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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1940-0052 - Ordinance - 09/05/1940ORD]] ANCE NO. 52. An Ordinance to establish the office of Electrical Inspection in and for the City of Coll ge Station, to regulate and define the duties of such office and to establish rules and regulations concerning the instal- lation, operation and maintenance of electric wiring and apparatus, to fix penalties for the violation of its provisions and repealing all laws in conflict therewith. Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of College Station, Texas: SECTION 1. The office of Electrical Inspector in and for the City of College Station, is hereby created and said office shall be filled by appointment by the Mayor, by and with the consent of the Council within sixty days after the passage and publication of this ordinance, and said Electrical Inspector shall hold office during good behavior and shall not be removed except for failure properly to perf orm his duties as prescribed in this ordinance or any ordinance or part of the ordinance regulating electric wires or apparatus now in force or which may be adopted. Said Electrical Inspector shall be a person well veraod in the rules and requirements of the rational Electric Code. Before assum- ing authority conferred by this ordinance the Electrical Inspector shall take oath usually administered to other city officials, and shall give bond to the City of College Station in the penal sum of One Thousand Dol- lars ( $ 1,000.00) conditioned upon the faithful performance of his duties. SECTION 2. Every corporation, co -partnership, association or individual owning or operating a line of wires over streets, alleys or buildings in this city, shall use only wires that are suitable and strong; shall suitably and safely attach them to strong and auffieient supports and insulate them at all points of attachment; shall remove all wires abandoned for use; shall suitably insulate every wire where it enters a building, and, if such wire is other than a wire designed to carry an electric light or power current, shall attach to it at suitable and convenient points in the circuit calculated to prevent danger from fire and near the place of bnterng(: the building, an appliance calculated to prevent at all times a current of electricity of such inensIV or. toe, capaole of injuring electrical instruments or causing fire from entering the building by means of such wire beyond the point at which such appliance is attached. SECTION 3. No• corporation, co -partnership, association or individual shall engage in the buSineSS or installing electric wlr_ng and apoaratus within any building in the City of College Station for use in connection with electric light or power unless he shall have a "Master Electrician's Lieense" to engage in such business, said license to be issued in the following manner: An examining board shall be appointed by the Mayor to consist of the city engineer as chairman and tow other persons, one of whom shall be an electrician, these two persons to hold office at the pleasure of the Mayor. The examining board shall receive'.applications for licenses and examinine the applicants in such manner,as it may see fit. If a majority of the board favors granting of a license, the chairman shall so certify to the city secretary who shall the after payment of the fees specified in Section 4, issue a license to the appli- cant. SECTION 4. No "Master Electrician's License" shall be issued except upon payment of a fee of Fifteen Dollars (0 15.00) to the City Secretary, together with the riling of a bond of Five Hundred Dollars ( $ 500.00) conditioned upon compliance with the ordinance of the city regulating electric wiring and apparatus and the faithful performance of all con- tracts indide any building for use in connection with electric light, heat or power. The licdose shall be renewed each year after date of issue upon payment of Five Dollars ( $4 5.00). SECTION 5. Any failure on the part of the holder of a "Master Electric- ian's License" to comply with the provisions of any ordinance of the City regulating electric wiring and apparatus or to faithfully carry out the conditions of a contract for installing electric wiring and apparatus shall be deemed sufficient cause for revoking said " Master Electrician's License" together with all rights and privileges there- under and the forfeiture of the bond filed pursuant to the requirements of Section 4 of this ordinance. The City Secretary is hereby authorized to refuse to issue a " Master Electrician's License" to any previous holder or one which has been revoked or any corporation, co -partnership, association or individ- ual with which said holder is associated. SECTION 6. The amount realized upon the f orfeit)re of any bond over and above the expense involved in its forfeiture shall be expended in making the necessary chan(es in the electric wiring and apparatus found to be contrary to the provisions of this ordinance or deficient in quality or other particulars as specified in the contract or contracts entered into and covered by the bond, and the unused balance, if any, shall be paid into the City Treasury. SECTION 7. x11 wiring for electric light or power hereafter installed in churches, theatres, other places used for public gatherings and all buildings within the fire limits