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oRDINANCE DEFINING CITY, CITY ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR,
MASTER ELECTRICIAN, JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN, MAST~R SIGN
ELECTRICIAN, MAINTENANCE ELECTRICIAN, N.E.C., N.B.F.U., PORT-
ABLE SIGN, PORTABLE FIXTURE, SCOPE OF ORDINANCE; CREATING
OFFICE OF ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR OF THE BUILDING INSPECTION
DEPARTMENT; DEFINING HIS DUTIES; ESTABLISHING QUALIFICATIONS
OF THE CITY ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR; PROVIDING FOR WRITTEN AND
ORAL EXAMINATIONS FOR APPLICANTS FOR THE POSITION OF CITY
ELECTRICAL INSPEC'l'OR; CREATING A BOARD OF ELECTRICAL E~Ml
NERS; DEFINING I1S MEMBERSHIP; PROVIDING LENGTH OF TERM OF THE
/MEMBERS OF BOARD WHO ARE APPOINTED; PROVIDING FOR THEIR
REPLACEMENT UPON T HEIR FAILURE TO ACT, OR RESIGN, AND LENGTH
OF SERVICE; DEFINING POWERS AND DUTIES OF BOARD OF ELECTRICAL
EXAMINERS, TIME OF MEETING AND ITS ORGANIZATION; PROVIDING
SUPPLIES FOR SAID BOARD; GRANTING SAID BOARD POWERS TO ADOPT
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR EXAMINATION OF A)?PUCANTS FOR
LICENSES, AND FIXING REASONABLE TIME FOR EXAMINATIONS, TO FIX
TIME AND PLACE FOR HOLDING EXAMINATION, TO MAKE RULES AND
REGUlATIONS FOR RE-EXAMINATIONS AND REQUIRING BOARD TO POINT
OUT TO APPLICANT REASON FOR APPLICANT 15 FAILURE, DEFINING
SUBJECT MATTER AT EXAMINATION; EMPOWERING SAID BOARD TO
INTERPRET MEANING OF ELECTRICAL CODE AND ORDINANCE; PROVID-~
lNG FOR APPEAL FROM SAID BOARD TO CITY COMMISSION BY APPLI-./:>.!
CANT'S FAILING TO PASS EXAMINATION; ESTABLISHING FEES FOR
EXAMINATION AND CERTIFICATE OF QUALIFICATION; MAKING CERTIFI-
CATE OF QUALIFICATION NOT TRANSFERABLE; PROVIDING FOR LICENS-
ING OF MASTER, JOURNEYMAN AND MASTER SIGN ELECTRICIANS; PRO-
VIDING FOR THE BONDING OF MASTER AND MASTER SIGN ELECTR.ICIANS;
PROVIDING EXPIRATION DATE OF ALL LICENSE.S, TIME FOR RENEWAL,
AND RENEWAL FEES, PROVIDING FOR MINIMUM AGE FOR MASTER AND
MASTER SIGN ELECTRICIAN; PROVIDING NO PERMIT TO BE ISSUED TO A
JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIA.N,-·MAKING IT UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON
TO ENGAGE AS A MASTER OR JOURNEYMAN OR MASTER SIGN ELECTRI-
CIAN WITHOUT LICENSES; REQUIRING EVERY PERSON, FffiM, ASSOCIA-
TION, CO .. PARTNERSHIP OR CORPORATION TO HAVE IN ITS EMPLOY-
MENT A MASTER ELECTRICIAN IF ENGAGED IN INSTALLrnG. ERECTING.
ALTERING, WIRING FIXTURES TO BE USED IN THE UTIUZATION OF
ELECTRICITY FOR LIGHT, HEAT OR POWER; DEFINING ELECTRICAL
MAINTENANCE WORK; PROVIDING FOR MAINTENANCE ELECTRICIAN
LICENSE AND FEE; MAKING IT UNLAWFUL TO DO MAINTENANCE WORK
WITHOUT LICENSE; PROVIDING FOR ELECTRICAL BOARD TO GRANT
LICENSE FOR MAINTENANCE ELECTRICIANS; PROVIDING FOR RENEWAL
OF MAINTENANCE ELECTRICIAN LICENSE; PROVIDING FOR A REPAIR
A~D/OR INSTALLATION SERVICE LICENSE; PROVIDING FOR WRITTEN
APPLICATION FOR A LIC.ENSEi PROVIDING REQUIREMENTS FOR UCENSEi
PROVIDING A REGJSa'ltATION FEE; PROVIDING APPROVAL OF A LICENSE
BY THE ELECTRICAL BOARD; PROVIDING FOR THE TYPE OF WORK AUTH-
ORIZED BY A REPAIR AND/OR INSTALLATION SERVICE LICENSE; PRO-
HIBITING ELECTRICAL WORK WITHOUT A~t..lCENSE AND PROVIDING A
SURETY BOND BEFORE ISSUANCE OFA LICENSE; PROVIDING LICENSE
NOT TRANSFERABLE• PROVIDING ~ 1'f}ijliiLJtJ2tNCE OF ELECTRICAL
PERMITS, MAKING CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS; FIXING FEE FOR PERMlTS;
PROVIDING PERMIT FOR MINOR REPAIRS; PROVIDING METHOD FOR PER-
MIT FOR EMERGENCY WORK. PROVIDING T~T ALL PLANS OF ELECTRI-
CAL WORK BE APPROVED BY INSPECTOR; PROVIDING REQUffiEMENTS
P. Z
FOR FEEDERS AND SUB-FEEDERS IN ALL CASES OF MORE THAN FOUR
CIRCUITS; EMPOWERING INSPECTOR TO DISCONNECT OR CAUSE TO BE
DISCONNECTED ALL WIRING THAT IS DEFECTIVE OR INSTALLED IN
VIOLATION OF THIS ORDINANCE AFTER NOTICE THEREOF; .PROVIDING
FOR TEMPORARY PERMIT; PROVIDING THAT NO LIABIUTY SHALL BE ON
CITY BY REASON OF THE INSPECTION BY CITY AUTHORIZED IN THE
ORDINANCE; REQUIRING APPLICATION BE MADE TO INSPECTOR FOR
PERMIT AND PROVIDING EXEMPTIONS FROM PAYMENT OF FEES BY CITY,
COUNTY, STATE AND UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT; PROVIDING CER-
TAIN FEES TO BE CHARGED BY CITY BEFORE PERMIT IS JSSUED AND
WORK DONE; EMPOWERING INSPECTOR TO ENTER ANY BUILDING, ROOM,
PLA.CE USED AS A CHURCH, THEATRE, MUSIC HALL, AUDITORIUM,
PLACE OF PUBLIC ASSEMBLAGE OR PLA.CE TO WHICH PUBLIC IS GENER-
ALLY ADMITTED, AND ANY APARTMENT HOUSE, HOTEL, MOTOR OR
TOURIST COURT, OR ANY BUILDING USED AS SUCH, OR ANY ROOM, DIVI-
SION, OR COMPARTMENT OF SUCH PLACE, TO INSPECT ANY ELECTRICAL
WIRING, CONNECTIONS,., FIXTURES, APPLIANCES, APPARATUS, MACHIN-
ER~OR WORK, AND MAKING IT UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON TO HINDER,
IMPEDE, OBSTRUCT, OR EXCLUDE SAID INSPECTION DEPUTIES FROM SO
ENTERING FOR SUCH PURPOSE, AND MAKING IT UNl.A WFUL TO CONCEAL N
SUCH WmiNG, ETC. FROM HIM tN SUCH PLACES AFORESAID; REGULATING
TEMPORARY WORK; REGUlATING THE WIRES INSTALLED IN BUILDINGS
CONSTRUCTED IN LUMBER YARDS OR ON PREMISES OTHER THAN THE
LOCATION WHERE BUILDING IS ON PERMANENT FOUNDATION AND WHERE
BUILDING IS TO BE MOVED INTQAND LOCATED WITHIN CITY; AUTHORIZ-
ING FIRE CHIEF OR MARSHAL TO HAVE INSPECTOR TO INSPECT WHERE
lN THE OPINION OF THE FIRE ClnEF OR MARSHAL, FffiE ORIGINATING
DUE TO FAULTY ELECTRICAL WIRING OR OVERLOADING OR LINES OR
EQUIPMENT, OR UNAUTHORIZED INSTALLATION AND WHERE ELECTRICAL
SERVICE AND/OR LINES HAVE BEEN CUT BY FIRE-FIGHTING PROCESS, NO
ELECTRICAL SERVICE SHALL BE REINSTATED OR RECONNECTED UNTIL
SAID PREMISES CONFORM TO PROVISION OF THIS ORDINANCE; PROVIDING
THAT INSPECTOR MAKE INSPECTION OF WORK WITHIN Z4 HOURS AFTER
WRITTEN NOTICE OF WORK DONE, AND THE ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE
