephone, telegraph and messenger call companies operating under a regular license granted by the City of Kalispell engaged in the business of running or installing electrical wires or conductors inside of any building within the corporate limits of theCit,y of Kalispell, (except central stations, power houses, sub -stations or carbarns) for the purpose of transmitting electrical cur -rent for electric 'light, heat or power, lightAing, fixtures or any in!Fk1talling of electrical apparatus of any nature,.kinrl or description, shall first procure from the City Electrician, a grant for a license of such class as pertains to, and regulates, such installations, provided that before such license shall he granted said company, firm, corporation orindividual, there shall be deposited in t*he care of the City Electrician the amount as hereinaftdr stated as payment for the particular class of license required; -and provided further, .that before such 'license shall be issued in cases where bond is required, the said company, firm, corporation or individual to whom the license may be issued, shall give a bond to the City of Kalispell, in the sum or amount hereinafter provided and required for said grade of license, conditioned that they will in good faith perform all things required of them under the provisions of the ordinance of the City of Kalispell. Said bond must be filed with the City Clerk, to be of form approved by the City Attorney and signed by two or more good and sufficient sureties to be approved by the City Council. - All licensee shall be granted for a period of one year. 7 - GRADING OF LICENSES. On6 grade of license will be issued under the head of "Electric Wiring License". Contractors license knovin as Grade A. SECTION B. Electrical license known as Grade "All shall grant the holder thereof the right and privilege to contract for the W", installation of, or to himself install electric wires and appliances for the transmission of electric- energy for electric light, heat and power, or any electrical apparatus of whatsoever nature. The annual fee for electrical license "A!' shall be the sum of $25.00 and the bond for said license shall be in the sum of $1000.00, said fee to be paid and bond executed as -provided in Section 7 of this ordinance. SECTIOX�9. The City Electrician shall keep a register showing the name, place of business and number of licenseat his office. Every person, firm or corporation, after having received the license as specified in this ordinance, shall keep in a conspicuous place at their place of business a copy of said license. SECTION 10. No alteration or change shall be made in the wiring of amy building, nor shall any building be wired for electric lights, motors, or heating devices, nor shall any electrical apparatus or appliances be installed without first securing from the. City Electrician a written permit therefor, as provided in Section 2, of this ordinance. When any alterations or changes are made in the wiring of any building, or any new wires or electrical'apparatus is installed, it shall be the duty of the oompRny, firm or corporation, or individual doing or having the work fte, to notify in writing the City Electrician immediately after completing said work that the work is ready to inspect. On receipt of the notice the City Electrician shall inspect said work and issue a certificate when it complies with all the rules governing the class of work under which it belongs. On business blocks, h6tels, Rpartmenthouses and, other large building, an inspection will be made of different sections of the work at the discretion of the City Electrician, in order not to delay the other work in connection with the construction of the building. MCITION 11. The latest rules Rnd regulations of the National Board 14 of Fire Underwriters, embodied in their "National Electrical Code", which is hereby referred to and made a part hereof, are hereby adopted as the rules and regulations governing the installations of electrical wiring, apparatus, fixtures and appliances for lights, heat and power and for telephone, telegraph, .district messengers or similar signal,ing systems in or on building, streets and alleys within the corporate limits of the City of Kalispell, except in the particulars, herein expressly provided for. The following rules are hereby adopted; amd all electric wiring apparatus and fixtures governed by this ordinance shall be made to con- form to the rules and .regulRtions he -rein qdopted before the same -are accepted by the City Electrician; and it shall be unlawful for any firm, corporation or individual, as owner, tenant, architect, contractor or artisan, or otherwise, to,, do or cause to be done any electric wiring or any installing of electric fixtures and apparatus in such manner that the same shall not conform to all of said rules and regulations, and all other provisions of this ordinance. GIJENMRAL WIRING RULES. SECTION 12. (1) Architects and builders when eirq,?Ting plans shall Tuake provisions for necessary channeling and pocketing of buildings, for electric conduits and conductors and state