The title of this article shall be “The Forest Hill Electrical Code,” and it may be cited as such.
(1976 Code, sec. 13-1; 1998 Code, sec. 46-1; 2013 Code, sec. 18-1)
Words used in any regulation or standard of the National Board of Fire Underwriters used as a standard of good practice shall, if defined therein, have the meanings assigned them. Words relating to buildings and building use, when not otherwise separately defined, shall have meanings which conform to the meanings set out in the building code and zoning ordinance of the city; otherwise, they shall have their usual meanings.
means equipment and/or devices inspected, tested and listed by a nationally recognized testing agency, such as Underwriters’ Laboratories.
means any individual, firm or corporation who or which is licensed under the provisions of this article to do the work as permitted under the specific provisions of this article.
means a wire or cable or other form of metal suitable for carrying electrical current or potential, except as otherwise defined in the National Electrical Code.
means and includes all work and materials used in installing, maintaining, or extending a system of electrical wiring, and all appurtenances, apparatus or equipment used in connection therewith, inside of or attached to any building, structure, lot or premises.
The term “electrical contractor” means any person engaged in the business of installing or altering, by contract, electrical conductors or equipment. The term “electrical contractor” includes any authorized person, whether actually doing electrical work or not, and any authorized person who subcontracts to do such work.
The term “electrical contractor” does not include bona fide employees employed by such contractor to do or supervise such work.
means a person who is engaged in the trade or business of electrical construction and who is qualified under the terms and provisions of this article. Persons while engaged in the manufacture, fabrication or assembly of products, equipment, or devices wherein electrical wiring, apparatus, other devices or equipment is installed, incorporated or otherwise attached or used are specifically exempt from this article.
means conductors, material, fittings, devices, appliances, fixtures, apparatus, motors and the like, used as a part of or in connection with an electrical installation.
means an individual employed by the city to enforce the provisions of this article and the National Electrical Code.
means any individual who possesses the necessary qualifications, training and technical knowledge to install, maintain and extend electrical conductors and equipment and capable of doing such work in accordance with standard rules and regulations governing such work.
means any individual who possesses the necessary qualifications, training and technical knowledge to plan, lay out and supervise the installation, maintenance and extension of electrical conductors and equipment.
when used with the term “electrical contractor,” “electrician” or the like, means that the person has made application to the electrical board and has satisfied the board that he is qualified to do the work stated in the application, and that he has paid the necessary registration fees to date, and that his name is carried in the records of the electrical inspector as a person authorized to do electrical work as defined in this article.
means a written ruling filed in the office of the building official.
means a written ruling filed in the office of the electrical inspector.
(1976 Code, sec. 13-2; 1998 Code, sec. 46-2; 2013 Code, sec. 18-2)
The purpose of this article is the practical safeguarding of persons and of buildings and their contents from electrical hazards arising from the use of electricity for light, heat, power, radio, signaling and other purposes.
(1976 Code, sec. 13-3; 1998 Code, sec. 46-3; 2013 Code, sec. 18-3)
(a)
Generally.
The provisions of this article shall apply to all installations of the work done on electrical conductors, fittings, devices, motors, appliances, fixtures, signs and gaseous tubing, hereinafter referred to as “electrical equipment,” within or on public and private buildings and premises, except as otherwise provided in this section.
(b)
Public utilities.
The provisions of this article shall not apply to installations used by electricity supply or communication agencies in the generation, transmission or distribution of electricity or for signals for the transmission of intelligence when located within or on buildings or premises used exclusively by such an agency or on public thoroughfares; provided, however, that such agencies excepted are operating under a franchise agreement within the city.
(c)
Federal buildings.
This article shall be construed to be inapplicable to any building which is owned and operated by the United States government.
(d)
City departments and buildings.
The various departments and buildings of the city shall be subject to the provisions of this article insofar as the same may be applicable, but shall be exempt from the requirement of fees.
(e)
Electrical signs, gaseous tubings, etc.
This article shall apply to all forms of electrical signs, gaseous tubings and outline lighting conductors and equipment.
(1976 Code, sec. 13-4; 1998 Code, sec. 46-4; 2013 Code, sec. 18-4)
The city council hereby adopts the 2020 edition of the NFPA International Electrical Code, except as modified or amended by the North Central Texas Council of Government's recommended amendments to the 2020 International Electrical Code, which are hereby adopted and attached to Ordinance 2022-10 as exhibit L. In the event that this code is ever updated or revised, those changes are automatically included and incorporated into this section once the changes have been approved by the North Central Texas Council of Governments. Copies of the code and amendments thereto, as referenced herein, are on file in the office of the city secretary for permanent record and inspection. From the date on which this section shall take effect, the provisions thereof shall be controlling within the corporate limits of the city.
