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G-96-02-08-9A - 2/8/1996s ORDINANCE NO. CI' gel)" O - 3 QA AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES (1995 EDITION), CITY OF ROUND ROCK, TEXAS, CHAPTER 3, SECTION 3.901(2) TO ADOPT THE 1996 EDITION OF THE NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODE, AMENDING SECTION 3.901(7) TO ALTER REQUIREMENTS FOR SERVICE DISCONNECTS, LOCATION OF PANEL BOARDS AND OVER CURRENT DEVICES, ELECTRICAL TUBING; AMENDING SECTION 3.902 TO DELETE DEFINITION OF APPRENTICE ELECTRICIAN; AMENDING SECTION 3.904(1), (4) AND (5) TO ALTER REQUIREMENTS FOR WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS; AMENDING SECTION 3.905 REVISING LICENSE AND EXAMINATION FEES; AMENDING SECTION 3.906(1), (2), (4), (7) AND (15) TO DELETE REFERENCES TO APPRENTICE ELECTRICIANS; AMENDING SECTION 3.906(6) TO ALTER QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR MASTER ELECTRICIANS; AMENDING SECTION 3.906(10) TO ALTER REQUIREMENTS FOR TRUCK SIGNS; AMENDING SECTION 3.906(11) TO ALTER CERTAIN LICENSE RENEWAL FEES; AMENDING SECTION 3.906(12) TO PROVIDE FOR INACTIVE LICENSE STATUS; AMENDING SECTION 3.907(2), (3) AND (4) TO ALTER CERTAIN PERMIT REQUIREMENTS; AMENDING SECTION 3.909(3) TO ALTER CERTAIN SPECIAL ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT REQUIREMENTS; AMENDING SECTION 3.909(6) AND (7) TO ALTER CERTAIN SAFETY MEASURES; PROVIDING FOR A SAVINGS CLAUSE AND REPEALING CONFLICTING ORDINANCES OR RESOLUTIONS. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROUND ROCK, TEXAS: I. That Chapter 3, Section 3.901(2), Code of Ordinances (1995 Edition), City of Round Rock is hereby amended to read as follows: (2) National Electrical Code, NFPA 70 The National Electrical Code, NFPA 70 1996 Edition (hereinafter referred to as "NEC"), as amended herein, is hereby adopted as part of this Code to the same effect as if it were copied verbatim herein and shall be in effect except as it may be in conflict with the provisions of this Code. C:\WPDOCS\ORDINANC\OR60208A.2WP/kg r t II. That Chapter 3, Section 3.901(7), Code of Ordinances (1995 Edition), City of Round Rock is hereby amended to read as follows: (7) Amendments to the National Electrical Code, 1996 Edition (a) Article 220, National Electrical Code, 1996 Edition, is hereby amended by deleting Section 22 and substituting the following: 220-22. Neutral Conductor Neutral conductors shall be of the same ampacity as the largest ungrounded conductor. (b) Article 240-24, National Electrical Code, 1996 Edition, is hereby amended by adding paragraph (e) which shall read as follows: (e) Location of Panel Boards or OVER CURRENT Devices Panel boards or OVER CURRENT devices shall not be located in bathrooms, closets or within six (6) feet of sinks, lavatories, water softeners, water heaters, washing machines, or similar fixtures. Panel boards will have the following minimum clearances: six (6) feet, three (3) inches of headroom; three (3) feet of walk-up clearance and thirty (30) inches minimum horizontal clearance with a minimum of six (6) inches on each side of enclosure. (c) Article 300, National Electrical Code, 1996 Edition, is hereby amended by adding Section 23 which shall read as follows: 300-23. Special Safety Measures (a) Except upon written permission of the building official, no electrical conductor of any nature shall be installed nearer than three (3) inches to any metal pipe or duct which could operate at temperature in excess of one hundred twenty (120) degrees Fahrenheit. (b) Thermostat, low voltage control wiring and communications cables in dwellings shall be protected from mechanical damage and shall maintain two (2) inches clearance from all other wiring and pipes. Thermostat, low voltage control wiring and communications cables shall be well strapped or supported with insulated staples or supports not to exceed four (4) feet spacing. (d) Article 604, National Electrical Code, 1996 Edition, is hereby amended by adding Section 8 which shall read as follows: 604-8 Color Code (Manufactured Wiring Systems) All manufactured wiring systems shall be color coded according to Subsection 3.910 (6) (d) of the City of Round Rock Electrical Code. 2. (e) Article 605, National Electrical Code, 1996 Edition, is hereby amended by adding Section 9 which shall read as follows: 605-9 Color Code (Office Furnishing Partition Systems) All office furnishing partition systems shall have their internal wiring systems color coded according to Subsection 3.910 (6) (d) of the City of Round Rock Electrical Code. That Chapter 3, Section 3.902, Code of Ordinances (1995 Edition), City of Round Rock is hereby amended to read as follows: 3.902 DEFINITIONS (1) Active Master Electrician. A licensed master electrician under the provisions of this Code who is currently in good standing status. (2) Board. The Electrical Examining & Advisory Board of the City of Round Rock as appointed by the city council pursuant to subsection 3.903(3). Building. A structure which stands alone or which is cut off from adjoining structures and/or occupancies by one (1) or more fire walls. (4) Chief Electrical Inspector. That employee of the