Ordinance 473 - Electrical Wiring and Devices376 �+
ORDINANCE No. 473 4" Z.
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AN ORDINANCE REGTTLATING THE INSTALLATION, REPAIR, 1TAIN"'ENANCE, SALE
AND INSPECTION OF ELECTRIC IVIRING, ELECTRICAI DEVICES, APPLIANCES AND
MAT',RIALS, PROVIDING FOR THE LICENSING OF PERSO;S, FIRMS OR CORPORA-
TIONS ENGAGED IN THE BUSINESS OF INSTALLING OR REPAIRING OF ELECTRICAL
EniTTPMENT, WIRING OR DEVICES, AND PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PER-
MITS FOR THE '.MORE TO BE DONE, THE PAYING OF FEES THEREFOR AND THE IN-
SPECTION OF PORE DONE.
BE IT ORDAINED 9Y ^HE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EALISPELL: '
This ordinance is not designed to cover any wiring engaged in by pub-
lic telephone or telegraph companies, nor is it designed to cover
central stations, power houses or sub -stations.
The latest rules and regulations of the National Board of Fire Under-
writers Electric Code are hereby adopted and shall become a part of
this ordinance.
GENERAL WIRING RULES
(1) No conductors used for the wiring of light or power shall be
smaller than 1412 B&S guage. This applies to new work only.
(2) All outlet boxes used on concealed work shall not be less than
18.75 cubic inches in size and shall be equipped with fixture studs
and approved plaster rings.
(3) All conduits, boxes and fittings shall be protected against cor-
rosion by a coating inside and outside of cadmium, tin, zinc or galvan-
ized.
(4) Each set of service entrance shall, at a point not to exceed 20
feet from place of entrance, be provided with a readily accessible
externally operable means of disconnecting all ungrounded conductors I
from their source of supply.
(5) Service wires shall not be smaller than #6 and all service wires
entering buildings shall be enclosel in a 3/4" conduit, of approved :3er-
vice cable.
(6) All buildings coming under the following classifications shall be
wired in metal conduit throughout, in accordance with the requirements
of conduit construction. (Provided, however, that surface metal raceways,
electric metal tubing and under -floor raceways may be used under condi-
tions designated in the latest issue of the National Electric Code;
BX cable not to be used.)
All public buildings, such as hotels, churches, theaters, moving pic-
ture houses, public halls and meeting places where the seating capa-
city is for 150 or more;
All apartment houses, tenement houses and flats, two or more stories
in height, containing over 24 rooms;
In buildings used for corrmmercial purposes, except buildings having
a floor area of less than 1000 square feet, and general storage ware-
houses, buildings used for storal*e only, not sales or display rooms,
not more than two outlets shall be placed on any lighting circuit when
sockets of Mogul base are used, and in all other buildings not more '
than 8 outlets shall be placed on any lighting or ,i_-)pliance circuit -
nor more than 1000 watts; no outlet shall be considered less than 150
watts. In basements, bathrooms, laundry rooms, garages, boiler rooms,
and the like, only sockets and receptacles having shells of porcelain,
composition, or other insulating material shall be used.
Except in certain restricted districts, electric ranges may be wired
in rigid metal conduit or approved concentric service cable together
with such fitting, cabinets and cutout necessary. Assuming that a house
be already wired for lighting only, then shall the range service wire
be so arranged so that both lighting and range may be served by the
same service conductors. The electric range circuit shall terminate
at range location with an approved range plug. The range cabinet shall
be dead front and guttered. It is recommended that Trumbull switch
HP 302 RWH or equal be used.
377
All wiring for motors rated more than 1/4 HP shall be wired in approved
metal conduit. (Bv not approved).
3ervibe conductors must not be brought out through roofs, or skylights,
or into walls or other locations that will necessitate running wires
on or over the roofs or other places where they might impede the work
of firemen.
The point of contact for service wires must be approved by the power
company and shall be determined by the existing facilities of the company.
