Township of Franconia, PA Electrical Standards

Any installation, construction or any other object which is used or intended to be used for the transmission of an electrical energy or impulse, except when performed by or on behalf of any regulated public utility or any regulated radio or television transmission system, on equipment, cables, wires or equivalent facilities, or on electrical circuits connected to or supported by such equipment or facilities if the use of the equipment or facilities is required in the operating of or services rendered by the regulated entity. It shall not include the manufacturing of any device, equipment, apparatus or other object used or intended to be used for the transmission of an electrical energy or impulse, but shall include electrical wiring systems connected to air-conditioning equipment, protective signaling devices (fire and burglar) and swimming pools.[2]

NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE

Standard No. 70 of the National Board of Fire Underwriters for electrical wiring and apparatus, as recommended by the National Fire Protection Association, approved 1897 (1971 or subsequent Edition) by American Standard Association, and as referred to in the BOCA code heretofore adopted.

[3]

[1]

Editor's Note: The former definitions of "Apprentice Electrician," which immediately preceded this definition, and "Chief Plant Electrician," which immediately followed this definition, were deleted at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

[2]

Editor's Note: The former definitions of "Journeyman Electrician" and "Master Electrical Contractor," which immediately followed this definition, were deleted at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

[3]

Editor's Note: The former definitions of "Oil Burner Service Dealer" and "Refrigeration Service Dealer," which immediately followed this definition, were deleted at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

§ 68-3 Adoption of standards. [1]

The Board of Supervisors does hereby adopt and incorporate as fully as if set out at length herein that certain electrical code known as the "National Electrical Code." Only the material, fittings and devices enumerated in the List of Inspected Appliances of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., as revised from time to time, shall be used in electrical work regulated by the National Electrical Code and this chapter. Three copies of the National Electrical Code shall be kept on file in the office of the Township Secretary for use by the public during regular business hours.

[1]

Editor's Note: Former § 68-3, License requirements; fees, which immediately preceded this section, was deleted at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I); former §§ 68-4 through 68-15 were then renumbered as §§ 68-3 through 68-14.

§ 68-4 Standards for electrical work.

Any electrical work in the township shall be performed in accordance with the requirement and standards of the National Electrical Code, the BOCA Code and this chapter.

§ 68-5 Permits.

No person shall perform any electrical work in the township unless he first obtains a permit from the Township Secretary.

An applicant for a permit shall make application to the Township Secretary setting forth:

(1)

The nature of the electrical work to be performed.

(2)

The place where the electrical work will be done.

(3)

The name and address of the person who will perform the electrical work.

(4)

Any other information, including electrical drawings, plans or specifications, which is deemed necessary and desirable.

§ 68-6 Exemptions.

The provisions of the National Electrical Code and this chapter shall not apply to:

The replacement of light bulbs or fuses or other minor repair work.

The connection of any portable electrical appliance to any permanently installed electrical receptacle.

§ 68-7 Fees. [1]

Applicants for permits to be issued under this chapter shall pay, at the time of receipt of permit, to the Township Secretary, the fee, as set from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors, for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the total valuation of electrical work.

[1]

Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

§ 68-8 Inspections and tests.

Inspections and tests to determine whether the provisions of the National Electrical Code, BOCA Code and this chapter have been complied with shall be made by an approved inspecting agency or a registered professional electrical engineer.

The inspections required by this chapter are as follows:

(1)

An open wall inspection, which inspection shall be held during the course of construction and following which a certificate by an approved inspection agency, be furnished to the Township Supervisors or their authorized representative not later than 15 days after said inspection.

(2)

Upon completion of any electrical work, a final inspection and a certificate of inspection and approval governing said final inspection and issued by an approved inspection agency be furnished to the Township Supervisors or their authorized representative not later than 15 days after the completion of the installation of the electrical work.

(3)

In addition, the Township Supervisors or their authorized representatives shall have the authority to secure an inspection by an approved inspection agency or a registered professional electrical engineer at any time during the construction of electrical work, which inspection shall be in addition to and not in lieu of any open wall or final inspection.

