HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 169 - electrical; amended ord. 14269
ORDINANCE NO. 169
For Electrical Ordinance #169 refer to page 10$.
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ORDINANCE N0. -i
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINAL E NO. 142; ADOPTING
REGULATORY MEASURES-PERTAINING TO ELECTRICAL STORK
IN THE CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE; CREATING
AN ELECTRICAL, BOARD; PROVIDING FOR THE APPOINTMENT,
OF THE .EMBERS; PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF
LICENSES TO MASTER ELECTRICIANS AND TO MAINTENANCE
ELECTRICIANS, AND FOR REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES
TO TOURNEMEH N ELECTRICIANS AND APPRENTIMS; PRO-
VIDING FOR FEES, BONDS, THE KEEPING OF RECORDS,
THL REVOCATION OF LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES; PRO-
VIDING FOR AN APPEAL FROM ACTIOIyS OF THE ELECTRICAL
BOARD; CREATING OFFICES OF CHIEF ELECTRICAL
INSPECTOR AND ASSISTANT ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS, AND
PROVIDING TILE }DUTIES OF SAID OFFICERS; PROVIDING
FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PERMITS FOR ELECTRICAL '+STORK AND
THE INSPECTION THEREOF; FIXING INSPECTION FEES;
PROMULGATING RULES AND REGULATIONS TO ZUVERN AND
BE OBSERVED IN ALL ELECTRICAL WIRING, CONSTRUCTION,
INSTALLATION, REPAIR, ALTERATION, OPERATION AND
MAINTENANCE OF ELECTRICAL WIRING, APPARATUS, AND
FIXTURES; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; AND REPEALING
ALL ORDINANCES AND PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT
HEREWITH..
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF CONIVIISSIONERS OF TEE
CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE, TEXAS:
Section l: ELECTRICAL BOARD - There is hereby created
an Electridal Board which shall consist of five members. The
Chief Electrical Inspector of the City shall be chairman thereof
and shall be a member of such Electrical Board. The remaining
four members of the Board shall be appointed by the Mayor and
confirmed by the Board of Commissioners. Each of said five
positions shall be numbered. Each of them shall have bben_
residents of the City of vest University Place for the last two
years immediately preceding said appointment.
Position NumbQr One shall be filled by The Chief Elect -
ribal Inspector of the ity of West University Place, Texas.
Position Number Two, Three,and Four shall each be filled
by a duly licensed master electrician, as that term is used herein.
Position Number Five shall. be filled by an electrical
engineer in the employ of some industrial concern,hotel or office
building, or come recognized school teaching electrical engineer-
ing, or a representative of the Board of Fire Underwriters, or
Texas Inspection Bureau.
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The first appointments to office created hereby shall be
-- made immediately after the final passage hereof, and every such-
person shall serve until December'31st, next, or until his suc-
cessor has been appointed and qualified; and appointments there-
after shall take effect on that date. All appointments except
the first shall be for a term of one year, but each member of the
Board shall serve until his successor has. been appointed and
qualified. Any member of the Board shall be subject to removal
at the will and pleasure of the Mayor or the City Council. Each
member of the Board shall receive 1 1.50 for each meeting he
attends, provided, however, he shall not be paid for more than
two meetings in . any one month's period, said periods to commence on
the date of the passage of this ordinance.
Section 2. LICENSE REQUIRED - Except as hereinafter provided,
from and after sixty days after the final passage of this amended
ordinance it shall be unlawful for any person to do "electrical
work " within the City of Iffest University Place unless such person
is a master electrician licensed under the provisions of this
ordinance, or unless such person does such electrical work under the
supervision,'direction and control of a master electrician licensed
under the provisions of this ordinance. By the term "electrical
work ", as used in this section, is meant the installing, maintain-
ing, altering, repairing or erecting any electrical wiring, apparatus,
devices, appliances, fixtures, or equipment for which a permit is
required under the terms and provisions of this ordinance.
Exception: Nothing herein shall be construed as requiring Master
Electricians, who are now and have been duly licensed as such
continuously for a period of two years prior to the effective date
of this Ordinance,.to take the examination herein provided for.
Section 3: APPLICATIONS FOR EYYU, INATION FOR Ia- STER ELECTRI-
CIANS LICENSE - Application for license as a luster Electrician
shall be made in writing to the Electrical Board, stating the name
and address of the applicant and a statement as to the active and
practical experience of the applicant and such other relevant in-
formation as may be required by the Electrical Board. All appli-
.cations shall be sworn to before an officer of the State, authorized
to administer oaths, and officially certified to by such officer un-
der his seal of office. Each applicant, before he shall be entitled
to take the`.examination provided for herein, shall have had six
years active and practical experience, during which six years period
he shall have devoted not less than two - thirds of his time, exclusive
of normal periods of rest and recreation to electrical work in general
as the term electrical work is defined in Section 2 hereof. For the
purpose of this requirement, a degree or a diploma from an accredited
school of electrical engineering shall be considered as the equiva-
lent of two years active and practical experience. An oral or
written examination shall be given such applicant by the Electrical
Board, in the discretion of the Board.
Those applying f or'said license shall be given a reasonable
examination as to their qualifications to install, repair,.alter
and maintain electrical appliances, wiring, apparatus, devices,
fixtures or equipment, for which a permit is required under the
terms and conditions of this ordainance, and to their qualification
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to plan changes, to prepare plans and specif ications, and to
interpret plans and specifications, to plan installations of
electrical wiring, and equipment; and to supervise various types of ^�
electrical installations for which a permit is required in this 1
ordinance. Each applicant for such license shall give the bond
hereinafter required.
