[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Waterloo 10-19-1987
by Ord. No. 87-6 as Ch. 16 of the 1987 Code. Amendments noted
where applicable.]
A.
Chapter COMM 24, Wisconsin Administrative Code, and the
National Electrical Code are hereby adopted by reference and made a part of
this chapter and shall apply to the construction and inspection of new one-
and two-family dwellings and additions or modifications to existing one- and
two-family dwellings.
B.
Subject to the exceptions set forth in this chapter, the Rules of Electrical Code, Volume 2, of the Wisconsin Administrative Code is hereby adopted by reference and made a part of this chapter and shall apply to all buildings, except those covered in Subsection A above.
C.
Any further amendments, revisions and modifications of
said code and rules incorporated therein are intended to be made a part of
this chapter.
In the interpretation and enforcement of this chapter, the following
definitions shall apply:
All wires, equipment or devices installed for the purpose of conducting
or safeguarding electrical current at all voltages.
Any act in connection with the installing, altering or maintaining
of electrical systems, which act ordinarily requires the use of tools.
All conductors and all other devices incidental to the safe conduction
of electrical current.
B.
Qualifications. The Electrical Inspector shall be versed
in approved methods of electrical construction for the safety of life and
property, the state statutes relating to electrical work, the rules and regulations
of the State Department of Commerce and the National Electric Safety Code
of the United States Bureau of Standards and shall be certified by the State
of Wisconsin.
C.
Duties.
(1)
Records and reports. The Electrical Inspector shall keep
a complete record of all applications made and permits issued, regularly numbered
in the order of their issuance. He shall also keep a record of all inspections
made and other official work performed under the provisions of this chapter,
so arranged as to afford prompt information concerning electrical installations,
and shall make such reports to the Council as it may require.
(2)
Inspections; notices. The Electrical Inspector shall
inspect all buildings and premises and make a thorough examination of all
the electrical wiring, equipment and devices installed, and when such are
found to be in a dangerous or unsafe conditions, he shall notify the person
owning, using, operating or installing the same to place them in a safe condition.
Such necessary repairs or changes shall be completed according to the provisions
of this chapter. The Electrical Inspector may order the discontinuance of
electrical service to such defective electrical system until it has been repaired,
removed or altered as directed by the Inspector. Failure to obey any such
order shall subject such person to the penalties herein provided.
D.
Authority to turn off current. The Electrical Inspector
may cause the immediate turning off of all electrical current to any equipment
which he finds, in the exercise of his sound judgment, creates imminent danger
to persons or property and cut or discontinue electrical service in emergencies
where he finds, in the exercise of his sound judgment, such electrical current
creates imminent danger to persons or property or where such currents may
interfere with the work of the Fire Department. No person shall reconnect
any equipment thus cut off without the written permission of the Electrical
Inspector.
E.
Right of entry. The Electrical Inspector may enter any
building or premises in the discharge of his official duties and for that
purpose shall be given prompt access upon notification to the proper authority.
He may discontinue electrical service to premises to which he is denied access
or entry.
A.
Permits required. No person shall perform electrical work, as defined in § 193-2 of this chapter, without first obtaining an electrical permit from the Electrical Inspector.
B.
Application. Application for an electrical permit shall
be made in writing upon a form furnished by the Electrical Inspector, which
may be obtained at the office of the Clerk-Treasurer, and shall describe the
nature of the work contemplated and such other information as the Inspector
may require.
C.
Issuance; term. When the Electrical Inspector is satisfied
that the work proposed by the applicant can be done in conformity with the
provisions of this chapter, and after the appropriate fees have been paid
to the Clerk-Treasurer, he shall issue the permit. Such permit shall be good
for the continuous performance of the work named thereon. A permit shall automatically
expire if work has not been commenced within 90 days of the date of issuance
or when work ceases for a period of 90 days without good and reasonable cause
for the same and shall automatically expire on completion of the work for
which it was issued, provided that the Electrical Inspector may, upon notice,
suspend or revoke such permit for violation of the provisions of this chapter.
D.
Permits for temporary work. On applying for a permit
for temporary work, the period of time for which such wiring is to remain
in service shall be specified. Service shall be cut off at the end of this
period and shall not again be connected without written permission from the
Electrical Inspector.
E.
Inspection of work. The permittee or an authorized representative
shall, in writing or orally, request inspections by the Electrical Inspector
at appropriate times required for the enforcement of this code. The Electrical
Inspector shall perform the requested inspection within 48 hours after notification,
except the final inspection. Construction may not proceed beyond the point
of inspection until the inspection has been completed, except if inspection
has not taken place within 48 hours of notification, excluding Saturdays,
Sundays and holidays, unless otherwise agreed upon between the permittee and
the Electrical Inspector. No building where electrical service has been cut
off due to fire shall be reconnected until authorized by the Electrical Inspector.
If the Electrical Inspector shall determine that the work has not been done
in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, the contractor shall correct
the same within 10 days after receiving notice thereof. If the defective work
has not been corrected within 10 days, the Electrical Inspector shall cancel
the permit until the provisions of this chapter have been complied with.
F.
Issuance of subsequent permits. No permit shall be issued
if there are any outstanding corrections to be made. No permit shall be issued
if previous permits are not complete as to work done and the fees paid on
any work that has been reported as complete.
Fees shall be as set from time to time by the Common Council.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The current fee schedule is on file at the office of
the City Clerk-Treasurer.
The Electrical Inspector may grant special permission, for a limited
time, for the installation or use of temporary electric wiring and equipment
which does not conform to the regulations of this chapter. The person installing
such wiring or equipment shall be directly and legally responsible and accountable
for the safe condition of the installation at all times and its complete removal
at the end of the fixed temporary period, as set by the Electrical Inspector,
or any time sooner when ordered by the Inspector. Carnivals, circuses, theatrical
acts and exhibitions and all places of temporary outdoor assembly are included
in the provisions of this section, and all electrical wiring and equipment
associated therewith shall be installed, maintained and operated in a safe
and workmanlike manner. All such electric wiring and equipment shall be isolated
from the public by proper elevation and guarding of all electric fuses, and
switches shall be installed in approved enclosures. Cable laid on the ground
in areas traversed by the public shall be buried in trenches or protected
by approved covers. No wooden raceways shall be used. All temporary services
shall be rainproof in their entirety. Where an enclosure is built around nonwaterproof
equipment, it shall have a hinged cover and be supplied with a hasp and lock.
Whenever the Electrical Inspector determines that all or part of the
electrical work of any building does not comply with the provisions of this
chapter, he shall, in cases where the construction is in progress, give five
days' written notice thereof to the contractor on the job. In all other cases
he shall give five days' notice thereof to the owner or his authorized agent
or attorney. Such contractor or owner may have such determination reviewed
by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
This chapter shall not be considered as assuming any liability on the
part of the City or any official or employee thereof for damages to anyone
injured or for any property destroyed by any defect in any building or equipment,
or in any plumbing or electric wiring or equipment.