(A) Permit Required. No person shall erect, convert, repair, alter, or enlarge any mechanical system or part thereof without first obtaining a mechanical permit therefor, as provided in this chapter.
(B) Application.
(1) Submission; plans and specifications.
(a) The application for a permit required by division (A) of this section shall be made in writing on approved forms and shall be accompanied by three complete sets of dimensional plans, showing each habitable floor, basement and cellar, and by specifications describing the kind, size, quality and grade of all construction materials and service equipment. Such plans and specifications shall be examined by the Building Commissioner. The plans shall be forwarded to other departments of the City, if necessary to determine compliance with those laws and ordinances under their jurisdiction. If the Building Commissioner is satisfied that the work described on the application and the plans filed therewith conform to the requirements of this Mechanical Code and other applicable laws and ordinances, he or she shall issue a permit therefor to the applicant.
(b) The Building Commissioner may waive the requirement for filing plans when the work involved is of a minor nature and the building operation is adequately described in the application. All plans submitted for filing shall be prepared and signed as required by State law. When compliance with State law is required, the application shall be accompanied by a set of the plans approved by the proper authority. The Building Commissioner may require plans and specifications to be prepared and designed by an engineer or architect licensed by the State to practice as such. Computations, stress diagrams and other pertinent data sufficient to show the correctness of the plan shall be submitted when required by the Building Commissioner.
(C) Approved Plans. One copy of the approved plans and specifications, together with the signed permit, shall be kept at the site of the operation at all times that the work is in progress and until completion of the mechanical system. One set of the approved plans of every mechanical system shall be kept on file in the office of the Building Commissioner as a permanent official record. After issuance of a mechanical permit, the approved plans and specifications shall not be altered unless any proposed change is first approved by the Building Commissioner in conformity with the provisions of this Mechanical Code.
(1) Expiration. Every permit issued by the Building Commissioner under provision of this code shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the work authorized by such permit is not commenced within one hundred and eighty (180) days from the issue date of the permit, or if the work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of 180 days or more after the work has been commenced. Before such work can be commenced or resumed, a permit extension or renewal as required by 1444.01(c)(2) or 1444.01(c)(3) shall be obtained.
(2) Permit Extensions. A holder of an unexpired permit may apply for a one-time 180-day extension, provided the permit holder can show good and satisfactory reasons, beyond the control of the permit holder, that the work cannot be commenced within the 180 day period from the original permit issue date. No additional fee is required for this one- time extension.
(3) Permit Renewal. A permit which has expired for 180 days or less may be renewed provided no changes have been made in the original plans and specifications for such work. The renewal fee shall be one half the amount required for a new permit. Permits which have been expired for greater than 180 days require a new application and payment of the full permit fee.
(D) Permit for Partial Construction. The Building Commissioner may issue a permit for the construction of part of a mechanical system before the plans and specifications for the entire building or structure have been submitted or approved, provided that adequate information and detailed statements have been filed complying with all applicable requirements of this Mechanical Code. The holder of such permit shall proceed at his or her own risk, without assurance that the permit for the entire system will be granted.
(Ord. 096-10. Passed 4-19-10.)