ORDINANCE 83ORDINANCE NO. 83 •
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EL SEGUNDO, CALI-
FORNIA, REGULAT11 G ELECTRICAL BUSINESS, THE INSTALLATION,
ARRANGEMENTS, ALTERATION, REPAIR, USE, MAINTENANCE AND
OPERATION OF ELECTRIC WIRIM ELECTRIC FIXTURES AND OTHER
ELECTRIC APPLIANCES AND EQUIPMENT IN THE CITY OF EL SEGUNDO;
PROVIDING FOR ELECTRIC PERMITS AND INSPECTIONS AND FIXING
THE FEES THEREFOR; AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION
OF THIS ORDINANCE.
The Board of Trustees of the City of El Segundo
do ordain as follows:
SECTION I. ELECTRIC PERMITS: The Building
Inspector of the City of El Segundo, California, shall be
the City Electrician for said City.
No person, firm or corporation, as principal,
agent, employee or otherwise, shall place or install, or
cause or permit to be placed or installed, any wiring,
fixtures or other apparatus for electrical use, or make,
or cause t)r electrical use, or make, or cause or permit
-- to be made, any alteration, change in, addition to or
repair of any wiring, fixtures or other apparatus for
electrical use, or shall do, or cause or permit to be
done, any electrical construction work of any kind what-
soever in the City of El Segundo, without first obtain-
ing a written permit therefor from the City Electrician
of the City of E1 Segundo. Such permit shall be denom-
inated an "Electric Permit ", and shall contain a
description of the work to be done thereunder and a
statement of the place, by street and number, where such
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work is to be done. Electric permits shall be granted
upon written applications therefor to the City Eleo-
trioian. Each such application shall contain a desorip-
tion of the work desired to be done, a statement of the
place by street and number where such work is to be
done, and shall be accompanied by drawings, specifica-
tions, plans and details of such contemplated work
when required by the City Electrician, and shall contain
a statement of the date of the issuance and the date of
the expiration of the license of the applicant to do
electrical work in the City of El Segundo. The City
Electrician shall investigate such application, and if
satisfied that the work desired can be done without
violating any of the provisions of this ordinance or
law governing such work in the City of El Segundo, and
shall be satisfied that the applicant therefor is duly
licensed to do electric work in the City of El Segundo.
shall issue an electric permit to such applicant upon
the payment of the electrical fees therefor; provided
that public service corporations supplying the City of
E1 Segundo and the inhabitants thereof with electric
current shall not be required to obtain an Electric
Permit for any electric wiring or any other electric
work done along any street, alley, court or other
public place, in the City of El Segundo, in constructing,
maintaining, extending or repairing any service or dis-
tributing wiring or other apparatus or anything incident
or appurtenant thereto, authorised by law or ordinance
to be constructed along such street, alley, court, or
other public place, or any electric wiring or other
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electric work necessary for running extensions from
such electric systems to connections with wiring or
other electrical apparatus in, upon or about any build-
ing, structure or place; and provided, further, that
any person, firm or corporation, not carrying on an
electrical business but employing regularly one or more
electricians for the purpose of installing, maintaining,
repairing, altering or removing wiring or other electric
work upon the premises owned and occupied by such person,
firm or corporation, shall not be required to have a
license to do electric work in the City of E1 Segundo
in order to obtain an electric permit.
The issuance of an electric permit shall not
be construed as an approval by the City Electrician of
the drawings, plans, specifications or details of such
contemplated work insofar as the same, or any portion
thereof, may be in conflict with the provisions of this
ordinance or of any other ordinance or law governing
electric work in the City of El Segundo.
The holder of an electric permit shall not do
or permit or cause to be done or performed, any work
other than that designated in such permit, nor at any
other place than that for which such permit is issued.
In case electric work is desired in the construction,
alteration or repair of any buildings or structures
requiring a building permit, no electric permit shall
be issued until after a building permit for such build-
ing or structure shall have been issued.
SECTION 2. RULES.
The rules governing
electric wiring in the City of E1 Segundo shall conform
to the Tegulations of the National Board of Fire Under-
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writers except as herein provided.
