WHEN DO I NEED A MECHANICAL PERMIT?

Effective February 2003, a mechanical permit is required to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace a mechanical heating, ventilating and air-conditioning system, the installation of which is regulated by the International Mechanical Code (IMC), International Fuel-Gas Code (IFGC) or the International Residential Code (IRC), as appropriate. These equipments include, but are not limited to, furnaces, heat pumps, air-conditioning units, range hoods, cooling towers, chillers, Fuel-oil tanks and piping system, LP-gas tanks and piping systems.

Permits shall not be required for the following:

1. Portable heating appliances;
2. Portable ventilation appliances and equipment;
3. Portable cooling units;
4. Steam, hot water or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment or appliances regulated by this code;
5. The replacement of any minor part that does not alter the approval of equipment or an appliance or make such equipment or appliance unsafe;
6. Portable evaporative coolers; and
7. Self-contained refrigeration systems that contain 10 pounds (4.5 kg) or less of refrigerant, or that are actuated by motors of one (1) horsepower (0.75 kW) or less.
8. Replacement of natural gas-fired furnaces and boilers in attached and detached one and two family dwellings when there is a WSSC permit.
9. Finishing single-family detached and attached basements when the work is limited to ductwork and exhaust fans. A mechanical permit is required for ductwork in an addition.
10. Replacement of components within a unit such as compressors and burners.
11. Installation of natural-gas fired fireplaces, gas logs, and barbeques when there is a WSSC permit.

Exemption from the permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for work to be done in violation of the provisions of this code or other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.

WHO MAY OBTAIN A MECHANICAL PERMIT?

Using the Application for Mechanical Permit, the following individuals/entities may apply for and obtain a mechanical permit:

1. An individual licensed by the Maryland State Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors (http://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/occprof/heat.html) subject to the following limitations:




1. Contractor with Limited license issued by the Board may exclusively maintain or repair one or more of the following: heating systems, cooling systems, refrigeration systems, ventilation systems, or hydronic systems.
2. Contractor with a Master license may provide heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services. ( This does not include installation of propane tanks or piping system, see item 13 below)
3. Contractor with a Master restricted license may provide services in only one of the following areas:
   
   
   1. heating - forced air systems;
   2. heating - hydronic systems;
   3. ventilation;
   4. air-conditioning; or
   5. refrigeration.
   
   


2. An individual owner of a single-family dwelling while that owner is practicing heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services on or within a building or structure owned by the individual.
3. An individual who is building a single-family dwelling in which that individual will reside while practicing heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services on or within that dwelling.
4. An employee of a public utility company regulated by the Public Service Commission, when engaged in:


1. the development, construction, maintenance, or repair of electric or gas facilities located in the State; or
2. the construction, maintenance, or repair of electric or gas appliances in the service area of the public utility.


5. Subject to § 9A-403(a) of the Annotated Code of Maryland, an employee of the United States government, the State government, a local government, or an independent agency while that employee is practicing heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services on or within buildings or structures owned or solely occupied by the United States government, the State government, a local government, or an independent agency.
6. An individual employed in the installation, maintenance, alteration, repair, or replacement of self-contained appliances requiring not more than 225 volts or 25 amperes of electrical current.
7. An individual possessing a master electrician's license issued by the State or any county, when engaged in the installation, alteration, service, repair, or replacement of individually controlled electric resistance heat.
8. An individual possessing a master plumber's license issued by the State, Baltimore County, or the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission when providing heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services on hydronic heating systems.
9. An individual possessing a license to practice engineering when providing heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services in connection with the practice of engineering.
10. An individual who installs, alters, remodels, maintains, or repairs oil burners exclusively while employed by a supplier of home heating fuel.
11. An individual regularly employed by the owner of property, or the owner's agent, to engage in maintenance and repair work.
12. An individual installing wood-burning prefabricated fireplaces or stoves.
13. A state-licensed master plumber or a certified propane gas fitter when installing propane tanks and piping system. (A mechanical HVAC contractor is not authorized to install propane tanks and piping system)

INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS:

A holder of a master, master restricted, or limited heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration license may not contract to provide services on behalf of the licensee, or another person who provides heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services, unless the work of the licensee, including completed operations, is covered by:

1. general liability insurance in the amount of at least $300,000; and
2. property damage insurance in the amount of at least $100,000.

DO I NEED PLANS?

At this point, plans are not required for detached and attached one-and two-family dwellings. Plans for multi-family buildings and commercial buildings must be prepared by a registered professional engineer licensed in the State of Maryland and shall be submitted at the time of the building permit application.

WHAT IS THE APPLICATION PROCESS?

Anyone mentioned in the previous section “Who Can Obtain a Mechanical Permit?” may apply in person or by mail.

The application(s) will be checked for the following:

• Completeness
• Valid and current business and master's license numbers
• Up-to-date insurance certificate
• Outstanding Notices of Violation for the premises (outstanding fines will be collected with the permit fee)
• Building permit (if required for the work being done), issued prior to the mechanical permit application
• Separate applications for NEW and REPLACEMENT equipment
• Signature of HVAC master

If all conditions are met:

• Fess are calculated and collected.
• A receipt is issued.
• A permit number is assigned.
• The permit is issued while the customer waits.

HOW LONG WILL THE PROCESS TAKE?

Walk-in transactions usually take no more than 15 minutes per applicant. Mail-in applications are usually processed within two work days.

HOW MUCH DOES A PERMIT COST?

Permit fees are assessed in accordance with Executive Regulation No. 11-05, Schedule of Fees for Permits, Licenses and Certifications. A 10% Automation Enhancement Fee will be added to the above cost.

DO I NEED A SEPARATE ELECTRICAL PERMIT?

An electrical permit for mechanical equipment and appliance installation is required when new high voltage branch circuit conductors or feeder circuit conductors are installed. An electrical permit is not required to hook-up appliances to existing conductors and to add/replace disconnect switches.

Electrical permits will not be required for low voltage control wiring except when such circuits penetrate fire-rated assemblies, or are installed in an air plenums; provided the voltage does not exceed 30 volts.

WHAT KINDS OF INSPECTIONS ARE REQUIRED & HOW DO I SCHEDULE THEM?

Normally, two inspections are required, a close-in and a final inspection. You may call (240) 777-6210 to schedule or cancel a mechanical inspection. You may also schedule and cancel inspections on our web site. Generally, if you call before 12:00 pm on any given day, we will conduct the inspection on the next business day. Inspection codes for mechanical inspections are as follows: