Where used in this article, the term "authority having jurisdiction" shall include the chief electrical inspector or other individuals designated by the city of Longview. This chapter shall be administered and enforced by the authority having jurisdiction designated by the city of Longview as follows:
(1)
The authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to render interpretations of this chapter in order to provide clarification to its requirements, as permitted by the National Electrical Code, Section 90.4. The inspector may suggest acceptable methods of installation; however, he is not empowered to, and shall not, lay out work for contractors, electricians, owners or any other interested party.
(2)
When the use of any electrical equipment or electrical installation is found to be dangerous to human life or property, the authority having jurisdiction shall be empowered to have the premises disconnected from its source of electric supply. When such equipment or installation has been so condemned or disconnected, a notice shall be placed thereon listing the causes for the condemnation, the disconnection, or both, and the penalty under LMC § 16.24.360 for the unlawful use thereof. Written notice of such condemnation or disconnection and the causes therefor shall be given within 24 hours to the owners or the occupant, or posted on site, of such building, structure, or premises. It shall be unlawful for any person to remove said notice, to reconnect the electric equipment to its source of electric supply, or to use or permit to be used electric power in any such electric equipment until such causes for the condemnation or disconnection have been remedied to the satisfaction of the inspection authorities.
(3)
The authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to delegate to other qualified individuals such powers as necessary for the proper administration and enforcement of this chapter.
(4)
Police, fire, and other enforcement agencies shall have authority to render necessary assistance in the enforcement of this chapter when requested to do so by the authority having jurisdiction.
(5)
The authority having jurisdiction shall be authorized to inspect, at all reasonable times, any building or premises for dangerous or hazardous conditions or equipment as set forth in this chapter. The authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to order any person(s) to remove or remedy such dangerous or hazardous condition or equipment. Any person(s) failing to comply with such order shall be in violation of this chapter.
(6)
Where the authority having jurisdiction deems that conditions hazardous to life and property exist, he or she shall be permitted to require that such hazardous conditions in violation of this chapter be corrected.
(7)
To the full extent permitted by law, any authority having jurisdiction engaged in inspection work shall be authorized at all reasonable times to enter and examine any building, structure, or premises for the purpose of making electrical inspections. Before entering a premises, the authority having jurisdiction shall obtain the consent of the occupant thereof or obtain a court warrant authorizing entry for the purpose of inspection except in those instances where an emergency exists. As used in this section, "emergency" means circumstances that the authority having jurisdiction knows, or has reason to believe, exist and that reasonably can constitute immediate danger to persons or property.
(8)
Persons authorized to enter and inspect buildings, structures, and premises as herein set forth shall be identified by proper credentials issued by this governing authority.
(9)
Persons shall not interfere with an authority having jurisdiction carrying out any duties or functions prescribed by this chapter.
(10)
Persons shall not use a badge, uniform, or other credentials to impersonate the authority having jurisdiction.
(11)
The authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to investigate the cause, origin, and circumstances of any fire, explosion, or other hazardous condition.
(12)
The authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to require plans and specifications to ensure compliance with this chapter.
(13)
Whenever any installation subject to inspection prior to use is covered or concealed without having first been inspected, the authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to require that such work be exposed for inspection. The authority having jurisdiction shall be notified when the installation is ready for inspection and shall conduct the inspection within two business days.
(14)
The authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to order the immediate evacuation of any occupied building deemed unsafe when such building has hazardous conditions that present imminent danger to building occupants.
(15)
The authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to waive specific requirements in this chapter or permit alternative methods where it is assured that equivalent objectives can be achieved by establishing and maintaining effective safety. Technical documentation shall be submitted to the authority having jurisdiction to demonstrate equivalency and that the system, method, or device is approved for the intended purpose.
(16)
Each application for a waiver of a specific electrical requirement shall be filed with the authority having jurisdiction and shall be accompanied by such evidence, letters, statements, results of tests, or other supporting information as required to justify the request.
The authority having jurisdiction shall keep a record of actions on such applications, and a signed copy of the authority having jurisdiction's decision shall be provided for the applicant.
(Ord. 2941 § 1, 2005)