' Meters must be installed at a height not more than seven feet nor less
than five feet above the ground level if installed on the outside wall
of the building, or the floor level if installed in an open porch. Under
no consideration will it oe permissable to install residential meters
inside of a building, basement or enclosed porch.
Within that area of the city described as the "inner fire limits", the
following classification of wiring:
Class A In all new construction, the wiring method
shall be metal conduit. BX not accepted.
Class B All alterations or additions to any building com-
ing under the above class, where the addition or
alteration is equal to 50% of the installation,
the whole building must be brought up to the re-
quirements of Class A. The City Electrician may
grant permission for limited extentions.
The City Electrician shall inspect all wiring in this area annually
and report conditions and file conies of his report.
PE-4.4ITS, F7ES AND PLANS
Permits: No alterations, or additions, shall be made in the existing
' wiring of any building, nor shall any building be wired for the placing
of any electric lights, motors, heating devices, or any apparatus
requiring the use of electrical current, nor shall any alterations
be made in the wiring in any building after inspection, without first
notifying the electrical inspector and securing a permit therefor..
Applications for such permit, describing such work, shall be made by
the person, firm, or corporation installing same on application blanks
furnished by the city, and permit vahen issued shall be to such appli-
cant. Permits shall not be required in connection with .peters and ser-
vice wires installed by light and power companies, nor in connection
with installations or alterations in central stations, power houses or
substations operated by light and power companies.
Fees for Permit. At the time when the application for a permit is made,
the applicant shall pay the electrical inspector the following fees:
Wiring for lights and small appliances:
First 10 lights, switch or convenience outlets - - $1.00
Additional outlets at bd each.
For alterations and additions, same as new work.
Other than signs using gas tube system - - - - - - 1.00
' Each neon or Pas tube system, border effeet,or other
advertising structure, the fee for the first, and not
more than three transformers --1.00
Each additional transformer - - - - - - - - - .25
Flood Li"hts - first flood light - - - - - - - - 1.00
Each additional - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - .25
Power:
Motors 1 horse -power or less 1.00
More than 1 horse -power but less than 10 1.50
Ten horse -power or more 2.00
37C) �
Generators:
For each generator for light and power purposes,
including switchboard and connections 5.00
For each
electric
range
1.00
For each
electric
water heater
1.00
For each,
fireplace
heater
1.00
For each
electric
oil burner
1.00
For each
electric
commercial projecting machine
1.00
Provided
where range
and water heater are installed
at the same time,
the fee shall be
1.50
Also provided that
where electric range, water heater,
,
electric
stoker or
oil burner are installed at the
same time, the fee
shall be
2.00
No inspection fee to be charged, on wire or repair work or alterations
where the sum of labor and material does not exceed the total sum of
$5.00; however, permits must be obtained.
Special % inspection and reinspection: A charge of fifty cents may be
mawoar each additionai trip occasioned by carelessness or neglect on
the part of the contractor in calling for an inspection at an incorrect
address or at a time when such inspection could not be made properly.
Plans required: Accompanying the application for permit, if deemed nec-
essary by the electrical inspector there shall be filed with the inspec-
tor plans for the work to be undertaken, showing the character and loca-
tion of all features of the work, which plans shall also show the precise
location of the premises, the name of the owner, and shall be signed by
the electrical contractor. Such plans shall be filed at least five days
in advance of commencement of the work contemplated, provided, however,
that no plans shall be required for electrical work in dwellings, dwel-
ling houses of two floors or less. The permit issued under this section
shall not be held to allow the cutting of any structural features of
any building. where such necessity arises, application shall be made '
to the building inspector for the necessary permit. The permit shall
cover the work set forth in the plans only, and if addition�.l work or
changes in location of fixtures is to be undertaken a new hermit to
cover such additional work or modification shall be secured in the
usual manner.
