Ordinance 2945CITY OF ALAMEDA ORDINANCE NO. 2945
New Series
AMENDING THE ALAMEDA MUCIPAL CODE BY
AMENDING CHAPTER Xil (BUIDING AN HOUSING) BY
REPEALING ARTICLE I SECTION 13.4 (ALAMEDA
ELECTRICAL CODE) IN ITS ENTIRTY AN ADDING A NEW
ARTICLE I SECTION 13.4 (ALAMEDA ELECTRICAL CODE) TO
ADOPT THE 2004 EDITION OF THE CALIFORN
ELECTRICAL CODE AN APPROVING CERTAI
AMENDMENTS THERETO.
BE IT ORDAID by the City Council ofthe City of Alameda that:
Section 1.The Alameda Municipal Code is amended by repealing Aricle
Section 13.4 of Chapter Xilin its entirety.
Section 2.The Alameda Municipal Code is amended by adding a new Aricle I
Section 13.4 to Chapter Xil of the Alameda Municipal Code which shall read as follows:
ARTICLE I. UNIFORM CODES RELATING TO BUILDING, HOUSING AND
TECHNICAL CODES
13.4
13-
ALAMEDA ELECTRICAL CODE
Adoption of California Electrical Code.
Except as hereinafter provided , the Califonra Electrcal Code, 2004 Edition, published by the
National Fire Protection Association is adopted by reference and made a part hereof as if fully set
forth herein at length , and shall be know as the Alameda Electrcal Code. (Ord. No. 2788 N.S. g 2)
13-Modifcations, Amendments. and .Deletions to the California Electrical
Code.
a. Aricle 230-, Raceway Seal , of the Califonra Electrical Code , 2001 Edition , is
amended by adding the following:
Raceways or ducts within the underground box shall also be sealed.
b. Aricle 230-, Point of Attachment, ofthe Califonra Electrcal Code, 2004 Edition, is
amended to read as follows:
Unless special permission is granted in advance to do otherwise , the location ofthe point
service drop support or attachment on a building shall be at that portion of the building
facing and nearest to the street, alley, easement, or public way on which is located the utility'
pole having facilities for rendering service .of the type required to fit the needs of the
paricular installation involved.
The point of attachment shall be the portion of the service conduit adjacent to the service
head. The service conduit shall be securely fastened to structure served d space provided
for attachment of a service drop strain clamp by the serving utility.
The outer or upper end of the overhead service conduit shall not overhang or project
horizontally more than eighteen inches (18") beyond the last point at which the conduit is
supported and fastened.
In cases where it is necessary to obtain the required height for support dfthe service drops by
extending the service conduit above the roof of the building, only rigid metallic and
intermediate metal conduit shall be used for this pmpose and shall not be smaller than one
and one-quarter inches (11/4") trade size , not to extend more than thirt inches (30") beyond
the last support for periscope service without brace. If nonferrous metal conduit is used , it
shall not be smaller than two inches (2"
c. Aricle 230-, Insulation , of the Califonra Electrical Code , 2004 Edition, is amended
by deleting the exceptions and adding the following:
Service entrance conductors entering buildings or other structues shall be insulated.
Conductors installed in underground raceways shall have XHHW , THW or other suitable
insulation as listed in 75 C column of Table 310-16 of the National Electrical Code.
d. Aricle 230-, Insulation of Service Entrance Conductors , ofthe California Electrical
Code , 2004 Edition , is amended by adding the following:
Ends of service conductors in underground boxes shall be sealed to prevent entrance of
moisture.
e. Aricle 230-, Wiring Methods for 600 Volts , Nominal , or Less , of the California
Electrical Code , 2004 Edition , is amended by deleting items 1 , 7 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 & 16 and by
adding the following:
Except when installed as busways or cablebus , all serviCe entrance conductors in or on
buildings shall be installed in rigid metal conduit or intermediate metal conduit
Service entrance conduits installed to supply single and duplex family units shall not be
smaller than one and one-quarter inch (1114")trade size.
f. Aricle 230-, Protection Against Physical Damage - Underground, ofthe California
Electrical Code , 2004 Edition , is amended by adding the following:
Underground service entrance conductors shall be installed in rigid metal conduit or rigid
non-metallc conduit sized not smaller than two inches (2"). On utility poles conduit risers
shall be rigid non-metallc up to a height above grade of eight feet (8'
g.
