Guide for Inspection Services

Guide for Services Overview
Plans and Information Required with Application for Commercial Building Permit
Items to be Depicted on Site Plan  Submitted for Approval Relative to Zoning Requirements
Items to be Shown, or Information Included, on Plans for Architectural and Structural Approval
Items to be Shown, or Information Included, on Plans for Electrical Approval
Items to be Shown, or Information Included, on Plans for Mechanical Approval
Items to be Shown, or Information Included, on Plans for Plumbing Approval
Grading, Soil Erosion, and Sedimentation Control
Items To Be Shown Or Information Included On Plans For Fire Department Approval
Plans Requiring Approval by the N.C. Department of Insurance
Sealed Plan Requirements
Items Which Frequently Delay Approval of Plans

GUIDE FOR SERVICES OVERVIEW

The Inspection Services Division is responsible for processing applications and obtaining the required reviews of plans submitted for building permits. To expedite the review process and prevent delays to contractors in obtaining permits and beginning construction, it is important that plans be complete upon submission.

Applications must list property owner and contractor name, address, telephone number, and contact persons. With the building permit application, an additional application must be completed regarding cross connection  control and backflow prevention, to be forwarded to the Department of Public Services.

Applications for projects with a valuation of over $30,000.00 must reflect a current N.C. Contractor's License number, current workers compensation insurance per Chapter 97 of General Statutes, and a current City of  High Point Privilege License. Privilege licenses are issued by the Collections Division, (336) 883-3207.

PLANS AND INFORMATION REQUIRED WITH APPLICATION FOR COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMIT

NUMBER OF COPIES

TYPE PLAN
Site plans	7
Architectural and Structural	3
Landscape	3
Plumbing	3
Plumbing plans are required for all structures providing more than four water closets, or exceeding one occupancy level, and for all restaurants.
HVAC	3
HVAC plans are required for all educational and institutional occupancies, restaurants, all occupancies exceeding one story, and all multi-family occupancies not utilizing individual heating units.
Electrical	3
Electrical plans are required for all occupancies over one story, all multi-occupancy buildings requiring more than one electric meter, medical offices, and all buildings providing over 1000 ampere  electrical service.

Site plans accompanying applications for all permits, excluding applications for residences, are forwarded for review to the following departments:

1. Development Division
2. Transportation Engineering Department
3. Central Engineering Department
4. Public Services Department
5. Fire Department
6. Inspection Services Division

Construction drawings are reviewed within the Inspection Services Division for compliance with Plumbing, Electrical, HVAC, and Building Codes, and certain zoning issues. As each section completes its respective review, plans are designated as "Approved", Conditionally Approved", or "Denied", and applicants are contacted by the  appropriate inspector for discussion of any comments made. At the completion of review by all departments,sections and divisions, a letter is generated to the applicant with all comments. Direct questions regarding building permit applications to Plan Reviewer, Permits and Records, Inspection Services Division, (336) 883-3285.

ITEMS TO BE DEPICTED ON SITE PLAN SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL RELATIVE TO ZONING REQUIREMENTS

The items listed below should be depicted on your site plan to avoid delays in the approval of your permit application relative to compliance with zoning requirements. For  further information regarding site plan requirements and the zoning review process, Planning and Development Department, at (336) 883-3328.

The items on this list apply to applications for developments, or additions to existing developments, of less than 15,000 square feet of gross floor area and containing not more than eight dwelling units in a single building; or uses of land without buildings or expansions of uses of land without buildings involving less than 40,000 square feet.  Developments of uses of land exceeding these area criteria will be required to be reviewed and approved by the Technical Review Committee (TRC). Further information  regarding application to the TRC can be obtained from TRC Coordinator, Planning and Development Department , at (336) 883-3336.

Note owner's name, address and telephone number
Note applicant's name, address and telephone number, if different than owner
Property lines and dimensions, to scale
Scale of site plan
Acreage of lot
Depict all structures and indicate existing and proposed gross square footage(s)
Note use of building(s)
Streets (name labeled and centerline indicated)
Driveway connections (indicating width of driveways)
Depict any easements or rights-of-way
Dimension setback of structures from property lines and other structures
Note height of structures
Parking area, depicting individual spaces including handicapped
Number of employees or occupancy load, if required to determine parking
Curb cuts for handicapped
Location and height of any fences
Landscaping plan may be combined with site plan (where required)
Sign location(s) (note: a separate sign permit will required for all signage)
Depict location of all drainage courses and drainage devices
Depict location and size of water and sewer lines
Note adjoining property owners' name(s)
North arrow
Vicinity map with North arrow
Note Tax Map, Block and Lot numbers of property
If building to be divided into tenant spaces, indicate on site plan
Square footage of land disturbed (Note: If greater than 1 acre, a grading permit will be required)
Note recorded plat name and subdivision lot number
Depict any 100-year flood plain areas (Note: A flood plain development permit may be required if construction is proposed within a 100-year flood plain.)

If applying for an exemption to the watershed regulations, note square footage of all built-upon area, inclusive of all buildings, paved and graveled surfaces. (Note: If  property is not exempt from the watershed protection regulations of the Development Ordinance, a Watershed Development Plan may be required to be reviewed and approved prior to approval of the site plan. Please contact Planning and Development Department, (336) 883-3336.)

If site development requires construction of a public road, or the installation of public water and sewer lines, please contact Planning and Development Department, (336)  883-3336, for further instructions.

