The city council adopts and incorporates by reference as though set forth in full in this chapter, the California Mechanical Code and Appendices A, B, C and D, 2007 Edition, which is based on, and which amends the provisions of the 2006 Uniform Mechanical Code as developed by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, subject to the changes, amendments and modifications to the code as set forth in this chapter. The various parts of the code, the amendments and modifications to it as adopted in this chapter, and certain provisions of the Long Beach Municipal Code, which shall remain in full force and effect as provided in this chapter, shall constitute and be known as the Long Beach Mechanical Code. A copy of the California Mechanical Code, printed as a code in book form, shall be on file in the office of the city clerk. (ORD-07-0062 § 7, 2007: Ord. C-7823 § 102, 2002: Ord. C-7622 § 13, 1999: Ord. C-7379 § 29, 1995: Ord. C-7004 § 21, 1992: Ord. C-6681 § 25, 1990: Ord. C-6453 § 18, 1988: Ord. C-6137 § 35, 1985: Ord. C-5412 § 8 (part), 1978: prior code § 8170.100(a)).

The provisions of the model code (the Uniform Mechanical Code), which are incorporated into the California Mechanical Code, are applicable to all occupancy groups and uses regulated by the model code. The amendments made by the state agencies to the model code and incorporated into the California Mechanical Code are applicable only to those occupancies or uses which the state agency making the amendments is authorized to regulate, as listed in Chapter 1 of the California Mechanical Code. The building and safety bureau shall only enforce those amendments made by the following state agencies:
A. The Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) as specified in Section 108 of the 2007 California Mechanical Code.
B. Division of the State Architect, Access Compliance (DSA/AC) as specified in Section 109 of the 2007 California Mechanical Code.
C. Office of the State Fire Marshal (SFM) as specified in Section 111 of the 2007 California Mechanical Code.
D. Office of Statewide Health, Planning and Development (OSHPD 3) as specified in Section 110 of the 2007 California Mechanical Code.
E. California Energy Commission (CEC) as specified in Section 105 of the 2007 California Mechanical Code. (ORD-07-0062 § 8, 2007: Ord. C-7823 § 103, 2002).

The California Mechanical Code and Appendices A, B, C and D, as adopted in Section 18.36.010, is amended and modified as set forth in Sections 18.36.030 through 18.36.040. (Ord. C-7823 § 104, 2002: Ord. C-7379 § 30, 1995: Ord. C-6453 § 19, 1988: Ord. C-6137 § 36, 1985: Ord. C-5412 § 8 (part), 1978: prior code § 8170.100(b)(part)).

Appendix Chapter 1 of the 2007 California Mechanical Code is deleted. (ORD-07-0062 § 9, 2007: Ord. C-7823 § 105, 2002: Ord. C-7379 § 31, 1995: Ord. C-6137 § 37, 1985: Ord. C-5412 § 8 (part), 1978: prior code § 8170.100(b)(part)).

The purpose of the California Mechanical 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 of heating, ventilating, cooling, refrigeration systems, incinerators and other miscellaneous heat producing appliances. (Ord. C-7823 § 107, 2002: Ord. C-5412 § 8 (part), 1978: prior code § 8170.101).

A. The provisions of this title shall apply to the erection, installation, alteration, repair, relocation, replacement, addition to, use, or maintenance of any heating, ventilating, cooling, refrigeration systems, incinerators or other miscellaneous heat producing appliances.
B. Additions, alterations, repairs and replacement of equipment or systems shall comply with the provisions for new equipment and systems except as otherwise provided in Section 18.36.080 of this chapter.
C. Where, in any specific case, different sections of this title specify different materials, methods of construction or other requirements, the most restrictive shall govern.
D. The California Mechanical Code Standards and California Fire Code Standards contained in Appendix A shall be considered as part of this code.
E. Appendix C contains gas venting tables and a list of recommended equipment standards and is intended to serve only as a guide. The design and testing of equipment regulated by this code shall be subject to the approval of the building official. (Ord. C-7823 § 108, 2002: Ord. C-7379 § 32, 1995: Ord. C-5412 § 8 (part), 1978: prior code § 8170.102).

