HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd 146 - city electrical inspector
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ORDINANCE NO. 146.
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING MEASURES PERTAINING TO TEE
INSTALLATION, INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF :ELEC-
TRICAL APPARATUS, INTERIOR, AND EXTERIOR WIRING,
FIXTURES, APPLIANCES, DEVICES, EQUIPMENT, OVER-
HEAD AND UNDERGROUND WIRING SYSTEMS , WITHIN THE
CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE, TEXAS; CREATING
THE OFFICE OF CITY ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR; PROVID-
ING FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF ASSISTANTS BY THE BOARD
OF COMMISSIONERS; PROVIDING FOR THE COLLECTION OF
FEES FOR INSPECTION AND PERMIT; ADOPTING RULES AND
REGULATIONS TO_ GOVERN ELECTRICAL WIRING; PROVIDING
A SAVINGS CLAUSE; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS
OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT !lEm3:WITH; AND, PROVIDING
THAT THIS ORDINANCE SHALL TAKE EFFECT AND BE IN
FORCE IW~EDIATELY AFTER ITS PASSAGE AND APPROVAL.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF WEST
UNIVERSITY PLACE, TEXAS:
ARTIGLE 1.
CITY ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR
Section 1:
Creation of the Offi~e and Q~a'ificati2ns-
There is hereby created the office of City Electrical In-
spector. The person chosen to fill this office shall be a
competent electrician of good moral character, shall be well
versed in the f~damentals of electricity and the application
'thereof. He shall be well versed in approved methods of elec-
trical construction for safety to life and property, and sta-
tutes of the State of Texas and the ordinances, rules and re-
gulations of the City of West University Place relating to elec-
trical work, the rules and regulations issued by the,Industrial
Commission of the State of Texas, under authority of the sta-
tutes, the,National Electrical Code, as approved by the American
Standards Association, the National Electrical Safety Code, as
approved by the American Standards Association,. and other in- ,
stallation and ~afety rules and standards approved by the Amer-
ican Standards association.
Section 2:: ~ppointment - Such City Electrical Inspector
shall be appointed by the Mayor, by and with the consent of
the Board of Commissioners, to hold office at the pleasure of
such Board of Commissioners, but in no event for a longer term
than the first Tuesday in April, 1939, and the first Tuesday in
each and every second year thereafter and until his successor
has been appointed and qualified, unless otherwise prOVided by
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the Board of Commissioners. Such Inspector shall, before en-
tering upon the discharge of his duties, file a bond in the
sum of $1,000.00 payable to the City of West University Place,
this bond to be approved by the Board of Commissioners and
conditioned upon the faithful performance of his duties.
Section 3: Compensation - 'he Inspector shall receive
such compensation as shall be provided from time to time by
the Board of Commissioners of the City of West University
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Section 4: Designation'- Whenever in this Ordinance the
term II Inspector'l is used, it shall mean the City Electrical
Inspector of the City of West University Place.
A'RrrTCT.w. 2.
ASSISTANT CITY ELECTRICAL INSPECTO~S
Section 1: Creation and ualifications - There is hereby
created two offices of Assistan City ectrical Inspectors, each
of whom shall be a comp\etent electrieman of good moral charac-
ter and shall be well versed in the fundamentals of electricity
and the application thereof. And they shall each possess the
other qualifications required by the City Electrical Inspecttor.
Section 2: Appointment - Such Assistant City Elec~rical
Inspectors shall be appointed by the Mayor, by and with the '
consent of the Board of Commissioners, to hold office at the
pleasure of such Board of Commissioners, but in no event for
a longer term than the first Tuesday in April 1939, and the
first Tuesday in each and every second year thereafter and un-
til their successors have been appointed and qualifie~ unless
otherwise provided by the Board of Commissioners of the City.
Each such Assistant, City Electrical Inspector shall, before
enterin~ upon the discharge of his duties, file a bond in the
sum of $1,000.00, payable to the City of West University Place,
this bond to be approved by the Board of Commissioners and
conditioned upon the faithful performance of his duties.
Section 3: Compensation~ Each such Assistant City Elec-
trical Inspector shall receive a compensation decided upon
from time to time by the Board of Commissioners.
Section 4: Designation - Wherever the term "Assistant
Inspector" is used in this Ordinance, it shall be deemed to
mean an Assistant City Electrical Inspector of the City of West
University Place.
