Chapter 14.20
ELECTRICAL CODE
Sections
14.20.010 Short title.
14.20.020 Adoption of codes.
14.20.030 Purpose.
14.20.040 License requirements.
14.20.050 Permit requirements.
14.20.060 Inspections.
14.20.070 Unsafe conditions.
14.20.080 Stop work orders.
14.20.090 Plan review for educational, institutional health care facilities and other buildings.
14.20.100 Permitting, penalty, and investigation fees.
14.20.110 WAC 296-46B-010 amended – General.
14.20.120 WAC 296-46B-100(21) amended – General definitions.
14.20.130 WAC 296-46B-550(001)(1) amended – Special occupancies – Mobile homes, manufactured homes and mobile home parks.
14.20.140 WAC 296-46B-900(7) amended – Electrical work permit and fees.
14.20.010 Short title.
This chapter is known as and may be referred to as the Des Moines electrical code. [Ord. 1407 § 90, 2007.]
14.20.020 Adoption of codes.
Except as amended, added to, or excepted in this chapter, WAC 296-46B-010 through 296-46B-900(1) through (7), (10) through (12) and 296-46B-901(1) through (13), and (16) and (17) – National Electrical Code (NEC) are adopted by reference as presently constituted or as may be subsequently amended, added to, or excepted as though fully set forth in this chapter. [Ord. 1407 § 91, 2007.]
14.20.030 Purpose.
The purpose of the electrical code, as amended and adopted, is the practical safeguarding of persons, property, and buildings from hazards arising from the use of electricity. The electrical code contains provisions considered necessary for safety. Compliance therewith and proper maintenance will result in an installation essentially free of hazard, but not necessarily efficient, convenient or adequate for good service or future expansion of electrical service. It is not intended to create a special relationship with any individual, or individuals, or to identify and protect any particular class of persons. The electrical code is not intended as a design specification or an instruction manual for untrained persons. [Ord. 1407 § 92, 2007.]
14.20.040 License requirements.
All persons and firms performing electrical work within the city limits of Des Moines shall be certified and licensed or otherwise permitted to perform such work under the provisions of chapter 19.28 RCW. [Ord. 1407 § 93, 2007.]
14.20.050 Permit requirements.
(1) An electrical permit application shall be filled in completely and accurately before it will be accepted by the city.
(2) Electrical permits shall expire one year after the date of issue or one year after the most recent inspection.
(3) The permit holder is responsible for providing or arranging access to the work to be inspected.
(4) The inspection address shall be clearly visible from the street.
(5) Electrical code violations identified by the inspector shall be posted at the work location. Violations shall be corrected within 15 days of notification unless a written request for extension is made by the applicant and granted by the chief electrical inspector.
(6) Requirement for License. No electrical permit shall be issued to an applicant who is engaging in, conducting or carrying on the business of installing wires or equipment to convey electric current or of installing apparatus to be operated by electric current unless the applicant possesses a valid state of Washington license as required by chapter 19.28 RCW. The licensed installer responsible for the work shall be identified on the electrical permit.
Exception: Persons not possessing a license may obtain an electrical permit to do electrical work at a residence, farm, place of business or other property that they own as described in RCW 19.28.261.
(7) An electrical work permit is required for the installation, alteration, or maintenance of all electrical systems or equipment except for:
(a) Travel trailers;
(b) Electrical work which includes the like-in-kind replacement of a: contactor, relay, timer, starter, circuit board, or similar control component; household appliance; circuit breaker; fuse; residential luminaire; lamp; snap switch; dimmer; receptacle outlet; thermostat; heating element; luminaire ballast with an exact same ballast; component(s) of electric signs, outline lighting, skeleton neon tubing when replaced on site by an appropriate electrical contractor and when the sign, outline lighting or skeleton neon tubing electrical system is not modified; 10 horsepower or smaller motor; and induction detection loops described in WAC 296-46B-300(2) and used to control gate access devices;
(c) Heat cable repair and embedding pre-manufactured heat mats in tile grout where the mat is listed by an approved testing laboratory and comes from the manufacturer with pre-connected lead-in conductors. All listing marks and lead-in conductor labels must be left intact and visible for evaluation and inspection by the installing electrician and the electrical inspector;
(d) Unless specifically noted, the exemptions listed do not include: The replacement of an equipment unit that contains multiple components (e.g., an electrical furnace/heat pump, industrial milling machine, etc.). [Ord. 1407 § 94, 2007.]
