Board Standards and Administrative Requirements

Board Standards and Administrative Requirements

Reference text for the administrative and business area. Every rule below is stated from a printed line

of the 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC 2024) that carries it, or from a line of a Georgia piece

filed in this repository, and the address of the line is given with the rule. Numbers appear only where

the printed line carries them.

Two subjects meet in this area, and they come from two different places. The first is the

administration of the code itself — the code official, permits, approval of alternative materials,

construction documents, fees, inspections, appeals and violations — which the model code carries in its

first chapter, and which Georgia detaches from its adopted code by amendment, as Section 7 states. The

second is the business and administrative framework of a plumbing contractor's licence, which the

code carries nothing about and which the Georgia bulletin prints as two content categories with an item

count for each. Sections 7 and 9 say exactly which of the two each rule below belongs to.

1. The code official, and how compliance is determined

The model code opens with an agency and a person. The code official is authorized and directed to

enforce the provisions of the code (IPC 2024, 104.1); the chapter provides for the creation of the

agency (IPC 2024, 103.1), for the appointment of the code official (IPC 2024, 103.2) and for deputies

(IPC 2024, 103.3). The code official determines compliance, renders interpretations of the code and

adopts policies and procedures to clarify the application of its provisions, and those interpretations,

policies and procedures must be in compliance with the intent and purpose of the code and must not have

the effect of waiving a requirement specially provided for in it (IPC 2024, 104.2).

Alternative materials, designs, methods of construction and equipment are the heart of a day's

administrative work, and the code prints the procedure: a request for approval may be made to the code

official, who is the approval authority for it (IPC 2024, 104.2.3, IPC 2024, 104.2.3.1); the application

and its disposition are governed by the section beside it (IPC 2024, 104.2.3.2); the material, design or

method must comply with the intent of the code (IPC 2024, 104.2.3.3) and is judged on the equivalency

criteria the section prints (IPC 2024, 104.2.3.4); tests are part of that determination (IPC 2024,

104.2.3.5), fire tests among them (IPC 2024, 104.2.3.5.1); research reports are submitted and evaluated

under the sections for them (IPC 2024, 104.2.3.6, IPC 2024, 104.2.3.6.1, IPC 2024, 104.2.3.6.2); and a

peer review may be required (IPC 2024, 104.2.3.7). The code official may also modify a requirement for

an individual case where the modification is in compliance with the intent of the code, does not lessen

health, fire or life safety, and is the minimum necessary (IPC 2024, 104.2.4). Beside all of it stands

the rule that a person who acts on the code official's determination: approvals are recorded, and the

official's records include approvals, inspections, code alternatives and modifications, tests and fees

(IPC 2024, 104.7, IPC 2024, 104.7.1, IPC 2024, 104.7.2, IPC 2024, 104.7.3, IPC 2024, 104.7.4, IPC 2024,

104.7.5). The code official has the right of entry to inspect, with the warrant provision beside it

(IPC 2024, 104.4, IPC 2024, 104.4.1), carries identification (IPC 2024, 104.5), issues notices and

orders (IPC 2024, 104.6), and is not personally liable for acts performed in good faith in the

discharge of duties under the code (IPC 2024, 104.8). Materials and equipment must be approved (IPC 2024,

104.9), and reuse is regulated: materials, equipment and devices are not reused unless they are in good

working condition and approved (IPC 2024, 104.9.1).

2. Permits

A permit is required for the work the chapter names (IPC 2024, 105.1), and the work it exempts is

printed as its own list (IPC 2024, 105.2). The application carries what the section requires, a

preliminary inspection may be required for it, and the application's time limitation is fixed (IPC 2024,

105.3, IPC 2024, 105.3.1, IPC 2024, 105.3.2); the section beside it says by whom the application is made

(IPC 2024, 105.4). Issuance follows the approved construction documents (IPC 2024, 105.5, IPC 2024,

105.5.1); the permit's validity, its expiration and the extensions available are each printed

(IPC 2024, 105.5.2, IPC 2024, 105.5.3, IPC 2024, 105.5.4); the code official may suspend or revoke a

permit (IPC 2024, 105.5.5); an approval previously granted is not to be taken as a waiver of a code

requirement (IPC 2024, 105.5.6); and the permit is posted as the section requires (IPC 2024, 105.5.7).