The Board shall grant licenses applied for and shall
issue cer -tificates therefor to each applicant who shall make a
grade of 70`0 or better on the examination given him; provided that
in no case shall a license be granted until after payment by the
applicant of the fee provided for in Section 16 of this ordinance
and provided further that no license shall be issued to any applicant
until the applicant has first deposited with the City Secretary and
approved by him, a bond in the bum of Three Thousand ($3,000.00
Dollars, with two or more good and. sufficient sureties, or with any
surety com -any, which is acceptable by the Federal Government,
payable to the order of the Mayor of the City of West University
Place, and his successors in office, conditioned for the faithful
performance of all work entered upon or contracted to be done, for
the strict compliance with the ordinances of the City.of Lest
University Place relating to electric work, wiring, apparatus, or
fixtures, that the licensee will indemnify and save harmless the
City of 4�est University Place, and any person, firm or corporation
who suffers damages due to faulty Wiring or violation hereof and
that the same shall not be exhausted until a recovery for the full
amount thereof is had, and it is hereby further provided, that
said licensee shall give a new bond whenever there is a recovery of as
much as 251. of the old bond, and that said bond shall be renewed
annually whether reduced by recoveries or not, such renewal bond
to be conditioned as and subject to all requirements of the original
bond.
Three members of the Board present at any..meeting shall
constitute a quorum for the granting and revocation of licenses
and three members of the Board present at any meeting shall con-
stitute a quorum for the transaction of other business, and a
mAjority vote conducted fairly and impartially. They shall be
written or oral and a record of the grade for every examination
given and the .result thereof shall be kept by the Board on file
in a permanent record book.
A complete record of the examination given, the applie
cant's answers, the grading and the result thereof, shall be kept
by the Electrical Board in its permanent record book for a period
of not less than one year, and such records shall be open for
inspection at any meeting of the_ Board-and under the supervision
of the Board.
Section 4: MASTER ELECTRICIANS - The holders of the
licenses provided for in Sections 2 and 3 of this ordinance shall
be known as blaster Electricians.
Section 5: JOURNEYMN ELECTRICIANS - Except as other-
wise provided herein, those persons undertaking the work of in-
stalling, maintaining, and repairing electric wiring, apparatus,
devices, appliances, fixtures and equipment, for which a permit
is required under the terms and conditions of this ordinance,
under the supervision, direction and control of a blaster Electre-
cian and who have been properly registered with the Electrical
Board as hereinafter provided, shall be known as journeymen
electricians. The terra "journeymen electrician" however, shall
not include an "apprentice ", and nothing herein shall be con-
strued as prohibiting an apprentice from doing electrical work
under the direct, constant, personal supervision and control of
either a master electrician or a journeyman electrician.
. Section 6: JOURNEYI,�EN - REGISTRATION - No person shall
undertake any work as a journeyman electrician, as that term has
been defined in Section 5 hereof, unless such person shall have
first been registered with the Electrical Board and received his
certificate from said Board as a journeyman electrician. Appli-
cations for such certificates shall be made in writing to the
Electrical Board, stating the name and address of the applicant,
a statement as to the active and practical experiences of the
applicant, and such other relevant information as may be required
by the Electrical Board. All applications shall be sworn to be-
fore an officer of this State authorized to administer oaths, and
officially certified to by such officer under his seal of office.
Each person seeking such certificate shall furnish the Board two
pictures of himself, one and one -half inches by two inches, and
one of such pictures of the individual receiving the clortificate
shall be placed on the certificate issued to him, and the other
of such pictures shall be retained by the Board. Each certi-
ficate issued to a journeyman electrician shall specify the name
and address of the person to whom the certificate is issued, and
the date of the issuance thereof.
Each applicant, before he shall be entitled to registra-
tion a nd the issuance of a certificate to him, shall have had
four years active and practical experience during which four
years period he shall have devoted not less than two - thirds of
his time, exclusive of normal periods of rest and recreation to
electrical work in general, as the term electrical work is de-
fined in Section 2 hereof. For the purposes of this requirement
a degree or diploma from an accredited school of electrical
engineering shall be considered as the equivalent of two years
active and practical experience.
Every holder of such certificate shall wear his certifi-
cate upon or about his person while performing the act which such
certificate entitles him to perform.
Be# -ore a registration certificate is granted to any
applicant, and before any expiring registration certificate is
renewed, the applicant shall pay to the Assessor and Collector of
Taxes of the ''ity of "lest University Place, Texas, a fee of $1.00.
Registration certificates shall expire on December 31st
following the date of issuance. Such registration certificates
shall be renewed by the Electrical Board, upon application and
payment of the required fee.
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The fee for the remainder of the year shall for all
certificates be prorated for a fraction of the year, in such
proportion as the period the certificate is to be in force —
bears to the fee for the entire year, but the total fee shall
never be less than one - quarter of the annual fee.
Section 7: YAI1\1TET1ANCE ELECTRICIANS - Llectricians
regularly employed on a permanent basis by any person, firm or
corporation, and who perform work only in the confines of the
building or buildings, or in or on the premises where he is
regularly employed on a permanent basis, and who does "electrical
maintenance work ", as hereinafter defined, shill be known as
Y- Taintenance Elecliricians,
Section 8: DEFINITION ELECTRICAL 1AINTENANCE WORK-
"Electrical maintenance work" shall mean the keeping in safe re-
pair any and all electrical installation, apparatus and equip-
ment, and the keeping in safe repair or moving and relocating of
electrical equipment with in a building or buildings, or in or
on the premises where the maintenance electrician, as defined in
Section 7 hereof, is regularly employed on a permanent basis, for
which work a permit is required under the terms and provisions
of t.Iis ordinance, but does not include the installation of new
and additional electrical work, electrical equipment or electri-
cal apparatus.
