[HISTORY: Adopted by the Council of the City
of Watervliet 4-20-1972 as Ch. 7 of the Code of Ordinances of 1972. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
A.
As there is danger to life and property inherent in
the use of electrical energy, this chapter is enacted to regulate
the installation, alteration or repair of wiring for electric light,
heat or power and signal systems operating on 50 volts or more, in
or on all real property within the city.
B.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to
the electrical installations in mines, ships, railway cars, automotive
equipment or the installations or equipment employed by a railway,
electrical or communication utility in the exercise of its function
as a utility and located outdoors or in buildings used exclusively
for that purpose. This chapter shall not apply to any work involved
in the manufacture, assembly, test or repair of electrical machinery,
apparatus, materials and equipment by a person, engaged in electrical
manufacturing as his principal business. This chapter shall not apply
to any building which is owned or leased in its entirety by the government
of the United States or the state.
[Amended 9-5-1996 by Ord.
No. 1638]
All new electrical wiring or installations or
extensions of or alterations or removal of existing installations
shall be made in conformity with the requirements of the National
Electrical Code being particularly the 1993 edition thereof, as recommended
by the National Fire Protection Association, except where the provisions
of this chapter or any other provisions of this Code or other ordinances
of the city shall differently prescribe, in which event compliance
with the provisions of such other provisions of this Code or city
ordinance shall be recognized as proper compliance with this chapter.
[Amended 1-4-1990 by Ord. No. 1534; 6-6-1990 by Ord. No.
1537; 9-5-1996 by Ord. No. 1638]
For purposes of this chapter, the following electrical inspection
agencies are approved to inspect electrical work in the City of Watervliet:
It shall be the duty of the Electrical Inspector
to report, in writing, to the inspector of buildings, whose duty it
shall be to enforce all the provisions of this chapter, all violations
or deviations from or omissions of the provisions of the National
Electrical Code adopted in this chapter and of all local laws, provisions
of this Code and other city ordinances insofar as any of the violations
apply to electrical wiring. The Electrical Inspector shall make inspections
and reinspections of electrical installations in and on properties
in the city upon, the written request of an authorized official of
the city or as provided in this section. The Electrical Inspector
is authorized to make inspections and reinspections of electrical
wiring installations, devices, appliances and equipment in and on
properties within the city where he deems it necessary for the protection
of life and property. In the event of an emergency, it is the duty
of the Electrical Inspector to make electrical inspections upon the
oral request of an official or officer of the city. It shall be the
duty of the inspector to furnish written reports to the proper officials
of the city and owners or lessees of property where defective electrical
installations and equipment are found upon inspection, and he shall
authorize the issuing of a certificate of compliance when electrical
installations and equipment are in conformity with this chapter and
shall direct that a copy of the certificate of compliance be sent
to the city to the attention of the Inspector of Buildings.
[Amended 9-5-1996 by Ord.
No. 1638]
This chapter shall not be construed to relieve
from or lessen the responsibility of any person owning, operating,
controlling or installing any electric wiring, devices, appliances
or equipment for loss of life or damage to person or property caused
by any defect therein, nor shall the city or the New York Board of
Fire Underwriters or other authorized agency be deemed to have assumed
any such liability by reason of any inspection made pursuant to this
chapter.
[Amended 9-5-1996 by Ord.
No. 1638]
It shall be a violation of this chapter for
any person to install or cause to be installed or to alter or repair
electrical wiring for light, heat or power in or on properties in
the city until an application for inspection has been filed with the
New York Board of Fire Underwriters or other authorized agency. It
shall be a violation of this chapter for a person to connect or cause
to be connected electrical wiring in or on properties for light, heat
or power to any source of electrical energy supply prior to the issuance
of a temporary or permanent certificate of compliance by the New York
Board of Fire Underwriters or other authorized agency.
[Amended 9-5-1996 by Ord.
No. 1638]