IN ACCORDANCE THEREWITH; REQUIRING PERMITS FOR INSTALLING,
ERECTING OR ALTERING SIGNS, OR NEON SIGN INSTALLATIONS; MAKING
CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS; PROVIDING FOR BONDING OR SIGN COMPANIES;
PROVIDING FOR TEMPORARY PERMITS; CLASSIFYING OF SIGNS FOR PER-
MIT FEES; EXEMPTING PORTABLE SIGNS FROM PERMIT; REQUm.ING ALL
SIGNS TO BEAR UNDERWRITERS' LABEL; PROVIDING FOR THE CHARACTER
OF ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS, MANNER IN WHICH THE WORK SHALL
BE DONE, TYPE OF MATERIAL, WORKMANSHIP, METHOD AND TYPE OF
CONNECTIONS AND SERVICE OF ALL ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS,
WIRmG, FITTINGS, FIXTURES, CHANGES OR EXTENSIONS TO BE MADE
AND fUSED IN ALL TYPES OF STRUCTURES, AND PREMISES; REGULATING
AND PROVIDING FOR THE INSTALLATION,. MAINTENANCE OF. NEON TUB-
ING AND LIGHTING FLUORESCENT TUBING AND LIGHTING; PROVIDING
THE MANNER IN WHICH THE WORK SHALL BE DONE1 KIND OF MATERIAL
TO BE USED IN SUCH WORK, THE INSPECTION OF SUCH WORK; PREVENT-
ING INCOMPETENT PERSONS, FIRMS OR CORPORATIONS FROM INSTALL-
ING, MAINTAINING NEON TUBE SIGN DEVICES ORNAMENTATIONS;
MAKING VIOLATION OF ANY. PROVISION OF THE ORDINANCE A MISDE-
MEANOR, AND PROVIDING A PENALTY ON VIOLATION NOT TO EXCEED
$ZOO; MAKING EACH VIOL.,TION OF A PROVISION A SPECIAL OFFENSE!
EXTENDING MASTER AND JOURNEYMAN AND.MA.STER SIGN ELECTRICIANS' :
P. 3
CURRENT LICENSES TO DECEMBER, 1954; PROVIDING FOR ENFORCE-
MENT BY INSPECTOR AND HOW N. E. C. BE INTERPRETED; PROVIDING
A SAVINGS CLAUSE; REPEALING ORDINANCES Z85, 500, 60Z, 673,. 695, 798,
AND 1013, AMENDMENTS THERETO AND ALL OTHER ORDINANCES IN CON~
FLICT HEREWITH; DIRECTING CITY SECRETARY TO PUBLISH CAPTION
AND PENAL CLAUSE ONLY.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LUBBOCK:
CHAPTER I -DEFINITIONS AND SCOPE
ARTICLE 101 -DEFINITIONS
Section 1. The term "City," as used herein, shall be construed to mean
the Municipal Corporation,. the City of Lubbock.
Section z. The term 11 lnapectorJ 11 as used herein, shall be construed to
mean the City Electrical Inspector and his duly authorized deputies of the
Building Inspection Department.
Section 3. The term "Master Electrician," as u'ed herein, shall be con-
strued to mean any person engaged in the business of wiring, installing, repair-
ing, or altering any electrical wiring in the City of Lubbock, Texas.
Seetion 4. The term "Journeyman Electrician, 11 as used herein, is
meant to designate any person employed by a Master Electrician and actually
engaged in the work of wiring, installing, or repairing any electrical a19aratus,
but not including portable electrical appliances in the City of Lubbock, Texas.
Section s. The term 11Master Sign .Electrician, 11 as used herein, shall
be construed to mean any person engage<fOr carrying on the business of neon
installations, who is by training, experience, and education competent to lay
out, design, and install a system of neon tubing and the wi~ing that is a part
thereof.
Section 6. The term "Maintenance Electrician. 11 as used herein. shall
be construed to mean any person employed by any person. firm or corporation,
and who performs 11electrical maintenance work11 only in the confines of the
building or buildings of such employer, or in or on the premises where he is
regularly employed on a permanent basis.
Section 7. The term 11N. E. C., 11 ·as used herein, shall mean the latest
printed edition of the National Electrical Code, as compiled by the National
Board of Fire Underwriters.
Section 8. The term "N. B. F . U.," as used herein, shall mean the
National Board of Fire Underwriters.
Section 9. The term 11Portable sign, 11 as used herein, shall mean one in
which all wiring, transformer• and live parts are fully enclosed, and only the
attachment cord extends to the outside, and does not exceed ZOO watts.
Section 10. The term 11Portable fixture, 11 as used herein, shall mean
one which can be moved from place to place, and is not attached to ceiling or
walls, by chains, rods, hooks, flanges or any-otper means of attachment, an.<l_
./
that does not require any mechanical ability to install, or. knowledge of elec-
tricity, other than the insertion of the cap into a proper receptacle.
ARTICLE 102 .. SCOPE
Section 1. The provisions of this Ordinance shall apply to all electrical
wiring and equipment installed, used or maintained in the City of Lubbock,
except the ·electrical work, wiring or equipment used in the generation, dis-
tribution, and rendition of service to the public which is installed by or for,
and owned or maintained by a public utility, telephone, telegraph, or district
messenger company permitted to operate in the City of Lubbock. The licenses,
permits, fees and bonds herein provided for shall not apply to such companies
and their employees, but the wiring and installations for light, heat, and power
equipment of said companies shall be done according to the requirements of
this Ordinance, and all the requirements of this Ordinance, and all other
electrical work by said companies shall be done in accordance with the National
Electric_Code •.
CHAPTER II -ADMllUSTRA TION
ARTICLE 201. -OFFICE OF CITY ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR
Section 1. Creation of the Office of City Electrical InspectoT of Building
Inspection Department: The office of City Electrical Insp.ector of the Building
Inspection Department is hereby created, such office to be filled by the City
~nager. ·
Section z. Duties. The City Electrical Inspector of the Building Inspec-
tion Department shall collect and account for the fees and deposits herein fixed
and provided for, issue permits and certificates, make· inspections and
perform such other acts and duties as are in this Ordinance.
