[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Kingston
(now Town Council of the Municipality of Kingston) 5-7-1973.
Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Building construction — See Ch. 60.
This chapter shall be known as the "Kingston Electrical Code."
A.
BUREAU OF INSPECTION
ELECTRICAL WORK
MASTER ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
RESIDENTIAL ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR
Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
The Department of Licenses and Inspection.
Any installation, construction, alteration, extension, assembly of
any device, equipment, apparatus or any other object which is used or intended
to be used for the transmission of electrical energy or impulse, except when
performed by or on behalf of any regulated public utility operating under
authority granted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the United States,
or any regulated radio or television transmission system, on equipment, cables,
wires or equivalent facilities, or on electrical circuits connected to or
supported by such equipment or facilities, or on electrical circuits connected
to or supported by such equipment or facilities required in the operation
of or services rendered by the regulated entity. It shall not include the
manufacturing of any device, equipment, apparatus or other object used or
intended to be used for the transmission of electrical energy or impulse,
but shall include electrical wiring systems connected to air-conditioning
equipment, protective signaling devices (fire and burglar), swimming pools
and electrical displays and signs.
Any person, firm or corporation who shall have qualified and registered
as a "master electrical contractor," in accordance with the rules and regulations
of the Bureau of Inspection.
The National Electrical Code, 1975 Edition, National Fire Protection
Association.
Any person, firm or corporation who shall have qualified and registered
as a "residential electrical contractor," in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the Bureau of Inspection, and is involved in residential-type
electrical work only.
B.
AIR-CONDITIONING AND/ OR REFRIGERATION DEALER AND/OR CONTRACTOR
APPEAL BOARD
APPLIANCE DEALER
APPRENTICE ELECTRICIAN
APPROVED INSPECTION AGENCY
BURGLAR AND FIRE ALARM
CHIEF PLANT ELECTRICIAN OR MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR
ELEVATOR CONTRACTOR
HEATING DEALER AND/OR CONTRACTOR
JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN
MAINTENANCE (OTHER THAN INDUSTRIAL)
OTHER TITLES
SIGN CONTRACTOR
Special titles. As used in this chapter, the following
terms shall have the meanings indicated:
Work limited to wiring from a distribution panel to an air conditioner
or refrigeration equipment, including controls and component parts.
The Electrical Appeals Board hereafter created.
Work limited to wiring from distribution panel to equipment and its
controls and component parts.
Any person employed by an electrical contractor, or special titles as defined in Subsection B, and shall have registered in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Bureau of Inspection. No examination shall be required and no more than four renewals shall be permitted.
The Middle Department Inspection Agency, Keystone Electrical Inspection
Service, Inc., Atlantic Inland Inspection Service, and such other inspecting
agency or agencies which shall hereafter be approved by resolution of Borough
Council.
Work limited to wiring for controls and equipment, including connection
to an existing distribution panel or over current device.
Work is limited to plant where employed.
Work limited to wiring of controls and equipment, including connection
to an existing distribution panel or over current device.
Work limited to wiring from a distribution panel to heater and its
controls and/or component parts.
Any person employed by an electrical contractor, or special titles as defined in Subsection B, and who shall pass a journeyman electrician's examination and be qualified and registered in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Bureau of Inspection.
Work is limited to place of employment.
As established by the Bureau of Inspection, these shall mean any
person, firm or corporation who shall have qualified and registered under
his or their special title, in accordance with the rules and regulations of
the Bureau of Inspection.
Work limited to wiring from distribution panel or over current device
to sign equipment, including controls and component parts.
[Amended 11-8-1976]
A.
The Electrical Appeals Board shall consist of three qualified
persons appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council.
Such persons shall be active or retired electrical contractors, electrical
engineers, electrical teachers of trade schools, members of a recognized electrical
inspection agency, or journeyman electricians with at least five years'
experience. All members of the Electrical Appeals Board shall serve without
compensation, but may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses.
B.
The members of the Appeals Board shall hold office for
a period of three years, or until their successor or successors are qualified
in office; provided, however, that the original members of the Appeals Board
shall be appointed to hold office for the term of one, two and three years,
respectively.
C.
Two members of the Appeals Board shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of any and all business.
D.
Special meetings, if required, shall be preceded by at
least 48 hours' written notice to each member stating the purpose of
such meeting. Meetings may be called by the Chairman or by at least two members
of such Board.
