Source: https://ecode360.com/13780136
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 07:01:27+00:00

Document:
§ 8-103.1 Intent and purpose; findings.
§ 8-103.2 Adoption of standards.
§ 8-103.3 Administration and enforcement.
§ 8-103.6 Inspection and approval prior to connection.
§ 8-103.9 Licensing requirements; fees.
§ 8-103.10 Issuance of license.
§ 8-103.11 Licensing examination; fees.
§ 8-103.12 Reexamination; fees; inactive licenses.
§ 8-103.13 License reprimand, suspension and revocation.
§ 8-103.14 Electrical Code Advisory and Licensing Board; applicant qualifications.
§ 8-103.15 Permit requirements; fees.
Adoption by reference: see Optional Third Class City Charter Law § 608 [53 P.S. § 41608(a)]; Third Class City Code § 2403(67) [53 P.S. § 37403(67)].
Emergency orders and appeals: see Ch. 8-301.
Requiring underground electric wires: see Third Class City Code § 2403(50) [53 P.S. § 37403(50)].
It is the intent and purpose of this chapter to adopt a modern electrical code which will prescribe effective standards and minimum requirements for the safeguarding of persons and buildings located in the City and their contents from hazards arising from the use of electricity for light, heat, power, radio signaling, low-voltage electrical communications, as well as other purposes related thereto.
Council finds that the performance of electrical and low-voltage electrical cabling work in the City involves a potentially serious hazard to the health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the City, and that it is necessary to regulate and license persons engaged in such electrical and low-voltage electrical cabling work.
In accordance with Section 608 of the Optional Third Class City Charter Law, Act of July 15, 1957, P.L. 901, as amended, 53 P.S. § 41608, and Section 4130 of the Third Class City Code, Act of June 23, 1931, as amended, 53 P.S. § 39130(b), there is hereby adopted by the City, for the purpose of prescribing specifications and standards in order to achieve the purpose for which this chapter is enacted as set forth in § 8-103.1, those certain electrical codes known as the "ICC Electrical Code, Administrative Provisions, 2003 Edition," as supplemented and published by the International Code Council, and the "National Electrical Code, 2002 Edition," as promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association, except such provisions which are in conflict with regulations promulgated by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry interpreting the Uniform Construction Code pursuant to Section 301 of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, Act of November 10, 1999, P.L. 491, 35 P.S. § 7210.301, or any other state law on the subject or regulations issued by a state agency by virtue of a state law. Ten copies of the adopted Electrical Code are presently on file in the office of the City Clerk, and such code is hereby incorporated as fully as if set forth at length herein. From the date on which this chapter takes effect, the provisions thereof shall be controlling within the limits of the City, except as modified herein and any subsequent amendments hereto.
The Department of Building and Housing Development, or any other department, bureau or division of the City designated by the Mayor, shall administer and enforce this chapter or any part thereof, and the executive official in charge thereof shall be known as the "Codes Administrator." All technical interpretations of the Electrical Code shall be made by the Codes Administrator or designee.
Any person, firm, corporation, association, or other entity aggrieved by a ruling, decision or action of any department, bureau or division of the City in regard to the administration or enforcement of any of the provisions of this Electrical Code, except for those concerning license issuance and revocation, may appeal the ruling, decision or action complained of to the Building and Housing Code Board of Appeals of the City of Harrisburg in the manner and in accordance with the procedures set forth in Chapter 8-501. Appeals regarding license issuance and revocation are to be filed with the Electrical Code Advisory and Licensing Board of the City, pursuant to § 8-103.13.
The department, bureau or division of the City designated by the Mayor to administer and enforce this chapter, through its duly authorized agents, shall make or cause to be made inspections to determine the conditions of buildings, structures or work in order to make certain that the construction work being performed on all buildings and structures within the City complies with the provisions of this chapter. Any such representative is authorized to enter any building or structure and to inspect any work being performed, at any reasonable time, for the aforesaid purpose. The owner, operator or occupant of any such building or structure and the person in charge of any work being performed within the City shall give the aforesaid representative access thereto and to all parts at all reasonable times for the purposes of such inspection.