Aricle 230-, Connections at Service Head , of the California Electrcal Code , 2004
Edition , is amended by adding the following:
The service head shall be located on that portion of the building served which is facing the
serving line. The service head shall be located at that height which wil allow for the proper
clearance ofthe service drop over street , curb , and sidewalk. This wil require that the service
head for residential occupancies be not less than twelve feet, six inches (12') above the
driveway where the drops may cross a private driveway, and not less than ten feet , six inches
(10') above the ground where persons may walk , other than a public walk, which requires a
clearance of sixteen feet (16') above the curb.
If the height of the building involved. is such that these clearance heights canot be
maintained , then a periscope-type service or some other auxiliar structure shall be resorted
to. fu the event that a periscope-type service is used , it may be placed on the side of the
building served not more than eighteen inches (18") back of the wall which is facing the
serving line.
h. Aricle 230-, General , (a) Location , ofthe CalifonraElectrcal Code , 2004 Edition, is
amended to read as follows:
The service disconnecting means shall be located at a readily accessible point nearest to the
entrance of the service conductors , and in residential property shall be accessible from the
exterior, except where a meter room is provided. Such service disconnecting means shall not
be installed under show windows , or in the cases of multiple occupancies , in any location not
readily accessible to all parties concerned. Service disconnecting means shall not be installed
in bathrooms.
i. Aricle 230-, Maximum Number of Disconnects , ofthe California Electrical Code
2004 Edition, is amended to read as follows:
A separate service disconnecting means shall be provided for each separately metered
subdivision of the service conductors. Switches or circuit breakers accessible from the
exterior of the building shall be limited to one for each meter; in new construction however
exceptions wil be 'granted in cases involving provisions for the installation of major
household appliances, provided that the over curent devices are contained within a single
panel board assembly approved for the pmpose , in which case the number of circuits shall be
limited to six (6). More than six ( 6) disconnects wil require a main disconnect.. The service
disconnecting means shall have provisions for locking each sub service disconnect in the
Off" position with a utility-type seal.
j. Aricle 240-, Location in or on Premises , (b) Occupant to Have Ready Access , ofthe
California.Electrical Code, 2004 Edition, is amended by adding the following:
In new installations , not more than two . feeder.or branch-circuit over curent devices shall be
installed on the load side of any meter in any meter cabinet opening to the exterior of a
building. Fora larger number of over current devices , a distribution center shall be provided
at a suitable location within the building. Exceptions to this mle.wil be.granted incases
involving provision for the installation of major household appliances , provided that the over
current devices are contained within a single panel board assembly approved for the pmpose.
In apartent houses and other buildings of multiple occupancy, branch circuit over current
devices which are located in an apartment or portion of the building intended to be separately
occupied by a tenant wil not be considered as being readily accessibleiftheyprotect circuits
supplying any outlets or equipment not for this exclusive use of this tenant.
The over current device may be located in a commonly accessible location, but .all circuits
supplying individual apartments in multifamily dwellings shall. be confined to each
individual apartent served.
k. Aricle 250-, Grounding Electrode System, ofthe California Electrical Code , 2004
Edition, is amended by adding the following:
The concrete encased electrode described in 250-52 A (3) shall be installed during the
construction of all new buildings as the primary ground and when new foundations are
constructed for existing buildings. A ground rod electrode shall be. installed at the service
entrance location at time of alteration or installation of service to existing buildings as a
primary grounding means.
1. Aricle 250-104 B , Bonding of Piping Systems , ofthe California Electrical Code , 2004
Edition, is amended by adding the following:
General. Interior and exterior hot and cold water system shall be bonded to the neutral buss
and the interior gas piping. Such connection shall not be located in under-the-floor crawl
spaces , except by pennission of the Building Official.
m. Aricle 300-, Conductors , (c) Conductors of Different Systems , of the Califonra
Electrical Code , 2004 Edition, is amended by adding the following:
Conductors Supplied by Individual Disconnecting Means in Two or More Occupancy
Buildings. Conductors or circuits derived from a sub-service disconnecting means for an
occupancy shall not occupy the same wiring enclosure, cable , or raceway with conductors for
other occupancies.
