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Home My WebLink AboutORD 6-DDAN- ORDINANCE ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 11-20 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS, PROVIDING FOR THE REGISTRATION OF MASTER ELECTRICIANS, THEIR EXAMI- NATIONS AND FEES, AND THE ISSUANCE OF LICENSES, BY CHANGING THE REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE APPLICANTS FOR SUCH EXAMINATIONS; AMENDING SECTION 11-29 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES -OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS, SETTING PERMIT FEES AND PROVIDING FOR APPLICATIONS FOR INSPECTION BY SETTING FEES FOR CERTAIN ITEMS NOT PREVIOUSLY LISTED; AMENDING SECTION 11.-35 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS, PROVIDING STANDARDS FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS BY ADOPTING THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE OF 1959 AND ALL ,AMENDMENTS: THERETO, AND PROVIDING THAT CONFORMITY OF ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS WITH SUCH CODE SHALL BE PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE THAT SUCH INSTALLATIONS ARE REASONABLY SAFE; AMENDING SECTION 11-37 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS, PROVIDING STANDARDS FOR INSTALLATION OF SIGNS BY PROVIDING THAT CONFORMITY WITH STANDARDS OF UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES, INC. AND THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE SHALL BE PRIMA FACIE EVI- DENCE THAT SUCH INSTALLATIONS ARE SAFE; AMENDING SECTION 11-65 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS, PRO- VIDING APPROVED WIRING METHODS BY PROVIDING FOR CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS TO METHODS APPROVED BY NATIONAL. -ELECTRICAL CODE AND UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES, INC., AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS: Section 1. That Section 11.-20 of the Code of Ordinances of Beaumont, Texas, is hereby amended to read as follows: "Sec. 11-»20. Same. -Registration of master electricians, examinations, fees, issuance of license. "All applications for examination shall be made in writing and addressed to the board, and shall be accompanied by an examination fee of ten dollars, which shall be payable to the city and which includes one examination. Each applies cant shall have a minimum of four (4) years experience as a journeyman electrician or a degree in Electrical Engineer. ing from a recognized school or college before he will be eligible to take the examination for a master electrician's license. The applicant shall show the number of years of - applicant's experience in the alteration, installation and repair of -electrical wiring and equipment. The examining board of master electricians shall prescribe a written examination of a uniform, fair, impartial nature, testing the applicant's knowledge of the electrical ordinances and regulations of the city and his ability to read simple electrical plans. All examinations shall be graded promptly by the board on the basis set out by the minutes of the board. The board may prescribe certain other fair, impar- tial tests of the applicant's skill and ability in work involving the alteration, installation and repair of elec- trical wiring and equipment. "Upon presentation to the chief electrical inspector of a certificate signed by the chairman of the examining board for master electricians, stating the name and ad- dress of the applicant and that he has passed the re" quired examination, and after the applicant has paid to the city the fees prescribed in this code., the chief electrical inspector shall issue.to such applicant a master electriciants license on a form prescribed by such board, and such applicant shall be considered as 3registered? within -the meaning of this code.?? Section 2. That Section 11-29 of the Code of Ordinances of Beaumont, Texas, is hereby amended to read as follows: ??Sec. 11-29. Same —Fees, application.for inspection, definitions m 'tBefore proceeding with the installation, alteration of, or the addition to any electrical wiring or equipment within or on any building, structure or premises, publicly or privately owned, within the corporate limits of the city, the master electrician in charge of such proposed work shall first file with the chief electrical inspector an application requesting inspection, and pay fees to the city in accordance with the following schedule, to secure a permit to carry on such work. (1) Outlet. The term ?outlet? shall mean and be -con- strued as any point on a wiring system at which a switch is installed or electricity is taken from a circuit for light, power, or any other purpose or service. (2) Outlet addition, outlet extension. The term Tout - let additiont or ?outlet• extension? shall mean and be construed as any outlet installation made over and above the number as requested in the per- mit or as shown on the plans for new construction, or outlet installation extending from or added to old existing circuits, respectively. (3) Horsepower grouping. Permit applications covering the installation of meters on any job shall specify each motor individually and no grouping of horse" power shall be permitted. (4) Permit fees. (a.) First meter from each service ............ $3.00 (b) Each ,additional meter- „....1.50 (c) Service and up to ten outlets 4.00 (d) Each additional outlet ................... .15 (e) Socket, drops and tubes .................. .10 (f) Bells, buzzers, and chimes ..............® .15 (9) Range .................................... 