Section 9: ,,UTOI =!- ".TIC ISSETM. ;CE OF LICENSE - Maintenance
electricians who,are regularly employed on a permanent basis I^
at the time this ordinance becomes effective, and who have
worked as maintenance electricians for a period of four years
prior thereto, two- thirds of such time actively, shall be
issued a license to do maintenance work upon the payment of a
license fee of $5.00, without taking an examination. For the
purpose of this requirement, a degree or diploma from an accredit-
ed snhbol of- ,electrical engineering shall be considered as the
equivalent of two years active and practical experience.
Section 10: LICE' ''sES FOR 'ELE'CTRICAL IVI'AINTENANCE ;,YORK -
From and after sixty (60) days after the final passage of this
ordinance, it shall be unlawful for any person to do any electri-
cal maintenance work as defined in Section 8 hereof within the
City of West University Place, unless such person is a maintenance
electrician licensed under the provisions of this ordinance;
provided, however, that this Section shall not prohibit a journey-
man- electrician employed not on a permanent basis, but temporarily,
from doing such electrical maintenance work under the supervision,
direction and control of a maintenance electrician licensed under
the provisions of this ordinance, without said journeyman
electrician having to obtain a license as a maintenance electri-
cian; provided, further, however, that should the holder of a
journeyman electriciants certificate, at any time, bring him-
self within the - definition of a maintenance electrician by be-
coming employed on a permanent basis and in general as provided j
for in Section `] hereof, such journeyman electrician shall be
required to obtain a license as a maintenance electrician, in -J
addition to his journeyman electrician?s certificate.
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Section 11: APPLICATION FOR EXAI;1INATI ON AND LICENSE - An
application for a maintenance electrician's license shall be made
in writing to the Electrical Board, stating the name and address
of the applicant and a statement as to the active and practical
experience of the applicant. 1-I11 applications shall be sworn to
before an officer of the State, authorized to administer oaths,
and officially certified to by such officer under his seal of
office.
Those applying for such licenses shall be given a
reasonable examination as to their qualifications only to per-
form maintenance work as defined in Section 8 hereof.
The Board shall:grant licenses applied for and shall
issue certificates therefore to each applicant who shall make
a grade of 7070 or better on the examination given him; pro-
vided that in no case shall a license be granted until after
payment by the applicant of the fee provided for in Section 12
of this ordinance. A complete record of the examination given,
the applicantts answers, the grade and the result th ereof,
shall be kept by the `''lectrical .hoard in its permanent record
book for a period of not less than one year, and such record
shall be open for inspection at any meeting of the Board and
under its supervision.
Each person seeking such maintenance electriciants license
shall furnish the Board two pictures of himself, one and one -
half b ?; two inches, and one of such pictures of the individual
receiving the license shall be placed on the license certificate
issued to him, and the other such pictures shall be retained by
the Board and each such certificate issued to a maintenance electri-
cian shall specify the name and address of the person to whom
the certificate is issued, the location 6f the premises in or on
which the maintenance work is to be done, and the date of issuance
- thereof .
Every holder of a maintenance electriciants license shall
notify the Chief Electrical Inspector immediately when such holder
make any change in his employment, giving in such notice the name
of his new employer, and the location of the premises in or on
which he is to be employed to perform electrical maintenance work'
Every holder of such maintenance electriciants license shall
wear his certificate upon or about his person while performing the
acts which such license entitles him to perform.
Section 12: A=AL PEI1IIT - An annual permit shall, upon
application therefor,' be issued to any person, firm or corporation
employing a maintenance electrician, as that term is herein de-
fined, for the keeping in safe repair any and all electrical in-
stallAtion, apparatus and equiprrent S,Jithin the confines of the
building fir buildings, or in, or on the premises where he is employed,
The application for this annual permit shall be made in writing to
the Chief Electrical Inspector and shall contain a description of
the premises on which work is to be done on such premises under the
permit and'inf ormation concerning the type of work to be done on
such premises under such permit.
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The fee for said annual permit shall be Fifteen ($15.00)
Dollars and shall expire on December 31st of the year in which
said permit is issued.;, and the fee for the remainder of the year
shall be prorated in like manner as provided -for herein for
license fees,
On all moving and relocating of electrical equipment
authorized to be done under the terms and conditions of this ordi-
nance by a maintenance electrician, such - maintenance electrician
shall be required to obtain a permit thereof in accordance with the
other provisions of this ordinance pertaining to permits and in-
spections.
. Section 13: APPRENTICES - Except as other wise provided
herein, those persons undertaking the work of installing, main -
taining,.and repairing electric wiring, apparatus, devices,
appliances, fixtures and equipment, and electrical work in general
for which a permit is required under the provisions of this
ordinande, under the direct, constant,,personal supervision and
control of either a master electrician or a journeyman electrician,
and who have been properly registered with the Electrical Board, as
hereinafter provided, shall be known as "apprentices ".