city appointed by the city manager to carry out the duties and responsibilities of this Code. (3) (5) City. The City of Round Rock, Texas. (6) Electrical Work. Any act in connection with the installing, altering, or repairing of electrical wires, conduits, apparatus, or other electrical installation, designed or capable of carrying electrical energy, which act ordinarily requires the use of tools. Fire Wall. A four (4) hour fire resistant wall, having protective openings, which restricts the spread of fire and extends continuously from the foundation to or through the roof, with sufficient structural stability under fire conditions to allow collapse of construction on either side without collapse of the wall. (7) (8) Good Standing. All fees, bonds, etc. of a licensee (who is not currently under suspension or revocation) have been paid. (9) Journeyman Electrician. A person licensed as a journeyman electrician, under the provisions of this Code, who does electrical work under the supervision, direction, and control of a licensed Master Electrician. (10) Licensed Electrician. A person licensed and authorized to do electrical work as defined by this Code who is currently in a "good standing" status. (11) Maintenance. The act of keeping in a state of safe operating condition any conductor or piece of equipment used inside or outside, attached or connected to any building electrical 3. system by replacement of units or elements thereof, but shall not include additions to, or replacement of an existing system or branch. (12) Person. An individual, partnership, corporation, or other legal entity. (13) Rough -In Work. Initial work of installing, altering, repairing or maintaining of electrical wires, conduits, apparatus or other electrical installation, performed so that all such work is easily visible and may be easily corrected or changed. IV. That Chapter 3, Section 3.904(1), Code of Ordinances (1995 Edition), City of Round Rock is hereby amended to read as follows: (1) The Board or an outside agency shall prescribe a written examination of a uniform, fair, impartial nature testing each applicant's knowledge of the N.E.C. The Board may prescribe certain other fair, impartial tests of the applicant's skill and ability in work involving the alteration, installation and repair of electrical wiring and equipment. A passing grade of 70% shall be required. All examinations shall be graded promptly. V. That Chapter 3, Section 3.904(4), Code of Ordinances (1995 Edition), City of Round Rock is hereby amended to read as follows: (4) The Board may waive the requirements of an examination and examination fees to electricians with tested licenses from cities which agree to reciprocate with the City of Round Rock. Such waiver may be granted if the examination taken by the applicant is similar to the examination given by the City of Round Rock. VI. That Chapter 3, Section 3.904(5), Code of Ordinances (1995 Edition), City of Round Rock is hereby amended to read as follows: (5) An applicant who wishes to receive a license restricted to a particular category shall be required to receive a passing grade of seventy percent (70%) on that portion of the examination covering the desired category. The categories for restricted licenses are: (1) Signs, (2) Elevators, (3) Repair Service, (4) Maintenance, and (5) Residential. VII. That Chapter 3, Section 3.905, Code of Ordinances (1995 Edition), City of Round Rock is hereby amended to read as follows: 3.905 LICENSE AND EXAMINATION FEES The examination and license fees for the various classes of electricians shall be as follows: 4. T I Southern Building Code Conference Classification Original International (SBCCI) of Electrician License Renewal Exam Fee Master Electrician $150.00 $ 75.00 $ 45.00 Journeyman Electrician $ 35.00 $ 25.00 $ 45.00 Journeyman Restricted $ 25.00 $ 15.00 $ 45.00 Inactive Master $ 45.00 VIII. That Chapter 3, Section 3.906(1), Code of Ordinances (1995 Edition), City of Round Rock is hereby amended to read as follows: (1) Types of Licenses Electrical licenses shall be of the following types: (a) Any person licensed as a master electrician in compliance with the requirements of this chapter, who employs journeyman electricians to perform electrician's in accordance with this Code or who performs electrical work himself in accordance with this Code. (b) Journeyman Electrician A person licensed as a journeyman electrician in compliance with the requirements of this section, who works for and under the general supervision and direction of a master electrician, performing electrical work contracted for by a master electrician. IX. That Chapter 3, Section 3.906(2), Code of Ordinances (1995 Edition), City of Round Rock is hereby amended to read as follows: (2) Except as otherwise provided herein, it shall be unlawful for any person to do electrical work unless such person holds a master electrician or journeyman license under the provisions of this Code. Any person holding a valid master's license or journeyman's license need not procure a lesser license. When two (2) or more master electricians are working on the same job; the supervision, direction and control of the electrical work shall be the responsibility of the person to whom the permit was issued. 