[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Sanford 8-1-2017 by Order No. 17-103.14. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Electrical inspector of the City or any deputy, assistant
or acting inspector designated by the City Manager.
[1]Any person who customarily performs the work of installing
or repairing electrical wires, conduits, fixtures, equipment and other
appliances in the employment of a master electrician and who holds
a valid journeyman electrician's license issued to him by the Electricians
Examining Board pursuant to 32 M.R.S.A. § 1101 et seq.,
as amended.
A limited electrician's license to install and service the
electrical work related to a specific type of electrically operated
equipment or to specific electrical installations issued by the Electricians
Examining Board pursuant to 32 M.R.S.A. § 1101 et seq.,
as amended.
Any person who customarily performs the work of installing
or repairing electrical wires, conduits, apparatus, fixtures, equipment,
appliances, and other electrical equipment and holding a valid master
electrician's license issued by the Electricians Examining Board pursuant
to 32 M.R.S.A. § 1101 et seq., as amended.
[1]
Editor's Note: The definition of "Board," as amended 5-7-2019
by Order No. 19-258-01, and the definition of "City," both of which
immediately preceded this definition, were repealed 11-23-2021 by
Order No. 21-514-01.
A.
An electrical permit is required for the installation, alteration,
or addition of any electrical wiring, device, appliance or equipment
within or on any building, structure or premises within the territorial
limits of the City of Sanford.
B.
An electrical permit is required before the electrical utility company
may activate the electricity to a new permanent service, new temporary
electrical service, and new underground secondary service and when
an electrical service has been disconnected, deactivated, or inactive
for more than one year. Any utility corporation must require proof
of permit prior to connecting power to the installation.
[Amended 11-23-2021 by Order No. 21-514-01]
C.
Permits shall be issued only to a master electrician or a limited
license electrician limited to the specific electrical installations
authorized by such licenses. A permit may be issued to homeowners
to do wiring in a single-family residence, provided that the following
conditions are met:
D.
Emergency work may be undertaken without first obtaining a permit
and a permit must be obtained on the next day the office is open following
commencement of such work.
E.
Exceptions.
(1)
No permit shall be required to do minor repair work such as, but
not limited to, the following:
(a)
The replacement of existing fuses and circuit breakers by licensed
electricians and bona fide single-family homeowners;
(b)
The replacement of existing switches, sockets, and outlets by
licensed electricians and bona fide single-family homeowners;
(c)
Repairs to entrance service equipment by the utility; and
(d)
Repairs or installation of radio and low voltage equipment.
(2)
No permit shall be required for the replacement of lamps or the connection
of portable devices to suitable receptacles which have been permanently
installed. A "suitable receptacle" is hereby defined as one having
the proper wiring and capacity to fulfill the electrical requirements
of the portable device.
(3)
No permit shall be required for the installation, alteration or repair
of wiring, devices, appliances or equipment for the operation of signals
or the transmission of intelligence through the facilities of any
duly chartered telephone, telegraph or radio company.
(4)
No permit shall be required for the installation, alteration or repairing
of electric wiring, devices, appliances and equipment installed by
a public utility for the use of such public utility in the generation,
transmission, distribution or metering of electrical energy; nor for
the work of such utilities in installing, maintaining and repairing
on the premises of customers, service connections, meters and other
apparatus and appliances remaining the property of such utilities
after installation; nor for work by a public utility in connection
with the lighting of public or private ways, alleys, parks or squares.
A.
Application for an electrical permit, describing the work to be done,
shall be made in writing on standard forms provided by the City to
the Electrical Inspector by the person installing the work. The application
shall state the name and address of the person for whom the work is
to be done and shall be accompanied by such plans and specifications
as may be necessary to determine whether the installation as described
will be in conformity with the requirements of this chapter, and if
the applicant has complied with the provisions of this chapter, a
permit for such installation shall be issued.
B.
The electrical permit, when issued, shall be for the installation
as described in the application, and no major deviation shall be made
from the installation so described without the written approval of
the Electrical Inspector.
C.
No permit issued under this chapter shall be transferable except
with the written approval of the Electrical Inspector.
A.
An electrical permit shall be issued only when the proper fee has
been paid. Any person who commences any work for which a permit is
required without having first obtained a permit shall pay a belated
fee in addition to the customary fee for the permit. A belated fee
shall not be assessed for emergency work.
B.
The fees for permits under this chapter shall be paid by the applicant
for such permits in accordance with a fee schedule established by
the City Council.
Any permit issued under this chapter shall become invalid if
the authorized work is not commenced within six months after the issuance
of the permit, if the authorized work is suspended or abandoned for
a period of six months after the time of commencing the work, or if
the authorized work is not completed within 12 months. The Electrical
Inspector shall have the authority to extend a permit for the commencement
of authorized work beyond the six months or the completion of authorized
work beyond the 12 months when such a request is determined reasonable
by the Electrical Inspector.
