STATUTORY REFERENCES
Manufacture and sale of electricity — See 2nd Class Secs. 1601-A et seq.
GENERAL REFERENCES
Fees — See Section 208.04(c).
Electrical disturbances — See Section 660.07.
[Ord. 214. Passed 2-19-1985]
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as "the Lower Gwynedd Township Electrical Code" or just "the Electrical Code."
As used in this chapter:
(a) 
"Apprentice electrician" means any person who qualifies as an apprentice electrician and has registered and been licensed in accordance with this chapter.
(b) 
"Approved inspection agency" means any inspection agency which has registered with and been approved by the Township Manager.
(c) 
"Chief plant electrician" means any person who qualifies as and has registered and been licensed as a chief plant electrician in accordance with this chapter.
(d) 
"Electrical work" means any installation, construction, alteration or assembly of any device, equipment, apparatus or other object which is used or intended to be used for the transmission of electrical energy or an electrical impulse, except when performed by or on behalf of any regulated public utility or any regulated radio or television transmission system on equipment, cables, wires or equivalent facilities or on electrical circuits connected to or supported by such equipment or facilities, if the use of the equipment or facilities is required in the operations of or services rendered by the regulated entity. "Electrical work" does not include the manufacturing of any device, equipment, apparatus or other object used or intended to be used for the transmission of electrical energy or an electrical impulse, but does include electrical wiring systems connected to air conditioning equipment, protective signaling devices (fire and burglar alarms) and swimming pools.
(e) 
"Journeyman electrician" means any person who has passed a journeyman electrician's examination and who qualifies and has registered and been licensed as a journeyman electrician in accordance with this chapter.
(f) 
"Master electrical contractor" means any person who qualifies as and has registered and been licensed as a master electrical contractor in accordance with this chapter.
(g) 
"National Electrical Code" means Standard Number 70 for electrical wiring and apparatus, as recommended by the National Fire Protection Association, 1987 edition, as adopted in Section 1448.03.
(h) 
"Oil burner and gas burner service dealer" means any person who qualifies as and has registered and been licensed as an oil burner and gas burner service dealer in accordance with this chapter.
(i) 
"Refrigeration service dealer" means any person who qualifies as and has registered and been licensed as a refrigeration service dealer in accordance with this chapter. "Township Manager" means the duly appointed Township Manager or a designee appointed by such Township Manager or by the Board of Supervisors.
(a) 
That certain document marked and designated as the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70 (1987), as promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association, is hereby adopted by the Township. Each and all of the regulations, provisions, penalties, conditions and terms of such Code are hereby referred to, adopted and made a part hereof as if fully set out in this chapter.
(b) 
At least three copies of the National Electrical Code, as adopted in subsection (a) hereof, shall be on file in the office of the Township Secretary and there kept available for public use, inspection and examination.
(c) 
In the event of a conflict between any of the provisions of the National Electrical Code, as adopted in subsection (a) hereof, and any provision of this chapter, or any other provision of these Codified Ordinances, or any other local ordinance or resolution, the local provision shall prevail. In the event of a conflict between any of the provisions of the National Electrical Code, as adopted in subsection (a) hereof, and a provision of any other technical code or standard applicable to or adopted by the Township, the stricter or higher standard shall prevail. In the event of a conflict between any of the provisions of the National Electrical Code, as adopted in subsection (a) hereof, and any provision of State law, the State law shall prevail.
[Ord. 214. Passed 2-19-1985]EXCEPTIONS.
(a) 
All electrical work in the Township shall be performed in accordance with this chapter and with the requirements and standards of the National Electrical Code, as adopted in Section 1448.03, and the BOCA National Building Code, as adopted in Section 1440.01.
(b) 
The provisions of the National Electrical Code and this chapter shall not apply to:
(1) 
The replacement of light bulbs or fuses or other minor repair work; and
(2) 
The connection of any portable electrical appliance to any permanently installed electrical receptacle.
[Ord. 214. Passed 2-19-1985]REVOCATION.