SECTION 3. FEES: The City Electrician shall
charge and collect from the person, firm or corporation
to whom any permit for doing electric work is issued
under the terms of this Ordinance, the following fees, which
shall be forthwith paid into the City Treasury, to -wit:
For issuing permit, which shall include
the right to two inspectionss - - - - - - - - - - - $1.00;
For each additional inspection request-
ed by such person, firm or corporation or made necessary
by reason of the work being incomplete, or not in
conformity with rules and requirements prescribed by
this Ordinancq,, - - - -- - - - - - - -- - - - -- 1.00•.
SECTION 4. UNLAWFUL TO SEAL, WIRING UNTIL IN-
SPECTED: All plumbing and other piping or tube work
must be in place and not concealed before the electric
wiring is inspected, and no such wiring will be considered
as complete until such piping is in place. Upon making
an inspection of any electrical equipment, the inspector
shall leave a notice at the service switch or other suit-
able place, stating that the electrical work has been
inspected by the City Electrician, and it shall be unlaw-
ful to lath, seal, or in any manner conceal any electrical
wiring or other work until the same has been inspected
as herein required.
SECTION b. SVIITCBES, ETC.: All switches, cut-
outs, first installation of fuses complete, mains and
meter loops and all connections in wiring necessary for
placing meters shall be installed by the contractor.
SECTION 6. CUT -OUTS: Cut -outs shall be placed
in readily accessible places only and grouped where possible.
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SECTION 7. PLUMBING: All plumbing and other
piping or tube work shall be in place on work to be oon-
oealed before the electric wiring is inspected; and no
such wiring shall be considered complete until such
piping is in place; and the roof shall be construoted
before such wiring shall be approved.
SECTION 8. OLD MATERIAL: No old material
shall be used in the alteration, repair or additions to
old installation, or in new work, until after the same
shall have been approved by the City Electrician.
SECTION 9. GROUPING OF T. 3: All wires
shall be so installed that no group or set of incandes-
cent lamps, requiring more than 660 watts, shall be
dependent upon one cut -out. For decorative, stage, sign,
or outline wiring, where keyless sockets or receptacles
are connected direct to a circuit with wire not smaller
than No. 14 B & S gauge, not more than 22 sockets or
receptacles requiring not more than 1320 watts, shall
be allowed on any one out -out. For interior wiring,
sockets shall be based as taking a 40 -watt lamp each.
SECTION 10. ARCS: Each are requiring five
amperes or more for normal running of current shall be
separate circuit and a out -out therefor shall be located
not more than seven feet from the floor; except in oases
where it is impracticable to observe this distance then
the out -out shall be placed as near such limit as can
practioally be done. Where several are lamps are
switched at the same time, wires, fuses and switches
shall be installed for not lose than fifty per centum
in excess of the total normal current require&. The
normal rating of area shall be on the basis of six amperes
each.
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SECTION 11. CIRCUITS* In arranging circuits
in residences, other than one story cottages, the oeiling
center outlets shall be wired for not less than the
following number of lights: Reception hall, den and
kitchen, three 40 -watt lamps each; parlor, dining room
and living room, four 40 -watt lamps each; breakfast room
and bedroom, two 40 -watt lamps each; and other rooms one
40 -watt lamp each; provided that this is subject to ex-
ception, such as in kitchens, dining rooms and breakfast
rooms and rooms [here only twelve sockets, of a total of
660 watts, may be used; and provided that the number of
lights per circuit shall be an nearly equal as possible.
SECTION 12. OUTLETS LIMIMM: In stores, not
over three outlets, of a total of 660 watts, shall be
used on any one circuit. In single residences not more
than eight outlets shall be upon any one circuit.
SECTION 13. LOSS PERMITTED: No system of
wiring for lighting, power or heating shall exceed two
per oentum loss with maximum amount of current for the
use for which such system is installed. Lamp circuits
shall not exceed one per oentum of such loss, inoan-
descent lamps being rated at 40 watts each. This limit
may be exceeded in cases of large chandeliers, or other
similar fixtures installed in theatres, halls, churches
or similar buildings, and in temporary outside wiring
and ornamental lamp posts.
SECTION 149 SERVICE M.MiS : No service mains
shall be less than No. 10 B & S gauge. Wires used as
busbars for branch blooks and meter loops shall not be
less than No. 10 B & S gauge.
