HomeMy WebLinkAbout0254.091May 9, 1991
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
Palo Alto, California
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Adoption of the 1990 National Electrical COde
Members of the Council ~
Report in Brief
Tbe purpose of this report is to present an ordinance adopting the
1990 Edition of the National Electrical Code.
R!!clmrou nd
EVery three years, a new edition of the National Electrical Code is
published~ Stoat! has reviewed it thoroughly for any recommended
cbanqes, additions and deletions. A copy of the code is available
for public review in the City Clerk's Office.
State law requires that any new local amendments to the model codes
be based on local climatic, geologic, or topographic conditions.
No new amendments are recommended. Palo ~to's previously adopted
aaendments will be retained and are included in the ordinance~ A
stat. regulation also requires that the National Electrical Code
becoae effective in local jurisdictions on July 1, 1991, vith or
without action by the local jurisdiction.
In accordance with state law regarding the adoption of model codes,
the public h~arinq will be on May 28, 1991, the date of second
reading of the ordinance.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Adoption of the new edition of the National Electrical Code will
not have a significant adverse impact on the physical environment.
An initial study recommending a negative declaration is attached.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that council approve the attached negative
declaration and tirst reading of the ordinance adopting the 1990
National Electrical Code including amendments~
CMR:254:91
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Respectfully submitted,
J. /jt:-~ ~
ef Buil~i Official
CIIR:254:91
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KENNETH R. SCHREIBER
Director of Planning and
Community Environment
Assessment
5/13/91
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E.,ironment,' Documents -City of P,'o Alto
ENVIRONMENTAL ~.sSfSSHENl
Project Descriptton/Title: AdDption of the 199Q edition of the National
el edric Cod!!'_
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locationiAd'dress: htJ.:i t~ywt!!!;lldeL _____________________ _
Spon so ring Age "C1 lApp 1 'can t , I.C].:i tllYLl!OLf.JP:J'lll.2Q-,A~lLJtJlo,---____________ _
Address and Telephone of Applicant: 2S0 Hamilton Avenue
P.To ATto. CA 94303
Application for: Adoption pf the N~tional Electric Code
'e.g .• zoning c~ange~ $ubd;~i$ion of property. architect~ral review, ose
pe,.",it}
Zoning ~t Project location: NA Fee Receipt No.: ---------
NOTICE Qf DETERHINATION
Based upon revfew of the projer.t flles t the undersigned member of the Planning
Department ~as concluded:
I!I Negative peclaritjon~ The project has no significant environmental
impact. Ho Environmental Impact Report is required. The reasons for i
Declaration are: in the attached pro ;ect de-scTiptjon e A retord of
project action js available for r!view at the Palo Alto Planning
Qepartmer.t, locat!d on the 5th floor of Citv Hall. 2Sn Hamilton Avenue,
PaTo Alto. CA.
1:1 The proj~ct may have ~ significant environmental impact, An
Environ.ental Impact Report will be prepared.
Planning Departll!e,t Qfficial: ~ d. -~
Planning Director: z:i~-QscJ..oui£ Date: 'fIr/v?
The project has been .pproved_
The project has been denied_
Date:
Date:
filtHo.: 91-flA-ll
91-EIA-ll
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Adoption of the 1990 Hition of tho N.tlon.1 Electric Code "Ill not have a
significant adyern enylrorwental effeet on the physical environment. The
National Electric Code w.s developed to establish .lnlmug standards for
electrtcal service to assure public safety and the FToper ~unction of electr1tal
ont_. /lew editions of this code Incl "do _ndae' _tlch are directed at
Increasing the public .afety by updating and Improving. Lallation, .lteratlon
and rep.ir practices.
The proposed changes to the ~.t!onal Electric Code are related to electrical
snt ... within buildings. These change. will not by th ..... lves necessitate an
Increase In • bull~lng's height, breadth or the thickness of walls. Adoption of
this code will have. beneficial I.pact on public safety by upgrading .lectrical
service pract~~.s for new develcpDent and .aintenance of existfng electrical
5yst_.
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ORDINANCE NO.
