OAR 918-311-0070: Use and Content of a Written Request to Reconnect an Electrical Installation

(1) As used in this rule: (a) “Authority having jurisdiction” means the state or local government agency with authority under ORS Chapter 455 to inspect an electrical installation. (b) “Electric utility” has the meaning given that term in ORS 469.300(10). (c) “Uncontrollable event” means an event beyond the reasonable control of any person, including but not limited to, fire, floods, and severe weather. (d) “Remote location” has the meaning given that term in OAR 918-271-0020. (2) A licensed general supervising electrician may request that an electric utility energize a completed electrical installation before an authority having jurisdiction has inspected the completed electrical installation. Upon receipt of a request from a licensed general supervising electrician, an electric utility may energize an electrical installation to: (a) Restore electrical service that was interrupted or disconnected because of a service change or uncontrollable event; or (b) Initiate or restore electrical service to a remote location. (3) A request made by a licensed general supervising electrician under subsection (2) of this rule shall be made in writing, using a form prescribed by the Building Codes Division, and must include the following information: (a) The name, license number, and signature of the general supervising electrician who directed, supervised, made, or controlled the making of the electrical installation described in subsection (2) of this rule; (b) The name and license number of the electrical contractor employing the general supervising electrician described in paragraph (a) of this subsection; (c) The name and address of the electrical contractor’s customer who contracted for the electrical installation; (d) The address or location of the electrical installation if different than the customer’s address; (e) The date on which the electrical installation was completed by the general supervising electrician described in paragraph (a) of this subsection; (f) The name, mailing address, and telephone number of the authority having jurisdiction to inspect the completed electrical installation; (g) The name, mailing address, and telephone number of the electric utility receiving the request; (h) Either the number of an electrical permit, if a permit is attached to the electrical installation, or a copy of a temporary permit, if a copy of the permit is posted at the job site; and (i) Whether the request is for the purpose of restoring electrical service that was interrupted or disconnected because of a service change or uncontrollable event, or initiating or restoring electrical service to a remote location. (4) A licensed general supervising electrician who makes a request under subsection (2) of this rule shall provide a copy of that request to: (a) The electrical contractor described in subsection (3)(b) of this rule; (b) The customer described in subsection (3)(c) of this rule; and (c) The authority having jurisdiction described in subsection 3(f) of this rule. (5) By the close of business on the first business day following the energizing of an electrical installation by an electric utility in response to a request submitted under subsection (2) of this rule, the electrical contractor described in subsection (3)(b) of this rule shall: (a) Notify the authority having jurisdiction described in subsection 3(f) of this rule that the electrical installation has been energized; and (b) Request that the authority having jurisdiction described in subsection 3(f) of this rule inspect the completed electrical installation. (6) Notwithstanding ORS 756.040, 756.060, 757.035, and any rules adopted under those statutes, an electric utility may not energize a completed electrical installation as requested by a licensed general supervising electrician before an authority having jurisdiction has inspected the completed installation, unless the submitted request complies with subsection (3) of this rule. (7) A civil penalty may be assessed against a person for violating subsections (2) through (6) of this rule in a manner provided by OAR 918-001-0036. In assessing a penalty under this subsection, the director may consider any appropriate factors, including, but not limited to, any prior violations of: (a) Subsections (2) through (6) of this rule; or (b) The Electrical Safety Law, ORS 479.510 to 479.945 and 479.995, and any rules adopted under the Electrical Safety Law.