All decisions as to whether or not electrical work complies with the provisions of the National Electrical Code, BOCA Code and this chapter shall be made on the basis of an inspection performed by an approved inspection agency or a registered professional electrical engineer.

The Township Supervisors or their authorized representative shall not accept any certificate of inspection from an inspection agency which has not been approved by resolution of the Township Supervisors which will investigate the qualifications, method of operation, completeness of inspectional activity and type of report before approving such agency.

The Township Supervisors may, in their sole discretion, withhold, or if once approved revoke, the approval of any inspection agency which, in the opinion of the Township Supervisors, fails to comply with this chapter or to discharge its duties in a competent, forthright, professional and workmanlike manner.

The person or firm who is performing said electrical work shall pay directly to the approved inspection agency all fees in conjunction with any inspection requested by the township or required by it.

§ 68-9 Revocation of permits.

The Township Secretary may revoke any permit when:

(1)

Any work for which a permit is granted is done in violation of the provisions of the National Electrical Code, BOCA Code and this chapter, or the approved final drawings therefor, or in an unsafe and dangerous manner;

(2)

Any condition of the permit is violated; or

(3)

Active work thereunder is not commenced within six months from the date of issuance.

When the Township Secretary determines that grounds exist for the revocation of a permit, he shall serve notice upon the holder of such permit stating the nature of the violation and that compliance with all requirements shall be achieved within 10 days of receipt of notice. The notice may also prescribe a course of remedial action.

If, at the expiration of the time allowed for compliance, the violation has not been corrected, the Township Secretary shall revoke the permit.

§ 68-10 Procedure where existing electrical work is found to be unsafe.

In order to safeguard person and property against the hazards and perils of existing, defective electrical wiring, apparatus or equipment, the Township Supervisors or their authorized representative are hereby given the authority to cause to be inspected by an approved inspection agency or a registered professional electrical engineer, at reasonable times, any building, structure, including swimming pool, or premises in the township, to determine whether any electrical work theretofore installed therein is defective or unsafe.

If, as a result of said inspection, it is determined that any electrical work in any building, structure, including swimming pool, or premises is in an unsafe and dangerous condition or not in compliance with the provisions of the National Electrical Code, the BOCA Code or this chapter, the Township Secretary shall serve notice upon the owner or occupant thereof, stating the nature of the violation and that compliance with all requirements shall be achieved within the period of time specified in the notice. The notice may also prescribe a course of remedial action.

If, at the expiration of the time allowed for compliance, the violation has not been corrected, the Township Supervisors or their authorized representative shall institute proceedings, as provided in § 68-14 hereof, to collect from the owner or occupant the fines or penalties specified for violations of this chapter.

§ 68-11 Interference with radio communications.

The installation and maintenance of fluoroscope, X-ray or other electrical apparatus so constructed or so used as to interfere with the radio communications of the Police Department, the Fire Department or the Public Works Department of the township is hereby prohibited.

§ 68-12 Occupancy permits.

No occupancy permit may be issued for any dwelling or premises within the township until the Township Secretary is in receipt of a certificate from an approved inspection agency governing said premises and issued pursuant to the authorized inspection and indicating that said work complies with the requirements of the National Electrical Code, BOCA Code and this chapter.

§ 68-13 Abatement of nuisances.

Any electrical work performed contrary to the provisions of the National Electrical Code, BOCA Code or this chapter is hereby declared to be a common or public nuisance and abatable as such.

§ 68-14 Violations and penalties.

[Amended 9-12-1988 by Ord. No. 147; 6-10-1996 by Ord. No. 237]

Any person who violates or permits a violation of this chapter shall, upon being liable therefor in a civil enforcement proceeding commenced by the township, pay a fine not exceeding $1,000 plus all court costs, including reasonable attorney's fees incurred by the township. No judgment shall be imposed until the date of the determination of violation by the District Justice. If the defendant neither pays nor timely appeals the judgment, the township may enforce the judgment pursuant to the applicable Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.