ORDINANCE OF THE COONCI""L""O"'F;;;-;;THE="'CITY OF PALO ALTO
ADOPTING THE 1990, EDITION OF THE NATZONAL
ELECTRICAL CODE AND AMEND1NG CHAPTER 16. 16 OF THE
PALO ALTO MUNICIPAL CODE
The Council of the city of Palo Alto does ORDAIN as
follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 1.6.16 of the Palo Alto MUnicipal Code
1& hereby amended to read:
.eotioDSI'
16.16.010
16.16.012
16.16.013
16.16.020
16.16.030
16.16.040
16.16.050
16.16.060
16.16.070
16.16.080
National Electrical Code a~opted.
violations--Penalties.
Enforcement--Citation authority.
Article 100 a~ended--De£initions.
Article 110-2{a) throuqh (e) added--Approved~
Article 120 added--Permits.
Article 210-52(d) amended--owelling unit
receptacle outlets.
Article 230-1[a) added--Scope.
Article 300-I(d) through (h) added--Wiring
method~-'General requiraments.
Article 320 deleted.
.1'.1c5.010 •• tional Electrical Code adopted. Except as
otherwise herein provided, the minimum standards, provisions and
requirements for the installation, alteration or repair of
electrical systems and the inspection thereof in the City of Palo
Alto shall be in accordance with ~~e provisions and in_ the manner
prescribed by the National Electrical Code~ 19~9 Edition,
promulqated by the National Fire Protection AssoCIation and
approved by the American National standards Institute, which
electrical code is hereby adopted. Three copies of said electrical
code are on file and open to public inspection in the office of the
city Clerk.
Wherever the phrases -unitorm electrical code-and
-electrical code-are used in this code or any ordinance of the
City, such phrases shall be deemed and c_onstrued to refer and apply
to the-National Electrical Code, 19~$q Edition, as adopted and
amended by this chapter. "'"
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.11.1 •• 012 Violation8--hnalt:l... Any person, firttl~ or
ccrporation violatlnq any provision of this electrical code is
qul1ty of a misde.,.eanor, and upon conviction thereot shall be
punished as provided in subsection (a) of section 1~OB~OlO of the
Palo Alto Municipal Code. Each separate day or any portion thereof
during which any violation ot this electrical code occurs or
continues constitutes a separate offense, and upon conviction
thereot shall be punishable as provided in this section.
1.6 .. '16 .. 01.3 'IbforcALent--citat!OD autbority. The following
designated employee positions may enforce the provisions of this
cbapter by the issuance of citations. Persons employed in such
positions are authorized to exercise the. But."llority provided in
Penal Code section 836.5 and are authorized to 15sue citations for
violations o:f this chapter. The desiqnated employee positions are:
(1) Chief Building Official; (2) Assistant Building Official; (3)
Supervisor, BUilding l:r.spectior..: and (4J Ordinance Compliance
Inspector.
It.ll.020 Article 100 aaen4e4--Definitions. Article 100
of the National Electrical Code is amended, to modify the following
definition:
The definition of -qualified electrician-in Article
100 is modified to read:
QUalified Ele.ctrician: Any person who possesses a
Class C 10 license with the California Contractors state
License Board.
11.11.030 Article 110-2(a) througb (e) a44ed--Approval.
(a) All materials used shall be appt:oved or listed by
Underwriter's Laboratories, Inc.. (or other similarly recognized
testing Agency), and shall be of a design suitable tor the purpose
to be U9ed~ except that the Building Official may refUse to approve
any such item for good cause.
(bJ Tbe Buildinq Official may accept materials, devices,
fittings and appliances which are not approved, listed or labeled
~s conformill9 to the standard:s of any testing aqencie:s upon
satisfactory evidence that they are designed and constructed so
that they will operate safely under normal conditions.
ec) All materials used in the installation, alteration or
repair o:f electrical distribution systems shall be free from
defects and shall be at least of the minimum approved standards
specified for all types of materials provided for in this code.
(d) Previou5ly used material shall not be reused unless
approved by the Building Official, prior to installation.
(el Dielectric, voltage, ground fault or equipment tests
sball be performed by a recognized testing agency on request of the
Building Official.