in the city of College Station shall be installed in suitable approved metallic conduits, and all such wires hereafter installed in unfinished basements in all buildings other than dwellings designed for the occupancy of not more than three families, shall be likewise placed in similar conduits. SECTION 8. It shall be the duty of the Electrical inspector to enforce the provisions of this ordinance or any ordinance now in force or which may hereafter be adopted concerning electric wiring or apparatus. SECTION 9. No wire or wires shall be installed, operated or maintained over any street, alley, sidewalk, or buildings in this city which shall be liable to seriously interfere with the work of the Fire Department in the use of ladders or other apparatus, or which shall obstruct or ren- der hazardous the use of fire escapes, and on complaint of the fire chief, said obstruction interfering or hazardous wires shall be removed or properly rearranged. SECTION 10. d'rhe ever possible and expedient signal wires shall not be carried on the same pole with or in dangerous proximity to high,poten- tial electric light or power wires and where a joint occupancy pole line composed of these two classes of system is necessary, or where the routine traversed by these systems cross ead#h ;;¢ther , the high potential electric light or power wires shall be placed and maintained not less than four feet above every signal wire, and where it is impossible to provide for such a separation it shall be the duty of the Electrical Inspector to arrange and enforce an equitable and safe alternative plan. SECTION 11. The said Electrical Inspector shall make a thorough inspect- ion of all electric wires and apparatus within the City of College Station at least once in each year, and where wires or api;aratus are in dangerous or unsafe condition, or are deemed to be an interference with the work of the Fire Department, he shall notify the person, firm or company owning, using or operating them to place them in a safe, secure and non -interfer- ing condition. Any corporation, co- pattnership, association or individ- ual or agent thereof failiig, neglecting, or refusing within a reasonable time to make the necessary work completed within a reasonable time after the receipt of said notice, shall be deemed guilty of violation of this ordinance and every day which shall elapse after the expiration of said reasonable time until said wires and apparatus are repaired, removed or changed as required by said Electrical Inspector, shall be considered a separate offense within the intent and meaning of this ordinance. SECTION 12. The Electrical Inspector by and with the consent of the May- or and City Council shall have the power to deputize one oxs more assis- tants, and each one off' said assistants shall in every case be known to be competent to discharge the duties of Electrical Inspector and the rights and privileges conferred upon the Electrical Inspector are here- by conferred upon each assistant to the Electrical Inspector when proper- ly appointed. SECTION 13. The said Electrical Inspector or competent assistant appoint ed by him shall have the right during reasonable hours to enter any building, manhole or subway in the discharge of his official duties, or for the purpose of making any test of the electrical apparatus or appli- ances therein contained, and for that purpose he shall be given prompt access to all buildings, private or public, and to all manholes and sub- ways in application to the company or individual owning or in charge or control of same. SECTION 14. The words or terms "Electrical Wiring and Apparatus" as used in this ordinance shall be eonstured to include all materials, devices, machinery, appliances, appurtenances or conductors used in connection with the production of electric lights, heat or power or the transmission of eleotrical signals except where specifically limited to one or more of them and then only as specifically limited. SECTION 15. The Electrical Inspector shall decide all questions not provided for in this ordinance pertaining to the installation, operation or maintenance of electric wiring and apparatus. SECTION 16. All electric signs shall be erected under the supervision of the Electrical Inspector. SECTION 17. No corporation, co -partnership, association or individual or agent thereof shall hereafter conceal or cause to be concealed any electric wiring or apparatus mentioned in this ordinance except with the express permission of the Electrical Inspector and he is hereby author- ized and directed to remove any flooring, lathing or plaster, sheet metal or other material which may conceal any electric wiring or apparatus con- - 4 trary to the provisions of this ordinance.. On completion of the inspection of any electriei wiring or appar- atus designed to be concealed and found to bo in full compliance with the provisions of this ordinance, it shall be the duty of the Electrical In- spector to post a notice to that effect at the main coutout center, and said notice shall be considered as an express permission to conceal said electric wiring and apparatus, but no concealment shall take place until .: such notice has been posted by the Electrioal Inspector. SECTION 18. The cheif Engineer of bhe Fire Department or said Electrical Inspector, or a competent person delegated by them or either of them shall have the power to at