Section 3. Qualifications of the City Electrical Inspector: The person
chosen to fill the office of City Electrical Inspector shall be a competent elec ..
trician or electrical engineer of good moral character and shall have at least
five years experience as a Journeyman Electrician in the practice of his trade.
He must have at least a high school education or its equivalent and shall be
well versed in approved methods of electrical construction for safety to life
and property. He must be well versed in the National Electric Code as
approved by the American Standards Association, as well as all other rules
and standards as approved by the American Standards Association.
Section 4. An applicant for the position of City Electrical Inspector shall
be required to take the Journeyman's written and oral examination given by the
City Electrical Examining Board and if said applicant. upon his examination,
makes a grade of seventy per cent {70%), the City Electrical Examining Board
may then recom1n·end the said applicant to the City Manager.
ARTICLE 202. -BOARD OF ELECTRICAL EXAMINERS
Section 1. There is here by created a Board to be known as the Board of
Electrical Examiners for the City of Lubbock, Texas. ·
Section z. The Board shall consist of six (6) members, who shall serve
witliout compensation. Three of said members shall be as follows:
-----p~ 5
(1) City Electrical Inspector, who shall be ex-officio member of the
Board and shall continue as such while holding this office..
{l) Superintendent of Mu.nicipal Power & Light of the City of Lubbock
or his assistant, who shall continue as a member while holding
this office.
(3)
(4)
Division Superintendent of the Southwestern Public Service Company
of the Division in which Lubbock is located, or his assistant, shall
continue as a member while holding this office, and whose appomt•
ment has been approved by said company.
The other three mClllbers shall be appointed by the City Commission
and shall hold office as hereinafter provided:
-1-One licensed and active Master Electrician who shall have
had at least ten {10) years active experience as an electrician.
-z-One licensed and active Journeyman Electrician who shall
have had at least five (5) years active experience as an
electrician.
-3-One person, not an electrician, who shall have thorough
lmowledg~ of building construction, which person shall be
' Chairman of the Board.
Section 3. The three (3) members not including the City Electrical Inspec
tor, the Superintendent of Municipal Power & Light, or the Division Superin-
tendent of Soutliwestern 'Public Service Company shall be appointed to the Board
im~·ediately upon this Ordinance's becoming effective, and shall hold their'
office for a term of three '(3) years or ~ntil their successors are appointed,
except that the mP.mbers first elected shall hold their offices for the term end-
ing January 1. 1955, January 1, 1956, and January 1, 1957, respectively, the
term of each to be determined by lot; and their successors shall hold office for
three (3) years or until their successors are appointed.
Section 4. ·provided, however, if for any reason any of the m·~mbers of
the Board shall be unable to act, or shall resign from their respective position,
or shall be removed for any cause, then the City Commission shall appoitlt a
successor or successors. who shall fill out the unexpired term, or until
res.pective successors shall be appointed.
ARTICLE 203. .. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD
Section 1. It s·hall be the duty of the Board of Electrical Examiners to
meet as soon aftjar their appointment as possible, and organize. The City
Electrical Inspect6r shall be Secretary 6£ said Board and shall keep a full
record of the proceedings of the Board. It shall further be the duty of the
Board from t.im.e to time, as it may deem proper, to submit to the City Com•
mission its written suggestions for the improvement of the Electrical Ordinance
of the City of Lubbock.
Section z. The City shall provide the Board with proper books of record,
blank forms, stationery, and supplies, proper and adequate for the conduct of
its business. ·
p ._ 6
Section 3. The Board of Electrical Examiners shall have the power to
adopt rules and regulations for the examination of applicants for licenses for
Master Electrician, Journeyman Electrician, Master Sign Electrician, and
Maintenance ~lectrician~ and provide proper forms to be filled out by said
applicants; to fix reasonable times for the examination of applicants and to
specify the place and time the examination shall be held; to make rules and
regulations for re-examination, provided, however, that when an applicant has
failed, it shall be the duty of the Board to point out to said applicant wherein
he is deficient, and to render him all reason able assistance within their power
to overcome such deficiency.
Section 4. The examination prescribed herein, to be given to such appli-
cants, aforesaid, shall be written and oral examination. Where portion of test
is oral, a complete transcript shall be kept of all question11 and answers. The
subject matter shall examine said applicant as to his knowledge upon any and/ or
all types of electrical installation, practical knowledge of electricity, and
diagrams of any and all types of installation, in accordance with the National
Electrical Code of the National Board of Fire Underwriters.
Section 5. It is hereby made the duty of the Board of Examiners, when
dispute arises between any person, firm, associa~on, partnership or corpora-
tion as to the meaning of the Electrical Code and Ordinance, to interpret same;
and when a majority of said Board ef Examiners have interpreted the Electrical
Ordinance and Code as to its meaning, said interpretation by said Board of
Examiners shall be final and binding on all persons, firms, associations,
partnerships and corporation.
ARTICLE Z04. -APPEAL FROM BOARD
Section 1. H the candidate shall feel that he has not been fairly dealt
with by the Board, he may appeal to the City Commission from the decision
of the Board. When he has been able to establish to the satisfaction of the
City Commission that he shall have a further re-examination touching his fit-
ness and qualifications as a Master Electrician, or Journeyman Electrician,
or Master Sign Electrician, or a Maintenance Electrician, as those terms are
defined herein, the City Commissi~m shall request that the Examining Board
re-examine the applicant, and the Board shall, within a reasonable time,
comply with said request, not to exceed ninety (90) days from receipt of
request10
ARTICLE 205. -FEES FOR EXAMINATION
Section 1. Each applicant for examination as Master Electrician,
Journeyman Electrician, and .Master Sign Electrician shall, at the time of
filing his application, pay to the Secretary of the Board the sum of Three
Doll@.rs ($3. 00), which said fee shall be paid over by the Secretary of said
Board to the General Fund of the City of Lubbock.
ARTICLE Z06 ... CERTIFICATE OF QUALIFICATION
Section 1. The Examining Board shall issue to each successful applicant
a certificate of qualification, certifying that the applicant has been found com-
petent as a Master Electrician or as a Journeyman Electrician, or as a Master
Sign Electricia:a, as the case may be, which -hall entitle him to a license to
carry on such work in the City of Lubbock.
--
Section z. The above mentioned certificates are personal only to
examinee, and are not in any .manner transferable. All such certificates are
revocable for sufficient cause upon the filing of written charges under oath
to the City Commission, whose decision shall be final.
ARTICLE Z07. -LICENSES
Section 1. Each successful applicant shall be issued a license under
the provisions of this Ordinance upon the payment of a license fee of $100.00
in advance for M~l.ster Electrician, $10.00 for Journeyman Electrician, and
$15.00 for Master Sign Electrician, said fees to be paid to the City of Lubbock;
providing further that each applicant for license for Master Electrician shall
execute an approved surety bond to the City of Lubbock in the amount of
$1, 000. 00, and that each applicant for Master Sign Electrician shall execute
an approved surety bond to the City of Lubbock in the amount of $1,000. 00,
conditioned upon the strict compliance with the requirements of this Ordinance
and amendOlents thereto.
Section Z. After the passage and effective date of this Ordinance, all
electricians engaged in, and licensed to do business as electrical cQntractors
shall file surety bond in the sum of $1, 000. 00, payable to the City of Lubbock,.
Texas, conditioned upon the strict compliance with the requirements of this
Ordinance and amendments thereto.
