19920728 1992-23ORDINANCE NO. 1992-23
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 2-58,
ARTICLE XII, CHAPTER 2, SECTIONS 5-4, 5-
11.3, 5-16, 5-21, 5-24, 5-25, 5-28, 5-
29, 5-30, 5-33, 5-34, 5-65, 5-66, 5-71,
5-72, 5-74, 5-75, 5-76, 5-79, 5-92, 5-
93, 5-96, 5-97, 5-99, 5-100, 5-102, 5-
114, 5-116, 5-117, 5-118, 5-120, 5-122,
5-130, 5-131, 5-133, 5-134, AND 5-138,
ARTICLES II THROUGH VIII, CHAPTER 5, OF
THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FAIRFAX,
VIRGINIA CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF
FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES CHAIN OF
COMMAND, ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
OF THE UNIFORM STATEWIDE BUILDING CODE,
ELECTRICITY CODE, PLUMBING CODE, ME-
CHANICAL CODE, GAS CODE, SMOKE DETEC-
TORS, AND THE CREATION OF THE OFFICE OF
CODE ENFORCEMENT.
1. BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of
Fairfax, Virginia that Section 2-58, Article XII, Chapter 2
of the Code of the City of Fairfax is hereby amended by
amending the chain of command schematic contained in such
section. The remaining text of such section shall continue
to read as previously enacted.
Sec. 2-58.
Chain of Command.
1992-23
-2
City Council
I
City Manager
!
Department Chief
ClerLcal
Support
i I
Operations Chief
I
I ' I
Battalion Chiefs
EMS Ot~lcers
I
Captains
I
Lieutenants
I
Sergeants Medic I!
(ogl'l t I, ~1~
DzlYez/O~eratoz ~e~tc
Fire Inspectors/
I nvestigators
Director
N Clerical
Coc/e Enforcement Support
Fire Marshal
Built/lng
Inspectors
Flrellghters
i
Fire Met/lc
1992-23
2. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the City Council of the
City of Fairfax, Virginia that Sections 5-4 and 5-11.3,
Article II, Chapter 5 of the Code of the City of Fairfax are
hereby amended to read in their entirety as follows:
Sec. 5-4. Designation of enforcement officialm.
(a) The director of
-~ co e enforcement s
hereby designated as the building official, responsible for
the administration and enforcement of the rules and
regulations contained in Volume I of the Virginia Uniform
Statewide Building Code, and for the administration and
enforcement of the technical provisions of Volume II of the
Virginia Unifo~ Statewide Building Code which shall
include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) The installation and operation of elevators;
(2) The integrity of structural members;
(3)
The maintenance of engineered mechanical
systems;
(4) Cross-connections and plumbing installations;
(5) Maintenance of smoke detectors; and
(6) Electrical subsystems of swimming pools.
Sec 5-11.3.
Chairman of each division of the board of
building code appealm.
Each division of the board of building code appeals
shall select one of its members to serve as chairman. The
building official shall designate a secretary to the
technical division of the board of building code appeals who
shall keep a detailed record of all proceedings on file in
the office of ~ ~"'""~"--~ "'~"~ "'" ~"- ~;~ ..... code
enforcement. The code official shall designate a secretary
to the housing hygiene division who shall keep a detailed
record of all proceedings on file in the office of the code
official ~- ~ ~ - ~--' ....
3. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the City Council of the
City of Fairfax, Virginia that Sections 5-16, 5-21, 5-24, 5-
25, 5-28, 5-29 and 5-30, Article III, Chapter 5 of the Code
of the City of Fairfax, are hereby amended to read in their
entirety as follows:
Sec. 5-16.
Enforcement of article.
The building official or_~- ~u,,~~^-~ .... is responsible
for the enforcement of this article. He is authorized to
require of any applicant for a license required by section
5-20 sufficient information to determine the propriety of
issuing such license and is further authorized to require of
any licensee sufficient information to determine the
propriety of authorizing the continuance and renewal of his
license. The building official or ~- ~-~ .... is also
responsible for the investigation and prosecution of alleged
violation of this article. Failure of an applicant or
licensee to make available such information as the building
officialv~- ,~- ~..~~^-~ .... is authorized to request and
failure to cooperate with him in the investigation of
violations of this article shall be grounds for denial,
suspension or revocation of a license.
