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| Information
you need to legally and safely carry out your building and
remodeling projects. |
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When do I need an mechanical permit?
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| Safety first |
| For your safety, your family's safety, and the
safety of future occupants - and to avoid expensive mistakes - do
not perform any electrical work that is beyond your skill level. |
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| What is mechanical work? |
| When do I need a permit for mechanical work? |
| What information do I need? |
| How do I get an inspection? |
| Planning to do mechanical work on your house or duplex? |
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| What is mechanical
work? |
| Mechanical work on one- or two-family dwellings includes work on heating,
cooling, or ventilation systems, including bath vents and woodstoves. Installation,
alteration, or repair of gas piping between the meter and an appliance or
other equipment, including all liquefied petroleum gas piping, is also considered
mechanical work. |
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| When do I need
a permit for mechanical work? |
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A permit is required to do the following:
- install or change any part of a heating or cooling system that must
be vented into any kind of chimney, including unvented decorative appliances
- install a woodstove, fireplace insert, pellet stove, or related venting
- install, alter, or repair gas piping between the meter and an appliance
(indoors or outdoors)
- install bath fans, dryer exhausts, kitchen range exhausts, and appliances
that are required to be vented
If you are not sure if you need a permit, call the jurisdiction responsible
for your area.
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| How do I get
a permit for mechanical work? |
| Permits are issued by Building Codes Division (BCD) field offices or your
local building department, depending on the jurisdiction responsible for
your area. |
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| What information
do I need? |
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Plans are generally not necessary to get a permit to do mechanical work
on a dwelling. You will be expected to briefly describe the work proposed.
For example, describe the appliance you intend to install and whether
you will be installing a new vent, new ductwork, etc. If you are installing
new gas piping, know how many outlets for future gas appliances you need.
If applying for a permit to install or replace a woodstove or fireplace
insert, you will be asked whether the appliance is certified to meet Department
of Environmental Quality emission standards. The inspector will check
the label on the stove or stove insert at inspection. If you are not sure
whether the appliance is certified to meet emission standards, ask the
dealer or a mechanical inspector.
A mechanical inspector or office staff member can discuss your project
with you. If all the necessary information is available, you can usually
leave with your permit.
Mechanical permit fees are generally based on the number of appliances,
chimneys, vents, or gas piping outlets that will be installed. Permit
fees are paid when the permit is issued.
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| How do I get
an inspection? |
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Any work done under a permit must be inspected by a certified mechanical
inspector.
You may call the request line at the building department responsible
for your area. A minimum of 24 hours' notice is generally required for
inspections.
When you call, you will be asked for the permit number, homeowner's name,
project address, type of inspection needed, and the date on which inspection
is desired.
Be prepared to furnish detailed directions to the job site. Unless all
of the work is outside and accessible, an adult needs to be at the site
to provide access for the inspector.
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| Planning to do mechanical work
on your house or duplex? |
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As the owner of a one- or two-family dwelling, you can hire a contractor
registered by the Construction Contractors Board to do the work, or you
or an immediate family member can do it yourself. A friend, neighbor,
tenant, or family relative cannot legally receive compensation for the
work unless he or she is a CCB-registered contractor. A licensed plumbing
contractor may legally install natural gas piping.
If you have questions regarding a contractor's eligibility to perform
work on your property, call the Construction Contractors Board, (503)
378-4621.
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