(1976 Code, secs. 13-5, 13-13; 1998 Code, secs. 46-5, 46-13; Ordinance 200649, sec. 2, adopted 7/11/06; 2013 Code, secs. 18-5, 18-12; Ordinance 2015-12-002, sec. 14, adopted 12/1/15; Ordinance 2019-18, sec. 14, adopted 8/6/19; Ordinance 2022-10 adopted 4/19/2022)
In the actual work of installing, maintaining, altering or repairing any electrical conductors or equipment for which a permit is required by this article there shall be present and in direct supervision a licensed electrician of the proper classification. Every journeyman electrician shall work under the supervision of a master electrician. Should it come to the notice of the electrical inspector that such supervision and control is not being maintained, the inspector may order the work discontinued, and the person to whom the permit has been issued shall discontinue further work until proper supervision has been employed or supplied. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting the employment of apprentices or unskilled laborers assisting a duly registered and qualified person under the provisions of this article.
(1976 Code, sec. 13-7; 1998 Code, sec. 46-7; 2013 Code, sec. 18-6)
Only authorized employees of Texas Electric Service Company shall be permitted to make the connection between Texas Electric Service Company’s service conductors and the customer’s service entrance conductors.
(1976 Code, sec. 13-8; 1998 Code, sec. 46-8; 2013 Code, sec. 18-7)
When new electrical meters are installed or existing electrical meters are to be relocated, the disconnection, connection, or reconnection to the meter shall be made only by authorized employees of Texas Electric Service Company.
(1976 Code, sec. 13-9; 1998 Code, sec. 46-9; 2013 Code, sec. 18-8)
It shall be unlawful for any unauthorized person to in any manner change or alter electrical conductors or equipment in or on any building. If, in the course of the erection of a building or structure, electrical conductors or equipment is in such position as to interfere with the erection or completion of the structure, notice shall be immediately given the authorized person or firm installing the electrical conductors or equipment, and the needed change shall be made by such authorized person or firm.
(1976 Code, sec. 13-10; 1998 Code, sec. 46-10; 2013 Code, sec. 18-9)
The installation of electrical equipment, within or attached to buildings or structures, shall be done in accordance with specifications previously submitted to and approved by the electrical inspector. Complete descriptions of proposed work may be required by the electrical inspector. When drawings are requested, they shall be to a definite scale, showing the point at which service connection is required, the size of the service and subfeeders, the location of service switches and center of distribution, the arrangement of circuits and the number of outlets connected thereto.
(1976 Code, sec. 13-11; 1998 Code, sec. 46-11; 2013 Code, sec. 18-10)
(a)
All electrical installations in any commercial building, public meeting place and industrial building shall be in EMT or rigid conduit. NM sheath cable may be used only where concealed in conjunction with wood framing in residential applications. In no instance shall EMT conduit be installed in concrete walls or slabs.
(b) Commercial building Industrial building Public meeting place
In interpreting this section, the following definitions will be applicable:
means a place where merchandise, commodities, goods or wares are bought or sold.
means a place where labor is employed to conduct a business, such as, but not limited to, manufacturing, processing, developing, storing or preparing foods, wares and merchandise.
means a room or space used for assembly or educational occupancy for 50 or more occupants or which has a floor space of 750 square feet or more used for such purposes.
(c)
All electrical main disconnects for all commercial buildings, public meeting places and industrial buildings shall be located on the outside of the building served.
(1976 Code, sec. 13-12; 1998 Code, sec. 46-12; 2013 Code, sec. 18-11)
It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, expose for sale, offer to sell, dispose as a premium, or offer for rent and to repair any electrical material, conductors, equipment, apparatus or appliance within the city for use in the city which is not approved by the electrical inspector or which does not have affixed thereto a UL label or which has not previously been approved by the Underwriters’ Laboratories or some similar or equivalent organization.
(1976 Code, sec. 13-14; 1998 Code, sec. 46-14; 2013 Code, sec. 18-13)
(a)
When any order or notice is issued pursuant to the provisions of this article to any person who cannot be found after a reasonable search, such order or notice may be served by posting it in a conspicuous place upon the premises occupied by him or upon the premises where the defects are alleged to exist. Such posting of the notice shall be considered equivalent to personal service of such order or notice. An order sent by mail in a sealed envelope with postage prepaid and directed to the address of the electrical contractor, owner, lessee or occupant of the premises shall be equivalent to personal service of such order.
(b)
The electrical inspector is hereby empowered to attach to the nearest electrical cabinet or equipment feeding defective or hazardous wiring an official notice or seal to prevent use of electricity in that area, and it shall be unlawful for any other person to place or attach such seal, or to break, change, destroy, tear, mutilate, cover or otherwise deface or injure any such official notice or seal posted by the electrical inspector.
(1976 Code, sec. 13-15; 1998 Code, sec. 46-15; 2013 Code, sec. 18-14)
This article shall not be construed to relieve from or lessen the responsibility or liability of any party owning, operating, controlling or installing any electrical equipment for damages to persons or property caused by any defect therein, nor shall the city be held as assuming any such liability by reason of the inspection or reinspection authorized herein or the certificate of approval issued as herein provided, or by reason of the approval or disapproval of any equipment authorized herein.
(1976 Code, sec. 13-16; 1998 Code, sec. 46-16; 2013 Code, sec. 18-15)