OR 2002- 986 Adopts 1999 National Electrical CodeAN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF COPPELL, TEXAS
ORDINANCE NO. 2002-986
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF COPPELL, TEXAS AMENDING
THE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING CHAPTER 15 ARTICLE
15-2 TO ADOPT THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE, 1999 EDITION,
AS THE CITY OF COPPELL ELECTRICAL CODE; PROVIDING
AMENDMENTS TO THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE, 1999
EDITION, AND THE AMENDMENTS THERETO, AND
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE; PROVIDING A REPEALING CLAUSE; PROVIDING A
SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING A PENALTY FOR VIOLATION OF
THIS ORDINANCE NOT TO EXCEED THE SUM OF TWO THOUSAND
DOLLARS ($2,000.00) FOR EACH OFFENSE; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COPPELL,
TEXAS:
SECTION 1. That the Code of Ordinances of the City of Coppell, Texas be and the
same is hereby amended by amending Chapter 15, Article 15-2 in part to adopt the National
Electrical Code, 2000 Edition, with amendments to read as follows:
"ARTICLE 15-2. ELECTRICAL CODE
Sec. 15-2-1. Electrical Code Adopted.
There is hereby adopted the National Electrical Code, 1999 Edition, and made a
part hereof for all purposes, the same as if fully copied in full herein, with the
exception of such sections hereof, which are hereafter deleted, modified or
amended.
Sec. 15-2-2. Amendments.
The following sections of the National Electrical Code,
administrative provisions for the National Electrical Code,
hereby amended to read as follows:
1999 Edition, and
1999 edition, are
1. Article 101, Administrative Provisions, shall be added to read as follows:
Article 101. - Administrative Provisions.
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Article 80 - General
80-1. Application.
The provisions of this article shall apply to all activity involving the
installation, servicing, repair, replacement, additions, modification, and/or
maintenance of electrical systems, conductors, equipment, fittings, devices,
motors, appliances, fixtures, signs and all other electrical equipment within or
on public or private buildings and premises, except as otherwise provided in
this article. The provisions of this article shall not apply to installations used
by electricity supply, electric railway or communications agencies in the
generation, transmission or distribution of electrical power or for the operation
of street railways, signals or the transmission of intelligence data when located
within or on public thoroughfares; provided, however, that such agencies are
operating under a franchise agreement with the city.
80-2. Application to existing electrical systems and equipment.
(a) Additions, alterations or repairs. Additions, alterations or repairs may
be made to any electrical system and equipment without requiring the existing
electrical system and equipment to comply with all the requirements of this
Code, provided that addition, alteration or repair conforms to that required for
a new electrical system and equipment and provided further that no hazard to
life, health or safety will be created by such additions, alterations or repairs.
Minor additions, alterations and repairs to existing electrical system and
equipment may be made in accordance with the law in effect at the time the
original installation was made, when approved by the building official.
(b) Existing installations. Electrical systems and equipment lawfully in
existence at the time of the adoption of this Code may have their use,
maintenance or repair continued if the use, maintenance or repair is in
accordance with the original design and no hazard to life, health or property
has been created by such electrical system and equipment.
(c) Change in building occupancy. Electrical systems and equipment which
are a part of any building or structure undergoing a change in use or
occupancy, as defined in the Building Code, shall comply with the
requirements of this Code which are applicable to the new use or occupancy.
(d) Maintenance. All electrical systems and equipment, both existing and
new, and all parts thereof shall be maintained in a proper operating condition
in accordance with the original design and in a safe and hazard-free condition.
All devices or safeguards which are required by this Code shall be maintained
in conformance with this Code. The owner or his designated agent shall be
responsible for the maintenance of the electrical system. To determine
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compliance with this subsection, the building official may cause any electrical
system to be reinspected.
(e) Moved building. Electrical systems and equipment which are a part of
buildings or structures moved into or within the City of Coppell shall comply
with the provisions of this Code for new installations.
80-3. Definitions.
A. General. For the purpose of these provisions, certain terms, phrases,
words and their derivatives shall be construed as specified in this section.
Where terms are not defined, they shall have their ordinarily accepted
meanings within the context with which they are used. Webster's Third New
International Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged, 1986, shall be
considered as providing ordinarily accepted meanings. Words used in the
singular include the plural and the plural the singular. Words used in the
masculine gender include feminine and the feminine the masculine.
