Administration, permits and applications for permits shall be in accordance with Chapter 1420, with the following exceptions:
(a) Minor Work. No permit shall be required for minor work such as repairing flush and snap switches, replacing fuses, changing lamp sockets and receptacles and repairing drop cords, nor for the replacement of lamps or the connection of portable devices to suitable receptacles which have been permanently installed.
(b) Value of Materials. No permit shall be required for electrical repairs, replacement work or new work when the value of materials being used does not exceed fifty dollars ($50.00) at current market value, to complete such work, provided that the work is performed by a bonded electrical contractor of the City or his employee and/or the owner/occupant. All work performed shall meet all other requirements of this chapter.
(c) Maintenance and Repair Work. No permit shall be required for maintenance and repair work on the premises of a firm or corporation regularly employing one or more electricians for the purpose, provided that the premises are not accessible to the general public.
(d) Application for Electrical Permit. Application for an electrical permit shall be made in writing to the Code Enforcement Officer by the holder of an electrical contractor's Certificate of Bonding or the owner/occupant as described in Chapter 1420. The permit, when issued, shall be to such applicant.
The application is to be made out in duplicate using either Form 250 EL of the current issue of the Middle Department of Fire Underwriters, Form No. 1 from Keystone Underwriters Inspection Service or another form supplied by a similar organization (hereinafter referred to as the Approved Electrical Organization) that is approved to perform such inspections in the Commonwealth. The payment of all inspection fees and charges of such organization shall be borne by the applicant. Permit fees shall be submitted with the application in the amount called for in Chapter 1420.
(e) Plans and Specifications. No permit shall be issued until plans and specifications showing the proposed work, in such detail as may be necessary, have been submitted to the Code Enforcement Officer, and he has determined from an examination of such plans and specifications that they give assurance that the work will conform to the provisions of the National Electrical Code. If a permit is denied, the applicant may submit revised plans and specifications without payment of additional fees. If, in the course of the work, it is found necessary to make any change in the plans and specifications on which a permit has been issued, amended plans and specifications shall be submitted and a supplemental permit, subject to the same conditions applicable to the original permit application, shall be issued to cover the change.
(f) Electrical Certificate of Approval. All applicants shall within thirty days of the completion of the building, structure or premises, obtain an Electrical Certificate of Approval from the Office of Code Enforcement. Such Certificate shall be issued upon receipt by the Code Enforcement Officer of proof that the Approved Electrical Organization has made an inspection of the applicant's building, structure or premises and that the electrical wiring conforms with the applicable provisions of the National Electrical Code.
Whenever the inspection of the Approved Electrical Organization shows that the provisions of the National Electrical Code have not been complied with, such organization shall so inform the Code Enforcement Officer. The Code Enforcement Officer shall then notify the applicant of the steps which must be taken to achieve compliance with the National Electrical Code before an Electrical Certificate of Approval will be issued. Failure to secure an Electrical Certificate of Approval shall be sufficient reason for notification of the electrical utility company to disconnect or refuse to connect electrical power to the premises.
(g) Inspection of Existing Electrical Wiring and Apparatus. In order to provide safety against existing hazards or defective electrical wiring and apparatus, the Code Enforcement Officer and/or his authorized representative, including the Approved Electrical Organization referred to above, shall, when requested by proper authority or when the public interest so requires, cause inspections to be made of any premises in the Municipality to insure that the existing electrical wiring and apparatus are not defective or unsafe. The Code Enforcement Officer shall notify the owner of the premises of any unsafe or defective condition that is found and shall require discontinuance or correction of such conditions in accordance with the National Electrical Code.
(Ord. 22-76. Passed 5-19-76.)