BERMUDA BUILDING CODE - WordPress

BERMUDA BUILDING CODE 2014Building Official finds that the proposed design is satisfactory and complies with theintent of the provisions of this code, and that the material, method or work offeredis, for the purpose intended, at least the equivalent of that prescribed in this code inquality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability and safety.102.6.1 Research reports. Supporting data, where necessary to assist in theapproval of materials or assemblies not specifically provided for in this code,shall consist of valid research reports from approved sources.102.6.2 Tests. Whenever there is insufficient evidence of compliance withthe provisions of this code, or evidence that a material or method does notconform to the requirements of this code, or in order to substantiate claimsfor alternative materials or methods, the Building Official shall have theauthority to require tests as evidence of compliance to be made at no expenseto the Government of Bermuda. Test methods shall be as specified in thiscode or by other recognized test standards. In the absence of recognized andaccepted test methods, the Building Official shall approve the testingprocedures. Tests shall be performed by an approved agency.102.7 Directions. The Building Official shall have the authority to issue directionsas necessary in the interests of public health, safety and general welfare, to issuedirections in order to interpret and implement the provisions of the adopted Codesand to secure the intent thereof. Such directions shall be confirmed in writing by theBuilding Official in a timely manner.-10-

BERMUDA BUILDING CODE 2014103PERMITS103.1 Building Permit Required. A building permit is required for the followingbuilding operations:a) the excavation or quarrying of any land, including that under an existingbuilding;b) the demolition of any building or structure that is within 25 feet of a roador to which the public has access;c) the erection of any building or structure, whether permanent ortemporary;d) the carrying out of any structural alteration or extension of any building,including the removal of any parts of internal load bearing walls or offire partitions or walls;e) the carrying out of works for the purpose of effecting a material changein use of the building or premises. A material change in use shall mean achange from one use group to another in accordance with the buildingcodes;f)the installation or renewal of an electrical system;g) the installation or renewal of any plumbing or drainage or sewagedisposal system;h) the installation or renewal of any gas fuel system;i)the installation or renewal of any mechanical systems;j)the installation, renewal, renovation or change to any mechanical systemcontaining more than 6.6 pounds (3 kg) of refrigerant;k) the reconstruction of a building;l)the conversion of a movable object into a building;m) the removal of a building from one site and its re-erection elsewhere;and,n) the roofing over of an open space between walls or buildings.-11-

BERMUDA BUILDING CODE 2014103.2 Emergency Repairs. Where equipment replacements and repairs must beperformed in an emergency situation the permit shall be submitted within the nextworking business day to the Building Official or at such other time as may be agreedwith the Building Official.103.3 Repairs. A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs to structures,replacements of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipmentto approved permanently installed receptacles. Such repairs shall not include thecutting away of any wall, partition or portion thereof, the removal or cutting of anystructural beam or load-bearing support, or the removal or change of any requiredmeans of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the egressrequirements; nor shall ordinary repairs include addition to, alteration of,replacement or relocation of any standpipe, water supply, sewer, drainage, drainleader, gas, soil, waste, vent or similar piping, electrical wiring or mechanical orother work affecting public health or general safety.103.4 Application for Permit. The application for a permit shall be submitted inwriting to the Building Official on a form prescribed by the Building Official forthat purpose. Such application shall:i.Be signed by the applicant or the applicant's authorized agent. If theapplicant is not the owner of the land the application form shall besigned by the owner or the owner shall submit a letter of consentauthorizing the applicant to make the application;ii. Identify and describe the work to be covered by the permit for whichapplication is made;iii. Describe the land on which the proposed work is to be done in a mannerthat will readily identify the location of the proposed building or work;iv. Indicate the use and occupancy for which the proposed work is intended;v. Be accompanied by not less than three sets of construction documentsand other required information;vi. Provide such other data and information as required by the BuildingOfficial; and,-12-

BERMUDA BUILDING CODE 2014vii. Be accompanied by the required fee prescribed in the Government FeesRegulations.103.5 Action on Application. The Building Official shall examine or cause to beexamined applications for permits and amendments thereto and shall notify theapplicant that the plans have been passed or rejected within the relevant period. Ifthe plans are defective or show that the proposed works would contravene anyprovision of this code the building official may reject the plans or, at the request ofor with the consent of the applicant, pass them subject to conditions.103.6 Building Appeals Tribunal. A person who is aggrieved by the refusal of theBuilding Official to pass a plan, the rejection of a plan or by the imposition of anyconditions may appeal to the Building Appeals Tribunal in accordance with section15 of the Building Act 1988 or any subsequent amendment thereof.103.7 Approved plans. When the Building Official is satisfied that the plans are inaccordance with this code he shall:a) stamp or endorse the three sets of plans with the words: 'approved';b) retain one set of the plans as approved; and,c) return two sets of the plans to the applicant who shall keep one set on thebuilding site, available at all reasonable times, for inspection by theBuilding Official.103.8 Revocation. Where a permit was issued by virtue of false or inaccurateinformation on the original submission, the Building Official may revoke the permitif deemed necessary.103.9 Validity of Permit. The issuance or granting of a permit shall not beconstrued to be a permit for, or an approval of, any violation of any of the provisionsof this code or any other legal requirement. Permits presuming to give authority toviolate or cancel the provisions of this code or any other legal requirement shall notbe valid. The issuance of a permit based on construction documents and other datashall not prevent the Building Official from requiring the correction of errors in the-13-