Approved, as to materials, equipment and method of construction, refers
to approval by the building official as the result of investigation and tests
conducted by him, or by reason of accepted principles or tests by recognized
authorities, technical or scientific organizations.
Approved agency is an established and recognized agency regularly
engaged in conducting tests or furnishing inspection services, when such
agency has been approved by the building official.
Board of Appeals shall be the Building and Standards Commission as
appointed by the City Council of the City of Coppell.
Building Code is the International Building Code, 2000 edition, as
adopted by the City of Coppell.
Chief Building Official (or Building Official) is the officer charged with
the administration and enforcement of this Code, or his duly authorized
representative, and is the authority having jurisdiction for this Code.
Chief Electrical Inspector or Electrical Inspector shall be the person
providing expertise for the building official in the area of electrical
regulations.
Code enforcement agency is the department, division or agency of the
City of Coppell charged with the function of Code Enforcement and shall be
under the administration and operational control of the building official.
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Electrical Code is the National Electrical Code, 1999 edition promulgated
by the National Fire Protection Association, as adopted by the City of
Coppell.
Electrical Contractor is any person, firm, or corporation to whom a
valid, current electrical contractor's registration has been issued by the City of
Coppell.
Firewall is the same as an area separation wall as used in the Building
Code.
Journeyman Electrician is a person to whom a valid, current journeyman
electrician's registration has been issued by the City of Coppell.
Master Electrician is a person to whom a valid, current master
electrician's registration has been issued by the City of Coppell.
Multiple occupancy building is a building having more than one tenant
and may be of single or mixed use groups as classified by the Building Code.
Occupancy is the purpose for which a building, or part thereof, is used or
intended to be used.
80-4. Conflicting provisions.
Where, in any specific case, different sections of this Code specify
different materials, methods of construction or other requirements, the most
restrictive shall govern.
80-5. Alternate materials and methods of construction.
(a) The provisions of this Code are not intended to prevent the use of any
material or method of construction not specifically prescribed by this Code,
provided any alternate has been approved and its use authorized by the
building official.
(b) The building official may approve any alternate, provided he finds that
the proposed design is satisfactory and complies with the provisions of this
Code and that the material, method or work offered is, for the purpose
intended, at least the equivalent of that prescribed in this Code in suitability,
strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability and safety.
(c) The building official shall require that sufficient evidence or proof be
submitted to substantiate any claims regarding the use of alternates. Provided,
however, that the approval or authorization of any alternate shall not be
construed as warranting or representing the safety of any approved alternate.
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80-6. Modifications.
Whenever there are practical difficulties involved in carrying out the provisions of
this Code, the building official may grant modifications for individual cases, provided
he shall first find that a special individual reason makes the strict letter of this Code
impractical and the modification is in conformity with the intent and purpose of this
Code, and that such modification does not lessen health, life and fire safety
requirements.
80-7. Tests.
(a) Whenever there is insufficient evidence of compliance with any of the provisions
of this Code or evidence that materials or construction do not conform to the
requirements of this Code, the building official may require tests as evidence of
compliance to be made at the sole expense of the person providing such materials or
performing such construction.
(b) Test methods shall be as specified by this Code or by other recognized test
standards. In the absence of recognized and accepted test methods for the proposed
alternate, the building official may determine test procedures.
(c) All tests shall be made by an approved agency. The building official shall retain
reports of such tests for a period deemed appropriate by the building official.
80-8. Unsafe electrical systems or equipment.
All electrical systems or equipment regulated by this Code which are unsafe, or
which constitute a fire hazard, or are otherwise dangerous to human life are, for the
purpose of this section, unsafe. Any use of electrical systems or equipment regulated
by this Code constituting a hazard to safety, health or public welfare by reason of
inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence, fire hazard, disaster, damage or
abandonment is, for the purpose of this section, an unsafe use. All such unsafe
electrical systems or equipment are hereby declared to be public nuisances and shall
be abated by repair, rehabilitation, demolition or removal in accordance with the
procedures set forth as prescribed by the City of Coppell Neighborhood Integrity
Ordinance regarding abatement of dangerous buildings or such alternate procedure as
may be adopted by this jurisdiction. As an alternative, the building official or other
employee or official of the City as designated by the governing body may institute
any other appropriate action to prevent, restrain, correct or abate the violation.