SECTION 16. SERVICE SWITCHES. No service
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switch shall be placed more than seven feet from the
ground, floor or platform which is directly under the
same; and shall be in metal or asbestos lined wood
boxes, and all switches shall be so located that the
wires between the service switch and the point of oon-
nection from the wires on the poles or unier- ground
conductor shall be reduced to a minimum.
SECTION 16. EN'IMICE SERVICE WIRES; 611
service wires shall enter at the screen porches of
buildings except where there is no soreen porch, then
they shall enter at the rear or alley side, if arty,
of the building.
SECTION 17. MILLS AND FACTORIES: In mills
and factories where wiring and attachments are sub -
jeot to vibration, all terminal oanneotions shall be
soldered. Fuse blooks in mills and factories and in
other places subject to dust shall be enclosed in
dust -proof metal cabinets equipped with self- olosing
doors. Where cords are carried about or used about
machinery, the same shall be reinforced and lamp
guards shall be used.
SECTION IB * BASEMENT KNIFE SWITCHES: 611
knife switches in basements shall be installed in
effective metal boxes or cabinets and externally
operated.
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SECTION
19.
NAILS: Not less
than ten penny
(10d) nails shall
be
used with No. 5 1/2
knobs.
SECTION
20.
DISTANCE BETWEEN
WIRES: A
distance of five inches shall be maintained between wires
in concealed work; except that at switch outlets and
tablet and meter boards, where a distance of five inches
cannot practically be maintained, the distance may be
reduced to two and one -half inches; and except where
wires cross pipes or other conducting material, unless
such wires are protected by bushings, a distance of two
and one -half inches shall be maintained.
SECTION 21. PARALLELING WIRES: Wires shall
not be placed nearer than two and one -half inches to
any other parallel wire, pipe or other conducting
material, as metal lath or metal ceiling, unless such
wires are protected by bushings; and such bushings when
used, shall be securely fastened at the ends to prevent
slipping along the wires.
SECTION 22. PORCELAIN TUBES: Porcelain
tubes through joists or studding shall be placed as n ear
as practicable through the center of the width of the
timber and shall be slanted, wedged or otherwise
effectively fastened so as to.prevent slipping out of
place.
SECTION 23. JOINTS: Joints shall not be
covered by non - metallic tubing.
SECTION 24. SUPPORTS: Supports for wires
shall be placed at intervals of not more than faur and
one -half feet along flat surfaces of concealed work,
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and in partitions within 8 inches of plates at intervals
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of not more than two feet.
SECTION 25. FASTENINGS: Boards or
fastenings shall be placed at gas outlets to keep the
end of flexible conduits at least one -half inch from
the pipe. Studding or joists shall not be used for
outlet backing. When fastenings are necessary for
flexible conduits, cleats or straps shall be used.
Nails shall not be used as or for cleats or straps.
SECTION 26. ENCASED WIRING: When wires
cannot be kept the required distance from the surface
! over which the wiring is placed, as in narrow plastered
partitions of two and one -half inches or less, such
wires shall be encased in flexible or rigid conduits.
SECTION 27. TUBES: Tubes used for mud
bushings shall be securely taped together. Flexible
tubing shall not be used in places subject to dampness
or liable to be imbedded in mortar, plaster or like
material.
SECTION 28, ATTIC AND BASEMENT WIRING:
All wires in attics or in basements must
be run through or on sides of joists, or knobbed on
roof rafters in attics, and protected within four
feet of scuttle hole or stairway. Where wires are
run through joists or other timber, the same shall
be encased in procelain insulating tubes or flexible
insulating tubing sufficient to safely insulate the
same.
;..� The span from rafters to ceiling joists
shall not be more than twenty -four inches, and wires
shall be kept four inches above the top of ceiling
joists when knobbing on rafters.
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SECTION 29. WIRING OLD HOUSES: In wiring
old houses all necessary provision for hanging fixtures
shall be made. The connecting of fixture wires to
outlet wires shall be made below the ceiling.