once cause the removal of all wires, or the turning off of all electric current where the circuits interfere with the work of the Fire Department during the progress of a fire. The said Electrical Inspector is hereby authorized and empowered to cause the turning off of electric current from all conductors or apparatus which are deemed by him to be in an unsafe condition or which have not been installed in con- formity with the provisions of this ordinance and from which the said El- ectrical Inspector has causedthe electric current to be turned off. SECTION 19. No alternation or change shall be made in the electric wir- ing or apparatus located within a building for use in connection with the production of electric light, or power, nor shall any such electric wir- ing or apparatus be installed in any building without first securing from the said Electric Inspector a permit therefor, nor shall any change be made in any wiring or apparatus after inspection without notifying the said Electrical Inspector and securing a permit therefor. SECTION 20. Before issuing a permit for the installation of any wiring or apparatus or the alternation or change of any wiring or apparatus as provided in Section 19, an application shall be filed with the Electrical Inspe3tor describing with plans and sketches such installation or the al- teration or changes to be made, including the apparatus and material used. No deviation shall be made in the details for wiring or apparatus as shown on application without permission from the Electrical Inspector in writing. In panels of electrical installations the person, firm, or corporation, doing the work shall post a legend showing the name of said person, firm, or corporation, and, a diagram showing what -work was done. SECTION 21. Upon the completion of the installation of electric wires and apparatus in any building for use in connection with electric light, heat, or power, it shall be the duty of the copporation, co -partnership, assoc- iation or individual doing the same to notify said Electrical Inspector or competent assistant deputized by him who shall at once inspect the same, and if approved by him shall issue a certificate of satisfactory inspection which shall contain the date of the inspection and outline of the results of such examination, but no certificate shall be issued unless all appar- atus until a certificate of satisfactory inspectioiis issued. All elect- rical construction, all material and all a7 paratus used in connection with electrical work, and the operation of all electrical apparatus, shall be in conformity with the rules and regulations set down in what is known as the "National Electrical Code", a copy of which is on file in the office of the City Secretary of the City of College Station. Provided also that no roonex, steel tubes or box cables shall be us...d. -5 - SECTION 22. Any corporation, co -partnership, association or individual or agent thereof desiring to place any pipe, sheet metal or other mater- ial Athin six inches or any electric wire or wires installed for use in connection with electric light, heat or power shall, before proceeding with the execution of the work, obtain from the Eleotrical Inspector a permit therefor, and in completion of said work and said corporation, co- partnership, or association or individual or agent thereof shall notify said Electrical inspector who shall inspect the same and cause all wires to be placed in a safe and secure condition. Provided however, that nothing in this section shall be epnstrued to refer to wires installed in approved iron c cnduit or armored cable. SECTION 23. No corporation, no co -partnership, association or individual or agent thereof shall interfere with the Electrical Inspector -or any com- petent person or persons lawfully deputized to assist him as herein be- fore provided, while the performance of duty and each such interference shall be deemed to constitute a separate offense within the intent and meaning of this ordinance. SECTION 24. The said Electrical Inspector shall keep a full and complete record of all work done, permits issued, examinations made or other offic- ial work performed as required by this ordinance and shall be so arranged as to afford prompt information concerning the condition and general arran- gement of any electrical equipment at the time of the Electrical Inspectors last visit. SECTION 25. This ordinance shall not be construed to relieve from or les- sen the responsibility of any corporation, co -partnership, associat ion, individual or agent thereof; installing, operating or controlling any elec- tric wiring or apparatus for damages to anyone injured thereby, nor shall the city be held as assuming any liability by reason of the inspection authorized herein or certificate or permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this ordinance. SECTION 26. Any corporation, co -partnership, association, individual or agent thereof found guilty of violation any of the provisions of this or- dinance shall be fined not less than Rive Dollars ( $ 5.00) nor more than :'fifty Dollers ( $ 50.00) and the cost of prosecution of each and every of- fense, SECTION 27. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. SECTION 28. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage, approval and publication. Passed and approved this 5th day of September, 1940. ity Secretary Mayor ORDINANCE NO. 52. An Ordinance to establish the office of Electrical Inspection in and for the City of College Station, to regulate and define the duties of such office and to establish rules and regulations concerning the instal- lation, operation and maintenance of electric wiring and apparatus, to fix penalties for the. violation of its provisions and repealing all laws in conflict therewith. Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of College Station, Texas: SECTION 1. The office of Electrical Inspector in and for the City of College Station, is hereby created and said office shall be filled by appointment by the Mayor, by and with the consent of the Council within sixty days after the passage and publication of this ordinance, and said Electrical Inspector shall hold office during good behavior and shall not be removed except for failure properly to perform his duties as prescribed in this ordinance or any ordinance or part of the ordinance regulating electric wires or apparatus now in force or which may be adopted. Said Electrical Inspector, shall be a person well versed in the rules and requirements of the National Electric Code. Before assum- ing authority conferred by this ordinance the Electrical Inspector shall take oath usually administered to other city officials, and shall give bond to the City of College Station in the penal sum of One Thousand Dol- lars ($10000.00) conditioned upon the faithful performance of his duties. SECTION 2. Every corporation, co -partnership, association or individual owning or operating a line of wires over streets, alleys or buildings in this city, shall use only wires that are suitable and ;strong; shall suitably and safely attach them to strong and sufficient supports and insulate them at all points of attachment; shall remove all wires abandoned for use; shall suitably insulate every wire where it enters a building, and, if such wire is other than a wire designed to carry an electric light or power current, shall attach to it at suitable and convenient points in the circuit calculated to prevent danger from fire and near the place of entering the building, an appliance calculated to prevent at all times a current of electricity of such intensity or volume as to be capable of injuring electrical instruments or causing fire from entering the building by means of such wire beyond the point at which such appliance is attached. SECTION 3,. No. corporation, co -partnership, association or individual shall engage in the business of installing electric wiring and apparatus within any building in the City of College Station for use in-connedtion with' electric light or power unless he shall have.a "Master Electrician's License" to engage in such business, said.license to be issued in the following,manner: An examining board shall be appointed by the Mayor to consist of the city engineer as chairman and two other persons, one of whom shall be an electrician, these two persons to hold office at the pleasure of the Mayor. The examining board shall receive applications for licenses and examine the applicants in such manner as it may see fit. If a majority of the board favors granting of a license, the chairman shall so certify to the city secretary who shall then, after 00111 -�- payment of the fees specified in Section,., issue a license to the appli- cant. SECTION 4. No "Master Electrician's License" shallbe issued except upon payment of a fee of Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) to the City Secretary, together with the filing of a bond of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) conditioned upon compliance with the ordinance of the city regulating electric wiring and apparatus and the faithful performance of all con- tracts inside any building for use in connection withelectric light, heat or power. The license shall be renewed each year after date of issue upon payment of Five Dollars ($5.00). SECTION 5. any failure on the part of the holder of a "Master Electric- ian's License" to comply with the provisions of any ordinance of the City regulating electric wiring and apparatus or to faithfully carry out the conditions of a contract for installing electric wiring and apparatus shall be deemed sufficient cause for revoking said "Master Electrician's License" together with all rights and privileges there- under and the forfeiture of the bond filed pursuant to the requirements of Section 4 of this ordinance. The City Secretary is hereby authorized to refuse to issue a "Master Electrician's License" to any previous holder or one which has been revoked or any corporation, co -partnership, association or individ- ual with which said holder is associated. SECTION 6. The amount realized upon the forfeiture of any bond over and above the expense involved in its forfeiture shallbe expended in making the necessary changes in the electric wiring and .apparatus found to be contrary to the provisions of this ordinance or deficient in quality or other particulars as specified in the contract or contracts entered into and covered by the bond, and the unused balance, if any, shall be paid into the City Treasury. SECTION 7. All wiring for electric light or power hereafter installed in churches, theatres, other places used for public gatherings and all buildings within the fire limits in the city of College Station shall be installed in suitable approved metallic