definitely maximum number of I-q.mps Rnd the wattage of each lamp, required at each outlet. (2) Service wires, service switches, all cut-outs, first installation of fuses complete, and wiring for meter loops must be furnished and installed by the wiring contractor and be in place before a' certificate is issued. Cut --:nuts riu s t' be located in q readily accessible place, grouped as much as practicable, and when so 'Located as to be exposed to mechanical injury, or where merchandise or clothing is apt to be stored or r.ept in the irmnediate vicinity of them, 91W.2 101 or where exposed to dust or flyings of inflammable material, they must be enclosed in approved cabinets. Service switches or cut-outs must not be placed,in bath rooms. (3) Service outlets must not be brought out through roofs or skylights, or into wells or other locations that will necessitate running wires on or over roofs or other places where they might impede the work of the -IL"iremen. Generally, Where overhead service is provided, service outlets should be taken out through the rear wall of a building in such a manner as not to interfere with fire escapes or operation of fire shutters on windows, and where possible, must be brought out at -a height of not less than twenty feet above the street or alley grade. If service is to enter at basement or with- in fifteen feet of 6treet or alley grade, wires must be run in approved metal conduits which shall extend up on outside of wall at least fifteen feet above the grade and be provided with an approved service head. In any case where service wires are run in conduit, the inner end of the conduit must extend to service cut-out. Each flat or dwelling place in an apartment house, flat building or building designed for two or more dwellings, shall be provided with an independent service unless the cut- outs and meters are grouped in a cabinet or closet opening into a public hallway so as to he readily accessible at all times. Service wires must not extend mo-e than fifteen feet inside any building, before reaching the fused cut-out. (4) Where in concealed wiring, it is necessary to place wires directly against 'brick, stone or concrete walls, or where they are liable to be inbedded in plaster, cement or concrete, they must be encased in an approved metal conduit or approved amored cable. Either conduit or cable must be continuous from an outlet to an outlet and must be equipped at each outlet with an approved outlet box. In narrow plastered partitions of 2* inches or less, wires must be encased in metal conduit, armored cable, or separate flexible tubing. If flexible tubing is used, it must nor run in same space wi th water pipes. Joints or tap connections in rubber covered wires or, cables (in all classes of work) must be covered with a rubber compound so as to form a coating of rubber at least as thick as the covering on the conductor. All joints shall be soldered unless made with some form of approved splicing device. This rule applies to Joints q.nr3 splices in all classes of work covered by this ordinance. The layers --of cam - pound must be cemented together by heating and then covered by adhesive tape. After taping all joints, except in open wires, must be covered with an insulating paint such as asphaltum of some similar compound. (6) When in open wiring or m6lding work, porcelain tubes are used as bushing through floors, the tubes must extend at least one inch above the floor in order to prevent sweeping and moisture from collecting in the tubes and the tubes shall be protected from mechanical injury by -a substantial 'covering box of wood or metal. here, on account of off sets, it is impracticable to use porcelain tubes through floors, approved iron conduit may be substituted if provided with an approved outlet box at each end. If conduit extends six inches above floor, covering Vox may be omitted. Flexible tubing will, not be approved as R floor bushing. When metal conduit is used for mechanical protection to wires on side walls and partitions, conduit may extend through floor in lieu of por- celain tubes. (7) Felxible cord for pendants or chain fixtures where wired on the outside- shall not be used in show windows or show or display cases. Flexible lamp cord shall not be run on walls or ceilings or where standard methods of wiring can be employed. Flexible lamp cord shall not be used as a support for clusters. Felxible cord pendants shall not hang nearer than five feet from the floor unless r.qqde of -reinforced 'or M portable cord. All cord "extensions" shall be made of re- inforced or portable cord. Every cord pendant that is long enough to be carried about, and any portable lamp or cord flextention", must be provided with, a substantial wire guard, securely fastened to the lamp socket in such a manner as to prevent the lamp globe from cowing in contact i,,rith in- flammable material. Where not liable to rough usage, and where appearance is an essentia 1 fegture, a s in offices, dwellings and similar places, a suitable metal or glass shade may be substituted for the wire guard. Where 11'elxibie cord is hung close to