Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Planning & Development Services

TO:	Plumbing Code Review Board
FROM:	Barry Walthall, Building Codes Administrator
CC:	Scott McCullough, Planning & Development Services Director Toni Wheeler, Legal Department Director
Date:	May 15, 2009
RE:	Code amendment requiring special inspection reports prior to issuance of Certificates of Occupancy

The 2006 International Plumbing Code incorporates by reference NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) Standard 99C as the standard for medical gas piping systems and related systems.  Included among the safeguards required by this standard are testing and certification reports that must be submitted to and approved by medical facility authorities.

Staff has reviewed practices regarding the documentation of the required testing and verification of systems regulated by NFPA Standard 99C.  The Building Safety Division implemented a practice on April 20, 2009 to require that a copy of any third-party inspection and testing reports of medical gas systems and related systems required by NFPA Standard 99C be submitted to the Building Safety Division for the permit record.

Staff recommends Chapter 5, Article 1 of the City Code be amended to codify the practice of requiring copies of inspection and testing reports of the systems regulated by NFPA Standard 99C to be submitted to the Building Safety Division.  A draft ordinance is prepared for your review and comment.

Staff believes there are two key components for this amendment.  The first is that all required special inspections are completed and reports submitted to the City prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.  The second is that a statement be received from the “responsible facility authority” declaring he or she has received and approved all the required inspection reports required by the NFPA Standard 99C prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.

Attachment:   Draft Ordinance No. 8405