Section 316.940. Inspections.

 

(1)   Persons authorized to perform inspections.

(a) General. Inspections performed for a municipality, independent inspection agency or the department for the purpose of administering and enforcing this chapter shall be performed by a certified inspector.

(b) Right of entry. A certified inspector performing inspections under par. (a) may, during reasonable hours, enter any building or premises in the discharge of his or her official duties for the purpose of making inspections, re-inspections or testing of electrical construction.

(2)   Municipal inspections.

(a) Electrical wiring requiring inspection. Municipalities exercising jurisdiction under s. SPS 316.920 (2) shall provide for inspection of all electrical wiring in all of the following:

1. New construction, additions, alterations and changes of use of public buildings and places of employment requiring submittal of building plans under s. SPS 361.30 for the classes of occupancies specified under sub. (4) (a) .

2. Such other installations as required by the municipality.

(b) Inspection types. Inspections required to be performed shall be of all of the following types for the purpose of determining if the electrical construction complies with this chapter:

1. An inspection before the construction is concealed.

2. Re-inspections, as necessary, to confirm compliance and satisfactory completion of all electrical construction.

3. A final inspection.

(c) Permit required.

1. Except as provided in subd. 2. , electrical wiring as specified in par. (a) may not be installed until an application for a permit and the required fees have been submitted to the municipality exercising jurisdiction under s. SPS 316.920 (2) .

2. Under emergency conditions, the necessary electrical construction may be commenced without submitting an application for a permit. The person performing the emergency electrical construction shall report the construction to the municipality no later than the next business day. The emergency electrical construction shall conform to this chapter.

(d) Inspection.

1. Upon completion of the electrical wiring required to be inspected under par. (a) or before any electrical wiring is to be hidden from view, the person, firm or corporation installing the electrical wiring shall notify the municipality that the installation is ready for inspection.

2. The certified inspector responsible for the inspection shall perform the requested inspection within 2 business days after receiving notification.

3. If upon inspection, it is found that the installation is fully in compliance with this chapter and the municipal ordinances, the certified inspector shall approve the installation and authorize concealment of the electrical wiring or connection of electric service. For connection of electric service, the certified inspector shall issue the certificate required in s. SPS 316.950 (1) .

4. If the installation is incomplete or not in compliance with this chapter or the municipal ordinances, orders to correct shall be issued in accordance with the municipal ordinances.

(3)   Independent agency inspections.

(a) Municipalities. Independent inspection agencies performing inspections for municipalities exercising jurisdiction under s. SPS 316.920 (2) shall provide inspections in accordance with the requirements of sub. (2) for municipalities.

(b) Department. Independent inspection agencies performing inspections for the department shall provide inspections as specified in the contract with the department.

(4)   Department inspection program.

(a) Specific inspections. The department may inspect all electrical wiring in new construction, additions, alterations and change of use of public buildings and places of employment requiring submittal of building plans under s. SPS 361.30 in all of the following occupancies that are not within the boundaries of municipalities exercising jurisdiction:

1. Nursing homes and health care facilities.

2. Hotels, motels, and other buildings that provide overnight accommodations.

3. Day care centers and schools.

4. Community-based residential facilities.

5. Restaurants having a capacity of 100 or more occupants.

6. All indoor theaters.

(b) Random inspections. The department may perform random inspections of electrical wiring in any new construction, additions, alterations, and change of use of public buildings and places of employment that are not within the boundaries of municipalities exercising jurisdiction.

(c) Requested or complaint inspections. The department may perform inspection of electrical construction in public buildings or places of employment in any municipality upon written request or complaint.

(d) Farm inspections. The department may inspect electrical construction on farms.

Cr. Register, September, 1999, No. 525 , eff. 10-1-99; CR 01-139 : am. (2) (a) 1. and (4) (a) (intro.) Register June 2002 No. 558 , eff. 7-1-02 ; CR 08-047 : renum. from Comm 16.65 Register February 2009 No. 638 , eff. 3-1-09; corrections in (2) (a) (intro.), (c) 1., (d) 3. and (3) (a) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7. , Stats., Register February 2009 No. 638 ; correction in (2) (a) 1., (c) 1., (d) 3., (3) (a), (4) (a) (intro.) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7. , Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672 ; CR 13-042 : am. (2) (c) 1., 2., (4) (b) Register November 2013 No. 695 , eff. 12-1-13.

Note

Section SPS 305.63 contains requirements pertaining to the certification of commercial electrical inspectors. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1