[Ord. No. 2014-07; 10-12-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-67]
There is hereby adopted by the City for the purpose of establishing rules and regulations for the safe and practical installation, alteration and use of electrical equipment, including permits and penalties, that certain Electric Code known as the National Electrical Code, as published by the National Fire Protection Association, being particularly the 2020 edition thereof and the whole thereof, save and except such portions as are hereinafter deleted, modified or amended, of which not less than one copy is on filed in the office of the Clerk of the City and the same are hereby adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length herein and from the date on which the Ordinance shall take effect, the provisions thereof shall be controlling in the installation, alteration, and use of electrical equipment within the corporate limits of the City and on City owned property outside the corporate limits of the City.
[Ord. No. 2017-96; 8-10-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-53; 10-12-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-67]
The Electrical Inspector is appointed by the City Manager. The Electrical Inspector shall be under the supervision of the Director of the Economic & Community Development Department.
[Amended 10-12-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-67]
No person shall be appointed as Electrical Inspector who is not reasonably well skilled in the various departments of electricity and well versed in the rules or requirements of the National Electrical Code.
[Ord. No. 1990-23]
Said Electrical Inspector shall not directly or indirectly engage or have interest in any business or occupation that deals with electricity in any of its various forms including electrical appliances while in the employment of the City.
A. 
The Electrical Inspector shall enforce all laws relating to the installation, alteration and use of electrical equipment; to see that the construction, maintenance and control of all electrical appliances and apparatus and systems of electrical wiring and systems of poles for the carriage of said electrical wires and the electrical wiring of all buildings in the City, either public or private, and electric or illuminated signs or billboards shall conform to and comply with the rules and regulations established by this article. The Electrical Inspector, in the discharge of his official duties, and upon proper identification, shall have authority to enter any buildings, structure or premises at any reasonable hour. In dangerous situations the Electrical Inspector shall have the authority to order service discontinued to any property until such conditions are corrected.
[Amended 10-12-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-67]
B. 
It shall be the duty of said Electrical Inspector to end the dangers associated with the use of electricity, to inspect in the manner hereinafter provided all uses of electricity within the corporate limits of the City or on City owned property outside the corporate limits of the City, whether used either as a motive power or for heating, lighting or telephone purposes; or for any other purpose whatever requiring a connection system of wires or of poles and wires extending throughout, along, or across the streets, alleys or other public places of the City or any portion thereof, or where electricity is used in any private property within the City when connected with any such general system of electrical power or any isolated system.
[Ord. No. 2008-17]
[Ord. No. 2005-92]
The provisions of this article shall control the design and construction of all new installations of electrical conductors, fittings, devices, and fixtures for light, heat, and power service equipment and all equipment used for power supply, including those for and with information technology equipment, communications circuits and their related systems and to radio and television receiving systems and amateur radio transmission systems in buildings and structures; and all alterations or extensions to existing wiring systems therein to insure safety. All such installations shall conform to the provisions of this article and accepted engineering practice.
A. 
No electrical wiring for light, heat, or power or maintenance or repair of or to any electrical conductor, equipment or material regulated by The National Electrical Code or as adopted and or modified in this chapter other purposes shall be installed in a building or structure nor shall an alteration or extension of an existing electrical wiring system be made without being appropriately licensed and or registered and until a permit has been issued therefor.
B. 
All electrical equipment shall be installed, altered, or changed under the supervision of the Electrical Inspector of said City, and no person shall use any electricity in said electrical equipment without first having said equipment inspected and approved according to these rules and regulations and the Code of the City.
C. 
All work on a particular job must be performed by the licensed contractor or his employee representative who the permit was issued to.
[Ord. No. 2008-17]
D. 
The provisions of this section shall not apply to:
(1) 
Repairs and maintenance. Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.
(2) 
Public service agencies. The installation, alteration, or repair of electrical equipment for the operation of communications and signals or the transmission of intelligence by wire by public service agencies.
(3) 
Power companies. The installation, alteration, or repair of electrical equipment of a power or public service company for its use in the generation, transmission, distribution, or metering of electricity; and such other maintenance or construction as may be required to insure the safe and adequate transmission of electricity to the premises being served by said power company.
