815 Ky. Admin. Regs. 35:020
Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 6, December 1, 2024
Section 815 KAR 35:020 - Electrical inspectionsRELATES TO: KRS 198B.050, 211.350, 227.460, 227.480, 227.487, 227.491
NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 227.480(1)(b) requires the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction to promulgate administrative regulations to describe the circumstances for which inspections are required for electrical construction, installations, alterations, or repairs. KRS 198B.060(18) authorizes the department to establish a schedule of fees for the functions it performs pursuant to KRS Chapter 198B. This administrative regulation establishes the requirements for inspections of electrical construction, installations, alterations, and repairs.
Section 1. Jurisdiction.(1) State jurisdiction.(a) The department shall conduct electrical inspections for state-owned property, including each building constructed by the state under the authority of the Finance and Administration Cabinet.(b) An electrical inspector employed by the department shall inspect any electrical work subject to inspection within a local jurisdiction if a certified electrical inspector has not been made available by the local government.(c) An electrical inspector employed by the department may assert jurisdiction for the electrical inspection of a project subject to state plan review pursuant to Kentucky Building Code, 815 KAR 7:120.(d) An electrical inspector employed by the department may inspect a state leased facility that is not otherwise subject to state inspection pursuant to this section, upon request.(2) Local jurisdiction. A local electrical inspector shall conduct electrical inspections pursuant to KRS 198B.060.Section 2. Permits.(1) Prior to the commencement of electrical work subject to state inspection, the electrical contractor, property owner, or other person responsible for the electrical work to be performed shall request and obtain a permit from the department.(2) The person requesting a permit shall submit to the department "Electrical Permit Application" on Form EL-13.(3) It shall be the obligation of the contractor, property owner, or other person responsible for the electrical work to supply the complete value of the electrical work, including labor and material costs, regardless of the purchaser.(4) The department shall request other documented proof of costs from the responsible person or owner if the true value is in question.Section 3. Electrical Inspections.(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the department or a local certified electrical inspector having jurisdiction shall inspect each electrical construction, installation, alteration, or repair to ensure compliance with NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code, incorporated by reference in 815 KAR 7:120, Kentucky Building Code, 815 KAR 7:125, Kentucky Residential Code, and 815 KAR 10:060, Kentucky Standards of Safety.(2) Exemptions from Electrical Inspections. Electrical inspections shall not be required for:(a) Electrical work beyond the scope of NFPA 70;(b) Electrical work that is exempt from permitting requirements pursuant to:1. Section 105.2 of the Kentucky Building Code, 815 KAR 7:120;2. Section 2703.2 of the Kentucky Building Code, 815 KAR 7:120; or3. Section R105.2 of the Kentucky Residential Code, 815 KAR 7:125;(c) Electrical wiring under the exclusive control of electric utilities, in accordance with KRS 227.460;(d) Electrical wiring of a surface coal mine, an underground coal mine, or at a coal preparation plant;(f) Electrical work performed beyond the service disconnect by or on behalf of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet by pre-qualified contractors within the public right of way, which is not related to buildings for human occupancy.(3) The department or a local electrical inspector having jurisdiction shall perform an electrical inspection upon discovery or receipt of information indicating that electrical work requiring a permit pursuant to KRS 227.480, 815 KAR 7:120, Kentucky Building Code, or 815 KAR 7:125, Kentucky Residential Code has been performed without a permit.(4) Inspection scheduling.(a) The permit holder or property owner shall be responsible for scheduling an inspection with the electrical inspection authority for the jurisdiction.(b) Each electrical inspection shall be completed within five (5) working days of the request for inspection, except for an inspection performed pursuant to subsection (3) of this section.(c) An inspection performed pursuant to subsection (3) of this section shall be conducted and completed within five (5) working days of discovery or receipt of information indicating that the electrical work has been performed.(5) Rough-in inspections.(a) Rough-in inspections shall be required only if any portion of the electrical work will be covered or concealed. The rough-in inspection shall be conducted prior to covering or concealment.