Section 5: Dut&ks - Such Assistant ~nspectors shall per-
form such duties as shall be required by themtby the Board of
Commissioners of the City and by t~e Inspector.
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.^..RTICL'E 3.
REQ.UIREMENTS OF THE INSPECTOR~
Section 1: Duties - The Inspector shall approve p~~~___
and specifications covering all electrical work for the City of
West University Place and this work shall be done in accordance
with the ordinance of the City of West University Place. The
Inspector shall have supervision to see and require that all
installation and repair of electricalsystems for all departments
of the City are performed in accordance with the ordinances of
the City of West University Place.
Section 2; M~mbership:th O:r-K..a_:q.il?i~:~Ao_I.1_s.., ":._ Tl1{:l_J;n.~Jl..eJ~jjo_:r~,__
or any Assfstant lnspector, may hold membership in the Interna-
tional Association of J;!.lec,trical Inspectors or any other like
organization and may serve on any cOlnmittee thereof to Which he
may be appointed.
Section 3: Prohibitions - It shall be unlawful for the
Inppec'tor, or any of his assist-antS-;-to-be-enga-ged-:tn~the-busi-
ness of the sale, installation~ or maintenance of ele~tric wir-
illg, ~paratus~ .devices, a:Qpliances, fixturesorillUipIlJ.enta either
dJ.rectly or inaJ.rectly, ana,they shall have no f'J.nancJ.aJ. ~nteres't
in any concern engaged in such business in the City of West Uni-
versity Place, at any time while holding such office as herein
provided for.
spec t~~~~~Il 4 ~m?t~~~-i;n_~~J~h_~mJ~itl~~;c:-~~~f'in~ !~~ In-
electrical work for the~ty of West University Place and this
work shall be done in accordance with the ordinances of the
City of West University Place. The Inspector shall have super-
vision to see and require that all installation and repair of
,electrical systems for all departments of the City are perform-
ed in accordance with the ordinances of the City of West Uni-
versi ty Place.
ARTICLE 4.
AUTHORITY OF INSPECOTR AND ASSISTANT
INSPECTORS.
S.ection 1:__ To enter an..:9.: BUildin,g or' Premises ~._J_t!~._ IIlJ!.:Q.~_~.::__
tor and any 01 his assistants shall have the right during reason-
able hours to enter any building in the discharge of their offi-
cial duties, or for the purpose of making any inspection, re-
inspection, or test of the installation of electric wiring,
apparatus, devices, appliances, fixtures and electrical equip-
ment contained therein, and shall have the authority to cause
the turning off of all electrical currents and to cut or dis-
connect in cases of emergency any wire where such electrical
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currents are dangerous to life or property, or where such wires
may interfere with the work of the Fire ISepartment.
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Section 2: Discontinuance of ElectricaJ RArv1cA - The
Inspector and assistant inspectors are hereby empowered in
emergencies to disconnect and to order the discontinaance of
electrical ,service to any electric wiring, apparatus, device,
appliance, fixture or equipment found to be unreasonably dan-
gerous ~o life or property, or where they interfere with the
work of the fire department, or because of being defectively
installed, defective or otherwise not in conformity with the
provisions of this ordinance, until such wiring, apparatus, de-
vices, appliances, fixtures, and equipment and their installa-
tion have been made safe as directed by such 1nspector or
assistant inspector in conformity with this ordinance.
Section 3: .toweR!3 of_ ~].).cem~n COJ1!_~~~:L- -The Inspector
and assistant inspectors of the City shall have and are here-
by given the powers and duties of policemen while in the actual
discharge of their official duties; and, they are authorized to
wear badges provided by the city.
.^.RTICLE e.
PERMIT
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Section 1: Fermi t~ to hA i l'HmAc1 hy In ApAO+.or ~ No wiring,
poles, duct lines, guy anchors, apparatus, devices, appliances,
fixtures or equipemtn for the transmission, distribution or
utilization of electrical energy for any purpose shall be in-
stalled within the City limits of the city of West University
Place, nor shall any alteration or addition be made in any such
existing wiring, pOles, duct lines, guy anchors, apparatus,
devices, appliances, fixtures or equipment without first se-
curing a permit therefor from the Inspector, except as stated
in the following paragraphs numbered from 1 to 5 inclusive:
(1) No permit shall be required for replacing of
fuses or lamps or the connection of portable
devices to suitable receptacles which have been
permanently installed, or for repairs on port-
able appliances.
