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Are you planning a do-it-yourself project? To protect the safety of
your home and family, here are some basic questions you'll need to
answer before you begin. If you don't know the answers, you may want
to consider hiring a licensed professional to do the work. Remember,
as a permit holder you are responsible for the full scope of work for
which the permit has been obtained, regardless of who does the work.
Choose from the topics below. |
General Issues Relating to All Trades
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Are you familiar with safety precautions when dealing with electrical,
plumbing, mechanical, gas or building installations? For example:
- Do you know how to de-energize circuits?
- Do you know about excavation operations?
- Do you know how to properly transition to metal ductwork?
- Do you know how to purge a gas system?
- Are you familiar with cutting and notching limitations for joists and studs?
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Do you have access to and are you familiar with the current editions of
the various model-building codes as referenced by the Virginia Uniform
Statewide Building Code?
- National Electrical Code
- International Plumbing Code
- International Mechanical Code
- International Fuel Gas Code
- International Building Code
- International Residential Code
- International Energy Conservation Code
- Do you have the proper tools and equipment for the installation you are undertaking?
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Can you identify the types of materials used for the application you
intend to work on? For example:
- The various types of wiring and wiring methods
- The different types of drain, waste, vent or water piping
- The types of ductwork or the various energy sources (oil, electric, gas, etc.)
- The different types of gas piping and tubing
- The various types of manufactured floor or roof engineered systems
- Do you know when to obtain footing, framing, concealment or other inspections as required in the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code?
What to Know When Applying for an Electrical Permit
- Do you know the current load requirements of your electric service?
- Do you know the size of your service entrance conductors?
- If changing your service, have you consulted with your local utility?
- Are you familiar with the different bonding and grounding requirements for an electrical installation?
- Do you know the ampacity of the wiring supplying the lighting and receptacle outlets in your home?
What to Know When Applying for a Plumbing Permit
- What is a trap and what is its purpose?
- Are you familiar with the venting requirements of a plumbing system?
- Do you know sizing requirements contained within the current codes pertaining to water, waste or vent piping systems?
- Do you know the minimum slope permitted on waste piping?
- Do you know your current available water pressure?
What to Know When Applying for a Mechanical Permit
- Are you familiar with heat loss/heat gain calculations?
- What is a BTU and what are BTU ratings?
- Do you know the available capacity of your current heating and cooling system: CFM or tonnage?
- Are all of your appliances/equipment listed and labeled for the intended application?
- Do you know the R-values of the insulation installed in your home?
What to Know When Applying for a Fuel Gas Permit
- Are your chimneys and/or vents sized correctly and in safe operating condition?
- What is combustion air?
- Are you able to use a recognized sizing method and is your current gas piping system capable of handling an additional load? Do you know your current operating gas line pressure?
- What is total developed length and total demand of your gas piping system?
- Do you know all the appliance BTU ratings?
- Do you know how to test a gas piping system?
What to Know When Applying for a Building Permit
- Do you know the minimum depth required for footings?
- Do you know what a load bearing point is?
- Do you know your maximum allowable joist, rafter, header or beam span?
- Can you identify lumber from the grade stamp?
- When is pressure-treated lumber required?
For more information, contact the Fairfax County Land Development Services, 703-222-0801, TTY 711.