Section 14: APPRENTICES, REGISTRATION - No person shall
undertake any work as an "apprentice ", as that term has been de-
fined in Section 9 hereof, unless such person shall have first
registered with the .Electrical Board and recB-iVed from said Board
as an "apprentice". Applications for' such certificates Shall be --
made in writing 'Go-the Electrical Board, stating the name and
address of the applicant, and such other relevant information as
may be required by the Electrical Board. Each person seeking such -
a certificate shall furnish the Board two pictures of himself, one
and one -half inches by two inches, and one of such pictures of the
individual receiving the certificate shall be placed on the certi-
ficate issued to him, and the other of such pictures shall be re-
tained by the Board. Each certificate issued to an "apprentice"
shall specify the name and address of the person to whom the certi-
ficate is issued, and the date of the issuance thereof. Every
holder of such apprenticets certificate shall year his certificate
upon or about his person while performing the acts -which sudh
certificate entitles him to perform.
Before a registration certificate is granted to any
applicant as an "apprentice ", and before any expiring registration_
certificate as an "Apprentice" is renewed, the applicant shall
pay to the Assessor and Collector of Taxes of the City of illest
University Place, Texas, a fee of fifty cents (._500).
"Apprentice" registration certificate shall expire on
December 31st, following the date of issuance. Such registration
certificate will be renewed by the Electrical Board, upon appli-
cation and payment of the required fee.
Section 15: EiINATION FEE - An examination fee of
$5.00 shall be charged each applicant taking an examination for a _
MasterElectriciants license, and any such fee shall be paid to the
Assessor and Collector of Taxes at the time the application for the
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license is made to the Electrical Board. Any applicant for a
license failing on the first examination shall be prohibited from
taking a further examination until the expiration of three months,
and if he fails in the second examination, he shall not be eligible
to take another examination until one year-has elapsed, and there
shall be a lapse of one year between each succeeding examination
given such failing applicant, and such applicant must pay the
regular examination fee for such examination.
Section 16: LICENSE FEE - Before a blaster Electriciants
license is granted to any applicant, the applicant shall pay to the
Assessor and Colle etor of Taxes - of the City of 4 est Universi ty
Place, Texas, a fee of Thirty -Five (135.00) Dollars, and before
any expiring license is renewed, the applicant shall pay to the
Assessor and Collector of Taxes of the City of Vest University
Place a fee in the amount of Fifteen ($15.00) Dollars. Before a
Maintenance Electricians license is granted to any applicant, the
applicant shall pay to the Assessor and Collector of Faxes a fee
in the amount of $5.00 and before any such license is renewed, the
applicant shall pay a renewal fee in the amount of $1.00. Master
Electricians's licenses and Maint6nance Electriciants licenses
shall expire on December 31st following the date of issuance.
The fee for the remainder of a year for all licenses shall
be prorated for a fraction of a year, in such proportion as the
period of the license is to be enforced bears to the fee for the
entire year, but the total fee shall never be less than one -forth
of the annual fee. Master Electriciants licenses and Maintenance
Electriciants licenses shall be renewed by the Electrical Board
upon application and payment of the required fee; provided, however,
that no license v&lich shall have elapsed for as much as six months
shall be renewed except upon re- examination upon the same-terms and
conditions as provided for herein in the case of original examinations,
Section 17: BOARD-SHALL ISSUE LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES -
When an applicant for a license or certificate has complied with the
provisions of this ordinance, the Board shall issue a license or
certificate to such applicant forthwith.
Section 18; LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES NON - ASSIGNABLE - No
Master Electriciants or Maintenance Electriciants license, or jour-
neyman electrician's certificate or "apprentice" certificate issued
in accordance with the provisions of.this ordinance shall be as-
signable or transferable.
Section 19: LICENSES REVOCABLE - Any license or certificate
provided for in this ordinance may, after hearing by the Electrical
Board, be by it suspended or revoked upon its finding that the person
holding such license or certificate has wilfully, maliciously, or by
reason of incompetence, viAalated on more than one occasion this
ordinance or any amendment thereto. It shall be the duty of the
Board to suspend any I'iaster Electriciants license at any time the
bond of the holder thereof shall have been reduced by a recovery
there -upon of as much as twenty -five percent of the penalty herein-
above-provided for such bond, and such license shall continue sus-
pended until a new bond has been given by the holder of the license in
the amount and conditioned as her6inabove prescribed for such bond as
prerequisite to original issuance of such license.
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Section 20 :. APPEALS - Any person aggrieved by a decision
of the Board shall have the right to appeal to the Board of
Commissioners, of the City of 'Vest University Place, from any
action of the Electrical Board within-ten days after the action
appealed from, and. said appeal shall be perfected by a letter
addressed to the Ylayor and Board of Commissioners of the City df
,West University Place, stating that an appeal from the ruling of the
Electrical Board is desired. Upon receiving such appeal, the
Board of Commissioners shall set same down for a hearing,.and the
City Secretary shall notify the members of the Electrical Board of
the date of the hearing. The Electrical Board, as well as the
appellant, shall have the right to be heard by the Board of
Commissioners. The Board of Commissioners shall have the right
either to sustain, modify or reverse the action of the Electrical
Board complained of. The action of the Board of Commizslbners
shall be final. If no appeal is taken tith such ten day period the
ruling of the Electrical Board shall be final. Until such action
of the Electrical Board is reversed or modified-by the Board of
Commissioners such action shall be in all things effective.
Section 21: CHIEF ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR: QUALIFICATIONS
AND APPOIN 27iNr - There is hereby created the office of Chief
Electrical Inspector. The person chosen to fill the office of
Chief ElectrizallInspector shall be a competent electrician of
good moral character, shall be well versed in the fundamentals of
electricity and the application thereof, and shall have had at
least eight (8) years experience in the practive of his trade, or
a diploma or degree from an accredited college or institution of
electrical engineering, together with six (4) years practical
experience, He shall be well versed in approved methods of
electrical construction for safety, to life and property, and
Statutes of the State of Texas, the ordinance, rules and regula-
tions of the City of West University Place relating to the electri-
cal work, the rules and regulations issued by the Industrial Com-
mission,of the State of texas, under authority of the Statutes ,
the National Electrical Code, as approved by the American Standards
Association, the National Electrical Safety Code and other in-
stallation and safety rules and standards approved by the American
Standards Association.