Section 3. All licenses shall expire on the 31st day of December of each
year unless sooner revoked. Licenses shall be renewed before January 1 each
year thereafter, for a fee of $Z5. 00 for Master Electricians, $Z. 00 for Journey-
man Electricians, and $3.00 for Master Sign Electricians.
Section 4. H holder of license fails to make application for renewal of
same, before expiration of license, he shall be required to pay full fee. and take
examination as provided for persons originally deciding to do electrical work
in the City of Lubbock.
Section 5. No person shall. receive a Master Electrician or a Master
Sign Electrician license who bas not attained the age of Zl years.
Section 6. No permit for electrical work shall ever be issued to a
Journeyman Electrician.
ARTICLE 208. -LICENSE REO UIR.ED
Section 1. It shall be unlawful for any person to engage as a Mnster or
.Journeyman Electrician or Master Sign Electrician in the City of Lubbock
without having first secured a license therefor as herein provided.
Section z.. (a) Every person, firm, association, co-partnership, or t;,.'
corporation engaged in the work of installing, erecting, or. altering material,
wiring, fixtures. or other apparatus to be used for the utilization of electricity
for Ught. heat, and power, shall at all times have in tneir employ a licensed
Master Electrician, and no such person, firm, association, co-partnership, or
corporation shall employ any person other than a person lieensed under this
Ordinance to perform such work aforesaid, except that apprentices shall be
allowed to work under the direct supervision of a licensed electrician.
-=~====~=------=======-------========-=-----======= =======------=-====-=*== P. 7
I P. 8
(b) Every person, firm, association. co-partnership, or corporation
engaged in'the work of installing. erecting or altering electric signs or making
neon installations shall at all times have in their employ a licensed Master
Sign Electrician to do said work.
Section 3. Maintenance Licenses
{a) 11Electrical Maintenance Work11 shall mean the keeping in safe
repair any and all electrical installation, apparatus, and equipment within a
building or buildings, or in or on the premises. where a Maintenance Electrician,
as defined above, is regularly employed on a permanent basis, for which work
a permit is not required under the terms and provisions of this Ordinance, but
does not include the installation of new and additional electrical work.
(b) Maintenance Electricians who are regularly employed on a per-
manent basis at the time this Ordinance becomes effective, and who have worked
as Maintenance Electricians for a period of two years prior thereto, two-thirds
of such time activelyt shall be issued a license to do maintenance work upon
written application and the payment of a _license fee of Two Dollars and Fifty
Cents ($Z. 50). Maintenance -Electricians entitled to a license under this aection
shall obtain such licenses within sixty (60) days from and after the effective
date of this Ordinance.
(c) From and after thirty (30) days following final passage of this
0Tdinance_. it shall be unlawful for any person to do any electrical maintenance
wor~ as defined in paragraph (a) of this Section, within the City of Lubbock,
unless such person is a Maintenance Electrician licensed under the provisions
of this Ordinance; provided that nothing in this Section shall be construed to
limit the right of a Master Electrician to perform such electrical maintenance
work, or to limit such work being performed by a Journeyman Electrician
under the supervision, direction or control of such Master Electrician.
_ (d) An application for a Maintenance Electrician 1s license shall be
made in writing to the Electric Board, upon blanks furnished by the City of
Lubbock for that purpose. stating the name and address of the applicant, and a
statement as to the active and practical experience of the applicant. The Board
shall grant licenses applied for, and shall issue certificates therefor to each
applicant who receives the approval of a majority of the Board Memoers. Each
certificate issued to, a Maintenance Electrician shall specify the nam·~ and
address of the person to whom the certificate is issued, and the location of the
premises in or on which the maintenance work is to be done, and the date said
certificate was issued. Every holder of a Maintenance Electrician 1s license
shall notify the Chief Electrical Inspector inunediately when such holder makes
any change in his employment, giving in such notice the name of hi• new
employer and the location of the premises in or on which he is to be employed
to perform dectrical maintenance work. Every holder of such -_ ---
Mainteaace. Electrician1s license shall have the certificate upon or about 'fhe
person -of the licensee while performing the acts which such license entitles the
holder to perform ..
(e) A registration fee shall be paid when the application is presented.
The registration fee shall be Two Dollars and. Fifty Cents ($Z. 50) for the first
year and One Dollar ($1. 00} for each annual renewal. When a registration
becomes effective after June 30 of any year, the fee to midnight of December 31
of the sam·e year shall be One Dollar and Fifty Cent• ($1. 50}. All M~intenance
.t-'. 'J
Electrician licenses shall expire at midnight of December 31 following the date
of issuance. Renewals shall be by written application, accompanied by the 1•
renewal fee.
(f) The Maintenance Electrician's license shall not. be construed in
any way to allow the holder thereof to install any new circuit, outlet, or
additions.
~ection 4. Repair and/ or Installation Se~vice
(a) Except as otherwise provided herein, no person shall undertake
to connect or disconnect any electrical a'Pparatus. equipment or the like, io::or
from any electrical wiring regulated by this Ordinance, until such person has
been granted a Repair and/or Installation Service Lic-ense, and all repairs to
such apparatus and equipment shall be made under such a licensee's supervision
{b) Any person desiring a license as required under this section shall
furnish in writing all inform.ation required in an application blank furnished by
the Electrical Inspector. The required registration fee shall be presented with
the application.
(c) No person shall be granted a license ~der this section unless
he is at. least twenty-one years of a~e and has had three or more years actual
experience in electrical repair andjor installation service. No person shall
be granted a license unless he maintains a permanent mailing address and
telephone.
(d) Each applicant granted a license under this section shall pay a
registration fee of Five Dollars ($5. 00) for the first year and shall pay the sum
of Five Dollars ($5. 00) for each renewal thereafter. All electrical repair
and/or installation service licenses shall expire at midnight of December 31
of the year in which issued. The fees required in this paragraph shall be
reduced fifty, cents (50~) for each full three {3} months of the current year
which has expired at the time a license is issued.
(e) Approval by the Electrical Board shall qualify an applicant for
a license under this section, and after approval by the Board, the Chief Electri-
cal Inspector shall issue a license to said applicant. The license shall be posted
at the licensee's J?lace of business in a conspicuous space visible to the public.
(f) A Repair and/ or Installation Service License grants no privilege
beyond the right to ohtain a permit for. and to repair or install electrical
apparatus and equipm.~nt in strict conformity with this Ordinance, and to dis-
connect or connect the same at an approved outlet. A Repair and/ or Installation
Service License does not permit the changing, extending, installing, or repair-
ing, of any part of a wiring system.
(g) No person shall do electrical work as covered by this section in
the City of Lubbock until such person shall have applied for and obtained a
permit granted by the Electrical Inspector and paid the fees for same as
required by this Ordinance.
-.
(h) No person shall be issued a license under this section until
such person has made, executed, and delivered tQ the _City Clerk a surety bond
in the amount of Qne Thousand Dollars ($1, 000. 00), payable to the City of
Lubbock. Said surety bond shall be with a recognized and reliable ~ .
.....
--P.-10
surety company authorized to do business in the State of Texas and shall cover
compliance with all provisionli' and requirements of applicable laws of the State
of Texas and ordinances of the City of Lubbock covering electrical work. Said
bond shall also hold the City of Lubbock free of damage or loss of every nature
for the act or neglect of the principal of said bond, its agents or employees,
and shall guarantee any and all fees or other charges up to ten per cent of the
face of said bond due the City of Lubbock against the principal as such, and
shall guarantee compliance with this Ordinance of all electrical work installed
by the principal, his agents or employees. All bonds shall be for a period
expiring at midnight of December 31 of the current calendar year.
