Chapter 15.20 - NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE (NEC)
Sections:
15.20.010 Document adopted by reference.
15.20.020 Title for citation.
15.20.030 Purpose.
15.20.040 Scope of provisions.
15.20.050 Interpretation of provisions.
15.20.060 Applicability of regulations.
15.20.070 NEC Annex G Article 80.13 deleted – Reference to Board.
15.20.080 NEC Annex G Article 80.15 deleted – Creation of electrical board.
15.20.090 NEC Annex G Article 80.19 (D) deleted – Annual permits.
15.20.100 NEC Annex G Article 80.19 (F) (1) deleted – “other than an annual permit”.
15.20.110 NEC Annex G Article 80.19 (G) (7) amended – Expiration of Electrical Permit.
15.20.120 NEC Annex G Article 80.25 (E) amended – Change from Electrical Board to Building Official.
15.20.130 NEC Annex G Article 80.27 (A) amended – Change Inspector qualifications to parallel Colorado Revised Statutes.
15.20.140 NEC Annex G Article 80.27 (D) amended – Revocation and suspension of authority.
15.20.150 NEC Annex G Article 80.29 amended – Add City of Evans to liability exemption.
15.20.160 NEC Article 210.8 (A) (7) – GFCI protection within 6 feet of sinks.
15.20.180 NEC Article 90-10 added – Permits-Licenses.
15.20.190 NEC Article 90-11 added – Electrical Systems.
15.20.200 NEC Article 90-12 added – Connections.
15.20.210 NEC Article 90-13 added – Electric Fences.
15.20.220 Violation – Penalty.
15.20.010 Document adopted by reference. Pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes 1973, 31-16-201 et seq., as amended, by reference thereto, the National Electric Code, 2005 Edition, including Annex G as amended, published by the National Fire Protection Association, Inc., One Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269, is hereby adopted for the City of Evans. (508-11: 335-05: 174-02: 076-01: 1134-98: 1064-97: 914-94: 866-93: 517-83: prior code 13.36.010)
15.20.020 Title for citation. The ordinance codified in this chapter may be known and cited as "the National Electric Code of the City of Evans, Colorado." (508-11: 335-05: 174-02: 076-01: 1134-98: 1064-97: 914-94: 866-93: 517-83)
15.20.030 Purpose. The purpose of this code is to provide minimum standards to safeguard life or limb, health, property and public welfare by regulating and controlling the design, construction, installation, quality of materials, location, operation and maintenance or use of electrical systems. (508-11: 335-05: 174-02: 076-01: 1134-98: 866-93: 517-83)
15.20.040 Scope of provisions. The subject matter of the electrical code establishes comprehensive provisions, standards and regulations for materials, installation methods, inspection, and other matters relating to electrical systems in connection with the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, removal, conversion, demolition, occupancy, equipment, use, height, area and maintenance of buildings and structures. (508-11: 335-05: 174-02: 076-01: 866-93: 517-83)
15.20.050 Interpretation of provisions. This chapter shall be so interpreted and construed as to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform electrical regulations. (508-11: 335-05: 174-02: 076-01: 1134-98: 866-93)
15.20.060 Applicability of regulations. This chapter shall apply to every building or structure, as defined in said ordinance, which is now in existence or which may hereafter be erected, constructed, altered, moved, demolished or repaired. Electrical systems lawfully in existence at the time of the adoption of this code may have their use, maintenance or repair continued if the use, maintenance or repair is in accordance with the original design and location and no hazard to life, health or property has been created by such electrical system. (508-11: 335-05: 174-02: 076-01: 1134-98: 866-93)
15.20.070 NEC Annex H Article 80.13 (2) is amended to read:
When the use of any electrical equipment or its installations is found to be dangerous to human life or property, the authority having jurisdiction shall be empowered to have the premises disconnected from its source of electric supply.