There shall be such clerical assistants as may be deter-
mined from time to time by the Board of Commissioners, and who
shall perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the Chief
Electrical Inspector, and who shall receive such salary as may be
determined by the Board of Commissioners, and who shall be ap,
pointed by the Hoard of Commissioners.
Section 22: DUTIES OF CHIEF = 1LECTRICAL INSPECTOR - It shall
be the duty of the Chief Electrical Inspector to see that the pro-
visions of the electrical ordinances of the City of West University
Place are enforced. He shall, upon application, cause to be
issued permits for the installation and alteration of electric
wiring, devices, appliances, fixtures, apparatus and equipment, and
certificates of final approval therefor, and shall be responsible for
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inspection cif al. new e3 ectrdcaT Installations and re- inspections
of all electric installations, all as provided in the ordinances
of the City of West University Place. He shall keep complete
records of all permits issued, inspections and re- inspections made
and other official work performed in accordance with the provisions
of this ordinance. He shall also maintain up to date a file of
inspected electrical appliance cards issued by or for Underwriters,
Laboratories, Inc., which file shall be accessible for public
reference during regular office hours.
He may hold membership in the International issociation of
Electrical Inspectors and may serve on any electrical committee of
this association to which he may be appointed.
It shall be unlawful for the Chief Electrical Inspector or
any of his assistants-to engage in the business of the sale, in-
stallation or maintenance of electric wiring, apparatus, devices,
appliances, fixtures or equipment, either directly or indirectly,
and they shall have no financial interest in any concern engaged
in such business in the City of West University Place, at any
time while holding such office as is herein provided for.
Section 23: nUTHCRITY GI;MIITED TO CHIEF MECTRIC4L INSPECTOR -
The Chief Electrical Inspector and /or any of his assistants shall
have the right from eight A. Y. to fine P. It. to enter any building
in the discharge of their official 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 equipment contained therein, and shall have the authority
to cause the turning off of all electrical currents and to cut or
disconnect in cases of emergency any wire where such electrical
currents are dangerous to life or property, or where such wires may
interfere with the work of the Fire Department. The Chief Electri-
cal Inspector is hereby empowered in emergencies to disconnect and to
order the discontinuance of electrical service to any electric wiring,
apparatus, device, appliance, fixture, or equipment found to be
dangerous to life or property, because of its being defective or de=
fectively installed or otherwise not in conformity with the provisions
of this ordinance until such wiring, apparatus, device, appliance,
fixtures and equipment and their installation have been made safe as
directed by him in conformity with this ordinance.
The Chief Electrical Inspector and all Electrical Inspectors
of the City* of West University Place shall have and are hereby given
the powers and duties of special policemen while in the actual dis-
charge of their official duties; and shall be authorized to wear
badges as special policemen; provided, however, that before being
permitted to wear such badges, the said Chief Inspector and assist-
ant Electrical Inspector shall apply to the Board of Commissioners
for such badges, and shall make and have approved the bond required
of all police officers of the City of Viest University Place, and said
bond_ shall be paid by the City of Iffest University .glace.
Section 24: PERM=S - No wiring, poles, duct lines, guy
anchors, apparatus, devices, appliances, fixtures or equipment for
the transmission, distribution or utilization of electrical energy
it
for any purpose shall be installed within the City Limits of the
City.of West University Place, nor shall any alteration or ad-
dition be made in any such existenc6 wiring, poles, duct lines,
.guy anchors, apparatus, devices, appliances, fixtures, or equip-
ment without first securing a permit therefor from the Chief
Electrical Inspector, except as stated in the following para-
graphs 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 or.for repairs on
portable 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 electric
apparatus, appliances, fixtures, or equipment, and the installation
of light globes.
(3) No permit shall be required for the installation, mainten-
ance, or alteration of wiring, apparatus, devices, appliances or
equipment for telegraph, telephone, signal service, or central sta-
tion protective service used in conveying signals or intelligence,
except where electrical work is done on the primary side of the
source of power from the power company at a voltage over -fifty
volts and which generates more than five hundred watts of energy.
(4) No permit shall be required, except for poles and guy
anchors, for the installation, maintenance or alteration of
electric wiring, apparatus, devices, appliances or equipment to
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be installed by an- electric public service corporation for the
use of such corporation in the generation, transmission, dis-
tribution, sale, or utilization of electrical energy. However,
an electric.public service corporation shall not do any wiring
on a customert s premises other than wiring, which is part of the
companyts distribution system, nor shall any of its employees do
any work other than that done for the said company as herein be-
fore provided for, by virtue of this exemption.
(5) No permit shall be required for the installation of
temporary wiring, apparatus, devices, appliances, or equipment used
by a recognized school in teaching electricity.
No permit shall be issued to any person who is not the
holder of a Master Ele ctricianst s license or a Maintenance Electri-
ciants license.
'There no permit is required for the installation der repair
of wiring, apparatus, devices or equipment for the transmission,
distribution or utilization of electrical energy for any purpose,
the wiring, apparatus, devices or equipment shall be installed or
repaired in conformity with the provisions of this ordinance.
The application for permit shall describe the work to be
done and shall be made in writing by a person holding a Vaster
Eledtriciants license, or a Maintenance Electriciants License.