Exception 1. Emergency circuit wiring
Exception 2. Group-mounted service boards in single enclosures and auxiliary
gutters at service switchboard location.
n. Aricle 334., Uses Pennitted, of the California Electrical Code , 2004 Edition, isamended by adding the following:
Nonmetallic-sheathed cable maybe used in the hollow spaces of walls and ceilings of wood
frame construction and must be concealed by the pennanent finish of the building. It is
limited to use on circuits not exceeding 300 volts between conductors or 150 volts to ground.
o. Aricle 334-15( c), In Unfinished Basements , of the California Electrical Code , 2004
Edition, is amended by adding the following:
In wood frame construction where cable is not exposed to physical damage, the cable shall
either be ru through bored holes in joists , parallel to joist, or on girders or running boards
and shall closely follow the vertical surface of such members.
Where cable is exposed to physical damage , a metal-clad system of wiring shall be used in
the unfinished area of the building.
p.
Aricle 338., Uses Pennitted as Service-Entrance Conductors , of the Californa
Electrical Code, 2004 Edition, is deleted.
q.
Aricle 358., Use , of the California Electrcal Code , 2004 Edition, is amended by
adding r the following:
Electrical metallc tubing shall not be used in the ground floor slab or in any location where it
would be in contact with the ground.
n. Aricle 394 ofthe California Electrical Code, 2004 Edition, is deleted. (Ord. No.
2898 N.S. g 2)
13-Findings.
Subdivisions (a) through (r) of Section 13-4.2 are based upon the following findings:
Pursuant to Sections 17958.5 and 17958 : 7 ofthe Califonra Health and Safety Code , the City
Council finds that the modifications of the California Electric Code , 2004 Edition, contained in
subdivisions (a) through (r) of Section 13-4.2 , are reasonably necessary because of certain local
climatic , geographical and topographical conditions existing in the City of Alameda which are more
specifically described as follows:
a. The City of Alameda is an island community with access dependent upon bridges and
underwater tubes and, in the event of a disaster, could be completely isolated from outside assistance.
b. The City of Alameda is adjacent to several earhquake faults , which make buildings and
structures susceptible to structural ruptures and fires.
c. The entire municipal water supply for the City of Alameda is transported via three
aqueducts , which are vulnerable to earhquake and tidal flooding.
d. Alameda is a low-lying island community with soil and groundwater conditions , which
are corrosive to metals.
e. Alameda has very fine, sandy soil conditions.
f. The City of Alameda lies in the path of two (2) airport landing and takeoff zones.
g.
Electrical power in the City of Alameda is provided by Alameda Power and Telecom, a
City owned and operated municipal utility, whichhas the authority to regulate acceptable materials
arangement , location and type of service equipment. (Ord. No. 2898 N.S. g 2)
Copy of California Electrical Code with Planning and Building
Department.
A copy of the California Electrcal Code, 2004 Edition , has been deposited in the Office of
the Planing and Building Department of the City and shall be maintained by the Building Official
for use and examination by the public. (Ord. No. 2898 N.S. g 2)
13-
Section 5 If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase ofthis ordinance
, for any reason, held invalid or unconstitutional , such decision shall not affect the validity or
constitutionality of the remaining portions of this ordinance. The City Council of the City of
Alameda herby declares that it would have passed this ordinance, and each section, subsection
sentence , clause or phrase hereof, irrespective ofthe fact that anyone orffore sections , subsections
sentences , clauses or phrases be declared unconstitutional.
Section 6.All former ordinances or parts thereof conflicting or inconsistent with
the provisions of this ordinance hereby adopted , to the extent of such conflct only, are hereby
repealed.
Section 7.The City Clerk ofthe City of Alameda is hereby directed to cause this
ordinance to be published in the Offcial Newspaper ofthe City of Alameda
Section 8.This ordinance and the rules , regulations , provisions , requirements
orders and matters established and adopted hereby shall take effect and be in full force and effect 30
days after the date of its final passage and a
~~~~
WJn
Attest:
* *
, the undersigned , hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance was duly and regularly
adopted and passed by the Council of the City of Alameda in a regular meeting assembled on the
day of September , 2005 by the following vote to wit:
AYES:Councilmembers Daysog, deHaan, Gilmore , Matarrese
and Mayor Johnson - 5.
NOES:None.
ABSENT:None.
ABSTENTIONS:None.
IN WITNESS , WHEREOF , I have hereunto set my hand and affxed the offcial seal of said City
this 21 5t day of September , 2005.
Lara Weisiger, City C e k
City of Alameda