BERMUDA BUILDING CODE 2014construction documents and other data or stopping building operations or the use oroccupancy of a structure when in violation of the code.103.10 Expiration. A permit shall expire 5 years from the date of issuance of thepermit unless an extension has been granted by the Building Official. An extensionshall only be granted once for a maximum period of 2 years from the originalexpiration date. A request for an extension shall be made in writing and justifiablecause demonstrated. The request may be submitted prior to the expiration date or atany time up to 6 months after the expiration date. The construction works that arethe subject of an approved extension to a permit shall be required to meet anyrevised provisions of the code.103.11 Permit number to be displayed: The building permit number shall beposted prior to the commencement of any work and shall be left on display until afinal certificate of completion and occupancy has been issued. The number shall bevisible from the road and the text shall be a minimum of 6" in height.103.12 Permit and Inspection Card: A permit and inspection card will be issuedwith the building permit. This card shall be posted conspicuously at the site and bereadily accessible during all reasonable times to the Building Official.-14-

BERMUDA BUILDING CODE 2014104SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS104.1 General. Submittal documents consisting of construction documents,statement of special inspections, geotechnical report and other data shall besubmitted in not less than 3 sets with each permit application. Where required by theBuilding Official the construction documents shall be prepared by a registereddesign professional (as defined in Part II of this code).Exception: The Building Official is authorized to waive the submission ofconstruction documents and other data not required to be prepared by aregistered design professional if the work is of a minor nature or it isconsidered that review of construction documents is not necessary to obtaincompliance with this code.104.2 Construction documents. Construction documents shall be of sufficientclarity to indicate the location, nature and extent of the work proposed and show indetail that it will conform to the provisions of this code and relevant laws,ordinances, rules and regulations, as determined by the Building Official. The nameof the individual or company that prepared the construction documents shall beclearly indicated on all plans and written material.104.3 Construction document details. The Building Official shall require to besubmitted all details of structural, mechanical and electrical work. Where theBuilding Official deems it necessary he shall require to be submitted all designassumptions, computations, stress diagrams and other technical data used in thedesign. The person preparing these construction documents shall be a registereddesign professional of a discipline relevant to the design work. Registration shall bein accordance with the professional registration laws of Bermuda and the registereddesign professional shall hold the appropriate level of professional indemnityinsurance. All plans and computations shall bear the signature and seal of theregistered design professional of the discipline relevant to the design work for whichhe/she is responsible.-15-

BERMUDA BUILDING CODE 2014104.4 Review of construction documents. The Building Official shall examine orcause to be examined the accompanying submittal documents to ensure compliancewith this code. Where the Building Official deems it necessary he can authorize areview of the technical data by an appropriately qualified registered designprofessional.104.5 Overseas consulting firm. Where an overseas consulting firm has preparedplans for a project in Bermuda the local design professional in responsible chargeshall, where required by the Building Official, review all documentation and submitall design assumptions, computations, stress diagrams and other technical data usedin the design.104.5.1Other codes. In preparing construction documents registereddesign professionals, may utilize design codes from their country of practiceproviding the design meets the minimum design requirements of theBermuda Commercial Building Code 2014.104.6 Projects affecting public roads etc. Construction documents for all projectsconstructed adjacent to public roads, rights-of-way or marine waterways wherepublic safety may be a concern to the Building Official, shall be reviewed andapproved by the Department of Works and Engineering.104.7 Amendments. Work shall be installed in accordance with the approvedconstruction documents. Any changes to a previously issued permit shall be thesubject of an application for amendment. The application shall be submitted intriplicate and such amendment shall only be considered if it is in accordance withthis code and does not change the scope of the original project in any way. Theamended documents shall clearly indicate the changes that have been made by wayof bubbling/highlighting and shall include a written description of the proposedamendments.-16-

