Ordinance - 612•
ORDINANCE NO. 612
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA ADOPTING
AN ELECTRICAL CODE, REGULATING THE INSTALLATION,
ARRANGEMENT, ALTERATION, REPAIR, USE AND OPERATION
OF ELECTRICAL WIRING, CONNECTIONS, FIXTURES AND
APPLIANCES IN BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES IN THE CITY
OF WEST COVINA, PROVIDING FOR ELECTRICAL PERMITS,
ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE,
1956 EDITION, AND THE ELECTRICAL SAFETY ORDERS,
1955 EDITION, AND PRESCRIBING PENALTIES FOR THE
VIOLATION THEREOF.
The,City Council of the City of West Covina does ordain
as follows:
CHAPTER 1 « ADMINISTRATION
SECTION lql
These regulations shall be known as the Electrical Code of
the City of West Covina, and shall be enforced by the
Chief Building Inspector of the Department of Building and
Safety of the City of West Covina.
Hereafter when the word "Inspector" is used it shall mean
the Chief Building Inspector of the Department of Building
and Safety of the City of West Covina and his duly
authorized agent or deputy. When the word "Department"
is used it shall mean the Department of Building and
Safety of the City of West Covina.
The department shall, upon application grant permits for .
installation or alterations of electrical wiring, devices,
appliances and equipment and shall make inspection of all
electrical installations,if provided in this code.
Complete records of all permits issued, inspection -and
re -inspection made, and other work performed in accordance
with this code shall be kept by the department.
A list of electrical appliances approved by the Underwriters
Laboratories Inc., shall be kept on file in the department
and shall be available for public information during work-
ing hours.
SECTION 102
It shall be unlawful for any employee of the department to
engage in business within the area under his jurisdiction
of the sale, installation or maintenance of electrical
wiring, devices, appliances or equipment, either directly
or indirectly, nor shall they have a financial interest
in any concern engaged in such business.
SECTION 103
The Chief Building Inspector of the Department of Building
and Safety shall have the right during reasonable hours to
enter any building in the discharge of his official duties,
or for the purpose of making any inspection, re -inspection
or test of the installation of electric wiring, device,
appliances and equipment contained therein. He shall have
the authority to cut or disconnect any wire in cases of
emergency where necessary for safety to life or property
or where such wire may interfere with the work of the
Fire Department. He is also authorized to disconnect or
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order discontinuance of electrical service to any elec-
trical wiring, device, appliances or equipment found to
be dangerous to life or property because they are
defective or defectively installed until such wiring,
devices, appliances and equipment and their installation
have been made safe and approved, as per this code.
Any electrical installation or work installed without a
permit is subject to -the full requirements of this code
and also subject to paying double the appropriate fee as
a penalty. .
CHAPTER-2 - PERMITS
SECTION 201
No electrical wiring, devices, appliances or equipment
shall be installed within or on any building, structure
or premises nor shall any alteration or addition be made
in any such existing wiring, devices, appliances or
equipment without first securing a permit therefor from
the department, except as follows:
A. No permits shall be required for the replacement
of lamps or the connection of portable appliances
to suitable receptacles which have been permanently
installed.
B. No permit shall be required for the installation,
alteration or repair or wiring, devices, appliances
or equipment for the operation of signals or the
transmission of intelligence (not including the
control of lighting or appliance circuits) where
® such wiring, devices, -appliances or equipment
operate at a voltage not exceeding 25 volts
between conductors.
C. No permit shall be required for the installation,
alteration or repair of electrical wiring, device,
appliances and equipment installed by or for a
public service corporation for the use of such a
corporation in the generation, transmission,
distribution or metering of electrical energy, or
for the use of such a corporation in the operation
of signals or the transmission of intelligence.
SECTION 202.
Applications for commercial,,_.and industrial installations
describing the work to be done, shall be made iri writing
to the department by the person, firm or corporation
installing the work. The application shall be accompanied
by a single line drawing showing the size of wire, switch,
conduit and load.
If it shall be found that the installation as described will
in general conform with the requirements of this code, and
O if the applicant has complied with all of the provisions
of this code, a permit for such installation shall be issued.