(a) 
No person shall engage in the business or occupation of, or perform the work of, an electrical contractor, chief plant electrician, oil burner and gas burner service dealer, refrigeration service dealer, journeyman electrician or apprentice electrician in the Township without first obtaining a license therefor.
(b) 
A license may be obtained from the Township Manager upon payment of the license fee provided for in subsection (c) hereof and by:
(1) 
Submitting to the Manager proof that the applicant for the license has an existing valid license issued by a Township or borough having comparable licensing requirements. In such instances, the Manager shall issue a license of the same general type as the one then held by the applicant.
(2) 
Taking and passing a test conducted by an inspection agency approved by the Manager. In this case, the applicant shall notify the Township, in writing, of his or her intention to take such test and the type of license for which application is made. Thereafter, the Manager shall, as soon as is practical, arrange for a test to be administered to the applicant. The preparation, administration and grading of the test shall be the sole responsibility of the agency administering the test. Any fee required in conjunction with the test shall be paid by the applicant and shall be in addition to the license fee required by the Township.
(c) 
Fees for license examination applications or for license renewals shall be as specified in Section 208.04(c)(1) of the Administration Code.
(d) 
Every license provided for in this section shall expire on December 31 of the year for which it is issued.
(e) 
The holder of a valid license under this chapter who wishes to renew such license for the following year shall, during the month of December, make application for renewal to the Township Manager and pay the fee provided for in subsection (c) hereof. The Township Manager shall forthwith issue the proper license for the following year.
(f) 
The Manager may revoke the license of any person who fails to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter.
(g) 
Any person whose license has been revoked may appeal such revocation to the Board of Supervisors. The Board shall make appropriate arrangements to hear the appeal and shall render a decision to either uphold the revocation or reinstate the license.
[Ord. 214. Passed 2-19-1985]
(a) 
Generally. No person shall perform any electrical work in the Township unless he or she first obtains a permit therefor from the Township Manager. An applicant for such a permit shall make application to the Manager on a form prescribed by the Manager, providing all information requested thereon.
(b) 
Fees. Applicants for permits under this section shall, at the time of making application therefor to the Manager, pay the fees prescribed in Section 208.04(c)(2)A. of the Administration Code.
(c) 
Annual Permits. When the work is routine repairs, maintenance or replacement, the Manager may issue an annual permit for predesignated sites upon the payment of the fee specified in Section 208.04(c)(2)B. of the Administration Code, payable on January 1 of each year.
Annual permits for the routine repair, maintenance and replacement of electrical work and equipment may be issued to owners or occupants of a building regularly employing one or more electricians on the premises.
Prior to the issuance of an annual permit, a complete list of all predesignated sites shall be submitted to the Township Manager.
Each holder of an annual permit shall maintain a record of all work in the nature of replacement or repairs.
(d) 
Revocation. The Township Manager may revoke any permit issued under this section when:
(1) 
Any work for which a permit is granted is done in violation of any of the provisions of the National Electrical Code, as adopted in Section 1448.03, the BOCA National Building Code, as adopted in Section 1440.01, this chapter, or the approved final drawings therefor, or in an, unsafe and dangerous manner;
(2) 
Any condition of the permit is violated; or
(3) 
Active work under the permit is not commenced within six months from the date of issuance of the permit.
When the Township Manager determines that grounds exist for the revocation of a permit, he or she shall serve notice upon the holder of such permit, stating the nature of the violation and that compliance with all requirements shall be achieved within ten days of receipt of the notice. The notice may also prescribe a course of remedial action. If, at the expiration of the time allowed for compliance, the violation has not been corrected, the Manager shall revoke the permit.
[Ord. 214. Passed 2-19-1985]
No occupancy permit shall be issued for any dwelling or premises within the Township until the Township Manager has received a certificate from an approved inspection agency governing such premises and issued pursuant to the authorized inspection, indicating that such work complies with this chapter and with the requirements of the National Electrical Code, as adopted in Section 1448.03, and the BOCA National Building Code, as adopted in Section 1440.01.