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1'.11 .. 0'0 Article 120 a4de4--l'era1t.s. Article 120 is
added to Chapter 1 of the National Electrical Code to read:
~ICLB 120--PZRXr~B
120-1 .nforo .. eD~ by Building Official. It shall be
the duty of the BUilding Official of the city of Palo Alto
to enforce the provisions o! this electrical -code. He
shall .. upon application" grant permits tor the installation
or alteration of electrical viri%t9, device.s, appliances and
~quiP""'ent, aDd shall make inspections ot a.ll new e.lectrical
installations and rei:tspections of all e.lectrjcal
installations, all as provided in this electrical code. He
ahall keep complete records of all permits issued$
inspections and reinspect ions lIIade and other official work
perforllled in accordance with the provisions of this
electrical code. He shall also keep on file a list of
inspected electrical appliances issued by or for
Underwriter's Laboratories., Inc . ., which list shall be
available tor public information durinq regular office
bours. Mo oversight or dereliction on the part of the
Building Official shall make lawful the violation of any of
the provisions of this code.
120-2 Authority to Discoazect wira or service. The
Buildinq Official sball have the authority to cut or
disconnect any wire in cases of emerqency where necessary
for safety to life or property or where such wire :may
interfere. ilith the work of the Fire Department~ The
BUl1dinq Official is further authorized to disconnect or
orC:er discontinuance of electrical service to any
electrical wiring, devices, appliances or equipment found
to be dangerous to lite or property because they are
detective or defectively installed until such wiring.
devices, appliances, and equipment and their installation
have been made safe and approved by the Building Official.
120-3 (., pe.rait Required.. No electric 'Wiring,
devices, appliances or equipment shall be installed within
or on any building, structure or premises nor shall any
alterations or additions be made in any such existinq
virinq, devices, appliances or equipment without first
securinq a permit therefor trom the Building OfficiaL No
electrical work shall be done in the City of Palo Alto by
any person other than a qualified electrician., as defined
herein., or a person holding a special owner's permit.
(ll) bceptiolLS.
perfora the followinq:
No permit shall be required to
1. The replacement of lamps or the connection of
portable appliances to suitable receptacles which have been
permanently installed.
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2. The installation, alteration or repair of
wiring, devices, appliances or equipment for the operation
of siqnals or the transmission of intelligence where such
wiring" device.,. appliances or aquipment operates at a
voltage not exceeding twenty-tive volts between conductors
and does not inclUde generatinq or transforming equipment
capable of supplying more than fifty w~tts of energy.
3. The installation, alteration or repair of
electric wiring, devices, appliances and equipment
installed by or f~r a public utility corporation for the
use of such corporation in the generation, transmission,
distribution, or ~eterinq of electrical energy, or for the
use of such corporation in the operation of sIgnals or the
transmission of intelligence.
120-4 Requ1r ... nt. ot Application. Application for
such per:.it .. de5cribing the work to be doae .. shall be made
in writinq to the Building Official ~y a qualified
electrician, owner or bis authorized aqent. The
application shall be accompanied by such plans"
specifications and schedu~es as may be necessary to
deteraine whether the installation as described will be in
contoraity with the requirelllents of this code" and if ~e
applicant has complied with all provisions of this code, a
perait for such installation shall be issued f provided,
however, that the issuance ot the permit shall not be taken
as permission to violate any of the requirements of this
code. Betore issuinq such permit, the Building Official
lDay demand evidence that the applicant is a -qualified
electrician-as eSerined in this code.
Tbe permit when issued shall be for such installation
as described in the application and no deviation shall be
made from the installation so described without the written
approval of the Buildinq Official.
120-5 AIlaual Ilaill.teDaDc. Zl.ctri~i&D PenLit.. In lieu
of an individual perllit for each installation or
alteration, an annual ~aintenanca electrician permit may"
upon application therefor, be issued to any person
regularly employinq one or more qualified electricia~s for
the installation" maintenance" overhauling" servicing or
repairing' of electric wiring, devices.. appliances and
equipment on premises owned by the applicant for the
permit. The application for such annual permit shall be
made in writing to the Building Official and shall contain
a description of thP. premises within which work is to be
done under the permit.. Within not more than fifteen days
tollowinq the end of each half year" the person to whom an
annual perait is issued shall transmit to the Building
Official a report ot all the electrical work which has been
done under the annual peril it during the preceding three
months. Each annual permit shall expire on December
thirty-first of the year in which it is issued.
