Since 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 lights, heat or power,
and signal systems operating on 50 volts or more, including all fire
alarm systems, in or on all real property within the Town of Potsdam,
New York.
All electrical installations, alterations or repairs heretofore
mentioned shall be made in conformity with the requirements of the
National Electrical Code (NEC) and applicable sections of the New
York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code except where
provisions of this chapter or any other local law, ordinance, or building
code of the Town of Potsdam shall be more stringent and shall differently
prescribe, in which event compliance with the provisions of such local
law, ordinance or building code shall be recognized as proper compliance
with this chapter. The requirements of the National Electrical Code
shall be those known as "National Fire Protection Association Pamphlet
No. 70," as adopted by the American Standards Association, and as
amended from time to time.
A building permit from the Town of Potsdam Code Enforcement Officer is required for all electrical installations, alterations or repairs as described in Chapter
120, §
120-4, Building permits.
The Code Enforcement Officer of the Town of Potsdam shall be, and is hereby, authorized to appoint and deputize as agents of the Town of Potsdam, and by resolution of the Town Board, for the purpose of making inspections and reinspections, at reasonable times and places and upon reasonable notice, of all electrical installations regulated and covered by the National Electrical Code as described in §
134-2, and to approve or disapprove said installations, such persons, agencies or organizations as, in the opinion and discretion of the Code Enforcement Officer, shall be qualified to conduct the same. In no event shall the cost or expense of such inspections or reinspections be a charge against the Town of Potsdam.
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any of the
provisions of this chapter or any rule or regulation made pursuant
thereto shall be guilty of a violation and, upon conviction thereof,
may be punished by a fine not less than $250, imprisonment not to
exceed 15 days, or both, and each day on which such violations continue
shall constitute a separate offense.
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 communications utility in the exercise of its function as a utility
and located outdoors or in the 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, firm or corporation engaged in
electrical manufacturing as their principal business. This chapter
shall not apply to manufacturing units which have regular electrical
maintenance personnel. It shall not apply to any building which is
owned or leased in its entirety by the government of the United States
or the State of New York.
Any person, agency or organization authorized to perform inspections
on behalf of the Town of Potsdam shall register with the Town of Potsdam
and shall agree to furnish within 10 days reports to the Town of Potsdam
Code Enforcement Office. No such agency shall be permitted to inspect
prior to registration.
For willful misconduct, failure to submit reports as provided
by this chapter, lack of performance, or for other just cause, the
Code Enforcement Officer may recommend to the Town Board, or the Town
Board upon its own motion may move, that one or more persons, agencies
or organizations be suspended or removed. Within 30 days of such action,
the Town Board shall hold a hearing to determine whether such action
should be taken. The agency shall be given written notice of the hearing,
personally served or by certified mail, at least eight days prior
to such hearing and shall have the opportunity to be heard. The Town
Board may suspend an agency found to be in violation for a period
of not less than three months or more than five years, or remove an
agency for at least five years. The decision of the Board shall be
rendered within 30 days after the conclusion of a hearing.
No authorized inspector shall inspect any work and furnish an
interim or final report for any job which has previously been inspected
by another authorized inspector. An inspector that performs the initial
inspection shall perform all subsequent inspections through the final
inspection.