§ 10-53. Electrical provisions.
(a)
General . The provisions of this section shall apply to the design, construction, installation, use and maintenance of electrical systems and equipment. Where differences occur between provisions of this Code and referenced codes or standards, the provisions of this Code shall apply.
(b)
Equipment and door labeling. The disconnecting means for each service, feeder or branch circuit originating in a switchboard or panelboard shall be legibly and durably marked to indicate its purpose unless such purpose is clearly evident to the code official. Doors into electrical panel rooms shall be marked with a plainly visible and legible sign stating electrical room or similar approved wording.
(c)
TOPS (Temporary on Permanent Set) permit. The section outlines the requirements for obtaining a permit to allow the connection of the new or existing electrical service to CPS Energy prior to having all final inspections completed on a project. The issuance of a TOPS permit and the subsequent connection to the utility company service does not allow an owner or the occupants to occupy the building or structure until a C of O has been issued. The above permit does not waive any of the applicable provisions of articles IV and VIII.
(1)
Sec. 10-1302.3.1 Permit Application. A licensed electrical contractor registered with the city must make the application for the TOPS permit. The electrical contractor must also request that the TOPS permit be attached to the main building permit in the city's computer system. The TOPS permit is required in addition to the main electrical permit for the project.
(2)
The following are the general conditions for obtaining a TOPS permit for new construction and may be modified by the code official to suit project specific conditions:
a.
The electrical service must be complete along with all grounding requirements, and the electrical conductors originating from the service equipment must be terminated in an approved electrical manner.
b.
The building permit on residential construction shall have an approved foundation and complete frame inspection. The building permit on commercial construction shall have a complete foundation and at minimum a partial frame inspection.
c.
On residential construction all trade permits must have approved rough-ins and a complete plumbing top out. On commercial construction all trade permits must have a minimum of a partial rough in including a partial plumbing top out.
d.
The plumbing sewer permit shall have an approved final inspection on both commercial and residential.
(3)
Existing construction. The following are the general conditions for obtaining a TOPS permit for existing construction and may be modified by the code official to suit project specific conditions:
a.
The electrical service must be in good condition and comply with the city electrical code including all grounding requirements.
b.
The electrical loads originating from the existing service equipment, that will not be utilized for construction power, must be disconnected and safeguarded from accidental contact with an energized electric bus bar.
c.
Temporary GFCI protected outlets must be provided at the service equipment location to be used during construction related activities.
d.
All necessary and or required trade permits must be obtained prior to giving a final approval to CPS to energize the service equipment.
(d)
Electrified fences or barriers. Electrified fences or barriers conforming to the following requirements shall be permitted:
(1)
Electrified fences or barriers shall conform to the requirements of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard IEC 60335-1 Household and similar electric appliances Safety Part 1: General Requirements (Reference number IEC 60335-1:2001+A1:2004(E)) and Standard IEC 60335-2 Household and similar electric appliances -Safety Part 2-76: Particular requirements for electric fence energizers (Reference number CEI/IEC 60335-2-76:2002+A1:2006) or Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) Standard number 60335-2. Safety of Household and Similar Electrical Appliances, Part 1: General Requirements have.
(2)
Electrified fences or barriers shall be limited to outdoor storage areas only in zoning designations: Commercial (C-2 and C-3), Light Industrial District (L), General Industrial District (I-1) and Heavy Industrial District (I-2). Unless specifically designated in this subsection, electrified fences or barriers shall not be permitted in any zoning district.
(3)
The exterior (public side) perimeter of the electrified fence or barrier shall be protected by an additional non-electrified fence or wall and shall be separated by six (6) inches.
(4)
The height of the non-electrified fence or wall shall be no less than six (6) feet in height and no more than eight (8) feet in height at its highest point.
(5)
The height of the electrified fence or barrier shall be no more than ten (10) feet in height at its highest point measured at existing grade.
