HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD NO 299 ORDINANCE' N0.
An Ordinance 0reating the Office of 0ity id
Electrician, prescribin~-~is ~uties; Prov -
ing for the Issuing of Electrical Permits,
~ and Inspections, and Fixing the Fees therefor;
Providing for Licenses, Certificates of Com-
petency, Regulating the Installation, Arrange-
ment, Alteration, RePair, Maintemance and
Operation of Electric Wiring, and Electric ."
Appliances; and providing a Penalty for Viola-
tion of this Ordinance; and Repealing Ordinances
and Parts of Ordinances in Conflict Herewith.
BE IT 0RDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAKERSFIELD,
as follows: \
Section 1. Qualifications of Oi__~Electrician.
There is hereby created' and established the office of
City Electrician.. The person chosen to fill the office of City
Electrician shall be a competent electrician of good moral char-
acter, and shall have had at leas~ four years experience as a
Journeyman in the practice of his ~rade as electrician, or two
years training in a recognized college of electrical engineering,
and in addition thereto two'years of practical experience in el-
ectrical construction, shall be well versed in approved methods
of electric construction for safety to life and property, the
statutes of the State of California relating to electrical work,
the rules and regulations issued by the In~lstrial Accident
Commission of the State of California under authority of the
statutes, the National Electrical Code, as approved by the American
Engineering Standards Committee, other installation and safety
~rules and standards approved by the .American Engineering Standards
Committee and rules of the Board of Fire-~mdsrwriters of the Pacific.
Section 2. AppOintment of City Electrician-
The Building Inspector and such assistants as are from
time to time appointedby the City Manager shall have exclusive
supervision and control of the office of City Electrician, and
said Building Inspector shall be considered as the City Electrician.
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Section 3. Permits
No .alterations or additions shall be made in existing
wiring, nor shall any wiring for the placing of any electric
lights, power or heating devices, or any apparatus Which operates
with a voltage between any two points of more than 25, or which
generates, transmits, transforms or utilizes more than 50 watts,
nor shall any alterations be made in any wiring system after
final inspection, without first notifying the City Electrician
and securing a permit therefor, except minor repair work such
as repairing flush and snap switches, replacing fuses, changing
lamp sockets and receptacles, taping bare Joints, and repair-
ing drop cords. Applications for such permits, describing such
work, shall be made in writing by the person, firm or corpora-
tion installing same and permit when issued shall be to such
applicant. This paragraph shall not apply to maintenance and
repairs on the ~remises of a person, firm or corporation regu-
larly employing Journeymen electricians for that purpose.
Each application shall state the location by street
and house number, and where possible the block and lot numbers
where such work is to be done; the permit issued shall be valid
only for the location so stated and unless work is started with-
in 30 days afte~ issuance, the permit shall become null and
void. Each application shall be accomnanied by. drawings or
blueprints, as required by the City Electrician, which shall
'show the load at each outlet, type of outlet,' wire and conduit
sizes, distances, number of wires in conduit, location of every
switch, panel board, tablet board and/or switch board and as
nearly as possible, the manner in which wires are to be installed.
Each applicant shall also at time of filing such
application for a permit deposit with s aid Building Department
one hundred dollars ($100.00), in addition to furnishing said
faithful performance bond heroin provided, which $100.00 shall
be.retained by said department until the Certificate of Approval
shall have been issued by the inspector, and then if any sums
are owing to the department for any cause by said permittee
such sums shall be deducted from said $100.00 and balance re-
turned to said depositor, otherwise the whole $100.00 shall be
returned.
Any person, firm or corporation, such as industrial
~es~a~lishments and hotels, regularly employing one or more
Journeymen electricians for the purpose of installation, altera-
tion, maintenance and/or repairs on his or their own premises,
shall pay a
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fee Of one hundred dollars ($100.00) to the. City Electrician .and
obtain a certificate of registration for such Journeymen electri-
cians, stating their names and addresses. Said permit shall be
valid for five years. In case of a change in personnel a fee of
five dollars ($5.00)'shall be paid to the City Treasurer for
each change. S~id person, firm or corporation shall make quarterly
reports covering all installations, additions and alterations
paying fees in a~cordance ~ith this ordinance, shall have all work
done in accordance with this ordinance, and shall permit such in-
spection by the City Electrician as said City Electrician shall
deem necessary.
Section 4. Inspection-
Upon the completion of the wiring, in or on any building,
or structure of any nature, or tent, or premises, the person, firm
'or corporation installing same s~all notify the City Electrician
in writing, who shall inspect the installation, and if it is found
to be fully in compliance with this ordinance, he shall issue,
as provided heroin, a certificate of inspection or approval tag,
authorizing connection to-the electrical service and the energizing
of the installation. All wires which are to be hidden from view
shall be inspected before concealment and any person, firm or
corporation installing such wires shall notify the City Electrician
to make the required..in'spection before such wires are concealed,
and shall not conceal same nor allow same to be concealed until
permission has been obtained from the City Electrician in writing-
~'Perm~ssion to cover work to be concealed shall be on a
blue tag attached to Work in a suitable place, and which shall show
the date, location, ~.'~ that such permission has been granted, and
signature of the inspector.
""Final approval 'of the wiring or any instal'I~tio~"~xcept"
that of fixtures, or other devices customarily or~eq~en~ly installed
under separate contract, shall be by means of a white tag attached
· to the work in a suitable place and showing the date, location,
approval and signature of the' inspector.
Approval of fixtures, signs and/or any.apparatus used
with electric lamps or other form of'electrical lighting or other
devices customarily or frequently installed under separate contract,
shall be by means of a white tag attached to the work in a suitable
place and showing the date, location, approval and signature of the
inspector.
Upon completion and approval of a Job there shall be a
white tag attached to the service switch, granting permission to
the power company or other serving agency to connect the installation
for use. ~ere there are no service drop wires,' none shall be run
without this tag or special white tag being at the service switch.
This tag shall show the date, location, approval, permission and
signature of the inspector.