3
1992-23
.Sec. 5-21.
Same--Application qenerally.
Application for a license to engage in the business of
home improvement contractor or to act as a home improvement
salesman for a home improvement contractor shall be made to
the building officialv~- ..~- ~..~~-~ .... in writing on forms
furnished by the building officiai ~ .......... ~" ~-~ ..... The
following information shall be given under oath by the
applicant on any such forms:
Sec. 5-24.
Same--Prerequisite bond.
(a) As a condition precedent to receiving and holding
a home improvement contractor's license under this article
and before engaging in business, every applicant shall file
a cash bond in the amount of ten thousand dollars or a
property bond secured by real property located in the state,
as approved by the building official or ..~~ '
~-~ ~c:i;nca or a
performance bond duly executed under seal in the amount of
ten thousand dollars, with and in favor of the city with a
financially reputable corporate surety authorized to do
business in the city. The bond shall be conditioned that
the licensee and his employees shall well and truly observe
and strictly comply with all provisions of this article and
other ordinances of the city. The city and the contracting
homeowner shall be beneficiaries of such performance bond.
Legal or equitable action to enforce the bond may be
undertaken in the name of the city or the name of the
contracting homeowner in a court of competent jurisdiction.
(c) No cash bond shall be returned to any applicant,
who deposited it with the city to obtain a home improvement
license, until the applicant submits notarized releases from
any and all homeowners with whom the applicant has contracts
with the city or forty-five days after all work being
performed within the city has been finally approved by city
~ the building official; provided, that the cash
deposit shall not be released if a claim against the bond is
pending in court until final adjudication of the case has
been made by the judiciary.
Sec. 5-25.
Same--Form; issuance generally; disclaimer of
liability of city.
Any license issued pursuant to this article shall be on
a form prescribed and furnished by the building official or
hi~ dc~ign~e. The license shall bear a statement in the
nature of a disclaimer of any implied warranty by the city
of any work performed by a licensee. The building official
~- ~- ~-~ .... shall issue an appropriate license upon
receipt of certification that the applicant is qualified
pursuant to the terms of this article.
Sec. 5-28.
Same--Grounds for suspension or revocation.
The building official~- ~,~- ~.~~--~ .... may suspend or
revoke the license of any contractor or salesman for
violating the provisions of this article or for any of the
following acts:
1992-23
Sec. 5-29.
Same--Notice of Denial, suspension, etc.
Whenever the building official or kis dcsigna¢ proposes
to deny, suspend or revoke a license provided for in this
article he shall cause written notice thereof to be served
on the licensee which shall include the following:
~ec. 5-30.
Same--Appeals from denial, suspension, etc.
Any applicant denied a license required by this article
or any licensee aggrieved by a notice from the building
A_ ~ ~ dc~Ignce of proposed suspension or
official .... i. '
revocation of a license issued pursuant to this article may
appeal such denial or proposed action of suspension or
revocation to the board of building code appeals. The board
of building code appeals shall afford such appellant a
hearing, at which time the appellant and the building
official ki: ~_~n-c may appear and present whatever
evidence they believe bears on the denial, suspension or
revocation. The board of building code appeals may affirm,
modify or reverse the decision of the building official or
~- dc=ignce
4. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the City Council of the
City of Fairfax, Virginia that Sections 5-33, 5-34, 5-35, 5-
40, 5-42, 5-43, 5-44, 5-47 and 5-49, Divisions 1 and 2,
Article IV, Chapter 5 of the Code of the City of Fairfax,
~and the title thereto, are hereby amended to read in their
entirety as follows:
ARTICLE IV =~A_ _~_~.. Electrical Code
Sec. 5-33.
Definitions.
For the purposes of this article, the following words
and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to
them by this section:
Administrative authority· The office of ;..~ ..... ~_ .... ~ ~
~ ........... ~ .......... cc~ code enforcement of th~
department of fire and rescue services.
Chief. The chief electrical inspector, or his duly
authorized representative, as designated by the director of
public :c~ico~ code enforcement, subject to the approval of
the city manager, who enforces and administers the
provisions of this article.
Electrical inspector. ~4%e Any qualified person charged with
the field inspection of all electrical work done in the
city.
1992-23
Sec. 5-34.
Administration and enforcement of article.