Delete: “ as established by the board”
(508-11: 335-05: 174-02)
15.20.080 Annex G Article 80.15, Creation of Electrical Board, is deleted in its entirety.
(508-11: 335-05: 174-02)
15.20.090 Annex G Article 80.19 (D), Annual Permits, is deleted in its entirety.
(508-11: 335-05: 174-02)
15.20.100 Annex G Article 80.19 (F) (1).
Delete the words, “other than annual permit” in first sentence of first paragraph.
(508-11: 335-05: 174-02)
15.20.110 Annex H Article 80.19 (G) (7) is amended to read:
A permit issued under this code shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the building or work authorized by such permit is not commenced within 180 days from the date of such permit, or it the building or work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after the work is commenced for a period of 180 days. Work shall be considered suspended or abandoned 180 days after the last inspection was performed. (508-11: 335-05: 174-02)
15.20.120 Annex H Article 80.25 (E) is amended to read:
Where a connection is made to an installation that has not been inspected, as outlined in the preceding paragraphs of this section, the supplier of electricity shall immediately report such connection to the Chief Building Official. If, upon subsequent inspection, it is found that the installation is not in conformity with the provisions of the electrical code, the Chief Electrical Inspector shall notify the person, firm or corporation making the installation to rectify the defects and, if such work is not completed within (15) fifteen days or longer period specified by the Chief Building Official, the Chief Building Official shall have the authority to cause the disconnection of that portion of the installation not in conformity. When any installation is determined by the Chief Electrical Inspector to present an imminent life or fire safety hazard, the Chief Building Official shall have the authority to cause the immediate disconnection of the electrical system until the system is brought into compliance with the provisions of this code. (508-11: 335-05: 174-02)
15.20.130 Annex H Article 80.27 is amended to read:
The City of Evans is hereby authorized to appoint or employ, with the power of removal, competent persons licensed by the Colorado State Electrical Board as Residential Wireman, Journeyman or Master Electricians as city electrical inspectors.. The City of Evans is also authorized to appoint or employ, with the power of removal, for the purpose of inspecting one-, two-, three-, or four-family dwellings, competent persons with the following qualifications:
(1) Persons who have passed the written State of Colorado residential wireman’s examination as described in section 12-23-106 of the Colorado revised Statutes; or
(2) Persons who have been certified as residential electrical inspectors by a national certification authority approved by the Building Official (ICBO or IAEI) and by the State Electrical Board and who have furnished satisfactory evidence of at least two years of practical experience in the inspection of residential dwellings. (508-11: 335-05: 174-02)
15.20.140 Annex H Article 80.27 (D) is amended to read:
The building official shall have the authority to revoke an inspector’s authority to conduct inspections within the City of Evans Jurisdiction. (508-11: 335-05: 174-02)
15.20.150 Annex H Article 80.29 is amended to read:
Article 80 shall not be construed to affect the responsibility or liability of any party owning, designing, operating, controlling, or installing any electric equipment for damages to persons or property caused by a defect therein, nor shall the City of Evans or any of it employees be held as assuming any such liability by reason of inspection, reinspection, approval, disapproval, or other examination authorized. (508-11: 335-05: 174-02)
15.20.160 Article 210.8 (A) (7) is amended to read:
Sinks – where the receptacles are installed in a readily accessible location and are located within 6 feet of the outside edge of any sink.
Exception: Single receptacles dedicated to a specific appliance and labeled “non-GFCI” or “not GFCI protected.” (508-11: 335-05: 174-02)
15.20.180 Article 90.10 (a) Permits required is added to read:
No electrical system regulated by this code shall be installed, altered, repaired, replaced or remodeled unless a separate electrical permit for each separate building or structure has first been ob-tained from the building official.
Article 90-10 (b) Application.
To obtain a permit, the applicant shall first file an application therefore in writing on a form fur-nished by the code enforcement agency for that purpose.
Every such application shall:
1. Identify and describe the work to be covered by the permit for which application is made.
2. Describe the land on which the proposed work is to be done by legal description, street address or similar description that will readily identify and definitely locate the proposed building or work.