E.
The Appeals Board shall hold meetings as frequently as
the proper and efficient discharge of its business shall require.
[Amended 8-5-1974; 11-8-1976]
A.
Any person, firm or corporation desiring to engage in the business or occupations covered by § 84-2 shall apply to the Bureau of Inspection for a license and registration as herein required, and said applicant shall present himself before the Bureau of Inspection at a time and place fixed by the Bureau, wherein his qualifications and knowledge shall be inquired into. If the Bureau of Inspection shall find, upon due examination, that the applicant presenting himself has a reasonable knowledge of electricity and the natural laws and functions of electrical energy, and of the provisions of the Regulations of the National Board of Fire Underwriters for Electric Wiring and Apparatus (in accordance with the current edition of the National Electrical Code), and is possessed of skill and knowledge in matters pertaining to the science of electricity sufficient for the license applied for, then the Bureau of Inspection upon proof of the payment of the fee herein provided, and upon filing with the Bureau of Inspection a copy of his public liability and property damage insurance policy or policies indicating coverage in the amount of $300,000 and $500,000 for public liability and $50,000 for property damage, issue to said person, firm or corporation a license of the proper type. Such license shall continue in full force and effect following its issuance unless sooner revoked, upon the payment of the annual license fee. Passing of an examination for electrical contractor's license by any one member of a firm or corporation shall be deemed sufficient for that firm or corporation to engage in the electrical contracting business.
B.
Fees.
[Amended 6-7-1982]
(1)
Application for examinations and license shall be accompanied
by proof that the proper fee, as hereinafter provided, has been paid to the
Borough Treasury:
|
Position
|
Fee
| |
|---|---|---|
|
Electrical contractor
|
$50.00
| |
|
Special title
|
$50.00
| |
|
Journeyman electrician
|
$10.00
| |
|
Apprentice electrician
|
$5.00
|
(2)
All licenses shall expire December 31 of the year issued.
C.
Any applicant who is unsuccessful in passing the examination
prescribed by the Bureau of Inspection will be permitted to take a reexamination
not less than 60 days after the date of his unsuccessful examination.
D.
Any licensee desiring to continue to practice the profession
or trade for the year following the expiration of the current license shall,
between the first and 31st day of December of each and every year, surrender
the current license for the then current year to the Bureau of Inspection,
which shall forthwith, upon proof of the payment of the proper fee hereinafter
provided, filing of a copy of current required insurance policy or policies
regarding public liability and property damage, issue to the applicant a license
for the ensuing year.
E.
[Amended 6-7-1982] Fees for renewal of license
shall be as follows:
|
Position
|
Fee
| |
|---|---|---|
|
Master electrician contractor
|
$50.00
| |
|
Residential electrical contractor
|
$40.00
| |
|
Special title
|
$50.00
| |
|
Journeyman electrician
|
$10.00
| |
|
Apprentice electrician
|
$1.00
|
F.
Any person, firm or corporation duly licensed by another
municipality in Pennsylvania which has adopted a substantially identical ordinance
to this chapter containing reciprocity provisions shall be permitted to operate
in the Borough of Kingston, upon applying for a license accompanied by proof
that the proper fee has been paid to the Kingston Borough Treasury, filing
of a copy of current required insurance policy or policies regarding public
liability and property damage.
[Amended 8-5-1974; 11-8-1976; 6-7-1982; 2-11-1985]
The Borough Council of Kingston does hereby adopt and incorporate, as
fully as if set out at length herein, that certain electrical code known as
the "1984 Edition of the National Electrical Code," adopted by the National
Fire Protection Association, as currently amended. Three copies of the National
Electrical Code shall be kept on file in the office of the Bureau of Inspection
for use by the public during regular business hours.
A.
Any electrical work in the borough shall be performed
in accordance with the requirements and standards of the National Electrical
Code and this chapter and the rules and regulations of the local electrical
utility.
B.
The National Electrical Code is hereby supplemented by
providing that whenever electrical work is to be done in connection with a
gas or oil burner installation in any existing building or structure, or in
the construction, reconstruction, alteration or repair of buildings or structures,
there shall be installed an emergency shutoff switch with a red plate thereon
marked "oil burner" or "gas burner," as the case may be, at the entrance to
the basement or heating room.