However, the issuance of any permit shall not be taken as
permission to violate any of the requirements of this code.
The permit when issued shall be for such installation as
is described in the application and no deviation shall be
made from the installation so described without the
written approval of the department.
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SECTION 203
Applications for electrical permits, describing the work
to be done, shall be made in writing by a certified elec-
trician, maintenance electrician, or their authorized
representative. Where a license is required by the State
of California, a permit shall not be issued unless the
applicant has such a license. In the case of an owner
such application shall be for a special owner's permit.
Applications shall give the location where such work is
to be done either by street and house number, by lot,
block and tract, or similar description that will readily
identify and definitely locate the proposed work. Each
such application shall be accompanied by drawings or blue-
prints as required by the Chief Electrical Inspector.
Application may be made by a firm, partnership, or corpora-
tion, any officer or member of which is a certified elec-
trician, in the event that all construction or work is done
under the direct supervision of such officer or.member.
SECTION 204
The department may issue to an individual a special owner's
permit authorizing said individual to install, alter, change
or repair electrical equipment in, on or about a dwelling
of which said individual is owner and in which he resides
or intends to reside, but not elsewhere: PROVIDED, that no
electrical work authorized under any such special owner's
permit shall be done, nor shall.the owner holding any such
permit allow any such work to be done, except personally
by the owner to whom the permit is issued, or by a member
of his immediate family, and if this or any other provision
hereof shall be violated by the holder of such special
owner's permit, such permit shall be subject to immediate
cancellation by the department, and the holder thereof
shall be liable to the penalty hereinafter provided for
violation of this code.
SECTION 205
The requirements of this code are hereby specifically
declared to govern and.control the installation, alteration
or repair of any electrical wiring,.devices, appliances or
equipment in any building or structures owned or controlled
by any public or quasi -public or political corporation or
body, except as to such electrical wiring as is specifically
exempt under this section.
CHAPTER-3 - FEES
SECTION 301
Any person desiring an electrical permit shall at the time
of filing an application therefor pay to the Chief Elec-
trical Inspector a fee as required in this section.
For issuing permits, each ..........................$
For issuing maintenance permits, each ..............
For services 600 volts or less, each ...............
For services more than 600 volts, each .............
1.00
2,O0
1.00
5.00
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Where fixtures or sockets are included in the ,
original permit for wiring outlets, an addition-
al fee of ....................................... $ 1.00
Outlets in addition to outlets included in the
original permit, equipment in addition to equip-
ment of the same kind included in the original
permit, and fixtures in addition to fixtures
included in the original fixture permit, a
supplementary permit fee of .50
For wiring outlets at which current is used or con-
trolled except services, sub -feeders and meter
outlets, each ................................... .10
For fixtures, sockets or other lamp holding device
located more than eighteen inches (18") apart,
each ............................................ .10
For sockets or receptacles located less than eighteen
inches (18") apart, including wiring for same,
each . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 05
For each motor of not more than 1/2 h.p, .25
For each motor of more than 1/2 h.p., but not more
than 2 h.p. ...... .............................. .50
For each motor of more than 2 h.p., but not more
than 5 h.p. ..................................... 1.00
For each motor of more than 5 h.p., but not more
than 15 h.p..................................... 1.50
• For each motor of more than 15 h.p., but not more
than 50 h.p..................................... 2.50
For each motor of more than 50 h.p., but not more
than 200 h.p.................................... 5.00
For each motor of more than 200 h.p., but not more
than 500 h.p..................................... 10.00
For each motor of more than 500 h.p., but not more
than 1000 h.p................................... 15.00
For each motor of more than 1000 h.p. 20.00
For each generator, transformer or welder, each K.V.A.
capacity shall be considered as one h.p. in a
motor.
For each motor -generator set or frequency changer,
the fee charged shall be 100% greater than for the
motor alone.