Authority. Right of Access to Buildings: Said electrical inspector shall
have the right during reasonable hours to enter any building in the dis-
char�-e of his official duties, or for the purpose of making any inspection
or test of the installation of electric wiring, electric devices, and/or
electrical material contained therein, and shall have the authority to
cause the turnine off of all electrical currents and cut or disconnect
in cases of emergency any wire where such electrical currents are dangerous
to life or property or may interfere with the work of the fire depart-
ment. The electrical inspector is hereby authorized, empowered and d1-
rected to have general supervision over the placing, stringing, or
attaching of electric light and power wires, telephone, telegraph, mes-
senger call, or other wires, so as to prevent fire, accident or injury
to persons or property, 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 as those hereafter constructed and placed, shall be
subject to such supervision. whenever any electrical wire or other
piece of electrical apparatus is or shall become defective by reason
of improper or insufficient insulation or for any other reason becoiaes
dangerous, the electrical inspector shall at once notify the owner or
agent of said wire or electrical apparatus to repair or remove the same
and upon the owner's failure to repair or remove the wire within forty-
eight hours' time the electrical inspector shall cause said wire or
apparatus to be removed at the expense of said owner or agent, and such
expense shall be assessed by the city council against such owner.
Stoppage of work. The work shall at all times be under the supervision
of the inspector and for the.failure to compl:, with the provisions of
this code, the inspector may order the stoppage of the -vork and revoke
the permit. In such case it shall be unlawful to further continue work.
Stoppage of service. The electrical inspector is hereby given supervision
over any and all wires,, materials, apparatus and fittings used for the
translation, transmission, or consumption of electric current for light,
heat, or power, or, for an other 37 9
y purpose, whether new or old: and
whenever any such wires, material, apparatus or appurtenances is, or
shall become dangerous to life or property, or liable to cause fire,
accident or injury, is empowered to order the owner or agent, or user,
to repair or remove the same. Upon failure of such owner, agent or
user to remove or repair the same within forty-eight hours upon receipt
of such notice, the electrical inspector shall cause the current to be
disconnected from said electrical installation, or that part of it which
is considered hazardous, and all owners, agents, users, light and power
companies and others shall not have the current connected again until the
said electrical inspector has given written permit to do so. All firms,
corporations or individuals, whether operating under a regular franchise
granted by the city of Kalispell, or not. shall upon written notice
from the electrical inspector, disconnect from any building the service
or any circuit as designated by said notice, and shall not reconnect
said building service or circuit, except upon written notice from said
electrical inspector.
Inspection. Upon the completion of the wiring or alterations or addi-
tions to the wiring of any building, it shall be the duty of the person,
firm or corporation installin? the same to notify the electrical inspec-
tor, who shall inspect the installation within forty-eight hours of the
time such notice is given, Sundays and holidays excepted, and if it is
found to be fully in compliance 'with thi:3 ordinance and does not con-
stitute a hazard to life and property, he shall issue to such person,
firm or corporation for deliver-. to the owner, a certificate of in-
spection authorizing connection to the electrical service and the
turning on of the current. A notice in the form of a tag or label
shall be attached to the service switch, clearly stating that the work
has been passed by the electrical inspector and is approv-d for covering.
Provided, however,`thst the inspector may give temporary permission
to furnish electric current, to or the use of t`le electric current,
through any wires or other equipment for a length of time not exceeding
thirty days, if it appears th.It such wires, etc., may be used safely,
and that there exists an urgent necessity for such use and special per-
mission. All wires which are to be hidden from view shall be inspected
before concealment, and any person, firm, or corporation installing such
wires shall notify the electrical inspector, giving him twenty-four hours
' in which to make the required inspection before such wires are concealed.
Providing that on large installations where the concealment of parts
of the wiring proceeds continuously, the Person, firm or corporation
installing the wiring shall give the electrical inspector due notice and
inspections shall be made periodically during the progress of the vork.
