[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of St.
Francis 2-20-2013 by Ord. No. 1338.[1]Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Building construction — See Ch. 198.
Fire prevention — See Ch. 245.
Plumbing standards — See Ch. 345.
Property maintenance — See Ch. 351.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 237,
Electrical Standards, adopted as Ch. 16 of the 1981 Code, as amended,
and provided an effective date of 4-1-2013.
The Wisconsin State Electrical Code, in particular Ch. SPS 316,
Wisconsin Administrative Code, and the National Electrical Code adopted
therein are hereby adopted and are incorporated by reference as part
of this chapter as if set forth in full, and as they may be amended
from time to time. Such additional rules and regulations as adopted
by the Electrical Board or the Electrical Inspector, together with
the above-mentioned codes, shall extend over and govern all electrical
work in the City.
As used in this chapter, words and phrases shall have the meanings
set forth in the above adopted codes.
A.
Appointment and term. The Electrical Inspector shall be appointed in the manner and for the term set forth in § 105-3 of this Code.
B.
Bond. The Electrical Inspector shall execute a bond to the City in
the sum of $1,000 with such sureties as the Council shall approve,
conditioned for the faithful performance of all electrical inspection
work.
C.
Powers and duties. The Electrical Inspector shall have the following
powers and duties:
(1)
Records. The Electrical Inspector shall keep a complete record of
all applications and permits, regularly numbered in the order of their
issue. The Electrical Inspector shall keep a record of all inspections
made and other official work performed under the provisions of this
chapter and so arrange it as to afford prompt information concerning
electrical installations.
(2)
Inspections. The Electrical Inspector shall make a thorough examination
of all the electrical wiring, equipment and devices installed in connection
with any permit(s) issued under this chapter and, when found to be
in a dangerous or unsafe condition, the Electrical Inspector shall
notify the person owning, using, operating or installing the same
to place them in a safe condition. The Electrical Inspector shall
order the discontinuance of electrical service to such defective electrical
system until it shall have been repaired, removed or altered as directed
by him.
(3)
Compliance required. The Electrical Inspector shall:
(a)
Inspect electrical power and lighting work in buildings under
construction, alteration or repair to ensure compliance with approved
plans and specifications and with the state and City codes, laws and
regulations.
(b)
Require the use of approved materials and workmanship.
(c)
Direct that necessary repairs or changes be completed according
to the provisions of this chapter.
(d)
Inspect buildings that may be fire hazards.
(e)
Investigate and cooperate in the prosecution of violations of
the electrical laws and codes.
(f)
Investigate and make written reports regarding electrical fires
and accidents.
(g)
Appear before public groups and Council committees and courts
regarding electrical hazards and code violations.
(4)
Authority to turn off current. The Electrical Inspector shall cause
the immediate turning off of all electrical currents to any equipment
which is found to be in an unsafe condition and cut or discontinue
electrical service in cases of emergency and where such electrical
currents are dangerous to life and property or may interfere with
the work of the Fire Department. No person shall reconnect any equipment
until permission is given by the Electrical Inspector.
(5)
Right of entry. The Electrical Inspector shall have the right at
any reasonable time to enter any building or premises in the City
of St. Francis, except occupied dwellings, in the discharge of his
official duties. He shall be given prompt access upon notification
to the proper authority and shall have the right to order discontinuance
of electrical service to any building or premises or parts thereof
where he is denied access or entry. It shall be unlawful to interfere
with the Electrical Inspector when making such inspections or to refuse
to permit him to enter the premises. Upon request, the Electrical
Inspector shall show his credentials or picture identification. If
consent to entry to personal or real properties which are not public
buildings, or to portions of public buildings which are not open to
the public, for inspection purposes has been denied, the Electrical
Inspector shall obtain a special inspection warrant under §§ 66.122
and 66.123, Wis. Stats.
(6)
Director of Electrical Inspection Department. The Electrical Inspector
shall direct the Electrical Inspection Department and perform the
duties as specified in this chapter. The Department shall be under
the general administrative supervision and direction of the Mayor.
(7)
Outside inspectors. Whenever it is impossible for the City Electrical
Inspector to perform inspections, whether due to absence or conflict
of interest, the Electrical Inspector shall have the authority to
appoint qualified persons to perform such inspections in his absence.
All such persons shall report to the Electrical Inspector.