Any person performing electrical work as regulated by this chapter
and 32 M.R.S.A. § 1101 et seq., as amended, shall carry
his or her electrical license issued by the Electricians Examining
Board and upon request shall display it to the Electrical Inspector.
Failure to display a license after a reasonable opportunity to do
so shall be deemed evidence of a violation of this chapter.
Whenever any electrical work or wiring is found to have been
installed without a proper permit having first been secured, or not
to be in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, the Electrical
Inspector shall order the person having charge of that installation
to have it corrected immediately. If that person refuses or neglects
to do so, the Inspector may apply to an appropriate court for injunctive
relief.
In accordance with 30-A M.R.S.A. § 4171 et al., the
Electrical Inspector shall enforce the provisions of this chapter
so that wires, conduits, fixtures, apparatus, equipment and other
appliances carrying or using electricity for light, heat, power, transmission
of sound and communications purposes shall be so installed, constructed
and guarded as to reduce as far as practicable the danger to life
and property.
In accordance with 30-A M.R.S.A. § 4172, the Electrical
Inspector may enter any building within the municipality with the
permission of any person having control of such building, or may apply
to a court to do so in order to discharge his or her official duties,
for the purpose of making any inspection of original installations
of electrical equipment, alterations or additions to existing electrical
equipment, reinspection or test of the installation or maintenance
of electric wiring, devices, appliances and equipment contained therein.
A.
Whenever the Electrical Inspector determines that there has been
a violation of any provision of this chapter, an order to correct
such violation shall be issued to the person (hereinafter "violator")
owning or having any control of any land, building, structure, sign,
licensed or permitted business or operation which is in violation.
B.
Any notice under this chapter shall describe the violation, including
a reference to the chapter section violated, specify that reasonable
period within which the violation must be corrected, and state the
potential consequence if the violation is not corrected. The notice
shall also advise the violator of any right to appeal to the Board
with respect to the Electrical Inspector's determination that a violation
exists for which the violator is responsible.
C.
The Electrical Inspector may, upon evidence of noncompliance with
an order or decision of the Board request that appropriate legal action
be instituted.
Any person who violates this chapter shall be subject to penalties
and fines pursuant to 30-A M.R.S.A. § 4452 et seq., and
32 M.R.S.A. § 1105 et seq. Each day a violation continues
for more than 10 days after notice has been served shall be assessed
a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $2,500. Fines shall
be assessed for specific violations for each day such violations continue.
A.
Whenever the Electrical Inspector determines that an existing electrical
service, conductors, fixtures, equipment and any other aspects of
electrical systems pose a danger to life or property because of defectiveness
or defective installation or upon making an inspection of an original
installation or alteration or addition to existing lighting, heating
or power systems is defective, the Electrical Inspector may require
that the electrical service be disconnected to the building or premises
or that the electrical current be disconnected from such addition
or alteration.
B.
The electrical service or current-shall not be reconnected until
such defects are remedied to the satisfaction of the Electrical Inspector.
Upon notice from the Electrical Inspector that any work on any building, structure, equipment, etc., is being undertaken contrary to the provisions of this chapter or in an unsafe and dangerous manner, such work shall be immediately stopped. The stop-work order shall be in writing and shall be served in accordance with § 116-10, Orders to correct violations, and shall state the conditions under which work may be resumed.
[Amended 11-23-2021 by Order No. 21-514-01]
Any person aggrieved by an order of the Electrical Inspector
may request a hearing before the Board of Appeals by filing a written
petition for such hearing with the Code Enforcement Office within
10 days of the date of receipt of the order.
Electrical work must be performed in accordance with the more
stringent standards of this chapter and 32 M.R.S.A. § 1101
et seq. When the Electrical Inspector finds that electrical work is
being performed contrary to this requirement, he or she shall issue
a stop-work order and shall notify the permit holder that future violations
of this section shall result in the notice of violation and/or the
initiation of a land use complaint and 30-A M.R.S.A. § 4452
et seq., as amended.
A.
An inspection is required before the electrical wiring is enclosed.
It shall be unlawful for any person to cover or conceal, or cause
to be so covered or concealed, any wiring for which a permit has been
issued or is required before such wiring has been inspected by the
Electrical Inspector.
B.
All new work shall be inspected before it is concealed by wall or
ceiling paneling. The electrical permit holder or owner, or both,
shall be held responsible if the inspector has not been notified for
an inspection. The Electrical Inspector may insist on exposing such
concealed work.
