Article III. Electrical


5.04.160 Electrical code adopted.

The edition of the National Electric Code, which shall be the most recently adopted by the South Carolina Building Codes Council, as recommended by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70, is adopted as the minimum standard for the installation of all electrical wiring, devices and equipment in the city, except as otherwise specifically provided in this article, and is made a part of this article as fully and to the same extent as if copied herein full. A copy of the code is on file in the office of the fire chief. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of the electrical code and the provisions of this code, state law or ordinances, rules or regulations, the provisions of this code, state law or ordinances, rules or regulations shall prevail, and be controlling.

(Ord. O-8-96 § 1, 1996; Ord. O-10-93 § 4 (part), 1993; Ord. 09-92, 1992; prior code § 5-1-21)

(Ord. O-03-08, 3-20-2008; Ord. No. O-14-13, 11-21-2013)

5.04.170 Approval of electrical devices, materials and appliances.

This article shall require that all electrical devices, materials or appliances designed for attachment or installation on any electrical circuit or system for light, heat or power shall not be sold, offered for sale, installed or used unless they shall be approved by the Under-writer's Laboratory, Incorporated, or unless they shall have been submitted to and approved by the electrical inspector as safe to life and property.

(Prior code § 5-1-22)

5.04.180 License to install electrical wiring or appliances—Required generally—Exceptions—Qualifications of applicant.

(a)

Before any person engages in the business of installing electrical wiring or appliances in any building or structure in the city, he shall first have applied for and obtained from the appropriate state agency a license as an electrical contractor.

(b)

This article shall not require a license for performance of any kind of electrical wiring installation upon any property by (i) the owner, or (ii) by or for public utility corporations subject to regulation by the duly constituted authorities of the commission, and where such property is required as a part of the plant of any such corporation and is so utilized in rendering its services to the public; or (iii) by or for mechanical contractors installing equipment with automatic controls and requiring interwiring. Permits shall be secured, however, and all such work shall be inspected as provided hereinafter. The word "owner" as used in this section shall not include any contractor employed by the owner; nor shall the wording in this section be interpreted so as to abrogate or in any way modify the permit, inspection or any other sections and provisions of this article; nor shall the relief from licensing provided by this section apply to a builder, developer or contractor engaged in the construction of buildings for resale.

(Prior code § 5-1-23)

5.04.190 Permit to do electrical work—Required generally—Application—Annual permit.

No electrical wiring, devices, appliances or equipment shall be installed within or on any building, structure or premises, nor shall any alteration or addition be made in such existing wiring, devices, appliances or equipment without first securing a permit therefor from the county electrical inspector or his assistants authorized to issue such permits. Applications for permits shall be made on forms provided for such purpose by the electrical inspector, who is authorized to issue in lieu of individual permits an annual permit upon application therefor to any person regularly employing one or more maintenance electricians for the maintenance of electric wiring, devices, appliances and equipment relating to operation and maintenance and to process-related construction, alteration or modification on the premises occupied by the applicant. A person to whom an annual permit is issued shall be entitled to a periodic inspection or special inspection upon request. Annual permits shall expire on December 31 of the year in which issued.

(Prior code § 5-1-24)

5.04.200 Same—Exemptions.

The electrical inspector shall not require permits for:

(1)

The replacement of lamps;

(2)

The connection of portable devices to suitable receptacles which have been permanently installed;

(3)

The installation, alteration or repair of wiring, devices, appliances or equipment for the operation of signals or the transmission of intelligence; or

(4)

Public service corporations for the installation of equipment necessary in the generation, transmission and distribution of electric energy.

(Prior code § 5-1-25)

5.04.210 Same fees.

(a)

Any person making application for a permit for the installation or alteration or maintenance of electrical wiring, devices, appliances or equipment shall pay to the Greenville County permits office a fee in such amount as established from time to time by the county council.

(b)

When extra inspections are made necessary for reasons of defective work or otherwise through fault or error on the part of the permit holder, or on the part of his employees after the notice has been given in writing by the electrical inspector setting forth the violation, only one such extra inspection shall be made under the regular permit fees, and for each and every visit or inspection for which the permit holder or his employee is entirely responsible, additional fees shall be charged in accordance with the fee schedule adopted by the county council.

(Prior code § 5-1-26)

5.04.220 Certificate of approval—Notice to utility.

(a)

After each required inspection, a notice shall be given to the permit holder as to approval or disapproval, with a listing of required corrections if any are required. Electrical wiring shall not be covered or concealed until after such work has been approved. Inspection shall be made by the county electrical inspector upon request for inspection by the contractor. If the notice indicates that corrections are needed, such corrections shall be made forthwith and the electrical inspector notified and a reinspection requested.

(b)

Upon final inspection of the electrical wiring and in compliance with this code, a certificate of approval, if required, shall be issued to the permit holder notifying him of such approval. It is unlawful for any person to connect or reconnect any installation of electrical wiring, devices, appliances or equipment to a source of supply until a certificate of approval authorizing such connection has been issued by the electrical inspector or unless a temporary release has been issued.

(c)

When, in a building the construction necessitates that connection of the permanent service or source of supply be made prior to the final inspection, a temporary release may be requested by the permit holder and be issued by the electrical inspector, with notification given of a temporary release to the utility. Such release is of a temporary nature and shall be superseded by a final inspection and a certificate of approval.

(Prior code § 5-1-27)

5.04.230 Revocation of permits or approvals.

The county electrical inspector may revoke a permit or approval issued under the provisions of this article where there has been any false statement or misrepresentation as to a material fact in the application or plan on which the permit or approval was based.

(Prior code § 5-1-28)

5.04.240 Liability of electrical inspector or city official for damages.

No county electrical inspector or city official charged with the enforcement of this article, acting for the city in the discharge of his duties, shall thereby render himself liable personally, and he is hereby relieved from all personal liability for any damage that may accrue to person or property as a result of any act required or permitted in the discharge of his duties. Any suit brought against the inspector or other city official because of any act performed by them in the enforcement of any provision of this article shall be defended by the city attorney at city expense until the final determination of proceedings.

(Prior code § 5-1-29)

5.04.250 Enforcement of article—Right of entry of electrical inspector.

The county electrical inspector shall enforce the provisions of this article, and he, or his duly authorized representative, may enter any building, structure or premises in the city to perform any duty imposed upon him by this article.

(Prior code § 5-1-30)

5.04.260 Requirements not covered by code.

Any requirement necessary for a safe, adequate, mechanical-like electrical installation not specifically covered by this code, shall be determined by the electrical inspector and enforced.

(Prior code § 5-1-31)