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120-6 Speel.l awn.r l • P.rait. The Buildinq Official
may issue to an individual a special owner's permit
authorizlnq sa14 individual to install, alter, ehange or
repair elec'trlcal equip.ent in, or about a one f&llily
raaidenca ot which said individual Is the owner of record
and in which he resides or intends to reside, but not
e.lsewhere. No electrical work. authorized under any special
owner's permit r.hall be done.. except personally :tly the
owner to whOIl the permit is iSSUed or by an )Dember of his
illDlediate family. Violation of any provision ot such
permit shall be grounds for immediate cancellation by the
Buildinq Official, and the holder thereof shall be liable
to the penalty hereinafter provided for violation of this
code.
120-1 PelI.alty .... tor 'La-t. ~pllcatioD!I. Whenever an
electrical permit fee ill required by this code to be paid
prior to starting of electric:al worle and such 'Wcrk is
started prior to obtaining a permit .. a double f~e for each
penoit will be charged,
120-8 Per.lt Pee.. Eacb applicant shall pay to the
Buildinq Official for each permit issued, at the time of
issuance, a .fee in accordance with the schedule. of tees set
~orth in the municipal fee schedule and the rate tor each
classification.
No permit shall be issued to any person unless all
fees due are paid in £ull.
120-9 XnopeetioD an4 certificate of Approval. Upon
completion ot the work which has been authorized by
issuance ot any permit, except an annual permit, it shall
be the duty ot the person installing the same to notify the
Bulldinq Official who shall inspect the installation 1rfithin
forty-eight hours, exclusive of saturdays. Sundays and
holidays, of the time such noti::;e is given or as soon
thereafter as is practical.
Where the Building Official finds the installation to
be in contontity -with tbe provisions ot this code .. he shall
issue to the person making the installation a certificate
of approval, authorizing the use of the installation and
connection to the source of supply, and shall send notice
of such authorization to the Department of Light and Power.
120-10 Carreottan of Defect.. If, upon inspection,
the installation is not found to be fully in conformity
with the provisions of this code. the Building Official
sha~l at once notify the person makinq the installation,
stating the defects which have ~een found to exist.
All defects shall be corrected within ten days after
inspection and notification, or within other reasona:ble
time as permitted by the Building Official.
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l20-11 " .. porU'}'."CS Pr.U.aillary .eraitB. When a
certificate of approval is issued authorizinq the
connection and use. of 't.em.porary work., such certificate
sb311 be issued to expire at a time to be stated therein
and sball be revocable by the Buildinq Official tor cause.
A prelt.in~ry certificate ot approval may be issued
authorizing the connection a!K1 use of certain specific
portions of an Incomplete installation; such certitic~te
shall be revocable at the discretion of the Building
ottic1al. .
.1.20-12 CODc •• t.aeDt of wirlDq-; Riqbt to Require
R .. oval. When any part of a wiring installation is to be
hidden .from view by the permanent plac.ement of parts of the
buildi"",. th" person installinq the virinq shall notify the
Buildinq Official and such parts of the wirinq installation
shall not be concealed until they bave been inspected and
approved by the Building Official; provided that on large
install<ltions, wbere the concealment of parts of the wiring
proceeds continuously .. the person installing' the wiring
shall qive the Building Official due notice and inspection
shall be made periodically durinq the progress of the 'Work.
The Building Official sball hav~ the power to remove or
require the relliOval of any obstruction that prevents proPEr
inspection of any electrical equipment.
120-13 ~D.8P.c::t.loll of A.!mllal Per'1littees.. At least
once in each six mon~~s the Buildinq Official shall visit
all premises where work has been done under the annual
permi ts and sball inspect all electric wiring, clevices,
appliances and equipment, and shall issue a certificate of
~ .. pproval for such work as is found to be in conformity with
the provisions ot this code after the fee required by
Article 120-8 has been paid.
120-14 COlUlectiOD &114 In.stallatiol!.. Except where
work is done under an annual mainte.,"lance electrician's
pe:r1l1it, it shall be unlawful for any person to make
connection fr'OlD a source o~ electrical energy or to supply
electric wiring, devices, appliances o~ equipment for the
installation of which a. permit is required, unless such
person shall have obtained satisfactory evidence that such
wirin9, devices, appliances, or equipment are in all
respects in conformity with all applicable provisions of
this code.