For each mercury are lamp and equipment .50
For each projection machine, dissolver, etc. 1.50
For each range, water heater or clothes dryer
• installation ..................................... .50
For each stationary cooking unit, oven, space
heater, garbage disposer, dishwasher, automatic
washer ........................................... .25
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For all other heat installations, resistance or infra-
red, etc., per K.W........:......:................. .10
For working lights in buildings in course of con-
struction or undergoing repairs, or where temporary
lighting is to be used:
500 lamps or less .................................. 1.00
501 lamps and not over 1000 ........................ 2.00
1001 lamps and over ................................ 3.00
For each electric sign, 10 lamps or less .............. .50
For each electric sign, 11 lamps and not over 25 .75
For each electric sign, 26 lamps and over ............. 1.00
For each electric sign or outline lighting installation,
luminous gas type with 1 to 4 transformers ......... 1.00
For each electric sign or outline lighting installation,
luminous gas type, with 5 or more transformers,
each transformer ................................... .25
For each x-ray unit and its appurtenances ............. 2.00
For each rectifier and synchronous converter,. per K.W.. .25
For each extra inspection made necessary by defective
workmanship or materials ............................ 2.50
For each inspection of any electrical equipment for
which no fee is herein prescribed for the time
consumed,
per hour .................,............................ 4.00
with a minimum charge 1/2 hour or less 2.00
Any person who shall commence any electrical work for
which a permit is required by this ordinance without
first having obtained a permit therefor, shall, if sub-
sequently permitted to obtain a permit, 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
Chief Electrical Inspector that such work was urgently
necessary and that it was not practical to obtain a permit
therefor 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 a permit, a double fee as herein provided shall be
charged.
SECTION 302
Upon completion of the work which has been authorized by
issuance of any permit it shall be the duty of the person,
firm or corporation installing the same to notify the depart-
ment, who shall inspect the installation within 48 hours,
exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, of the time
such notice is -given or as soon thereafter as practicable.
Where the Inspector finds the installation to be in
conformity with the provisions of this code, he shall
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authorize the use of the installation and connection to
the source of supply and shall send notice of such
authorization to the electrical utility furnishing the
electric service.
If upon the inspection the installation is not found to
be fully in conformity with the provisions of this code,
the Inspector shall leave a notice for the person, firm
40 or corporation making the installation, stating the
defects which have been found to exist.
All defects shall be corrected within ten days after in-
spection and notification, or within other reasonable
time as permitted by the department.
When an approval is issued authorizing the connection and
use of temporary work, such approval shall expire at a
time to be stated and shall be revocable by the department
for cause.
A preliminary approval may be issued authorizing the connec-
tion and use of certain specific portions of an incompleted
installation; such approval shall be revocable at the dis-
cretion of the department.
When any part of a wiring installation is to be hidden from
view by the permanent placement of parts of the building,
the person, firm or corporation installing the wiring shall
notify the department and such parts of the wiring installa-
tion shall not be concealed until they have been inspected
and approved by the Inspector. .On large installations in
order to expedite the work, the person, firm or corporation
installing the wiring may request periodic inspections during
• the progress of work. The Inspector shall have the power to
remove or require the removal of any obstruction that prevents
the proper inspection of any electrical equipment.
At least once in every calendar month the Inspector shall
visit all premises where work has been done under maintenance
permits and shall inspect all electrical wiring, devices,
appliances and equipment installed under such a permit since
the date of his last previous inspection and shall issue
approval for such work as is found to be in conformity with
the provisions of this code after the fee required by
Chapter 3 has been paid.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to
make connection from a source of electrical energy or to
supply electric service to any electric wiring, device,
appliances or equipment for the installation of which a
permit is required, unless such person, firm or corporation
shall have obtained satisfactory evidence that such wiring,
devices, appliances or equipment are in all respects in
conformity with all applicable legal provisions. .
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to
make connections from a source of electrical energy or to
supply electric -service to any electric wiring, device,
appliances or equipment which has been disconnected or
ordered to be disconnected by the department or the use of
which has been ordered by the Inspector to be discontinued
until an approval has been issued by him authorizing the
reconnection and use of such wiring, device, appliances or
equipment. The department shall notify the serving utility
of such order to discontinue use.
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CHAPTER-4 - STANDARDS FOR INSTALLATION AND MATERIALS
SECTION 4O1
Adoption of a National Electrical Code and standards for
installation and materials.
