(A) Electrical System Required. Every dwelling shall have an electrical system, components and safety devices which are properly installed and in good repair.
(B) Electrical System Inspection. If visual inspection by the Housing Code Official reveals that the wiring system of an existing dwelling unit is inadequate, or if code certification for any reason is required or requested, the following minimum standards shall be complied with:
(1) Entrances and Exits. Where two or more entrances and/or exits exist, at least two shall be illuminated by exterior lights. Exterior lights shall be controlled by interior wall switches, located for convenient and readily accessible use.
(2) Living Room. The living room shall be provided with a conveniently located wall switch controlled light or receptacle. The switched receptacle may be one of the required receptacles in the room. Duplex receptacles shall be equally spaced around the walls of the room, one duplex receptacle on each wall; unless the spacing is more than 12 feet.
(3) Kitchen. The kitchen shall be provided with illumination. The required illumination shall be controlled by a wall switch located for convenient and readily accessible use. A separate kitchen appliance circuit shall be provided, supplying a minimum of three grounding-type duplex receptacle outlets. Two of these receptacles shall be readily accessible and spaced for convenient use of portable appliances. New appliance circuits shall be 20 ampere capacity.
(4) Bathroom. The bathroom shall be provided with illumination, controlled by a conveniently located wall switch. A receptacle separate from a light fixture shall be provided. The receptacle shall be at least 30 inches and not more than 48 inches above the floor, adjacent to the wash basin and not more than 48 inches from the basin.
(5) All Other Habitable Rooms. Habitable rooms shall be provided with a conveniently located wall switch controlled light or receptacle. A minimum of two additional duplex receptacles are required, equally spaced around the room.
(6) Basement. The basement shall have a minimum of one lighting outlet in each 200 square feet or major fraction of area for general illumination. All enclosed areas that may be walked into, (except coal bins) shall be provided with a lighting outlet.
(7) Laundry Area. Areas shall be provided with illumination. This light shall be permitted to be connected to the laundry circuit. A wall-mounted grounding-type duplex receptacle shall be provided adjacent to the laundry equipment, on a separate circuit. New laundry circuits shall be 20 ampere capacity.
(8) Spacing Heating System. Heating equipment that requires electricity for operation of any facet shall be provided with an individual circuit. A disconnect switch shall be provided on or adjacent to the equipment. (Exception: Thermo-pile controlled furnaces.)
(9) Stairwells. Stairwells shall be adequately illuminated. Lighting outlets shall be controlled by wall switches. Wall switches shall be located for convenient and readily accessible use. Switches shall not be located where it is necessary to use darkened stair sections for their operation. Stairwells connecting finished portions of dwellings shall be provided multiple-switch control: one at the head, the other at the foot of the stairwell.
(10) Service and/or Feeder. The service or feeder to an existing dwelling unit shall be a minimum of three-wire, 100 ampere capacity. Service equipment shall be dead front, having no live parts exposed whereby accidental contact could be made. All plug type fuses shall be Type S. Exception: An existing properly installed 55 ampere capacity, three-wire service and feeders of 30 ampere, two-wire are acceptable if adequate for the load being served.
(11) Existing Wiring and Equipment. Existing wiring and equipment shall be in good repair. Circuit extensions made with flexible cord wiring in lieu of permanent wiring shall be eliminated.
(C) Evidence of Electrical System Inadequacy. Any of the following shall be considered evidence of inadequacy:
(1) Use of cords in lieu of permanent wiring.
(2) Oversizing of overcurrent protection for circuits, feeders or service.
(3) Unapproved extensions to the wiring system in order to provide light, heat or power.
(4) Electrical overload.
(5) Misuse of electrical equipment.
(6) Lack of lighting fixtures in the bathrooms, laundry room, furnace room, stairway or basement.
(D) Joint Use Lighting Area. Every hallway, stairway, entryway and joint use area within a dwelling containing three or more dwelling or rooming units shall be lighted at all times.
(Ord. 7.3, passed 2-4-97) Penalty, see § 150.99(C)