ARTICLE Z09. -LICENSE NOT TRANSFERABLE
Section 1. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation
holding a license as a Master Electrician or a Master Sign Electrician to
transfer same or allow the use of same directly or indirectly by any other
person for the purpose of obtaining a permit to do electrical work as herein
specified.
ARTICLE 210. .. PERM...""TS -ELECTRICAL
Section 1. No person, firmJ or corporation shall begin any work of
installing, erecting, or altering material, wiring, fixtures or other apparatus
to be used for the utilization of electricity for light, heat and power in or on
any building or premises in the City of Lubbock without first securing a permit
from the ~lectrical Inspector.
Section 2. Application blanks for permits for electrical work shall be
furnished by the Electrical Inspector, who shall approve and countersign them.
Section 3. No permit shall be required for minor work such as repairing
flush and snap switches, replacing fuses, changing lamp sockets and receptacles.
Section 4. {a) This Article shall not apply to maintenance on the prem-
ises of a person, firm or corporation regularly employing a Maintenance
Electrician for that purpose.
{b) Provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be con•
strued to prevent a property owner from doing electrical work in a building
owned and occupied or to be occupied by him as his home.
---
Section 5. (a) When the fee herein required is paid, and when the provi ..
sions of this Ordinance, relating to licenses and bonds are complied with, the
City Inspector shall is~ue to the applicant a permit which shall state the kind of
work-to be done, and the location by str.eet and number of the building where
the work is to be done. Such permit shall be without efiect as to any work not
herein described or as to any place other than herein described. If the work
authorized by such permit is not begun within thirty (30) days from the date
thereof, such permit shall thereupon and ther.eafter be null and void and permit
fees shall be returned upon application; and before doing any work at the loca-
tion designated in such permit, a new permit must be obtained in like manner
as the first, and only upon payment of the fees and making deposit specified
in this Ordinance.
(b) Provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be con-
strued to prevent an owner from doing electrical-work in a building owned and
P. 11
occupied or to be occupied by him as his home. after having secured a permit
therefor as above pz;ovided for iri this Ordinance.
'"Section 6-;-When at time application is made for permit, nwnber of
outlets, fixtures, etc. are not known, a deposit of $10. 00 shall be made before
any installations are made. and on completion o~ said installations, if deposit
is more than the amount required, a r-efund of the balance shall be made. If
.additional fees are due, such amount as is required shall be submitted to the
Electrical Inspector before final inspection is made.
Section 7. Minor rep~irs: After the original inspection of fixtures, if
fixtures are changed or replaced with other fixtures where circuit wires with•
out change of size are run direct into receptacle of said changes or replaced
fixtures, no fixtu~e permit or inspection shall be required; however, if such
changed or replaced fixtures require a change in the size of wire, a permit
and inspection are required.
Section 8. Emergency work: In. case of emergency necessitating the
immediate new wiring or repairs to electrical wiring, at a time when the office
of the In.spector is .closed so that a permit cannot then be obtained, such permit
shall thereafter be issued by the Inspector if written application shall be made
therefor during the next succeeding day that said office will be open.
Section 9. .(~) Pla~s of electrical work to be approved: The plans and
specifications of the electrical work of all new buildings or buildings to be
remodeled, other than one-story residences in which electrical wires are to
be installed, m11st be submitted to the Inspector by the owner or architect for
his approval before the permit will be issued; when the Inspector is satisfied
that the electrical work specified complies with the provisions of this Ordinance
he shall approve the plans and specifications therefor in writing. If any
changes are required by the Inspector, he shall attach a list of such require--
ments to t~e plans or specifications.
(b) Ali plans shall specify size of feeders and sub-feeders, and
length of same in all cases of more than four circuits.
Section 10. If any part of any electrical equipment in or about any
building in the City of Lubbock is found to ha. ve been installed and connected
in violation of the provisions of this Ordinance, or in the opinion of the
Inspector is dangerous to life or property. he shall have the right and power,
and it shall be his duty to notify the owner or tenant of the building to cease
using electrical current in such equipment, and to have the defects in said
equipment repaired within a reasonable time, not exceeding ten (10) days from
date of notice. If the def-ects in wiring or equipment shall not have been
repaired at the expiration of said notice. the In.spector shall disconnect or
cause to be ,disconnected, such defective wiring or equipment from the source
of supply.
Section 11. · Before issuing a certificate, the Inspector may give tempo•
rary permission. in writing, to furnish or use electric current through any
wiring, apparatus or fixtures for a period not exceeding thirty {30) days, if in
his opinion $uch wiring apparatus or fixture is in such condition that current
m{ly be safely used therein, and there exist urgent necessity for such use.
Section lZ. City not Liable: This Ordinance shall not be construed to
relieve from t..,r lessen the responsibility of any person, firm. or corporation
p, 12.
owning, operating, controlling, or installing any electrical wiring, connections,
fixtures, appliances, apparatus, machinery, equipment of work, inside, out-
side, overhead, or underground in the City of Lubbock, for damages to anyone
injured 'by defect therein, nor shall the City be held as assuming any liability
by reason of the inspection authorized herein or_ certificate issued herein as
provided, or by reason of any of the m.atters or things herein provided for and
regulated.
Section 13. Any person, firm or corporation, desiring to install, alter,
add to, connect, or change any inside electrical wiring, connections, fixtures.,
appliances, apparatus, machinery or work, or to set any electric meter base
within the City of Lubbock, shall before doing so, make application in writing
within 2.4 hours, to the Inspector for a permit therefor. The City, County,
State or the United States of America shall be exempt from paying any fee for
any installation but permit shall be applied for and issued for such work.
Section 14. The following fees will be charged by the City and must be
paid before permit is issued or work is done:
(a) New Installations -1 to 5 outlets
Next 100 outlets
All over 100 outlets
Low voltage transformers
Altering or Changing M·eter Loop
Water Heaters
Welders
Unit Heaters or Air Conditioners -
Minimum
Fixtures • l to 5 fixtures
All over 5 fixtures
Fans -. 1 to 1 0 fans
All over 10 fans
Gasoline Pumps -New installations or
Changing pumps -1 to 5
All over 5
$1.00
.10 each
• 05 each
• 2.5 each
• 50 each .so each·
1. 00 each
. 50 each
1. 00 each
• 05 ·each
• 50 each
• 05 each
1. 00 each
.10 each
If additional circuit is required to accomodate outlets,
inspection fee same as for new work will be charged.
For each Electric Stove
Motors -1/2. H. P. to and including
1 H.P.
Fro:m 1 H. P. to 5 H. P.
Over 5 H. P. • 50f per H. P. or
fraction thereof, M3..ximum
Minimum Fee for inspection
$1.00 each
• 50 each
1. 00 each
3. 00 each Motor
1. 00
Low voltage control systems --each relay or other switching device shall
constitute one outlet.
.. -'
(b) In addition to the stipulated fee for motors. tliere shall be an
inspection fee of Five Dollars ($5. 00) for each passenger el~ator and escalator,
and Three Dollars ($3. 00) for each freight elevator, which permit shall be
issued to and the fee paid by the elevator company erecting the elevator and
escalator.
{c) Carnivals, circuses~ or other places of amusement using strac-
tures composed wholly or partially of canvaa or similar materials shall be
considered as temporary for a period not exceeding fifteen (15) days, and any
construction work shall be done by a bonded and licensed contractor and the
fee shall be Ten Dollars {$10. 00).
Section 15. The Inspector shall have the right to enter any building,
room or place used as a church, theatre, m11sic hall, auditorium, place of
public assemblage or place to which the public is generally admitted, or any
apartment house, hotel, motor or tourist court, or any building used as such.-
and any room,. division or compartment of such place, for the purpose of
inspecting any electrical wiring, connection•, fixtures, appliances, apparatus,
machinery, or work; and it shall be anlawful to hinder. impede, obstruct or
exclude the Inspector or any of his deputies when attempting to enter or enter-
ing any such place or division, room or compartment thereof for such p~rpose,
or to conceal any electrical wiring, eonnection, fixings, apparatus, appliance ..
machinery or work contained in any such building or place .or any division,
room or compartment thereof.
Section 16. Temporary Work: When a permit to install work of a tem-
porary character, for a time to be specified in such permit, and not in any
case to exceed thirty (30) days, shall have been issued by the Inspector, a
strict compliance with the foregoing rule of permanent work will not be exacted,
provided the character of the work is entirely safe for the p~riod designated in
the permit. No temporary work or alterations shall be allowed on live circcits
unless protected by proper switch and fuse.
Section 17. Where buildings are constructed in lwnber yards or on
premises other than the location where building is on permanent foundation,
and where said building is to be moved into and located within the City Limits,
wiring installations shall be made by Bonded and Licensed Master Electrician,
permJ.ts shall be applied fot, and clearances shall be given by the Electrical
Inspector before moving permit is applied for. ·
Section 18. Where,in the opinion of the Chief of the Fi.re Department or
Fire Marshal, a fire originated due to faulty electrical wiring, overloading of
electrical equipment, or overloading lines or equipment, or any unauthorized
electrical installation, it shall be the duty of the Fir~ Chief and/or Fire
Marshal to have the premises involved fully inspected by the Electrical Inspec-
tor; and where said electrieal service and/or lines have been cut in the fire-
fighting process, no electrical service shall be reinstated alld/or re-connected
until the said prem:ises conform to the provisions of this Ordinance.·
Section 19. When written notice is aiven by any person that work has
been done pursuant to any p~rmit issaed as herein provided, accompanied by
a complete plan of the work done, the Inspector shall within twenty-four (Z4)
working hours inspect such work, and, if such work is found by him to conform
to the provisions and requirements of this Ordinance, he shall issue a certifi-
cate to that effect. No such certificate shall be issued until the work conform3
fully and in all re5pects to the provisions and requirements thereof.
ARTICLE Zll. -PERMrrS -SIGNS
Section 1. No person, firm ,or corporation shall begin work of installing,
erecting or altering signs or neon installations in or on any building or premises
in the City of Labbock without first securing a permit therefor from the
u
P;-14
Electrical Inspector.-No permit will be required for repair work on signs and
neon installations where no new work is installed. Application blanks for per-
mits for sign and neon installations shall be furnished by the Electrical
Inspector who shall approve and countersign them.
Section z. No license shall be required to hang signs that are not illumi-
nated in any manner such as signboards or billboards mounted on face of
buildings, posters,. etc. But sign company hanging same must have an approved
surety bond, executed to the City of Lubbock in the amount of $1,000. 00, con-
ditioned upon the strict compliance with the requirements of the City sign-
hanging ordinances and amendme nts thereto, and must have a permit from the
Building Department of the City of Lubbock bei:lre beginning the erection or
installation of same.
Section 3. Temporary Permi.t: Temporary permit to connect a sign for
demonstrat.ion purposes must be secured from the Electrical Inspector and the
connection must be removed within the specified time. No permanent connec-
tion can be made until the circuit wiring and the sign outlet has been approved
by the Electrical Inspector.
Section 4. Classification o! Signs for Permit Fees:
Outside signs ... ·$1. 00 permit for each sign.
Inside signs, directional signs, window display. etc.--$1.00 for
first two, 50~ for each additional sign or display in one instal•
lation.
Inside decorative displays or outline --$1.00 for an installation
made at one time.
Section 5. Portable signs: No permit shall be required on purta.ble signs.
ARTICLE ZlZ. -UNDERWRITERS' L4\BEL
Section 1. All signs mast bear the Underwriters' Label or m11St pass
local inspection .before being closed up or hWlg in place.
CHAPTER W -WIRING
ARTICLE 301. -NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODE
Sectio,n 1. In the installation of all wiring, fixtures and apparatus, the
rules and requiremP.nts of the latest addition of the National Electri.cal Code,
shall be compiled with the rules contained in this Ordinance, and such
additional rules and regu!ations, as may from time to time be adopted.
ARTICLE 302. -REQUIREMENTS IN FIRE ZONES
Section 1. {a) All wiring installed in Fire Zones Nos. 1 and Z shall be
in rigid metallic conduit. metal tubes or approved metal raceway. All wiring
installed in Zone No. 3 shall be in rigid metallic conduit, metal tubes. or
approved metal raceway. except in single-family residences and out-buildings
on same premises; duplexes and apartments of not more than four families,
dormitories and rooming houses with not more than six rooms for sleeping
accomodations may be wired with knob and tube or non-metallic sheathed cable
as a minimam requirement.
~======+-==---==========-~-~~====~==-----=======-----==========--===~
P., 15
-
(b) Provided, however, any part of a residence ,itsed as a beauty
shop, home laundry or other ~om.mercial purposes, the entire building shall
be classified as a business premises. and shall be wired in accordance with
the requirement for such business.
Section z. All low voltage transformers such as may be used for door
bells, floor 'furnaces, etc. shall be on a circuit other than appliance circuit
and shall be installed in a convenient and accessible place. Connections on
primary side shall be made by Bonded and Licensed Electrician.
Section 3. No outlet will be allowed -in an ironing board cabinet.
ARTICLE 303. ... PROTECTIVE DEVICES
Section 1. Circuit protection shallconsist of non-tamperable S fuses or
circuit breakers. The amperage rating shall correspond with the amperage
rating of the circuit on which it is used. The Electricallnspeeto.r shall require
the installation of non-tamperable type S over-current devices on existing cir-
cuits which are protected with plug fuses wherever the actual connected load on
the circuit exceeds the maximum ampere rating of tlie circuit or wherever
there exists evidence of wilful over-fusing or fuse tampering. ·
ARTICLE 304. ~ ... ELECTRIC WELDERS
Section 1. No electric welder of the transform·er reactance type shall be
connected in the City of Lubbock without same is bearing the name plate of
manufacture and the current rating, and must bear the stamp of approval of the
National Board of Fire Underwriters.
ARTICLE 305. -ENTRANCE SERVICE
Section 1. All entrance service conductors, supplying other than a
dwelling shall be enclosed in rigid galvanized conduit without pull box or fitting
except sealed fittings.
Section z. All dwellings shall be supplied by two~ire No. 8 or three ..
wire No. 6 or larger service. Entrance cable may be used as service entrance
for dwellings, or dwellings may be supplied by service as called for in Section
1 {One) of Article 305. Main entrance equipment for dwellings on three (3)-
wire service shall not be less than sixty {60) amperes for fused switches nor
less than fifty (50) amperes for circuit breakers.
Section 3. The point of entrance and panel location shall be designate(i
and shown on all plans for new electric service. These shall be approved by
the City Electric Inspector •
. ARTICLE 306. -.METER LOOP
Section 1.. Each meter loop shall consist of meter socket, we'athethead,
necessary conduit and wires, and shall be furnished and installed by the owher
or contractor of the premises where the installation is being made. Meter
sockets shall be of a standard type for plug-in meters and must meet the
approval of the Electrical Inspector.
Section z. Any metering installation requiring the use of in~trum•ent
transformers shall be furnished and installed by·the public utility furnishing
power to said installation.
P. 1
Section 3. Each meter ~Jocket installation shall be on the outside of the
building, residence or other structures and shall be mounted not more than
eight (8) feet nor less than six {6) feet above the level of the standing space.
Section 4. When any rewiring is done to any existing installation neces ...
sitating the moving of the meter, the meter socket and loop shall be reinstalled
as provided by this article.
ARTICLE 307. -JOINTS -SOLDER AND TAPING
Section 1.. Where joints are found to be taped but not ·soldered, or spliced I
with an approved mechanical device, the Inspector may require all joints
untaped and left untaped until soldered or spliced with an approved mechanical
device.
ARTICLE 308 •. -LIGHTS IN CLOTHES CLOSETS
Section 1. No-.lights shall be approved in clothes closets except ceiling
lights, controlled by wall switches, or approved ceiling switches. No drop
cord lamp shall be approved in clothes closets.
ARTICLE 309. .. WIRING • CHECK BEFORE CONCEALING
Section 1. The wiring contractor m!~St check all wiring to be concealed
before filing notice for inspection.
ARTICLE 310. ... INSTALLATION OF PIPE NEAR ELECTRICAL WORK
Section 1. After inspection, no pipe or other metal work shall be placed
nearer than three (3) inches to any electric work without first notifying the
Inspector so that said wires may be inspected and protected. In such cases all
requirements of the Inspector as to placing of the wire or work, and as to the
installation thereof, shall be fully complied with.
ARTICLE 311. • CONTROL WIRE -PROTECTION OF
Section 1. No bell wire or other signal wire shall be run so as to come
in contact with or nearer than five (5) inches to any light or power wire, unless
such light or power wire is protected by porcelain tubes, flexible tubing,
metal armer or conduit.
ARTICLE 312. ... CONDUIT
Section 1. Conduit Systems: TheN. E. c. shall 'be used for guide in
conduit installations. If wires are pulled· in conduit systems before all plaster•
ing and cement work has been completed, a box cover shall be placed over all
outlets until such work has been completed.
Section z. When under the terms of this Ordinance, wiring is required to
be protected by conduit, the inspection notice shall be filed with the Inspector
as soon as the c.onduit is installed, so that it may be inspected before being
concealed except risers in Masonry.
Section 3. Enameled conduit shall not be approved when laid underground
or in a concrete floor or wall, in contact with the ground.
P. 17
ARTICLE 313. -APPROVAL -REQUIRED BEFORE CONCEALED
Section 1. When wiring or conduit has been made to comply with the
rules, the Jnsp~ctor shall leave a certificate of inspection attached to the meter
loop or other convenient location, stating that the wiring or conduit has been
passed and may be concealed.
ARTICLE 314. -CERTIFICATE .. NOT TO BE DESTROYED OR CONCEALED
Section 1. Any person removing, destroying or defacing one of these
approval cards or any lather, carpenter, or any other person concealing any
wiring or conduit which has not been approv-ed as indicated by the presence of
the Inspection Certificate shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punishable as
provided in this Ordinance.
ARTICLE 315. -CONCEALED WIRING -NOTIFICATION OF CHANGES
Section 1. When a wiring contractor is notified of changes in wiring to
be concealed, he must make such changes at once, and in all cases must
notify the Inspector immediately upon making the changes.
ARTICLE 316. -APPROVAL ... REQUIRED BEFORE CONNECTED
Section 1. No wiring or equipment shall be connected, or meter installed.
until a final certificate has been issued, except as provided in Article 210,
Chapter II.
ARTICLE 317. APPROVAL -REQUIRED FOR ELECTRIC SIGNS
Section 1. It shall be unlawful to hang o·r fix in position any electric sign
or sign designed for use as an electric sign, or which may be used as an elec-
tric sign, until such sign shall have been inspected by the Inspector.
ARTICLE 318 .... PROTECTIVE DEVICES -LOCATION OF
Section 1. Fuse panels, circuit breakers, etc. shall not be placed in
hot. water closets, bathrooms, clothes closets or any similar place where
articles may be stored to hinder accessibility. They shall be located Where
they are readily accessible to tenant.
ARTICLE 319. -WIRING -FOR APPUANCES AND MOTORS
Section 1. In wiring of motors, ranges, heaters or air-conditioners,
the N. E. C. then in force shall be used as a guide.
ARTICLE 320. -CONDUCTORS .. SIZE
Section 1. No conductor smaller than No. 12 American Wire Gauge size
shall be used in any electrical work as covered by this Ordinance, except the
following as approved by the National Electrical Code:
(a) Pendant and portable cords.
(b) Fixture wire.
(c) No. 14 for individual fixtures leads at outlet box.
p _ 1 A
No. 14 for control circuits operating ~ontractors, relays
and the like.
Wiring within display cases.
Wiring for system covered by Chapter 7 of the National
Electrical Gode.
As specified under electrical signs.
No. 14 for switch loops, controlling light only in residence
occupancies.
(i) No. 14 in circuits for lighting outlets only containing no
rec.eptacles.
ARTICLE 321. -CIRCUITS -REQUIRED
Section 1. Each dwelling occupancy including each occupancy of a multi•
ple family apartment, shall have one or more Z9-a.Inpere circuit supplying all
receptacles in the kitchen, breakfast room and dining room 'Nhich shall supply
no other outlet and no fixed appliances. All remaining receptacles and lights
must be equally divided on 15 to 20 ampere circuits. Gener~llighting shall be
computed on a "watts per square footu basis and the unit load shall be four (4)
watts per square foot. Each automatic clothes washing machine shall be on a
circuit supplying no other load.
Section 2. The location of receptacles and the number required in each
type room designated in Section 2124-B of the N. E. C. shall be as follows for
new construction. Each wall space over fifty-four inches (54''} in length betwee
casings and which is unbroken by a door of passage shall be provided with one
or More receptacles so placed that no part of said wall space is over seven
and one-half feet {7-1/2') from a receptacle.
ARTICLE 322. -MOTORS ... STARTING EQUIPMENT
Section I. Any motor requiring over one hundred instantaneous KVA for
starting shall not be started 11across the line11 without permission of the utility
company.
ARTICLE 323. -SERVICE -METHOD OF
Section 1. The ll\"'ethod by which s'ervice *ires from the utility company
poles to the c-ustomer's entrance fitting shall be overhead exposed wires, and
shAll be installed, owned and maintained by th'e utility company.
Section 2.. H ·any customer prefers the service wires to be installed in
conduit, or any other twe. of concealed wiring, all ~onduit,. entrance fillings,
meter sockets and wires placed in the co~duit shall be furnished, installed and
maintained by the customer.
Seetion 3. The utility company shall fu.rnish and maintain overhead
exposed s.ervi.ce wires up .to the entr.ance of any concealed wiring. From the
point of entrance to concealed wiring. the utility company shall not directly
or indir·ectly f\l'rnish. install or maintain any conduit wire-s, fittings., meter
sockets or meter loops, except as speci1ied in Article 306, Sf('ction 2 (Two).