5. X. That Chapter 3, Section 3.906(4), Code of Ordinances (1995 Edition), City of Round Rock is hereby amended to read as follows: (4) Supervision Except as otherwise provided in this Code, all electrical work shall be performed under the supervision, direction, and control of the master electrician who has secured the permit. When on-site work is performed by a journeyman electrician under the supervision of the permit holder, the ratio of workers to journeyman electricians shall not exceed three (3) workers for each journeyman present on site; however, for commercial or industrial work, the ratio shall be two (2) workers for each journeyman present on site. XI. That Chapter 3, Section 3.906(6), Code of Ordinances (1995 Edition), City of Round Rock is hereby amended to read as follows: (6) Qualifications (a) Master Electrician: Candidates for said licensed shall: (i) be a high school graduate or the equivalent thereof; (ii) show proof of two (2) years as a licensed Journeyman; and (iii) show proof of completion of a six (6) hour review course on the National Electrical Code in each year that the Electrical Code is updated, before renewal of license. (b) Journeyman Electrician: Candidates for said license shall: (i) be a high school graduate, or the equivalent thereof. (c) College: (i) A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from a college or university which requires at least four (4) years of study in residence as a prerequisite to such degree, shall be considered the equivalent of three (3) years of experience; and (ii) The satisfactory completion of 120 semester hours of work required for such degree shall be considered the equivalent of one year experience. XII. That Chapter 3, Section 3.906(7), Code of Ordinances (1995 Edition), City of Round Rock is hereby amended to read as follows: 6. (7) Application (a) Every application for an original or renewal license shall be made upon forms furnished by the Chief Electrical Inspector. (b) Every license application shall state the full name, date of birth, weight, height, eye color, hair color, sex, residence and business address of the applicant. Every application for an original license shall specify the applicant's experience; whether the applicant has heretofore been licensed as a Journeyman, Master or other classification of electrician, and if so, when and by what state, county, or city; whether said license has ever been suspended or revoked; and whether the applicant has ever been refused a license, and if so, the date of and the reason for said suspension, revocation, or refusal. (c) Every application shall be accompanied by the license fee prescribed in subsection 3.905. XIII. That Chapter 3, Section 3.906(10), Code of Ordinances (1995 Edition), City of Round Rock is hereby amended to read as follows: (10) Requirements for Continued Licensing Master Electrician: In addition to other requirements of this Code; All Master Electricians shall have their license number or company name on all company trucks. xIv. That Chapter 3, Section 3.906(11), Code of Ordinances (1995 Edition), City of Round Rock is hereby amended to read as follows: (11) Expiration; Renewal (a) All electrical licenses shall expire at 12:00 midnight on the last day of the month of the licensee's birthday. (b) Expired licenses not renewed as provided in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed canceled, and appropriate notations reflected on the official license records of the City. (c) If a license is renewed thirty or more days after expiration date, the normal fee shall be doubled. XV. That Chapter 3, Section 3.906(12), Code of Ordinances (1995 Edition), City of Round Rock is hereby amended to read as follows: 7. (12) Inactive License A Master Electrician may request that his license be placed in an inactive status after payment of a $45.00 fee. A Master Electrician holding an inactive license may not perform electrical work within the City nor obtain a permit for said work. An inactive license may be made active by paying the active license fee. XVI. That Chapter 3, Section 3.906(15), Code of Ordinances (1995 Edition), City of Round Rock is hereby amended to read as follows: (15) Certain Acts Prohibited It shall be a violation of this Code for any person: (a) To display, permit to be displayed or to have in one's possession, any instrument purporting to be a license issued pursuant to this Code, knowing such instrument to be fictitious, canceled, suspended or altered. (b) To knowingly lend, transfer or permit the use of any license for the purpose of performing or obtaining a permit for electrical work, to any person not entitled thereto under the provisions of this Code. (c) To fail or refuse to surrender to the Chief Electrical Inspector, on demand, an electrician's license which has been suspended or canceled as provided by law. (d) To apply for, or have in one's possession, more than one (1) current license of the same type provided for in this Code. (e) To use a false or fictitious name or address in any license application, renewal, or duplicate request, or knowingly make a false statement, conceal a material fact or otherwise commit fraud in making said application, renewal or duplicate request. (f) To employ as a Master or Journeyman Electrician any person not then licensed as provided in this Code. (g) To perform any electrical work requiring a license, without said license or while said license is suspended or canceled. (h) To perform electrical work in any manner in violation of any restrictions imposed on a licensee. (i) To perform electrical work as a Journeyman Electrician on a job while not in the employ of the Master Electrician of record of said job. (j) To fail to request a final inspection upon completion of all electrical wiring and installation requiring a permit. 