A. Additions, alterations or repairs may be made to any mechanical system without requiring the existing mechanical system to comply with all the requirements of this code, provided the addition, alteration or repair conforms to that required for a new mechanical system. Additions, alterations or repairs shall not cause an existing system to become unsafe, create unhealthy or overloaded conditions.
Minor additions, alterations and repairs to existing mechanical systems may be installed in accordance with the law in effect at the time the original installation was made, when approved by the building official.
B. Heating, ventilating, cooling, or refrigeration systems, incinerators or other miscellaneous heat producing appliances lawfully installed prior to the effective date of this code may have their existing use, maintenance or repair continued if the use, maintenance or repair is in accordance with the original design and location and is not a hazard to life, health or property.
C. Mechanical systems which are a part of any building or structure undergoing a change in use or occupancy, as defined in the Building Code, shall comply with all requirements of this Code which may be applicable to the new use or occupancy.
D. All heating, ventilating, cooling, or refrigeration systems, incinerators or other miscellaneous heat-producing appliances, both existing and new, and all parts thereof, shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition. All devices or safeguards which are required by this Code in heating, ventilating, cooling, or refrigeration systems, incinerators or other miscellaneous heat-producing appliances when installed, altered or repaired, shall be maintained in good working order. The owner, or his designated agent, shall be responsible for the maintenance of heating, ventilating, cooling, refrigeration systems, incinerators or other miscellaneous heat-producing appliances. (Ord. C-7379 § 33, 1995: Ord. C-5412 § 8 (part), 1978: prior code § 8170.103).

It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to erect, install, alter, repair, relocate, add to, replace, use, or maintain heating, ventilating, cooling, or refrigeration equipment in the jurisdiction, or cause or permit the same to be done, contrary to or in violation of any of the provisions of this Code. Maintenance of equipment which was unlawful at the time it was installed and which would be unlawful under this Code if installed after the effective date of this Code, shall constitute a continuing violation of this Code. (Ord. C-5412 § 8 (part), 1978: prior code § 8170.106).

The Building Official is authorized and directed to enforce all the provisions of this Code. For such purpose he shall have the powers of a police officer. (Ord. C-5412 § 8 (part), 1978: prior code § 8170.105(a)).

In accordance with the procedure and with the approval of the chief appointing authority of the City, the Building Official may appoint such number of officers, inspectors and assistants, and other employees as shall be authorized from time to time. He may deputize such employees as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the agency. (Ord. C-5412 § 8 (part), 1978: prior code § 8170.105(b)).

A. Whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce any of the provisions of this Code, or whenever the Building Official or his authorized representative has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in any building or upon any premises, any condition which makes such building or premises unsafe, the Building Official or his authorized representative may enter such building or premises at all reasonable times to inspect the same or to perform any duty imposed upon the Building Official by this Code; provided, that if such building or premises is occupied, he shall first present proper credentials and demand entry; and if such building or premises is unoccupied, he shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other persons having charge or control of the building or premises and demand entry. If such entry is refused, the Building Official or his authorized representative shall have recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure entry.
B. No owner or occupant or any other person having charge, care or control of any building or premises shall fail or neglect, after proper demand is made as provided in Subsection 18.36.130.A hereof, to promptly permit entry therein by the Building Official or his authorized representative for the purpose of inspection and examination pursuant to this Code. (Ord. C-5412 § 8 (part), 1978: prior code § 8170.105(c)).

Whenever any work is being done contrary to the provisions of this Code, the Building Official may order the work stopped by notice in writing served on any persons engaged in the doing or causing such work to be done, and any such persons shall forthwith stop such work until authorized by the Building Official to proceed with the work. (Ord. C-5412 § 8 (part), 1978: prior code § 8170.105(d)).

The Building Official or his authorized representative shall have the authority to disconnect fuel-gas utility service, or energy supplies to a building, structure, premises or equipment regulated by this Code in case of emergency where necessary to eliminate an immediate hazard to life or property. The Building Official shall, whenever possible, notify the serving utility, the owner and occupant of the building, structure or premises of the decision to disconnect prior to taking such action, and shall notify such serving utility, owner and occupant of the building, structure or premises in writing of such disconnection immediately thereafter. (Ord. C-6137 § 50, 1985).

Whenever the Building Official learns or ascertains that any equipment, as defined in this Code, has become hazardous to life, health, or property, he shall order, in writing, that such equipment be restored to a condition of safety or be dismantled or removed from its present location. The written notice shall fix a time limit for compliance with such order. No person shall use or maintain the defective equipment after receiving such notice. (Ord. C-5412 § 8 (part), 1978: prior code § 8170.105(e)).

No person shall make connections from any energy, fuel or power supply nor supply energy or fuel to any equipment regulated by this Code which has been disconnected or ordered to be disconnected by the Building Official or the use of which has been ordered to be discontinued by the Building Official until the Building Official authorizes the reconnection and use of such equipment. (Ord. C-6137 § 51, 1985).