14.20.060 Inspections.
(1) The installation, alteration, or extension of any electrical system, fixture, or components for which a permit is required by this code shall be subject to inspection by the building official and such electrical systems, fixtures and components shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved by the building official. It shall be the duty of the permit applicant to cause the electrical systems to remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes.
(2) The city shall not be liable for expenses entailed in the removal or replacement of material required to permit inspection.
(3) Cables or raceways, finished according to the NEC, do not require visual inspection.
(4) Electrical systems and equipment regulated by the electrical code shall not be connected to the energy source until authorized by the building official.
(5) Approval as a result of an inspection shall not be construed to be an approval by the city of a violation of the provisions of the electrical code.
(6) An inspector shall have the right to enter any and all buildings and premises which contain electrical wiring or apparatus, at any reasonable hour, for the purpose of inspecting or testing the installation of electrical wiring, electrical devices, or electric materials. [Ord. 1407 § 95, 2007.]
14.20.070 Unsafe conditions.
(1) The building official may inspect any new or existing electrical installation or equipment, and if the installation or equipment is found to be maintained or used in an unsafe condition or found to be in violation of this code, the building official is authorized to serve upon the owner or user a notice or order requiring correction. Any person served such notice who fails to comply with the order therein shall be in violation of this chapter and subject to the investigation fees and penalties provided in this code.
(2) Whenever the building official finds that any building or structure, or portion thereof, is in such a dangerous and unsafe condition as to constitute an imminent hazard to life or limb, the building official may issue an emergency order directing that the building or structure, or portion thereof, be restored to a safe condition. The order shall specify the time for compliance. The order may also require that the building or structure, or portion thereof, be vacated within a reasonable time, to be specified in the order.
(3) In the case of extreme danger, the order may specify immediate vacation of the building or structure, or may authorize disconnection of the utilities or energy source. No person shall occupy the building or structure, or portion thereof, after the date on which it is required to be vacated until it is restored to a safe condition as required by the order and this code, and a final inspection is made.
(4) It shall be unlawful for any person to fail to comply with an emergency order issued by the building official. [Ord. 1407 § 96, 2007.]
14.20.080 Stop work orders.
(1) Whenever any installation, alteration, repair or removal of electrical work is being done contrary to the provisions of this code, or in the event of dangerous or unsafe conditions related to electrical work, the building official may order the affected work stopped and a notice describing the violation in writing shall be posted on the premises or served on any person responsible for the condition or work.
(2) After a stop work order it shall be unlawful for any person to engage in or cause any further work to be done until authorization from the building official is received.
(3) The building official shall have the authority to disconnect or order discontinuance of any utility service or energy supply to buildings, structures, or equipment in cases of emergency.
(4) The building official may enter any building or premises to disconnect utility service or energy supply. Utility service shall be discontinued until the equipment, appliances, devices or wiring found to be defective or defectively installed are removed or restored to a safe condition and inspected according to this code.
(5) It shall be unlawful for any person to reconnect any electrical equipment that has been disconnected by the building official until the equipment has been placed in a safe condition and approved by the building official.
(6) It shall be unlawful for any person to remove, mutilate, destroy, or conceal any lawful notice issued or posted by the building official pursuant to the provisions of this code.
(7) The building official may record a copy of any order or notice with the department of records and elections of King County. The building official may record with the department of records and elections of King County a notification that a permit has expired without a final inspection after reasonable efforts have been made to obtain a final inspection. [Ord. 1407 § 97, 2007.]