(2) No permit shall be required for minor repair
work, such as repairing or replacing flush and
snap switches, receptacles, lamp sockets, or
minor repairs, on permanently connected elec-
tric apparatus, appliances:, fixtures, or equip-
ment and the installation of light globes.
(3) No permit shall be required for the installa-
tion of wiring apparatus, deVices, appliances
or equipment for the operation of signals or
the transmission of intelligence, where such
wiring, devices, appliances or equipemtn oper~
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ates at's: 'voltage ,not:E;xaee;1.ilhg'25 volts be-
tween eoriductors and do not include generating
or transforming equipment eapable of supply-
ing more than 500 watts of energy, exeept that
permits are required for the installation of
poles and guy anchors.
(4) No permit shall be required for the installa-
tion, maintenance or alteration of electr,ic
wiring, apparatus, devices, appliances or
equipment to be installed by an eleetric pub-
lic service eorporation for the use of such
corporation in the generation, transmission,
distribution, sale or utilization of electri-
eal eBergy or for the use of such corporation
for the operation of signals or the trans-
mission of intelligence, if such company has
a franchise therefor granted by the City of
West University Place, but not otherwise, How-
ever, an electric public EJervice corporation
shall not do any w~ring ona eustomer's prem-
ises, other than wiring,
which is part of the company's distri-
bution sys tem, nor shall any of its employ-
ees do any work other than that done for
the said company as hereinbefore provided
for, by virtue of this exemption.
(5) No permit shall be required for the installa-
tion of temporary wiring, apparatus, deviees"
appliances or equipment used by a recognized
school in teaching eleetrieity.
Sec~ion 2: ~ere no pern1~: ~eqlliT"A? WClT"~ mn~t: ~~f'I'1'l7'pt
with ord1nance.- ere no perm1 s requ1red or he _
stallation or repair of wiring, apparatus, devices or equip-
ment for the transmission, distribution or utilization of
electrical energy for any purpose, the wiring, apparatus,
devices, or equipment shall be installed or repaired in con-
formity with the provisions of this ordinanee.
Section, 3: Person or comuanv not having frAnnh:iRA mn!:ln
first obtain grant for particular instalJation - No person,
firm, corporation or public service company shall have the
right to install any electrical donduit, wires, ducts, poles X
or equipment o~fany character for the tr~nsmission, distri-
bution, or utilization of electrical energy~ or for the
operation of s;i.gnals or the transmission of intelligence on,
over or under the public streets, alleys, highways, parks,
etc. in the City of West University Place that does not
operate under a franchise granted by the City of West Uni-
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versity Place, without first obtaining from the Board
of Commissioners of the City of West University Place,
a franchise right or grant for the particular installa-
tion so desired to be made and any such installation so
made under such franchise or grant 'shall be in strict con-
formity with all rules, regulation~ and ordinances of the
City of West University Place.
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$ection 4: Permit for excavations, etc., under streets -
Any person, firm or corporation or public service company
operating under such a franchise or grant, shall before
placing any duct, conduit, or tubes under the public places,
alleys and streets of the City of West University Place
secure permission from the Cityfur such installation and
shall submit to,the City's Engineer for approval a plot
showing where such installations are to be made and the
type and character of the work to be done. The approval
of the City's Engineer shall be secured prior to submitting
the plans to the, Board of Commissioners for the permit
necessa~y to make such, installation. A copy of the
approved plot, showing all details required by the City's
Engineer, shall be kept in the fi~es of the City. Any
installation of duct, tube, conduit or wires under the
pUblic places, alleys and streets shall be in accordance
with this ordinance and other City Urdinances covering
the use of pUblic places, alleys and streets.
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Section 5: ~isites of application for ~ermit - The
applie-a-iae-ft--f-ar p t--s.:aa-1-1--Q&B 9ple.e-1;.he-we-pg........; Q-'9e-done
and shall be mad~ In 'IuTlt"!ng. 'fh~ 1J~.n!l11., wh~.u l:':fsu'ffii-s1Iall
be issued to such applicant to cover such work as des-
cribed and detailed. Any changes or additions must be
covered:~:by additional perml ts at the time changes are made.