The National Electric Code, 1956 Edition, as revised and
amended, three copies of which document are now in file
with the City Clerk of the City of West Covina, is hereby
adopted as the Electrical Code for the City of West Covina
and the same is hereby incorporated by reference and made
a part of this ordinance, the same as if set forth herein
in full. All electrical work shall be done in accordance
with said National Electrical Code and the provisions of
this Ordinance.
A. All residential installations shall be in conformity
with the provisions of this code and approved standards
for safety to life and property. The requirements of
the National Electrical Code, 1956 Edition, shall apply
to all residential installation with the following
additions or changes:
B. The minimum size service conduit and sub -feed to the
distribution center shall not be less than one and
one-half inches (12") with three number one size con-
ductors and installation of 100 ampere main switch or
breaker with provisions for use of two spare circuits
with two three quarter (3/4") flexible conduits to
accessible locations as the minimum requirements.
C. Garbage disposal units, dish washers spin dry clothes
• washers, motors rated one-third (1/33 horsepower or
any fixed devices or appliance rated 1000 watts ( 1
or more, shall be installed on a separate appliance
branch circuit.
D. No 20 ampere circuits shall supply more than twelve (12)
outlets in any one occupancy. Kitchen area shall be
served by two or more appliance circuits in each
occupancy, not exceeding four (4) outlets for each
circuit.
E.
A separate circuit shall be provided for forced air
heaters, air coolers or air conditioning units rated
above one-fourth (1%4) horsepower and from the wired
accessible outlet, the wiring shall be in flexible
conduit or type "S" cord and a three wire grounded
tyRe attachment plug of adequate capacity. When type
"S
cord is used, such cord shall be as short as
practical and not longer than five (5) feet.
F.
Individual electric built-in ranges or ovens not
exceeding 7200 watts (7.2,k.w.).shall.be wired on
separate circuit with three (3 #10 wires.
G.
Dwelling garages attached or unattached to the main
•
structure shall be served with a separate 20 ampere
•
circuit. This circuit may include two (2) light out-
lets. This requirement shall
also apply to accessory
(Group J) buildings.
H.
All wiring installed in private garages or under the
first floor of dwellings shall be in a metal protected
wiring system.
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I. The use of non-metallic boxes is prohibited and
polarized grounded receptacles shall be installed at
all locations.
J. Electrical underground wiring for 'swimming pools shall
be installed with either rigid conduit or metal tubing.
K. On additions or alterations where service capacity is
adequate one hundred (100) ampere minimum service need
not be provided.
SECTION 402
That certain code entitled "National Electrical Code, 1956
Edition", as approved by the American Standards Association,
and that certain code entitled "Electrical Safety Orders,
1955 Edition", issued by the Division of Industrial Safety
of the State of California, three copies of each of which
are on file in the office of the City Clerk, are hereby
adopted and by this reference made a part of this ordinance
as fully and to all intents and purposes as though set
forth herein in full.
All commercial, industrial, and multi -family installations
except Group I and J as listed in the Uniform Building Code
shall comply with the requirements of said National Electrical
Code; and electrical installations that are under the juris-
diction of the California Division of Industrial Safety shall
comply with the requirements of said Electrical Safety Orders.
SECTION 403
In addition to the aforementioned, the following additional
• requirements shall apply to all such construction:
A. All electrical wiring installed in or on buildings or
structures defined as other than single family dwellings,
duplexes, or accessory buildings thereto shall be
installed in metal raceways of rigid iron conduit, metal
tubing,'wireways, bussway, E.M.T. or flexible metal
conduit.
B. In locations where metal covered electrical wiring is
required, but the existing is some other type and may be
approved as safe and adequate the original work may be
left on work representing less than 50% of a circuit or
circuits. All new work must comply with the requirements
of this code.
C. Commercial and store buildings shall be wired for general
lighting requiring a minimum of 3 watts per square foot
of floor space in salesrooms, display rooms, offices and
other rooms devoted to similar purposes. All other spaces
shall be wired as requiring l watt per square foot. In
addition to the above, circuit capacity shall be provided
to an accessible location at each store window, for 100
watts per lineal foot.of glass measured horizontally at
the base of the window.