Where approval is withheld a red tag showing date, location,
defects in th~ work, and signature of the inspector shall be attached
to the work in a suitable place. All defects shall be correcte~
within 10 days after inspection and notification, or within other
reasonable time as allowed by the City Electrician.
No person, firr~or corporation, or branch or department
of any city or other politigal.subdivision, shall furnish electrical
service, or connect, or cause, or allow connection to be made, or
other equipment over which electricity may be conducted~. or electrical
energy'dissipated or utilized, to any source or wires or other equip-
ment already connected to a source, or to any distributing system
of electrical energy, until said wires or other equipment shall have
been inspectedby the City Electrician and said certificate of in-
spection or tag shall have been issued.
Providing, however, that the City Electrician may give
temporary permission to furnish electric current to, or the use
· 'of the"ele~tric"current,.through any wires or'other equipment for a
length of time not exceeding 30 days, if it appears to the City
Electrician that such wires, etc. may safeiF'be used, and that there
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exists an urgent necessity for such use and special permission.
In this case a Special tag shall be attached to a suitable place
on the work and shall show the datS, location, such special appro-
val, date of expiration of such permission, and signature of in-
spector-
Section 5. Right of Access.
Said City Electrician shall have the right, d~ring reason-
able hours, to enter any building in the discharge of his official
duties, or for the purpose of making any inspection or test of the
installation of electric wiring, electric devices and/or electrical
material contained therein.
Section 6. Re-Inspection.
The City Electrician periodically may make a thorough
re-inspection of the installation in or on buildings and/or premises,
of all electric wiring, electric devices and electric material now
installed or that may be hereafter installed, within the City of
Bakersfield, and when the installation of any such wiring, devices
and/or material is found to be in a dangerous or unsafe condition,
the person, firm, corporation or political subdivision owning,
using or operating the same shall be notified in writing and shall
make the necessary changes or repairs required to place such wir-
ing, devices and material in a safe condition and h~ve such work
completed within fifteen days, or other reasonable periQd specified
by the City Electrician in said notice, and shall pay such fees as
are required by this ordinance. The City Electrician is hereby em-
powered to disconnect or order the discontinuance of electrical
service to such wiring, devices and/or material so found to be
defectively installed, until the installation of such wiring, devices
and material has been made safe as directed by the City Electrician,
'and'any person, firm or' corporation cr'~'poIitical subd~ivision order-
ed to discontinue such electrical service shall do so within 24
hours, and shall not re-connect or allow it to be re-connected
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· until. notified to do so by the City Electrician, providing, however,
that no re-inspection shall be made in any dwelling house, while
the same is occupied as a dwelling, without the consent of the oocu-
pant thereof. No person or persons shall hinder or prevent the
City Electrician or his deputies from making any electrical inspec-
tion except in. dwelling houses. The City Electrician shall make
monthly inspections of all theatres and motion picture houses, and
if the electrical. equipment is in safe operating condition, shall
issue an approval notice. No theatre or motion picture house
shall operate for more than 10 days without said approval notice.
Section 7. Fees.
The City Electrician shall collect from any person, firm,
corporation, or political subdivision, to whom a permit has been
granted for doing electrical work, the following fees, at the t~me
the permit is granted, to-wit:
No permit will be issued for less than one dollar ($1.00)
For each radio inspection ......... 1.00
For outlets and sockets at which current is used
or controled, which are installed at a distance of not ex-
ceeding 18 inches from each other:
i to 5 outlets and sockets 1.O0
6 to 10 outlets and sockets- 1.50
ll to.20 outlets and sockets 2.00
21 to 30 outlets and sockets .............. 2.50
31 to 50 outlets and sockets ........ 3.00
Each additional 25 outlets and sockets, or fraction
thereof ......... 1.00
For outlets at which current is used or controlled
which are installed at a distance exceeding 18 inches from
each other:
I to 5 outlets .... 1.O0
6 to l0 outlets - 1.50
ll to 20 outlets -- 2.00
21 to 30 outlets ........... 2.50
31 to 50 outlets - 3.00
Each additional 25 outlets or fraction thereof--j--- 1.00
For fixtures or sockets which are installed at~a
distance.exceeding 18 inches from each other:
I to 5 fixtures ........ 1.O0
6 to l0 fixtures 1.50
ll to 20 fixtures ......................... r ......... 2.00
21 to 30 fixtures. 2.50
31 to 50 fixtures 3.00
Each additional 25 fixtures or fraction thereof ..... 1.O0
2H.P.
For each motor of not more than i H.P.- --- 1.00
For each motor more than I H. P. and not exceeding
1.50
For each motor of more than 2 H. P. and. not exceed-
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ing 3 tI. P.--- _ 2.00
For each motor of more than 3 H. P. and not exceed-
ing 8 H.P. .... -- 2.50
For each'motor of more than 5 H. P. and not exceed-
ing V!
2H. P. -- 3.00
For each motor .of more than V.[ H. P and not exceed-
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tng 10 H · P, ....... _ ............... 4. O0
For each motor more than 10 H. P. and not exceed-
ing 15 H.P. -4.50
For each motor of .more than 15 H. P.- ....... 5.00"
Ceiling fans. (Les~ than ¼ H.P. each.) ............. .50
For each generator, each kva capacity shall be con-
sidered as one H. P. in a motor.
For each elevator installation ....... --V.50
For each motor-generator set the fee charged shall
be 50% greater than for the motor alone.
For each moving of motors and/or generators upon
which a final certificate has formerly been issued by the City
Electrician, a fee of 75% of the former fee shall be charged.
For each temporary motor, the same fee as for moving.
