§ 1119-06. Mechanical and Electrical Requirements.

1119-06.1 Scope: The provisions of this section shall govern the minimum mechanical and electrical facilities and equipment to be provided.

1119-06.2 Mechanical equipment: All mechanical equipment shall be properly installed and maintained in safe working condition, and capable of performing the intended function.

1119-06.2.1 Flue connections: All fuel-burning equipment and appliances shall be connected to an approved chimney or vent.

Exception: Fuel-burning equipment and appliances that are labeled for unvented operation.

1119-06.2.2 Clearances: All required clearances to combustible materials shall be maintained in accordance with CBC.

1119-06.2.3 Safety controls: All safety controls for fuel-burning equipment shall be maintained in effective operation.

1119-06.2.4 Combustion air: A supply of air for complete combustion of the fuel and for ventilation of the space shall be provided for the fuel-burning equipment.

1119-06.2.5 Authority to Shut-Off Gas-Fired Space Heaters and Water Heaters: Whenever it shall appear on inspection that gas equipment used for space heating or water heating is discharging dangerous fames, or is unsafe for use, and when, in the opinion of the director of buildings and inspections or other persons in the fire division or department of health authorized by the city manager, immediate action is necessary, they shall be authorized to shut off the supply of gas to the equipment by turning off the valve or cock to the equipment, or when required, by capping or plugging gas lines to the equipment or other mechanical means to accomplish shut off of gas to the equipment and attaching thereto a tag and seal out of service so as to make inoperative or to take any steps necessary in the interest of the public safety with or without notice to the owners of the property or equipment involved.

1119-06.2.6. Nonconforming Gas-fired Equipment: Whenever it shall appear on inspection that gas equipment used for space heating or water heating is in violation of any of the requirements of any section of this Code, or of any law or ordinance relating to the same subject matter, an order shall be issued to the owner or the person in control of the gas equipment to correct same. After such order and the failure of the owner or person in control of such gas equipment to correct the violation within the time specified in the order, the director of buildings and inspections or other persons in the fire division or department of health. authorized by the city manager, shall be authorized to shut off the supply of gas to the gas equipment in the manner herein provided.

1119-06.2.7. Sealing Device Not to Be Removed: It shall be unlawful to remove the tag, seal, cap, plug, or other mechanism or sealing device or to use or permit to be used any gas equipment which use has been ordered discontinued in accordance with § 1119-06.2.5 or 1119-06.2.6 CBC, until such equipment is made to comply with the applicable provisions of the CBC and OBC.

1119-06.3 Fireplaces: Fireplaces and solid fuel-burning appliances shall be properly installed and maintained in a safe working condition.

1119-06.4 Electrical facilities required: Every building used for human occupancy shall be provided with an electrical system in compliance with the requirements of Sections 1119-06.4.1 through 1119-06.4.9 CBC.

1119-06.4.1 Installation: All electrical equipment, wiring and appliances shall be properly installed and maintained in a safe and approved manner in accordance with this Chapter and the provisions of NFIPA 70 listed in Appendix A OBC.

1119-06.4.2 Electrical system hazards: Where it is found that the electrical system in a structure constitutes a hazard to the occupants or the structure by reason of inadequate service, improper fusing, insufficient outlets, improper wiring and installation, deterioration or damage, or for similar reasons, the Director of Buildings and Inspections shall require the defects to be corrected to eliminate the hazard. When any unsafe wiring conditions as hereinafter described shall not have been corrected as ordered within the time given in the notice, the Director of Buildings and Inspections may direct the person, firm or corporation supplying the electric service to the building to discontinue the service. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to continue such service or to restore same until furnished with a copy of a certificate of approval from the electrical inspection agency, or a directive of the Director of Buildings and Inspections certifying that an inspection has been made, that all hazardous conditions have been corrected and that all wiring, apparatus, and feeders have been brought into substantial compliance with the minimum requirements of this code as set forth in Section 1119-06.4.4 CBC.

1119-06.4.3 Existing Hazardous Wiring: When the wiring of an existing building is found to constitute a serious safety hazard, the Director of Buildings and Inspections shall order the owner, agent, or person in charge of such building or structure to bring all wiring into substantial compliance with the minimum requirements of this code as set forth in Section 1119-06.4.4 CBC. For the purposes of this section, serious safety hazards shall include, but not be limited to the following:

(1)

Over fusing (installation of overcurrent protective devices which exceed the approved circuit carrying capacity of the conductors), or bridging of required fuses;

(2)

Unapproved splices;

(3)

Overloaded service, feeder or branch circuits;

(4)

Extension cord abuse (extension cords used as permanent wiring);

(5)

Unprotected knife switches or other dangerous electrical equipment;

(6)

Defective permanent wiring;

(7)

Lighting fixtures with pull chain switches mounted above plumbing fixtures;

(8)

Brass shell sockets within reach of grounded surfaces.

1119-06.4.4 Minimum Facilities for Existing Structures: The conditions listed in subsections 1119-06.4.5 through 1119-06.4.9 CBC shall be deemed to be the minimum facilities acceptable under this code to correct hazardous conditions in existing buildings or other structures.

1119-06.4.5 Receptacle Outlets: Every existing habitable room shall be provided with a minimum of one duplex receptacle outlet for each 55 square feet of floor area or fraction thereof. Required outlets shall not be spaced closer than 12 fee, measured around the perimeter of the room.

1119-06.4.6 Service Equipment: Such equipment shall be of approved size for the load with a minimum of 60 ampere capacity.

1119-06.4.7 Overload Protection: All circuits of 30 amperes or less shall be protected by nontamperable fuses or circuit breakers of approved size.

1119-06.4.8 Hazardous Wiring and Devices: All wiring and electrical devices shall be of such nature as to be safe under normal conditions of use and free from all hazards apt to result in injury or fire. All hazardous wiring or equipment, as determined by the Director of Buildings and Inspections, shall be removed.

1119-06.4.9 Fused panels: Existing fused panels, load centers and disconnects within medium base fuse holders shall have a non-removable insert installed that shall allow only the proper amperage fuse to be installed as sized for the branch wiring that is protected by that fuse.

1119-06.4.10 Extensions to Power or Lighting Wiring: In existing buildings or other structures, the wiring may be extended within the same room or area in the type of wiring which the building was originally wired, provided that neither the existing wiring nor the additions thereto shall constitute a serious safety hazard. If there are no visible unsafe defects in the existing wiring, such existing wiring shall not be required to be changed, even if new service lines are required.

(Ordained by Ord. No. 67-1996, eff. Apr. 5, 1996; a. Ord. No. 59-2002, eff. March 28, 2002)