The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed to relieve
or lessen the responsibility or liability of any person, firm or corporation
performing any electrical work or installing, owning, using, or operating
any electrical system, for damages to persons and property caused
by any defect therein or therefrom; nor shall the City, the Electrical
Inspector, or their agents, be held as assuming any such responsibility
or liability by reason of the issuance of a permit, inspections, or
reinspections of work, approval or disapproval of any work or materials
or equipment, or the issuance of a certificate of inspection authorized
by this chapter. Nor shall the City be held liable for the damages
resulting from the enforcement of this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 237-5, Electrical licenses,
was repealed 4-21-2020 by Ord. No. 1462.
[Amended 4-2-2014 by Ord.
No. 1363; 4-21-2020 by Ord. No. 1462]
A.
Permit requirements.
(1)
Permits required.
(a)
Except as provided in Wis. Stats. § 101.875(2), no
electrical wiring project described in Wis. Admin. Code § SPS
316.012(1)(a) may commence in the City of St. Francis unless the owner
of the premises where the installation is to occur, or their agent,
holds a permit issued by the Electrical Inspector.
(b)
To the extent permitted under Wis. Stats. §§ 101.12(3)(b)
and 101.875(2), the provisions of this subsection shall be deemed
to apply to the installation, repair, or maintenance of electrical
wiring within an existing industrial facility or an existing manufacturing
facility.
(2)
No person may engage in the business of installing, repairing, or
maintaining electrical wiring unless the person is licensed as an
electrical contractor by the department. Except as provided in Wis.
Stats. § 101.862(4) to (6), no person may obtain a permit
to install, repair, or maintain electrical wiring within the City
of St. Francis unless the person is licensed as an electrician or
enrolled as a registered electrician by the State of Wisconsin.
(3)
Application for permits. Application for an electrical permit shall
be made, in writing, upon blank forms to be furnished by the City
Clerk. The form shall be made out in full and shall describe the nature
of the work as well as such other information as may be required and
shall be accompanied by all applicable permit fees established by
the Common Council from time to time.
(4)
Concealment of work.
(a)
No person, firm or corporation shall conceal any electrical
work for which a permit has been issued before inspection by the Electrical
Inspector unless permitted under Wis. Admin. Code § SPS
316.013(3)(c).
(b)
Where, following an inspection, the Electrical Inspector finds
that an installation is incomplete or not in compliance with Wis.
Admin. Code Chapter SPS 316, the Electrical Inspector may order correction
and that the electrical wiring remain unconcealed and nonenergized
until reinspection.
B.
(Reserved)
C.
Use of materials. All material and appliances used or designed to
be used in connection with the utilization of electricity for light,
heat or power shall be of standard design and according to the list
of standard material which shall be kept on file in the office of
the Electrical Inspector, and all current-carrying material shall
be new, carrying approval from an independent testing laboratory (i.e.,
UL, CSA or ETL) and of an approved design.
D.
Temporary work.
(1)
A permit for temporary work shall have a duration of 60 days. Service
shall be cut off at the end of this period and shall not again be
connected without permission from the Electrical Inspector. However,
extensions of the sixty-day period may be granted by the Electrical
Board.
(2)
For buildings where conduit is required, special permits for temporary
work may be granted by the Electrical Inspector for the installation
of open work and exposed wiring, lights, power for the building, operating
display, decorative lighting, etc., for use for a limited period,
subject to discontinuance and complete removal at expiration and to
condemnation and revocation within such period.
E.
Emergency work. Under emergency conditions, the necessary electrical
wiring may commence without obtaining a permit, provided the owner
of the premises where the installation is to occur or their agent
submits a permit application for the installation no later than the
next business day after commencement of the installation. All such
work shall be done in accordance with the applicable provisions of
this chapter.
F.
(Reserved)
G.
Permit fees.
(1)
Fees on condemned work. Regular permit fees shall be required for
permits issued for overhauling existing installation or replacing
work condemned by the Electrical Inspector.
(2)
Plan examination and fees for certain buildings. An electrical calculation
information sheet with drawings shall be submitted on any existing
building where three or more branch circuits are added, where service
or feeder is upgraded, or where new service or feeder is installed
or new buildings of 25,000 cubic feet or more in volume or containing
three or more dwelling units and which are supplied by two-hundred-ampere
or larger service. No such electrical work shall be done until approval
of such plans has been issued by the Electrical Inspector. There shall
be no fees charged for buildings under this subsection. The Electrical
Inspector may waive calculations and drawings at his discretion and
must do so in writing. In addition to the fees hereinafter stated,
there shall be a plan examination fee as provided by the current fee
schedule on file with the City Clerk.