[Amended 11-23-2021 by Order No. 21-514-01]
[Amended 11-23-2021 by Order No. 21-514-01]
The electrician making the installation or alteration shall
notify the Electrical Inspector when the installation is ready for
inspection. Upon application being made for the inspection of any
electrical work for which a permit has been issued, the Electrical
Inspector shall make a careful examination of all such work in order
to determine whether it has been done in conformity with the provisions
of this chapter. The Inspector shall inspect the installation within
a reasonable time so as not to cause undue delay in the progress of
the construction contract or installation. The Electrical Inspector
shall determine whether the installation complies with all applicable
statutes, ordinances and rules.
In any case where defective work is found, the Electrical Inspector
shall furnish to the person to whom the permit for the work was issued
an oral or written notice of defect indicating the defective work
and the nature of such defects. A written notice shall be at the request
of the person to whom the permit was issued and shall be the method
by which a reinspection process shall be initiated.
When the Electrical Inspector finds the work for which a permit
was issued was completed in conformity with the provisions of this
chapter, the Electrical Inspector shall record such findings and,
when required, shall issue in writing a certificate of approval therefor,
which shall identify the premises and the work covered by the permit
and shall show that such work has been properly completed.
[Amended 11-23-2021 by Order No. 21-514-01]
All electrical installations shall be in conformity with the
provisions of this chapter and the approved standards for safety to
life and property. Unless otherwise provided by this chapter, conformity
with NFPA 70 (National Fire Protection Association), National Electrical
Code, 2020 Edition, shall be deemed as conforming with approved standards
for safety to life and property with the following amendments or deletions
to the articles of the referenced Code:
A.
Article 100. Dormitory unit definition.
Dormitory Unit. A building or a space in a building in which
group sleeping accommodations are provided for any number of persons
who are not members of the same family in one room, or a series of
closely associated rooms, under joint occupancy and single management,
with or without meals, but without individual cooking facilities.
B.
Article 200.6(D) Means of Identifying Grounded Conductors.
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200.6 Means of Identifying Ground Conductors.
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(D)
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Grounded Conductors of Different Systems. Where grounded conductors
of different systems are installed in the same raceway, cable box,
auxiliary gutter, or other type of enclosure, each grounded conductor
shall be identified by system. Identification that distinguishes each
system grounded conductor shall be permitted by one of the following
means:
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(1)
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One system grounded conductor shall have an outer covering conforming
to 200.6(A) or (B).
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(2)
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The grounded conductor(s) of other systems shall have a different
outer covering conforming to 200.6(A) or 200.6(B) or by an outer covering
of white or gray with a readily distinguishable colored strip other
than green running along the insulation.
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(3)
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Other and different means of identification as allowed by 200.6(A)
or (B) that will distinguish each system grounded conductor.
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The means of identification shall be permanently posted where
the conductors of different systems originate.
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C.
Article 210.5(C)(1)(b) Identification for branch circuits.
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210.5. Identification for Branch Circuits.
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(C)
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Identification of Underground Conductors.
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(1)
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Branch Circuits Supplied from More Than One Nominal Voltage
System.
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(b)
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Posting of Identification Means. The method utilized for conductors
originating within each branch-circuit panel board or similar branch-circuit
distribution equipment shall be permanently posted at each branch-circuit
panelboard or similar branch-circuit distribution equipment. The label
shall be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved
and shall not be handwritten.
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D.
Article 210.8(B) and (F). Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection
for Personnel.
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210.8. Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for Personnel.
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(B)
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Other Than Dwelling Units. All 125-volt through 250-volt receptacles
supplied by single-phase branch circuits rated 150-volt or less to
ground, 50 amperes or less, and all receptacles supplied by three-phase
branch circuits rated 150 volts or less to ground, 50 amperes or less,
installed in the locations specified in 210.8(B)(1) through (B)(12)
shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.
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(F)
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Outdoor Outlets. All outdoor outlets for dwellings, other than
those covered in 210.8(A)(3), Exception to (3), that are supplied
by single-phase branch circuit rated 150 volts to ground or less,
50 amperes or less, shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection
for personnel.
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Exception: Ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection
shall not be required on (1) lighting outlets other than those covered
in 210.8(C), (2) heat pumps, (3) sewer pumps, or (4) water pumps.
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E.
Article 215.12(C)(1)(b). Identification for Feeders.
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215.12. Identification for Feeders.
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(C)
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Identification of Ungrounded Conductors.
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(1)
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Feeders Supplied from More Than One Nominal Voltage System.
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(b)
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Posting of Identification Means. The method utilized for conductors
originating with each feeder panelboard or similar feeder distribution
equipment shall be permanently posted at each feeder panelboard or
similar feeder distribution equipment.
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F.
Article 230.2(E). Identification for Number of Services.
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230.2. Number of Services.