The application shall be accompanied by such plans,
specifications and schedules as may be necessary to c;leter-
mine whether ~he installation as described will be in con-
formity with the requirements of this ordinance. If it
shall be found that the installation as described will in
general conform to the requirements of this ordinance and
if the applicant has complied with all provisions of the
ordinances of the City of West University Place, a permit
for each installation shall be issued; provided, however,
that the_issuance of a permit will not be taken as per-
mission or as a license to violate any of the requirements
of this or any other ordinance of the City of West
University Place. On all new installations the permit for
electrical work shall be displayed in a readily accessible
location, as directed by the Inspector thDoughout the time
such installation as is covered by the permit is being in-
stalled. On all installations where wiring apparatus, de-
vices, appliances, fixtures, or equipment are added to
previous installations, or where changes are made on wiring,
apparatus, devices, appliances, fixtures or equipment, the
permit for such installations or changes shall be deliver-
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ed to the person, ~irm or corporation for whom the installa-
tion is to be made, or posted on the building or structure
as directed by the Inspector before the installation or
change is started. ,Provided, however, that the Inspector
may issue and en~orce any rules or regulations he may deem,
necessary covering the granting of emergency permits.
where real emergencies exist.
AR'rICLE 6,
INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATES
Se tion
pletion of the wor wh ch has been author zed
o~ a permit, it shall be a duty of the perenn installing and
the person supervising the work to immediately notify the
Inspector, who shall inspect such installation within 24
hours, exclusive, of Sundays, and holidays, of the time such
notice is given.
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Section 2: Final Certi~icate o~ Approval - I~ the
work is found to be in compliance with the provismons of the
ordinance of the City of West University Place, concerning
, the work done, said Inspector shall issue a final certi~i-
cate of approval, which certificate shall authorize com-
nection o~ such approved work to the S01,lrce of energy o~
the electric service company, the turning on of current, and
the use of the installation. The issuance of such certi-
ficate or certificates of approval shall su~fice as proof
of authorization for connection by the 'public utility cor-
pDlZ'ation furnishing electrical service. No connection
shall be made until such authorization is ~sued.
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Secti?p- 9.; TemporarYCerti;ricate - A certi~icate may
be issued, authorizing the connection and use of temporary
wor~, but such certificate shall be issued to expire at a
definite time stated therein. Such temporary certificates
may be removed by the Inspector at any time a hazard is
being maintained by the in~tallation with which such ser-
vice has been connected. In no instance shall a temporary
permit be permitted to continue 90 days. At the ter- .
mination of 90 days from the date of issuance of any such
temporary permit, the Inspector may authorize anwther per-
mit, allowing the connection with such temporary work to
be continued, provided a fee ~or such additional tempo-
rary permit is paid. A perliminary certificate may be x
issued authorizing the connection and use of certain spe-
cified portions of an incomplete installation, which cer-
tificate may be revoked by the Inspector at any time it
appears tha tthere" is a hazard created- by, such cormec tion.
If, upon inspection, the installation is found not be be
in compliance with the ordinances of the City of West
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University Place, the Inspector shall at once give written
notice in the person to whom the permit has been issued
for, installing the electric wiring, apparatus, devices,
appliances, fixtures and any equipment. Such notices
shall specifically point out the defects which have been
found_to exist, and such defects shall be immediately
remedied by complying with the ordinances of the City of
West University Place.
, Section 4: InSDectio~ of Hidden InstalJ2tjoTI - When
any part of a wiring instal ationis 100 be hidden from view
by the permanent placement of parts of a building, the per-
son supervising and installing the wiring shall notify the
Inspector and such parts of the wiring installation shall
not be concealed until they have been inspected and
approved by the Inspector, provided that on such installa-
tion as the concealment of parts of the wiring must in
the discretion of the Inspector necessarily proueed con-
tinuously, the person supervising and installing the wir-
ing shall give the Inspector due notice and inspection
shall be made periodically during the progress of the work.
Where, in the discretion of the Inspector, it is necess-
ary, he or they shall post notice upon the premises stat-
ing that work is approved and may be covered, or is not
approved and may not be covered until such further in-
spection as is necessary has been made. Any person re-
moving, destroying, altering or defacing said notice with-
out the consent of the InppectQr shall be deemed guilty
of an offense under this ordinance, and any work describ-
ed in said notice shall be stayed pending the further
necessary inspection.
