City of Burlington, WI Chapter 142 Electrical Work and Inspections

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Burlington 3-3-1992 by Ord. No. 1381(46). Amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

Alarm systems — See Ch. 96.

Building construction — See Ch. 115.

Fire prevention — See Ch. 155.

§ 142-1 Electrical Inspector. [1]

A. Qualifications. The Electrical Inspector shall be a state-certified electrical inspector pursuant to Ch. Comm 5, Wis. Admin. Code.

[Amended 11-18-2003 by Ord. No. 1740(20)]

B. Powers and duties.

(1) The Electrical Inspector shall have the right at reasonable hours to enter building and premises to make test and inspection.

(2) The Electrical Inspector shall discontinue or cause to be discontinued electrical currents to any equipment or wiring found to be unsafe and dangerous to life or property or which may interfere with the work of the Fire Department. No person shall reconnect such equipment without written permission of the Electrical Inspector.

(3) Any wiring or electrical equipment found to be dangerous or unsafe shall be reported to the owner or occupant of the premises with a notice to place the same in safe condition. Any person failing to make the necessary repairs within 10 days after such notice shall be subject to the penalties set forth in § 142-8, and the Electrical Inspector shall have authority to order service discontinued.

[Amended 11-18-2003 by Ord. No. 1740(20)]

C. Records. The Electrical Inspector shall enforce the provisions of this chapter and keep complete records of all permits issued and inspections made. All records shall be kept and so arranged as to afford prompt information concerning electrical installations.

D. Authority to discontinue electric operation. The Electrical Inspector may cause the turning off of all electrical currents to any equipment which is found to be in unsafe condition and may cut or discontinue electrical service in cases of emergency and where such electrical currents are dangerous to life or property or may interfere with the work of the Fire Department. No person shall reconnect any equipment thus cut off until written permission is given by the Electrical Inspector.

[1] Editor's Note: Original § 15.01(1), Appointment, which appeared at the beginning of this section, was deleted 11-18-2003 by Ord. No. 1740(20).

§ 142-2 (Reserved) [1]

[1] Editor’s Note: Former § 142-2, Electrical license, as amended, was repealed 12-20-2016 by Ord. No. 2011(7).

§ 142-3 License fee; assistants.

A. Electrician's license fee. The initial fee for a City of Burlington electrician's license and the fee for each yearly renewal of such license shall be as set by the Common Council.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: See Fee Schedule on file at the City Clerk's office.

B. Indentured apprentice or helper. No license shall be required for any person other than an electrical contractor or master electrician who is engaged in the installation, alteration or repair of electrical wiring and apparatus. An apprecie or helper shall serve under the direct supervision of a master electrician and shall be responsible to him and may do no electrical work of any kind without direct supervision.

C. Maintenance electrician. A license fee as set by the Common Council shall be charged for any person who regularly employs a competent electrician who has charge of the electrical work in his plant. Such license shall not permit the holder to install, alter or repair electrical wires and apparatus outside of the plant of the person by whom he is employed.

§ 142-4 Revocation of license.

Any such license may be revoked by the Common Council upon complaint made by the City Electrical Inspector.

§ 142-5 Permits for electrical installations.

A. Issuance. The Electrical Inspector shall issue permits for the execution of electrical installations for light, heat or power upon the filing of a proper application, which shall be made on forms furnished by the Inspector and shall prescribe the nature of the work as well as such other information as may be required for inspection. In no case shall any electrical work be done unless a permit and proper electrical license have been obtained.

B. Exemptions. No permit shall be required for repairs made necessary for proper maintenance of an existing installation; however, no alterations or extensions of an existing circuit shall be made without a permit. In such cases the work may be complete and inspection may follow such completion.

C. Fees. Electrical permit fees shall be as set forth in the Fee Schedule established by the Common Council.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: See Fee Schedule on file at the City Clerk's office.

§ 142-6 Construction requirements. [1]

All electrical installations and repairs shall conform to Ch. Comm 16, Electrical, of the Wisconsin Administrative Code.

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).

§ 142-7 Inspections.

A. Approval of Electrical Inspector. Upon the completion of the wiring of any building or before any wiring is to be hidden from view, the person doing the same shall notify the Electrical Inspector in writing on forms furnished by him, and he shall inspect the installation within 48 hours of the time such notice is received. If upon inspection it is found that such installation is fully in compliance with the provisions of this chapter and does not constitute a hazard to life or property, he shall approve the same and authorize concealment of such wiring or connection for electrical service. If the installation is incomplete or not strictly in accordance with this chapter, he shall issue orders to the person installing the same to remove all hazards and make the necessary changes or additions within 10 days. Concealment of electrical work before inspection or failure to comply with the orders of the Electrical Inspector shall constitute a violation of this chapter.

B. Certificate. Current shall not be turned on for any electrical installation until a certificate of inspection has been issued by the Electrical Inspector. However, in occupied buildings where a permit for lighting fixtures has been issued, the Electrical Inspector may authorize the installation of meters for electric service after the wiring has been inspected and approved.

§ 142-8 Violations and penalties.

A. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, any person found to be in violation of any provision of this chapter or any rule or order promulgated hereunder shall be subject to a penalty as provided in Chapter 1, § 1-4 of this Municipal Code.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).

B. Stop-work orders. The Electrical Inspector may order work stopped on the construction, installation, alteration or repair of electrical wiring when such work is being done in violation of this chapter. Work so stopped shall not be resumed except with written permission of the Electrical Inspector, provided that if the stop-work order is an oral one, it shall be followed by a written order within a reasonable period of time.

§ 142-9 Liability of City.

This chapter shall not be construed as assuming any liability on the part of the City of Burlington or Electrical Inspector for damages to anyone injured or for any property destroyed by a defect in wiring or electrical equipment.