119
The permit when issued shall be issued to such applicant to cover
such work as described and detailed. Any changes or additions must
be covered by additional permits at the time changes are made. The
application shall be accompanied by such plans, specifications and
schedules as may be necessary to determine whether the installation
as described will be in conformity with the requirements of this
ordinance. No such plans, specifications, and schedules shall be
submitted, and no such plans, specifications and schedules, will be
examined under the provisions of this ordianance, unless the same
are submitted by the holder of a Master Electrieianst License. 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 ordinance of the dity of
West University Place, a permit for such installation shall be
issued; provided, however, that the issuance of a permit will not be
taken as permission or a license to violate any of the requirements
of this or any other ordinance of the City of 11' est University Place.
On all new installations the permit for electricia nts work
shall be displayed in a readily accessible location, as directed by
the Chief Electrical Inspector throughout the time such installation
as is covered by the permit is being installed.
On all installations vi =here wiring apparatus, devices, ap-
pliances, 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 delivered to the person, firm or corporation for whom the
installation is to be made, or posted on the building or structure
as directed by the Chief Electrical Inspector before the installa- .
Lion or change is started. Provided, however, that the Chief Elect-
rical Inspector may issue and enf oreee any rules or regulations he
may deem necessary covering and granting of emergency permits where
real emergencies exist!
Section :25: NO PERSON, FIRM, CORPORATION. OR PUBLIC SERVICE
CO PNY shall have the right to install any electrical conduit, wires,
ducts, poles or equipment of any character for the transmission, dis-
tribution, or utilization of electrical energy, or for the operation
of signals 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* `vest University Place, without first obtaining from the
Board of Commissioners of the City of ,Nest University Place a fran-
chise right or grant for the particular installation so desired to
be made and any such installation so made under such franchise or
grant shall be in strict conformity with all rules, regulations and
ordinances of the City of - -Vest University Place.
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 ordinances covering the use of public pla-
ces, alleys and streets.
Section 26: INSPECTION -= CER`T'IFICt1.T',.S - Upon the completion
of the work which has been authorited by issuance of a permit, it
shall be the duty of the piaster Electrician or Maintenance Electrician
to whom the permit has been issued to immediately notify the Chief
Electrical Inspector, who shall inspect such installation within
120
twenty-four (24) hours, exclusive of Sundays and Holidays, of
the time such notice is given.
If the work is found to be in compliance with the pro-
visions of this ordinance, said Chief Electrical Inspector, sub-
ject to the other applicable provisions of this ordinance, shall'
issue a final certificate of approval to the license holder to
whom the periAit was issued, which certificate shall authorize
connection of such approved work to the source or energy of the
electric work, and turning on of current, and the use.of the in-
stallation. The presentation of such certificate or certificates
of approval to the public utility corporation furnishing the
electric service, or the person, utility corporation furnishing
the electric service, or the person, firra or corporation suppl -wing
the energy, shall suffice as proof of authorization for such con -
nection. No connection shall be made until such authorization is
issued.
``hen any part of a wiring installation is to be hidden
from view by the permanent placement of parts of a building, the
1,11aster Electrician or Laintenance Electrician to z..-Thom the permit
has been issued shall notify the Chief Electrical Inspector and
such parts of the ir-fi ring installation shall not be concealed until
they have been inspected and approved by an Electrical Inspector,
providing that on such installation as the conceal rnent of parts of
the wiring must in the discretion of the Chief Electrical- Inspector,
or his assistant electrical inspector, necessarily proceed contin-
T
uously, the 1."aster Electrician or Maintenance Electrician to whom
the permit has been issued shall give the Chief Electrical Inspector
due notice and inspection shall be made periodically during the
progress of the work; and where, in the discretion of the Chief
Electrical Inspector or his assistant electrical inspector, it is
necessary, he or they shall post notice upon the premises stating
that work is approved and may be covered, or is not approved and
may not .he covered, until such further inspection as is necessary
has been made. Any person removing, destroying, altering or defac-
ing said notide without the consent of the Chief Electrical Inspec-
tor, or his assistant electrical inspector, shall be deemed guilty
of an offence under this ordinance, and any work described in said
notice shall be stayed pending the further necessary inspection.
Section 27: FEES FOR INSPECTION - The holder of the piaster
Electricians s or Maintenance Electricians s License making ,or super-
vising the installation or alteration of electric wiring, apparatus,
devices, appliances, fixtures, or equipment, shall pay to the city
of West University Place a fee in such amount as specified below.
SERVICES
All services $0.50 each
All meter loops .50 each
OUTLETS
First four (4) lighting outlets are included in
service and meter loop fees.
121
Over four (4) to twenty - five, inc. $0.15 each
All over twenty -five (25) .10 each
All light, switch and receptacle openings are classed as
outlets, also bell ringing transformers.
LIGHTING FIXTURES
Fixtures of one circuit or under and combination ceiling
fan and light $0.10 each
Each additional circuit, per fixture .25 each
Any current - consuming device permanently attached to an
outlet for illuminating purposes shall be classed as a fixture.
MOTORS
Up to but.not including 2 H.P.
$0.25
each
2 H.P. and less than,2 H.P.
1.00
each
2 H.P. and less than 10 H.P.
1.50
each
10 H.P. and less than 25 H.P.
2.00
each
25 H.P. and less than 100 H.P.
4.00
each
100 H.P. and less than 150 H.P.
5.00
each
150 H.P. and over.
.04
per H.P.
The fee.of four cents (040) per horse -power applied to in-
dividual motors rated 150 H.P. and over.
Motor control equipment is included in motor fees.