(4) 
Temporary testing systems. The installation of any temporary system required for the testing or servicing of electrical equipment or apparatus. Such system must be approved as safe for the location wherein or on it is to be used by the Electrical Inspector.
(5) 
Railway utilities. The installations or equipment employed by a railway utility in the exercise of its functions as a public carrier and located outdoors.
[Ord. No. 2008-17]
(6) 
Transmitting equipment. The electrical equipment used for radio or television transmission, except the equipment and wiring for power supply and installation of towers and antennae.
[Ord. No. 2005-92]
[Ord. No. 2008-17]
Prior to the issuance of an electrical permit, plans, specifications, and schedules in sufficient detail shall be filed with the Electrical Inspector showing the location and capacity of all lighting facilities, electrically operated equipment and light and power circuits required for all service equipment for new buildings or structures or major rewiring projects. Minor permits may be issued with only a simple sketch or written description of the work to be done submitted. A permit shall be issued only to a licensed electrical contractor or an owner of an owner-occupied single family home. The Electrical Inspector shall be notified of any change of deviation from the plans submitted.
A. 
The permit fee for all work covered by provision of the National Electrical Code of the City shall be calculated based on estimated/reasonable cost/value and nature of the work proposed for all new work, improvement, installations, system repair, replacement, addition, and alteration including material and labor shall be in amount as set forth in the Schedule of Fees.
B. 
Fee surcharge. Any work undertaken without a permit shall be subject to a surcharge of 100% of the regular charge or $50, whichever is greater, upon issuance of a valid permit. This shall be construed as a supplemental penalty accruing regardless of any imposition provided for in this Code.
[Ord. No. 2018-89]
In lieu of an individual permit required for each procedure under § 15-309 above, the maintenance of an already approved electrical installation in a company or establishment may be performed under an annual limited permit subject to the following:
A. 
The permit shall be issued to the firm, company or corporation only if it has under regular employment a qualified company electrician who is responsible for all work covered by the permit.
B. 
The permit is applied for and a fee paid in an amount as set forth in the Schedule of Fees.
[Ord. No. 2018-89]
C. 
Scope of work.
(1) 
Repair of existing luminaries (lighting fixtures).
(2) 
Replacement of damaged or defective devices, such as,
(a) 
Switches and receptacles.
(b) 
Motion sensors.
(c) 
Time clocks.
(3) 
The disconnecting and or reconnecting of motors for motor driven equipment from their existing electrical connection.
(4) 
The disconnecting and or reconnecting of modular office partitions from existing electrical supply.
(5) 
This permit does not allow for the installation of service conductors or distribution equipment or their related systems, such as sub panels, motor control centers and conduit systems.
(6) 
This permit does not allow for the installation of new branch circuits or lighting circuits or their related devices to accommodate building and or room additions.
D. 
Instead of a qualified company electrician being employed by a company, work allowed in the annual limited permit shall be performed by a licensed electrical contractor upon notification of and approval by the Electrical Inspector or the Director of Economic & Community Development.
[Ord. No. 2017-96; 8-10-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-53]
E. 
To be a qualified company electrician, one must appear before the Electrical Commission for review and pass the "Standard Maintenance Electrician" examination administered by the International Code Council or its designated testing agent.
[Ord. No. 2008-17]
F. 
The annual limited permit shall at no time be used for work performed beyond the premises for which it was issued.
[Ord. No. 2008-17]
G. 
The review fee for the qualified company electrician test shall be as set forth in the Schedule of Fees.
[Ord. No. 2018-89]
A. 
During the installation of electrical wiring systems and service equipment, the Electrical Inspector shall make inspections to insure compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
B. 
The Electrical Inspector shall within two working days of notification of completion by the contractor make an inspection. No work in connection with an electric wiring system shall be covered or concealed until it has been inspected and permission to do so has been granted by the Electrical Inspector, and the Electrical Inspector is hereby authorized to demand the removal of any flooring, lathing, plaster, sheet or metal, or other material which may conceal any electrical wiring or apparatus contrary to the provisions of this article.
[Amended 10-12-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-67]
C. 