For each mercury arc and"equipment ........ 1.00
For each mercury arc lamp and equipment ............ 1.00
For each projection machine,'dissolver,' etc.~--~---l.50
For each range or heater installation 1.00,
For working lights in buildings in the course of
construction or undergoing repairs,or where temporary light-
ing is to be used:
lO0 lamps or less .......... 1.50
lO1 lamps and not over 300 ......................... l~V5
301 lamps and not over 600 ................ 2.00
601 lamps and not over lO00 3.00
lOO1 lamps and over., each (two mills) .... .002
For electric sign - lO lamps or less --1.00
For electric sign - ll lamps and not over 25 lamps-2.00
'For electric sign - 26 lamps and not over 80 lamps-2.50
For electric sign - each additional lamp in excess
of 50 lamps, each .......... . ................................... 02
For electric sign - luminous gas type - with i to 4
transformers. --1.00
For electric sign - luminous gas type - with 5 or
more transformers, per transformer---.-- -- .25
For electric welder, per kw ...... 25
For rectifier, per.'.kw. .25
For each inspection made necessary by defective
workmanship or materials ---1.00
For each'inspection trip made necessary by failu're
to solder properly, to ream properly conduit ends, use the
proper type of wire connections, and/or properly tape joints
in wires,' or due to splice in conduit- .5.00
For the inspection of any electrical equipment for
which no fee is hereln prescribe~, there shall be'charged a
fee per hour of ............. 2.00
Upon failure to make application and take out a
permit by the second work day after commencing work, the per-
mit shall be -~.00
and the inspection fee shall be twice the regular amount.
No permit shall be issued to any firm, person, cor-
poration or-political subdivision unless~all fees'due are
paid in full.
Failure to take out a permit and pay the fees there-
for within 72 hours after commencing work shall be deemed prima
facie evidence of violation of the provisions of this ordinance.
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Section 8. General Construction Requirements.
Except as provided otherwise herein, all installations
whereby electrical energy is to be dissipated or utilized shall
be in strict conformity with the provisions of statutes of the
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State of'California, the rules and regulations of the Industrial
'Accident Commission of the State of California, under.authority of
the state statutes governing industrial installations, with the rules
and regulations of the Commission of Immigration and Housing of the
State of California, and with. the most approved methods of construc-
tion for safety to life and property. The regulations as laid down
in the National Electrical Code, as approved by the American Engin--
eering Standards Committee, other installation and safety regula-
tions approved by the American Engineering Standards Committee, and
the rules and regulations of the Board of Fire-Underw~'iters of the
Pacific shall be prime facie evidence of such most'approved methods.
In event of any conflict or inconsistency between any
requiremen~',f'--herein given ...o~'prescribed and any requirement.- of
and law, order, rules or regulations of the State of California
concerning the same matter and. applying to the case under considera-
tion, t~at requirement which, in the opinion of the 'City Electrician,
prescribes and establishes the higher standard of safety for life
and property shall take precedence and be complied with.
Where the use of another fixture, device. or method of
construction or installation is desired, at variance with those
presc'ribed in this ordinance, specifications and details shall
b$ furnished the City Electrician for examination and approval.
If the proposed fixture, device or method of construction or
installation is according to the latest regulations and standard
methods as laid do-~n in the National Electrical Code of the
National-Board of Fire Underwri'ters,-as'a-~v~d-by~--tH~-~A~i.c~ff·
Engineering Standards Committee, and/or in the National Electrical
Safety Code, as approved by the American Engineering Standards
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Committee; and if to the complete satisfaction of the City Elec-
trician, the proposed fixture, device or method of construction
or installation is substantially the equivalent of any fixture,.
device or method of construction or installation described~in
this ordinance, then the 0ity Electrician may permit it~.~ use
but said permit shall be in writing.
Section 9. Approved Materials.
When there are obtainable for any given purpose, materials,
fittings, devices, or appliances that have been examined b}- a
properly qualified and authorized body and approved, listed, and/or
labeled as conforming to the standards of the United States Bureau
of Standards, or other similar institution of recognized standing,
then only shall !such be sold and/oF used. Such approval is always
for a particular use and such approval.and label does not mean
that the materials, et cetera, may be used indiscriminately but
only for the purpose for which approved. For good cause, or
when public interest may require, or pending approval, the City
E~ectrician may waive, by writing in advance, the requirements
of this section but such waiver shall apply only to the one
particular installation, and shall not set a precedent as to further
use.
Old or used material shall not be used in any work with-
out the written approval obtained in advance from.the City Elec-
trician,
Section 10, Alterations and Additions to Existing York,
Additions, or extensions to, and alterations and renewals
of existing installations shall be made in compliance with the
provisions of this ordinance. In loca$ions where metal Covered..
work is required, but the existing installation was lawfully in-
stalled knOb-and tube work,. the knob ~nd t~be t~pe..of instal%ation
may be used, provided such addition or extension does not exceed
ten (10) feet.
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Section 11. 0~tside York.
No open wiring requiring more than one set of knobs
or insulators shall be installed on outside of building except
as permitted elsewhere herein..
All Pole line construction and conductors over build-
ings .shall compl~ with the rules and regulations'of the Railroad
Commission of the State'of Qalifornia..
Section '12. Contractor's Bond.
Nq person, firm or corporation shall engage in.the busi-
ness of selling electrical supplies from a permanent'place of
business and/or of contracting installations, alterations and/or
· repairs for any purpose whatsoever without first having procured
a license therefo~. and having deposited with the said City
Electrician an undertaking or bond in'the penal sum of twenty
five hundred dollars ($2500.00) to the City of Bakersfield, exe-
cuted by a competent surety company, said bond to be approved
by the said City Attorne~° and to be to the satisfaction of the
said City Electrician. The condition of said bond shall be that
the principal shall faithfully perform all work entered upon or
contracted for in_conformity with the terms and provisions of
this ordinance as the same is now, or may be hereafter amended~
and all other ordinances of the City of Bakersfield.
Also that the principal shall without additional charge
remedy any defect due to~ulty workmanship, incorrect construc-
tion and/or defective or unapproved material, devices, appliances,
and the like, installed, furnished, or'used by the said principal
or his agent or employee, to the satisfaction of the City Electri-
cian within 15 days after notice thereof is given to the said
principal by said City Electrician.
