14.13.070 Inspections and Testing.
A. General. The code official is authorized to conduct inspections that are deemed necessary to determine the extent of compliance with the provisions of this code and to approve reports of inspection by approved agencies or individuals. All reports of such inspections shall be prepared and submitted in writing for review and approval. Inspection reports shall be certified by a responsible officer of such approved agency or by the responsible individual. The code official is authorized to engage such expert opinion as deemed necessary to report upon unusual, detailed or complex technical issues subject to the approval of the governing body.
B. Required Inspections.
1. General. The code official, upon notification, shall make the inspections set forth in this section.
a. Evaluation and follow-up inspection services. Prior to the approval of a prefabricated construction assembly having concealed electrical work and the issuance of an electrical permit, the code official shall require the submittal of an evaluation report on each prefabricated construction assembly, indicating the complete details of the electrical system, including a description of the system and its components, the basis upon which the system is being evaluated, test results and similar information, and other data as necessary for the code official to determine conformance to this code.
(1) Evaluation service. The code official shall designate the evaluation service of an approved agency as the evaluation agency, and review such agency’s evaluation report for adequacy and conformance to this code.
(2) Follow-up inspection. Except where ready access is provided to electrical systems, service equipment and accessories for complete inspection at the site without disassembly or dismantling, the code official shall conduct the in-plant inspections as frequently as necessary to ensure conformance to the approved evaluation report or shall designate an independent, approved inspection agency to conduct such inspections. The inspection agency shall furnish the code official with the follow-up inspection manual and a report of inspections upon request, and the electrical system shall have an identifying label permanently affixed to the system indicating that factory inspections have been performed.
(3) Test and inspection records. Required test and inspection records shall be available to the code official at all times during the fabrication of the electrical system and the erection of the building; or such records as the code official designates shall be filed.
b. Concealed work. Work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved. It shall be the duty of the permit applicant to cause the work to remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes. Wherever any installation subject to inspection prior to use is covered or concealed without having first been inspected, the code official shall have the authority to require that such work be exposed for inspection. Neither the code official nor the jurisdiction shall be liable for expense entailed in the removal or replacement of any material required to allow inspection.
c. Underground. Underground inspection shall be made after trenches or ditches are excavated and bedded, piping and conductors installed, and before backfill is put in place. Where excavated soil contains rocks, broken concrete, frozen chunks and other rubble that would damage or break the raceway, cable or conductors, or where corrosive action will occur, protection shall be provided in the form of granular or selected material, approved running boards, sleeves or other means.
d. Rough-in. Rough-in inspection shall be made after the roof, framing, fireblocking and bracing are in place and all wiring and other components to be concealed are complete, and prior to the installation of wall or ceiling membranes.
e. Other inspections. In addition to the inspections specified above, the code official is authorized to make or require other inspections of any construction work to ascertain compliance with the provisions of this code and other laws, which are enforced by the department of electrical inspection.
f. Final inspection. The final inspection shall be made after all work required by the permit is completed.
g. Inspection record card. Work requiring a permit shall not be commenced until the permit holder or an agent of the permit holder shall have posted or otherwise made available an inspection record card such as to allow the code official to make conveniently the required entries thereon regarding inspection of the work. This card shall be maintained by the permit holder until final approval has been granted by the code official.
h. Approval required. Work shall not be performed beyond the point indicated in each successive inspection and test without first obtaining the approval of the code official.
The code official, upon notification, shall make the requested inspections and tests and shall either indicate the portion of the construction that is satisfactory as completed, or shall notify the permit holder or an agent of the permit holder wherein the same fails to comply with this code. Any portions that do not comply shall be corrected and such portion shall not be covered or concealed until authorized by the code official.
2. Validity. Approval as a result of an inspection shall not be construed to be an approval of a violation of the provisions of this code or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction. Inspections presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this code or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction shall not be valid.
3. Preliminary inspection. Before issuing a permit, the code official is authorized to examine or cause to be examined buildings, structures and sites for which an application has been filed. The code official shall be notified when the installation is ready for inspection and is authorized to conduct the inspection within a reasonable period of time.
4. Entry. The code official is authorized to enter and examine any building, structure, marine vessel, vehicle or premises in accordance with LMC 14.13.070(B)(4)(c) for the purpose of enforcing this code.
a. Identification. The code official shall carry proper identification issued by the governing authority where inspecting structures, premises or facilities in the performance of duties under this code and shall be identified by proper credentials issued by this governing authority.
b. Impersonation prohibited. A person shall not impersonate the code official through the use of a uniform, identification card, badge or any other means.
c. Right of entry. Where it is necessary to make an inspection to enforce the provisions of this code, or where the code official has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in a structure or upon any premises a condition that is contrary to or in violation of this code, which makes the structure or premises unsafe, dangerous or hazardous, the code official is authorized to enter the structure or premises at reasonable times to inspect or to perform the duties imposed by this code, provided that if such structure or premises be occupied, that credentials be presented to the occupant and entry requested. If such structure or premises is unoccupied, the code official is authorized to first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person having charge or control of the structure or premises and request entry. If entry is refused, the code official shall have recourse to the remedies provided by law to secure entry.
5. Inspection agencies. The code official is authorized to accept reports of approved inspection agencies, provided such agencies satisfy the requirements as to qualifications and reliability.
6. Inspection requests. It shall be the duty of the person doing the work authorized by a permit to notify the code official that such work is ready for inspection. It shall be the duty of the person requesting any inspections required by this code to provide access to and means for inspection of such work.
7. Assistance from other agencies. The assistance and cooperation of police, building, fire and health department officials and all other officials shall be available as required in the performance of duties.
8. Contractors’ responsibilities. It shall be the responsibility of every contractor who enters into contracts for the installation or repair of electrical systems for which a permit is required to comply with adopted state and local rules and regulations concerning licensing.
C. Field Testing.
1. General. Electrical work shall be tested as required in this code. Tests shall be performed by the permit holder and observed by the code official.
2. Apparatus, material and labor for tests. Apparatus, material and labor required for testing an electrical system or part thereof shall be furnished by the permit holder.
3. Reinspection and testing. Where any work or installation does not pass an initial test or inspection, the necessary corrections shall be made so as to achieve compliance with this code. The work or installation shall then be resubmitted to the code official for inspection and testing.