Rooftop Units, Permit Sequencing, and Inspection Hold Points
A contractor is installing six rooftop packaged units on a 3-storey retail building. The mechanical permit lists the units, but the structural permit for the rooftop dunnage and curb reinforcement has not been issued. The contractor sets the curbs and units anyway, reasoning that the mechanical permit covers the equipment. The electrical contractor has pulled a separate permit for the unit disconnects. The fire alarm permit is still under review, but the contractor plans to energize the units and test them before the alarm inspection. The building official's inspection record shows the framing inspection was signed off, but the roof deck penetration firestopping was never inspected. The project schedule requires occupancy in three weeks.
1. Identify the permit and sequencing violations and explain the risk of energizing before the alarm inspection.
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Violations:
- Setting curbs and units before the structural permit is issued is work without a permit; the dunnage and curb reinforcement affect structural adequacy and must be permitted and inspected.
- Energizing and testing units before the fire alarm inspection creates a life-safety gap: if a unit overheats or a fire occurs, the alarm and shutdown interlocks are unverified.
- The roof deck penetration firestopping was never inspected, so the fire-resistance of the roof assembly is unconfirmed.
Risk: energizing equipment before alarm verification means detection, notification, and any shutdown functions are untested. A failure during the pre-occupancy period would leave occupants without warning. The contractor must sequence structural approval, firestopping inspection, and alarm inspection before energizing.
2. What inspection hold points and documentation should the building official require before occupancy?
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Hold points and documentation:
- Structural permit issued and dunnage/curb reinforcement inspected before units are set.
- Firestopping inspection of all roof deck penetrations, with photographic or signed records.
- Fire alarm inspection and test, including any unit shutdown or monitoring interlocks, before energizing.
- Electrical inspection of disconnects and grounding.
- Mechanical inspection of units, clearances, and roof curb flashing.
- Final inspection sign-off and a certificate of occupancy only after all hold points are cleared.
With three weeks to occupancy, the official should issue a written sequence requiring these inspections in order and warn that occupancy will not be granted until the firestopping and alarm records are complete.