~'~ Also"'that the sai~'principal and surety company-express-
ly agree that the City of Bakersfield may for itself or for the
use and benefit of any person injured or damaged by reason of the
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failure of the said principal'to comply with the provisions of
the said bond, sue and maintain an action at law on the said
bond in any court having Jurisdiction thereof.
· Section 12a.
In the event of a violation by the principal of any
of the terms or conditions of this ordinance or other ordinances
of the City of Bakersfield, the City Electrician may require an
additional surety bond from the said principa~ in such amount
as is deemed necessary by the City Electrician, with like con-
ditions of the former surety bond furnished by said principal
in such .an amount. as the said City Electrician shall deem necessary,
not exceeding twenty five hundred dollars ($2600.00)
Section 13. License.
It shall be unlawful for a person, firm.or corporation
to sell or offer for 'sale any electrical supplies from any per-
manent place of business in the City of Bakersfield, or for any
person, firm or corporation to engage in the business of contract-
ing, installing, altering or repairing of electrical supplies or
electrical· wiring in the City of Bakersfield, without securing
a license therefor~.~aid. license fee shall be the sum of one
hundred dollars ($100.00) per year.
Section 14. Master Electrician.
That for the purpose of this ordinance a Master Elec-
trician shall be held to mean and include any person, firm or
corporation engaged in the business of installing, altering, or
repairing electric wiring directly or through an employee or agent.
..... ~.. "..'. ~. Jqurneyman Electrician
A Journeyman Electrician shall for the purpose of this
ordinance be held to mean and include any person (other than an
apprentice engaged i-n-learning the e-lectrical trade, or-an elec-
trician's helper) who performs electrical work.or does.electric
wi. ring without having obtained a Master Electrician's License, and
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~vho has a certificate of competency as 'herein provided.
There is hereby created a board of examiners of Master
Electricians and Journeyman Electricf~ns, which shall consist
of the City Electrician, two Master Electricians and two Journey-
man Electricians, holding certificates of competency, appointed
for one year by the City Manager.
No person, firm or corporation shall engage in the
business of installing, altering or repairing electric wiring,
as Master Electrician, for any purpose whatsoever, in the City
of Bakersfield, without first having procured a license there-
for as heroin provided.
No person shall engage in, or~labor at, the trade of
electrician, without first having obtained a 'certificate of com-
petency from the City Electrician, and'such certificate of com-
petency shall be' issued after a satisfac$ory examination by
the Board of EXaminers, provided, however, that a temporary permit
shall be immediately issued to an applicant which temporary permit
shall entitle the holder thereof to do electrical work. Such
temporary permit shall be revoked as soon as the holder.thereof
has been accorded an apportunity of appearing before the. examining
board for examination.. Should the holder of a temporary permit
fail, neglect, or refuse, upon proper written notification, to
appear before the examining board the temporary permit shall be at
once revoked and cannot be renewed except by a majority vote of
the examining board.
ApplicationS'for examination shall be made to the Board
of Examiners, who shall examine such applicant at such time and
place, not more than ~0 days following the date of filing the
application, as it shall designate, as to his qualifications
and competency to engage in the business of, or to labor at the
.trade of, installing electric wiring, alterations or repairs.
The examination shall be practical and elementary in.character
but sufficiently strict to test. the qualifications of the appli-
cant.
Licenses and certificates of competency shall not be
~ransferable and shall cover work installed by the hol~er thereof
· only. Any license or certificate of competency granted may be
revoked by the Board of Examiners if the licensee or holder of
cartificate of competency violates any'ordinance or law relat~
ing to installation of electric wiring, or electric materials,
or is responsible for any electrical installation which is a
hazard to life and/or property. When a license or certificate
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of competency is revoked, a new license or certificate of compet-
ency shall not be granted to the holder of same for a period of
at least 30 days. "
S~ction 15. Records of permits and inspections.
The EleCtrical Inspector shall keep complete records
of all permits issued and inspections made, and other official
work performed under the provisions of this ordinance. He shall
be provided with the necessary clerical help to carry out the
provisions of this section.
Section 16. Payments t__o City
The City Electrician shall pay all moneys collected by
him to the City Treasure'~.
Section 1V.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation
either 'as owner,' architect~ contractor, artis'an 'or otherwise,
to'do, or cause, or permit to be done,-any electrical wiring or
any installing of electrical apparatus or fixtures in such manner
that the same shall not conform to all the provisions of this
ordinance.
Section 18.
It shall be unla~,~ul for any person, firm or corporation
to use or permit or cause 'to be used, any electrical apparatus,
or fixtures, when said apparatus or fixtures, or the installation
of same, does not conform to all the requirements of this ordinance.
Section 19. Services - Conduit.
All permanent conductors between the metering equipment
and the aerial or underground service wires shall be installed
in a conduit of a trade size equal to or greater than 3/4 inch.
All service conduit and fittings installed on the exter-
ior of any building, or underground, shall be galvanized or
sherardized and..a.ll Joints made water tight. The outer end shall
not project more than 6 inches beyond the finished wall or.caves,
or 18 inches beyond the last point of support, and where the con-
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duit. enters the wall or a meter box, it shall be so installed
that water will not enter around it. All service conduits on
one and two story commercial buildings shall terminste at the
top of fire wall, at right angle to the nSarest pole, but in
no case to bete'Ss' than the required heigh$ for services. Ade-
quate provisions shall be made for landing of service eompany,s
drops on dwellings. ~ere conduit is on the exterior of the
building having a plastered exterior finish the conduit shall
be installed either after the last coat of plaster has hardened
or shall be rigidly supported by galvanized metal pieces that
hold it away from the sheeting or metal lath, so as to permit
the required thickness of plaster to be spread. The conduit
shall not be wholly or partly embedded in the paster. The
ir~ner end of the service condu~t shall enter and be secured to
the service case or metal gutter connecting thereto, except
that where the switch is installed on a switchboard having ex-
posed busbars on the back, the conduit may terminate at-the back
of the board.