(b) A rough-in inspection may be requested for part of the electrical work on a project or all the electrical work on a project.(c) Upon completion of the rough-in inspection, an electrical inspector shall attach a red sticker with his or her signature and certification number on the main service equipment or at some other appropriate location.(6) Prohibition on covering.(a) If an installation is covered without prior inspection, the electrical inspector shall require the system to be uncovered for inspection, unless unnecessary to perform the inspection.(b) If conditions require partial coverage of the permitted electrical work, permission shall be requested and received from the electrical inspector prior to coverage.(c) If in the judgment of the electrical inspector uncovering the electrical work is likely to result in more damage, then exposing the electrical work shall only occur at the request of the property owner.(7) Final inspections. A final inspection shall be conducted by the department or electrical inspector having jurisdiction after completion of the permitted electrical work and prior to use.(8) Voluntary inspections. An inspection for any electrical construction, installation, alteration, repair, or maintenance normally exempt from inspections pursuant to subsection (2) of this section may be requested to be performed by the department or electrical inspector having jurisdiction.(9) Construction service approval. A temporary construction service approval for a construction site shall receive a green sticker and a certificate of approval.(10) Service only approval. A "service only" approval may be issued by the inspector to provide temporary power for heating and lighting for the building during completion of construction and shall not authorize occupancy of the facility. The sticker issued for "service only" approval shall be yellow.Section 4. Access. All access, equipment, and material necessary for inspections shall be provided by the property owner or person obtaining the electrical permit or requesting the electrical inspection.Section 5. Fees for State Inspections.(1) The electrical contractor, property owner, or other person responsible for the electrical work shall pay the department the inspection fee required by this section.(2) A certificate of inspection or other final approval of an electrical construction, installation, alteration, or repair shall not be issued by the department until the fee required by this subsection has been paid.(3) The fee to inspect electrical work having a complete value of less than $8,000 shall be $125.(4) The fee to inspect electrical work having a complete value more than $8,000 but less than $16,500 shall be $250.(5) The fee to inspect electrical work having a complete value more than $16,500 but less than $25,000 shall be $500.(6) The fee to inspect electrical work having a complete value of $25,000 or more shall be calculated as a percentage of the complete value in accordance with the schedule established in this subsection.Amount in dollars | Permit fee |
$25,000 to $199,999 | 2.0% |
$200,000 to $299,999 | 1.9% |
$300,000 to $499,999 | 1.5% |
$500,000 to $699,999 | 1.3% |
$700,000 to $999,999 | 1.1% |
$1,000,000 & Higher | 1.0% |
Section 6. Certificate of Approval.(1) Upon final approval of an electrical installation, the electrical inspector shall:(a) Attach a green sticker to the main service equipment:1. With his or her signature and certification number, name of the project, and location; and2. Stating that the system has been inspected for compliance with the code; and(b) Provide the owner or the owner's agent with a certificate of approval.(2) For an installation subject to KRS 211.350, the electrical inspector shall not issue a certificate of approval or otherwise release the property for the supply of electricity until he or she has received the local health department's "Final Notice of Release" and has recorded its number upon the certificate of approval.Section 7. Stickers. A red sticker for rough-in inspections pursuant to Section 3(5)(b), yellow sticker for service only pursuant to Section 3(9)(b), or green sticker or a certificate of approval pursuant to Section 6(1)(a) of this administrative regulation shall be of a type and format issued or approved by the department.Section 8. Incorporation by Reference.(1) "Electrical Permit Application", Form EL-13, May 2020 is incorporated by reference.(2) This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable copyright law, at the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, Electrical Section, 500 Mero Street, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is available online at http://dhbc.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx. 815 KAR 35:020:39 Ky.R. 363; 769; eff. 11-2-2012; 42 Ky.R. 540; 1195; eff. 11-6-2015; 45 Ky.R. 841; eff. 1-4-2019; TAm eff. 5-29-2020; 48 Ky.R. 1664; eff. 5/3/2022.STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 198B.060(18), 227.480(1)(b)