Reinspection. When considered advisable by the electrical inspector
or upon request by the fire chief, light and power company or the owner
or tenant of any building, the electrical inspector shall make a thorough
reinspection of the installation in any building of all electric wiring,
electrical devices and electrical material now installed or that may
hereafter be installed, within the city of Kalispell. When the instal-
lation of any such wiring, devices and/or Material is found to be in a
dangerous or unsafe condition, the person, firm, or corporation o,ning,
using or operating the same shall be notified and shall make the necessary
repairs, or changes required to place such wiring, devices and material
in a safe condition and have such work completed within four says, or any
longer period specified by the electrical inspector in said notice. The
electrical inspector is hereby empcwered to disconnect or order the dis-
continuance of electrical service t:^ such ;viring, devices, and/or material
so found to be defectively installed until the installation of such
wiring, devices and material has been made safe as directed by the
electrical inspector.
Construction Re uirements. No certificate of inspection shall be issued
' un ess the electrical light, power and heating installations are in
strick conformity with the provisions of this ordinance, the statutes
of the State of Montana, the rules and regulations issued by the Public
Service Commission of Montana under the authority of the state statutes,
and unless they are in conformity wit'-i approved methods of construction
for safety to life and property. The regulations as laid down in the
National Electrical Code, as approved by the American Standards Associa-
tion and the National Electrical Safety Code, as approved by the American
Standards Association, and other installations and safety regulations
approved by the American Standards Association shall be prima facie
evidence of such approved methods.
Records of Permits and Inspections. The electrical inspector shall
ds
keep comp ete recorof all per;nits issued and inspections made and
other official work oerforried under the provisions of this ordinance.
380 z
He shall be provided with the necessary clerical help to carry out
the provisions of this section. He shall pay all fees collected by him >d
to the city treasurer on the last day of each month and take his receipt
therefor. He shall, upon the first 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 this ordinance
of the preceding month.
Review., when the electrical inspector condemns all or part of any else-
trica� installation, the owner may within five days after receiving
written notice from the electrical inspector, file a petition in writing
for review of said action of the electrical inspector with the city
clerk who shall refer the petition to the district inspector for the '
National Board of Fire Underwriters, or to a board of three competent
parties to be appointed by the mayor, with the approval of the city
council, upon receipt of which the said inspector or board shall at
once proceed to determine whether said electrical installation complies
with the ordinance and within three days shall make a decision in
accordance with its findings, which shall be returned to the city clerk
for action.
APPROVED MATERIALS
No electrical materials, devices or appliances shall be sold, offered
for sale, installed or used unless the;T are in conformity with the
provisions of this ordinance, the statutes of the state of Montana,
the rules and regulations issued by the Public Service Commission of
the state of Montana, under authority of the state statutes, and un-
less they are in conformity with approved methods of construction for
safety to life and property. Conformity of electrical materials, de-
vices and appliances with the standards of Underwriters Laboratories,
Incorporated, shall be prima facie evidence that such electrical mater-
ials, devices and appliances comply with the requirements of this or-
dinance. The maker's name, trademark or other identification symbol
shall be placed on all electrical material, device and appliances
sold, installed or used under this ordinance. The electrical inspector
may grant provisional approval of any electrical materials, devices
or appliances as In conformity with the provisions of this ordinance ,
under any of the following conditions:
a. Where no standard has been prepared by the Underwriters' Lab-
oratories, Incorporated, to which the material, device or appliance
shall conform.
b. where no other material, device or appliance of similar type
is available which is in conformity with the standards of Underwriters'
Laboratories.
o. In emergency, temporary approval may be given to materials,
devices or appliances which have not been passed on br Underwriters'
Laboratories, Incorporated, provided such materials, devices or appli-
ances have been submitted to Underwriters' Laboratories, Incorporated,
for teat and approval. Such temporary approval shall not be granted
for a longer period than 90 days.
CONNECTIONS
It shall be unlawful for any electric light or power co:apany or elec-
tric utility, to make any electrical connections to any building
until a certificate stating that the wiring has been approved, has
been issued by the electrical inspector; provided, however, special
permission may be given by him to make a temporary connection and use
portions of the wiring in a building during construction, if it appears I
that this can be safely done, and there exists an urgent necessity for
such special permission.