14.20.090 Plan review for educational, institutional health care facilities and other buildings.
Plan review is required for all commercial and multifamily projects.
Exception: Projects of 30 amps or less added load do not require plan review. Low voltage systems do not require plan review above that required by the fire marshal for fire alarm systems.
When a review is required, the electrical plan must be submitted for review and approval before the electrical work is begun.
Information on plans and specifications shall include the following:
(1) The type of occupancy and a complete scope of work;
(2) A complete riser and one line diagram to include all service, feeder, and grounding connections;
(3) Clear identification of all circuitry, to include but not be limited to: circuit numbers, wire sizes, insulation types, conduit sizes, and types;
(4) A complete set of switchboard and panel schedules. These shall include all load calculations and demand factors used for computation;
(5) A complete project load summary to include existing loads as computed in accordance with NEC Article 220 and all added loads. Electrical calculations, heat loss calculations, and lighting summaries may be submitted on separate computation sheets;
(6) Fault current calculations and the listed interrupting rating of all feeder and service equipment;
(7) Voltage characteristics of all electrical systems and equipment;
(8) A key to all symbols used;
(9) A schedule showing all pertinent luminaire information; and
(10) Any other information as may be required by the plans examiner.
All electrical plans for educational facilities, hospitals and nursing homes must be prepared by, or under the direction of, a consulting engineer registered under chapter 18.43 RCW, and chapters 246-320, 180-29, and 388-97 WAC and stamped with the engineer’s mark and signature. [Ord. 1407 § 98, 2007.]
14.20.100 Permitting, penalty, and investigation fees.
(1) The following described penalties may be assessed, or the described fee adjustments may be determined appropriate by order of the building official:
(a) Trips made when the permit holder has given notice that work is ready for inspection when it is not shall be assessed a penalty fee in an amount established and approved by the city manager;
(b) More than one additional required inspection to inspect corrections as a result of carelessness, neglect, faulty workmanship, or materials shall be assessed a penalty fee in an amount established and approved by the city manager;
(c) Failing to complete corrections within 15 days as required by this chapter will constitute a violation of the electrical code and the permit holder will be assessed a penalty fee in an amount established and approved by the city manager. This amount shall again be added to the original penalty fee in a cumulative action every 15 days thereafter until all corrections are made and the inspection approved;
(d) Work performed without benefit of an approved permit shall be assessed a penalty fee equal to at least double the amount of the regular permit fee, but having a minimum assessment of an amount established by the city manager.
Exception. This provision does not pertain to emergency work where a permit is purchased the next business day.
(2) Penalty fees are due at the time of assessment. [Ord. 1407 § 99, 2007.]
14.20.110 WAC 296-46B-010 amended – General.
WAC 296-46B-010 is amended and supplemented to read as follows:
Other codes, manuals, and reference works referred to in this chapter are available for inspection and review in the City of Des Moines Building Division office during business hours.
[Ord. 1407 § 100, 2007.]
14.20.120 WAC 296-46B-100(21) amended – General definitions.
WAC 296-46B-100(21) is amended and supplemented to read as follows:
Department shall be defined as the Building Division of the City of Des Moines.
[Ord. 1407 § 101, 2007.]
14.20.130 WAC 296-46B-550(001)(1) amended – Special occupancies – Mobile homes, manufactured homes and mobile home parks.
WAC 296-46B-550(001)(1) is amended and supplemented to read as follows:
(1) All alterations to the mobile/manufactured home electrical system must be permitted and inspected by the factory assembled structures section of the Department of Labor and Industries. Electrical wiring in structures that are attached to the mobile/manufactured home and for which the source of power is from the mobile/manufactured home is inspected by the factory assembled structures section of the Department of Labor and Industries.
[Ord. 1407 § 102, 2007.]
14.20.140 WAC 296-46B-900(7) amended – Electrical work permit and fees.
WAC 296-46B-900(7) is amended and supplemented to read as follows:
Fees must be paid in accordance with the inspection fee schedule set by the Des Moines City Manager.
[Ord. 1407 § 103, 2007.]