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HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 292R U ORDINANCE NO. 292 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 1981 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE HEREINAFTER DESIGNATED AS CHAPTER 22 - PALM DESERT ELECTRICAL CODE. The City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, DOES HEREBY ORDAIN as follows: SECTION 1. That Chapter 22 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code be and the same is hereby established to read as outlined in Exhibit "A" and "B" attached. SECTION 2. REPEAL OF ORDINANCES. That Ordinance No. 101 and Sections 15.20.010 through 15.20.500 of the Code of the City of Palm Desert, and all amendments thereto, and all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this Ordinance are hereby repealed. SECTION- 3.- EXPRESS FINDINGS. Pursuant to CaliforniaHoalth and Safety Code, Section 17958.7, the amendments and modifications itemized in Exhibit "A" are deemed necessary due to geographical temperatures and climatic conditions of the Lower California Desert and shall be filed with the Department of Housing and Community Development of the State of California. SECTION 4. CITY CLERK'S CERTIFICATION. The City Clerk of the City of Palm Desert, California, is hereby directed to cause this Ordinance to be published once within fifteen (15) days of adoption in the Desert Post, a newspaper published and circulated within the City of Palm Desert, California, and the same shall be in full force and effect thirty (30) days after adoption. PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this 13th day of May, 1982, by the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, by the following vote: AYES: McPherson, Newbrander, Puluqi, Snyder & Wilson NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None ATTEST: HEILA R. GILLIGAN, CITY PE13RK CITY OF PALM DESERT, -CXJOORNIA 1 is1R M "EXPRESS FINDINGS" It is the finding of this Council that modifications listed below are necessary due to climatic conditions of extreme temperatures during some (5) months of each year. As outlined in Section 17958.7 of the California Health and Safety Code, the following amendments are adopted for the health, welfare, and safety of the general public. 1. The use of aluminum and copper -coated aluminum conductors, feeder conductors, branch circuit conductors, taps, and service entrance cable smaller than size 1-0 (one ought) A.W.G. (American Wire Gauge) are expressly prohibited notwithstand- ing all provisions of 1981 National Electrical Code. "The co -efficient of expansion of aluminum has created untold problems whereby outside ambient temperatures in sunlight reach 1600F+. When load is applied which generates additional heat, failure occurs and creates motor burnout, fires, electrical shock and hazards detrimental to the general public" 2. The use of RUW, T, TW, and OF conductors shall be prohibited in locations where ambient temperatures exceed those ampacities listed in Table 310-16. The correction factors of Table 310-16 shall apply. Restricted areas shown below apply but restrictions are not necessarily limited to these applications: A. Unventilated attics. B. Enclosed joist and rafter areas. C. Uninsulated walls exposed to radiation of outside ambient temperatures. D. In conduit on roofs, outside walls, block chases, concrete cover less than 4", exterior services, J-Boxes, timeclocks, subpanels, and other metallic enclosures exposed to outside temperatures. E. In all areas where excessive ambient temperatures are created by the geographical desert .conditions of the Coachella Valley and exceed 1220 Fahrenheit. 3. All other conductors where located as specified in Subsection A through E above shall use the appropriate correction factor for determining the maximum allowable load current for the proposed conductors based on the ambient temperature range of 1230 Fahrenheit to 1410 Fahrenheit. 4. In all cases and if permitted, Types NM and NMC cables shall be restricted to single-family and multiple dwelling constructions and accessory uses pertaining to the above categories. All other structures of a Commercial or Industrial use shall be wired in metallic or rigid non-metallic systems approved for that use. This finding is necessary due to extreme temperatures and fire hazards associated with and in conjunction with specific uses. EXHIBIT "B" GENERAL PROVISIONS CHAPTER 22 ARTICLE 22 22.01.010 Adoption That the rules, regulations, provisions and conditions set forth in that certain Code, entitled 'National Electrical Code, 1981 Edition', including the Appendix, therein contained, promulgated and published by the National Fire Protection Association, three (3) full printed copies of which, printed as a code in book form, were by the Council ordered filed and which have been actually filed in the Office of the City Clerk, and which as so on file are hereby referred to, and by this reference expressly incorporated in this Chapter and made a part of this Chapter as fully and for all intents and purposes as though set forth in this Chapter at length, shall be and the same are hereby established and adopted as the rules, regulations, provisions, and conditions to be observed and followed for the protection of the public health, safety, and general welfare of the occupant and the public governing the erection, construction, enlargement, conversion, alteration, repair, removal, demolition, occupancy, use and maintenance of all electrical systems within the corporate City limits, is hereby established and adopted, and the same shall be designated, known and referred to as the Municipal Electrical Code of and for the City of Palm Desert, California. 