HomeMy WebLinkAbout20000ORDINANCE NO. 20,000
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND RECODIFYING
CHAPTER 8 OF THE LITTLE ROCK ARKANSAS
REVISED CODE (1988) CONCERNING
ELECTRICAL CODE REQUIREMENTS; AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, the Building Codes staff has met on numerous occasions to review
and discuss the current provisions of the electrical code as they relate to new and existing
conditions in structures and other related electrical installations; and
WHEREAS, the Building Codes staff has developed the following set of
amendments to the Electrical Code which are recommended for adoption by the Little
Rock Board of Directors in order to strengthen and clarify standards of code compliance
for all electrical installations in the City; and
WHEREAS, such amendments are appropriate and necessary for the health,
safety and welfare of our citizens.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS:
SECTION 1. - DIVISION 2.
LRC Section 8 -102 shall be removed from reserve and read as follows:
Section 8 -102. Duties of the Electrical Inspectors
It shall be the duty of the Electrical Inspectors to inspect all electrical systems for
compliance with this Code and all other Codes having jurisdiction in all buildings, old or
new, to include underground and overhead service lines, private or public, where such
buildings the underground or overhead service lines are located within the inspection
limits of the City of Little Rock Arkansas,
LRC Section 8 -103 shall be removed from reserve and read as follows:
Section 8 -103. Inspector's Right of Entry
Should the inspectors be denied entry to any building that they have reason to believe an
unsafe or hazardous situation may exist; the inspector shall have the authority to call
upon the Little Rock Police Department for aid and assistance in securing warrants for
the right to enter and inspect such buildings.
LRC Section 8 -104 shall be removed from reserve and read as follows:
Section 8 -104. Limitations of the Electrical Inspectors
The Electrical Inspectors shall not be interested in any business engaged in electrical
systems or the sale of same or any part thereof either directly or indirectly in the City of
Little Rock.
Section 8- 105 -120. Reserved.
LRC Section 8- 147(b) is hereby amended by deleting this section and the
following language substituted therefore:
(b) A permit may be issued to a property owner to do work on their own home
provided they have a current State of Arkansas master or journeyman electrician's
license or be accessed a thirty -five dollar ($35.00) consultation fee. A
homeowner desiring to be eligible for a permit must show proof that they own the
home, and resides or will reside in the structure after completion. Prior to being
issued an electrical permit and without an electrical license, a homeowner must
consult with the Electrical Inspections Supervisor or his agent, regarding the
proposed project and the applicant's level of competency before the electrical
permit will be issued. The applicant will sign a statement of agreement to comply
with all applicable electrical codes. The consultation fee is not refundable if the
applicant is deemed not competent for the work intended. If two consecutive
inspections for the same work is rejected or the Electrical Inspections Supervisor
or his designated inspector determines in their professional expertise that the
homeowner is not competent to satisfy the electrical code they may require that a
licensed electrician be obtained to complete the proposed electrical work.
LRC Section 8 -151 is hereby deleted and the following language substituted
therefore:
Section 8 -151. Permit and Inspection Fees
The fee schedules for electrical permits and inspections shall be assessed as set forth by
the City of Little Rock Board of Directors as set forth in LRC 8 -31 II Electrical Permit
Fees.
LRC Section 8 -152 shall be removed from reserve and read as follows:
Section 8 -152. Temporary Power Requirements.
Before any power supplied to the permanent distribution system for a building under
construction, written notice must be submitted to this office noting the length of time the
temporary power will be needed before the final electrical inspection is made, the
understanding that the structure will not be occupied until after the final inspection, and
that the party submitting the request will assume liability of any damage incurred as a
result of disconnection of power from the building as a result of a violation of this article.
The time limit on temporary power being furnished to the building will be determined on
the basis of need, not to exceed thirty (30) days. An extension of time may be granted
only by special permission.
added:
LRC Section 8 -153 shall be removed from reserve and the following language
Section 8 -153. Work with no permit.
In case it shall be discovered that any electrical work has been installed or put in use for
which no permit has been issued, the violator shall pay a fee equal to three (3) times the
permit fee which shall have been paid for work done in violation thereof and no
additional permits shall be granted until all fees have been paid.
added:
LRC Section 8 -154 shall be removed from reserve and the following language
Section 8 -154. Bond Required.
Prior to issuance of an electrical permit, a surety bond shall be required in the amount of
$10,000 to the City of Little Rock per Ordinance # 17,777.
added:
LRC Section 8 -155 shall be removed from reserve and the following language
Section 8 -155. Installations Where Several Persons are Concerned.
On installations where several persons are concerned with the installation of electric
conductors or appliances, each party shall be required to pay the fees established for such
work.
added:
LRC Section 8 -156 shall be removed from reserve and the following language
Section 8 -156. Projects Consisting of More Than One Structure.
When a project consists of more than one (1) structure, each separate structure shall have
a separate electrical permit. For purposes of determining whether separate permits are
needed, buildings not having common attic space connected only by a canopy walkway
or similar connections shall be deemed to be a separate building.