120-15 Onlatdul to connect without Certificate of
Approval.. It shall be unlawful for any person to make.
connection fram a source of electrical energy or to supply
electric service to any electric, Wiring, devices#
appliances or equipment which bas been disconnected or
ordered to be disconnected by the Buildinq Official or the
use of which has been ordered by the BUilclinq Official to
be discontinued until a certificate of approval has been
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issued by him authorizinq the reconnect ion and use of such
virinq, devices, appliances or equipment.. The Buildinq
Official shall notify the Departllient of light and power of
such order to discontinue use.
U.U.050
rlte.pucl. out.leta.
to read:
Article uo-szi6t-lii!J .. e"cSecl--DnlliDg unit
Subsection -t4Tlil of'Section 210-52 is amended
1'.1'.0$0 Articl, %30-1Ia) added--Scopa. Subsection (a)
is added to Article 230-1 to read:
Ca) Tbe installation of service entrance conductors
and associated. materials and location of service equipment
shall be installed in accordance 'With the electrical
sorvice requirements and rules as promulqated by the
DepartJtent of utilities I Departllilent of Light and Power,
City of Palo Alto.
U .U.070 Article 300-li4l-Io)' through ~lgf acSdod--lOiri"g
•• t:hodll--GelLeral r.quiru.tm.tll. Fiv'e,'"'new suCsectIons are added to
Article 300-1 of the National Electrical Code, l~l~,d~ Edition, to
be d.esIgnated (e) through (9) and to read:
(e) All buildings and structures (other than single
or two family dwe11ingsl apartment buildinqs of wood frame
construction not ex:ceedinq three sto:::-ies in haight and
accessory buildinqs thereto) shall be wired in an approved
type raceway or metallic covered cable permitted by this
code.
Cd) No panel, disconnect switch, meter or 6imilar
equipment sball be placed directly over sinks l stoves l
dryers, washers~ basins I 'Water closets or other plumbing
fixtures, nor shall any panel, disconnect switch I meter or
similar equipment be placeQi directly over stairs l in
clothes closets, toilets or bathrooms.
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Cel Binding screws and selt-lockinq wire terminals ot
receptacles and switches shall not be substituted tor
splicing devices or splices In conductors.
(r) All buildings moved into the City of Palo Alto
abell be wired in accordance 'With this code.
(g) That portion of a building to be remodeled shall
be wired In accordance with this code and all other areas
of the building shall be made .ate as may be required by
the Building Official.
U. U.080 lU"ticle UO ddete4. Article 320 of the
National Electrical Code is hereby deleted.
SICTiotf 2. The council adopts the :findin9s for newly-
enacted local aaendments to the 1987 National Electrical Code,
attached hereto as Exhibit ·A-and incorporated herein by
reference ..
SEC'flOll' 3. The Council :finds that none of the provisions
oZ this ordinance will have a significant environmental impact.
SECTION... This ordinance shall become effective upon the
commencement ot the thirty-first day after the date of its
adoption, provided, however, the previsions herein enacted shall be
operative fro. and after January 1, 1990.
DlTROIlOCEtl :
PASSED,
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
ATTEST:
city Cleric
APPROVED AS TO FORK:
Senior Asst. city Attorney
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APPROVED,
Kayor
city Manager
Director of Plannil19 and
community Environment
Chief Building Official
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EXHIBIT A
FINDINGS FOR IDCAL AKENtlKEII'rS TO THE
1987 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
The rinding& _de by the Council of the city of Palo Alto in
Ordinance 2600 adopting tha 1968 National Electrical Code are
bereby reaftirlMd, the :finding,. adopted as a part of Ordinance 2811
relatinq to the adoption ot the 1911 National Electrical Code are
hereby reaffir.ed: the provisions of Resolution 5373 are hereby
reilftiraed; the finding" adopted as a part of Ordinance 3126
relating to the adoption of the 1978 National Electric Code are
bereby reattiraed; and the t indings adopted as part of the
Ordinance 3332 relating to the adoption of the 1981 National
Electrical Code are hereby reaffirmed and the findings adopted as
part of Ordinance 3669 relating to the adoption of the 198'
National Electric COde are hereby reaffirmed; and the findinqs
adopted as part of Ordinance 3913 relating to the adoption of the
1987 Rational Electrical Code are hereby reaffirme~ and sxpressly
made applicable to such chanqes as are hereby adopted., readopted.,
aaended or carried through without significant change. The new
a.endments or aodiflcations t-;:, the National Electrical Code are
made for administrative consistency only.. and do not require
findings pursuant to California Health and Safety Code section
17958.7.
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