3. Indicate the use for occupancy for which the proposed work is intended.
4. Be accompanied by plans, diagrams, computations and specifications and other data as required in this article.
5. Be signed by the permittee or his authorized agent.
6. Give such other data and information as may be required by the building official.
Plans, engineering calculations, diagrams and other data shall be submitted in one or more sets with each application for permit. The building official may require plans, computations and specifications to be prepared and designed by an engineer or architect licensed by the state to practice as such.
EXCEPTION: The building official may waive the submission of plans, calculations or other data if the building official finds that the nature of the work applied for is such that reviewing of plans is not necessary to obtain compliance with this code.
Plans and specifications shall be drawn to scale upon substantial paper or cloth and shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate the location, nature and extent of the work proposed and show in detail that it will conform to the provisions of this code and relevant laws, ordinances, rules and regulations.
Article 90-10 (c) Permits.
1) Permits Issuance. The application, plans, specifications, computations and other data filed by an applicant for permit shall be reviewed by the building official. Such plans may be reviewed by other departments of this jurisdiction to verify compliance with applicable laws under their jurisdiction. If the building official finds that the work described in an application for a permit and the plans, specifications and other data filed therewith conform to the requirements of this code and other pertinent laws and ordinances, and that the fees specified by resolution as adopted by City Council have been paid, the Building Official shall issue a permit therefore to the applicant.
When the building official issues the permit where plans are required, the Building Official shall endorse in writing or stamp the plans and specifications "APPROVED." Such approved plans and specifications shall not be changed, modified or altered without authorization from the building official, and all work regulated by this code shall be done in accordance with the approved plans.The building official may issue a permit for the construction of a part of an electrical system before the entire plans and specifications for the whole system have been submitted or approved, provided adequate information and detailed statements have been filed complying with all pertinent requirements of this code. The holder of a partial permit shall proceed without assurance that the permit for the entire building, structure or electrical system will be granted.
2) Retention of Plans. One set of approved plans, specifications and computations shall be retained by the building official until final approval of the work covered therein. One set of approved plans and specifications shall be returned to the applicant, and said set shall be kept on the site of the building or work at all times during which the work authorized thereby is in progress.
3) Validity of Permit. The issuance of a permit or approval of plans, specifications and computations shall not be construed to be a permit for, or an approval of, any violation of any of the provisions of this code or of other ordinance of the jurisdiction. Permits presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this code or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction shall not be valid.
The issuance of a permit based upon plans, specifications, computations and other data shall not prevent the building official from thereafter requiring the correction of errors in said plans, specifications, and other data or from preventing building operations being carried on thereunder when in violation of this code or of other ordinances of this jurisdiction.
4) Expiration. Every permit issued by the building official under the provisions of this code shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the work authorized by such permit is not com-menced within 180 days from the date of such permit, or if the work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after the work is commenced for a period of 180 days. Before such work can be recommenced, a new permit shall be first obtained so to do, and the fee therefore shall be one half the amount required for a new permit for such work, provided no changes have been made or will be made in the original plans and specifications for such work and provided further that such suspension or abandonment has not exceeded one year. No permit shall be extended more than once. In order to renew action on a permit after expiration, the permittee shall pay a new full permit fee.
A permittee holding an unexpired permit may apply for an extension of the time within which the work may be commenced under that permit when the permittee is unable to commence work within the time required by this section for good and satisfactory reasons. The building official may extend the time for action by the permittee for a period not exceeding 180 days upon written request by the permittee showing that circumstances beyond the control of the permittee have prevented action from being taken.
5) Suspension or Revocation. The building official may, in writing, suspend or revoke a permit issued under the provisions of this code whenever the permit is issued in error or on the basis of incorrect information supplied or in violation of other ordinance or regulation of the jurisdiction.
6) License required.
a) No person shall engage in or work at the business, trade, or calling of a journeyman electrician, master electrician, residential wireman or electrical contractor in the City of Evans until he/she has received a license from the division of registrations upon written notice from the Colorado State Electrical Board, or the director, acting as the agent thereof, or a temporary permit from the board, the state electrical director, or his agent.
b) A journeyman electrician, master electrician or a residential wireman shall not perform electrical work of a type which is beyond the authorization of the state license held.
