(A) Except for such amendments, additions, deletions or modifications as may be adopted by City Council from time to time, Chapters 2 and 3 of the 1997 edition of the Standard Housing Code as published by the Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc., is hereby adopted by reference as the guide for minimum housing standards in the city.
(B) The following amendments are adopted to the 1997 Standard Housing Code as published by the Southern Building Code International, Inc.
(1) Section 302.5.1 is modified as follows:
Every dwelling unit shall have heating facilities which are properly installed, are maintained in safe and good working conditions, and are capable of safely and adequately heating all habitable rooms and bathrooms in every dwelling unit located therein to a temperature of at least 68ºF (20ºC) at a distance 3 feet (914 mm) above floor level, under minimum winter conditions. Portable kerosene heaters and portable electric heaters are not acceptable as a permanent primary source of heat but may be used as a supplementary source in single family and duplex units.
(2) Section 302.9 is modified as follows:
Every dwelling unit shall be provided with approved listed single stage smoke detectors, one on each level of the dwelling and additional ones in interior enclosed stairwells, hallways and other common areas of multiple-unit dwellings installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and listing. When activated, the detector shall provide an audible alarm. The detector shall be tested in accordance with and meet the requirements of UL 217 (1989), Single and Multiple Station Smoke Detectors.
(3) Section 303.4 is modified as follows:
Every residential dwelling structure shall have electrical service provided and supplied, every habitable room space shall contain at least two separate and remote receptacle outlets. Bedrooms shall have, in addition, at least one wall switch controlled lighting outlet. In kitchens, two separate and remote receptacle outlets shall be provided (receptacles rendered inaccessible by appliances fastened in place or by appliances occupying dedicated space shall not be considered as these required outlets) and a wall or ceiling lighting outlet controlled by a wall switch shall be provided. Every hall, water closet compartment, bathroom, laundry room or furnace room shall contain at least one ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted lighting outlet. In bathrooms the lighting outlet shall be controlled by a wall switch. In addition to the lighting outlet in every bathroom and laundry room, there shall be provided at least one receptacle outlet. Any new bathroom receptacle outlet shall have ground fault circuit interrupter protection. All outlets, switches, wiring and light fixtures shall be safe and operable. No extension cords shall be spliced or used as fixed wiring of a dwelling. Electrical odor, flickering lights, visibly frayed wiring, or failure of circuit tester check shall be evidence of an unsafe electrical system.
(4) Section 304.1 is added under Section 304:
304.1 Electric Service
Adequate electrical service must be provided to the dwelling. “Adequate” means a one hundred (100) ampere service. If the connected electrical load exceeds the capacity of a one hundred (100) ampere service, a service of sufficient capacity to safely bear the connected load shall be furnished. “Edison base” fuses shall not be permitted as components of any modified or updated electrical service, and no more than one (1) two-wire branch circuit shall be connected to any fuse, circuit breaker or other approved overcurrent protection device.
(5) Section 304.2 is added under Section 304:
Section 304.2 New or Additional Outlets or Fixtures
Every new or additional electrical outlet and fixture required by the Code shall be installed, maintained and connected to a source of electrical power in accordance with the provisions of the North Carolina State Building Code.
(6) Section 304.3 is added under Section 304:
304.3 Electrical Service Upgrade
The requirements of 304.1 shall be met if a structure is determined to be dilapidated; has major structural problems requiring removal or relocation of electrical service panel; is substantially damaged by fire; undergoes a major renovation; has major electrical problems or is subject to an overload situation described in this paragraph. Otherwise, dwelling units shall be provided with a minimum sixty (60) ampere service with no more than five (5) two-wire branch circuits connected and a total demand load of less than eleven and one half (11.5) kilowatts. If a service has six or more two-wire branch circuits, one hundred (100) ampere service at a minimum must be provided. If the connected electrical load exceeds the capacity of a one hundred (100) ampere a service of sufficient ampere capacity to safely bear the connected electrical load shall furnished. Drop cords from a neighborhood source, generator or similar source are not “adequate” for the purpose of this Code.
(7) Section 305.16.1 is modified as follows:
Every floor, interior wall and ceiling shall be substantially rodent proof, shall be kept in sound condition and good repair and shall be safe to use and capable of supporting the load which normal use may cause to be placed thereon. Interior walls that are painted or covered shall be free from peeling covering and/or paint.
(1997 Code, § 152.03) (Ord. passed - -1997; Ord. 2003-28, passed 9-9-2003)