The administration and enforcement of this article
shall be the duty of the ~h~f~A ~~ ~ ....... ~ director
of code enforcement, who is hereby authorized to take such
action as may be reasonable necessary to enforce the ~
vP~LgY~/~ of this article. Such persons may be appointed
by the director of code enforcement and authorized as
assistants or agents of such administrative authority as may
be necessary to carry out the provisions of this article.
Sec. 5-35.
Chief electrical inspector generally;
inspections generally.
(b) The chief electrical inspector shall inspect or
cause to be inspected by other inspectors of his office, the
installation of wiring devices, appliances and other
equipment for carrying or using electricity for light, heat
or power purposes within the city and see that the same
shall be installed in the manner prescribed by this article
and keep records of all such permits and fees received.
(f) The chief electrical inspector may withhold the
issuance of a certificate of inspection until after the
installation has been tested with current on wires and all
electrical equipment is permanently installed, or, if this
is not possible, until after every outlet has been tested by
the person holding a permit or his representatives in the
presence of the chief electrical inspector A_ ~ ..... ~ and
approved by the chief electrical inspector
or h~ agcnt.
Sec. 5-40.
Permits--When required.
(b) A permit shall be issued only to a licensed master
electrician; provided, that any permit for work regulated by
this article to be done in a single-family dwelling used
exclusively for residence purposes, including usual
accessory buildings, and quarters in connection with such
buildings used and occupied by the owner, may be issued to
the bona fide owner of such building permitting him to
purchase all material and perform all labor personally;
provided, that in the event of an emergency, a~licensed
mechanic may perform such refrigeration, heating and air
conditioning work as may be necessary to eliminate imminent
danger to persons or property or to restore to a function
condition any essential refrigeration, heating and air
conditioning system, without having first secured a permit;
provided further, that if such an emergency is to be
remedied during the hours in which the clcctrical
.... ~t~ s office of code enforcement is open, the licensed
~ ~ inspcctor office
master mechanic shall notify the clcc~ri~_~
of code enforcement by telephone, as soon as is practicable,
of the emergency and the work being performed.
6
1992-23
Sec. 5-42.
Same--Fee schedule.
Fees shall be charged for the permits and inspections
required by this article. The prescribed fees shall be paid
at the time the permit is issued and before any inspection
shall be made by ~-he an electrical inspector. Such fees
shall be as set forth in the schedule of rates and levies
adopted annually by the city council. Copies of such
schedule are on file in the office of the city comptroller.
Sec. 5-43.
Same--Additional work; payment of feem
prerequisite to issuance of subsequent
permits.
After an electrical permit has been issued, no
additional work shall be included. In cases in which
additional work is to be installed, a new permit shall be
secured and the required fee paid. Whenever the ~
..~A_ office of code enforcement shall render to any
person obtaining any permit under the provisions of this
article any bill or statement specifying the amount of the
fees then due and charged to such person, payment in full of
such fees shall be made within fifteen days thereafter. Any
such bill or statement shall be deemed to have been duly
rendered when deposited in the U.S. Mail, postage prepaid,
directed to the person for whom intended at the address
registered by him with the - -'~ "' ~ office
of code enforcement. If the fees included in any such bill
or statement are not paid in full within such period of
fifteen days, no further permit shall thereafter be issued
to such person until payment in full of such fees shall have
been made.
sec. 5-44.
Same--Abandoned or discontinued work.
(a) Should any person to whom a permit has been issued
for electrical wiring abandon the installation for any
reason, he shall immediately notify the office of
~..~v~ ..... ~--~..~ code enforcement in writing.
(b) If an installation has been partially completed,
the permit grantee, upon abandoning the installation, shall
notify the office of in:pccticn: code enforcement and
request an inspection. A record shall be kept of the result
of the inspection.
Sec. 5-47.
wiring.
Disconnection and removal of temporary
The chief electrical inspector shall instruct the power
company to disconnect and the power company shall disconnect
any service installations on poles for carnivals, lawn
fetes or any other type of temporary wiring upon the
termination of use for which the permit was issued. All
temporary wiring shall also be removed from the site.
Sec. 5-49.
Approval of plans and specifications.