7) Permit Issuance. No permit shall be issued to any person to do or cause to be done any electrical work regulated by the electrical code, except to a person holding a valid, unexpired and unrevoked State of Colorado Electrical Contractors license.
EXCEPTIONS:
a) Any permit required by this chapter may be issued to any person to do any electrical work regulated by the electrical code in a single family dwelling used exclusively for living purposes, including the usual accessory buildings and quarters in connection with such buildings, in the event that any such person is the bona fide owner of any such dwelling and accessory buildings and quarters, and that the same are occupied by or designed to be occupied by the owner; provided that the owner personally performs all labor in connection therewith.
b) Any permit required by this chapter may be issued to the General Contractor of a project provided however; 1) that a licensed Colorado Electrical Contractor is listed on such permit, 2) the identified electrical contractor and/or his authorized employees are performing the actual work on the project, 3) prior to the issuance of any permit, written verification from the Colorado Electrical Contractor is received by the City indicating that such electrical contractor is performing the work on the subject project.
Article 90-10 (d) Fees.
1) Assessment. Fees shall be assessed in accordance with provisions as set forth by resolution as adopted by the City Council.
2) Fee. The fee for each permit shall be set forth by resolution as adopted by the City Council.
3) Plan Review Fee. When a plan or other data are required to be submitted a plan review fee shall be paid at the time of submitting plans and specifications for review. Said plan review fee for buildings or structures shall be as set forth by resolution as adopted by the City Council.
The plan review fees specified in this subsection are separate fees from the permit fees specified in Article 90-10 (d) 2.
Where plans are incomplete or changed so as to require additional plan review, an additional plan review fee shall be charged at the rate as established by resolution as adopted by the City Council.
4) Expiration of Plan Review. Applications for which no permit is issued within 180 days following the date of application shall expire by limitation, and plans and other data submitted for review may thereafter be returned to the applicant or destroyed by the building official. The building official may extend the time for action by the applicant for a period not exceeding 180 days upon request by the applicant showing that circumstances beyond the control of the applicant have prevented action from being taken. No application shall be extended more than once. In order to renew action on an application after expiration, the applicant shall resubmit plans and pay a new plan review fee.
Article 90-10(e) Investigation Fees - Work without permit.
1) Investigation. Whenever any work for which a permit is required by this code has been commenced without first obtaining said permit, a special investigation shall be made before a permit may be issued for such work.
2) Fee. An investigation fee, in addition to the permit fee, shall be collected whether or not a permit is then or subsequently issued. The investigation fee shall be equal to the amount of the permit fee that would be required by this code if a permit were to be issued. The payment of such investigation fee shall not exempt any person from compliance with all other provisions of this code nor from any penalty prescribed by law.
Article 90-10(f) Fee refunds.
Refunds. The building official may authorize the refunding of any fee paid hereunder which was erroneously paid or collected.
The building official may authorize the refunding of not more than 80 percent of the permit fee paid when no work has been done under a permit issued in accordance with this code.
The building official may authorize the refunding of not more than 80 percent of the plan review fee paid when an application for a permit for which a plan review fee has been paid is withdrawn or canceled before any plan review effort has been expended.
The building official shall not authorize the refunding of any fee paid except upon written application filed by the original permittee not later than 180 days after the date of fee payment. (508-11: 335-05: 174-02: 076-01: 1134-98: 866-93)
15.20.190 NEC Article 90-11 is added to read.
Article 90-11 Electrical Systems
1) General. Electrical systems for which a permit is required by this code shall be subject to inspection by the building official and such electrical systems shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved by the building official.
It shall be the duty of the permit applicant to cause the electrical systems to remain accessible and exposed for inspections purposes. Neither the building official nor the jurisdiction shall be liable for ex-pense entailed in the removal or replacement of any material required to permit inspection. When the in-stallation of an electrical system is complete, an additional and final inspection shall be made. Electrical systems regulated by this code shall not be connected to the energy supply lines until authorized by the building official.