SECTION 30. LIGHT OUTLET BOXES: All light
outlet boxes shall be three and one - fourth inches or
four inches in diameter, and all boxes shall be
provided with effective lugs. All outlet plates shall
be provided with plaster rings with holes of the same
spacing as the box of its respective size. Every box
shall be secured by screws to a suitable backing and
when practicable, the outer edge of the face of the
box shall be flush with the surface of the wall or
ceiling, and no open space or gap shall.be permitted
around the edge or side of the,box. Stems or studs
and boxes on ceiling outlets shall be fastened to the
backing by means of four wood screws not less than No.
8 and one inch in length; and for bracket outlets the
boxes shall be secured by at least two such screws.
SECTION 31. BOX WIRES: Wires running into
boxes shall be protected by effective flexible tubing
extending in continuous lengths from the last porcelain
support into the box. Wires shall be extended into
outlet boxes or plates so as to not interfere with the
fixture stem or stud.
SECTION 32. TIGHT WIRES: Wires shall be
drawn tight but no strain shall be placed on joints or
wires around the end of tubes or on outlet tubing. A
sufficient number of knobs shall be used to prevent
strain.
SECTION 33. OUTLET REPAIR: When the surface
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at any outlet is broken it shall be repaired so as to
leave no holes or open spaces at the outlet.
SECTION 34. SWITCH BOXES: Switch boxes shall
completely enclose the switch on sides and back, and
shall provide a thoroughly substantial support for the
same. The retaining screws for the box shall not be
used to secure the switch in position. Switch boxes
shall be supported between headers one inch by two
inches in dimensions and the boxes shall be held in
place by screws.
SECTION 35. JOINTS: All joints must be
soldered and at least two layers of tape (of both rubber
and friction where rubber wires are used) shall be
wrapped around all joints.
SECTION 36. BLOCKS: Blocks nailed to side
of joists at outlets shall not be used in place of
'header boards.
SECTION 37. TWIN WIRES: Twin wires shall
not be used except in conduits or where flexible
conductors, not loom, are necessary.
SECTION 38. INCANDESCENT LAMPS-. The wiring
in any residence, flat or apartment shall be so
installed that no set of incandescent lamps, whether
grouped on one fixture or on several fixtures or pen-
dants, shall have more than sixteen sockets or receptacles
requiring more than 660 watts depending upon one cut -out;
provided that no circuit which is connected or attached
-- to any light outlet located in a dining room, breakfast
room or kitchen shall have more than twelve sockets
depending upon any such cut -out. Wiring in any
building other than a residence, flat or apartment house,
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except stores, shall be so installed that no set of
incandescent lamps, whether grouped on a fixture or
on several fixtures or pendants, shall have more than
twelve sockets or receptacles depending upon one out-
out.
SECTION 99. FLEXIBLE CORD: Flexible cord
shall not be used for extensions of circuits, other
than in a vertical direction, shall not be supported
independently of its outlet fitting, and shall not
extend lower than to a point six feet from the floor,
except where such cord is placed over a permanent
desk or table.
SECTION 40. THEATRES, ETC. All wires and
apparatus installed in any building, used as a theatre,
moving picture exhibition room, church, mission, school,
parish hall, lodge room, dance hall, banquet hall,
skating rink, hotel, lodging house, rooming house, club
house, asylum, home for the aged, home for children,
jail, police station, hospital, department store,
office building or assembly hall for any purpose of
worship, instruction or enternainment, where such hall
has a floor space of more than fifteen hundred square
feet or a seating capacity of more than two hundred
persons, shall conform to the following specific
requirements:
1. No wood moulding shall be allowed. All
wires, whether concealed or exposed, shall be encased
in effective iron conduits, armored cables or metal
molding. Armored cables and metal molding shall be
used for exposed work only.
2. In all conduit installation, branches and
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entrance switches shall be enclosed in an effective
.� iron box or cabinet.
3. All pipe shall be double look - nutted
._ to outlet boxes, flush switch boxes, junction boxes,
cabinet boxes and panel boxes. Conduit bushing shall
be placed at the end of pipes to protect the wires.
All pipe work shall be complete and no wire shall be
drawn in the same until after the mechanical work,
which is liable to injure the pipe, is completed; and
this provision shall also include all plaster work.