No permit required by this article shall be issued for
any electrical work in or on any new commercial building or
for major electrical work in existing buildings until the
plans and specifications for the proposed work have been
submitted to the - ~-A ~ ' '
~ff~ ~ ~n~pcct~cn~ director of cod~
enforcement and it has been determined from such plans and
7
1992-23
specifications that the work conforms to the provisions of
this chapter. If a permit is denied because of defective
plans and specifications, the applicant may submit revised
plans and specifications without the payment of an
additional permit fee.
5. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the City Council of the
City of Fairfax, Virginia that Sections 5-65, 5-66, 5-71, 5-
72, 5-74, 5-75, 5-76 and 5-79, Division 1, Article V,
Chapter 5 of the Code of the City of Fairfax, and the title
thereto, are hereby amended to read in their entirety as
follows:
ARTICLE V. Plumbing Code
Sec. 5-65.
Definition_______~s.
For the purposes of this article, the following words
and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to
them by this section:
Administrative authority. The office of
.... : ~- ~ ....... ~;.~c- code enforcement of the
department of fire and rescue service~.
Chief. The chief plumbing inspector, or his duly authorized
representative, as designated by the director of public
--.~icc= code enforcement, subject to the approval of the
city manager, who enforces and administers the provisions of
this article. '
Plumbinq inspector. The Any qualified person charged with
the field inspection of all plumbing work done in the city.
Sec. 5-66.
Administration of article qenerally.
The director of ~'-~4- ~ ....
~ ..... ~c~;~-~ code enforcement shall
have general management and control of the administration of
the provisions of this article.
Sec. 5-71.
Permits-- Generally.
(a) No plumbing work, except as provided below, shall
be undertaken prior to the issuance of a permit therefor by
the ~ ~"-~- ~-~- office of code enforcement.
(c) In the event of an emergency, a licensed plumber
may perform such plumbing work as may be necessary to
eliminate imminent danger to persons or property or to
restore to a functional condition any essential plumbing
system, without having first secured a permit; provided,
that if such an emergency is to be remedied during the hours
in which the plur~ing in~pcctor'~ office of code enforcement.
is open, the licensed master plumber shall notify the
~--.--~..~~"-~-~ ~..~~~ ..... ~-- office of code enforcement by telephone,
as soon as is practicable, of the emergency and the work
being performed.
1992-23
Sec. 5-72.
Same- -App 1 i ca t i on.
Application for a permit for plumbing work shall be
~ ~ plu~ing
made on suitable forms provided by the
in~pcctor office of code enforcement. The application shall
be accompanied by fees in accordance with the schedule of
fees in section 5-73. No permit for installing plumbing in
any building shall be issued until appropriate forms are
submitted showing that a public sewer or a private system is
available. The application form for connection to public
sewers must show that all fees for frontage, availability,
etc., have been paid. Any requirement for an easement
across another property or extension of a public sewer line
shall also be shown on such form.
Sec. 5-74.
Same--Plans and specifications; repairs.
(a) No permit for plumbing work shall be issued until
plans and specifications showing the proposed work in
necessary detail have been submitted to the - ~A~ _~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ...... ~ ~ t dire f code
.... ~ ...................... agcn s ctor o
enforcement and he has determined from examination of such
plans and specifications that the work will conform to the
provisions of this article. If a permit is denied, the
applicant may submit revised plans and specifications
without payment of additional fees. If, in the course of
the work, it is found necessary to make any change in the
plans and specifications on which a permit has been issued,
amended plans and specifications shall be submitted and a
supplementary permit, subject to the same conditions
applicable to the original application for permit, shall be
issued to cover the change.
(c) The plu~ing board shall make such rules and
regulations in furtherance of the purposes of this article
and not inconsistent with specific provisions thereof for
the installation, repair or alteration of water treatment
and water operated devices as may be deemed necessary to
properly protect the water supply system and the sewerage
system.
Sec. 5-75.
Same--Abandoned or discontinued work.
(a) Should any person to whom a permit has been
issued for plumbing work abandon the installation for any
reason, he shall immediately notify the office of
' - ..... code enforcement in writing
(b) If an installation has been partially
completed, the permit grantee, upon abandoning the
installation, shall notify the office of inspcctionu code
enforcement and request an inspection. A record shall be
kept of the result of the inspection.
Sec. 5-76.
Connections to public sewers.