Approvals as a result of an inspection shall not be construed to be an approval of a violation of the provisions of this code or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction. Inspections presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this code or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction shall not be valid.
2) Operation of Electrical Equipment. The requirements of this section shall not be considered to prohibit the operation of electrical systems installed to replace existing equipment or fixtures servicing an occupied portion of the building in the event a request for inspection of such equipment or fixture has been filed with the building official not more than 48 hours after such replacement work is completed and before any portion of such electrical system is concealed by any permanent portion of the building.
3) Testing of Equipment. Electrical equipment regulated by this code shall be tested, approved and labeled by the Underwriter's Laboratory or any other nationally approved testing agency. Additional field testing may be required as deemed necessary by the building official.
4) Inspection Requests. It shall be the duty of the person doing the work authorized by a permit to notify the building official that such work is ready for inspection. The building official may require that every request for inspection be filed at least one working day before such inspection is desired. Such request may be in writing or by telephone at the option of the building official.
It shall be the duty of the person requesting inspections required by this code to provide access to and means for inspection of such work.
5) Other Inspections. In addition to the called inspections required by this code the building official may make or require other inspections of any electrical work to ascertain compliance with the provisions of this code and other laws which are enforced by the code enforcement agency.
6) Reinspection. A reinspection fee may be assessed for each inspection or reinspection when such portion of work for which inspection is called is not complete or when required corrections have not been made.
This provision is not to be interpreted as requiring reinspection fees the first time a job is rejected for failure to comply with the requirements of this code, but as controlling the practice of calling for inspections before the job is ready for inspection or reinspection.
Reinspection fees may be assessed, when the approved plans are not readily available to the inspector, for failure to provide access on the date for which inspection is requested or for deviating from plans requiring the approval of the building official.
To obtain a reinspection, the applicant shall file an application therefore in writing and pay the reinspection fee in accordance with the fee schedule as adopted by resolution as adopted by City Council.
In instances where reinspection fees have been assessed, no additional inspection of the work will be performed until the required fees have been paid. (508-11: 335-05: 174-02: 076-01: 1134-98: 866-93)
15.20.200 NEC Article 90-12 is added to read:
Article 90-12 Connection Approval.
1) Energy Connections. No person shall make connections from a source of energy to any electrical system or equipment regulated by this code and for which a permit is required until approved by the building official.
2) Temporary Connections. The building official may authorize temporary connection of the electrical equipment to the source of energy for the purpose of testing the equipment, or for use under a temporary certificate of occupancy. (508-11: 335-05: 174-02: 076-01: 1134-98: 866-93)
15.20.210 Article 90-13 is added to read:
Article 90-13 Electric Fences.
1) Definition. For the purpose of this section, any fence using, carrying or transmitting an electric current for any purpose is considered an electric fence.
2) Permit Required. In all cases, electric fences will require an electrical permit prior to in-stallation. All electrical components must be listed and labeled by a nationally recognized independent testing agency, and installations must be made according to listing requirements.
3) Signage. Permanent signs stating "DANGER, ELECTRIC FENCE" must be installed on the fence as deemed necessary by the administrative authority.
4) Protection from Accidental Contact. All electric fences must be installed inside a non electri-cal fence, so placed to prevent accidental contact from the outside. When electric fences are used in association with agricultural activities in areas primarily agricultural in nature, a special exemption to the placement of such fence inside of a non-electrical fence can be granted by the administrative authority. (508-11: 335-05: 174-02: 076-01: 1134-98: 866-93)
15.20.220 Violation--Penalty.
A. It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert or demolish, equip, use, occupy or maintain any building or structure in the city, or cause the same to be done, contrary to or in violation of any of the provisions of the code adopted in this chapter.
B. Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of the code adopted in this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and each such person shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day or portion thereof during which any violation of any of the provisions of this code are committed, continued or permitted, and upon conviction of any such violation, such person shall be punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand ($1,000) dollars, or by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, or by both such fine and imprisonment. (508-11: 335-05: 076-01: 1134-98: 866-93: 842-92: 517-83)