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~_~Q~j.on JiJ.. A.,~~jt~1J.:t---IruiRe~.:t1U~.fL.=_ Any of the duties
hereinabove, in this article, provided to be performed by
the Inspector may likewise be performed by any assistant
Inspector acting under instructions from the Inspector.
..^"R'l'IOLE '7.
FERS FOR INSP~TTONT
~ec~~~n_~;. Before a permit is issued on the installa-
tion or alteration of electric wiring, apparatus, devices,
appliances, fixtures or equipment, there shall be collect-
ed by the Inspector and paid into the City Treasury a fee
in such amount as specified below:
SERVICFR
All Services..........................
All meter loops.......................
.50 each
.50 "
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OlJTT.tiYP S
First 4 lighting outlets are included
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in service and meter loop fees.
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Oyer, 4 to_ 25, _ inclusive..... ... .... ......
Allover 25..............................
.15 each
.10, If
All light, switch and receptacle open-
ingsare classed as outlets, also bell
ringing transformers.
LIGHTING FIXTURES
Fi~tures of 1 circuit or uijder and com-
bi~at~on,ceiling fan and light........... 10 each
Any current-consuming device permanent-
ly^att~ched to an out1~t for illuminat-
ing purposes shall be classed as a fix-
ture.
MOTORS
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Up to aut not including 1/2 EP..........
172 HP and less than 2 HP...............
2 HP and less than 10 lIB................
10 HP and less th~n 25 lIP...............
25 HP and less than 100 EP..............
100 HP and less than 150 HP..............
150 lIP and over.........................
.25 each
1.00 If
1.50 If
2.00 If
4.00 tt
5.00 "
.04 per HP
The fee of 4~ pr HP applies to indi-
vidual motors rated 150 HP and over.
Motor control equipment is included
in motor fees.
When future motor outlets are install-
ed they shall be charged for at 1/2
the regular rates applying, the other
1/2 shall be p~id at the time the
motors are installed..
MIBCELLANE01.IS
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Motion picture machines................ 1.00 each
SoUnd equipment, up to 10 watts
output............................ 5.00 It
Bound Equipment, 10 to 15 watts
output............................ 7.50 11
Sound Equipment, over 15 watts
output............................lO.OO It
Electric Water Heaters................~ .50 fI
X-ray Machines......................... 1.50 fI
Incandescent electric signs............ 1.00 pr circuit
Gas or vacuum tube signs - per
transformer.. ....... ......... .'.... .1.00
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^ POles" anchors,and'guy stubs.......... .25 each
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Permanently connected electric
appliances and equipment of any na-
ture not otherwise specified shall be
charged for as follows:
Up to 1 KW, Inclusive................
Allover 1 KW to 10 KW...............
Allover 10 lGV to 50 KW..............
All'0ver,~0 KW to ~OO KW.............
Allover 100 KW, 100 KW ~t 10~
excess KW at.....................
.25 each
.20 pr KW
.15 11 It
.10 n rt
.02 rt n
Temporary installations, such as wood' saws,
floor surfacing machines, paint spraying appa-
ratus, and the like, shall be charged for at the
rate of One Dollar ($1.00) per installations,
"plus, the regular service and meter loop charge.
,Temporary-lighting installations shall be charg-
,ed for at the rate of $1.00 per installation,
-plus the-regular service and meter loop charge.
-Adaitions-to old work'shall be charged for at the
same rate as new work.
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The minimum inspection fee shall be twenty-five
cents (25~).
A fee- equal to one-half of the original inspec-
tion fee shall be charged for each trip to re-
inspect fiefective work.
No fee shall be charged for routine re-~nspection
of electrical installations.
AR'l'ICLE 8.
HE-INSPECTION
Section 1: Fault o~ Unsafe Instal tio The
Inspector op.his assistants shall ma e, upon in ormation or
belief that faulty conditions exist, a thorough re-inspec-
tion of any "electric wiring, -apparatus, devices, appliances,
fictures and equtpment now installed or that may hereafter
be installed'withinthe City of West University Place and
within the scope of this ordinance and when the installa- 0
tion of such'wiringimpparatus, devices, appliances, fix- 'I'
tures and equipment is -found to be at variance with the ori-
ginal permit issued, or to be in a dangerous or unsafe con-
dition, or if the 'electrical measuring device shall be
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found to have been tampered with so as to create a condi-
tion dangerous to the continuity of the electrical service,
or to "property, the person, firm or corporation own:mng,
using or operating the same shall be notified in writing
and shall make the necessary repairs or changes required
to place such wiring, apparatus, devices and equipment in
safe condition so as to entirely relieve the hazards
created liJy such unauthorized conditions, and have such work
completed within 15 days or any reasonably longer period
specified by the Superintendent of Inspection in said
notice.