(a) Tapping public sewers. Ail labor and material
necessary for installing connections between building and
sewer mains, including those portions located within the
rights-of-way of public or private streets, shall be
furnished by the owners of such building at their cost and
expense. All necessary work shall be done by a plumber
registered in the city. Connections to sewer mains shall be
made through existing manufactured tees previously installed
9
~ ~,,,,
1992-23
or the connection shall be made by means of inserting an
approved saddle and affixing it to the main in a method
approved by the ~ .... ~_~_~ A~ _.. ~ ~ .... cc~ director of
code enforcement. Cutting into the pipe for branches will
be permitted only with a commercially manufactured tapping
or drilling machine. Whenever it is necessary to tap the
sewer main, it shall be tapped on a forty-five degree angle
unless permission is otherwise granted by the administrative
authority. The pipe shall be completely uncovered, the
excavation shall be free of all water and shoring shall be
installed if necessary. No sewer main shall be cut for a
tap or any other purpose except during the presence of and
under the supervision of ~4~ea plumbing inspector. The
~i =.b~..~ innpcctor office of code enforcement shall be
notified at least twenty four hours before a tap is desired.
Before the tap can be made, the owner of the premises shall
have made application to the department of ~--~- -~---~-A-
transit and utilities for the connection and paid all
necessary charges. At the time the tap is made, a section
of the connection to be installed adjacent to the sewer main
shall be assembled and available for insertion into the
saddle. Immediately after the saddle and the section of
building sewer have been fastened in place, it shall be
supported with cement, covered with heavy paper and then
covered to a depth of two or more feet with dry dirt. The
tap must be protected from water while the cement is green
and if the plumbing inspector directs, pumps must be used to
keep water from the tap until the cement is hard. Test tees
shall be located not closer than five feet from the sewer
saddle and the pipe between the test tee and saddle shall be
of material as specified in the BOCA Basic Plumbing Code.
After the tap is made, the sewer must be completed and
inspected in the shortest time possible. Trenches must not
be left open longer than a reasonable length of time to
compete work and sewers shall be protected at all times from
damage by water and mud. Sufficient backfill shall be
placed over the pipe by hand to prevent damage when filling
the trench and that portion of the trench in the street
shall be tamped in six inch layers, each compacted to
ninety-five percent density until backfill is completed.
Any additional requirement of the ~cpartmcnt ~ ~'-~-
~c~iccs city shall be carried out.
In subdivisions where the sewer mains are being
installed by the developer, the developer may also install a
spur extending from the sewer main to one foot beyond the
property line for each lot. In cases where spurs would
terminate under sidewalks or utilities, a variance may be
granted by the authority having jurisdiction. This
extension is to receive the building sewer for each lot.
In apartment developments, shopping centers or on other
types of easements, the developer may extend a spur not more
than one length of pipe from the public sewer. This
extension shall not exceed ten feet.
Such extensions are to be shown on the sewer plans
submitted to and approved by the ~ ..... ~ ....... ~ ....
!director of transit and utilities. These extensions are to
installed in the exact location shown ont he plan, under the
supervision of a registered master plumber as specified in
section 5-85, and with a permit issued for each spur. These
spurs shall be constructed of the approved material as
specified in the BOCA Basic Plumbing Code, properly plugged
at the end of the spur and laid to the grades required by
this article. The spur shall be inspected by ~-~e ~ plumbing
inspector.
10
1992-23
After a building is connected through a spur to the
sanitary or storm sewer, the spur shall become a part of the
building sewer and the owner of the premises shall be
responsible for the operation and maintenance of the entire
building sewer between the building and street sewer as set
forth in subsection (f) of this section.
(b) Broken or damaged sewer main. In the event a
section of the sewer main is broken or damaged during the
process of tapping, the plumber shall immediately replace or
repair the broken section under the direction of thc
plumbing inspector pursuant to specifications promulgated by
the director of public cc~ciccc department of transit and
utilities and at the expense of the plumber. Thc A plumbing
~bl~
inspector shall notify the director of
transit and utilities as soon as possible·
(c) Building sewers to trunk lines. Trunk lines may
not be tapped, but where available and with the approval of
the -~-~ ....... ~ .... department of transit and utilities,
building sewer may enter a trunk line manhole and a
satisfactory bench and invert built at the expense of the
plumber. If no manhole is available, permission to
construct a new manhole must be secured from the director of
~ ~ .... ~-~-~ -~ ~--~ ~- and
...... ~ ............ ~ ..... sc--'~--s...~ transit and utilities,
it must be built at the plumber's expense and under the
--~~ .... director of transit and
direction of the sanitary _..~ ......
utilities.