Section 4. In serving industrial and commercial customers where the
load is of such nature that large transformers are required to reduce the
voltage to the service voltage and such transformers necessitate the installation
of transformer vau.lts, if the customer furnishe's the vault ·and the conduit
between the vault and the utilities overhead sy•tem the utility shall install all
electrical equipment necessary. This electrical equipment shall include cable
terminations, the transformers, and incidental electrical equipment on the high
voltage· side required for the installation of these transformers plus enough
cable to go to• a pole immediately outside building. H customer desires under-
ground service to terminate further from the building, he will be required to
pay all additional expense incurred by the utility.
CHAPTER IV -FLUORESCENT UGHT.ING
ARTICLE 401. -FLUORESCENT FIXTURES AND LIGHTING
Section 1. All fluorescent fixtures must bear the label of approval of the
Underwriters.' Laboratories, Inc.
Section 2. Ceiling, wall or case fixtures, or strip lighting, must be
safely and permanently installed, and shall be wired. without the use of attach-
ment cords.
Section 3. Wires from fluorescent fixtures to the outlet box shall be
laced in chain of sufficient strength, or shall be carried to the outlet box
through the supporting pipes or through a separate p~ce of approved metal
raceway. The wires shall not hang free in air fro:r:n outlet box to the fixture.
Seetion 4. AU joints shall be properly made and insulated, both in the
fixture and in the outlet box. There shall be no exposed joints outside of
fixture or O)ltlet box.
Section 5. Local manufacturers must secure Underwriters 1 Label Ser-
vice before selling or offering for sale any fluorescent fixture to be used or
installed in the City of Lubbock, Te:xas.
Section 6. No one, other than the holder of a Master Electrician1s
License and Bond or a Journeyman in his employ, may install any fluorescent
fixture, either permanently or for temporary use.
Section 7 • Where fixtures are installed tempo-rarily or for approval, a
temporary permit must be se.cured from the Electrical htspector, an!i the
permit will expire at a stated time, as shown on the permit.
Section 8. Fluorescent fixtures shall not be installed in any hazardous
locations, unless specifically approved by the Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc.
for such locations.
Section 9. Primary wiring for fluorescent lighting shall be the same as
for incandescent lighting. Surface extensions may be made to fluorescent
.fixture outlets .. and for 8: con;nected load of not more than eighty per ~ent (80%)
of 15 Amperes, equaling .1320 watts to circuit, or eighty per cent (80,o) of
circuit rating.
Section 10. Wiring methods shall be the same, as to type, in regard to
conduit as for incandescent lighting for the given type of occupance, hazard, etc.
Section 11. The auxiliaries of fluorescent fixtures .dissipate heat, and are
subject to burn-outs, ignition or destruction as in any similar transformer,
reactor, resistor, or capacitor; and care must be taken so that in the event of
a fault in the fixture, surrounding material will not be ignited. ·
·I
Section lZ. No fluorescent fixture shall be supported from the shade
hold holders or fitter ring of any chain fixture, electric fan or similar fixture
by use of the screws provided for holdin'g the glass shade. or bowl. As in all
cases, the fixtures must be supported by a permanent mechanical method,
both as to fitter, chain and ceiling attachment, and shall be permanently wired
io the outlet box, and attachment cords plugged into a fixture will not be
accepted.
Section 13. Fluorescent fixtures are not to be support~d by m•3ans of
an adaptor, designed to be screwed into any light socket or receptacle.
Section 14. In all cases, the wall or ceiling attachment, the supp"orting
chain and the attachment to the fixture must be of sufficient strength and per-
manence to properly support the weight of the fixture under all circumstances.
Strong steel chains, rods or conduit shall be used.
Section 15. Stems or pipe supports, which house wiring, shall be
approved conduit. The use of com.mon iron pipe is hereby prohibited.
Section 16. Receased fluorescent fixtures shall be wired with heat
resistant (ABV) wire and all current N. E. C. rules shall be observed.
Section 17. Transformers (auxiliaries) shall not be placed in attics,
uiiless in approved metal cabinets accessible from the under siding of ceiling.
Section 18. Primary circuits of not more than 13ZO watts (transformer
input VA) shall be c<Jnnected to any one circuit, either inside of sign bodies or
on any neon or other sign circuit and not over three (3) transformers on any
one circuit. ·
Section 19. Flood lights tnust be on separate circuits from sign circuits.
The goos~ necks of net over 150 watts each may be connected in circuit with
neon sign, provided that total wattage does not exceed 13ZO watts or eighty per
cent (80%) of Circuit rating.
CHAPTER V -LEGISLATIVE AND PENALTY
ARTICLE 501. •· PENALTY
Section 1. Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of
this Ordinance,~ or causing same to be violated, shall be deemed guilty of a
misder;n-eanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine in any
sum not to exceed~Two Hundred Dollars ($ZOO). Each and every violation of
th.e provis~ons of this Ordinance shall constitute a separate offense.
:ARTICLE SOl. -ENFORCEMENT INTERPRETATION
Section 1. This· Ordinance shall be enforced by the City Electrical
Inspector in accordance with the interpretation thereof contained in the National
Electrical Code, a certified copy of which shall be on file in the City Secretary's
Office.
AR'TICLE 503. -EXTENSION OF LICENSES.
Section 1. Alllicens·es held by Master ·Ea~ctricians, Journeyman Elec-
tricians, and .Master Sign Electricians, for the current year shall be and ate
hereby e~ended until D~ce~ber 31, 1'954, when same shall be renewed in
WLS:sv
P. 2.1
accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance.
ARTICLE 504. -REPEAL
Section 1. Ordinances Nos. 2.85, 500, 602., 673, 695, 798 and 1013 and
all amendments thereto, and all other Qrdinances or parts of Ordinances and
amendments, in c6nflict with the provisions of this Ordinance shall be and
the same are hereby repealed.
ARTICLE 505. -PUBLICATION
Section 1. The City Secretary is authorized and directed to publish the
descriptive caption of this Electrical Ordinance, together with the penalty
section which is Article No. 501 of Chapter No. V, once a week for two (2.)
consecutive weeks in some newspaper regularly published in the City of
Lubbock, in lieu of publishing the entire Ordinance, as an alternative method
of publication provided by Chapter 10, page 112, Acts 1939 of the 46th Legis-
lature, as am.ended by Chapter 2.64, page 463. Acts 1947 of the 50th Legislature,
and this Ordinance shall take effect from and after its pas$age and publication,
as made and p r ovided by the Charter of t r e City of Lubbock.
ARTICLE 506. ... VALIDITY OF ORDINANCE
Section 1. H any chapter, article, section, paragraph, subdivision,
clause, sentence, phrase, word or provision of this Ordinance shall be adjudged
invalid or held unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of this
Ordinance as a whole. or any part or provision thereof other than the part so
decided to be invalid or unconstitutional.
AND IT IS SO ORDERED.
On motion of Commissioner _....,;;;D..;;a;,.;,VJ..;;·..;.s _____ , seconded by Commis-
sioner ____ M..,or_r_~.;.;.· s ______ • the foregoing Ordinance was approved and
passed on first reading this 25 day of __ Ma....;.;;.r..;.c.;;.;;h __ , 1954, by the following
vote:
Com.mbsi oners voting "YEA11 : Morris, Carpenter, Davis, Thomas and
Mayor Tripp
Commissioners voting "NAY": None
reading this ---...
Commi ssi oners voting ''NAY'':
ATTEST: Mtm:it~i:Cff.-'fk!:Pi:i; Mayo?----
~
ORDINANCE
# 15'1(o
FIRST READING
ONLY
NO FINAL
PASSAGE