Electrical installations and all subsequent additions shall be inspected and approved by an inspector authorized by the Codes Administrator or designee before connections are made for service from any local utility company.
If any owner, operator or occupant of any building or structure, or the person in charge of any work being performed within the City, refuses, impedes, inhibits, interferes with, restricts, or obstructs entry and free access to any part of the building, structure, or work where an inspection authorized by this chapter is sought, the representative of the City attempting to make the inspection may seek to have issued a search warrant by a competent issuing authority for the purpose of compelling such owner, operator, occupant, or person in charge of any work to permit an inspection of the building, structure or work involved for the purpose of determining whether any provision of this chapter is being violated.
Editor's Note: This section derives from Ord. No. 49-1979.
A person who, prior to July 1, 1974, has been issued an apprentice electrician's certificate or license or who, subsequent thereto, is issued such a license or certificate by the Licensing Board by demonstrating to such Board his or her skill and that he or she is learning the electrical trade by working and assisting a journeyman or a master electrician or by fulfilling all the qualifications established by the Licensing Board for the issuance of such certificate or license, which qualifications shall be set forth in the rules and regulations promulgated by such Electrical Code Advisory and Licensing Board.
The Building and Housing Code Board of Appeals, as defined in Chapter 8-501 of the Codified Ordinances, unless otherwise indicated.
The Bureau of Codes Enforcement, Department of Building and Housing Development, of the City.
The Board appointed by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of Council, which exercises the power and authority set forth in this chapter.
Any person who offers to contract as an independent contractor with another to do electrical work which may require a permit under the provisions of the Electrical Code. This term does not include public electric utilities.
A person holding an electrical inspection license and employed by an electrical inspection agency recognized by a local utility.
A license issued by the Bureau of Codes Enforcement to a person who has met the qualifications of the Licensing Board and has passed the required examination.
Any person who has passed a journeyman electrician's examination and qualified and registered in accordance with the terms of this chapter and under the rules and regulations of the Licensing Board, or one who is the holder of a journeyman electrician's license.
A license issued to a journeyman electrician, as herein defined, who, by passing the required examination and tests, has qualified as a person competent to be a journeyman electrician.
The Electrical Code Advisory and Licensing Board.
The license issued by the Bureau of Codes Enforcement to a contractor installing telecommunications equipment in both residential and nonresidential properties, including telephone systems, television and satellite communications systems, signaling systems, computer systems, communications links, fiber optics, alarm systems, or any system designed to carry information, rather than electricity for the purposes of heat, power or light and to provide for the designation of those companies which are allowed to perform this work in the City. Every applicant shall furnish such information as the Electrical Code Advisory and Licensing Board may require prior to issuance of a license. No test is required.
Any person licensed by the City who, within the City, engages in or carries on the business of installing, erecting, altering, extending, maintaining, or repairing electrical wiring, apparatus, fixtures, devices, appliances, or equipment utilized or designated for the utilization of electricity for light, heat or power purposes or for signaling systems and who carries on such business as an independent contractor having the final determination and the full responsibility for the manner in which the work is done, for the materials used and for the selection, supervision and control of journeyman electricians and apprentices employed on the work engaged in by such person. A partnership or corporation may engage in such business only through a licensed individual.
A license issued to a master electrician, as herein defined, who, by passing the required examination and tests, has qualified as a person competent to be a master electrician.
In the case of a partnership, the required examination and tests shall be taken and passed by at least one partner and the master electrician's license issued to him or her as a representative under the license issued to the partnership.
In the case of a corporation, the required examination and tests shall be taken and passed by an officer of the corporation and the master electrician's license issued to him or her as a representative under the license issued to the corporation.
A person who is the owner or co-owner of a building which contains no more than three dwelling units and is limited to residential use.
