50.07.170 Electrical Fire Hazards

(a) General Requirements:

(1) All electrical appliances, fixtures, equipment, or wiring shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the latest edition of NFPA 70 National Electrical Code and with this title and section.

(2) All appliances, fixtures, and applicable equipment shall by listed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) ® or other nationally recognized testing agency.

(b) Extension Cords:

(1) General.

(A) Extension cords shall be listed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL®) or other approved nationally recognized testing agency.

(B) The current-carrying capacity of the extension cord shall not be exceeded.

(C) Extension cords shall be of a 3-wire grounding type when used in conjunction with devices equipped with 3-prong grounding type attachment plugs.

(D) Extension cords may not be multiplied or plugged into one another, except for temporary wiring at construction sites complying with Article 305 of the National Electrical Code (NEC).

(2) Application.

(A) Extension cords shall only be used for temporary wiring and shall not be substituted for permanent wiring.

(B) Extension cords shall be permitted only with portable appliances, hand tools or fixtures.

(C) Except for listed multi-tap extension cords with built-in over-current protection, each extension cord shall serve only one portable appliance, hand tool or fixture.

(D) Extension cords shall not be attached to structures or extended through walls, ceilings, floors, under or through doors, or floor coverings.

(E) Extension cords shall not be subject to environmental damage or physical impact.

(F) Extension cords may be used for temporary wiring at construction sites complying with Article 305 of the NEC.

(G) The ampacity of the extension cords shall not be less than the rated capacity of the portable appliance (NFPA 1: 11.1.5.3.2).

(H) Extension cords shall be maintained in good condition without splices, deterioration, or damage (NFPA 1: 11.1.5.3.3).

(I) Relocatable power tap cords shall not extend through walls, ceilings, or floors; under doors or floor coverings; or be subject to environmental or physical damage. (NFPA 1: 11.1.5.2.3).

(1) The Fire Chief / Fire Inspector shall be permitted to prohibit the use of portable electric heaters in occupancies or situations where such use or operation would present an undue danger to life or property (NFPA 1: 11.5.3.1).

(2) Portable electric heaters shall be designed so that they cannot be easily overturned (NFPA 1: 11.5.3.2) and shall be equipped with tip-over and over-heat protection (automatic shut-off).

(3) All portable electric heaters shall be UL® listed (NFPA 1: 11.5.3.3).

(4) At least three feet (3 ft.) of clearance shall be maintained, on all sides, from heaters, to any flammable or combustible materials

(5) Portable electric heaters shall be plugged directly into wall outlets rather than to extensions cords or power taps.

(6) Portable heaters shall be unplugged when the room or building is unoccupied.

(7) In any occupancy or building where a portable electric heater is in use, a fire extinguisher(s) shall be provided, rated for Type "C" fires involving energized electrical equipment.

(8) Portable electric heaters shall not be placed, unattended, in children's sleeping rooms.

(9) Portable electric heaters shall not be allowed to block or impede fire egress routes, corridors or exit doors.

(10) Portable heaters shall be prohibited in rooms or areas where highly combustible materials, flammable liquids, or flammable gasses are stored, or used.

(d) Electrical fuse boxes, breaker boxes and switch-boards.

(1) A clear width of thirty inches (30") and a minimum height of seventy-eight inches (78") shall be maintained from the face of electrical boxes to an aisle or corridor and shall not be used for storage (NFPA 70: 110.26)

(2) Breakers shall be labelled as to their intended use.

(3) Breaker boxes shall be enclosed with the door kept closed except for servicing.

(4) The correct breakers and fuses shall be used, for the required ampacity that the circuit supplies.

(5) Only UL® listed fuses and breakers shall be used for repairs.