conduits, and all such wires hereafter installed in unfinished basements in all buildings other than dwellings designedfor the occupancy of not more than three families, shall be likewise placed in similar conduits. SECTION S. It shall be the duty of the Electrical inspector to enforce the provisions of this ordinance or any ordinance now in force or which may hereafter be adopted concerning electric wiring or apparatus. SECTION 9. No wire or wires shall be installed, operated or maintained over any street, alley, sidewalk, or buildings in this city which shall be liable to seriously interfere with the work of the Fire Department in the use of ladders or other apparatus, or which shall obstruct or ren- der hazardous the use of fire escapes, and on complaint of the fire chief, said obstruction interfering or hazardous wires shall be removed or properly rearranged. SECTION 10. Wherever possible and expedient signal wires shall not be carried on the same pole with or in dangerous proximity to high poten- tial electric light or power wires and where a joint occupancy pole line composed of these two classes of system is necessary, or where the routine traversed by these systems cross: each other, the high potential electric 00112 -3- 1 G light or power wires shall be placed and maintained not less thAn four feet above every signal wire, and where it is impossible to provide for such a separation it shall be the duty of the Electrical Inspector to arrange and enforce an equitable and safe alternative plan. SECTION 11. The said Electrical Inspector shall make a thorough inspec- tion of all electric wires and apparatus within the City of College Station at least once in each year, and where wires or apparatus are in dangerous or unsafe condition, or are deemed to be an interference with the work of the Fire Department, he shall notify the person, firm or company owning, using or operatingthem to place them in a safe, secure and non -interfer- ing condition. Any corporation, co -partnership, association or individ- ual or agent thereof failing, neglecting, or refusing within a reasonable time to make the necessary work completed within a reasonable time after the receipt of said notice,' shall be deemed guilty of violation of this ordinance and every day which shall elapse after the expiration of said reasonable time until said wires and apparatus are repaired, removed or changed as required by said Electrical Inspector, shall be considered a separate offense within the intent and meaning of this ordinance. SECTION 12. 'The Electrical Inspector by and with the consent of the May- or and City Council shall have the power to deputize one or more assis- tants, ssistants, and each one of said assistants shall in every case be known to be competent to discharge the • duties of Electrical Inspector and the rights and privileges conferred upon the Electrical Inspector are here- by conferred upon each assistant to the Electrical Inspector when proper- ly appointed. SECTION 13. The said Electrical Inspector or competent assistant appoint- ed by him shall have the right during reasonable hours to enter any building, manhole or subway in the discharge of his official duties, or for the purpose of making any test of the electrical apparatus or appli- ances therein contained, and for that purpose he shall be given prompt access to all buildings, private or public, and to all manholes and sub- ways in application to the company or individual owning or in charge or control of same. SECTION 14. The words or terms "Electrical Wiring and Apparatus" as used in this ordinance shall be construed to include all materials, devices, machinery, appliances, appurtenances or conductors used in connection with the production of electric lights, heat or power or the transmission of electrical signals except where specifically limited to one or more of them and then only as specifically limited. SECTION 15. The Electrical Inspector shall decide all questions not provided for in this ordinance pertaining to the installation, operation or maintenance of electric wiring and apparatus. SECTION 16. All electric signs shall be erected under the supervision of the Electrical Inspector. SECTION 17. No corporation, co -partnership, association or individual or agent thereof shall hereafter conceal or cause to be concealed any electric wiring or apparatus mentioned in. this ordinance except with the express permission of the Electrical Inspector and he is hereby authorized and directed to remove any flooring, lathing or plaster, sheet metal or other material which may conceal any electric wiring or apparatus con - 00113 -4- trary to the provisions of this ordinance. On completion of the inspection of any electric wiring or appara- tus designed to be concealed and found to be in full compliance with the provisions of this ordinance, it shall be the duty of the Electrical In- spector to post a notice to that effect at the main cutout center, and said notice shall be considered as an express permission to conceal said electric wiring and apparatus, but no concealment shall take place until such notice has been posted by the Electrical Inspector. SECTION 18. The chief Engineer of the Fire Department or said Electrical Inspector, or a competent person delegated by them or either of them shall have the power to at once cause the removal of all wires, or the• turning off