22.01.020 Intent and Purpose The provision of this Chapter shall apply to the installation, arrangement, alteration, repair, use and operation of electrical conductors, fixtures, and other electrical appliances. It is the purpose of this Code to provide basic minimum provisions considered necessary for safety, efficiency, adequacy and the practical safe -guarding of persons and of buildings, structures and their contents from hazards arising from the use of electricity for light, heat, power, radio, signaling and for other purposes, as well as provisions for the future expansion of electrical uses. The provisions of this Code shall apply to the construction, maintenance, alteration, moving, repair, and use of electrical conductors and equipment installed within or on public and private buildings and other premises, including yards, carnival and parking lots and industrial substations, and including the conductors which connect the installations to a supply of electricity and other outside conductors adjacent to the premises. 22.01.030 Violations. Whenever brought to the attention of the Administrative Authority that any unsafe condition exists or that any wiring, installation, or work regulated by this Code is dangerous, unsafe, unsanitary, a nuisance, or menace to life, health and property or otherwise in violation of this Code, and after such investigation, as described by this Authority, that such information is a fact, any person, firm or corporation using or maintaining such condition or responsibility for the use thereof, shall be ordered to repair, alter, change, remove or discontinue use of same as may be considered necessary for the proper protection of life, health and property and in the case of any continued use, the Administrative Authority may order any person, firm, corporation or agency supplying electrical service to discontinue supplying service thereto until such condition is made safe to life, health and property. Every such order shall be in writing, addressed to the owner, agent and/or person responsible for the premises in which such condition exists and shall specify the date or time for compliance with such order. -1- 22.010.040 22.01.050 Refusal, failure or neglect to comply with any such notice or order shall be considered a violation of this Code and the owner, agent or person responsible for the premises or for the installation and wiring on such premises shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. Administration The administration of this. Code shall be as designated in Chapter 15 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code. CODE REGULATIONS Amendments and Additions -Administrative. Section 90-4 of said Code shall be amended to include the following additions: r a It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to install, replace or cause to be installed, altered or expanded any electrical installation without first having obtained a permit prior to commencement of such installation or modification from the Administrative Authority, except for maintenance and repair work described herein: Maintenance shall include the repair of existing systems without adding to or modifying such electrical systems or fixtures, including lamp bulbs or tubes, and snap and flush switches, replacing fuses and/or breakers, ballasts, lens, and in general, maintain existing installations without increasing electrical demand on existing circuit feeders, subpanels and mains. Example: The removal of old light fixtures to replace ballasts and tubes would not require a permit. The removal of old fixtures and replacement with new fixtures will require fixture permits for installation. A. No permit shall be issued to any person, firm or corporation to cause to be done any electrical work regulated by this Code unless qualifying by the provisions of Chapter 15, Municipal Code of the City of Palm Desert. B. No permits for electrical installation shall be issued to any person, firm or corporation to cause to be done any electrical work regulated by this Code unless the person, firm or corporation possesses a current and valid unexpired C-10 State Contractor's License (electrical contractor), as well as a current Palm Desert Business License. Exception: A permit may be issued to the owner of a residential single- family dwelling in which the applicant resides or intends to reside, provided, however, a qualifying examination to determine the applicants' knowledge of electrical systems may be required if deemed necessary by the Building Official. Exception: A permit may be issued to a licensed general contractor for "minor" electrical work, as determined by the Building Official providing: A. The general contractor is applying for a concurrent building permit at the same location and is supplying two or more related trades; and B. The general contractor has a current valid City business license and State contractors B-1 license. C. Each applicant shall pay for each permit issued at the time of issuance a fee in accordance with the current schedule at the rate provided for. D. Any person who shall commence any work for which a permit is required by this Code, without first having obtained a permit or -2- telephoned notice so to do shall pay double the permit fee fixed by this Section for such work, provided, however, that this provision shall not apply to emergency work when it shall be proved to the satisfaction of the Administrative Authority that such work was urgently necessary and that it was not practical to obtain a permit therefore before the commencement of the work. In all such cases, a permit must be obtained as soon as it is practical to do so, and if there be an unreasonable delay in obtaining such permit, a double fee as herein provided for shall be charged. Whenever any work for which a permt is required, under the provisions of this Code, has been commenced and/or completed without the authorization of such permit, the Administrative Authority may deem it necessary to require a special investigation prior to issuance of a permit. Therefore, the applicant shall pay an investigation fee as outlined in the 'Schedule of Fees'. The payment of the investigation fee shall not exempt any person from payment of the permit fee and from compliance with the provisions of this Code nor from any other penalty prescribed. E. Schedule of Fees shall be as adopted by Resolution and revised when deemed necessary. 