The Building Official or any employee charged with the enforcement of this Code, acting in good faith and without malice for the jurisdiction in the discharge of his duties, shall not thereby render himself liable personally, and he is relieved from all personal liability for any damage that may accrue to persons or property as a result of any act required or by reason of any act or omission in the discharge of his duties. Any suit brought against the Building Official or employees, because of such act or omission performed by him in the enforcement of any provisions of this Code, shall be defended by the City Attorney until final termination of the proceedings. (Ord. C-5412 § 8 (part), 1978: prior code § 8170.105(f)).

A. No person shall install, alter, reconstruct or repair any heating, ventilating, cooling, or refrigeration equipment unless a permit therefor has been obtained from the Building Official except as otherwise provided in this Code.
B. A permit shall be obtained for all heating, ventilating, cooling, or refrigeration equipment, moved with, or installed in, any relocated building. A separate permit shall be obtained for the equipment installed in each separate building or structure.
C. Exception. A separate mechanical permit shall not be required for any mechanical work involving a Group R, Division 3 or Group U Occupancy for which a combined permit has been obtained pursuant to Section 18.12.010. A permit shall not be required for the following:
1. Any portable heating appliance;
2. Any portable ventilating equipment;
3. Any portable cooling unit;
4. Any steam, hot, or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this Code;
5. Replacement of any component part or assembly of an appliance which does not alter its original approval and complies with other applicable requirements of this Code;
6. Any portable evaporative cooler;
7. Any refrigerating equipment which is a part of the equipment for which a permit has been issued pursuant to the requirements of this Code;
8. Any unit refrigerating system. (Ord. C-7379 § 35, 1995; Ord. C-5412 § 8 (part), 1978: prior code § 8170.107).

A. To obtain a permit, the applicant shall file an application on forms furnished for that purpose. The application shall contain all information necessary to the lawful enforcement of the provisions of this Code.
B. Permits as required by this Chapter shall be issued only to a duly licensed contractor acting in compliance with the business license regulations set forth in Title 5.
C. Exception:
1. A permit may be issued to an owner to do any mechanical work regulated by this Code in a single-family or two-family dwelling including accessory buildings or structures thereto if such person is a bona fide owner and resides or intends to reside in the dwelling.
2. A permit may be issued to or work may be performed by a responsible person not acting in violation of Chapter 9, Division 3, of the Business and Professions Code of the State. (Ord. C-5412 § 8 (part), 1978: prior code § 8170.108).

A. When required by the Building Official for the enforcement of any provisions of this Code, plans and specifications for the installation of environmental heating or cooling systems, refrigeration systems, absorption systems, ventilation systems and hoods shall be filed with the Building Official and approved prior to the issuance of any permit.
B. Plans, specifications and calculations sufficient to demonstrate compliance shall be submitted for installations required to comply with the rules and regulations adopted by the California Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission.
C. The Building Official may require such plans and specifications to be prepared and designed by an engineer and architect licensed by the State to practice as such.
D. Three sets of plans and specifications shall be filed for checking. After approval, one set of plans shall be retained by the Building Official and the remaining sets shall be returned to the applicant. One set shall be kept on the job site at all times during which the work authorized is in progress.
E. When the plans and specifications do not comply with provisions of this Code, the necessary changes or revisions shall be made thereto.
F. Every plan shall be a print or other type of plan approved by the Building Official. The information contained on the plans shall be clearly legible and specifically indicated. No plan shall be of a scale smaller than one-eighth inch per foot.
G. Specifications, legible and definitely stated, shall be included either on the plan or on separate sheets.
H. The approval of any plans or specifications shall not be construed to sanction any violation of this Code.
I. No person shall deviate materially from any approved plans or specifications or fail, neglect, or refuse to comply therewith unless permission to do so has been obtained from the Building Official.
J. The plans or specifications shall show the following:
1. Layout for each floor with dimensions of all working spaces and a legend of all symbols used;
2. Location, size and materials of all air ducts, air inlets and air outlets;
3. Location of all fans, warm-air furnaces, boilers, absorption units, refrigerant compressors and condensers and the weight of all pieces of such equipment weighing two hundred pounds or more;
4. Rated capacity or horsepower of all boilers, warm-air furnaces, heat exchangers, blower fans, refrigerant compressors and absorption units;
5. Location, size and material of all combustion products, vents and chimneys;
6. Location and area of all ventilation and combustion air openings and ducts;
7. Location of all volume dampers, fire dampers, smoke dampers and smoke detectors;
8. First sheet of each set of plans and specifications shall show the address of the proposed work and the name and address of the owner or lessee of the premises;
9. Plans and specifications shall be of sufficient clarity to show that the proposed installation will conform to the provisions of this code and of all applicable laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and orders;
10. Plans for buildings more than two stories in height of other than group R, division 3, or group U occupancies shall indicate how required structural and fire resistive integrity will be maintained where a penetration will be made for mechanical conduits, pipes and similar systems. (Ord. C-7419 § 3, 1996: Ord. C-6137 § 38, 1985: Ord. C-5412 § 8 (part), 1978: prior code § 8170.109).