When future motor outlets are installed they shall be
charged for at one -half the regular motor rates applying, the other
one -half shall be paid at the time the motors are installed.
MISCELIANEOUS
Motion picture machines
1.00
each
Sound equipment, up to 10 watts out-
put
5.00
each
Sound equipment 10 watts to 15 watts
output
7.50
each
Sound equipment, over 15,watts output
10.00
each
Electric ranges not over 12,000 watts
.50
each
Electric Water Heaters
.50
each
X -Ray 11achines
1.50
each
Incandescent electric signs
1.00
per cir.
Gas or vacuum tube signs
1.00
per tran.
Poles, anchors and guy stubs
.25
each
Permanently connected electric appli-
ances and equipment of any nature not
otherwise specified shall be charged
for
as follows
Up to one K.W., inclusive
0.25
each
All over 1 K.W. to 10 K.W.
.20
per K.W.
All over 10 K.W. to 50 K.W.
.15
per K.W.
All over 50 K.W. to 100 K. W.
.10
per K.W.
All over 100 K.W., to 100 K.W. at
10V excess K.W. at
.02
per K.W.
122
Temporary installments, such as work saws, floor sur-
facing machines, paint spraying apparatus and the like, shall
be charged for a t the rate of One ($1.00 Dollar per installa-
tion, plus the regular service and meter loop charge.
Temporary lighting installations shall be charged for at
the rate of $1.00 per installation, plus the regular service and
meter loop charge.
Additions to old work shall be dharged for at '-the same rate
as new work.
The minimum inspection fee shall be One ($1.00) Dollar.
. On moving and re- locating of electrical equipment authorized
to be done by a maintenance electrician and a master electrician for
which a permit fee is not otherwise provided for in this section,
the minimum inspection fee shall apply.
No fee shall be charged for routine re- inspections of elec-
trical installations.
Section 28: FAILURE TO PAY FEES - Upon the failure of the
holder of a Master Electrician's or Maintenance Electricians
license within ten days after the final certificate of approval is
granted on the installation or alteration:. -. of electric wiring, ap-
paratus, devices, appliances, fixtures or equipment, to pay to
the Oity of 'Jest University Place in full the fees provided for in
Section 16, the license of such Master Electrician or Maintenance
Electrician so failing, without action on the part of the
Electrical Board, shall be automatically suspended and shall be of
no force, and effect, and said license shall remain suspended and -
nullified until such time as such fees are paid in full; provided,
however, that no license which shall hive suspended under the terms
and provisi6ns of this Section for as much as six monthst time shall
be r0newed, except upon the examination or re- examination upon the
same terms and conditions as provided to herein the case of original
examination.
Section 29: RE -INS ECTI ON - The Chief.Electrical Inspector
or his assistant electrical inspectors, shall make , upon infor-
mation or belief that faulty conditions exist, a thorough re-
inspection of any electric wiring,.apparatus, devices, appliances,
fixtures and equipment now installed or that may hereafter be in-
stalled within the scope of this ordinance and when installation
of such wiring, apparatus, devices, appliances, fixtures and
equipment is found to be at variance with the original permit
issued, or to be in a dangerous or unsafe condition, or if the
electrical measuring device shall be found to have been tampered
i°aith so as to create a condition dangerous to the continuity of the
electrical service, or to property, the person, firm or corporation
owning, 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 by such unauthorized con-
12
ditions, and have such work completed within fifteen days or any
reasonably longer_ period specified by the Electrical Inspector in
said notice.
Section 30: CONNECTION TO INSTALIATI ON - It shall be unlaw-
ful for any person, firm or corporation to make connection from a
source of electrical energy to any electrical wiring, apparatus,
device, appliance, fixture and equipment for the installation of
which a permit is required until it shall have received, as herein -
before provided, and shall have retained, in its files available
for inspection, a certificate of approval issued by the Chief
Electrical Inspector authorizing such connection and the use of
such wiring, apparatus, devices, appliances, fixtures and equip-
ment.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to
make connection from a source of electrical energy to any electric
wiring, apparatus, devices, appliances, fixtures and equipment
which has been disconnected.by an Electrical Inspector to be dis-
continued until a certificate of approval has been issued by the
Chief.Electrical Inspector as herein provided.
Section 31: IN'T'ERFERENCE TTITH INSTnLLETION - It shall be un-
lawful for any person, in any manner, to interfere with any electric
wiring installed or installed in, or on, within or without any
structure or building. If in the course of erection of a building
or structure the wiring is in such 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.
Section 32: REVIE' ,,d OF DECISIONS - any person aggrieved by
any action of any Electrical Inspector may within two days after
such action file a petition in writing for review of said action
of-such Electrical Inspector with the Electrical Board by serving
same upon the Chairman of the Electrical Board, or leaving same at
his office, and thereupon the Electrical Board within fifteen days
after the date of the filing of said petition, shall hear and de-
termine said appeal.
The Board shall have the right to sustain, modify or reverse the
action of the Electrical Inspector; provided, that until such time
as the Electrical Inspectorts action is reversed or modified by the
Electrical Board, such action shall in all things be effective.
The decision of the.Electrical Board shall be subject to review by
the Board of Commissioners provided for- in Section 20 hereof,
. Section 33: APPROVED 11ETHOD S - No certificate of approval
shall be issued unless the installation is in strict conforraity with,
the provisions of this ordinance, the Statutes of the State of Texas,
and the rules and regulations issued by the Industrial Commission
of the State of Texas under the authority of the State Statutes.