22.01.060 Section 90.6 of said Electrical Code shall be amended to include the following additions: It shall be unlawful for any person to lath over, seal, cover, or conceal any electrical wiring or other electrical equipment for the installation of which a permit is required until such electric wiring or other electrical equipment has been inspected and approved by the Administrative Authority. The Administrative Authority or his representative shall have the power to require the removal of any obstruction which prevents the proper inspection of any electrical equipment. It shall be permissible to cover work when the inspection has not occurred within 96 hours following written receipt of request for inspection from the contractor. Upon the completion of the electrical wiring or electrical installations in or on any building or premises, except as otherwise exempted in this Code, the person, firm, or corporation installing the same shall notify the Administra- tive Authority, who shall inspect all such installations, and if it is found to be in compliance with the provisions of this Code, he shall authorize the connection to electrical service and the energizing of the installation. It shall be unlawful to energize or cause or permit to be energized any electrical wiring, under the provisions of this Code, until such electrical wiring has been inspected and approved by _the Administrative Authority, provided, however, the Administrative Authority may give written temporary permission to furnish electric current through any electrical wiring for a length of time not exceeding thirty (30) days, if it appears to the Administrative Authority that such electrical wiring may be used safely for such purposes and that there exists an urgent necessity for such use. A separate permit shall be used for such temporary service, and an affidavit may be required setting forth the conditions for the temporary connection of such service. The Administrative Authority is hereby authorized and empowered to make at such times and as often as in his discretion it may seem necessary, a thorough reinspection of the installation in or on any building, structure, or premises of all electrical wiring, electrical devices, and electrical materials now installed or which may hereafter be installed, and when the installation of any such wiring, devices, or materials is found to be in a dangerous or unsafe condition, the person, firm or corporation or agency. owning, using or operating the same shall be notified in writing and shall make the necessary repairs .or changes required to place such wiring, devices or materials in a safe condition and to have such work completed within a period of ten (10) days after such notice, or within such other reasonable period specified by the Administrative Authority in such notice and shall pay such fees as are required by the provisions of this Code. Further, the Administrative Authority is hereby empowered to disconnect or to order the discontinuance -3- of electrical service to wiring, devices or materials found to be defective until the installation of such wiring, devices or materials has been made safe as directed by the Administrative Authority. Any person, firm, corporation, political subdivision or governmental agency ordered to discontinue such electrical service shall do so within twenty-four (24) hours after the receipt of such notice and shall not reconnect such service or allow the same to be reconnected until notified so to do by the Administrative Authority or his Representative. 22.01.070 Section 90.7 of said Electrical Code shall be amended to include the following additions: c. Plans and specifications for the following shall be prepared by an Electrical Engineer who possesses a valid and current license issued to him pursuant to and in accordance with the laws of the State of California. Each sheet of plans shall be signed by the Electrical Engineer. 1. Theaters or motion picture theaters. 2. Hospitals or other buildings with surgical operating facilities. 3. Assembly rooms or similar places for assembly or seating capac- ity exceeding 299 persons.. 4. A new structure or an addition which is 10,000 square feet in area or over, excepting those structures where the total service does not exceed 400 amps. The computed area of the structure shall be the sum of the areas on each floor bounded by the outside surface of exterior walls and shall include floor areas beneath building projections which extend more than six (6) feet. d. Plans may be prepared and submitted by a licensed Electrical Contrac- tor under the following conditions: 1. Any residential service up to and including 400 amps or a commercial service up to and including 600 amps, provided, however, the limitations as outlined in paragraph (c) of this section will be required. 