(a)
The fee for warehouse, stadium, field house, hangars and similar
occupancies shall be reduced by 50%, except that no reduction shall
result in a fee less than the minimum fee.
(b)
Existing buildings. There shall be no fee for plan review on
existing buildings when three or more branch circuits are added or
where a service or feeder is upgraded.
(3)
Schedule of fees. No more frequently than annually, the Electrical
Inspector shall prepare a recommended schedule of fees in accordance
and in line with fees being charged by similarly situated communities
in Milwaukee County. Upon completion of such schedule, the Electrical
Inspector shall submit it to the Common Council for its approval.
The schedule of fees approved by the Common Council from time to time
shall constitute the fee schedule for the City.
(4)
Additional inspection. Where additional inspections are necessary
due to neglect to make corrections in work found faulty or defective
at the expiration of the time set for reinspection as specified in
notice duly served, the inspection fee shall be as provided by the
current fee schedule on file with the City Clerk.
(5)
Double fees. When any work is begun on installation or alteration
of electrical equipment without first filing an application for a
permit as required in this section, the fees specified in this article
shall be doubled, but the payment of such double fees shall not relieve
any person from fully complying with all of the regulations of this
article, nor from any other penalties prescribed in this article.
No further permits shall be issued to any licensee until all arrears
in fees have been paid and all lawful orders of the Electrical Inspector
shall have been complied with.
H.
Payment of fees. All permit fees shall be paid to the City Treasurer
and credited to the general fund. No permit shall be issued or held
valid unless signed by the Electrical Inspector and stamped by the
City Treasurer in the amount required for such permit.
I.
Certificate of inspection. Current shall not be turned on for any
electrical installation until a certificate of inspection has been
issued by the Electrical Inspector. In an occupied building, however,
where a permit for lighting fixtures has been issued, the Electrical
Inspector may authorize the installation of meters for electrical
service after the wiring has been inspected and approved.
J.
Insurance required. Prior to any license being granted, each applicant
shall have filed with the Electrical Inspector proof of liability
insurance in the form of a certificate of insurance showing that the
contractor has minimum coverage of $1,000,000. Failure to have the
requisite insurance shall be cause for denial of any license. If any
such insurance is changed or canceled, the applicant has an affirmative
duty to inform the Electrical Inspector of such change prior to any
subsequent permit application.
A.
General. No certificate of inspection shall be issued unless the
electric light, power or heating installation and all other electrical
apparatus connected with it are in strict conformity with the provisions
of this chapter and the codes adopted herein.
B.
Closing meter loops. The closing of meter loops shall not be permitted
until a meter certificate has been issued. By procuring a fixture
permit before installation of the fixtures and requesting that a meter
be ordered immediately and stating the date when fixtures shall be
ready for final inspection, the necessity of closing meter loops shall
be eliminated, except on service changes.
Whenever the Electrical Inspector condemns the electrical work
or any building, he shall, in cases where the construction is in progress,
give five days' written notice thereof to the contractor on the job,
and in all other cases he shall give five days' notice thereof to
the owner or his authorized agent or attorney. Such contractor or
owner may, within five days after receiving such notice, file a petition
in writing for a review of the action of the Electrical Inspector.
The petition may be filed with the City Clerk. Upon receipt thereof,
the City Clerk shall schedule the matter for consideration by the
Common Council for its determination as to whether the electrical
construction complies with the requirements of this chapter. The City
Clerk shall cause the findings and decision to be included in the
minutes of the meeting at which the matter is considered and shall
have a copy thereof mailed or delivered to the contractor and/or owner.
[Amended 4-21-2020 by Ord. No. 1462]
A.
Whenever any electrical work is performed in the City of St. Francis,
the Electrical Inspector shall be notified in order to make the following
inspections to comply with this chapter:
B.
Any electrical signs must be inspected prior to their installation,
and such inspection shall be in addition to any other necessary inspections.
Any person who shall violate any provision of this chapter or any order, rule or regulation made hereunder shall be subject to a penalty as provided in § 1-4 of this Code.