80-9. Violations.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to erect, construct,
enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert or demolish, equip, use or
maintain any electrical system or equipment or cause or permit the same to be done in
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violation of this Code. The issuance or granting of a permit or approval of plans and
specifications or the completion or approval of an inspection shall not be deemed or
construed to be a permit for, or an approval of, any violation of any of the provisions
of this Code. No permit presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the
provisions of this Code shall be valid, except insofar as the work or use which is
authorized is lawful.
Article 85 - Organization and Enforcement.
85-1. Powers and duties of Building Official.
(a) General. The building official is hereby authorized to enforce all the
provisions of this Code. He shall cause a record to be kept of all permits
issued and inspections made.
(b) Deputies. In accordance with prescribed procedures and with the approval
of the appointing authority, the building official may appoint a Chief
Electrical Inspector and other related technical officers and inspectors and
other employees as shall be authorized from time to time. Reference to the
"Inspector" and "Electrical Inspector" in this Code shall mean the Chief
Electrical Inspector or other Electrical Inspectors.
(c) Right of entry. Whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce any
of the provisions of this Code, or whenever the building official or his
authorized representative has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in
any building or upon any premises any condition or violation which makes
such building or premises unsafe, dangerous or hazardous, the building
official or his authorized representative may enter such building or premises at
all reasonable times to inspect the same or to perform any duty imposed upon
the building official by such Codes, provided that if such building or premises
be occupied, he shall first present proper credentials and request entry. If such
building or premises is unoccupied, he shall first make a reasonable effort to
locate the owner or other persons having charge or control of the building or
premises and request entry. If entry be refused, the building official or his
authorized representative shall have recourse to every remedy provided by law
to secure entry. When the building official or his authorized representative
shall have first obtained a proper inspection warrant or other remedy provided
by law to secure entry, no owner or occupant or any other persons having
charge, care or control of any building or premises shall fail or neglect, after
proper request is made as herein provided, to promptly permit entry therein by
the building official or his authorized representative for the purpose of
inspection and examination pursuant to this Code.
(d) Notice. When any order or notice is issued pursuant to the provisions of
this Code to any person who cannot be found after a reasonable search, such
order or notice may be served by posting it in a conspicuous place upon the
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premises occupied by him or upon the premises where the defects are alleged
to exist. Such posting of the notice shall be considered equivalent to personal
service of such order or notice. An order sent by mail in a sealed envelope
with postage prepaid and directed to the address of the electrical contractor,
owner, lessee, or occupant of the premises shall be equivalent to personal
service of such order. Electrical Inspectors are hereby empowered to attach to
the nearest electrical cabinet or equipment feeding defective or hazardous
wiring, any official notice or seal to prevent use of electricity in that area, and
it shall be unlawful for any other person to place or attach such seal, or to
break, change, destroy, tear, mutilate, cover or otherwise deface or injure any
such official notice or seal posted by an Electrical Inspector.
(e) Stop orders. Whenever any work is being done contrary to the provisions
of this Code, the building official may order the work stopped by notice in
writing served on any persons engaged in the doing or causing such work to
be done, and any such persons shall forthwith stop such work until authorized
by the building official to proceed with the work.
(f) Authority to disconnect utilities in emergencies. The building official or
his authorized representative shall have the authority to disconnect any
electric power or energy service supplied to the building, structure or building
service equipment therein regulated by this Code in case of emergency where
necessary to eliminate an immediate hazard to life or property, or, where there
is a violation of the temporary electric connection per section 85-6(b). The
building official shall whenever possible notify the serving utility, the owner
and occupant of the building, structure or building service equipment, in
writing, of such disconnection immediately thereafter.
(g) Authority to condemn electrical system and equipment. Whenever the
building official ascertains that any electrical system or equipment regulated
in this Code has become hazardous to life, health or property, he may order in
writing that such electrical system or equipment either be removed or restored
to a safe condition, whichever is appropriate. The written notice itself shall fix
a time limit for compliance with such order. No person shall use or maintain
defective electrical system or equipment after receiving such notice. When
such equipment or installation is to be disconnected, a written notice of such
disconnection and causes therefor shall be given within 24 hours of the order
to disconnect to the serving utility, the owner and occupant of such building,
structure or premises. When any electrical system or equipment is maintained
in violation of this Code and in violation of any notice issued pursuant to the
provisions of this section, the building official shall institute any appropriate
action to prevent, restrain, correct or abate the violation.
(h) Connection after order to disconnect. No person shall make connections
from any energy or power supply nor supply power to any electrical system or
equipment which has been disconnected or ordered to be disconnected by the
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building official or the use of which has been ordered to be discontinued by
the building official until the building official authorizes the reconnection and
use of such electrical system or equipment.