When the building official determines that the information on the application is in conformance with this code, he or she shall issue a permit upon receipt of the total fees. (Ord. C-5412 § 8 (part), 1978: prior code § 8170.110).

A. The issuance or granting of a permit or approval of plans and specifications shall not be construed to be a permit for, or an approval of, any violation of any of the provisions of this code. No permit presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this code shall be valid, except insofar as the work or use which it authorizes is lawful.
B. The issuance of a permit based upon plans and specifications shall not prevent the building official from thereafter requiring the correction of errors in the plans and specifications or from preventing construction being carried on thereunder when in violation of this code or of any other ordinance. (Ord. C-5412 § 8 (part), 1978: prior code § 8170.111(a)).

Every permit issued by the building official under the provisions of this code shall expire by limitation and become null and void, if the building or work authorized by such permit is not commenced within one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of such permit, or if the building or work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after the work is commenced for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days. Before such work can be recommenced, a new permit shall be obtained first to do so, and the fee therefor shall be one-half the amount required for a new permit for such work; provided no changes have been made or will be made in the original plans and specifications for such work; and provided, further, that such suspension or abandonment has not exceeded one year. (Ord. C-6137 § 39, 1985: Ord. C-5412 § 8 (part), 1978: prior code § 8170.111(b)).

The building official may, in writing, suspend or revoke a permit issued under provisions of this code whenever the permit is issued in error or on the basis of incorrect information supplied, or in violation of any ordinance or regulation or any of the provisions of this code. (Ord. C-5412 § 8 (part), 1978: prior code § 8170.111(c)).

A. Any person desiring a permit by this code, shall, at the time of filing an application, pay a fee as set forth in the schedule of fees and charges established by city council resolution as required by this section:
1. For issuing each permit;
2. For the installation or relocation of each fuel burning heating appliance;
3. For installation of each metal fireplace or fireplace stove;
4. For each register, diffuser, grille, air inlet or air outlet served by any ducted heating, air conditioning or ventilation system; or for each one thousand square feet or fraction thereof of conditioned or ventilated area;
5. For installation or relocation of each appliance vent or metal chimney; this fee shall not apply to a vent system which is an integral part of the equipment or appliance;
6. For the alteration of or addition to each refrigeration system, comfort heating, comfort cooling, ventilation or evaporative cooling or duct system;
7. For each ventilation system which serves a commercial cooking hood;
8. For each environmental air duct other than comfort heating or cooling systems;
9. For each product conveyance ventilation system regulated by Chapter 5 of the California Mechanical Code;
10. For the installation of each commercial cooking or industrial hood;
11. For the installation of each refrigeration compressor rated at:
a. Twenty-five (25) horsepower or less,
b. Over twenty-five (25) but less than fifty (50) horsepower,
c. Fifty (50) horsepower and over;
12. For the installation of each comfort cooling compressor rated at:
a. Twenty-five (25) horsepower or less,
b. Over twenty-five (25) but less than fifty (50) horsepower,
c. Fifty (50) horsepower and over;
13. For the installation of each absorption unit;
14. For the installation of each boiler having an input capacity of:
a. One million (1,000,000) Btu/h or less,
b. Over one million (1,000,000) Btu/h;
15. For each air handling unit or fan coil unit used in conjunction with a comfort heating and cooling system or a refrigeration system;
This fee shall not apply to an air handler that is a portion of a factory assembled appliance, comfort cooling unit, evaporative cooler or absorption unit for which a permit is required elsewhere in this code;
16. For the installation of each evaporative cooler;
17. For the installation of each fire damper or smoke damper;
18. For the installation of each smoke detector except those required in dwelling units by Section 310.9.1 of the California Building Code;
19. For each appliance or piece of equipment regulated by this code and for which no other fee is listed in this code. (ORD-06-0039 § 36, 2006: Ord. C-7823 § 110, 2002; Ord. C-7577 § 6, 1998: Ord. C-7413 § 13, 1996: Ord. C-7379 § 36, 1995; Ord. C-6896 § 16, 1991: Ord. C-6606 § 11, 1989: Ord. C-6015 § 22, 1983: Ord. C-5412 § 8 (part), 1978: prior code § 8170.112).