Construction documents are submitted as the chapter requires and retained as the section beside it

requires (IPC 2024, 106.1, IPC 2024, 106.2), the code official's notice of approval is issued on the

construction documents (IPC 2024, 107.1) and may be revoked where the code so provides (IPC 2024,

107.1.1). Fees are paid as the fee chapter requires, on a schedule the jurisdiction adopts, against

permit valuations, with the additional fee or penalty for work commenced before the permit is issued

and with the provisions for related fees and refunds (IPC 2024, 108.1, IPC 2024, 108.2, IPC 2024, 108.3,

IPC 2024, 108.4, IPC 2024, 108.5, IPC 2024, 108.6). Service utilities are connected as the code

provides, with temporary connection permitted under the section for it and the authority to disconnect a

service utility where the code provides (IPC 2024, 109.1, IPC 2024, 109.2, IPC 2024, 109.3). Temporary

uses, equipment and systems are governed by their own chapter section, from the general requirement

through the termination of approval (IPC 2024, 110.1, IPC 2024, 110.2, IPC 2024, 110.3, IPC 2024, 110.4).

3. Inspections and testing

Inspections are made by the code official as the inspection chapter requires (IPC 2024, 111.1). The

required inspections are printed in an order that matches the work: an underground inspection after

trenches or ditches are excavated and bedded and piping installed, and before any backfill is put in

place; a rough-in inspection after the roof, framing, fireblocking, firestopping, draftstopping and

bracing are in place and all sanitary, storm and water distribution piping is roughed in, and prior to

the installation of wall or ceiling membranes; and a final inspection after the building is complete,

all plumbing fixtures are in place and properly connected, and the structure is ready for occupancy —

the holder of the permit being responsible for scheduling them (IPC 2024, 111.2). Other inspections are

covered beside them (IPC 2024, 111.2.1), as are inspection requests (IPC 2024, 111.2.2), the rule that

work is not to be covered before approval (IPC 2024, 111.2.3), approved agencies (IPC 2024, 111.2.4),

their evaluation and follow-up inspection services and records (IPC 2024, 111.2.5, IPC 2024, 111.2.5.1,

IPC 2024, 111.2.5.2, IPC 2024, 111.2.5.3), special inspections with their periodic inspection and written

report (IPC 2024, 111.3, IPC 2024, 111.3.1, IPC 2024, 111.3.2), and testing with the equipment, material

and labour furnished by the permit holder and reinspection where work failed (IPC 2024, 111.4, IPC 2024,

111.4.1, IPC 2024, 111.4.2, IPC 2024, 111.4.3).

4. Appeals, violations and stop work

The model code gives an appeal its own mechanism: a person may appeal a decision of the code official to

the board of appeals, whose powers are limited by the section beside it, whose qualifications are

printed, and whose administration follows its own section (IPC 2024, 112.1, IPC 2024, 112.2, IPC 2024,

112.3, IPC 2024, 112.4, IPC 2024, 113.1). Enforcement is printed with the same care. It is unlawful to

do the acts the section names (IPC 2024, 114.1); a notice of violation is issued (IPC 2024, 114.2);

violation is prosecuted as the section provides (IPC 2024, 114.3); violation penalties are set by the

jurisdiction in the amount the code prints as a placeholder (IPC 2024, 114.4); an unlawful violation is

abated as the section provides (IPC 2024, 114.5); and unsafe plumbing is dealt with by the sections for

it, including the authority to condemn equipment, the authority to disconnect service utilities and the

rule on connection after an order to disconnect (IPC 2024, 114.6, IPC 2024, 114.6.1, IPC 2024, 114.6.2,

IPC 2024, 114.6.3). A stop work order may be issued on the authority of the code, on issuance, in an

emergency and on failure to comply (IPC 2024, 115.1, IPC 2024, 115.2, IPC 2024, 115.3, IPC 2024, 115.4).

5. Where the code stops and the state's own words begin

Two of the model chapter's provisions are the ones a Georgia candidate should read carefully, because

they are the code's own limits on itself. Where a conflict occurs between the code and a referenced

standard, the code applies (IPC 2024, 102.8.1); a requirement necessary for the strength, stability or

proper operation of a system, or for public safety, health and general welfare, that is not specifically

covered by the code is determined by the code official (IPC 2024, 102.9); and the code's provisions do

not nullify any provision of local, state or federal law (IPC 2024, 102.10). The last of those is the

door through which a state's own administrative law enters a plumbing job.

6. What Georgia does with the code's administrative chapter

The Georgia rule removes Chapter 1 from the adopted code, and it removes it in one sentence with its own

reason: the amendment instructs that Chapter 1, « Scope and Administration », be deleted entirely and

without substitution, and states that Chapter 1 is to remain in the Code as a reference guide for local

governments to use in the development of their own Administrative Procedures (GA-rule, l. 44). A

Georgia master therefore meets two layers: the provisions printed in this text as the model chapter's

rules — which stand in the code Georgia adopts as a reference guide for the jurisdictions that write

their own procedures — and the administrative procedure the adopting jurisdiction actually applies,

which is a local instrument no piece filed in this repository carries.

