PLAN CHECK
What is a Plan Check?
Plan Check is a review of plans, drawings and documents by the Building Official for compliance with the building codes. An accurate and detailed set of plans, specifications and supporting documents is required for most construction projects. Typical projects can be reviewed during a visit to a Building and Safety office, either at the counter or by appointment for more complex projects, or electronically via the EPIC-LA website (for unincorporated areas) or at the BSOP Web Application (for contract cities). Plan check may be required before a permit can be issued.
What is a Plan Check?
Plan Check is a review of plans, drawings and documents by the Building Official for compliance with the building codes. An accurate and detailed set of plans, specifications and supporting documents is required for most construction projects. Typical projects can be reviewed during a visit to a Building and Safety office, either at the counter or by appointment for more complex projects, or electronically via the EPIC-LA website (for unincorporated areas) or at the BSOP Web Application (for contract cities). Plan check may be required before a permit can be issued.
What type of Plan Check do you need?
Steps
Mechanical Plan Check
-
STEP 1
Submit two sets of plans and specifications and pay any required plan check fees
Screen Permit Application Package for Completeness -
STEP 2
Complete packages are taken, awaiting assignment to plan checker
Submitted into Plan Check Queue -
STEP 3
Plans are assigned to plan checker for review.
Plans Assigned -
STEP 4
The plan check engineer reviews all documents for compliance with the Code. When necessary corrections are noted on plans and correction sheet. Applicant is notified plans ready for pick up. When necessary, agency referrals are made at this stage.
Plans and Specifications Reviewed -
STEP 5
Applicant makes noted corrections and resubmits plans.
Plans Picked up, Corrected and Resubmitted -
STEP 6
Plans are re-checked and approved.
Plan Rechecked and Approved -
STEP 7
Project Ready for Mechanical Permit Issuance
EPIC-LA
Electronic Permitting and Inspections for the County of Los Angeles (EPIC-LA), is the online portal to Building and Safety Division’s electronic permitting services. On this site, you can submit plans, specifications, and supporting documents for review and approval, pay permit fees, and apply for a permit
Tell me about Mechanical Check
What work is covered by the Mechanical Code?
The provisions of Title 29, the Los Angeles County Mechanical Code (LACMC) 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.
Where do I submit for a Mechanical Code Plan Check?
Mechanical Code plan checks are processed at Public Works headquarters, Building and Safety Division’s public counter. Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. or online via the EPIC-LA website (for unincorporated areas) or BSOP Web Application (for contract cities).
When is a Mechanical Plan Check required?
The Building Official may require the submission of plans, specifications, drawings, and such other information as deemed necessary, prior to the commencement of and at any time during the progress of any work regulated by the Mechanical Code.
- Designs that call for the installation of new HVAC systems with aggregate comfort heating or cooling input capacity greater than 500,000 BTU/hr. will require a complete Mechanical Code Plan Check
- The following individual mechanical systems shall be reviewed independently:
- Ventilation for enclosed automobile parking and repair garages.
- Stairway pressurization systems.
- Smoke control systems.
- Food processing establishments with Type I or II hood(s).
- Product conveying systems (i.e. dust collection system, fume hoods, etc.)
- Ventilation for State licensed health care facilities (i.e.: Dialysis centers, Clinics.)
- Installation of refrigeration systems requiring a refrigeration machinery room (i.e.: aggregate combined compressor horse power of 100 or more, other than Group A1 Refrigerants, etc.).
When is Non-Residential Energy Plan Check required?
The following conditions would require energy plan check:
- All new buildings and additions heated and/or cooled.
- All new tenant improvements (addition of heating and/or cooling systems to existing conditioned space or to buildings in which the envelope was previously approved for compliance with the Energy Standards).
- All alterations to the envelope of any building.
- All newly installed or altered ductwork.
- All shell buildings.
Exception:
- For projects with a total conditioned area of less than 1,000 Sq. ft., and an occupant load less than 49, the applicant may choose to submit the plans for plan review or complete and file an Attachment-4 signed by a licensed engineer or architect.
- Replacement of heating and/or cooling systems without any new or modified ductwork is exempt provided that the applicant completes and files an Attachment-4 .
- A non-residential building which contains an unconditioned space (entire building) is not required to be plan checked. The applicant will submit one set of the architectural drawings for verification by the Mechanical Section and will be given two complete Attachment-3* for the applicant to hand deliver to the Building and Safety District Office.
* This document must be processed by the Mechanical Section before a building permit can be issued. An Attachment-3 may be processed at the public counter Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.