(i) Liability. The building official, or his authorized representative charged
with the enforcement of this Code, acting in good faith and without malice in
the discharge of his duties, shall not thereby render himself personally liable
for any damage that may accrue to persons or property as a result of any act or
by reason of any act or omission in the discharge of his duties. Any suit
brought against the building official or employee because of such act or
omission performed by him in the enforcement of any provision of this Code
shall be defended by legal counsel provided by this jurisdiction until final
termination of such proceedings. This Code shall not be construed to relieve
from or lessen the responsibility of any person owning, operating or
controlling any building, structure or building service equipment therein for
any damages to persons or property caused by defects, nor shall the Code
enforcement agency or its parent jurisdiction be held as assuming any such
liability by reason of the inspections authorized by the Code or approvals
issued under this Code.
(j) Cooperation of other officials and officers. The building official may
request, and shall receive so far as is required in the discharge of his duties,
the assistance and cooperation of other officials of this jurisdiction.
(k) Appeals. Any person, firm or corporation may file an appeal with the
Chairman of the Building and Standards Commission for review of any
decision of the building official, provided that such appeal is made in writing
within (5) days after notification by the electrical inspector. The Building and
Standards Commission shall meet within a reasonable time following receipt
of such appeal to hear the appeal and render a decision and findings in writing
to the appellant with a duplicate copy to the building official.
85-2. Electrical License and Registration.
(a) Registration required. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or
corporation who is not registered as a qualified electrician in the City of
Coppell to engage in work regulated by this code. Prior to the approval of any
permit to do work regulated by this code, the applicant for such permit must
first register in person with the Building Inspection Department.
(b) Classifications of Electrician Licenses.
(1) Master Electrician. Means a person possessing the necessary
qualifications, training and technical knowledge to plan, lay out, and
supervise the installation, maintenance and extension of electrical
conductors and equipment. This person shall have the authority to order
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the correction of defects or non-complying work installed in violation of
this code.
(2)Master Sign Electrician. Means a person possessing the equivalent
qualifications as a master electrician, but limited to installation of signs
only - no work may be undertaken on the premises' wiring system by this
person, other than the sole connection of a sign to an existing branch
circuit or feeder.
(3) dourneyman Electrician. Means a person possessing the necessary
qualifications, training and technical knowledge to install, maintain and
extend electrical conductors and equipment and capable of doing this work
in accordance with prepared plans and specifications and under the
supervision of a master electrician.
(4) dourneyman Sign Electrician. Means a person possessing the equivalent
qualifications as a journeyman electrician, but limited to the installation of
signs only, under the supervision of a master sign electrician. No work
may be undertaken on the premises' wiring system by this person, other
than the sole connection of a sign to an existing branch circuit or feeder.
(5) Maintenance Electrician. Means a person engaged in the trade of
maintaining the electrical system on premises owned and operated by the
maintenance electrician's employer.
(6) Residential Electrician. Means a person possessing the necessary
qualifications, training, and technical knowledge to install, maintain and
extend electrical conductors and equipment and capable of doing this work
in accordance with prepared plans and specifications and under the
supervision of a master electrician. The scope of work allowed by this
license is limited to residential premises wiring systems of 225 Amperes
or less.
(7) Electrical Contractor. Means a person engaged in the business of
installing, maintaining or extending, by contract, electrical conductors and
equipment. This person shall be a master electrician. An electrical
contractor is the only registered electrician that is allowed to acquire a
permit.
(8) Other license classifications may be recognized if approved by the
Building Official.
(c) Application for Registration. A person, firm, or corporation who desires
to register as an electrician, as classified in section 85-2 (b), in the City of
Coppell shall complete the appropriate application and provide the following
information:
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(1) A current electrical license issued by a municipality and accompanied by a
reciprocal letter or provide evidence of satisfactory performance on an
electrician's certification conducted by the Southern Building Code
Conference International in conjunction with the North Central Texas
Council of Governments.
(2) A form of picture identification.
(3) Business identification to include the business name, business owner(s),
address, and telephone number.
(d) Issuance and Term of Registration. Upon satisfactory completion of the
requirements of Section 85-2 and payment of applicable fees as specified by
the City of Coppell Master Fee Schedule for registration as an electrician, as
classified in section 85-2 (b), the building official may approve such
registration. An approved registration is valid for a period of not more than
one (1) year and shall terminate at the end of each calendar year.