UNLAl977L TIRING
It shall be unlawful for property owners or contractors not holding
licenses for doing electric wiring, to interfere in any manner 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 shall be notified to
have it changed. No wood or metal work is to be placed by any person
within one inch or two inches, respectively, of any electrical conduc-
tor, unless such conductor be properly protected by being inclosed in
approved conduit or tubing.
381
LICENSE, BOND AND 01,7NFRS' RIGHTS
There shall be three grades of licenses, as follows:
Electrical license known as Grade "A" shall grant the holder thereof
the right and privilege to contract for the installation of or to
himself install electric wires for light, heat, power or any apparatus
requiring the use of electricity. The annual fee for electrical license
"A" shall be the sum of $25.00.
The Grade "Bl" license shall be issued to a journeyman employed by the
holder of a Grade "A" license. The annual fee for a grade "B" license
' shall be the sum of $4.00.
The Grade "C" license shall be issued b an apprent'_oe or helper employed
by the holder of a grade "A" licens-. The annual fee for a grade "C"
license shall be the sum of .,2.00.
No person, firm or corporation, or individual (excepting telephone and
telegraph companies) shall engage in the business of installing, re-
pairing or altering electrical wiring or m nductors inside of any build-
ing within the corporate limits of the city of Kalispell (except cen-
tral stations, power houses or substations) for the purpose of trans-
mitting electrical energy for light, heat, power or for any appliance
or apparatus, without first obtaining a Grade "Al' license therefor from
the city treasurer and furnishing a public liability bond in the sum
of one thousand dollars, approved as to form and sufficiency by the
city council, and conditioned that he, or they, will in good faith,
perform all of the things required of him, or them, by the ordinances
of the city of Kalispell, and that if any injury to any person, or
damage to any property results by reason of his, or their, failure or
neglect to conform with this ordinance relating to the installation of
electric wiring and equipment, he or they shall save harmless and indemnify
such person injured, or the owner of such property damaged. All licenses
shall expire on the 31st. day of December of +he year in which such li-
censes are issued. Such a public liability bond s'iall be continued and
kept in force as long as the assured is engaged in such business. Fees
' shall not be reduced when the license will run for less than a year.
If an owner wishes to do wiring in his own home he may do so without
a license bit he must first obtain permit required by this ordinance,
but the electrical inspector may refuse to issue a permit to any per-
son, who in his estimation is not competent to install the electrical
work in accordance with the regulations of his ordinance. The license
of any person, firm or corporation engaged in doing electrical work
may, b-* the cit,T council, be revoked, if it is proven to its satisfaction
at a public .nearing that such person, firm or corporation wilfully, or
through- carelessness or ignorance, violates or permits its emnloyees to
violate any of the provisions of this o-dinance.
RESPOP]SIBILITy
This ordinance shall not be c.)nstrued to relieve from or lessen the
responsibility or liability of any party owning, operating, controlling
or installing any electric wiring, electric devices and/or electric
material for damages to person or property caused by any defect therein
nor shall the city be held as assuming any such liability by reason of
the inspection authorized herein, or certificate of inspection issued
as herein provided.
P7PNALTI'M
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this
' ordinance shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and each such person
shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day or
portion thereof during Waich any violation of any provision of tills
ordinance is committed, continued or permitted and upon conviction of
any such violation such person shall be punishable by a fine of not
more than three hundred dollars, or by imprison -lent in the city jail
for not more than twenty-five days, or by 'ooth such fine and imprisonment.
All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance
are hereby repealed.
382
Passed and approved this 6th day of June, 1938.
Zn
x
F. 0. Williams
Attest: F. J. Robischon Mayor
City Clerk
State of Montana )
County of Flathead) ss
I, F. J. Robischon, City Clerk of the City of Kalispell, '
Montana, do hereby certify that on the 7th day of June, 1938, I
posted a copy of the foregoing ordinance in my office and the
same remained so posted for a period of five days and the fore-
going is a true copy of the ordinance as passed by the City Council.
Dated this 15th day of June, 1938.
c the City of Kalispell
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