Skip to code content (skip section selection)
Compare to:
Philadelphia Overview
The Philadelphia Code
PHILADELPHIA HOME RULE CHARTER
THE PHILADELPHIA CODE
TITLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
TITLE 2. CITY-COUNTY CONSOLIDATION
TITLE 3. AIR MANAGEMENT CODE
TITLE 4. THE PHILADELPHIA BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND OCCUPANCY CODE
TITLE 4.1. ELECTRICAL CODE
TITLE 4.2. PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE
TITLE 5. FIRE PREVENTION CODE
TITLE 6. HEALTH CODE
TITLE 7. HOUSING CODE
TITLE 8. PLUMBING CODE
TITLE 9. REGULATION OF BUSINESSES, TRADES AND PROFESSIONS
TITLE 10. REGULATION OF INDIVIDUAL CONDUCT AND ACTIVITY
TITLE 11. STREETS
TITLE 12. TRAFFIC CODE
TITLE 13. WATER AND SEWER
TITLE 14. ZONING AND PLANNING
TITLE 15. PARKS AND RECREATION
TITLE 16. PUBLIC PROPERTY
TITLE 17. CONTRACTS AND PROCUREMENT
TITLE 18. COMMERCE AND AVIATION
TITLE 19. FINANCE, TAXES AND COLLECTIONS
TITLE 20. OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
TITLE 21. MISCELLANEOUS
TITLE 22. PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT CODE
SUBCODE "M" (THE PHILADELPHIA MECHANICAL CODE)  338
Article M-1.0 Pursuant to the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Act, adoption of the "2018 International Mechanical Code" with local amendments which legally existed prior to the Act or have been enacted pursuant to Section 503 of the Act.
§ M-1.1 The "2018 International Mechanical Code" as published by the International Code Council is hereby adopted as the Philadelphia Mechanical Code, with local amendments as set forth in § M-1.2. 339
Editor's note: The 2018 International Mechanical Code can be found at: https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IMC2018
§ M-1.2 The "2018 International Mechanical Code", copies of which are on file with the Department of Licenses and Inspections, is incorporated as if fully set forth herein, subject to the following local amendments.
   § M-1.2.1 The numbers of all local amendments shall be preceded with the prefix "M-".
   § M-1.2.2 Throughout the code, references to "International" codes or "ICC" codes shall be deemed to refer to the "Philadelphia" codes of the same name.

 

Notes

338
   Added, Bill No. 970038 (approved March 19, 1997); repealed and replaced, Bill No. 030772 (approved December 31, 2003); repealed and replaced, Bill No. 180176 (approved June 6, 2018). Section 7 of Bill No. 180176 provides: "The provisions of this Ordinance shall be effective October 1, 2018, and upon taking effect replace and supersede previously adopted Regulations of the Department of Licenses and Inspections related to Subcode B and Subcode M."
339
   Enrolled bill read "...as set forth in § G-1.2."
CHAPTER 1
SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION
Delete entire Chapter and substitute the following:
SECTION M-101 GENERAL
M-101.1 Title. These provisions shall be known as the Philadelphia Amendments to the International Mechanical Code, and will be referred to herein as the "Philadelphia Mechanical Code" or "this code".
M-101.2 Scope. The Philadelphia Mechanical Code shall regulate the design, installation, maintenance, alteration and inspection of mechanical systems that are permanently installed and utilized to provide control of environmental conditions and related processes within buildings. This code shall also regulate those mechanical systems, system components, equipment and appliances specifically addressed herein. The installation of fuel gas distribution piping and equipment, fuel gas-fired appliances and fuel gas-fired appliance venting systems shall be regulated by the Philadelphia Fuel Gas Code (Subcode G).
Exception: Detached one- and two-family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) not more than three stories high with separate means of egress and their accessory structures shall comply with the Philadelphia Residential Code (Subcode R).
M-101.3 Appendices. No appendices are adopted as a part of this code.
M-101.4 Intent. The purpose of this code is to provide minimum standards to safeguard life or limb, health, property and public welfare by regulating and controlling the design, construction, installation, quality of materials, location, operation and maintenance or use of mechanical systems.
M-101.5 Administrative provisions. This Chapter contains those provisions that are unique to the administration of this code. All other administrative provisions applicable to this code are as set forth in the Administrative Code.
M-101.6 Conflicts. Pursuant to the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Act, a provision of the "'International Mechanical Code" does not apply if the provision conflicts with the Boiler and Unfired Pressure Vessel Law (35 P. S. §§ 1331.1 – 1331.9).
SECTION M-102 INSPECTIONS AND TESTING
M-102.1 Evaluation and follow-up inspection services. Prior to the approval of a prefabricated construction assembly having concealed work and the issuance of a permit, the code official shall require the submittal of an evaluation report from an approved agency on each prefabricated construction assembly. The report shall indicate the complete details of the mechanical system, including a description of the system and its components, the basis upon which the system is being evaluated, test results and similar information and other data as necessary for the code official to determine conformance to this code.
Exception: Manufactured and Industrialized housing pursuant to Section A-102.12 of the Administrative Code.
   M-102.1.1 Follow-up inspection. Except where ready access is provided to mechanical systems, service equipment and accessories for complete inspection at the site without disassembly or dismantling, the code official shall conduct in-plant inspections to ensure conformance to the approved evaluation report or shall accept inspection reports from an approved independent inspection agency. The inspection agency shall furnish the code official with the follow-up inspection manual and a report of inspections upon request. The mechanical system shall have an identifying label permanently affixed to the system indicating that factory inspections have been performed.
   M-102.1.2 Test and inspection records. Required test and inspection records shall be available to the code official at all times during the fabrication of the mechanical system and the erection of the building; or such records as the code official designates shall be filed.
M-102.2 Testing. Mechanical systems shall be tested as required in this code and in accordance with Sections M-102.2.1 through M-102.2.3. Tests shall be made by the permit holder after notifying the code official, who shall have the authority to observe the tests.
   M-102.2.1 New, altered, extended or repaired systems. New mechanical systems and parts of existing systems, which have been altered, extended, renovated or repaired, shall be tested as prescribed herein to disclose leaks and defects.
   M-102.2.2 Apparatus, instruments, material and labor for tests. Apparatus, instruments, material and labor required for testing a mechanical system or part thereof shall be furnished by the permit holder.
   M-102.2.3 Reinspection and testing. Where any work or mechanical system does not pass an initial test or inspection, the necessary corrections shall be made so as to achieve compliance with this code. The work or system shall then be reinspected or re-tested and the results resubmitted to the code official as appropriate.