(e) Transfer of Registration. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or
corporation to lend, rent, or transfer an electrical registration issued by the
City of Coppell to another other person firm, or corporation for any
purpose.
(0 Revocation of Registration. An electrical registration issued by the City
of Coppell may be revoked by the building official for the following:
(1) Falsification of any portion of an application for registration with intent to
defraud.
(2) Revocation of an electrical license by a municipality with which the City
of Coppell holds a letter of reciprocity.
(3) Any person, firm or corporation who, after being found guilty in municipal
court of violations of this code, is unwilling to make appropriate
corrections to the satisfaction of the building official or his designee shall
be denied registration as an electrician, as classified in section 85-2 (b).
(4) Transfer of registration as stipulated in Section 85-2 (e) of this code.
(g) Notice of Revocation of Electrical Registration. The building official
shall provide proper notice in writing to the person, firm or corporation
holding a defective electrical registration of the decision to revoke an
electrical registration. Notice shall be deemed effective on the post date of
certified mail and/or acceptance by hand delivery.
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(h) Appeal of Revocation. In the event that any person, firm or corporation
shall appeal the decision of the building official to revoke an electrical
registration, a request for a public hearing of the matter shall be made in
writing to the Chairman of the Building and Standards Commission within
five (5) days of receipt of notice of revocation as specified in Section 85-3 (f).
The Building and Standards Commission shall meet to consider an appeal of
revocation within a reasonable time of receipt of a written request.
(i) False Representation as to Registration Unlawful. It shall be unlawful
for any person, firm, or corporation to represent himself or a business as an
electrician or electrical contractor in the City of Coppell without having first
properly registered with the Building Inspection Department.
(j) Electrical Company Vehicles to Be Marked. All electrical contractors
vehicles engaged in doing work in the City of Coppell shall have signs
permanently affixed to both sides of the vehicle indicating the company name
of the electrical contractor.
(k) Supervision. The actual work of installing, maintaining, altering, or
repairing of electrical work for which a permit is required by this Code shall
have supervision by a licensed master or journeyman electrician as provided
by this Code. In the event the owner of electrical contracting business is not a
licensed master electrician, a master electrician shall be designated by the
owner of such place of business to the building official as the person
responsible for, and supervising, the electrical work done by such electrical
contractor. Such designated master electrician shall be the supervisory
electrician for only one (1) electrical contractor within the city at any one
time. Should such supervision not be constantly provided, the Electrical
Inspector may order the work being done by such electrical contractor to be
discontinued until proper supervision and control has been provided and the
name of the new master electrician disclosed to building official.
(l) License display. Each holder of a master, journeyman or specialist license
shall carry evidence of proper license on his person at all times while doing
electrical work and shall produce and exhibit same when requested by an
Inspector or officer of the City.
85-3. Exception from licensing and registration.
Persons who are not registered electricians may carry out the following
classes of work:
(a) The replacement of lamps, fuses and the connection of portable devices to
suitable receptacles which have been permanently installed.
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(b) The installation, alteration, or repairing of any wiring, devices, or
equipment for signaling, remote control, or the transmission of
information, provided such are inherently power limited and have a
maximum nameplate rating not exceeding one volt-ampere.
(c) The installation, alteration or repair of the electric wiring, devices,
appliances and equipment installed by or for an electrical public service
corporation legally operating in the city when for the use of such
corporation in the generation, transmission, distribution or metering of the
electrical energy or for the use of such a corporation in the operation of
street railways, signals or the transmission of information.
(d) Any work involved in the manufacture or test of electrical materials,
devices, appliances or apparatus, but not including any installation of
wiring other than that required for testing purposes unless such equipment
as complete is approved by the Electrical Inspector before it is installed or
used.
(e) Electrical work done by a property owner in a building owned and
occupied by him and classified as his homestead. Where the electrical
work done by property owner is deemed by the building official to be
hazardous to persons or property, and repairable beyond the skills and
electrical knowledge of the property owner by the building official, or his
authorized representative, the building official may void the permit or
validation obtained by the homeowner. In such an event, the electrical
work shall only be completed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor,
registered with the City of Coppell.
85-4. Permits.