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Section 2: Unlawful to Connect Installation without
Certificate of Approval - It shall be Unlawful for any per-
son, firm or corporation to make connection from a source
of electrical energy to any electric wiring, apparatus, de-
vices, appliances, fixtures and equipment which has been
disconnected by the Inspector ar the use of which has been
ordered by the Inspector to be discontinued until a certi-
ficate of ap,proval has been issued by him as herein pro-
vided.
ARTTCT,'R JO.
INTERFERENCE WITH INSTALLATION
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Section 1: Unlawful to Interfere with - It shall be
unlawful for any person, in any,manner, to interfere with
any electric wiring installed or being installed in or on,
within or without any structure or building. If in the
course of erection ofa building or structure the wiring
is in osuch position as to interfere with the erection or
completion of the building or structure as called for by
the plans, notice shall immediately be given the person
installing the wiring and the needed change shall be made
by such person.
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ARTICLE II.
REVIEW OF D~CISIONS
Section 1: Appeals to Board of Commissioners :; Any
person shall have the right to appeal to the Board of
Commissioners of the City of West University Place from any
action of .the Inspector within 5 days after the action appeal-
ed from, and said appeal shall be perfected by a letter address-
ed to the Mayor and City Commissioners of the City of West Uni-
versity Place, Texas, stating that an appeal from the ru~ing
of the Inspector is desired, which letter must be delivered to
the City Secretary of The City,- or.his assistant, within said-
period of 5 days. Upon receiving such appeal, the Board of
Commissioners shall Bet aam~ down for hearing, and the City
Secretary shall motify the Inspector of the date of such hear-
ing. The Inspector, as well as the appellant, 'shall have the'
right to be heard by the Board of Commissioners~ The Board of
Commissioners shal-l have the right either to sustain, modify
or reverse the action of the Inspector complained of. The
action of the Board of Commissioners shall be final. Until
any action of the Inspector is modified or reversed by the
Board of Commissioners, such action shall be in all things
effective.
A'RI"(1Tr!T.W. 1?
TYFEOF WIRING APPROVED
Section 1: The following type of wiring and none other
shall be permitted within the City of West University Place:
(1) All electrical wiring, connections, installa-
tions, repairs, alterations, operation and
maintenance of electric wiring apparatus or
fixtures shall be in strict compliance with the
code of National Underwriters unless other-
wise specifically provided in this Ordinan~~.
(2) Surface wooden 'raceways, non-metallic sheathe
cables, armored type ~C or concentric wiring
systems are not approved for use for wiring
under any condition.
(3) Open wiring is approved only for temporary work,
and in central stations, sub-stations, transform-
er vault~ and at switchboards. Elsewhere than
in central stations and substations, all circuits
operating at more than 600 volts shall enter
buildings or structures in conduit run underground.
Surface extentions or installations must have an
approved metal enclosure and the metal enclosure
shall not be used as one of the conductors of the
cli3cul t.
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(4) All sockets within reach of persons standing or dl1hher-
wise touching the earth or grounded surfaces, such as
floors or conducting material, bathroom fixtures, kit-
chen sinks or other grounded surfaces, shall be con-
trolled by'a wall switch or wall switches which shall
be fully insulated from the operator.
(5) All wires exposed to weather must be weatherproof
type. All wires from one building or structure to
another shall be attached thereto with screw knobs
or, porcelain strain insulators.
(6) All services and sub-feeders to distribution panels
shall be installed in standard rigid conduit. Where
conduit ~ittings are used ahead of meter cabinet same
shall be sealable type.