(d) Building sewers entering manhole. When permission
is given by the director of thc ~ .... ~---~ -~ -"~
sc~iccs transit and utilities, house connections may enter
a manhole on tope of the bench and a satisfactory invert
shall be built by the plumber under the direction of thc ~
plumbing inspector. The manhole shall be made watertight
where the building sewer enters. The channel in the manhole
for the entering building sewer shall be made to the full
size of the pipe it connects. It shall have a smooth
rounded bottom. The benches shall be brought up to the full
height of the channel and drain toward the main channel.
Channels shall curve toward the flow of the sewer main.
(g) Size of tap permitted. No eight inch sanitary
sewer shall be tapped for a building sewer larger than five
inches unless approved by the director of ~.~ dcpar~-~-~...~..~ ~-~
---~ ..... ~--- transit and utilities
Sec. 5-79.
Same--Powers and duties generally; meetings.
(a) The board of plumbing examiners shall perform the
following duties:
(1) Establish standards and procedures for the
qualification, examination and licensing of master plumbers
and journeymen plumbers;
(2) Hear and determine appeals from decisions or
actions of the chief plumbing inspector by any person
aggrieved by any such decision or action;
(3) Issue and renew licenses and maintain adequate
records of its activities;
(4) Hold public hearings on matters relating to the
Plumbing Code when deemed advisable.
11
1992-23
(c) Any person aggrieved by a decision or action of
the chief plumbing inspector shall have the right to be
heard by the board and the board shall affirm, modify or
reverse a decision of the chief plumbing inspector. Any
such person shall state his grievance in writing with
sufficient clarity that the board can ascertain what act or
decision is sought to be modified or reversed and what
additional persons, if any, should be notified of any such
hearing; provided, however, that in no case shall the board
reduce or increase performance or material standards
otherwise established by this article.
6. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the City Council of the
City of Fairfax, Virginia that Sections 5-92, 5-93, 5-96, 5-
97, 5-99 5-100 and 5-102, Divisions 1 and 2, Article VI,
Chapter 5 of the Code of the City of Fairfax are hereby
amended to read in their entirety as follows:
Sec. 5-92.
Definitions.
For the purposes of this article, the following words
and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to
them by this section.
Administrative authority. The office of in~pccticn~ cf tkc
~ .... ~_A_~ A~ ~..~ ..... ~-A~ code enforcement of the
department of fire and rescue services.
Chief. The chief mechanical inspector, or his duly
authorized representative, as designated by the director of
---~- =c---~-^~ code enforcement, subject to the approval of
the city manager, who enforces and administers the
provisions of this article.
Mechanical inspector. Thc Any qualified person charged with
the field inspection of all refrigeration, heating, and air
conditioning work done in the city.
Sec. 5-93.
Administration of article generally.
The director of ~"~ ..... ~-~- code enforcement shall
have general management and control of the administration of
the provisions of this article.
Sec. 5-96.
Permits-- Generally.
(a) No mechanical work, except as provided below,
shall be undertaken prior to the issuance of a permit
ch~f .... n~-~ ~ office of code
therefor by the ~ ~ .... k ..... 1~.~ ~ ....... ~
enforcement.
(b) A permit shall be issued only to a licensed master
mechanic; provided, that any permit for work regulated by
this article to be done in a single family dwelling used
exclusively for residence purposes, including usual
accessory buildings and quarters in connection with such
buildings; used and occupied by the owner, may be issued to
the bona fide owner of such building permitting him to
12
1992-23
purchase all material and perform all labor personally;
provided, that in the event of an emergency, a licensed
mechanic may perform such refrigeration, heating and air
conditioning work as may be necessary to eliminate imminent
danger to persons or property or to restore to a function
condition any essential refrigeration, heating and air
conditioning system, without having first secured a permit;
provided further, that if such an emergency is to be
remedied during the hours in which the mcc-anica~
~ ..... ~A_,_ office of code enforcement is open, the licensed
..... h ......1 ~ office
master mechanic shall notify the ..... ~-~...~~ ....... ~
of code enforcement by telephone, as soon as is practicable,
of the emergency and the work being performed.