8. XVII. That Chapter 3, Section 3.907(2), Code of Ordinances (1995 Edition), City of Round Rock is hereby amended to read as follows: (2) Permit Not Required No permit shall be required for: (a) The installation of electrical conductors or equipment within and on the premises which are under the control and supervision of the Texas State Highway Department and where such installation will be operated, maintained or controlled or supervised by said Texas State Highway Department. (b) The installation of electrical conductors or equipment by or for a public utility corporation in the generation, transmission, sale or use of electrical energy as outlined in its franchise. (c) The installation of low voltage HVAC control wiring in residential only. (d) The replacement of: (1) a motor by another motor of the same horsepower and rating; (2) solenoid valve; (3) low pressure controls ; when the electrical supply to the same is or has been properly installed by a licensed electrician. XIX. That Chapter 3, Section 3.907(3), Code of Ordinances (1995 Edition), City of Round Rock is hereby amended to read as follows: (3) Permit Application (a) Application for permits shall be made in writing upon forms provided by the Chief Electrical Inspector. The application shall contain the following information: (1) the date the application is submitted; (2) the applicant's name; (3) the exact address where electrical work is to be done; (4) a description of the electrical work to be done; 9. (5) other pertinent information as required by the Chief Electrical Inspector. If a diagram or plan is required, it shall clearly show the following: (i) The character and kind of wiring or installation of fixtures or equipment work to be done; (ii) The scale used and the manner in which the electrical installation is to be made; (iii) The character of any repairs to any existing installation showing the point at which service connection is required; (iv) The site of feeders and subfeeders; (v) The location of service switches and centers of distribution; (vi) The arrangement of circuits and the number of outlets connected thereto; (vii) Load calculations; (viii) A profile view of the service entrance equipment including all gutter troughs, junction boxes, switches, disconnects, fuses, panel boards, current transformer enclosures and meter sockets, detailing how this equipment is to be arranged on the wall of the building; (ix) The maximum available fault current at the service entrance shall be obtained from the local utility company; and (x) Fault Current bracing information; (b) Applications for permits shall only be issued to the following persons: (1) A Master Electrician licensed under this Code; (2) A property owner who shall certify that the proposed electrical work shall be performed by the applicant personally, in a residence presently occupied by the applicant as his/her homestead. XIX. That Chapter 3, Section 3.907(4), Code of Ordinances (1995 Edition), City of Round Rock is hereby amended to read as follows: (4) Permit Issuance (a) Permits shall be issued to licensed Master Electricians, or their duly authorized agents. (b) The City of Round Rock operates under a "One Permit" system on new construction whereby a general contractor or owner may secure a single permit 10. covering ail of the building, electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning requirements. However, where only electrical work is being performed, a Master Electrician, as defined herein, must secure a permit covering the work to be done. There shall not be more than one permit issued or outstanding at the same time for any one installation of electrical equipment, except for renewal, additions or finish -out or when requested by the City of Round Rock Building Official. XX. That Chapter 3, Section 3.909(3), Code of Ordinances (1995 Edition), City of Round Rock is hereby amended to read as follows: (3) Special Electrical Circuit Requirements The following additional requirements shall be met for all new construction: (a) All circuits shall have conductors sized in accordance with Article 310 of the National Electrical Code. No conductor smaller than No. 12 Copper American Wire Gauge size, shall be used in any electrical work as covered by this Code, except the following as approved by the National Electrical Code: (i) Pendant and portable cords; (ii) No. 14 for control circuits, operating