What Georgia puts in place of the deleted chapter's general provisions is printed in the general

applicability section the state adds to Chapter 3. Its scope gives the code its state-wide subject and

hands fuel gas to the fuel gas code (GA-rule, l. 151); its appendices rule states that appendices are

not enforceable unless they are specifically referenced in the body of the code or adopted by the

Department of Community Affairs or the authority having jurisdiction (GA-rule, l. 152); its intent

states the purpose of the code (GA-rule, l. 153); its severability clause protects the rest of the code

if a provision is held unconstitutional (GA-rule, l. 154); and its general rule states that where

different sections of the code specify different materials, methods of construction or other

requirements, the most restrictive governs (GA-rule, l. 155). The state's maintenance and reuse rules sit

in the same added section and are stricter than the model code's: plumbing systems, materials and

appurtenances are maintained in proper operating condition in accordance with the original design in a

safe and sanitary condition, with the owner or the owner's designated agent responsible and the code

official able to require reinspection (GA-rule, l. 156); and materials, equipment and devices are not

reused unless they have been reconditioned, tested, placed in good and proper working condition and

approved (GA-rule, l. 160), where the model code asks only that a reused element be in good working

condition and approved (IPC 2024, 104.9.1). One further Georgia line belongs to this area because it

sends a class of equipment to another department: the State's minimum requirements for boilers and water

heaters and for pressure vessels over 200,000 Btu/h (58.61 kW), 210 degrees Fahrenheit or 120 gallons

capacity are established by O.C.G.A. Title 25, Chapter 15 and the rules and regulations of the Office of

Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner (GA-rule, l. 36).

7. The business requirements the bulletin tests

The two categories this area is named for are printed by the Georgia bulletin as the administrative,

business and design block of the two master examinations, with 15 items in each of the first two

categories and 10 in the third (GA-bulletin, l. 454). « Comply with Business Laws » prints seven

subjects: workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, the employer's tax guide (Circular E), state

sales and use tax, the business licence, completion of the I-9 form, and lien rights (GA-bulletin, l.

456, GA-bulletin, l. 457, GA-bulletin, l. 459, GA-bulletin, l. 460, GA-bulletin, l. 461, GA-bulletin, l.

462, GA-bulletin, l. 463). « Comply with Administrative Requirements » prints eight: bonding and

liquidated damages, insurance — liability, property damage, auto and the like — financing and cash flow,

bookkeeping and accounting, job cost estimating and bidding procedures, contracts and purchase orders,

scheduling and project management, and accident or incident reports (GA-bulletin, l. 465, GA-bulletin, l.

466, GA-bulletin, l. 467, GA-bulletin, l. 468, GA-bulletin, l. 469, GA-bulletin, l. 470, GA-bulletin, l.

471, GA-bulletin, l. 472, GA-bulletin, l. 473). The business and law content of the examination is backed

by a reference the bulletin prints for the Georgia board — the Contractors Guide to Business, Law, and

Project Management published for the Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board in its 5th edition by

the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (GA-bulletin, l. 698) — with the

Americans with Disabilities Act publication (GA-bulletin, l. 695), the ADA Standards for Accessible

Design (GA-bulletin, l. 721), the Excavator Manual published by GA 811 for the Public Service Commission

(GA-bulletin, l. 726) and the Employer's Tax Guide, Circular E (GA-bulletin, l. 729) standing beside it,

and Code of Federal Regulations Title 29, Part 1926 (OSHA) reserved to the two master classes (GA-bulletin,

l. 732, GA-bulletin, l. 735).

8. What the model chapter does not state, and what the pieces filed here do not carry

carries a placeholder for the jurisdiction to complete (IPC 2024, 114.4). No penalty amount is stated

in this text.

be adopted and states how valuations are made (IPC 2024, 108.2, IPC 2024, 108.3), and the figures

themselves are the jurisdiction's.

a reference guide for the jurisdictions that write their own (GA-rule, l. 44), and no county or

municipal ordinance, no local permit form and no local inspection policy is filed in this repository.

unemployment insurance rate, sales and use tax rate, licensing fee, lien procedure, I-9 requirement,

bonding amount, insurance limit, accounting standard, bidding procedure or contract clause is

reproduced, summarised or paraphrased anywhere in this text, and none is asserted as a requirement.

What the pieces filed here establish about them is that the examination tests them and which

references the board lists (GA-bulletin, l. 456, GA-bulletin, l. 465, GA-bulletin, l. 698). The

NASCLA guide, the ADA publications, the Excavator Manual and the Circular E are named as references

and no copy of any of them is held here.