2.00 (h) Water heater .000.0 2.00 (1) Mogul sockets, each....................0. .10 (j) Stage and footlights, each ............... .05 (k) Floodlights .50 (1) Gasoline pumps 1.00 -2- (m) Dishwashers.•.00.o.e•..... •50 ( n ) , Att i c f an .. • . . . . e . o . . . . o • • e • • . • . • . . • . . . • . . • . . 5 0 (o) Temporary service on pole.o........•........ 2.00 (p) Rectifiers, transformers, per kilowatt...... .50 (q) Over five KW, per Kwo.o...........•......... .10 (r) Neon sign: Cost to $100..................... 2.00 $101 to $200............. 3.00 $201 to $500.............. 5.00 $501 and overe....e...... 9.00 (s) Each motor up to five HP, $.50 per HP (t) Over five HP, $.10 per HP (u) Elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators First three floors ............... 5.00 (v) Next six floors, per floor ...............•.. 1.50 (w) Any additional floors, per floor............ 1.00 (x) Change service, up to 200 Amp.......•.•...... 2.00 (y) Change service, 201 to 400 Amp .............. 3.00 W Change service, over 400 Amp ................ 4.00 (aa) Yard lamps, each .50 (bb) Dryer..... ................................... .50 (cc) Space heating, per KjiT.....00••..•o•.e.•.•... .10 (dd) Rey -inspection ®..®....•�®, 2.00 (ee) Minimum on any electrical permit............ 2.00 "When fees are not set up herein, the chief electrical in- spector shall set fees that are consistent with fees named hereinbef ore. Tt Section 3. That Section 11-35 of The Code of Ordinances of Beaumont, Texas, is hereby amended to read as follows: "See. 11-35. Standards» -Installation. Tt(a) All installations of•electrical wiring and equipment shall be reasonably safe to persons andproperty and in con- formity with the provisions of this code, the applicable statutes of the state, and any rules or regulations issued by authority thereof. It(b) Conformity of electrical installations with the appli- cable standards set forth in the National Electrical Code shall be prima facie evidence that such installations are reasonably safe to persons and property; provided that the provisions of this chapter shall prevail over the National Electrical Code in case of conflicting provisions. The National Electrical Code of 1959, adopted by the National Fire Protection Association, and all amendments thereof, is hereby adopted, and the same is hereby made a part of this chapter as fully -and to the extent as if copied herein in full. One copy of such code has been and now is filed in the office of the city clerk. Tt(c) Due to the unusual climatic conditions prevailing in and about the city, certain exceptions to the wiring methods and materials, as set forth in the National Electrical Code herein adopted, shall be made as set forth in sections 11--64 through 11-69 of this code.? - 3- �rt n /,, /6- b T Section 4. That Section 11-37 of the Code of Ordinances of Beaumont, Texas, is hereby amended to read as follows: "See. 11-37. Same --Signs. tt(a) All electrically illuminated or electrically powered outdoor and indoor signs and displays shall be reasonably safe to persons and property and in conformity with the provisions of this code. tt(b) Conformity of all types of electrical signs with applicable standards of the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. and the National Electrical Code, referred to in Sec. 11--35 above, shall be prima facie evidence that such installations are reasonably safe to persons and property; provided that the provisions of'this chapter shall prevail in case of con- flicting provisions. tt(c) Conformity of construction, erection, foundation -and means of support of all such signs with the city building code shall be approved by the city building inspector before permits for electrical inspection shall be issued under the authority of this code. tt(d) All conductors for gaseous tubing signs, indoor and outdoor, shall be of a type approved for the purpose and for the voltage of the circuit, and shall not be smaller than No. 14, A:WG. It(e) Bare conductors may be used only on socket. -type hous- ings inside signs., and exposed if not over eighteen inches in length. Pyrex or equal insulators and housings will be the only type approved for outdoor construction. Housings must have at least a seven -eights inch opening when used outdoors. Open-end type housings will not be approved for outdoor use. tt(f) All open high -voltage sign conductors shall have a minimum two inch separation maintained between conductor and between conductors and other objects. Where subject to mechanical injury, or where within reach from ground, roof, window, or other substantial support accessible to unqualified persons, all high -voltage conductors shall be enclosed in suitable raceways, or suitably guarded. tt(g) All high -voltage gaseous tube sign circuits shall be protected on the low --voltage or primary circuit of each sign transformer by the installation of a separate nontamp" erable fuse of one hundred and twenty-five per cent for - each calculation of the load, or by test with suitable in- struments in the primary circuit thereof. tt(h) ,All signs shall be on a separate circuit and not greater than thirteen hundred and twenty watts will be allowed on each circuit. If(i) All sign switches shall be located within sight of the sign and shall provide for the opening of all ungrounded conductors supplying the sign, or supplying the low --voltage primary circuit of the gaseous tube sign transformer. Each -4- such switch shall be externally operable and so designed that it can be locked in the open and closed position. Switches or similar devices controlling sign transformers shall be of an approved type and shall have a current rat». ing of not less than twice the current rating of the trans- formers. It(j) A permit must be obtained from the electrical in- spector's office before any sign is installed. 