Chapter 1602. To regulate electrical wiring in the District of Columbia
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CHAP. 1602.— An Act To regulate electrical wiring in the District of Columbia. April 26, 1904. [[S. 3](/us/bill/58/s/3).] [[Public, No. 162](/us/pl/58/162).] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, District of Columbia. Regulation of electrical wiring in. That the Commissioners of the District of Columbia shall have power to make from time to time such rules and regulations respecting the production, use, and control of electricity for light, heat, and power purposes in the District of 307 Columbia not inconsistent with existing laws, as in their judgment will Fees. afford safety and convenience to the public; and the Commissioners of said District are further authorized and empowered to prescribe such fees for the examination of the electrical wiring, machinery, and appliances in buildings as they may deem proper, to be paid to the collector of taxes of the District of Columbia, and any such rules and regulations shall after promulgation have the effect and force of law: *Provided*, *Proviso*.
Incorporated companies supplying electricity for public use not affected. That nothing in this Act contained shall apply to the power plants or buildings of incorporated companies engaged in the production and distribution of electric current for public service or use. Sec. 2. That the electrical engineer who shall be chief inspector of Inspection. electrical-work and his assistants are hereby empowered and required, under the direction of the Commissioners, to inspect any building in course of erection and during reasonable hours to enter into and examine any building where electrical current is produced or utilized for lighting, heating, or for power, for the purpose of ascertaining violations of any of the provisions of this Act; and upon finding any Written notice of violation of regulations. devices aforesaid defective or dangerous shall cause to be delivered a written notice of any violation of any provisions of this Act, or of any regulation of said Commissioners duly adopted, to the constructing contractor, owner, or agent of any building directing him or them to remove or amend the same within a period to be fixed in said notice; and in case of neglect or refusal on the part of the party so notified Penalty. to remove or amend the same within the time and in the manner prescribed by the chief inspector of electrical work, and approved by the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, the party so offending shall pay a fine of not more than twenty-five dollars for each and every day’s failure or neglect to remove or amend the same after being so notified, and in default of payment of such fine such person shall be confined in the workhouse of the District of Columbia for a period not exceeding one month; and all prosecutions under this Act shall be in the police court of said District, in the name of the District of Columbia.
Sec. 3. That in the place of the present electrical engineer now carried Electrical engineer authorized. *Post*, p. 398. on the per diem roll there be, and is hereby, established, under the direction of the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, the office of electrical engineer, and the Commissioners of said District are hereby authorized and directed to appoint an electrical engineer, at a Salary. salary of two thousand five hundred dollars per annum, and said electrical engineer shall be an expert electrician, possessing a thorough knowledge of the most modern methods for the production, use, and control of electricity and electrical appliances, construction, wiring, and insulation, as well as such executive ability and adaptability to office work as is requisite for the efficient management of the said office.
And the Commissioners are authorized and directed to appoint Inspectors. two electrical inspectors to assist in the work required by the authority of this Act, at a salary of one thousand two hundred dollars per annum each, who shall perform such clerical duties as may be required by the Commissioners. Sec. 4. That it shall be unlawful for any person, company, or corporation Inspection before current is furnished. generating current for electric light, heat, or power in the District of Columbia to connect its system and furnish current for electrical purposes to any building or premises, the wiring of which shall not have been inspected and approved by the chief inspector of electrical work.
Any person, company, or corporation violating the provisions of Violation. this section shall, upon written notice from the chief inspector of electrical work to do so, immediately remove said connection and cut off the current, and shall not again supply said current until authorized by the said inspector. For failure to comply with said notice Penalty. 308 the offending person, company, or corporation shall be fined not less than five dollars nor more than one hundred dollars for each and every day’s failure or neglect to remove said connection and to cut off the current.
Powers of chief inspector. The chief inspector of electrical work is hereby authorized and empowered, with the approval of the Commissioners, to cause said connection to be removed and the current cut off upon such failure of the offending person, company, or corporation, and to refuse to permit said connection to be replaced and the current to be used until the wiring shall be put in proper and safe condition. Sec. 5. Effect. That this Act shall take effect ninety days from and after the approval thereof.
Approved, April 26, 1904.