contractors, relays, etc.; (iii) Wiring within display cases; (iv) Wiring for system covered by Chapter 7 of the National Electrical Code; (b) All panels must be large enough to accommodate the present load requirements and have at least two (2) spaces for future use. (c) All 125 volt, single phase 15 or 20 ampere rated devices installed in commercial and industrial installations shall be of the non residential type or shall be 20 ampere rated only. (d) Temporary service for construction sites are required to have GFCI protection, and must have a driven ground rod. (e) Type AC Cable (commonly referred to as "BX") will not be authorized as an approved wiring method. (0 Flexible metal conduit small than one-half (l) inch electrical trade size shall not be permitted. (g) Kerneys or split bolt connectors shall not be allowed for taps in electrical services and gutters. Only blocks and couple taps are permitted. (h) All building services shall have a UFER grounded and be grounded by Art. 250, 1996 -NEC. 11. (i) All closets and storage areas that are over 24" deep or more shall have a light switch. XX I. That Chapter 3, Section 3.909(6), Code of Ordinances (1995 Edition), City of Round Rock is hereby amended to read as follows: (6) Special Safety Measures (a) Aluminum conductors will be authorized from the service drop, or lateral, to the service disconnect only. Aluminum conductors sized 500 KcMil and larger may be permitted in panel to panel installations subject to approved methods of installations and approved connectors. Such approvals will be at the sole discretion of the Board and Chief Electrical Inspector on a case by case basis. (b) All feeder conductors to branch circuit panel boards and all subpanels in residential and commercial construction shall be copper conductors. (c) Color Coding of Conductors: (i) Single Phase 120/240 Volt System. Phase: A Black B Red Neutral White (ii) Three Phase 120/240 volt center tap Delta System. Phase: A Black B Red C Orange (high leg) Neutral White (iii) Three Phase 480 volt Delta System. Phase: A Brown B Yellow C Purple (iv) Three Phase 120/208 volt WYE System. Phase: A Black B Red C Blue Neutral White 12. (v) Three Phase 277/480 volt WYE System. Phase: A Brown B Yellow C Purple Neutral Natural Gray (d) Except upon written permission of the Chief Electrical Inspector no electrical conductor of any nature shall be installed nearer than three inches to any metal pipe or duct which could operate in excess of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. (e) Door bell transformers must be mounted in an attic, heater closet, bedroom closet or other space where air can flow freely around the transformer. The transformer shall not be covered after it has been mounted. (f) It will not be acceptable to use flexible metal conduit outside. Liquid -tight flexible conduit or liquid -tight flexible non-metallic conduit are considered acceptable. XXII. That Chapter 3, Section 3.909(7), Code of Ordinances (1995 Edition), City of Round Rock is hereby amended to read as follows: (6) Special Safety Measures (7) Smoke Detector Systems Every dwelling and every dwelling unit within an apartment house, condominium or town house, and every guest or sleeping room in a child care facility, motel, hotel or dormitory, shall be provided with an approved listed smoke detector in accordance with the Texas Property Code, Section 92.251 et seq. Detectors shall be listed and meet the installation requirements of NFIPA 74 and NFIPA 72E and be hard wired with battery pack in series where all alarms will be activated. Smoke detectors shall be placed in each bedroom and in the upstairs and downstairs hallways as close to the stairwell, but as far from the kitchen as possible. XXIII. A. All ordinances, parts of ordinances, or resolutions in conflict herewith are expressly repealed. B. The invalidity of any section or provision of this ordinance shall not invalidate other sections or provisions thereof. 13. Alternative 1. By motion duly made, seconded and passed with an affirmative vote of all the Council members present, the requirement for reading this ordinance on two separate days was dispensed with. READ, PASSED, and ADOPTED Q -F.I'v on first reading this U day of , 1996. Alternative 2. READ and APPROVED on first reading this the day of , 1996. READ, APPROVED and ADOPTED on second reading this the day of , 1996. ATTEST: dis• 61,rof NE LAND, City Secretary aza CHARLES CULP PPLP[, Mayor City of Round Rock, Texas 14. DATE: February 6, 1996 SUBJECT: City Council Meeting, February 8, 1996 ITEM: 9A. Consider an ordinance adopting the 1996 National Electrical Code and amending Chapter 3, Section 3.900, Electrical Code, Code of Ordinances (1995 Edition). (First Reading) STAFF RESOURCE PERSON: Jim Nuse STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Every 3 years, the NEC publishes the current addition. Staff asks the Council to consider adopting the 1996 NEC. The Electrical Board and staff have revised the 1996 Electrical Ordinance. The Electrical Board and staff ask the Council to consider adopting the 1996 Electrical Ordinance. Presentation was made at the last Council meeting.