(6)
Electrified fences or barriers shall be clearly marked with warning signs. The warning signs shall be placed at each entrance to the property on the electrified fence or barrier and a maximum of forty (40) feet on centers thereafter around the entire perimeter of the electrified fence. The warning signs shall be placed above the non-electrified fence or wall and be clearly visible from the ground on both sides of the electrified fence or barrier. The warning signs shall be printed on both sides with the following "WARNING ELECTRIFIED FENCE" and contain the international symbol for an electrical hazard. The wording shall be written in both English and Spanish. In addition each entrance shall have a sign noting: "Electric Barrier registered with the San Antonio Development Services Department City Code 10-53(e)." These signs will be reflective with a minimum two-inch letter height, minimum stroke of one-half inch and with a contrasting background. Arabic numbers and alphabetical letters shall be used.
(7)
Electrified fences or barriers may be energized only during the hours when the general public does not have legal access to the protected property.
(8)
Electrified fences or barriers shall not be installed within five feet of a sidewalk or public right-of-way. They shall also not be installed within one hundred fifty (150) feet of a property line for a residence, or from a public, private, or parochial school day care facility unless the exterior perimeter non-electrified fence is covered with a solid "see-through" covering (e.g., solid mesh, slats, etc.) to further prevent contact with the electrified fence and meets the City's traffic clear vision requirements for intended site.
(9)
Electrified fences or barriers must be designed and certified by an authorized representative of the fence or barrier equipment manufacturer. Upon completion of fence or barrier installation, the fence or barrier equipment manufacturer shall certify that the installation meets all of its design and safety requirements.
(10)
Electrified fences or barriers must be permitted with the development services department and on an annual basis with a notarized statement attached to the renewal permit from an authorized representative of the fence or barrier equipment manufacturer that the installation is currently operating in conformity with its safety requirements.
(11)
The owner of the stated security equipment and the commercial property owner(s) are required to carry general liability insurance in a minimum amount of one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) in the aggregate each. Further, proof of insurance shall be required as a condition precedent to secure a permit as required in this subsection and upon each subsequent annual renewal. A failure to maintain proof of insurance for the permitted year shall result in a revocation of the issued permit. Proof of minimum coverage amounts maintained for the preceding year must be provided with each application for renewal. Failure to maintain coverage for the entire previous year shall result in a denial of any permit renewal for five (5) years from the date of expiration or revocation. Proof of insurance shall be underwritten by an organization licensed/authorized to do business in the state.
(12)
A permit holder's decision to appeal acts to modify the provisions of section 10-14(b), Limitations of authority contained in this chapter and does not require acquiescence of the building official to appeal his decision. Procedures outlined in section 10-14 of this chapter shall be followed unless specifically modified herein. The building official shall be authorized to revoke a permit upon the recommendation of the chief of police or designee, itself based on and supported by evidence of violation of this chapter. The building official or designee must send a notice of revocation to the last known address of the permit holder with such notice detailing a time of no more than ten (10) working days to appeal the building official 's decision. Notice of appeal must be sent as soon as practical, but no later than ten (10) working days past the revocation. The building official's decision shall be final upon the expiration of the ten (10) working day period. A filed appeal shall suspend the building official's action to revoke the permit. A permit holder shall be entitled to a hearing before the next reasonably available meeting of the building-related and fire codes appeals and advisory board and it shall either affirm or deny the building official's decision. The board's decision shall be based on the same evidence reviewed by the building official and any subsequent information produced.
(13)
Electrified fences or barriers shall have a Knox box installed in a location acceptable to the police and fire departments to de-energize the electrified fence or barrier. The Knox box shall be illuminated to a minimum one foot candle.
(14)
The power source and Knox box for the electrified fence or barrier shall be installed by an electrical contractor. The power source shall consist of, but not be limited to, the energizer, battery, a means of maintaining a charge on the battery and the load side conductors from the energizer to the perimeter fence conductors.
(e)
Electrical inspections supervisor. The electrical inspections supervisor of the development services department shall also serve as the master of record for electrical work performed by city electricians.
(Ord. No. 2018-06-21-0493 , § 1, 6-21-18)