[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the
Town of Van Buren 5-9-1973. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known as the "Electrical
Code of the Town of Van Buren."
Since there is danger to life and property inherent
in the use of electrical energy, this chapter is enacted to regulate
the installation, alteration of wiring for electric light, heat or
power and signal systems operating on 50 volts or more, in or on all
real property within the Town of Van Buren.
All electrical installations heretofore mentioned
shall be made in conformity with the requirements of the National
Electrical Code, except where the provisions of this chapter or any
other local law, ordinance or building code of the Town of Van Buren
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 approved and adopted by the American Standards
Association.
[Added 12-4-2012 by L.L. No. 7-2012[1]]
A list of the approved electrical inspection agencies for the
Town of Van Buren shall be made available in the Codes Enforcement
Office and shall be updated and maintained by the Town of Van Buren
Town Board. Electrical inspection agencies are required to be fully
insured at all times and shall provide insurance certificates to the
Town of Van Buren. Electrical inspection agencies are also required
to provide the names of each inspector working in the Town of Van
Buren and their certification credentials. Only certified personnel
are to provide inspections within the Town of Van Buren. The Town
Board shall determine, in its sole discretion, which qualified electrical
inspection agencies are included on the approved list.
[Amended 5-13-1996 by L.L. No. 6-1996; 12-4-2012 by L.L. No.
7-2012]
The Chief Inspector, and each of the duly appointed inspectors on the approved list pursuant to § 110-4, are hereby authorized and deputized as agents of the Town of Van Buren to make inspections and reinspections of all electrical installations heretofore and hereafter described, and to approve or disapprove the same. In no event, however, will the cost or expense of such inspections and reinspections be a charge against the Town of Van Buren.
It shall be the duty of the Inspector to report,
in writing, to the Code Enforcement Officer, whose duty it shall be
to enforce all the provisions of this chapter, all violations of or
deviations from or omissions of the electrical provisions of the National
Electrical Code and of all local laws, ordinances and the building
codes as referred to in this chapter insofar as any of the same apply
to electrical wiring. The Inspector shall make inspections and reinspections
of electrical installations in and on properties in the Town of Van
Buren upon the written request of an authorized official of the Town
of Van Buren or as herein provided. The Inspector is authorized within
the law to make inspections and reinspections of electrical wiring
installations, devices, appliances and equipment in and on properties
within the Town of Van Buren where he deems it necessary for the protection
of life and property. In the event of an emergency, it is the duty
of the Inspector to make electrical inspections upon the oral request
of an official or office of the Town of Van Buren. It shall be the
duty of the Inspector to furnish written reports to the proper officials
of the Town of Van Buren and owners and/or lessees of property where
defective electrical installations and equipment are found upon inspection.
He shall authorize the issuing of a certificate of compliance when
electrical installations and equipment are in conformity with this
chapter. He shall direct that a copy of the certificate of compliance
be sent to the Town of Van Buren to the attention of the Code Enforcement
Officer.
[Amended 5-13-1996 by L.L. No. 6-1996; 12-4-2012 by L.L. No.
7-2012]
It shall be a violation of this chapter for
any person, firm or corporation to install or cause to be installed,
or to alter electrical wiring for light, heat or power in or on properties
in the Town of Van Buren until an application for inspection has been
filed. It shall be a violation of this chapter for a person, firm
or corporation to connect or cause to be connected electrical wiring
in or on properties for light, heat or power to any source of electrical
energy supply prior to the issuance of a temporary certificate or
a certificate of compliance by one of the electrical inspection agencies
or inspectors for the Town of Van Buren.
[Amended 11-24-1997 by L.L. No. 7-1997]
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate
any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be punishable
by a fine of not more than $250 or imprisonment for not more than
15 days, or both. Each day of continuance of an offense shall be considered
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 communication utility in the exercise of its function
as a utility and located outdoors or in 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. 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.
[Amended 11-24-1997 by L.L. No. 7-1997; 12-4-2012 by L.L. No. 7-2012]
This chapter shall not be construed to relieve from or lessen the responsibility of any person owning, operating, controlling or installing any electrical wiring, devices, appliances or equipment for loss of life or damage to person or property caused by any defect therein, nor shall the Town of Van Buren or any approved electrical inspection agency or inspector on the approved list pursuant to § 110-4 be deemed to have assumed any such liability by reason of any inspection made pursuant to this chapter.