Service conductors shall be in lead covered cable v~erever
the service conduit is so installed as to be able to hold moistmre
Section 20. Services - Character.
All single phaselighting load of less that 2750 watts
as determined under Sec. 3, shall be served by not less than two
No. lO wires. Greater loads than 2750 watts shall be served by
3 wires. Where an installation has been wired and arranged.for
three' wire service, no two wire energy supply or two wire service
shall be connected thereto without the written approval obtained
in advance from the City Electrician.
All neutral conductors shall be grounded and ground
conductors shall be brougl~in the bottom of the entrance switch,
and installed in conduit. Ground clamps shall not'be P~a~ed
lower than 12 inches from the earth. Driven grounds for service
conduits and service conductors will not be approved unless water
pipes are at a distance of more than 50 feet.
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No service conductors shall be paralleled except under
unusual conditions when the City Electrician may give permission
in advance.in writing, When such permission is granted the con-
ductors paralleled in each phase or polarity shall be as near the
same resistance and conductivity as possible and shall terminate
in the same lug or bus,
Section 21, Services - Demand Factor,
..In determining the total connected load each branch cir-
cuit shall be considered as carrying the total.wattage which is
permitted by this ordinance to be connected to such circuit, .... Power
factor of heating and lighting loads .shall be assumed as 100 per cent,
Demand factors as follows may be used without special
permission:
Dom6sti.&..Ranges:
1 to.2 ............. , .......... !00~
3 to 6 largest range 100% 'all others ..... '65~
? to 10 largest range 100~, all others .... 50~
10 or more --~-,~ ....................... 50~
Lighting 'circuits in apartment houses - number of circuits,
1 to 5 ........ . .... 100~
6 to 10 ................................... 90%
11 to 15 ............................. '~--'- 80~
16 to 20 ..... _ ..........75~
21 to 25 ............................... ',----VO%
26 to 30 ............ ., .....65Ji
31 to 35 ..................... "'----. 60
36 or more .............. , ......50%
Lighting circuits i~ other locations:
Clothing Manufacturing Plants ............. 90~
Department Stores ................ 90~
Foundties ...................
Public Garages ............... .
Eospitals ........ . ....... 60~
Hotels ....................................
Machine Shops .............. . .........
Genera.1 Manufacturing Plants ..............
Office Buildings .......... -- 80~
Packing Houses ............................ 80~
Printing Establishments .................. - 80~
Tanneries .................................
Theatres ......
...................... 100~'
Schools ....................................
Churches ...... ~'-:-.--_ ..... ................ '-.~--lO0~-..
Stores (General) .......................... 100~
Restaurants-? ...... . ........... lOCK
-Xf at any time after the equipment is in operation it
shall be found that it is necessary to overfuse the conductors.
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in order to carry the maximum demand, the conductors shall be re-
.placed with large enough ones to carry the demand without over-
fusing.
Service conductors supplying a number of motors shall be
of sufficient capacity to carry the starting current .of the
largest unit in addition to the full load running currents of
all others.
Section 22. Services -.Number and Location of Meters.
Not more than one lighting service, one emergency lighting
service, one power service, and one heating service shall be run
to or into any one building. If two or more of these classes,
except emergency lighting, are supplied from the secondaries of
the same transformers it is preferable that they be combined in
one service, even though they are metered separately, provided
however that four wire services shall not be installed unless
written permission is obtained in advance. .Where practicable,
the services shall terminate in the same general location~ and
shall
the meters/be grouped. Where both A. O. and D. C. services are
desired the above shall be extended to allow the several classes
of each kind.
Buildings grouped as in so called courts shall have
only one overhead connection from the distribution lines to the
group.
Meters shall be protected from the weather, and shall
be ~hstalled not'less than 2 feet or more than 6½ feet above the
~round or floor. Wherever posible they, with the service switches,
shall be on an .outside wall in a built-in cabinet so arranged
that the door will normally remain closed, and shall have a catch
to hold same closed. Hinges shall be used and not hangars. Meter
Boxes installed in or on masonry constructed walls shall be of
sheet metal construction not less than #18 gauge. Larger boxes
shall be of heavier material.
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Section 23. Branch Lighting Circuits.
On a two wire branch circut~..~'and on each side of a three
wire branch circuit, the number. of utility outlets shall not exceed
twelve; the number of sockets 'not more than sixteen; and the total
connected load shall not exceed 1000 watts, except as otherwise pro-
vided herein. Each Plug receptacle connected to a circuit shall be
considered as requiring 150 watts, except in the dining room, break-
fast room or nook, bath room, kitchen and back porch, 0r other places
where washing or ironing may be done, in whic~ places. each appliance
outlet shall be considered as requiring 600 watts unless connected to'
a special appliance circuit as provided herein.
For determining the sizes of services, feeders and sub-feeders
and the wiring of circuits each outlet shall be considered as follows:
Ceiling Outlets, Reception Hall ................. 160 watts each.
" " Parlor ...... --- 200 watts each.
" " Library ................. 150 watts each.
" " Living Room ........ 200 watts each.
" " Dining Room ........ 200 watts each.
Xn rooms having a floor area in excess.of 200 sq. f.t. the
foregoing shai~.be increased to 1 watt per sq. ft. floor area.
Ceiling Outlets, Breakfast Room ................. .V8 wabts each.
" " Kitchen ........................ V8 watts each.
" " Bedroom .............. ~-~100 watts each.
" " Bathroom ....................... ~ watts each.
Screened or sleeping porch .............. 76 watts each.
Closets in dwellings ............................ 2~ watts each.
All 'other outlets except as provided· herein .... ~ 60 watts each.
|
100 watt allowance for garage to be made on house circuit
and brought out of house for garage feed.
In rooms having more than one ceiling outlet,' each outlet
shall be rated at 3/4 the rating given above.
~ere there are only bracket lighting outlets in a room,
these shall be rated at not less than 60 watts each and their total
not less than the rating of a ceilingomtlet for that room.