(a) Permits required. Except as specified in Subsection (b) of this section, no
electrical system regulated by this Code shall be installed, altered, repaired,
replaced or remodeled unless a separate electrical permit for each building or
structure has first been obtained from the building official. It shall be
unlawful for any person, firm or corporation who is not registered by the City
as an electrical contractor to secure permits except as provided in Section 85-
3. It shall be unlawful for any person to lend, rent, or transfer an electrical
permit, or permit a person without proper license or registration to do the
work, or for any person to make use of any such permit which is not actually
his own, and any such permit obtained or submitted under these conditions
shall be null and void.
(b) Exempt work. An electrical permit shall not be required for the
following:
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(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
(12)
(13)
Portable motors or other portable appliances energized by means of a
cord or cable having an attachment plug end to be connected to an
approved receptacle when that cord or cable is permitted by this Code.
Repair or replacement of fixed motors, transformers or fixed approved
appliances of the same type and rating in the same location.
Temporary decorative lighting.
Repair or replacement of current-carrying parts of any switch, contractor
or control device.
Reinstallation of attachment plug receptacles, but not the outlets
therefore.
Repair or replacement of any overcurrent device of the required capacity
in the same location.
Repair or replacement of electrodes or transformers of the same size and
capacity for signs or gas tube systems.
Taping joints.
Removal of electrical wiring.
Temporary wiring for experimental purposes in suitable experimental
laboratories.
Electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus or equipment operating
at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts of
energy.
Low-energy power, controls and signal circuits of Classes II and III as
defined in this Code.
A permit shall not be required for the installation, alteration or repair of
electrical wiring, apparatus or equipment or the generation, transmission,
distribution or metering of electrical energy or in the operation of signals
or the transmission of intelligence by a public or private utility in the
exercise of its function as a serving utility.
Exemption from the permit requirements' of this Code shall not be
deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in violation of the
provisions of this Code or any other laws or ordinances.
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(c) Application for permit. To obtain a permit, the applicant shall first file an
application therefore in writing on a form furnished by the City agency for
that purpose.
Every such application shall:
(1) Identify and describe the work to be covered by the permit for which
application is made.
(2)
Describe the land on which the proposed work is to be done by legal
description, street address or similar description that will readily identify
and definitely locate the proposed building or work.
(3) Indicate the use or occupancy for which the proposed work is intended.
(4) Be accompanied by plans, diagrams, computations and specifications
and other data as required in Subsection (D) of this section.
(5) Be signed by permittee, or his authorized agent.
(6) Give such other data and information as may be required by the building
official.
(d) Plans and specifications. With each application for a permit, and where
required by the building official for enforcement of any provision of this
Code, plans, specifications and calculations shall be submitted in the quantity
deemed necessary by the building official. When deemed necessary by the
building official to ensure code compliance, the building official may require
plans and specifications to be prepared and designed by an engineer licensed
by the State of Texas. All drawings, specifications and accompanying data
involved with the practice of engineering, such as structural, mechanical,
plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling, fire, life and safety systems, shall
comply with state and local laws governing the practice of engineering as
required by Article 3271a, Vernon's Annotated Texas Statutes.
(e) Information on plans and specifications. Plans and specifications shall
be drawn to scale upon substantial paper or cloth or otherwise submitted as
electronic media files as may be approved and shall be of sufficient clarity to
indicate the location, nature and extent of the work proposed and show in
detail that it will conform to the provisions of this Code and all relevant laws,
ordinances, rules and regulations.
(0 Permits issuance. The applications, plans and specifications, and other
data, filed by an applicant for permit may be reviewed by other departments of
the City to determine compliance with any applicable laws under their
jurisdiction. If the work described in an application for a permit and the plans,
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specifications and other data filed therewith conforms to the requirements of
this Code and other pertinent laws and ordinances, and the fees specified by
the City of Coppell Master Fee Schedule been paid, the building official may
issue a permit therefore to the applicant. When the building official issues the
permit where plans are required, he shall endorse in writing or stamp the plans
and specifications "APPROVED." Such approved plans and specifications
shall not be changed, modified or altered without authorizations from the
building official, and all work shall be done in accordance with the approved
plans. The building official may issue a permit for the construction of part of
an electrical system before the entire plans and specifications for the whole
system have been submitted or approved, provided adequate information and
detailed statements have been filed complying with all pertinent requirements
of this Code. The holder of such permit shall proceed at his own risk without
assurance that the permit for the entire building, structure or building service
will be granted.
