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What are Safety Permits
The Safety Codes Act requires that all contractors
and homeowners in Alberta obtain permits prior to commencing work on
buildings covered by the Alberta Building Code or work governed by the
Canadian Electrical Code, the Alberta Gas Code or the Alberta Plumbing
Code. Safety Permits differ from Development Permits by addressing only
the materials, construction methodology, installation and placement of
buildings, facilities, and other structures, and whether they are
constructed in a manner that is consistent with Provincial codes and
regulations. In essence, the purpose of the safety permit process is to
ensure that buildings, and other structures, do not, because of
structural faults, or location, pose a danger to the public. Provincial
law, therefore, requires that buildings, electrical systems, gas
systems, plumbing, etc., be built in conformity with the relevant
safety codes.
Development permits, on the other hand, are issued
in order to ensure that the proposed development, or use of land, is
one that is deemed to be acceptable according to the zoning provisions
of the County Land Use Bylaw. Secondly, the development permit process
ensures that all applicable development standards such as setbacks,
parcel size, etc., are adhered to. Development permits are generally
required for most types of development (see County document relating to
the development process), as are safety permits. However, there are
instances where a development permit is not required, but a safety
permit is, and vice versa. If both are required, the development permit
must be obtained first.
As of January 1, 2002, Kneehill County is accredited
under the Safety Code Council to provide all safety permits. Residents
of Kneehill County are required to obtain their permits through the
Municipality. IJD Inspection Services is the agency contracted to
perform all inspections in the County. After the inspections have been
executed, you will be invoiced for the associated fees. If you have any
questions relating to this issue, please contact Jenna Frere at (403)
443-5541.
What Types of Developments Require safety Permits
Safety permits are required for the construction, or
installation, of electrical, gas, plumbing and private sewage systems,
as well as the construction of (or addition to) a building, or a change
in the intensity of use of a building, as specified in the Safety Code
Act, including: construction, erection or placement of a farm dwelling,
mobile home (or an addition or alteration thereto) or an intensive
livestock operation. An application for required safety permits must be
made, and a development permit issued, prior to a development being
commenced. A separate permit form will be issued for each of the
following components: building (which includes the foundation, frame,
roof, etc.); electrical system; gas and plumbing (one form) and private
sewage disposal.
The Building Permit Process
Where a building permit is required, a form must be completed and the following information provided:
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Floor Plan for each floor level in the building.
The plan must show the size and use of all rooms and floor areas, plus
the location and size of floor joists, beams, and columns. Floor plans
are required with most applications, including those for dwellings,
commercial and industrial proposals, etc.
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Site Plan, which shows the size, shape, and
position of the proposed building on the parcel, as well as the
distance from the building to the property lines and other buildings,
sewage system and well.
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Elevation Drawings of each face of the building.
Each elevation must show the size and position of all openings (windows
and doors) and the finished ground level.
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Cross Section that describes, with dimensions,
every part of the building that appears in the cross section, including
the foundation.
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Mechanical Information that describes the heating and ventilating systems in the building.
Please note that construction methods that differ from what is
prescribed in Part 9 (housing and Small Buildings) of the Alberta
Building Code must be designed by a professional engineer licensed to
practice in Alberta. Some examples that require professional
involvement are:
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Shallow foundations (foundations less than 1.2m. below grade, or less than frost penetration).
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Pile and grade beam foundations.
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Preserved wood foundations.
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Hydro-radiant floor heating systems.
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Timber framing, post and beam and arch-rib construction.
Please obtain building permit form from the County
and return it, and other required information, to the County office.
IJD Inspection Ltd. (Red Deer) will inspect development at the
foundation, framing, and finishing stages. Please contact Dan Rausch
at 1-877-617-8776 or by cell at 1-403-391-6962 for your building
inspection. Developer will be invoiced for inspection.
The Electrical Permit Process
A permit with respect to an electrical system may be issued to:
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a homeowner for construction of an electrical system on his/her residential premises:
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if the ampacity of the service, or equivalent, does not exceed 100 amperes, and the system voltage does not exceed 300 volts
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if only that person and immediate family members
permanently reside or, in the case of a residence under construction,
will permanently reside in that residence
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if the construction will not in any way interfere with an electrical system or property belonging to another person, and
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if any assistance is required, it will be provided by family members only working without remuneration;
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a farmer or rancher for construction of an
electrical system for his/her own use within any building or structure
located on his/her farm or ranch:
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if the ampacity of the service or equivalent does not exceed 100 amperes, and the system voltage does not exceed 300 volts
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if the construction will not in any way interfere with the electrical system or property belonging to another person, and
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if any assistance is required, it will be provided by family members only working without remuneration;
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Please refer to Section 29 of the AB Certification and Permit Regulations to determine who else may be issued a permit.
Electrical inspections are mandatory at “rough-in”
stage when work is done by homeowners, and at “completed rough-in”
stage when done by contractors. Please contact Jim Dobler at
1-877-617-8776 or by cell at 1-403-350-8140 for your electrical
inspection. Developer will be invoiced for inspection.
The Plumbing Permit Process
Permits may be issued to the following individuals:
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a person who holds a trade certificate as a plumber issued under the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act or,
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a person to personally carry out the installation
of, alteration of, or addition to, any plumbing or private sewage
system within residential premises owned and occupied by that person if
the carrying out of that installation, alteration or addition does not
in any manner interfere with any installation, which is under the
control of a supplier or purveyor of water, or for which the supplier
or purveyor is responsible or,
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a farmer to personally carry out the installation
of, alteration of, or addition to, any plumbing system that is located
on his/her farm and that is not intended for public use.
A safety codes officer, prior to issuing a permit for work to be
performed in the plumbing discipline, may request the submission of
designs for any proposed work.
Plumbing inspections are required at “completed
rough-in” stage (prior to covering) and final stage. Please contact
Jerry Bond at 1-877-617-8776 by cell at 1-403-391-2232 for your
plumbing inspection. Developer will be invoiced for inspection.
The Gas Permit Process
A permit issuer may issue a permit in the gas discipline to:
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a person who holds a trade certificate as a gasfitter issued under the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act or,
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a person to personally carry out the installation
of, alteration of, or addition to, any gas installation on or within
residential premises owned and occupied by that person or,
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a farmer to personally carry out the installation
of, alteration of, or addition to, any gas installation that is located
on his/her farm and that is not intended for public use,
if the carrying out of that installation, alteration
or addition does not, in any manner, interfere with any gas
installation, alteration or addition and does not, in any manner,
interfere with any gas installation, which is under the control of a
supplier or for which a supplier is responsible.
Gas inspections are required at final stage, after
the work has been completed. Please contact Jerry Bond at
1-877-617-8776 or by cell at 1-403-391-2232 for your gas inspection.
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