Sec. 5-97.
* *
S ame--Appl icat ion.
Application for a permit for doing mechanical work
shall be made on suitable forms provided by the chicf
_A~~ ~ .......~ office of code enforcement The
application shall be accompanied by fees in accordance with
the schedule of fees in section 5-98.
Sec. 5-99.
Same--Plans and specifications.
No permit for mechanical work shall be issued until
plans and specifications showing the proposed work in
necessary detail have been submitted to the
~..~-~t~ ..... director of code enforcement
.... ~- and he has determined from examination of such plans
and specifications that the work will conform to the
provisions of this article. If a permit is denied, the
applicant may submit revised plans and specifications
without payment of additional fees. If, in the course of
the work, it is found necessary to make any change in the
plans and specifications on which a permit has been issued,
amended plans and specifications shall be submitted and a
supplementary permit, subject to the same conditions
applicable to the original application for permit, shall be
issued to cover the change.
Sec. 5-100. Same--Abandoned or discontinued work.
(a) Should any person to whom a permit has been issued
for mechanical work abandon the installation for any reason,
he shall immediately notify the office of inspections code
enforcement in writing.
(b) If an installation has been partially completed,
the permit grantee, upon abandoning the installation, shall
~ code enforcement and
notify the office of ~ ..... ~-
request an inspection. A record shall be kept of the result
of the inspection.
Sec. 102.
Same--Powers and duties qenerally; meetinqs
(a) The board of refrigeration, heating and air
conditioning examiners shall perform the following duties:
(1) Establish standards and procedures for the
qualification, examination and licensing of master mechanics
and jOurneymen mechanics;
(2) Hear and determine appeals from decisions or
actions of the chief mechanical inspector by any person
aggrieved by any such decision or action;
13
1992-23
(3) Issue and renew licenses and maintain adequate
records of its activities;
(4) Hold public hearings on matters relating to the
Mechanical Code when deemed advisable.
(c) Any person aggrieved by a decision or action of
the mechanical inspector shall have the right to be heard by
the board and the board shall affirm, modify or reverse a
decision of the chief mechanical inspector. Any such person
shall state his grievance in writing with sufficient clarity
that the board can ascertain what act or decision is sought
to be modified or reversed and what additional persons, if
any, should be notified of any such hearing; provided,
however, that in no case shall the board reduce or increase
performance or material standards otherwise established by
this article.
7. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the City Council of the
City of Fairfax, Virginia that Sections 5-114, 5-116, 5-117,
5-118, 5-120, 5-122, 5-130, 5-131, 5-133 and 5-134, Article
VII, Chapter 5 of the Code of the City of Fairfax, and the
title thereto, are hereby amended to read in their entirety
as follows:
ARTICLE VII. Gas ~_~A
Sec i-114. Adopted.
There is hereby adopted by the city council, for the
purpose of regulating the installations, alteration, and
repair of gas facilities, including licensing, permits,
penalties and fees that certain Gas Code known as NFPA
Pamphlet No. 54. Such Gas Code is hereby adopted and
incorporated herein as fully as if set out at length herein.
Not less than three copies of such Code shall be on file in
the office of ~ ~ ~ ..... '
.... ~t~ Hall code
enforcement and shall be available for inspection between
the hours of 8:30 A.M.and 5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday
inclusive, except on holidays. From the date this article
becomes effective, its provisions shall be controlling as to
all matters contained herein.
Sec. 5-116. Definitions.
For the purposes of this article, the following words
and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to
them by this section.
Administrative authority. The office of..,~t.~., ~ ..... ~-s ~v~ thc
~A-~-~-~ ~ ~"~ ..... ~ de nf nt f th
--~ ............ co e orceme o ~
department of fire and rescue services.
Board. The board of plumbing examiners, as established in
tk~ aArticle V.
14
1992-23
Chief. The chief plumbing inspector, or his duly authorized
representative, as designated by the director of ~.-~-
=A_.~_ss code enforcement, subject to the approval of the
city manager, who enforces and administers the provisions of
this article. "
Plumbing inspector. ~heAny qualified person charged with
the field inspection of all gas work done in the city.