A license issued to a residential property owner who, by passing an examination satisfactory to the Licensing Board, has qualified as a person competent to perform electrical work in property of which said person is the residential property owner and which property is serviced by a single-phase two-hundred-amp service for multifamily dwellings of three units or less. A Class A residential property owner electrician's license shall be issued to an owner-occupant who swears or affirms at the time of applying for such license that all work shall be limited to a single-family residence occupied by said owner. A Class B residential property owner electrician's license shall be issued to all other residential property owners applying for such license.
The license issued by the Codes Administrator to a person or firm not normally doing electrical work in the City upon presentation of proper credentials, which shall include an electrician's license equivalent to a master electrician's license as issued by the Bureau of Codes Enforcement. The special license shall be for a specific job or construction project, and its validity will terminate upon completion of this work. Should such firm or individual desire to obtain further work in the City, he or she shall be required to fulfill all requirements as defined by this chapter.
No person shall engage in the performance of electrical work in the City either on such person's behalf or on behalf of another person, where permitted, without first obtaining a license from the Bureau of Codes Enforcement, except that a residential property owner may replace lighting fixtures, wall- or ceiling-mounted, duplex receptacles or switches in an existing electrical system without a license so long as nothing more is required to perform the task than disconnection of existing mechanical connectors and reconnection with new devices or fixtures in place. Circuit breakers or fuses may also be replaced.
Such other information the Bureau deems necessary to determine the eligibility of the applicant.
No license shall be transferable.
An application for a change of license from special to master electrician shall be granted only upon compliance by the special electrician with all applicable provisions of this chapter.
Each license shall be valid for the calendar year during which it is issued, and the full fee shall be payable irrespective of the date of issuance.
Any license issued hereunder may be renewed without examination, provided application for such renewal is accompanied by the renewal fee prescribed above. Where an applicant can show good and sufficient cause for inability to renew a license before January 1 of any year, the Codes Administrator may, within 30 days thereafter, permit the issuance, without examination, of a new license upon payment of the prescribed fee, plus a late fee of $30, for such new license within such 30 days.
No license shall be issued unless the applicant presents evidence that he/she has passed the written examination corresponding to the type of license for which he/she has applied, as administered by the International Code Council. The Bureau may grant a license without examination to the holder of a substantially equivalent license from another jurisdiction in Pennsylvania upon being satisfied that the standards and qualifications required by the other jurisdiction are substantially equivalent to those required by the code and upon the payment of the applicable fee.
An applicant for a Class A residential property owner electrician's license, as defined in § 8-103.8, who, at the time of the application, is the holder of a valid, nonrevoked and nonsuspended journeyman or master electrician's license from the City of Harrisburg may be issued a Class A residential property owner electrician's license without first passing the written examination required for a Class A residential property owner electrician's license. A Class A residential property owner electrician's license issued under this subsection is valid only so long as the holder's journeyman or master electrician's license is valid, nonrevoked and nonsuspended and shall not be valid for more than one year from the date of issue.
Inactive license. Electricians who are inactive or without work within the City may maintain their licenses in good standing by paying the standard renewal fees but need not maintain their mercantile license or liability insurance. Upon returning to work within the City, electricians shall be issued licenses upon proof of the renewal of their mercantile license and liability insurance and payment of license fees for all years of inactivity.
The Codes Administrator or designee may reprimand, suspend or revoke any license issued pursuant to this chapter, or any license issued by the City prior hereto, for any violation of this code or any rule or regulation issued pursuant thereto.
Notice of such action shall be served personally upon the licensee or agent of said licensee at the place of business of the licensee in the City or personal residence, if located in the City. If the licensee neither maintains a place of business nor resides within the City, then the notice shall be mailed to the licensee, addressed to the last known residence or place of business, by certified mail, return receipt requested, and by regular mail.
The licensee against whom action to suspend or revoke a license was initiated may appeal, within 20 days of the date of the notice, to the Licensing Board, listing in detail the reason or reasons the action of the Codes Administrator was improper or circumstances which would mitigate against it.
The Licensing Board shall convene a hearing of the facts of the matter within 30 days following receipt of the appeal.
