815 KAR 35:020. Electrical Inspections

      Section 1. Compliance With Applicable Codes. The department or a certified electrical inspector having jurisdiction shall inspect electrical construction, installations, alterations, and repairs, for 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.

 

      Section 2. Mandatory Electrical Inspections. (1) Inspections shall be required for each electrical construction, installation, alteration, or repair that is not exempt from inspection pursuant to Section 4 of this administrative regulation.

      (2) The department or a certified electrical inspector having jurisdiction shall inspect each electrical construction, installation, alteration, or repair:

      (a) Upon request by the permit holder or property owner;

      (b) Upon discovery or receipt of information indicating that electrical work subject to the jurisdiction of the department or inspector has been performed without a permit, if a permit was required pursuant to KRS 227.480, 815 KAR 7:120, Kentucky Building Code, or 815 KAR 7:125, Kentucky Residential Code; or

      (c) If required by 815 KAR 35:015 or this administrative regulation.

      (3) The permit holder or property owner shall be responsible for scheduling an appointment for inspection with the electrical inspection authority for the jurisdiction.

      (4)(a) Each mandatory electrical inspection shall be scheduled and completed within five (5) working days of the permit holder or property owner’s request for inspection, except for an inspection performed pursuant to subsection (2)(b) of this section.

      (b) An inspection performed pursuant to subsection (2)(b) 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) A rough-in inspection shall be conducted on all permitted electrical work prior to covering or concealment.

      (6) If conditions require partial coverage of the permitted electrical work, permission shall be requested of and received from the department or electrical inspector having jurisdiction prior to coverage or concealment.

      (7) Covering an installation without final approval or permission of the department or electrical inspector shall result in the uncovering of the electrical work for inspection, unless the department or inspector having jurisdiction determines that uncovering is unnecessary to confirm compliance with the National Electrical Code.

      (8) 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.

 

      Section 3. Permissive Electrical Inspections. (1) A temporary or partial final inspection may be conducted if:

      (a) The temporary or partial final inspection will not prevent the remaining portion of the permitted work from being inspected; and

      (b) The electrical work subject to temporary or partial inspection is separate and distinguishable from installations remaining to be inspected.

      (2) A voluntary inspection for any electrical construction, installation, alteration, repair, or maintenance, not subject to mandatory requirements as established in Section 2 of this administrative regulation, may be requested. The voluntary inspection shall be scheduled with the department or certified electrical inspector having jurisdiction.

 

      Section 4. Exemptions from Mandatory Electrical Inspections. Electrical inspections shall not be required for:

      (1) Electrical work beyond the scope of NFPA 70;

      (2) Electrical work that is exempt from permitting requirements pursuant to:

      (a) Section 105.2 of the Kentucky Building Code, 815 KAR 7:120;

      (b) Section 2703.2 of the Kentucky Building Code, 815 KAR 7:120; or

      (c) Section R105.2 of the Kentucky Residential Code, 815 KAR 7:125;

      (3) Electrical wiring under the exclusive control of electric utilities, in accordance with KRS 227.460;

      (4) Electrical wiring of a surface coal mine, an underground coal mine, or at a coal preparation plant; and

      (5) Appliances.

 

      Section 5. Inspections by State Employed Electrical Inspectors. (1) The department shall conduct electrical inspections in accordance with 815 KAR 35:015.

      (2) Prior to the commencement of electrical work subject to state inspection pursuant to this section, the electrical contractor, property owner, or other person responsible for the work to be performed shall request and obtain a permit from the department.

      (3) The person requesting a permit pursuant to this section shall submit to the department:

      (a) The address and location where the work is to be performed;

      (b) The type of electrical service to be constructed, installed, altered, or repaired;

      (c) The nature and scope of the work to be performed;

      (d) The identity and contact information of the electrical contractor or other persons responsible for performing the work;

      (e) The total dollar value of the electrical construction, installation, alteration, or repair;

      (f) A copy of the electrical contract, if any; and

      (g) The name and contact information of the property owner.

      (4) It shall be the obligation of the contractor, property owner, or other person responsible for the work to supply the complete value of the work, including labor and material costs regardless of the purchaser.

      (5) The department shall request other documented proof of costs from the responsible person or owner if the true value is in question.

      (6) Fees for state inspections.

      (a) It shall be the responsibility of the electrical contractor, property owner, or other person responsible for the work to pay to the department an inspection fee required by this subsection.

      (b) 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.

      (c) The fee to inspect electrical work having a complete value of less than $8,000 shall be the total of:

      1. Thirty-five (35) dollars per hour, excluding travel;

      2. Ten (10) dollars per hour for travel to and from the inspection site; and

      3. Mileage reimbursed at the rate equivalent to that afforded to state employees pursuant to 200 KAR 2:006, Section 7(4)(a).

      (d) The fee to inspect electrical work having a complete value of at least $8,000 but less than $25,000 shall be $500.

      (e) 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 paragraph.

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. Access. All access necessary for inspections shall be provided by the property owner or person obtaining the electrical permit or requesting the electrical inspection. (39 Ky.R. 363; 769; eff. 11-2-2012; 42 Ky.R. 540; 1195; eff. 11-6-2015.)

Notation

      RELATES TO: KRS 198B.050, 227.460, 227.480, 227.487, 227.491

      STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 198B.060, 227.480

      NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 227.480 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.