4. onduits shall be complete from outlet to
outlet. The entire conduit system shall be permanently
and mechanically grounded to water pipe so that a short
circuit will operate the heaviest fuse or circuit
breaker; and such ground shall be made as near as
possible to the main line switch.
5. Conduits shall extend as close as possible
to switch boards and shall be provided at the and of
pipes with effective condulets or similar fittings.
61 Conduits shall be of sufficient size to
permit of the easy insertion and withdrawal of all
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necessary wires. Yo oil, grease or compound, detri-
mental to insulation, shall be used in installing wires
in conduits.
7. Switch and outlet boxes shall be fastened
independently of the support afforded by the conduit
r piping. A standard device shall be used for such
purpose.
8. Conduits installed on brick, concrete,
the or plaster, walls or ceilings, shall be attached
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tnereto with toggle bolts, expansion bolts or some equally
good device; and neither nails nor screws driven or
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screwed into wooden plugs shall be used for this purpose.
9. All conduit ends shall terminate in boxes
of effective fitting, and shall be accessible at all
times and shall not be concealed.
10. Service wires run in conduits shall have
fused switches at entrances where the distance to the
main switch is over twenty feet; and such fused switches
shall be installed in effective metal boxes not more
than seven feet from the ground.
SECTION 41. WIRING IN FIRE DISTRICT N0.1:
All wires installed in or on all buildings or other
structures erected within fire district No.l of the
City of El Segundo, which wires are used for the purpose
of conducting electricity for light, heat or power,
shall be enclosed in effective metal conduit. Metal
molding may be used for exposed work only.
SECTION 42. BATH ROOM LIGHTS: All bath -room
lights on ceilings shall be controlled by a wall switch
or switches, located as far as possible from the bath
tub and other plumbing fixtures.
SECTION 43. BRACKET LIGHTS: Bracket lights
in bath- rooms, kitchens, laundries and other places
within reach of pipes, stoves or similar grounds shall
be controlled by switches, and shall not be controlled
at sockets unless by means of a porcelain key socket
or insulated chain.
SECTION 44. DROP CORDS: Reinforced cord shall
be used for all drop cords for lights other than in
residences, fan motors and portable devices; for all drop
cords in garages, store rooms and warehouses; and for all
pendant switches, where knobbed on ceiling to clear shades
of lamps.
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SECTION 45. That any person, firm or
corporation violating any of the provisions of this
ordinance shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and
upon conviction thereof shall be punishable by a fine
of not less than Ten ($10.00) Dollars, nor more than
Two Hundred and Fifty 0250.00) Dollars, or by
imprisonment in the City Jail for a period of not less
than five (5) days nor more than three (3) months, or by
both such fine and imprisonment.
Each such person, firm or corporation shall be
deemed guilty of a separate offense for every day during
any portion of which any violation of any provision of
this ordinance is committed, continued or permitted by
such person, firm or corporation and shall be punishable
therefor as provided by this ordinance.
SECTION 46. All ordinances or parts of
ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
SECTION 47. The City Clerk shall certify to
the passage and adoption of this ordinance, and shall
cause the same to be published once in the E1 Segundo
Herald, a weekly newspaper of general circulation,
printed, published and circulated within the said City
of E1 Segundo, California, and which is hereby designated
for that purpose.
This ordinance shall take effect and be in fall
force and virtue thirty days from and after the final
passage and adoption thereof.
Passed,approved and adopted this 4th day of
DanastT-;, g.D.1928.
esident of e oard o rus eea
of the City of E1 Segan o,California.
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SEA l5e
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
s COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ; SS.
CITY OF EL SEGUNDO )
I, Victor D. McCarthy, City Clerk of the City
of E1 Segundo, California, do hereby certify that the
foregoing ordinance, being Ordinance No. 83 , was
passed and adopted by the Board of Trustees of the said
City of E1 Segundo, California, signed and approved by
the President of said Board, and attested by the City
Clerk, all at a regular meeting of the said Board held
on the 4th day of ZMaary - -, A.D. 1=2, and that the
same was passed by the following vote, to wit : -
AYES :TRUSTEES: Bjnder Davis, Ruegor and Bryson.
NOES : TRUSTEES: None.
ABSENT :TRUSTEES: Smiley.
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El Segundo, California
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