(7A) Entrance switches, except on switchboard in stalla-
-tions; must be of the externally operable type and all
distribution cabinets of more than four circuit in-
stallations must be of the dead front type with wir-
ing space. '
(7B) All entrance switches and distribution cabinets
rated at thirty amperes or less, are to be equipped
with automatic over current protective devices so de-
signed that the rating of the protective element is
definite and cannot readily be changed from one, rat-
ing to another.
t8) Where meters are installed in inaccessible places
in houses or buildings and the electric public ser-
vice company desires to relocate said meter loops
for convenience in the rendering of its service, it
may upon request to the superintendent of inspec-
tion have the electrical contractor on the job re-
install meter loops to a point where the same would
be located if the house or buildings were having a
new system of wiring installed, and all such work so
done at the request of the electric public service
company shall be performed without cost to the owner;
unress said re-location is the result of said wiring
having been condemned by the Superintendent of Inspec-
tion'for practices in violation of the ordinances of
the City of Houston,
.
(9) All meter loops for the installation of electric
meters to measure the service rendered by theelec-
tric pUblic service company shall be installed where
readily accessible on the exterior of the building
in fire-proof meter cabinets which shall be supplied
by the electric pUblic service company and installed
by the Electrician performing the work; said meter
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cabinets to be located at points from 7 to 9 feet above the
ground measured from the bottom of the box and to be readily
accessible to the electric public service company's service.
All meter loop locations for the installation of measuring
devices shall be at points most accessible to the electric
public service company's supply provided, however, the elec-
tric service company shall never require the placing of
meter on the front or street side of a building, without
the written consent of the owner, and where not practical
in the opinion of the Superintendent of Inspection to place
metering devices on the exterior of the buildings, said loca-
tionshall be at a point or points convenient to the electric
public service company's service as determined by it.
(10) All joints in or to branch lighting circuits shall
have soldered connections. All ceiling outlets in
buildings not of concrete or steel construction
shall be provided with a wooden header 211 by 411 lum-
ber securely fastened to studding with the 411 size
at right angles to the place of the light opening.
All lighting outlets shall be equipped with 3/8-inch
fixDure studs except in closets, basements, garages
and attic spaces.
(11) In cold storage vaults, all wiring shall be lead cov-
ered, encased in galvanized conduit. All lighting
equipment shall be of the vapor proof type.
Section 2: :No oertificate of approval shall be issued
unless the installation is in strict conformity with the pro-
visions of this ordinance, the statutes of the State of Texas,
and the rules and regulations issued by the Industrial Com-
mission of the State of Texas under authority of the State
Sta tut-es. ,
ARTICLE 13.
APPROVED MATERIAL~
Section 1: No electrical materials, apparatus, devices,
appliances, fixtures or equipment shall be installed in the
City of Houston hereafter unless they are in conformity with
the provisions of this ordinance, the statutes of the State of
Texas, the rules and regulations issued by the Industrial Com-
mission of the state of Texas under autho~ity of the State
statutes. The maker's name, trademark or other identification
symbol shall be placed on all electrical materials, apparatus,
devices, appliances, fixtures, and equipment used or installed
under this ordinance.
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ARTICLE 14.
UNCONSTITUTIONALITY
Section 1: If any section, sub-section, sentence,
clause or phrase of this ordinance is for any reason held
to be unconstitutional, such unconstitutionality shall not
affect the validity,of the remaining portions of this ordi-
nance. The Board of Commissioners of the City of West Uni-
versity Place.herebw declares that it would have passed this
ordinance and each section~ stib~section, sentence, clause or
phrase hereof, irrespective of the fact that anyone or more
sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, or phrases be de-
clared unconstitutional.
ARTICLE 15.
LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES
Section 1: This ordinance shall not be construed to
relieve from or lessen the responsitiQity o~ liability of
any party owning, operating, or controlling any electric
wiring, apparatus, devices, appliances, fixtures, or eqump-
ment fDr damages to person or property caused by any defect
therein, nor shall the City be held as assuming by this or-
dinance any such liability by reason of the inspection auth-
orized herein, or the certificates of approval issued as
herein provided, or otherwise.
, ARTTr.T."R 1 fL
REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES.
Section 1: All ordinances or ,parts of ordinances in
conflict with this ordinance are repealed in so far as con-
cerns such conflict.
ARTICLE 17.
EMERGENCY CLAUSE.
Section 1: The fact that the present ordinance regula-
ting electric wiring in the City of West University Place,
Texas, is inadequate to afford a full measure of public safety,
creates a public emergency requiring that this ordinance be
passed finally on the date of its introduction, and shall take
~~fect &mmediately upon its passage and approval by the ~~~or.
, , q..li 1:::eMf'Sl!'- R. if'- JAY
Passed and approved this the -d ';J f, A. D., 1938.
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