At the hearing, the licensee shall be given an opportunity to present testimony, oral or written, and shall have the right of cross-examination of witnesses and representation by counsel. All testimony shall be preserved by sound recording under oath. The Licensing Board shall have power to administer oaths, issue subpoenas and compel the attendance of witnesses. The decision of the Licensing Board shall be in writing and based upon evidence produced at the hearing and made a part of the record thereof. A copy of said decision shall be provided to the licensee and to the Codes Administrator and shall be issued within 30 days from the date of the hearing.
A person whose license has been revoked shall not be permitted to apply for a new license within one year from the date of revocation. However, a person whose license revocation has been sustained by the Licensing Board may appeal such revocation to the courts in accordance with the provisions of the Local Agency Law, 2 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 105, 551 to 555 and 751 to 754, as amended. If the decision of the Licensing Board is finally reversed, the license shall be reinstated. Any court may grant a supersedeas, whereby the license of an appellant is restored pending a final determination of the appeal. A person whose license has been revoked and who is applying for a new license shall be reexamined and pay such fees as are prescribed in this chapter.
There shall be appointed by the Mayor, with the consent of Council, upon the recommendation of the Bureau of Codes Enforcement, an examining board to be known as the Electrical Code Advisory and Licensing Board ("Licensing Board"). The Licensing Board shall determine the fitness of applicants for license and shall investigate and report on all proposed suspensions or revocations of licenses. All appointments by the Mayor shall be confirmed or rejected by Council within 30 days of the date of the appointment, or the appointment shall be deemed approved. The Mayor shall appoint a Board member within 90 days of the occurrence of a vacancy. If the Mayor does not act on a vacancy within such time, the authority to appoint said member shall vest with Council; provided, however, that each member shall serve until a successor is appointed.
Two citizen representatives who reside within the City.
As the terms of office of each of the original members of the Licensing Board expire, each successor shall be appointed for a term of three years. Each member shall, however, serve until a successor is appointed.
The members of the initial Licensing Board shall, within 30 days from their appointment, meet specially, organize and elect from their members a Chairperson. The Licensing Board shall also elect a Secretary, who need not be a member of the Licensing Board. The Licensing Board shall meet during the months of January, April, July and October of each year for the purpose of considering and disposing of all applications for license. The Licensing Board may hold special meetings as frequently as is necessary for the proper and efficient discharge of its business; such special meetings may be held upon 24 hours' written notice to each member of the Licensing Board, stating the purpose of such meeting. Four members of the Licensing Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any and all business.
The Licensing Board shall formulate its own rules and regulations for all examinations, which regulations shall become effective immediately upon adoption by such Licensing Board and approval by City Council.
Such Licensing Board shall investigate all applications for licenses and shall report to the Bureau of Codes Enforcement the results of all examinations which it administers to applicants. It shall investigate and hear all written complaints against holders of such licenses and report to the Bureau its findings and recommendations. It shall keep minutes of its proceedings and hearings and records of its investigations and examinations of applicants for license.
An applicant for a master electrician's license, at the time of application, shall have had at least six years of practical experience in the installation, alteration and repair of wiring and electrical construction for electrical light, heat and power in or on buildings or four years of training covering such work in a technical school or college and four years of practical experience in the installation, alteration and repair of wiring and electrical construction for electrical light, heat and power in or on buildings.
An applicant for a journeyman electrician's license, at the time of application, shall have had not less than four years of practical experience or four years of training in a technical school or college and two years of practical experience.
An applicant for a residential property owner electrician's license, Class A, at the time of application, shall provide proof of ownership of and residency in the dwelling in which the applicant proposes to perform electrical work; a description of the applicant's experience and training; and such other information which the Bureau deems reasonable or necessary.
An applicant for a residential property owner electrician's license, Class B, at the time of application, shall provide a list of all properties owned by applicant; a description of the applicant's experience and training; and such other information which the Bureau deems reasonable or necessary.
An applicant for a low-voltage electrical license shall provide a description of the applicant's experience and training and such other information which the Bureau deems reasonable or necessary.
Every application for a license shall be made in writing in such form and shall furnish such information as the Licensing Board may require. Applications must be filed at least seven days prior to the date of examination as hereinafter provided.