(g) Retention of plans. One set of approved plans and specifications shall be
returned to the applicant and shall be kept on the site of the building or work
at all times during which the work authorized thereby is in progress. One set
of approved plans, specifications and computations shall be retained by the
building official until final approval of the work.
(h) Validity of permit. The issuance of a permit or approval of plans and
specifications shall not be construed to be a permit for, or an approval of, any
violation of any of the provisions of this Code, or of any other ordinance of
the City, nor shall the issuance of a permit or approval of plans be construed
as representing or warranting the safety or lack of defects of any electrical
work described therein. No permit presuming to give authority to violate or
cancel the provisions of these Codes shall be valid. The issuance of a permit
based upon plans, specifications and other data shall not prevent the building
official from thereafter requiring the correction of errors in said plans,
specifications and other data, or from preventing building operations being
carried on thereunder when in violation of these Codes or of any other
ordinances of the City.
(i) Expiration. Every permit issued by the building official under the
provisions of this Code shall expire by limitation and become null and void, if
the building or work authorized by such permit is not commenced within 180
days from the date of such permit, or if the building or work authorized by
such permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after the work is
commenced for a period of 180 days or more. Before such work can be
recommenced, a new permit shall be first obtained and the fee therefore shall
be one-half the amount required for a new permit for such work, provided no
changes have been made or will be made in the original plans and
specifications for such work; and provided further that such suspension or
abandonment has not exceeded one year. In order to renew action on a permit
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after expiration, the permittee shall pay a new full permit fee. Any permittee
holding an unexpired permit may apply for an extension of the time within
which he may commence work under that permit when he is unable to
commence work within the time required by this section for good and
satisfactory reasons. The building official may extend the time for action by
the permittee for a period not exceeding 180 days upon written request by the
permittee showing that circumstances beyond the control of the permittee
have prevented action from being taken. No permit shall be extended more
than once.
(j) Suspension or revocation. The building official may, in writing, suspend
or revoke a permit issued under the provisions of this Code whenever the
permit is issued in error or on the basis of incorrect information supplied, or in
violation of any ordinance or regulation of the City.
(k) Fees. Permit fees shall be levied in the amounts specified by the City of
Coppell, Master Fee Schedule.
85-5. Inspections.
(a) General. All electrical systems and equipment for which a permit is
required by this Code shall be subject to inspection by the building official.
No portion of any electrical system intended to be concealed shall be
concealed until inspected and approved. Neither the building official nor the
City shall be liable for expense entailed in the removal or replacement of any
material necessary to allow inspection. When the installation of an electrical
system and equipment is complete, an additional and final inspection shall be
made. Electrical systems and equipment regulated by this Code shall not be
connected to the energy source until authorized by the building official.
(b) Inspection requests. It shall be the duty of the person doing the work
authorized by a permit to notify the building official that such work is ready
for inspection. The building official may require that every request for
inspection is filed at least one working day before such inspection is desired.
Such request may be in writing or by telephone at the option of the building
official. It shall be the duty of the person requesting inspections required by
this Code to provide access to and means for proper inspection of such work.
(c) Operation of electrical equipment. The requirements of this section
shall not be construed to prohibit the operation of any electrical system or
equipment installed to replace existing equipment. The request for inspection
of such equipment must have been filed with the building official not more
than 48 hours after such replacement work is completed and before any
permanent portion of the building conceals any portion of such electrical
system.
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(d) Other inspections. In addition to the called inspections required by this
Code, the building official may make or require other inspections of any work
to ascertain compliance with the provisions of this Code and other laws which
are enforced by the Code enforcement agency.
(e) Reinspections. A reinspection fee may be assessed for each inspection or
reinspection when such portion of work for which inspection is called is not
complete or when required corrections are not made. This provision is not to
be interpreted as requiring reinspection fees the first time a job is rejected for
failure to comply with the requirements of this Code, but as controlling the
practice of calling for inspections before the job is ready for such inspection
or reinspection or when required corrections are not made. Reinspection fees
may be assessed when the approved plans are not readily available to the
Inspector, for failure to provide access on the date for which inspection is
requested, or for deviating from plans requiring the approval of the building
official. In instances where reinspection fees have been assessed, no
additional inspection of the work will be performed until the required fees
have been paid.
85-6. Service Connections
(a) Connection approval. An electrical system or equipment regulated by
this Code for which a permit is required shall not be connected to a source of
energy or power until approved by the building official.
(b) Temporary connections. The Building official may authorize the
temporary connection of the electrical system or equipment to the source of
energy or power for the purpose of testing the equipment, or for the use under
a temporary Certificate of Occupancy.