Section 8 -157 — 8 -170 Reserved.
SECTION 2 — DIVISION 3
LRC Section 8 -171 is hereby deleted and the following language substituted
therefore:
Section 8 -172. National Electrical Code - Adopted
The current adopted edition of the "National Electrical" and the "International
Residential Code" is adopted by reference. In the event of a conflict between such
publication and the provisions of this article, the provisions of this article shall take
preference.
LRC 8- 176(e) is hereby amended by adding two new paragraphs with the
following language:
(5) The circuit supplying a hydro massage bathtub shall be a separate circuit
that is protected by a readily accessible GFCI protection device.
(6) The circuit supplying heat in a dwelling bathroom must be a separate
circuit.
LRC 8 -176 (1)(3) is hereby deleted and the following language substituted
therefore:
(3) Neutrals shall not be de- rated.
LRC 8- 176(k)(2) is hereby deleted and the following language substituted
therefore:
(2) One and two family dwelling service entrance switches and meter loops
shall be located in readily accessible places on the exterior of the structure
or other approved outside location. The height of the meter sockets shall
not be less than five feet (5') or more than six and one half feet (6v2') to
the bottom of the socket. Special permission may be granted for stacked
meters. When services for commercial or industrial buildings are located
immediately inside the building, there shall be an outside personnel door
with signage on the outside that indicates the location of the main switch.
LRC 8- 176(k)(3) is hereby amended and the following language substituted
therefore:
(3) Service from the meter to the point of service entrance shall be installed in
rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit or rigid nonmetallic
conduit. In one and two family dwellings only, SE cable with approved
cable seals, weather heads and lock -over clips may be installed as service
risers. The feeders from the main disconnect to the branch circuit panels
shall be installed in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit,
electrical metallic tubing, flexible metal conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit
or approved nonmetallic cable. Busways installed horizontally inside
buildings must be identified for outdoor, wet locations or protection must
be provided to avoid damage to the busway from condensation, leaks, or
breaks in foreign systems.
LRC Section 8- 176(o) is hereby amended by deleting this section and the
following language substituted therefore:
(o) All outdoor convenience receptacle outlets shall be GFCI protected.
LRC Section 8 -176 is hereby amended by adding a new paragraph:
(p) One and two family dwellings shall be bonded with a bonding conductor
installed from the service enclosure to the water heater with a jumper from
the cold -water side to the hot water side. The gashouse piping shall be
bonded from the service enclosure to the house side of the gas meter on
the outside of the house. The connections to the piping shall be
accessible. Each installation may be separate or continuous from the
service enclosure to the water and gas piping. A minimum size conductor
of # 6 copper shall be required. All other bonding shall be done in strict
compliance with the National Electrical Code.
SECTION 3 — DIVISION 4
LRC Section 8 -198 (a) EXCEPTION # 2 and (b) are hereby deleted.
LRC Section 8 -199 (a) and (b) are hereby deleted and the following language
substituted therefore:
Section 8 -199. Specialist Sign Electrical License.
Specialist Sign licenses will no longer be issued as of the effective date of this ordinance.
Holders of the 2008 Specialist Sign License shall be allowed to engage in installing
electrical signs and purchasing electrical permits until one (1) year from the effective date
of this ordinance. After one (1) year from the effective date of this ordinance the
electrical installation of signs shall be regulated and be the same as that set forth by the
Board of Electrical Examiners of the State of Arkansas. This section will then be deleted
and reserved.
LRC Section 8 -203 is hereby deleted and this section reserved.
LRC Section 8 -204 is hereby amended by deleting this section and the following
language substituted therefore:
Section 8 -204. Suspension or revocation.
The Electrical Inspections Supervisor may suspend or revoke the privileges of anyone,
licensed by the State Board of Electrical Examiners of the State of Arkansas, to be issued
electrical permits or do electrical work in the City of Little Rock for any violation of the
terms of this article or any ordinance governing the installation or inspection of electrical
work.
SECTION 4. All Ordinances or parts of Ordinances in conflict with this
provision are hereby repealed to the extent of the conflict.
SECTION 5. Severability. In the event any title, section, paragraph, item,
sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this ordinance is declared or adjudged to be invalid or
unconstitutional, such declaration or adjudication shall not affect the remaining portions of
this ordinance, which shall remain in full force and effect as if the portion so declared or
adjudged invalid or unconstitutional was not originally a part of this ordinance.
SECTION 6. Code Application. Permits obtained prior to the effective date of
this ordinance will be enforced under the previous adopted code till final disposition of
the permit.
SECTION 7. Repealer. All laws, ordinances, resolutions, or parts of the same
that are inconsistent with the provisions of this ordinance ark hereby repealed to the
extent of such inconsistency.
SECTION 8. Effective date of this Ordinance shall be September 1, 2008.
PASSED: July 15, 2008
ATTEST:
Nahaki S. Blocker, Assistant City Clerk
For Nancy Wood, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Tom Carpenter, City Atto ey
APPROVED:
11'k L,
Mark Stodola, Mayor