§ 5-85. Authority to inspect; condemnation of hazardous wiring or equipment.

(a)

The city electrical inspector is hereby empowered to inspect or reinspect at his option, all interior wires and apparatus, conducting or using electric current for lights, heat, or power, and when such conductors or apparatus are found to be unsafe to life or property, he shall notify the person owning, using or operating them to place same in safe and secure conditions within twenty-four (24) hours, or within such further time as the city electrical inspector shall determine necessary.

(b)

Whenever any wiring, apparatus or fixtures conducting or using current for lights, heat or power is found upon inspection by the city electrical inspector or one (1) of his duly authorized assistants to be especially or immediately hazardous to life and property, the city electrical inspector shall immediately open the switch or circuit breaker controlling the supply of current to such wiring, apparatus or fixture, and shall post in a conspicuous place near such switch or circuit breaker, a notice, printed in red letters reading as follows:

"Notice: Wiring Condemned. The use of electric current is prohibited through this wiring or equipment until proper repairs have been made and approved by the city electrical inspector. Repairs must be made by a licensed electrician and the city electrical inspector must be notified."

(c)

After such notice is posted as provided in the foregoing paragraph, no person shall close the switch or circuit breaker which has been opened by the city electrical inspector, nor use, nor attempt to use any current through such wiring, apparatus or fixtures which have been condemned until necessary repairs have been made and approved by the city electrical inspector.

(d)

Any person failing or refusing to comply with the restrictions of this section shall be subject to the penalty provided for in section 1-13 of this Code.

(e)

The electrical inspector, or competent person delegated by the Building Official, shall have the right, at any time, to enter any building, manhole or structure in the discharge of his official duties.

(f)

It shall be unlawful for any person to hinder or interfere with the electrical inspector in the discharge of his duties under this article.

(g)

Every person, before engaging in the business of electrical construction or contracting, shall obtain a business tax receipt as required by section 9-26 and shall obtain a certificate of registration as an electrical contractor prior to any contracting within the city.

(h)

The city electrical inspector may give temporary permission to connect and furnish electric current to any wiring apparatus, or fixtures for a period not exceeding ninety (90) days. For the purpose of equipment operational checks and justified requirements.

(i)

It shall be unlawful for any person to conceal any electrical wiring or equipment until proper electrical inspection has been performed.

(j)

It shall be unlawful for any person furnishing electric current for lights, heat or power to connect his distributing system with any installation of wiring apparatus or fixtures within the corporate limits of the city without having first received permission from the city electrical inspector.

(Ord. No. 93-31, 10-11-93; Ord. No. O-07-28, § 3, 3-12-07)