(c) Authorized connection. When new electrical meters are installed or
existing electrical meters are to be relocated, the disconnection, connection or
reconnection to the meter shall be made only by authorized employees of the
Texas Utilities Electric Company. Only authorized employees of TXU
Electric Company shall be permitted to make connection between the
customer's service entrance conductors and TXU Electric Company lines.
2. Article 210 shall be amended by amending 210-12, Arc-fault Circuit
Interrupter Protection, to read as follows:
(a) Definitions ......
(b) Dwelling Unit Bedrooms ...... This requirement shall become
effective July 1, 2002.
3. Amend 230-2(a) by adding a sixth special condition, which shall read as
follows:
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230-2. Number of Services ......
(a) Special conditions ......
(6) In supplying electrical service to multi-family dwellings, two or more
laterals or overhead service drops shall be permitted to a building
when both of the following conditions are met:
a. The building has six or more individual gang meters and all meters
are grouped at the same location.
b. Each lateral or overhead service drop originates from the same
point of service.
4. Amend 230-71(a) by adding an exception, which shall read as follows:
230-71. Maximum number of Disconnects.
(a) General ......
Exception: Multi-occupant buildings. Individual service disconnecting
means is limited to six for each occupant. The number of individual
disconnects at one location may exceed six.
5. Amend 250-50 to read as follows:
250-5. Grounding Electrode System .......
Exception: .....
Where a metal underground water pipe, as described in item (a), is not
present, a method of grounding as specified in (b) through (d) below shall be
used.
FPN: .....
6. Amend 250-104(b) to read as follows:
250-104. Bonding of piping systems and exposed structural steel.
X(b) Metal gas piping. Each interior portion of a metal gas piping system
upstream from the equipment shutoff valve shall be electrically continuous
and bonded to the grounding electrode system. The bonding jumper shall be
sized in accordance with Table 250-122 using the rating of the circuit that
may energize the gas piping.
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7. Amend 310-15(b)(6) by adding a sentence to read as follows:
310-15. Ampacities for conductors rated 0-2000 volts.
(b) Tables ......
(6) 120/240-volt, 3-wire, single phase Dwelling Services and Feeders.
..... This Section shall not be used in conjunction with Section 220-30.
8. Amend 336-5(a) to read as follows:
336-5. Uses Not Permitted.
(a) Types NM, NMC and NMS ....
(1) In any non-residential building or structure, or in any multi-family
dwelling or structure.
(2) As a service entrance cable.
(3) Optional Calculation - New restaurants.
This specification shall apply to restaurants regarding new occupancy, new
buildings, change of occupancy in existing buildings, or upgrading existing
buildings to new electrical load requirements."
SECTION 2. If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, phrase or work in this
ordinance, or application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid by any court of
competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this
ordinance, and the City Council of the City of Coppell, Texas hereby declares it would have
enacted such remaining portions despite any such invalidity.
SECTION 3. That the repeal of any ordinance or any portion thereof by the preceding
sections shall not affect or impair any act done or right vested or accrued or any proceeding, suit
or prosecution had or commenced in any cause before such repeal shall take effect; but every
such act done, or right vested or accrued, or proceedings, suit or prosecution had or commenced
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shall remain in full force and effect to all intents or purposes as if such ordinance or part thereof
so repealed shall remain in force.
SECTION 4. That any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of
this ordinance or the Code of Ordinances as amended hereby, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor
and upon conviction in the Municipal Court of the City of Coppell, Texas, shall be subject to a
fine not to exceed the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($:500.00) for each offense, except where a
different penalty has been established by State law for such offense, the penalty shall be that
fixed by State law, and for any offense which is a violation of any provision of law that governs
fu'e safety, zoning or public health and sanitation, including dumping of refuse, the penalty shall
be fine not to exceed the sum of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) for each offense; and each
and every day such offense is continued shall constitute a new and separate offense.
SECTION 5, That this ordinance shall become effective immediately fi-om and after its
passage and the publication of the caption, as the law and charter in such cases provide.
DULY PASSED by the City Council of Coppell, Texas, this the 23rd day
of April, 2002.
CANDY SHEEHAN, MAYOR
LIBBY BALL, CITY SECRETARY
~ROBERT HAGER,CITY ATTORNEY
(P. lm~cab 4~16t02 [Rev. l)
Pag~ 2O