C.
Only the materials, fittings and devices enumerated in
the list of inspected appliances of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., as revised
from time to time, shall be used in electrical work regulated by the National
Electrical Code and this chapter.
A.
No person, firm or corporation shall perform or receive
any electrical work in the borough unless he or it first obtains a permit
from the Bureau of Inspection. However, work other than new construction and
renovations may be commenced prior to the issuance of a permit, provided that
the Bureau of Inspection is notified that such work is to be started and that
the permit application shall be filed in the office of the Bureau of Inspection
within five calendar days.
B.
Emergency work may be done at any time, provided that
the Bureau of Inspection is notified the next working day following the start
of such work and that the work is being or has been performed and the permit
application will be filed in the office of the Bureau of Inspection within
five calendar days.
C.
An applicant for a permit shall make application on a
form supplied by the borough setting forth:
(1)
The nature of the electrical work to be performed.
(2)
The place where the electrical work will be done and
the estimated completion date. Work in progress not completed by the estimated
date will necessitate a request for extension of the permit.
(3)
Plans and/or specifications for the electrical work to
be done. Electrical drawings will be required for all new construction and
renovations of public, private, commercial and industrial buildings, also
apartments; such final electrical drawings, plans and/or specifications shall
be approved by the Bureau of Inspection before any electrical work is started.
The Bureau of Inspection should render written approval or rejection within
10 days of permit application date, or the work will be permitted to proceed
as if it were approved.
(4)
The name, address and Kingston license number of the
person, firm or corporation performing the electrical work.
(5)
The name of the inspection agency, if any, which will
perform the inspection and any other information which the Bureau of Inspection
deems necessary or desirable.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to:
A.
Fees enumerated.
[Amended 12-9-1998 by Ord. No. 1998-11]
(1)
Applicants for permits to be issued under this chapter
shall pay as directed by the Bureau of Inspection, to the Municipal Treasury,
the fees prescribed below:
|
Valuation of Electrical Work
|
Fee
| |
|---|---|---|
|
$0 to $499
|
$15
| |
|
500 to 2,499
|
$30
| |
|
2,500 to 4,999
|
$45
| |
|
5,000 to 7,499
|
$75
| |
|
7,500 to $10,000
|
$100
|
(2)
For each $1,000, or portion thereof, of work involved
over and above the sum of $10,000, an additional fee of $5 per $1,000 of work
shall be charged. Permit fees will be doubled for work started prior to application
for permits.
B.
When the nature of the work is for routine repairs, maintenance
or replacement, the Electrical Inspector may issue an annual permit for predesignated
sites upon the payment of a fee as set from time to time, payable January
1 of each year.
[Amended 2-11-1985]
C.
Annual permits for the routine repair, maintenance or
replacement of electrical work and equipment may be issued to owners or occupants
of a building regularly employing one or more electricians on the premises
or to an electrical contractor for each location where maintenance is performed.
D.
Each holder of an annual permit shall maintain a record
of all work in the nature of replacement or repairs.
A.Inspections and tests to determine whether the provisions of the National
Electrical Code and this chapter have been complied with shall be made by
the Bureau of Inspection, which shall be notified by the person, firm or corporation
performing the electrical work that such work is ready for inspection. Where
the cost of the work is $200 or more, an inspection shall be made by an approved
inspection agency. Upon completion of any electrical work costing in excess
of $200 or more, a certificate of inspection and approval issued by an approved
inspection agency, in lieu of an inspection by the Bureau of Inspection, shall
be furnished to the Bureau of Inspection not later than 15 days after completion
of the installation of the electrical work. Should the utility company or
other interested parties require or desire a certificate of inspection from
an approved inspection agency for work of less value, then a copy of that
certificate shall also be issued to the Bureau of Inspection not later than
15 days after completion of the installation of electrical work.
A.
Schedules of the fees charged by each approved inspection
agency shall, at all times, be kept on file in the office of the Bureau of
Inspection and open to public inspection.
B.
All decisions as to whether or not electrical work complies
with the provisions of the National Electrical Code and this chapter shall
be made by the Bureau of Inspection, which is hereby authorized to stop any
electrical work in process and order the removal thereof if it shall determine
that such work is not being installed in conformity with the provisions of
the National Electrical Code and this chapter.
C.