Under no condition shall more than 3 appliance outlets be
connected to any 2 wire or either side of a 3 wire circuit except
as heroin provided. A~ least one appliance outlet in each shall be
installed in the living room, dining room, breakfast room, nook and
kitchen and near an ironing board.
No screw base receptacle shall be installed within 5 feet
of the floor. and each duplex receptacle shall be considered as
two receptacles.
An appliance circuit of #12 wire may be used, in which
case the fuses shall be 20 ampere capacity and not more than 8
receptacles to a two wire circuit.or on each side of a 3 wire cir-
cuitsmay be installed. xA~ere there are appliance circuits, the
first two wire circuitsshall be considered as requiring 1500 watts
and the first three wire circuit as requiring 2500 watts, each
addition two wire circuit as requiring 1000 watts, and each addi-
tional three wire circuit as requiring 2000 watts'.
Stores shall be wired as requiring the minimum of one
watt per sq. ft. of floor area in sales rooms, display rooms,
offices, etc., and ½ watt per sq. ft. floor area in storage rooms,
stock rooms, toilets, dressing rooms, passage ways, halls, etc.
Show windows having 50 sq. ft. or less shall be wired as requiring
a minimum of 15 watts per sq. ft. floor area, and those having a
greater area, of 10 watts per sq. ft. floor area.
In addition to the above, circuit capacity shall be pro-
.V.
~'vided for signs and/or other exterior lighting. ~ere no show
window lighting is provided, an extra circuit shall be run to an
outlet Just back of each show window location and fuse location
provided for each circuit on the panelboard.
for
Signs of 1000 watts or less shall be wired/with #14 wire.
Signs of more than 1000 watts and less than 1501 watts shall be
wired for with #12 wire.
By special permission of the electrical inspector, a
total load of not more than 4000 watts may be connected on a two
wire or on each side of a three wire branch lighting circuit, sub-
Ject to the following conditions:
The sockets and receptacles on the 4000 watt circuit
shall be so located that they are not easily or conveniently ac-
- 18 -
cessible for the attachment thereto of flexible cords. The cir-
cuit shall supply only sockets or receptacles of the Mogul type
which shall not have fiber or paper lining. No Mogul socket shall
be considered as requiring less than 300 watts.
The circuit shall be protected by fuses of no greater
capacity than 40 amperes at 125 volts or less, or 20 amperes at
126 to 250 volts. Not more than 8 sockets 'shall be installed on
a two wire or on either side of a three wire circuit.
The circuit conductors shall have a safe carrying capacity
for the total connected load. Wires not smaller than #12 shall be
used for taps for wiring fixtures and sockets, end such taps shall
not exceed 3 feet in 'length.
Section. 24. Conduit.
Within the fire zones #1 and #2, all wires installed in
or on any building or structure, and used for the purpose of con-
ducting electricity, shall be enclosed in approved rigid conduit
or metal moulding, except as follows:
(a) Radio wires.
(b) For installation in locations where excessive mois-
ture, fumes, or corrosive vapors exist or where this type of con-
struction is impracticable. In these cases permission shall be
obtained in advance in writing from the City Electrician.
(c) For installation of open wiring in buildings in pro-
cess of construction or in installations of open wiring used in
the lighting of exhibitions, fairs, celebrations, and similar dis-
plays of a temporary (nOt more than 60.days) nature, and
(d) For installation in central and substations when
such w~res carry a voltage that renders their installation in con-
duit impracticable.
All commercial, manufacturing and storage plac'es outside
of fire zones shall be wired in conduit or metal.
All buildings requi'ring emergency lighting shall be '~ired
as though in fire zones #1 and #2. (See emergency lighting Sec. 29)
The use of armored cable will be approved where it is im-
practicable to install rigid conduit, but in no case shall it be
used for power installations or services.
Section 25. General.
All con~duit and metal cable shall be secured to boxes,
- 19 -
cabinets, plates, etc., by means of one locknut inside and. one out-
side of boxes, etc., or by other approved means.
All cutou'~s and panelboards shall be of the dead fron~
type. 'Installations requiring mo~e than two circuits shall be equipped
with standard approved cabinets.
Allzswitches shall be the totally enclosed, externally
operated type.
No wood moulding or cleat work shall be installed.
The use of 3 inch boxes will ba..approved for open surface
work, decorative°lighting and in locations where space is limited and
the use of the 4 inch box is impracticable.
Section
All motor wiring shall be installed in conduit. Disconnect
switch shall be placed on the.line side of each motor of more than
{ H..P. or compensator, and within sight of and not more ~han 10
feet distant.
All sub-feeds shall be installed in conduit.
All wiring under floors shall be installed in conduit.
All wiring in walls, floors and ceiling of that part of a
dwelling that is to house an automobile'shall be ~nstalled in conduit.
All knob and tube wiring where permitted, shall be bushed
through Joists, studs and rafters. Wires shall be x~u~'~-in straight
lines end all turns made a~ right angles.
All outlet boxes installed in partitions shall be 1½" deep.
All wires placed in parti~ions of ~ess than { inches in
width shall be enclosed in flexible tubing or conduit.
On installations where more than t~o wires are placed be-
tween two studs, all wires must be enclosed in flexible tubing or conduit.
Dwellings are not to be wired knob and tube until all patti-
tions, fire stops, and plumbing..is-ins-ta~led an~ roof.is on.
Three wire branch lighting circuits will not be approved
in dwellings or apartment houses.
-
A coat of fire resistive compound shall be applied to all
taped Joints.
Flexible tubing shall be securely fastened in outlet boxes,
switch boxes, Junction boxes, and cabinets with approved fasteners.
Outlet boxes located within 5 feet horizonatlly or 8 feet
vertically of conducting floors or other grounded surfaces, shall be
permanently and effectively grounded.
Outlet and Junction boxes installed on unfinished ceilings
shall be flush with ceiling line.