BERMUDA BUILDING CODE 2014105INSPECTIONS105.1 Required Inspections: The permit holder shall, at least one working daybefore proceeding with or concealing work which requires inspections, notify theBuilding Official that such inspection is needed. A request for inspection shall be inthe form prescribed by the Building Official. For the purposes of this section, workwhich requires inspection includes:i.the commencement and/or setting out of the project prior to anyexcavation or building work;ii. excavations and foundation reinforcing prior to pouring footingconcrete, including piled foundations and welds on any structuralelements;iii. structural reinforcing in all structural concrete and reinforced masonryprior to pouring concrete;iv. all structural members prior to concealing those members;v. roof framing, battens and sheathing prior to installation ofvi. all electrical work prior to concealing;vii. re-commencement of work if the project has been suspended for a periodexceeding six months; andviii. completion of building and electrical work prior to occupancy and oruse.105.2 Health Inspections: For the inspection of plumbing and drainage installationsfor compliance with the Bermuda Plumbing Code 2014, the permit holder orcontractor shall, at least one working day before proceeding with or concealing workwhich requires inspections, notify the Department of Health that such inspection isneeded. These works shall not commence until the inspection has been carried outand approved. For the purposes of this section, work which requires inspectionincludes:-17-

BERMUDA BUILDING CODE 2014i.roughing in of all pipework prior to concealing;ii. cesspit location prior to excavation;iii. cesspit walls after excavation;iv. pressure testing of all water supply, drainage, sewer and vent piping;and,v.final inspection after installation of all fixtures.105.3 Approval required. Work shall not be done beyond the point indicated ineach successive inspection without first obtaining the approval of the BuildingOfficial. The Building Official, upon notification, shall make the requestedinspections and shall either indicate the portion of the construction that issatisfactory as completed, or notify the permit holder or his or her agent wherein thesame fails to comply with this code. Any portions that do not comply shall becorrected and such portion shall not be covered or concealed until authorized by theBuilding official105.4 Violations. Where work which requires inspection has been concealed, theBuilding Official may order the removal of materials concealing such work, and thecost of such removal shall be borne by the owner. Any person who proceeds with, orconceals any work in respect of which an inspection is required, is guilty of anoffence under the Building Act 1988.105.5 Re-inspections. Where an inspection for a particular portion of the works isrequested and the work is not ready for inspection or is incorrect, then a reinspection shall be necessary. In this instance, the Building Official may require thata re-inspection fee be paid prior to the re-inspection being performed.105.6 Other Inspections. In addition to the inspections specified in this section theBuilding Official may require other inspections of construction work to ascertaincompliance with the provisions of this code and other laws or regulations.-18-

BERMUDA BUILDING CODE 2014105.7 Special Inspections. Special inspections shall be performed as required byany provision of this code. All fees and costs associated with these specialinspections shall be borne by the owner.105.8 Inspection agencies. The Building Official may accept reports of approvedinspection agencies provided such agencies satisfy the requirements as toqualifications and reliability.-19-

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BERMUDA BUILDING CODE 2014106CERTIFICATES OF COMPLETION AND OCCUPANCY106.1 New Buildings. A building or structure that is erected shall not be used oroccupied in whole or in part until a Certificate of Completion and Occupancy hasbeen issued by the Building Official.106.2 Building Altered. A building or structure that is enlarged, extended oraltered or in which there has been a change in the existing occupancy classificationshall not be occupied or used until the Building Official has issued a Certificate ofCompletion and Occupancy. This Code shall not require the discontinuance of useand occupancy of a lawful existing building or structure, unless such use is deemedto endanger public safety and welfare.106.3 Conditions of Issuance. A Certificate of Completion and Occupancy shallnot be issued until all works for which a permit has been issued have beencompleted to the satisfaction of the Building Official. This shall include allconditions of planning approval. Issuance of a Certificate of Completion andOccupancy shall not be construed as an approval of a violation of the provisions ofthis code or of other laws, ordinances or regulations.106.4 Issuance of Certificate. Upon receipt of a written request from the owner ofa building or structure, the Building Official shall issue a certificate of completionand occupancy within ten working days if all works to which the permit relates havebeen completed and are in accordance with the approved permit documents, theplanning conditions and the adopted Codes.106.5 Partial Occupancy Certificates. Upon written request by the holder of apermit, the Building Official may issue a temporary certificate of completion andoccupancy before the entire work has been completed, provided such portions willbe occupied safely prior to full completion of the building or structure withoutendangering life or public safety. The final dwelling unit in a multiple unitdevelopment will not be granted partial occupancy until all works have beencompleted and approved.-21-

BERMUDA BUILDING CODE 2014106.6 Power Supply. The sup

Commercial Building Code 2014 modifies and adopts the International Building Code 2012. The modifications to the International Building Code 2012 are shown in Part II of this code. Any reference to the International Building Code in the referenced codes shall mean the Bermuda Commercial Building Code 2014.