SeC. 5-117. Administration, cta. F of article generally.
The director ofF-'-~;~ ..... :c~;'--=~ I~ code enforcement shall
have general management and control of the administration of
the provisions of this article.
Sec. 5-118.
Powers and duties of chief plumbinq inspector
generally.
The chief plumbing inspector shall specifically
administer and enforce the provisions of this article and
shall be responsible for the technical implementation and
enforcement of the same.
Sec. 5-120. Installation, etc., of piping, etc.
It shall be unlawful for any person to install, alter
or repair or allow to be installed, altered or repaired any
gas piping, appliances or accessories without obtaining a
permit therefor from the chief plumbing inspector; except,
that minor repairs may be made without a permit, but must be
done in accordance with this article and by a person
qualified pursuant to this article. Adjustment of
appliances, replacement of parts and repairing of leaks are
considered minor repairs.
Sec. 5-122.
Same--0ualifications, examinations, etc.,;
issuance; records.
The board of umbing examiners, _~ ~mt~bl~mh~ ~ ~
~-~-~- shall establish the standards and qualifications
for persons applying to the board for certificates of
registration, may require oral or written examinations or
both and shall determine the qualifications and standards to
be required of persons who receive certificates of
registration. The board shall issue an appropriate
certificate of registration to each person who meets the
qualifications therefor and successfully passes the
examination given by the board. The board shall keep an
official record of the examination.
Sec. 5-130.
Permits--Generally.
(a) No gas work shall be undertaken prior to the
~ ~ ~ ....... office
· ssuance of a permit therefor by the ~ ~A ~
of code enforcement, except as provided below.
(b) In the event of an emergency, a licensed master
gas fitter or master plumber may perform such gas work as
may be necessary to eliminate imminent danger to persons or
property or to restore to a functional condition any
essential gas system, without having first secured a permit;
provided, that if such an emergency is to be remedied during
the hours in which the ckicf inspcct~r's office of code
15
1992-23
enforcement is open, the licensed master gas fitter or
master plumber shall notify the office of inspccticn~ code
enforcement by telephone, as soon as is practicable, of the
emergency and the work being performed.
c~. Same--Application generally.
Application for a permit for gas work shall be made on
suitable forms provided by the office of ~ code
enforcement. The application shall be accompanied by fees
in accordance with the schedule of fees in section 5-132.
Sec. 5-133. Same--Plans and specifications.
No permit for gas work shall be issued until plans and
specifications showing the proposed work in necessary detail
have been submitted to the ....... ~ ~n~cto~- director of code
enforcement or his authorized agents and he'has determined
from examination of such plans and specifications that the
work will conform to the provisions of this article. If a
permit is denied, the applicant may submit revised plans and
specifications without payment of additional fees. If, in
the course of the work, it is found necessary to make any
change in the plans and specifications on which a permit has
been issued, amended plans and specifications shall be
submitted and a supplementary permit, subject to the same
conditions applicable to the original application for
permit, shall be issued to cover the change.
Sec. 5-134. Same--Abandoned or discontinued work.
(a) Should any person to whom a permit has been issued
for gas work abandon the installation for any reason, he
shall immediately notify the office of ~ ..... ~-~- code
enforcement in writing.
(b) If an installation has been partially completed,
the permit grantee, upon abandoning the installation, shall
notify the office of in~pcctions code enforcement and
request an inspection. A record shall be kept of the result
of the inspection.
8. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the City Council of the
City of Fairfax, Virginia that Section 5-138, Article VIII,
Chapter 5 of the Code of the City of Fairfax is hereby
amended to read in its entirety as follows:
Sec. 5-138.
Enforcement.
The building official ~ ~- ~.-~-- ~.-~ ..... · .~
r^~rc:~-~. ~.t~t~ ~'vo, shall administer and enforce this article.
Nothing in this article shall excuse any owner or
exempt any building from compliance with other applicable
provisions of this chapter or any other chapter.
16
19~92-23
9. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the City Council of the
City of Fairfax, Virginia that the remaining sections and
subsections of those hereby amended shall continue to read
as previously enacted.
This ordinance shall become effective as provided by
law.
INTRODUCED: : July 14~ 1992
PUBLIC HEARING : July 28~ 1992
ADOPTED : Jul.y 28~ 1992
ATTEST:
City Clerk
17