'Not more than the following number of wires shall pass into
or out of an outlet or pull box:
Size Shape
m''' 3~'' Octagonal
1'' °' 4"
- x or round
1~". x 4" Square
1~" x 4 11/16" SqUare
1/8" x 4 11/16" 'Square
Number of Wires.
9 V 5.. 4
10 8 6 5-
12 10 8 6
16 13 10 8 4
20 16 12 10 6
In any box not mentioned 2 cubic inches shall be provided
for each #1~!wire and proportioni~tely more for larger sizes ~ef wire
as th~ area of the cross section of the wire and the insulation.
Where a box is used with an extension ring, 3 cubic inches shall be
provided for each #14 wire and proportionately more for larger sizes
of wire as the area of the cross section of Wire and insulation,
and one or more of the conduits brought into the extension ring, should
it be desired to increase the number of wires allowed by its use.
Where more than one size wire is run into or out of a .box, the size
of the largest size wire in the box shall be taken as the'size of
every Wire in that box. The table of wire cross sectional areas given
in the Electrical Safety 0rder~-of the Industrial Accident Con~isston
shall be u~ed in determining the box size as provided herein.
Section 2V. FixtUre Outlets and Fixtures. '-
Each outlet for fixture shall be provided with fixture
stud fastened to the box by mem s of stove boIts or other approved
methods.
- 21 -
Section 28.
Key sockets located within 5 feet horizontally or 8 feet
vertically of conducting floors or other conducting objects, shall
be constmlcted of l~rcelain or other suitable insulating material.
Keyless sockets so located shall be controlled by wall switches, by
ceiling pull switches with insulated chain or cord, or by pendant
switches constxnActed of porcelain or other suitable insulating mat-
erial, provided, however, that brass shell key sockets and brass
shell pendant switches will be permitted in such locations if the
shells are permanently and effectively grounded.
In closets, the lighting Outlet shall be over the door.
All fixtures except ceiling pans, plaster rings and simi-
lar devices, where it is manifestly impracticable, shall be provided
with slip canopies. Fixture supports shall in all cases be of ade-
quate mechanical strength and security.
All fixtures shall be supported from the outlet box studs
or equivalent fittings or by metal straps fastened to Studs, or lugs
in the boxes except in old work (fished in Jobs) where brackets may
be supported by suitable wood screws screwed into laths or by metal
straps screwed to laths with fixtures attached to straps by machine
screws or supported by wooden base blocks, at ·least 3/4 inch thick,
securely screwed to laths. Where the fixture is a special type
which cannot be supported except by ·wood screws, they may be used if
permission is obtained in advance in writing. %~here Straps are
used, fixtures shall be fastened to them by machine screws, stove
boits. or other approved method-
Drop cord or .lamp cord commonly called "~reen and yellow
drop cord" shall not be sold or used where a greater length than 3
feet is desired and shall not be used for the support of more than
one socket with its.~ reflector equipment. It shall not be used for
the support of sockets fitted with enclosing globes or bowls unless
the equipment is first submitted for examins. rich and approved as to
weight, construction and method of support.
Radio Installations.
'~en a mast is used for the support of the aerial conduo-
-22-
tore, it shall be constructed of suitable material and shall have
strength adequate for the stresses to which it will be CubJeered.
When the height of the mast is 20 feet or more, the strength shall
be the equivalent of that of a straight-grained clear Oregon pine
timber with a cross section of 3" x 3"..
All household appliances, devices,.plugs, radio parts, etc.
sold within the city limits shall comply with the provisions of
Sec..-9 of this Ordinance.·
Each mast, except those which are self supporting·, used
for the support of aerial conductors, shall be guyed in a strong and
durable manner. The minimum size ~uy wire which may be used for this
purpose shall be #12 B. & S. gauge. Guy wires shall be constructed
of a metal which will not corrode excessively under the prevailing
atmospheric conditionsA There shall be inserted in each guy wire at
least two standard'strain insulators of a suitable type (pOrcelain
cleats, such as those used in house wiring, will not be approved for
this purpoa'e), one placed near the point of attachmen~ to the mast,
and one at a distance of not less than 8 feet above the ground or
surface under the guy wire, but in no case at a greater distance than
40 feet from the point of anchorage. No section of a guy wire shall
exceed 40 feet between insulators.
The point of anchorage of guy wires should be at as great
a distance as is practicable from the base of the mast. The number
and strength of the guy wires will, of course, be governed by the
height of the mast, the length and weight of the aerial conductors,
the force of the winds, and the .natureof the surface over which the aerial
conductors are suspended. The aerial shall not be suspended over
light, power or signal w.ires nor where it might fall across a rail-
road or public highway, except when written permission has been grant-
ed in advance by the City Electrician.
No definite requirements can be given for the strength of
She conductors and supports since the strength required will vary
with the conditions in each case. The aerial should, where possible,
be so placed that'it will not. pass over other wires, but when this
cannot be avoided, the conductors and supports should be of a great-
er strengt~ than would otherwise be required. in no case shall the
aerial conductors be placed over conductors of ~500 volts or more ex-
cept by special permission obtained in writing and in.advance from
the City' Electrician. '
The object of this section is to require such arrangement
and constracti~n of aerial conductors and their Supports that no
undue hazard will result; but it is not the intent to so restrict
the installation that the progress and development of the science
will be retarded. The City Electrician shall establish methods to
be'followed in any particular case.
Storage battery leads and other wires of the set shall
not be runiunder carpets or against inflammable materials.
Section 29. Emergency Circuits.
Emergency circuits shall be provided for all theatres,
churches, ~chools, hospitals, sanitariums, hotels and apartment
houses as defined by the state housing 'act, and office buildings
over two stories in height, and other places where people congre-
gate, wher~ it is necessary to have emergency light, such as
lodge rooms, etc.
There are several satisfactory methods for obtaining
emergency iighting service. Before installing the emergency
circuits this matter. shall be discussed with the City Electrician,
who will i~sue a permit for.the most practicable and reliable method
fox the particular ~nstallation.
