BACKGROUND:
The Line Construction Policy establishes the guidelines necessary to provide a reliable supply of electrical power to all residential and commercial customers within the Fort Payne Improvement Authority’s (FPIA) service area. This policy is established to ensure fair and equal consideration to anyone requesting service regardless of age, race, sex, national origin, or religious beliefs. The code requirements of the National Electric Safety Code (NESC) and the National Electric Code (NEC) shall be followed as applicable for all construction.
SINGLE PHASE NON-COMMERCIAL OVERHEAD CONSTRUCTION SERVICES:
FPIA will extend single phase, overhead, service to all non-commercial customers at the request of the homeowner, builder, contractor, or store manager only after the appropriate deposits and applications have been completed at the business office. For permanent structures, FPIA will furnish the first 250 feet of primary lines and poles at no cost to the customer. Additional requirements necessary to provide electrical service beyond 250’, including all materials and labor and overheads, will be charged to the customer. If any rock drilling is required, including in the first 250’, an additional cost per hole will be charged to the customer. For temporary structures, FPIA will charge the customer at FPIA’s cost for any cost associated with the installation. FPIA will provide standard metering equipment at no charge to the customer. The full cost of any transformer-rated metering will be paid by the customer. The cost difference in any transformer requirements that is greater than the current cost of a 25 kVA pad mounted transformer will charged to the customer. FPIA will furnish 150 feet of secondary wire per installation. Additional lengths of secondary wire will be charged to the customer at FPIA’s cost per foot of wire. Payment of any charges must be arranged in advance with the billing office. No service will be provided until the arrangements for payment are made with the billing office.
UNDERGROUND NON-COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION CHARGES:
FPIA will extend single phase service underground to all customers at the request of the homeowner, builder, or contractor only after the appropriate deposits and applications have been filed at the business office. Customers requesting underground service will be required to provide the necessary trenching and install electrical conduit suitable for underground applications, sized as directed by FPIA. This conduit must be installed on both the primary and secondary sides of the service. FPIA will provide the primary wire and secondary wire at no charge to the customer. Customers requesting existing overhead service be converted to underground service will be responsible for the cost of the wire/material and overheads, as well as trenching and conduit. FPIA will furnish a standard single-phase transformers or pad mount transformer and metering equipment at no charge to the customer. The full cost of any transformer rated metering will be paid by the customer. The cost difference in any transformer requirements that is greater than the current cost of a 25 kVA pad mounted transformer will charged to the customer. The customer shall pay for any pull boxes and necessary materials and labor associated with making up the pull boxes. The customer will be responsible for installation of concrete pads and buried conduits. Payment of any charges must be arranged in advance with the billing office. No service will be provided until the arrangements for payment are made with the billing office.
NON-PERMANENT SERVICE:
The customer will pay full cost including overheads for any necessary construction requirements for electrical service for a non-permanent service. The term ‘Non-Permanent’ shall be defined as any structure having wheels, axles, or the ability to be easily moved as determined by FPIA. FPIA will extend service to all non-permanent services only after a separate and adequate pole has been installed by the customer for the installation of an electrical utility meter and disconnect switch. The pole must be provided in accordance with FPIA standards available at our offices and the National Electric Code. A four-wire service must be installed from the disconnect switch into the main panel. These conditions must be met before the electrical service will be connected. See Single Phase Residential Overhead Construction Services for other requirements.
LINE LOCATIONS:
A representative of FPIA will be responsible for locating all line extensions and marking these extensions on the property. Customers in dispute of a line location have three working days to contest the line with the General Manager or the Line Supervisor. Any line changes or modifications after these three days will be charged back to the builder or customer. Lines crossing private property will require a signed easement form filed with the business office prior to receiving electrical service. Private landowners should furnish a legal description to FPIA for inclusion in the easement form. Easements over additional property needed for service will be obtained by the landowner. FPIA will not pay for any easement required on the distribution system.
SUBDIVISION, MOBILE HOME PARKS, RV SITES, APPARTMENT COMPLEX, OR COMMERCIALCUSTOMERS:
Utility extensions, single or multi-phase, into any new platted or exempt subdivisions, developments envisioning more than two lots, mobile home park, or commercial customers site shall be constructed at the request of the developer and charged to the developer upon completion of the work. The developer shall submit a plot plan to FPIA for a preliminary cost estimate. Work orders will be issued in phases depending on construction schedules and invoices shall be issued upon completion of each work order. Actual costs for labor and material and overhead charges will be used to determine the developer’s charges. The 250-foot extension policy stated above does not apply to this section of the policy. Customer services will not be energized until the developer has arranged for payment of these installation costs.
The business office must approve these arrangements.
MULTI-PHASE ELECTRIC SERVICE:
Customers requesting a new or upgrade in multi-phase service must request such service from the business office of the Fort Payne Improvement Authority. In this request, the customer shall provide a load calculation for the building or facility, establish a delivered voltage, and allow a site visit by FPIA.
The cost of multi-phase service shall be computed using the market price of transformers and average installed cost of equipment and overheads, including necessary metering equipment required for primary or secondary metering. The customer’s cost will be calculated based on equipment to be installed at the location.
The customer will be required to sign a power supply contract and pay the cost of the installation. The customer may choose to pay the cost plus 5% over the following 36 months in equal monthly payments. The balance can be paid off at any point in the 36 months but will not be extended beyond 36 months. The payment will become part of the customer’s monthly bill and if not paid according to the account due date the account will be considered delinquent and handled according to FPIA Rules and Regulations. The payment shall be arranged and the power supply contract signed prior to receiving permanent service. The Power Supply Contract Demand shall be at least 80% of the transformer kVA rating.
If the service is terminated for any reason during the above contract period, the customer will be required to pay any remaining balance in full and may apply any credits or deposits toward the remaining balance.
POLICY EXCEPTIONS:
The Board of Directors of FPIA may make exceptions with this policy when determined to be in the best interest of the community and the people we serve. When exercising any exception to the policy the Board will consider the cost of the project and the anticipated economic and societal benefit to the community.
Damage Cost Recovery:
When assets of the FPIA are damaged due to negligence or otherwise fault of a member of the public, measures shall be taken to recover the cost of repair of those assets. Actual cost of labor, materials, and equipment will be collected for the repair of the asset. If the cost of repair is more than $500, the costs will be billed to the party responsible in accordance with the following:
Labor & Materials – 100% of actual reported including overheads
Equipment – 50% of actual reported
The total cost will be conveyed to the party responsible in writing. FPIA will work with those at fault to arrive at an agreeable payment plan if necessary.
IMPLEMENTATION RESPONSIBILITY:
All supervisory personnel with FPIA will be responsible to see that this policy is enforced.