11(k) All signs must have a minimum clearance of eight feet above sidewalks located on public property. It(l) Supports below signs may not be installed on .public property. "(m) An approved type of fitting must be used on all runs of conduit, such as weatherhead or similar fitting. 't(n) Neon signs must be all metal or other approved ma- terial. "(o) No guy wire used on outdoor signs shall be less than three -sixteenths stranded. cable or.chain of equal strength. No turnbuckles less than three -.sixteenths for outdoor use. No guy cables shall be fastened to walls with less than three. -eights inch lag screws and shields. Electrodes on outdoor tube lighting must clear any object by at least one and one-half inches. All steel poles, booms, and supporting framework must pass inspection. Neon and metal letters mounted on masonry buildings shall be mounted with expansion shields, caulking anchors, or lead wool set in holes at least one inch in depth. tt(p) All outdoor signs shall have transformers installed in an approved metal container.!' Section 5. That Section ll-65 of the Code of Ordinances of Beaumont, Texas, is hereby amended to read as follows: ''Sec. 11-65. .Approved wiring methods, use thereof. - "Wiring methods approved by the National Electrical Code and Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. shall be used with the exceptions listed below: It(a) Armored cables may be used in minimum size number 4 or larger, in dry locations only. "(b) Electric metallic tubing may be used in dry locations only. "(c) Fiber or asbestos duct may be used provided it is en- cased in two inches of concrete. "(d) Any approved method may be used for temporary work. t'(e) Flexible metallic conduit may be used when it is im- practical to use rigid conduit ;however, on movable or ro- tating electrical equipment, flexible metallic conduits may a~ 5-- be used only for a maximum length of six feet. tt(f) Rigid metallic conduit or tubing and/or approved armored cables must be used in the following locations: (1) Commercial buildings. (2) Apartment houses with three or more apartments. (3) All buildings within the First fire district. It(g) Non -.metallic sheathed and service entrance cable shall not be permitted except in single and two-family dwellings. It(h) Type U.F. cable may be used in residential wiring only and must.be buried to a minimum depth of eighteen inches below grade. tt(i) The following equipment shall be installed on special circuits: (1) Attic fan and heating unit. (2) Dishwasher. (3) Disposal. (4) Washing machine. (5) Dryer. (6) Water heaters and space heaters. (7) Ranges, built in ranges, tops and ovens. (8) Air conditioning equipment. (9) Other types of equipment that require special circuits. tt(j) Low Voltage Wiring: All low voltage magnetic switches that are designed to control lights and other non -.inductive loads shall be installed as follows: The relay or magnetic switches shall be installed in such a manner that they may be readily removed and re -instal -led after outlet box contain- ing same is concealed without removing plaster or finish of building; they are to be installed in outlet boxes of suffi- cient size to compensate for space occupied by the relay and shall be securely and adequately fastened with machine screws or other approved method in the outlet box in which they are installed. All remote control low voltage devices that are used to control lighting and power shall be installed in an approved metal ..box in a location accessible for maintenance, service and repairs. All relay or magnetic switches will be approved only on circuits not exceeding 150 volts to ground, and all lower voltage wires must be separated by an approved barrier from circuit wires. All low voltage wiring shall not be smaller than #18 gauge rubber -covered not less than 300 volt,insulation. All low voltage wiring shall be installed in a workmanlike manner and shall not be run over ceiling joists, under floor joist, or across face of studs. All wires must pass through bored holes and be.secured to sides of joists, studs or rafters with insulated staples at least every 42 feet. Low voltage wires shall be long enough to permit the removal and reconnection of the relay or magnetic, switch. Low voltage switches used to operate the relay or magnetic switch shall be of an approved type and installed in an approved manner. The transformer for the control system shall not exceed 48 volts and shall have overcurrent protec- tion on the secondary side not exceeding its capacity, located within twelve (12) inches of transformer. The primary side of the transformer will be considered protected by over - current protection not exceeding fifteen (15) amperes. And it is further provided that no permits will be required for the installation of wires to operate telephones, telegraph, district messengers, and watch -clock fire alarms. 11(k) Where three or more switches or meters are in- stalled, a wiring gutter must be used.rr Section 6. That should any portion of this ordinance be invalid, such in- validity shall not affect the remaining valid portions thereof. PASSED by the City Council this day of rj'�,) A. D. 196o. LA Beaumont, Texas March 8, 1960 Attention: James T.Uarrard, City manager The Electrical Board of the City of. Beaumont' has made the following recommendations, so as to bring the Electrical Ordinance up to date and to permit the use of new materials, when they are approved by the Underwriters Laboratories and the National Electrical Code. lu jairman, ElectricalBoard