For the purpose of this article, the words and phrases used herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary.
(a) Approved shall mean approved by the chief building official, the electrical inspector or his or her designee.
(b) Authorized person shall mean any individual, firm or corporation who or which is licensed under the provisions of this article to do the work as permitted under the specified provisions of this article.
(c) City shall mean the territory within the corporate limits of this city.
(d) Conductor shall mean a wire or cable or other form of metal suitable for carrying the electric current or potential.
(e) Electrical construction or installation shall mean and include all work and materials used in installing, maintaining or extending a system of electrical wiring and all appurtenances, apparatus or equipment used in connection therewith, inside or attached to any building, structure, lot or premises, except industrial plants where full time maintenance is provided and other agencies providing inspections of installations and facilities. Electrical construction shall not be held to mean or include any of the following:
(1) The replacement of lamps, fuses, bulbs or the connection of portable electrical equipment to suitable permanently installed receptacles and replacement of receptacles and switches, lighting fixtures and apparatus where no changes or alterations are made to the wiring;
(2) Any work involved in the manufacturing, repair or testing of any electrical equipment or apparatus, but not including any permanent wiring; or
(3) Any work in industrial establishments where inspections come under the scope of other inspection agencies.
(f) Equipment shall mean conductors, materials, fittings, devices, appliances, fixtures, apparatus, motors and the like, used as a part of or in connection with an electrical installation.
(g) Inspector shall mean the chief building official or any individual who has been appointed by the city as electrical inspector.
(h) Person shall mean a natural person, his or her heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, and also includes a firm, partnership or corporation, its or their successors, assigns, or the agent of any of the aforesaid.
(i) Special permission shall mean the written consent of the chief building official or the electrical inspector.
(j) Special ruling shall mean a written ruling filed in the office of the chief building official or the electrical inspector.
The standard code known as the National Electrical Code of 1993, a publication of the National Fire Protection Association, the same being a standard code for the installation of electrical wiring and apparatus and available in book and pamphlet form is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this article as authorized and in the manner prescribed by K.S.A. 12-3009:3012. Three copies shall be marked or stamped “Official Copy as Incorporated by the Code of the City of St. Francis,” and shall be filed with the city clerk to be open to inspection and available to the public at all reasonable hours of business.
Any person violating any provisions of such code shall be punished as provided in Section 1-116 of this code.
(Code 1978, 5-401; Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)
The following sections of this article are in addition to the provisions of the standard code incorporated by reference in Section 4-302.
(Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)
The mayor or his or her authorized designee shall be responsible for the administration and enforcement of this article and appointment of an electrical inspector in accordance with Section 4-204 of this chapter, which shall apply in a like manner to this article.
(Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)
The mayor may assume the responsibilities of or appoint some qualified officer or employee of the city to be and. perform the duties of electrical inspector as may be required, subject to the consent and approval of the governing body.
(Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)
The electrical inspector shall have the following duties:
(a) To enforce all regulations relating to electrical construction, alteration, repair or removal;
(b) May permit, with the approval of the governing body, on the basis of duly authenticated reports from recognized sources, the use of new materials or modes of electrical construction, not provided for in this article, and may, for the purpose of carrying out the intent of this article adopt an accepted standard of material or workmanlike practices of federal or state bureaus, national, technical organizations or fire underwriters;
(c) To examine all buildings requiring electrical construction in the process of erection, construction, alteration or relocation in the city for the purpose of determining whether the work is in compliance with the permit given and in compliance with the regulations of the city pertaining to such work, including zoning regulations; and
(d) To keep comprehensive records of applications, of permits or certificates issued, of inspections made, of reports rendered, and of notices or orders issued. All such records shall be open to public inspection during state office hours, but shall not be removed from the office of the building official or electrical inspector without his or her written consent.
The electrical inspector shall have the following powers:
(a) To enter any building or structure or premises at any reasonable hour, whether complete or in the process of erection, to perform the duties contained in this chapter;
(b) To adopt and enforce all such prudent emergency measures as he or she may deem necessary and expedient for the public safety under the laws of the city;
(c) May cause any work done in violation of this chapter to be discontinued until he or she shall have satisfactory evidence that the work will be done in accordance with the electrical regulations of the city, subject to the right of any installer or owner to appeal to the governing body.
(Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)
The electrical inspector, or his or her agent, upon proper identification, shall have authority to enter any building, structure or premises at any reasonable hour to perform his or her duties as set out in this chapter.
(Code 1994; Code 2003 Code 2015)
(a) The governing body shall be the final determiner of the scope and meaning of all provisions of the electrical code which may be unclear, ambiguous, or requiring interpretation.
(b) The electrical inspector shall have power to modify any of the provisions of the electric code upon application in writing by the owner or lessee or his or her authorized agent, when there are practical difficulties in the way of carrying out the strict letter of the code. In approving modifications, the electrical inspector shall see that the spirit of the code is observed, public safety secured and substantial justice done. The particulars of a modification when granted or allowed and the decision of the inspector thereon shall be entered upon the records of the electrical inspector and a signed copy shall be furnished to the applicant.
(Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)
An electrician or electrical contractor must procure and maintain a liability insurance policy in the amount of $100,000 for the death or injury of any one person and $300,000 for the death or injury of any number of persons in any one accident and $50,000 for property damage in any one accident. Such policies of insurance shall be issued by some insurance company authorized to do business in the State of Kansas. An electrician or electrical contractor may qualify as to the insurance requirements by filing a certificate with the city clerk executed by the resident agent of such company stating that the required policy of insurance has been issued but such company for the purpose required by this article and that such insurer will not cancel the policy except upon giving 30 days’ notice in writing to the city; and that the certificate shall be filed for an annual period beginning January 1 and ending December 31 of such year.
(Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)
Nothing herein contained shall prohibit any property owner from personally performing any electrical construction or installing electrical wiring or equipment within and upon his or her own residence and intended for his or her personal use and permanent occupancy; provided, the owner shall satisfy the electrical inspector as to his or her ability to perform such work or install such electrical wiring, secure a permit, pay required fees, do work in accordance with this article, and apply for an inspection and receive a certificate of approval. Personal electrical construction or installation performed by an owner under this section shall be by himself, herself for himself or herself on his or her own residence, without compensation and no person shall be employed to assist him or her in any way on such work except an electrician or electrical contractor licensed by the city.
(Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)
No electric materials for wiring of appliances or equipment shall be installed in the city unless they are in conformity with the provisions of this article and with the approved standards of construction for safety to life and property. Conformity of materials for wiring appliances and equipment to the standards of the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. shall be prima facie evidence that the materials, devices, appliances and equipment comply with the requirements of this article.
(Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)
This article shall not be construed to relieve from or lessen the responsibility or liability of any party owning, operating, controlling or installing any electrical equipment for damages to person or property caused by any defect therein, nor shall the city be held as assuming any such liability, by reason of the inspection or re-inspection authorized herein, or the certificate of approval of any work or equipment authorized herein or by reason of any permit or license granted herein.
(Code 1978, 5-402; Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)