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(E)
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Identification. Where a building or structure is supplied by
more than one service, or any combination of branch circuits, feeders,
and services, a permanent plaque or directory shall be installed at
each service disconnect location and at each outside electrical meter
location denoting all other services, feeders, and branch circuits
supplying that building or structure and the area served by each.
See 225.37.
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G.
Article 230.67. Surge Protection is deleted.
H.
Article 334.10(3). Uses Permitted.
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334.10. Uses Permitted.
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(3)
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Other structures permitted to be of Types III, IV, and V construction.
In buildings or structures with interior finished walls and/or ceilings,
cables shall be concealed within walls, floors, or ceilings that provide
a thermal barrier of material that has at least a fifteen-minute finish
rating as identified in listings of fire-rated assemblies.
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I.
Article 334.12(A)(2) is deleted.
J.
Article 338.12. Uses Not Permitted.
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338.12 Uses Not Permitted.
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(B)
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Underground Service-Entrance Cable. Underground service-entrance
cable (USE) shall not be used under the following conditions or in
the following locations:
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(1)
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For interior wiring of branch circuits and feeders originating
and terminating within the same building.
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(2)
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For aboveground installations except where USE cable emerges
from the ground and is terminated in an enclosure at a location acceptable
to the authority having jurisdiction and the cable is protected in
accordance with 300.5(D).
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K.
Article 400.12(4). Uses Not Permitted.
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400.12. Uses Not Permitted. Unless specifically permitted in
400.10, flexible cords, flexible cables, cord sets, and power supply
cords shall not be used for the following:
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(4)
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Where attached to building surfaces.
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Exception to (4): Flexible cord and flexible cable
shall be permitted to be attached to building surfaces in accordance
with 368.56(B) and 590.4. Flexible cord and cable shall also be permitted
to have one connection to the building surface for a suitable tension
take-up device. Length of the cord or cable from the supply termination
to the take-up device shall be limited to six feet. Strain relief
cable grips shall be provided for the cord or cable at the equipment
terminations.
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L.
Article 406.9(C). Receptacles in Bathtubs and Shower Space.
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406.9 Receptacles in Damp or Wet Locations.
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(C)
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Bathtub and Shower Spaces. Receptacles shall not be installed
within or directly over a bathtub or shower stall.
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M.
Article 625.40. Electric Vehicle Branch Circuit.
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625.40. Electric Vehicle Branch Circuit. Each outlet installed
for the purpose of charging electric vehicles shall be supplied by
an individual branch circuit. Each circuit shall have no other outlet.
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Exception: Installations that comply with documented manufacturer
installation instructions.
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N.
Article 702.4 Capacity and Rating.
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(B)
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System Capacity.
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(2)
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Automatic Transfer Equipment. For other than single-family dwellings,
where automatic transfer equipment is used, an optional standby system
shall comply with 702.4(2)(a) or (2)(b) in accordance with Article
220 or by another approved method.
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(a)
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Full Load. The standby source shall be capable of supplying
the full load that is transferred by the automatic transfer equipment.
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(b)
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Load Management. Where a system is employed that will automatically
manage the connected load, the standby source shall have a capacity
sufficient to supply the maximum load that will be connected by the
load management system.
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No copper-clad aluminum wire smaller than size No. 6 A.W.G.
may be used to conduct electricity. Sizes larger than No. 6 A.W.G.
may be used with mechanical lugs and connectors approved for this
purpose by the Electrical Inspector.
All new single-family residences shall have an entrance switch
rated no smaller than one-hundred-ampere capacity and dwelling units
may have an entrance switch rated no larger than two-hundred-ampere
capacity.
A.
For more than one family or multiple residences, an entrance switch
conforming to the National Electrical Code requirements shall be considered
the minimum.
B.
In cases of multiple apartments where the main switch is deemed inaccessible
by the Fire or Electrical Inspector, an accessible location will be
required.
A.
It is required on all new and alteration work to use tamperproof
fustat plugs or circuit breakers to eliminate overfusing on branch
circuits.
B.
The Electrical Inspector shall be authorized in cases of oversized
fusing to require that fustat or circuit breaker panels replace existing
plug fuse panels.
A.
All wires when placed above the surface of the ground shall be suspended
from poles or buildings, or other supports to be maintained by the
persons using such wires.
B.
No wire shall be suspended from or attached to any building for the
purpose of conducting electricity unless by permission of the owner
of such building.
[Amended 11-23-2021 by Order No. 21-514-01]
Every person owning, leasing or operating wires as described
in this chapter shall, within 48 hours after notice served by the
Electrical Inspector, make such substitution or repairs of posts,
supports, crossarms, or stays for the safe carrying of such wires
as may be required by the Inspector.
No person shall permit pieces of wires to be left on the surface
of any street or sidewalk; nor permit unused coils or loose ends of
wires to remain attached to any crossarm or posts for more than 24
hours.