On completion of the inspection of any electrical wiring or apparatus designed to be concealed and found to be in compliance with the provisions of this article, it shall be the duty of said Inspector to post a "Rough-In" inspection sticker on a location, and said sticker shall be considered as expressed permission to conceal any part of the system, but no concealment shall take place until such sticker has been posted by said Inspector.
[Ord. No. 2008-17]
D. 
On completion of the work, the Electrical Inspector shall inspect the work to insure compliance with all requirements.
E. 
It shall be unlawful to use or permit the use of, or to supply current for new electric wiring for heat, light or power in a building or structure, unless approved by the Electrical Inspector. No electrical current shall be turned on to such equipment so inspected, nor shall any company wires be connected therewith, until such approval is procured.
F. 
Emergency service can be performed if life or property is endangered by delay or if undue or unnecessary hardship is or will be caused by such delay. Such service must be reported to the Electrical Inspector for the purpose of obtaining his property inspection within 72 hours following the performance of such service.
G. 
Any work which is rejected by the Electrical Inspector shall be corrected and reinspected within 30 days.
H. 
If, upon reinspection, an electric wiring system is found defective and unsafe, the Electrical Inspector shall revoke all certificates and permits in effect; and the use of such system shall be discontinued until it has been made to conform to this chapter and after a new permit has been issued.
[Ord. No. 1990-23]
[Ord. No. 1990-23]
Upon complaint in writing of any citizen as to the unsafe condition of any part of any such electrical system within the City, it shall be the duty of such Electrical Inspector to inspect such part complained of, and if he finds that such complaint is well grounded, or if he otherwise finds any defect to require the person, firm or corporation at fault in the matter to put such part in proper condition, it shall then be the duty of such person, firm or corporation to put such defective part in proper condition.
A. 
The City Electrical Inspector shall have the authority upon inspection or reinspection to condemn any or all electrical work installed or being installed that may be considered unsafe or hazardous to life or property. Upon condemnation of such work, he shall serve a written notice upon the person owning, using or installing the same to place the work in a secure and safe condition, and in compliance with the provisions herein contained. If any person owning, using or installing such condemned electrical work shall deem that he is aggrieved by the condemnation by the City Electrical Inspector, he shall have the right to appeal from the decision of the City Electrical Inspector to the City Electrical Commission within 10 days after receiving the written condemnation notice. The Commission shall select a reasonable time and place for a hearing and give due notice to the parties involved and shall render a decision on the appeal without unreasonable delay. The decision of this Commission shall be final. Upon condemnation of any electrical work, the City Electrical Inspector is authorized to refuse the connection or to disconnect or to order the disconnection of any electrical supply lines until the condemned electrical work has been made safe and is approved by the City Electrical Inspector. Such order shall be in writing, signed by the City Electrical Inspector and served upon the utility company furnishing service and the owner of the property.
[Ord. No. 1990-23]
B. 
Any petition for a variance/interpretation from the Electrical Commission shall be filed with the Economic & Community Development Department, accompanied by a fee in an amount as set forth in the Schedule of Fees payable to the City of Bloomington.
[Ord. No. 2018-89; 8-10-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-53]
C. 
Any application for a variance/interpretation to this Code proposed by the City Council, Zoning Board of Appeals, Construction Board of Appeals, Building Code Review Board, Plumbing Board of Appeals, Electrical Commission, HVAC Board, City staff or Regional Planning Commission staff shall be exempted from the requirements of this section.
[Ord. No. 2005-92]
The following modifications and/or additional provisions are hereby adopted and included in and as a part of the Electrical Code of the City and shall supersede any other provisions of this Code:
A. 
Type AC or MC cables shall have an enclosed ground conductor equal in size to the current carrying conductors and used in concealed applications only.
B. 
Type "S" fuses and fuse adapters for plug fuses are mandatory, unless circuit breaker type panels are installed.
C. 
The use of # 10 gauge or smaller aluminum or copper-clad aluminum wire is prohibited.
D. 
All snap or toggle switches used in any location shall be of a type which has an equipment ground terminal.
E. 
Ceiling mounted lighting outlet boxes in dwelling units more than three feet from any wall shall be ceiling (paddle) fan listed and be secured according to the listing installation instructions. Garages and closets not having ceiling fans are excluded.
F. 