of all electric current where,the circuits interfere with the work of the Fire Department during the progress of a fire. The'said Electrical Inspector is hereby authorized and empowered to cause the turning off of electric current from all conductors or apparatus which are deemed by him to be in an unsafe condition or which have not been installed in con- formity with the provisions of this ordinance and from which the said Elec- trical Inspector has caused the electric current to be turned off. SECTION 19. No altergiation or change shall be'made in the electric wir- ing or apparatus located within a building for use in connection with the production of electric light, or power, nor shall any such electric wir- ing or apparatus be: installed in any building without first securing from the said Electric Inspector a permit therefor, nor shall any change be made in any wiring or apparatus after inspection without notifying the said Electrical Inspector and securing a permit therefor. • SECTION 20. Before issuing a permit for the installationof any wiring or apparatus or the alternation or change of any wiring or apparatus as provided in Section 19, an application shall be filed with the Electrical Inspector describing with plans and sketches such installation or the al- teration or changes to be made, including the apparatus and material used. No deviation shall be made in the details for wiring or apparatus as shown on application without permission from the Electrical Inspector in writing. In panels of electrical installations the person, firm, or corporation, doing the work shall post a legend showing the name of said person, firm, or corporation, and a diagram showing what work was done. SECTION 21. Upon the completion of the installation of electric wires and apparatus in any building for use in connection with electric light, heat, or power, it shall be the duty of the corporation, co -partnership, associ- ation or individual doing the same to notify said Electrical Inspector or competent assistant deputized by him who shallat once inspect the same, and if approved by him shall issue a certificate of satisfactory inspection -which shall contain the date of the inspection and outline of the results of such examination, but no certificate shall be issued unless all apparatus until a certificate of satisfactory inspectictis issued. All electrical construction, all material and .all apparatus used in connection with electrical work, and the operation of all electrical apparatus, shall be in conformity with the rules and regulations set down in what is known as the "National Electrical Code", a copy of which is on file in the office of the City Secretary of the City of College Station. Provided also that no roonex, steel tubes or box cables shall be used. 00114 -5 - SECTION 22. Any corporation, co -partnership, association or individual or agent thereof desiring to place any pipe, sheet metal or other material within six inches or any electric wire or wires installed for use in connection with electric light, heat or power shall, before proceeding with the execution of the work, obtain from the Electrical Inspector a permit therefor, and in completion of said work and said corporation, co- partnership, or association or individual or agent thereof shall notify said Electrical Inspector who shall inspect the same and cause all wires to be placed in a safe and secure condition. Provided,however, that nothing in this section shall be construed to refer to wires installed in approved iron conduit or armored cable. SECTION 23. No corporation, no co -partnership, association or individual or agent thereof shall interfere with the Electrical Inspector or any com- petent person or persons lawfully deputized to assist him as herein be- fore provided, while the performance of duty and each such interference shall be deeded to constitute a separate offense within the intent and meaning of this ordinance. SECTION 24. The said Electrical Inspector shall keep a full and complete recordof all work done, permits issued, examinations made or other official work performed as required by this ordinance and shall be so arranged as to afford prompt information concerning the condition and general arrange- ment of any electrical equipment at the time of the Electrical Inspectors last visit. SECTION 25. This ordinance shall not be construed to relieve from, or lessen the responsibility of any corporation, co -partnership, association, .indivi- dual or agent thereof; installing, operating or controlling Any electric wir- ing or apparatus for damages to anyone injured thereby, nor shall the city be held as assuming any liability by reason.of the inspection authorized herein or certificate or permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this ordinance. SECTION 26. Any corporation, co -partnership, association, individual or agent thereof found guilty of oiolation any of the provisions of this or- dinance shall .be fined not less than Five Dollars (5.00) nor more than Fifty Dollars ($50.00) and the cost of prosecution of each and every offense. SECTION 27. .A11 ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. SECTION 2$. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage, approval and publication. Passed and approved this 2111. day of September, 1940. s/ Lucy. L. Sneed Assistant City Secretary s/ Frank G. Anderson Mayor 00115 •