a gas fixture so that the cord can be hung on same, an insulating joint must be used in fixture, said joint to be placed s near as possible to the ceiling. (8) Moulding for encasing wires must be made of hard wood or of metal; if of hard wood, shall be painted both outside and inside with a moisture repellent. Mouldings must not be concealed, or covered over by well paper, and must not be used on the exterior of buildings, on or under entrance arches, door- ways and similar places, or in any other place where exposed to moisture. All moulding must be provided with a suitable capping so attached to moulding that it can readily be re- moved for inspection of wires. The use of nails or staples to hold wires in moulding will not be approved. (9) Receptacles hfiving exposed lugs or terminals must not bet used in show windows or display case's, �7nd wining of the class known as "open work" will not be approved in such window or cases. (10) Paper and cloth decorations, bunting and similar material must not be attached or placed around pendants or lamp globes. SPECIAL RULES. SECTION 13- MOTOR INSTALLATION. Conductors, (including wires, cut-outs, fuses and switches) for direct current motor circuits must have a rated capacity of twenty-five per cent greater than full load current requirements of the motor conductors(including fittings as 0 above), for alternating current motors must have a rated capacity of at least fifty per cent greater than full load current requirements of the motors. Rheostats or starting boxes for direct current motors shall have a slate or marble backing or be placed on a slate or marble panel, except that for motors of five horse power or less they may be on porcelain knobs or iron supports so as to separate them one inch from the surface to which they are attached, the surface back of rheostat to be protected by 1/811 asbestos board. Lightning arresters must be provided for all direct current motors installations except small motors supplied from interior lighting circuits. They must also be provided for alternating current motors supplied direct from the primary. circuit. lightning arresters must be permanently and effectually grounded. SER C T I ON 15. 7tT,7CTRIC SIGNS. Wires carried on the outside of buildings or attached thereto for electric signs, outline or decorative and similar lighting shall be run in approved metal conduit or approved armored cable. If armored cable it used, it shall be of a type having lead covering between the outer braid of the conductors and the steel armor. All fittings such as sockets, o receptacles, cut-outs, fuses, switches and similar devices, if on the outside of buildings and attached thereto',- or if other - ,vise exposed to moisture, shall be enclosed in metal boxes and casings. (2) Electric signs shall be wired so th9t not to exceed 1,320 watts shall be supplied from one circuit or dependent upon one cut-out on 125 volts, and not to exceed a 20 ampere fuse may bd used on secondary sides of low voltage transformer. Secondary circuits must be fused. No wire smaller t1han No.14 B. 9: S. gage may be used for -,iny portion of any circuit supplying lightning of above classes. W11M FAM" SECTION 151. MOVING PICTT.JRR MACHINES. All moving picture theaters shall be wired and the booth enclosing machine dnd apparatus constructed and installed in accordance with the published requirements of District "Ell, Board of Fire Underwriters of the Pacific, copies of which are on file in the office of the City Electrician and are for full distribution. SECTION l6'. e The City Electrician shall be deemed the sole judge of what constitutes the proper installation and safe insulation of electric conductors and appliances within buildings, and when the rules in the ordinance do not decide the point. He shall decide all questions not provided for in this ordinance, pertaining to the installation of electric conductors and appliances, and he is hereby authorized to make such rules and regulations as may be deemed necessary to make such conductors and appliRnees safe as possible. SECTION 17. The City Enigneer and his assistants shall have access at all times to any building or premises Jn which. electrical wiring or appliances is being or has been installed. SECT -ION 18. It shall be unlawful for any person to hinder or interfere with the City Electrician or any electrical inpqector of the City of Kalispell, in the discharge of his duties. SECTION 19. It shall be the duty of the City Electrician to keep at his office a list of all approved electrical fittings at the beginning of each year and also pass upon any electrical device or material that may be submitted forhis approval, provided that this list of approved electrical fittings as ,published by the "National Board of Fire Underwriters" Rnd known as supplement of the "National Electrical Code" shall at all times stand approved. RE SECTION 20. The City Electrician shall pay all fees collected by him to the City Treasurer on the last business day of each month and take hi-s receipt therefor. SECTION 21. The City Electrician shall -opon,the first day of each