Section 210.8 - Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for Personnel is hereby modified as follows:
(1) 
In dwelling units, GFCI protection is not required for receptacles in garages, that are not readily accessible and use a single receptacle located within the ceiling space for a garage opener that, in normal use, is not easily moved from one place to another and that is cord-and-plug connected.
(2) 
In dwelling units, GFCI protection is not required for receptacles in unfinished basements not intended as habitable rooms and limited to storage areas, work areas, and the like, with receptacles that are not readily accessible, a single receptacle for sump pump use or a duplex receptacle for two sump pumps located within dedicated space for each sump pump that, in normal use, is not easily moved from one place to another and that is cord-and-plug connected.
[Ord. No. 2008-17]
Any electrical wire, pole or electrical support or other electrical apparatus in said City which shall not be properly insulated, or installed or which causes any unnecessary risk or danger of injury to persons or property in said City, is hereby declared to be a nuisance, and any person, company or corporation who shall maintain or use the same in such dangerous condition shall be fined as hereinafter provided. The Electrical Inspector is hereby authorized to cut out the same and prevent its further use.
Nothing in this article shall be construed to exempt any person, firm or corporation from liability now existing or that in the future may arise to the City or any person for damage from negligence or from defective construction relating to maintaining or making connection with any such system of electrical power within the corporate limits of the City, nor to release any person, firm or corporation from any restriction under ordinances granting them their respective franchises; now shall the City be held to assume any liability by reason of the inspection authorized herein or certificate or permit being issued pursuant to the provisions of this article, or from a failure of the Electrical Inspector to perform his full duties hereunder.
The following regulations shall be followed:
A. 
No wire or wires shall be installed, operated or maintained over any street, alley, sidewalk or building in this City which shall be likely seriously to interfere with the work of the Fire Department in the use of ladders or other apparatus, or which shall obstruct or render hazardous the use of fire escapes, and on complaint of the Chief of the Fire Department to the person, firm or corporation maintaining said wires, said obstructing, interfering or hazardous wires shall be removed or property rearranged.
B. 
The Chief of the Fire Department or said Electrical Inspector or a competent person delegated by them or either of them shall have the power to cause the removal of all wires or the turning off of all electrical current where the circuits interfere with the work of the Fire Department during the progress of a fire. The said Electrical Inspector is hereby authorized and empowered to cause the turning off of electric current from all conductors or apparatus which are deemed by him to be in an unsafe condition or which have not been installed in conformity with the provisions of this article. No person, firm or corporation shall supply or cause to be supplied any electric current to conductors or apparatus which have been deemed by said Inspector to be in an unsafe condition or which have not been installed in conformity with the provisions of this article and from which the said Electrical Inspector has caused the electric current to be turned off.
C. 
The words or terms "electrical wiring and apparatus" as used in this article shall be construed to include all material, devices, machinery, appliances, appurtenances or conductors used in connection with the production of electric light, heat or power or the transmission of electrical signals, except where specifically limited.
D. 
The Electrical Inspector shall decide all questions not provided for in this article pertaining to installation, operation or maintenance of electrical wiring and apparatus.
E. 
No person, firm or corporation shall interfere with the said Electrical Inspector or any competent person or persons lawfully deputized to assist him as hereinabove provided, while in the performance of duty, and each such interference shall be deemed to constitute a separate offense within the intent and meaning of this section.
[Ord. No. 2008-17]
[Ord. No. 2008-17]
Any person who shall violate a provision of this Code or shall fail to comply with any of the requirements therefor or who shall erect, construct, alter, or add to in violation of an approved plan or directive of the Electrical Inspector, or of a permit or certificate under the provisions of this Code shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than $500 or by imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both such fine and imprisonment. Each day that a violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense.
In any case where a provision of this chapter is found to be in conflict with any zoning, building, fire safety or health provisions of the Code of the City existing on the effective date of this chapter, the provision which establishes the higher standard for the promotion and protection of the health and safety of the people shall prevail. In any case where a provision of any other provision of the Code of the City establishes a lower standard for the promotion and protection of the health and safety of the people, the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed to prevail and such other provisions of the Code of the City are hereby declared to be repealed to the extent that they may be found to conflict with this chapter.