A.
Purpose. Since there is danger to life and property
inherent in the use of electrical energy, this article is enacted
to regulate the installation and alteration of wiring for electrical
light, heat or power and signal systems operating on 50 volts or more
in or on all real property within the Town of Tonawanda, exclusive
of the Village of Kenmore.
B.
Adoption of standards. All electrical installations
heretofore mentioned shall be made in conformity with the requirements
of the National Electrical Code, as amended from time to time (National
Electrical Code), except where the provisions of this article or any
local law, ordinance or the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention
and Building Code (the Building Code) shall differently prescribe,
in which event compliance with the provisions of such local law, ordinance
or code shall be recognized as proper compliance with this article.
The requirements of the National Electrical Code shall be those known
as "National Fire Protection Association Pamphlet No. 70," as approved
and adopted by the American Standards Association.
C.
Authorization of electrical inspectors. The Code Enforcement
Officer and/or his designees are hereby authorized to make inspections
and reinspections of all electrical installations heretofore and hereafter
described and to approve or disapprove the same. All fees for inspections
and/or reinspections shall be payable to and collected by the Town
of Tonawanda.
D.
Duties of electrical inspector. It shall be the duty
of such inspector to report in writing to the Code Enforcement Officer,
whose duty it shall be to enforce all of the provisions of this Article,
all violations of and/or deviations from or omissions of the electrical
provisions of the National Electrical Code, and of all local laws,
ordinances and codes as referred to in this article, insofar as any
of the same apply to electrical wiring. Such inspectors shall make
inspections and reinspections of electrical installations in and on
properties in the Town of Tonawanda, upon the written request of an
authorized official of the Town of Tonawanda or as herein provided.
Such inspector is authorized to make inspections and reinspections
of electrical wiring installations, devices, appliances and equipment
in and on properties within the Town of Tonawanda where said inspector
deems it necessary for the protection of life and property. In the
event of an emergency, it is the duty of such inspector to make electrical
inspections upon the oral request of an official or officer of the
Town of Tonawanda. It shall be the duty of the Code Enforcement Officer
of the Town of Tonawanda to furnish written reports to the proper
officials of the Town of Tonawanda and owners and/or lessees of property
where defective electrical installations and equipment are found.
The Code Enforcement Officer shall authorize the issuing of a certificate
of compliance when electrical installations and equipment are in conformity
with this article.
E.
Performance of electrical work. Electrical work in the Town of Tonawanda, exclusive of the Village of Kenmore, shall be performed by or under the supervision of a master electrician and under a current license in accordance with Chapter 75, Electricians, Licensing of, of the Code of the Town of Tonawanda, except that a resident owner of a one- or two-family residence may personally do his or her own work. If said owner chooses to subcontract such electrical work, it shall be performed by or under the supervision of a master electrician under a current license in accordance with Chapter 75, Electricians, Licensing of, of the Code of the Town of Tonawanda. All such work shall comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, rules and regulations.
F.
Electrical permits. It shall be a violation of this
article for any person, firm or corporation to install or cause to
be installed or to alter electrical wiring for light, heat or power
in or on properties in the Town of Tonawanda until an electrical permit
and application for inspection has been filed with the Town of Tonawanda
Building Department. It shall be a violation of this article for a
person, firm or corporation 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 certificate
or a certificate of compliance by the Town of Tonawanda Building Department.
G.
Applicability. The provisions of this article shall
not apply to electrical installations in mines, ships, railway cars,
automotive equipment or the installations or equipment employed by
a railway, electrical or communications utility in the exercise of
its function as a utility and located outdoors or in buildings used
exclusively for that purpose. This article shall not apply to any
work involved in the manufacture, assembly, test or repair of electrical
machinery, apparatus, materials and equipment by a person, firm or
corporation engaged in electrical manufacturing as their principal
business. This article shall not apply to any building which is owned
or leased in its entirety by the governments of the United States,
the State of New York or the County of Erie.
H.
Construal of provisions. This article shall not be
construed to relieve or lessen the responsibility of any person owning,
operating, controlling or installing any electrical wiring, devices,
appliances or equipment for loss of life or damage to person or property
caused by any defect therein, nor shall the Town of Tonawanda or its
duly authorized inspectors be deemed to have assumed any such liability
by reason of any inspection made pursuant to this article.
I.
Exceptions. This article shall not apply to any person,
firm or corporation engaged in the conduct of manufacturing in or
on properties in the Town of Tonawanda who hire or employ one or more
electricians, whose principal duties are installation, maintenance
and repair of electrical machinery, appliances or electrical distribution
(hereinafter called "electrical work"). The term "electrician" shall
mean a person who has completed an apprentice course or received equivalent
training or had equivalent experience of at least three years in electrical
work and is deemed qualified by reason that his work performance is
acceptable by the various codes and inspections that said person,
firm or corporation is subject to. By January 1 of each year, a list
of such electricians shall be submitted to the Code Enforcement Officer
of the Town of Tonawanda in order that the person, firm or corporation
shall be released from or not subject to the provisions as set forth
in this article pertaining to the filing of applications or penalties
for noncompliance. There shall be no assessments or fees in connection
with the filing of this certificate for electricians.