The following are the possible sources for reliable emer-
gency lighting in the order given.
(a) A service from a serving agency other than that supply-
.ing the general lighting service.
(b) Storage batteries floating on the line and having the
lighting
capacity tO carry all the emergency/circuits for 8 hours, if they
are properly maintained. However, if approval has been obtained in
- 24 -
advance in writing, less capacity of batteries may be installed
where a circuit is used having a double~hrow switch in the office
or foyer, connecting the general lights to;the emergency lighting
system, if the general lighting system is arranged ~o carry 100%
of the entire lighting load. Under this condition the main switch
of the general.lighting system shall be locked or sealed and fused
to 150% of the entire lighting load and the generator shall have
sufficient capacity to carry the entire lighting load and in addi-
tion, completely recharge storage battsry in 8 hours while carry-
ing this load. Under no condition shall this battery have less
capacity than is necessary to carry emergency lights for 2 hours after
automatically dropping any other load and without diminishing the
lights in the auidotium below ¼ ft. candle at the end of the 2 hour
period.
(c) A separate service from the same agency supplying the
general lighting servic_e, provided the supply line from which the
emergency lighting service is fed is run as an independent feeder
and is fed from a separate generating bus or storage battery.
(d) A separate service from the s.ame agency supplying
the general lighting service provided the supply line from which the
· emergency lighting service is fed is run as an independen~ feeder,
even though it is fed from the same generating bus.
(e) In theatres of 300 seat capacity or less, when per-
mission has been obtainedwin writing in advance, the. supply may'be
taken from the street side of the general lighting main switch.
(f) ~here the source of supply is an isolated plant lo-
cated in the building, an auxiliary service of electricity of suffi-
cient capacity to supply ~1 emergency lights shall be obtained from
some outside source, or a suitable storage battery installed upon the
premises and properly maintained .shall be considered the equivalent
of such source.
(g) Where it is not possible to have separate and distinct
- 25 -
services for the emergency lighting ·load and all other .load in
theatres or other places having emergency lighting, if i't is de-
sired.to measure the entire electrical consumption with one
meter, the service switches and fuses shall be installed as follOWs:
(1) An approved main service switch and cutouts shall
be placed at the nearest readily accessible&to the.entx~neB of..the
service and within the building, and shall be enclosed in an appro~
ved cabinet with door kept seaurely locked or sealed.
(9) From the switch the service shall pass through
the metering equipment and then branch to two approved switches
and cutouts:
First: A service. switch and cutouts located as
required for accessibility, controlling the emergency lights and
enclosed in an approved metal cabinet with cover fastened on by
bolts or machine screws, or an approved totally enclosed, exter-
nally operated switch and cutouts with handle kept securely locked
or sealed, and plainly marked to indicate that they control the
emergency lights. -'
Seconds An app~oved switch and cutouts controlling
the entire house lighting load' except the emergency lights,'
· ' .(3) Where the system of using conduit and the switch
boxes, instead of a wiring gutter~ to make an "iron-clad" installa-
tion is used, the service shall pass through the switch box control~--
ing the emergency lighting and then to the other switch box.
(4) Main service switch and cu~.outs shall have a capacity
of and be fused to 150~ of the combined capacities of the service
cutout. Service switch and emergency circuit switch shall be of a
capacity to correspond to their respective ~use capacities.
(h) In an installation made as described in Par. (g),
the service switch shall be used for all purposes required of a
main switch on the usual installation.
(i) All fuses shall be enclosed in approved cabinets.
Section 30. Filling and Service Stations...."~''.
Gasoline filling service.stations shall be considered as
g~rages storing more than three cars and shall be wired aceordingly·~'~
Section 31,.Responsibility.
This ordinance shall not be construed to relieve from
or lesse~ the~responsibility or liability of any party owning,
controlling, operating or installing any electric wiring, electric
devices and/or electric material for damages to person or property
caused by any defect therein, nor shall the City be held as assum-
ing any such liability by reason of the inspection authorized here-
in, or certificate of inspection issued as heroin provided.
Section 32. Saving Clause.
The City EleCtrician is hereby empowered to make inter-
pretations of this Ordinance and rules and regulations mentioned
in Section 8 , wherever there is a question as to materials, or
methods, or manner in which the material shall be installed. Said
interpretations shall be in writing and' shall be final as to that
class of installation.
Section 33. Constitutionality.
If any section, sub-section, clause or phrase of this
ordinance is for any reason held to be Unconstitutional such de-
cision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of
this ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that' it would
have passed this ordinance, and each section, sub-section, sentence,
clause, and phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one
or more other sections, sub-sections, sentences, clauses or phrases
be declared unconstitutional.
Section 34. Penalty.
Every person, firm or corporation violating any of the pro-
-visions'. ofo. this ordinance ·shall be deemed guilty. of a_misdem~ano~
and upon conviction thereof shall be punishable by a fine of not
less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than five hundred dollars
- 27 -
($500.00), or by imprisonment in~..city Jail for a period of not
less than ten (lO) days, nor more than three hundred and sixty (360)
days, or by both such fine and .imprisonment.
Every person, firm or corporation violating amy of the pro-
visions of this ordinance shall be deemed guilty of a separate
offense for each day or'portion thereof during which such violation
continues and shall be punishable therefor as herein provided.
Section 35. Repealing Ordinances.
That ordinance~ Numbe~.154 ',:~,..:~.' ~ew Series of the City
of Bakersfield, be and the same~me hereby expressly repealed, and
any and all other ordinances, or parts of ordinances conflicting with
the provisions of this ordinance,. are hereby expressly repealed.
---000-"
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing ordinance was regu-
larly introduced, passed and adopted by the Council of the City of
Bakersfield, on'the/7~ay of October, 1927, by the following vote:
Ayez: ~, Carlisle, (3arlock, Corbett, 3olinson, Msr~in, S~,ner
.........................
~ ~~a~~C
City Clerk lerk of the
Council of the City of Bakersfield.
APP this / '
y of.October, 1927~