A.
Provisions applicable. The provisions of this article shall apply
to all installation of electrical conductors, fittings, devices and
fixtures, herein referred to as "electrical equipment," within or
on public and private buildings and premises, with the following general
exceptions:[1]
(1)
The provisions of this article shall not apply to installations used
by electrical supply or communications agencies in the generation,
transmission or distribution of electricity or for the operation of
signals or the transmission of intelligence and located within or
on buildings or premises used exclusively by such an agency or in
public thoroughfares.
(2)
The provisions of this article shall not apply to the installation
of equipment employed by a railroad utility in the exercise of its
functions as a utility and located outdoors or in buildings used exclusively
for that purpose.
B.
REASONABLY SAFE TO PERSONS AND PROPERTY
Definition. As used in this article, the following phrase shall have
the meaning indicated:
As applied to electrical installations and electrical equipment
means safe to use in the service for which the installation or equipment
is intended without unnecessary hazard to life, limb or property.
A.
Qualifications. There is created the office of Electrical Inspector
(hereinafter referred to as "Inspector"). The Inspector shall:
(1)
Be a State of Wisconsin certified electrical inspector and commercial
electrical inspector; and
(2)
Have a thorough knowledge of the standard materials and methods used
in the installation of electrical equipment; shall be well versed
in approved methods of construction for safety of persons and property,
the statutes of the state relating to electrical work and any orders,
rules and regulations issued by authority thereof, and the National
Electrical Code, as approved by the American Standards Association.
B.
Appointment. The Inspector shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject
to confirmation by the Council. The Inspector shall also take and
subscribe an oath, which together with the certificate of appointment
shall be filed with the City Clerk. The Inspector may be removed from
the office for cause.
A.
Generally. The Inspector shall enforce the provisions of this article.
The Inspector shall, upon application, grant permits for the installation
or alteration of electrical equipment and shall make inspections of
electrical installations, all as provided in this article. The Inspector
shall keep complete records of all permits issued, inspections and
reinspections made and other official work performed in accordance
with the provisions of this article. He or she shall also keep on
file a list of inspected electrical equipment issued by or for Underwriters'
Laboratories, Inc., which list shall be accessible for public reference
during regular office hours.
B.
May employ additional assistants. The Inspector may employ, subject
to approval of the Council, any Assistant Inspector and clerical assistants
necessary for the proper conduct of the office and the inspection
of electrical installations as provided for in this article.
C.
Inspector not to be in electrical business. The Inspector shall not
engage in the sale, installation or maintenance of electrical equipment,
either directly or indirectly, and the Inspector shall have no financial
interest in any concern engaged in such business in the City at any
time while holding such office as herein provided.
A.
Generally. The Inspector may during reasonable hours enter any building
or premises in the discharge of official duties or for the purpose
of making any inspection, reinspection or test of the electrical equipment
contained therein or its installation. When any electrical equipment
is found by the Inspector to be dangerous to persons or property because
it is defective or defectively installed, the person responsible for
the electrical equipment shall be notified in writing and shall make
any changes or repairs required in the judgment of the Inspector to
place such equipment in safe condition, and if such work is not started
as soon as possible and not completed within 15 days or any longer
period that may be specified by the Inspector in such notice, the
Inspector may disconnect or order discontinuance of electric service
to such electrical equipment. In cases of emergency, where necessary
for safety to persons or property, or where electrical equipment may
interfere with the work of the Fire Department, the Inspector may
disconnect or cause the disconnection immediately for any electrical
equipment.
B.
Delegation. The Inspector may delegate any of his or her powers or
duties to any assistant.
A.
Conform to laws and standards. All installations of electrical equipment
shall be reasonably safe to persons and property and in conformity
with the provisions of this article and the applicable state statutes
and all orders, rules and regulations issued by authority thereof.
B.
Adoption of state code. All installations of electrical wiring and
equipment shall comply with the rules of the Wisconsin Administrative
Code Electrical Code, including any amendments thereto. The Inspector
may authorize installations of special wiring methods.
No electrical equipment shall be installed within or on any building, structure or premises, publicly or privately owned, nor shall any alteration or addition be made in any such existing equipment without first securing a permit therefor from the Inspector, except as provided in § 175-49 and except that no permit will be required to execute any of the following classes of electrical work:
A.
Minor repair work, the replacement of lamps or the connection of
portable electrical equipment to suitable permanently installed receptacles.
B.
The installation, alteration or repair of electrical equipment for
the operation of signals or the transmission of intelligence.
C.
The installation, alteration or repair of electrical equipment installed
by or for an electricity supply agency for the use of such agency
in the generation, transmission, distribution or metering of electricity.
D.
Any work involved in the manufacturing, testing, servicing, altering
or repairing of electrical equipment or apparatus, except that this
exemption shall not include any permanent wiring other than that required
for testing purposes.
A.
The Common Council shall establish a fee for processing electrical
permits and inspections. An applicant for an electrical permit shall
pay the required fee upon final submission of the application. An
application shall not be deemed complete until the required fee is
paid. A copy of the current fees established by the Common Council
shall be kept on file by the City Clerk.
B.
All fees for required inspections are included in the schedule of
fees. The Inspector shall determine the number of required inspections,
based on the complexity of the project.
A.
Notice to be given. Upon completion of any installation of electrical
equipment which has been made under a permit, the person making the
installation shall notify the Inspector, who shall inspect the installation
within 24 hours (exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) of
the time such notice is given or as soon thereafter as practicable.
B.
Certificate of approval. Where the Inspector finds the service installation
to be in conformity with the provisions of this article, he or she
shall issue a certificate of approval, authorizing the use of the
installation and connection to the supply of electricity and shall
send written notice of such authorization to the agency supplying
the electric service.
C.
Expiration of temporary certificate of approval. When a certificate
of approval is issued authorizing the connection or use of a temporary
installation, such certificate shall be issued to expire at a time
to be stated therein and shall be revocable by the Inspector for cause.
D.
Where installation will be hidden from view. When any electrical
equipment is to be hidden from view by the permanent placement of
parts of the building, the person installing the equipment shall notify
the Inspector, and such equipment shall not be concealed until it
has been inspected and approved by the Inspector or until 24 hours
(exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays or holidays) shall have lapsed from
the time of such notification, provided that on large installations,
where concealment of equipment proceeds continuously, the person installing
the electrical equipment shall give the Inspector due notice, and
inspections shall be made periodically during the progress of the
work.
E.
Regular inspections. At regular intervals the Inspector shall visit
all premises where work may be done and shall inspect all electrical
equipment installed since the date of last inspection and shall issue
a certificate of approval for such work as is found to be in conformity
with the provisions of this article, after the fee required above
has been paid. If upon inspection the installation is not found to
be fully in conformity with the provisions of this article, the Inspector
shall at once forward to the person making the installation a written
notice stating the defects which have been found to exist.[1]
No person shall make connection from a supply of electricity
or supply electricity to any electrical equipment for the installation
of which a permit is required, or which has been disconnected or ordered
to be disconnected by the Inspector, until such connection has been
authorized by the Inspector.