Written or written and practical examinations shall be prepared by the Licensing Board and administered by it to applicants to test each applicant's knowledge of the provisions of the Electrical Code and the work covered thereby, and no license shall be issued unless the applicant attains a passing mark in such examination.
No person shall perform any electrical work within the City unless said person first obtains a permit from the Bureau of Codes Enforcement. No journeyman or apprentice electrician may obtain a permit. No licensed electrical inspector working for a private electrical inspection agency shall inspect any work in the City until he or she has reviewed the permit for the specific job to be inspected.
In the case of residential property owners, proof of property liability insurance satisfactory to the City.
For all single-family residential electrical work, 0.8% times the contract price or fair market value of the job, whichever is greater, as determined by the Codes Administrator or designee.
For all multiunit/mixed-use residential electrical work, 0.9% times the contract price or fair market value of the job, whichever is greater, as determined by the Codes Administrator or designee.
For all commercial/industrial/nonresidential electrical work, 0.1% times the contract price or fair market value of the job, whichever is greater, as determined by the Codes Administrator or designee.
The electrical work is to be performed within a building in which the total connected load is 50 KVA or less.
The application and final drawings and specifications have been approved by the Bureau as showing compliance with the applicable provisions of this chapter and having been approved by any other appropriate agency as showing compliance with any other applicable provisions of the National Electrical Code.
Electrical drawings may be required for any electrical work, as deemed necessary by the Bureau, for all commercial and industrial usage, all new residential usages containing more than three apartments and all major renovations and additions.
For low-voltage electrical installation or repair in a commercial property, a permit shall be required before installation or repair is commenced. For low-voltage electric installation or repair conducted by a contractor in a residential property, there shall be required a permit when the installation consists of replacement or repair in excess of 50% of the original system, breaching of floors, walls or ceilings, or when installing an entirely new system.
Active work thereunder is not commenced within six months from the date of issuance.
When the Bureau determines that grounds exist for the revocation of a permit granted under this chapter, it shall serve written notice upon the holder of such permit, stating the nature of the violation and that compliance with all requirements must be achieved within 30 days of receipt of notice. The notice may also prescribe a course of remedial action.
Upon notice from the Bureau of Codes Enforcement that electrical work on any building or structure is being done contrary to the provisions of this chapter or in an unsafe or dangerous manner, such work shall stop immediately. The stop-work order shall be in writing and shall be given to the owner of the property involved, or to the owner's agent and to the person doing the work, and shall state the conditions under which work may be resumed.
Any person who continues any electrical work in or about a building or structure after having been served with a stop-work order, except such work as he or she is directed to perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition, shall, upon conviction therefor, be subject to the penalties set forth in § 8-103.99.
Any person, whether individually or as a member or employee of a partnership, or any officer, agent or employee of a corporation who directs or knowingly permits any violation of any of the provisions of the sections of this Electrical Code, or who aids or assists therein, either on his/her own behalf or in the interests of his/her employer or principal, or who fails to comply with any order made thereunder, or who builds in violation of any detailed statement of specifications or plans submitted and approved in accordance with this code or any certificate of approval issued thereto and from which no appeal has been taken, or who fails to comply with such order as affirmed or modified by the City shall, upon conviction thereof, severally and for each violation and noncompliance, respectively, be fined not less than $50 nor more than $1,000, plus costs, or shall be imprisoned in the Dauphin County Prison for not more than 90 days for each separate violation, or both. The imposition of one penalty for any violation shall not excuse the violation or permit it to continue, and all persons required to do so shall correct and remedy violations or defects within a reasonable time, and, when not otherwise specified, each five days that the prohibited conditions are maintained shall constitute a separate offense.
The application of the above penalty shall not prevent the enforced removal of the prohibited conditions or device or any other remedy at law or equity available to the City for enforcement of this chapter.

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 § 608
 § 41608
 § 2403
 § 37403
 § 2403
 § 37403
 § 41608
 § 39130
 § 8
 § 7210
 § 8
 § 8
 § 8