ITEMS TO BE SHOWN, OR INFORMATION INCLUDED, ON PLANS FOR ARCHITECTURAL AND STRUCTURAL APPROVAL:

Appendix "B", Volume 1-A (Building Code Summary)
Footing Details/Foundation Plans
Floor, Wall, Roof Framing Details
Floor plan
Seating plan
Handicap systems/details
Interior finish
Door and Hardware Schedules
Window Schedules
Sections/Details
Stair details
Energy criteria
Vent/Chase/Chimney
Ventilation Calculations
Sprinkler Plans/calcs(to be forwarded to Fire Marshal's Office).

ITEMS TO BE SHOWN, OR INFORMATION INCLUDED, ON PLANS FOR ELECTRICAL APPROVAL:

Service equipment location
Riser diagram
Grounding electrode conductor
Service overcurrent protection
Panel overcurrent protection
Feeder overcurrent protection
Transformer overcurrent protection
Panel schedules
Conductors (type & size)
Ground fault protection
Separately derived system ground
Fixed electric heat
Motors and disconnects
Hazardous areas
Signs
Emergency systems
Exit lights
Conduit/raceway fill
Fire alarm systems
Smoke detectors
Lighting fixtures/outlets
 Name and telephone number of person responsible for plan.

ITEMS TO BE SHOWN, OR INFORMATION INCLUDED, ON PLANS FOR MECHANICAL APPROVAL:

Equipment type, size, location
Vent, chimney size and location
Combustion air system and location
Ductwork (type, size, location, details insulation)
Supply/Return air outlet/inlet equipment (two stories or more)
Typical plan of return air plenum
Exhaust fans
Smoke detection for return air plenum
Fire dampers
Kitchen hood, duct termination
Refrigerant storage
Refrigerant line location
Gas piping details (materials,size)
Roof top equipment
Access to rooftop
Equipment BTUs
Gas meter locations
Backflow preventors
Name and telephone number of person responsible for plans

ITEMS TO BE SHOWN, OR INFORMATION INCLUDED, ON PLANS FOR PLUMBING APPROVAL:

Fixtures and location
Drainage, waste, vent systems
Traps diagrams and pipe sizes
Cleanouts
Water distribution diagram well/septic tank
Pressure-reducing valves
Backflow prevention
Equipment accessibility
City water and sewer connections
Connection to private
Grease traps pretreatment
Water heater location
Name and telephone number of person responsible for plan

GRADING, SOIL EROSION, AND SEDIMENTATION CONTROL

Sites of one acre and over:

Construction sites causing one acre or more of soil disturbing activities are required to submit grading and soil erosion plans. Plans and applications must be filed at least 30 days before any initiating activity, and receive approval by the Erosion Control Inspector. The Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan shall be prepared by, and bear the seal and signature, of a registered professional engineer, architect, landscape architect, or a registered surveyor, pursuant to N.C. State law. Applications must  include five (5) copies of site plans at a scale not smaller than one inch (1") equals two-hundred feet (200'). The plans must be designed to meet all requirements and  conditions of the City of High Point Erosion Control Ordinance.

Sites under one acre:

Sites causing less than one acre of soil disturbing activity must construct a stabilized stone construction entrance, and contain all sediment generated by accelerated erosion  within the property boundaries of the construction site.

Direct any questions pertaining to soil erosion and sedimentation control to Brian Sullivan, Erosion Control Inspector, Engineering Department, (336)  883-3199.

ITEMS TO BE SHOWN OR INFORMATION INCLUDED ON PLANS FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT APPROVAL

1. Site Plans - Access, roadway width, obstructions
2. Utility Plans - Water mains, fire hydrants, backflow preventors
3. Occupancy or use of each area of building
4. Hazardous materials - Use, storage, manufacturing of same
5. Smoke removal systems and control station locations
6. Spray booth and associated equipment
7. Emergency lighting systems
8. Special door locking systems
9. Emergency shut offs - Utilities, other hazards
10. Fire Alarm System
11. Fire protection plans
• Automatic sprinkler systems
• Stand pipe systems
• (ANSUL) Automatic Extinguishing Systems
• Carbon Dioxide
• Dry Chemical
• Other extinguishing systems
12. Portable Fire extinguishers size, locations
13. Engineered drawings of smoke, heat vents, curtain board and mechanical smoke removal systems required by Chapter 36 - High Piles Combustible Storage  Facilities. N.C. Fire Prevention Code Volume V. and N.C. Building Code Volume I
14. Name, telephone number of person responsible for plan

Plans for protection shall be sent to: High Point Fire Department 434 S. Elm Street High Point, N.C. 27260 Attn: Plans Reviewer

Questions reguarding any of the above items may be directed to: Mike Levins, Fire Marshal (336) 883-3276.

PLANS REQUIRING APPROVAL BY THE N.C. DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE

In addition to the required review and approval by the City of High Point, the plans for the following projects are required to be approved by the N.C. Department of Insurance before permits may be issued.

Occupancy Group	Building Plans to be Approved
Group R - Residential.	Over 4 stories or over 100 rooms
Group B - Business	Over 4 stories or over 75,000 sq. ft./per flr.
Group F - Factory/Industrial	Over 4 stories or over 75,000 sq. ft. /per flr.
Group M - Mercantile	Over 4 stories or over 75,000 sq.ft. /per flr.
Group E - Educational	Over 32stories or over 20,000 sq. ft. /story
Group I - Institutional	Over 3 stories or over 10,000 sq. ft. /story
Group A - Assembly	Occupant load overOver 1,000 people
Group H - Hazardous	Over 100 people
Buildings owned by City, or Counties	Buildings having total gross area exceeding 10,000 sq. ft.
High Rise	All buildings
Covered Mall Buildings	All buildings
Buildings owned by State	All buildings as required by G.S.58-31-40