The Bureau of Inspection is hereby authorized to waive
inspections of all or that portion of electrical work for which it shall have
received a certificate of inspection and approval from an approved inspecting
agency certifying that such work complies with the provisions of the National
Electrical Code and this chapter. Notice of such waiver of inspection shall
be given to the applicant so that the approved work can thereafter be concealed.
D.
The Bureau of Inspection shall not accept any certificate
of inspection from an inspecting agency which has not been approved by Borough
Council, which will investigate the qualifications, method of operation, completeness
of inspectional activity and type of report before approving such agency.
E.
The Electrical Inspector may enter and examine any building
or premises at reasonable times and shall have free and unhindered access
thereto for the purpose of inspecting the same.
A.
The Electrical Inspector may revoke any permit when:
(1)
Any work for which a permit is granted is done in violation
of the provisions of the National Electrical Code or this chapter or the approved
final drawings therefor, or in an unsafe and dangerous manner;
(2)
Any condition of the permit is violated; or
(3)
Active work thereunder is not commenced within six months
from the date of issuance.
B.
When the Electrical Inspector determines that grounds
exist for the revocation of a permit, he shall serve notice upon the holder
of such permit stating the nature of the violation, and that the compliance
with all requirements shall be achieved within 30 days of receipt of notice.
The notice may also prescribe a course of remedial action.
C.
If at the expiration of the time allowed for compliance
the violation has not been corrected, the Electrical Inspector may revoke
the permit.
A.
In order to safeguard persons and property against the
hazard and perils of existing defective electrical wiring, apparatus or equipment,
the Electrical Inspector is hereby given the authority and the duty to inspect,
at reasonable times, any building, structure (including swimming pools, electrical
displays or signs) or premises in the borough to determine whether any electrical
work therefor installed therein is defective or unsafe.
B.
If the Electrical Inspector shall determine that any
electrical work in any building, structure (including swimming pools, electrical
displays and signs) or premises is in an unsafe and dangerous condition or
not in compliance with the provisions of the National Electrical Code, or
this chapter, he shall serve notice upon the owner or occupant thereof, stating
the nature of the violation, and that compliance with all requirements shall
be achieved within the period of time specified in the notice. The notice
may also prescribe a course of remedial action. Should the service entrance
equipment to and including the main disconnecting protective device be found
unsafe, notification of same will also be made to the electric utility.
The installation and maintenance of fluoroscope, X-ray or other electrical
apparatus so constructed or so used as to interfere with the radio communications
for the Police Department, the Fire Department or the Public Works Department
of the borough is hereby prohibited.
A.
An appeal from any decision of the Electrical Inspector
may be taken to the Appeals Board. Such appeal shall be made in writing within
10 days after such decision has been made, shall be verified by affidavit
and filed with Borough Secretary. A hearing shall be scheduled by the Appeals
Board within 30 days after the appeal has been filed. The appellant or his
representative shall have the right to appear and be heard, if such right
is requested in the written appeal. The decision on such appeal shall be made
by the Appeals Board within 10 days after the hearing. The decision of the
Appeals Board on such appeals shall be in writing, copies of which shall be
served on the Electrical Inspector and the appellant.
B.
A fee of $50, payable in advance, shall be paid to the
Borough Treasury for each appeal taken to the Examining (Appeals) Board from
decision of the Electrical Inspector, to cover the cost of notices and hearing
of the appeal. This fee shall be refundable to the appellant in such instances
when the Appeals Board reverses the decision of the Electrical Inspector.
[Amended 6-7-1982]
Any electrical work performed contrary to the provisions of the National
Electrical Code or this chapter is hereby declared to be a common or public
nuisance and abatable as such.
Any person who shall perform any electrical work contrary to the provisions
of the National Electrical Code or this chapter or who shall fail to comply
with the lawful regulations, order or direction of the Electrical Inspector
shall be liable, on conviction thereof, to a fine or penalty not exceeding
$300 for each and every offense, or undergo imprisonment not exceeding 30
days, or both; and, whenever such person shall have been notified by the Electrical
Inspector, or by service of summons in prosecution, or in any other way, that
he is committing such violations of this chapter, each day in which he shall
continue such violations after such notification shall constitute a separate
offense punishable by a like fine or penalty. Such fines or penalties shall
be collected as like fines or penalties are now by law collected.