All joints in or to branch lighting circuits shall have sol-
dered connections. All ceiling outlets in building not of concrete
or steel construction shall be provided with a wooden header two
12.4
inches by four inches lumber securely fastened to studding with
the four inch size-at right angles to the place of the light
opening. All lighting outlets shall be equipped with 318" inch
fixture studs except in closets, basements, garages and attic
spaces,
in cold storage vaults, all wiring shall- be lead
covered, encased in galvanized conduit. All lighting equipment shall
be of the vapor proof type.
Section 34: TYPE OF c'IIRING APPROVED - :WITHIN THE FOL-
LOWING LI11ITS OF THE CITY OF 'NEST UlIVERSITIT PLACE:
Within the area of the City of fdest University Place, Texas,
knob and tube work shall not be used, except that it may be used
within a building or structure of frame, or frame and veneer construc-
tion were such building or structure is designed for occupancy exclu-
sively as a dwelling for not more than two families, and of not over
six circuits, on the services supplying the building or premises to
be served; however, that eight circuits will be allowed if all branch
circuits are not smaller than No. 12 wire. Any person who shall
falsely or wilfully misrepresent the purpose for which any building
or structure is designed for occupancy, shall be deemed guilty of a
violation of this ordinance.
Surface wooden raceways, and armored Type AC, are not
approved for use for wiring under any conditions.
Open wiring is approved only for temporary work, and in
central stations, substations, transformer vaults 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. Surfact extensions or installations
must have an approved metal enclosure and the metal enclosure shall
not be used as one of the conductors of the circuit.
All sockets within reach of persons standing or otherwise
touching the earth or grounded surfaces, such asefloors or conducting
material, bathroom fixtures, kitchen sinks or other Bounded surfaces,
shall be controlled by a wall switch or vTall switches which shall
be fully insulated from -the operator.
All wires exposed to weather must be weather proof type.
Entrance switches, except on switchboard installations,
must be of externally operable type, and on all distribution cabinets
of more than four circuits installations must be of the dear front type
with wiring space..
All entrance switches and distribution cabinets rated at
thirty amperes or less, are to be equipped with automatic over
current protective devices so designed that the rating of the pro-
tective element is definite and cannot readily be changed from one
rating to another.
.`there meters are installed in inaccessible places in houses
125
or buildings and the electric public service company desires to re-
locate said meter loops for convenience in the rendering of its
service, it may, upon request to the Chief Electrical Inspector,
have a master electrician re- install meter loops to a point where
the same would be located if the house or building 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 owner; unless said relocation is the result of
said wiring having been condemned by the Chief Electrical Inspector
for practices in violation of the ordinances of the City of `lest
University Place.
All meter loops and service conduits for the supplying of
service and the installation of electrical meters to measure the
service rendered by the electric public service company to domestic
establishments and buildings combining domestic establishments with
commercial or industrial usage, shall be installed where readily
accessible on the ext�erior of the building. Fire -proof meter cabinets
shall be supplied by the electric service company and installed by the
electrician performing the work, said meter cabinets to be located at
points from five (5) feet to eight (8) feet above the ground, measured
from the bottom of the box and to be readily accessible to the electric
public service company. All service outlets shall be located so as to
permit placing the electric public service companyts service wires
without passing over any building or within four (4) feet of any door
or window excluding the point of direct attachment and be on the wall
of the building next to the supply.
The electrid service company shall never require the placing
of meter on the front of street side of a building, without the
written consent of the Owner, and wh ere not practical in the opin-
ion of the Chief Electrical Inspector to place metering devices on
,the exterior of the buildings said location shall be at a point or
points convenient to the electric public service compa nyts service
as determined by the Chief Electrical Inspector.
Section 35- APPROVED lATERIALS - No electridal materials, ap-
paratus, devices, appliances, fixtures or equipment shall be sold or
installed in the City of West University Place 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 Commission of the State of Texas under authority of
the State Statutes. The makerts name, trade -mark or other identi-
fication symbol shall be placed on all electrical materials, appara-
tus, devices, appliances, fixtures and equipment used or installed
under this ordinance.
Section 36: The following rules and regulations are hereby
adopted to govern and be observed and followed in all electrical
wiring and construction, installation, repair, alteration, operation
and maintenance of electrical wiring, apparatus, or fixtures. Such
rules and regulations shall be known as "the Electrical Code.t,
Should there be a conflict between any of the provisions of said
'gElectrical Code" and any other provisions of this ordinance, such
other provisions of this ordinance shall govern.
Each and every pro -
vision of said Electrical Code is hereby adopted as an ordinance of
the City of r'lest University Place, Texas, and is as follows:
126
- "National Electric Code" -
Section 37: If any section, sub- section, sentence, clause
or phrase of this ordinance is for any - reason held to be unconstitution- i
al, such unconstitutionality shall not effect the validity of the
remaining portions of this ordinance. The City Council of the City
of West University Place hereby declared that it would have passed
this ordinance and each section, sub - section, sentence, clause or
phrase hereof, irrespective of the fact that one or more sections,
sub- sections, sentences, clauses, or phrases be declared unconstitu-
tional.
Section 38: LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES - This ordinance shall
not be construed to relieve from or lesson the responsibility or
liability of any party owning, operating, or controlling any electric
wiring, apparatus, devices -, appliances, fixtures or equipment for
damages to person or property caused by any defect therein, nor
shall the City be held as-assuming by this ordinance any such lia-
bility by reason of the inspection authorized herein, or the certi-
ficates of approval issued as herein provided, or otherwise.
All ordinances in conflict herewith are here4,y repealed:
1940. PASSED AND APPROVED this the 18th day of A. D.,
Mayor
ATTEST: / _I
C/
City etary
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