[Ord. 214. Passed 2-19-1985]
(a) 
Inspections and tests to determine whether or not the provisions of this chapter and of the National Electrical Code, as adopted in Section 1448.03, and the BOCA National Building Code, as adopted in Section 1440.01, have been complied with, shall be made by an approved inspecting agency or a registered electrical engineer.
(b) 
The inspections required by this section are as follows:
(1) 
An open wall inspection shall be made during the course of construction, following which a certificate issued by an approved inspection agency shall be furnished to the Township Manager not later than fifteen days after such inspection.
(2) 
Upon completion of any electrical work, a final inspection shall be made, following which a certificate of inspection and approval governing such final inspection, issued by an approved inspection agency, shall be furnished to the Manager not later than fifteen days after completion of the installation of the electrical work.
(3) 
The Manager may secure an inspection by an approved inspection agency or a registered professional electrical engineer at any time during the construction of electrical work, which inspection shall be in addition to and not in lieu of any open wall or final inspection.
(c) 
All decisions as to whether or not electrical work complies with the provisions of the National Electrical Code, the BOCA National Building Code and this chapter shall be made on the basis of an inspection performed by an approved inspection agency or a registered professional electrical engineer.
(d) 
The Township Manager shall not accept any certificate of inspection from an inspection agency which has not been approved by the Manager. The Manager shall investigate the agency's qualifications, its methods of operation, the completeness of its inspection activity and the type of report it issues, before approving such agency.
All approved inspection agencies shall pay a yearly license fee, as provided in Section 208.04(c)(3), to the Township.
(e) 
The Manager may, at his or her discretion, withhold, or, if once approved, revoke the approval of any inspection agency which, in his or her opinion, fails to comply with this chapter or to discharge its duties in a competent, forthright, professional and workmanlike manner. Any person whose approval as an inspection agency has been withheld or revoked by the Manager may appeal to the Board of Supervisors. The Board shall make appropriate arrangements to hear the appeal and shall render a decision either to uphold the revocation or withholding or to grant approval.
(f) 
The person performing electrical work shall pay directly to the approved inspection agency all fees in conjunction with any inspection requested or required by the Township.
[Ord. 214. Passed 2-19-1985]
In order to safeguard persons and property against the hazards and perils of existing defective electrical wiring, apparatus or equipment, the Township Manager may cause to be inspected, by an approved inspection agency or a registered professional electrical engineer, at reasonable times, any building, structure (including a swimming pool) or premises in the Township to determine whether any electrical work installed therein is defective or unsafe.
If, as a result of such inspection, it is determined that any electrical work in any building, structure (including a swimming pool) or premises is in an unsafe and dangerous condition, or not in compliance with the provisions of the National Electrical Code, as adopted in Section 1448.03, the BOCA National Building Code, as adopted in Section 1440.01, or this chapter, that portion of the existing work which is defective or unsafe shall be discontinued and made to comply with the provisions of such standards. The Manager shall serve notice upon the owner or occupant thereof, stating the nature of the violation and that compliance with all requirements shall be achieved within the period of time specified in the notice. The notice may also prescribe a course of remedial action and pass all inspection costs on to the owner or occupant thereof. No owner or occupant shall fail to comply with such notice within the time period specified therein.
[Ord. 214. Passed 2-19-1985]
The installation and maintenance of fluoroscope, x-ray or other electrical apparatus so constructed or so used as to interfere with the radio communications of the Police Department, the Volunteer Fire Companies or public works personnel of the Township is hereby prohibited.
[Ord. 214. Passed 2-19-1985]
Any electrical work performed contrary to the provisions of the National Electrical Code, as adopted in Section 1448.03, the BOCA National Building Code, as adopted in Section 1440.01, or this chapter, is hereby declared to be a common or public nuisance and abatable as such.
[Ord. 214. Passed 2-19-1985]
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to affect any suit or proceeding pending in any court, any right acquired or liability incurred, any permit issued or any cause of action existing under any other ordinance of the Township prior to the enactment of this chapter (Ordinance 214, passed February 19, 1985), nor shall any just or legal right, remedy or restriction of any character be lost, impaired or affected by this chapter.