2. Assembly buildings with an occupant load of not more than 299 persons. 3. Fixture installations weighing less than 300 pounds. e. Wiring Planning. Wiring for accessory uses and accessory buildings shall be in an underground system. f. A three -fourths (3/411) inch conduit shall be provided to: 1. Convenient and 'accessible location in the attic (when accessible), or 2. To raised underfloor areas for future circuitary, or 3. Under the exterior service panel location of a slab on grade structure at least 12" above grade and terminating in a 4-S Box with watertight Blank Cover. 4. Jobs of a complicated nature as requested by the Administrative Authority. g. All relocated or moved -in structures shall comply with the require- ments of this Code for new buildings. h. Any structure or portion of a structure which is converted or altered on or after the effective date of this Code, to any of the following occupancies, shall be wired in accordance with the provisions of this Code for that occupancy. -4- 22.01.080 22.01.090 22.01.100 1. Occupancy as defined by Article 500 relative to hazardous areas. i. In the event of fire damage, when the extent of damage exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the present valuation of the structure, the wiring and installations in the entire structure shall be reinstalled to comply with the provisions of this Code. }. Additions or alterations of existing installations shall be made in compliance with the provisions of this Code. Exception: In locations where the existing electrical system was of some other type of approved wiring, an existing circuit may be increased to its maximum safe -carrying capacity. k. All electrical materials, devices, appliances and equipment installed or used shall be in conformity with the provisions of this Code. Conform- ity with the standards of the Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., as approved by the American Standards Association or other approved testing laboratory, shall be prima facie evidence of conformity with approved standards for safety to life and property. PREVIOUSLY USED MATERIALS SHALL NOT BE REUSED IN ANY WORK WITHOUT THE WRITTEN APPROVAL OBTAINED IN ADVANCE FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY. Section 210-52 of Article 210 of Chapter 2 of said Code is hereby amended to read as follows: (b) Counter Tops. In kitchen and dining areas of dwelling units, receptacle outlet shall be installed at each counter space wider than 12 inches (305 mm). Counter top spaces separated by range tops, refrigerators, or sinks shall be considered as separate counter top spaces. Receptacles rendered inaccessible by appliances fastened in place or appliances occupying dedicated space shall not be considered as these required outlets. A switched plug outlet shall be provided for the installation of a disposal unit in each dwelling, new or remodeled. Disposal units shall be connected by a grounded cord assembly. Section 210.52 (c) is hereby amended to read as follows: (c) Bathrooms. In dwelling units at least one wall receptacle outlet shall be installed in the bathroom adjacent to the basin location. See Section 210.8(a)(1). In bathrooms with a tub or shower, a space heater of not less than 1,000 watts on a separate twenty (20) ampere circuit shall be installed. The space heater shall be remote -controlled from a position at the entrance to the bathroom. Space heaters shall not be mounted behind doors. Exception: If a register or duct from a forced -air furnace is located in a bathroom, no electrical heater need be provided. Section 210-61 is hereby added to Article 210 of aid Electrical Code to include the following: Commercial Receptable Outlets All new commercial B-2 occupancies and new partitions constructed in existing B-2 occupancies shall have electrical receptacles located on all walls conforming to Article 210-52(A). Exception: Where deemed unnecessary by the Building Official. Section 600-34 of Article 600 of said electrical code is hereby amended to read as follows: 600.34. Terminals and Electrode Receptacles for Electric -Discharge Tubing. A) Terminals. Terminals of the tubing shall be inaccessible to unqualified persons and isolated from combustible material and grounded metal by -5- approved receptacles. Where enclosed, they shall be separated from grounded metal and conbustible material by noncombustible, nonabsorbent insulating material. Terminals shall be relieved from stress by the independent support of the tubing. B) Receptacles. Electrode receptacles for the tubing shall be of noncombustible, nonabosrbent insulating material. Receptacle assemblies shall be listed by an approved testing laboratory and conform to Underwriters Laboratories' Standard U.L. 879, "Electrode Receptacles for Gas Tube Signs" or an approved equal. Electrode receptacle assemblies shall be supported not more than 6 inches (152 mm) from the electrode terminals. C) Show Windows. In the exposed type of show -window signs, terminals shall be enclosed by receptacles. D) Receptacle Seals. A flexible, nonconducting seal shall be permitted to close the opening between the tubing and the receptacle against the entrance of dust or moisture. This seal shall not be in contact with grounded conductive material and shall not be depended upon for the insulation of the tubing. E) Enclosures of Metal. Enclosures of metal for electrodes shall not be less than No. 24 MSG sheet metal. F) Enclosures of Insulating Material. Enclosures of insulating material shall be noncombustible, nonabsorbent, and suitable for the voltage of the circuit. G) Live Parts. Live parts shall be enclosed or suitably guarded to prevent contact. 1 10