Evening star., 1952-03-19
Council Adopts
Electrical Code
For All Areas
Requires Permit
And Inspection
Of installations


The first countrywide electrical
code, Standardizing minimum re-
quirements and fees for installa-
tion permits and inspections. was
adopted yesterday by the Mont
gomery County Council.
The code supplantS regulations
formerly enforced by the Mary
land-National Capital Park and
Planning Commission in the lower
county area.
The Council also Endorsed a
Senate bill to authorize an Inter-
state Commerce Commission sur
vey Of transportation in the
Metropolitan Washington area.
It urged, however, that the ICC
be given a definite date by which
to complete the study.
The county several months ago
took over electrical inspection and
issuance of permits. Councilman
George Nesbitt pointed out, how
ever, there had been practically
no enforcement Of regulations in
the upper county.
The ordinance applies to all
electrical equipment and its in
Stallation for light, heat or power
within public or private buildings,
yards. carnivals and parking lots.
Utilities Exempted.
Omitted from the regulations
are installations by or for power,
railway, telegraph, telephone and
street railway companies.
The code, in general, represents
change from a set Of local spe-
ciflcations to regulations contained
in the national electrical code OF
the National Fire Protection As
Sociation and the standards for
electrical equipment established
by the Underwriters Laboratories,
Inc.
The code prohibits installation
of electrical equipment by any
person without first obtaining per-
mits, ranging in cost from 81
to $12.
Private citizens must obtain
permits before installing such ap-
pliances as ovens, furnaces,
clothes driers. electric ranges,
garbage disposal units, dishwash-
ers, hot-water heaters, ceiling
fans, film projectors, lighting fix
lures and doorbellS.
A minimum charge Of 81 also
must be paid for inspection after
installation.
Provides S100 Fine.
The code provides that violators
shall be fined not more than 500
or jailed for not more than six
months.
Under the new code. no permit
is required to repair portable elec-
trical equipment or lighting fix
lures, or to repair or replace re-
ceptahles or snap switches.
The Council also heard George
B. Moreland. jr., director Of
county libraries, report on prog
ress Of the library program.
Mr.. Moreland said that, in the
first four weeks Of operation Of
the three bookmobiles, 5000
books were distributed. He added
the bookmobileS stimulated use Of
regular libraries 81 per cent in the
first two months Of 1852 over that
in the same period last year.
The Council granted a leave
Of absence to DR.. v. L. Ellicott.
county health officer, to accept a
World Health Organization fell
lowship to study health services
for the aged and chronically i'll
in England and Denmark.
For 3-Month Study.
DR.. Ellicott, county health off,
Ger for 20 years, will spend three
months on the study.
The county yesterday approved
appointment Of Police Sergt.
Charles 0. Seek to the CommiS-
sion for Youth for a three-year
term.
Following the appointment,
Councilman Harold Hammond
asked the clerk to the Council to
prepare a list Of county employees
serving on various advisory COM
missions.
The Council also announced its
dog vaccination program will be
continued until April, 1858.
A public hearing was set for 4
pm. April 8, at the Council hear.
ing room in Rockville on a pro-
posed street improvement in the
Woodmoor subdivision.
y The project would cost an esti-
mated $685. and would include
sidewalks, curbing and cutters.
Assessment Of $7.97 per foot 'front.'
age was estimated for abuttine
property owners.