month make a written report to the Mayor and City Council showing all permits issued, inspections made, and fees collected by him under the provisions of thisordinance for the preceding month. SECTION 22. The City Electrician is hereby utthorized, empowered and directed to have a general supervision oter the placing,' stringing or attaching of electric light qndpower Wires, telephone, telegraph, messenger call or other wires, so as to prevent fires, accident or injury to -persons or pro- perty, and to cause all such wires to be so constructed, placed and guarded so as not to cause fire, accident or endanger life and property, and any or all such wires or electrical apparatus now existing as well ss those hereafter constructed and placed either inside or outside of buildings shall be subject to such supervision. Whenever any electrical wire or other pieces of electrical apparatus is or shall become defective by reason of improper and insufficient,insulation or for any other cause become dangerous to 'life,and property, the City Electrician shall at once notify'the owner or agent. of said wire or electrical apparatus to repair or re- move the sctme'and upon the owner's failure to repair or remove the wire within forty-eight hours time, the City Electrician shall cause said wire or apparatus to be removed at the expense of said, owner or agent, and such expense shall be asspsmedby the City Council against such owner. SECTION 23. The City Electrician may desip,.,.nate, in the said City, the distance between the overhead wires, cable or Ulm conductors of any firm, corporation or individual and those of any other firm, corporation or individual and may regulate the direction in which said wires, cables or conductors shill be run for any purpose, from a fixture upon any building, or point of entering any building for service, and any firm, corporation or individual owning operating or maintaining any wire, cable or conductor -at least seven feet -above the highest part of the roof of said building, as the roof may be at the time'of-placing wire, cable or conductor as it may hereafter be, at any time, raised by the owner thereof, , and shallkeep and maintain any structure placed upon any building for the. support of any wire, cable or conductor to the satisfaction of the City Electrician. SECTION 24. It shall be the duty of the City Electrician to cause all dead wires, unused poles and electric apparatus on the wtside of buildings, or in streets or alleys, to be -removed at the expense of the owner. of said wires, poles or apparatus by giving said owner or owners, oit their agents , ten days written notice, and if the owner or owners, or their agents,fail or neglect to'emove the same after the notice has been given, said owner or owners, or their agent, shall be subiect to a penalty of $10.00 for each and every day said wire, poles or apparatus are permitted to remain up. SECTION 25. Grounding Low Potential Ci'rcuit6—Transformers and Secondaries of alternating cur -cent distributing must be grounded. Two -wire direct current systems having no accessible neutral point are not to be grounded. SECTION 26. Insulating Guy Wires. All guy wires for supporting or guying poles earring electric light and power wires, and telephone, telegraph or other wires, must be insulated from electrical connection with the ground by an approved strain insulator or insulators inserted in the guy wire. 22 SECTION 27. Every person, corporation or company hereafter stringing any wire or wires from poles erected in any street or alley in the City of Kalispell to any building in said city, shall string said wire or wires to the said wire or wires shall first connect with said buildings at the top t1i er e of . SECTION 28. . Every person, corporation or company now owning, using, operating, or controlling any wire or wires not strung in accordance with the provisions of Section 28 of this ordinance shall within sixty days from the pass -age and approval hereof remove or cause to be removed said wire or wires. SECTION 29. The ordinance -shall not be construed to relieve from or lessen the responsibility of any person or persons, co- partnership or corporation owning, operating or installing electrical. wires, appliances, apparatus, construction or equipment for the damage to any property or injury to any person by any defect therein, nor shall the City of Kalispell or e.nt -agent thereof be held as assuming any such liability by reason of inspection authorized herein or the certificate of inspection issued by the 'City Electrician. SECTION 30. Any person, firm, co -partnership or corporation violating any of the provisions of this ordinance, where no other penalty is provided, shall be fined in the sum of not less than ten dollars nor more than one.hundred dollars, and each days continuance thereof shall be deemed a separate offence. SECTION 31. t The provisions of all ordinances in conflict here- with are hereby reptaled. This ordinance shall be in force thirty days after its passage. PASSED THIS AFT,7-OVED THIS /--1 ':/," 'Irv. C I TY'6L-WRK. DAY OR 1915. DAY Q. 1915. MAYOR