• -D. An appliance outlet circuit shall be run into the front
. of each commercial building and outlets located in or
near all show windows or front openings. Not to exceed
four (4) such outlets shall be installed on any one
circuit.
E. A sign circuit shall be provided and installed to an
accessible location at the front of all commercial and
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store building occupancies. The sign shall be con-
trolled by switch, rated at not less than 20 amperes,
located on the sign or transformer housing. Not more
than four transformers nor more than 1,650 volt amperes
shall be connected to any one such circuit.
F. Branch circuit protective devices shall be installed
IN and FOR each occupancy. Nothing contained in this
code shall be deemed or construed to permit the
installation of any electrical device outlet or circuit
in any occupancy, the control of or the protection of
which is not accessible to the occupant at all times.
SECTION 1404
All electrical materials, devices, appliances and equipment
installed or used, shall be in conformity with the provisions
of this code and with approved standards for safety to life
and property.
Listing or labeling, as conforming to the Standards of the
Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., the United States Bureau
of Standards, the United States Bureau of Mines, or other
similar institution of recognized standing, shall be prima -
facie evidence of conformity with the approved standards for
safety to life and property.
The makers name, trade -mark, or other identification symbol;,
shall be placed on all electrical materials, devices,
appliances and equipment used or installed under this code.
Previously used materials shall not be re -used in any work
without the written approval obtained in advance from the
department.
CHAPTER-5 - RESPONSIBILITY
SECTION 501
This code shall not be construed to relieve from or lessen
the responsibility of any party owning, operating, controll-
ing or installing any electric wiring, electric devices or
electric material for damages to person or property caused
by any defect therein, nor shall the local agency enforcing
this code be held as assuming any such liability by reason
of the inspection authorized herein, or certificate of
inspection issued as herein provided.
SECTION 502
The language used in this code and in the National Electrical
Code, which is made a part of'this code by reference, is
intended to convey the common and accepted meaning familiar
to the Electrical Industry..
The inspector is hereby authorized to determine the intent
and meaning of any provision of this code. Such determinations
shall be made in writing and a record kept, which record shall
be open to the public.
SECTION 503
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the pro-
visions of this or of any code hereby adopted by reference
shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof,
shall be punishable by a fine of not more than Five
Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment in the City
or County Jail for a period of not more than six (6)
months; or by both such fine and imprisonment.
SECTION 504
Every person,.firm or corporation violating any of the pro-
visions of this code or of any code hereby adopted by
reference shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for
- each day or portion thereof during which such violation
continued and shall be punishable therefor as herein pro-
vided.
SECTION 505
It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, either
as owner, architect, contractor, artisan or otherwise, to
do or knowingly to cause or permit to be done any electrical
wiring as defined in this code in such manner that the same
shall not conform to all the provisions of this code.
CHAPTER-6 - VALIDITY
SECTION 601
All ordinances or parts of ordinances which are in conflict
with the provisions of this code are hereby repealed includ-
ing Ordinance No. 554 adopted November 25, 1957.
SECTION 602
If any section, sub -section, sentence, clause or phrase of
this code is, for any reason, held to be unconstitutional
or legally ineffective, such decision shall not affect the
validity of the remaining portions of this code'.
SECTION 6o3
The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this
ordinance and cause the same to be published as required
by law.
Passed and Adapted this--12th- day of January ,1959•
Mayor
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES SS.
CITY OF WEST COVINA
I, ROBERT FLOTTEN, City Clerk of, the City of West Covina,
do hereby certify that the above Ordinance No. 612 was regularly
introduced and placed upon its first reading at a regular meeting
of the City Council on the 22nd day of December- - ', 1958. That,
thereafter, said ordinance was duly adopted and passed at a regular
meeting of the City Council on the 12th day of January-.. 1959, by the
following vote, to -wit:
• AYES: Councilmen: Heath, Brown, Barnes, Pittenger, Mayor Mottinger
NOES: Councilmen: None
ABSENT:Councilmen: None
City Clerk
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