A. A plan checking fee shall be paid at the time of submitting plans and specifications involving the following:
1. Any group A, E, H or I occupancy as defined in the California Building Code;
2. New buildings or additions having a floor area in excess of ten thousand (10,000) square feet;
3. Interior installations of a single piece of fuel equipment rated in excess of four hundred thousand (400,000) Btu/h;
4. Installations involving class A1 refrigerants having an aggregate combined compressor horsepower of one hundred (100) or more, and installations involving other than class A1 refrigerants;
5. Restaurants and food processing establishments;
6. Spray booths or dust collection systems;
7. Other installations or facilities for which an applicant requests the review and approval of plans.
B. The plan review fee shall be as set forth in the schedule of fees and charges established by city council resolution. For any installation required to comply with the rules and regulations of the California state energy resources conservation and development commission, a separate or additional plan review fee shall be paid as set forth in the schedule of fees and charges established by city council resolution. (ORD-06-0039 § 37, 2006; Ord. C-7823 § 111, 2002: Ord. C-7577 § 7, 1998: Ord. C-7413 § 14, 1996: Ord. C-7379 § 37, 1995; Ord. C-6015 § 23, 1983: Ord. C-5412 § 8 (part), 1978: prior code § 8170.113).

If after a period of one year from date of application for mechanical permit, any applicant has failed to pay for and obtain a mechanical permit, such application and checking fee shall become invalid and no permit shall be issued unless a new application is submitted and a new checking fee paid. Plans, specifications or other documents submitted at the time of application shall be destroyed if after a period of one year from date of application no permit has been paid for or issued. (Ord. C-6137 § 52, 1985).

A. A reinspection fee may be charged for each inspection or reinspection when the portion of work for which the inspection is called is not complete or when the corrections called for are not made.
B. A reinspection fee may be assessed when the permit card is not properly posted on the work site, the approved plans are not readily available to the inspector, for failure to provide access on the date for which inspection is requested, or for deviating from plans requiring approval of the building official.
C. To obtain a reinspection, the applicant shall file an application therefor in writing upon a form furnished for that purpose, and shall pay a reinspection fee as set forth in the schedule of fees and charges established by city council resolution.
D. In instances where reinspection fees have been assessed, no additional inspection of the work will be performed until the required fees have been paid. (ORD-06-0039 § 38, 2006; Ord. C-7413 § 19, 1996).

Refunds of plan check fees and permit fees shall be made in accordance with Sections 18.12.130 through 18.12.240. (Ord. C-5412 § 8 (part), 1978: prior code § 8170.114).

A. All equipment for which permit is obtained under this code shall be inspected by the building official.
B. That portion of any equipment intended to be concealed by any permanent portion of the building shall not be concealed until inspected and approved.
C. When the installation of any equipment is complete, a second or final inspection shall be made.
D. Equipment regulated by this code shall not be connected to the fuel or power supply until authorized by the building official.
E. Exception. The requirements of this section shall not be considered to prohibit the operation of any heating equipment installed to replace existing heating equipment serving an occupied portion of a building, in the event a request for inspection of such heating equipment has been filed with the department not more than forty-eight (48) hours after such replacement work is completed, and before any portion of such equipment is concealed by any permanent portion of the building.
F. A final inspection approval may, upon notice, be revoked by the building official if he or she finds that the heating, ventilating, cooling, or refrigeration equipment fails in any respect to comply with the requirements of this code, or that the installation is unsafe, dangerous, or a hazard to life or property. (Ord. C-5412 § 8 (part), 1978: prior code § 8170.115).

A. The building official may require that every request for inspection be filed at least one day before such inspection is desired. Such request may be in writing or by telephone at the option of the building official.
B. It shall be the duty of the person requesting inspection of any equipment regulated by this code to provide access to and means for proper inspection of such equipment.
C. The building official shall not be liable for any expense entailed in the removal or replacement of any material required to allow the inspection. (Ord. C-5412 § 8 (part), 1978: prior code § 8170.116).