Building
City
of Florence, Alabama
Building Department
Municipal Building Room 216
110 West College Street
Florence, AL 35630
Telephone: (256) 760-6325
Fax: (256) 740-4651
Email:
Gary
Williamson, Building Official
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Building
Inspections
STRUCTURAL
Footing: This
inspection is made after trenches are made, all required reinforcement,
bulkheads, etc. are in place and prior to placement of concrete.
Exterior footings must be a minimum of twelve (12) inches below
grade. Footing shall be supported on undisturbed natural soil
or engineered fill.
Concrete
Slab or Floor: This inspection is made
after the forms are set, 4 inch slag (capillary), visqueen
(vapor barrier), wire mesh or other required reinforcement is in
place and prior to placement of concrete.
Framing: To
be made after the roof, all framing, fire blocking and bracing is
in place, and the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC work has been installed
and inspected. Exterior doors and windows should be in place
so they may be checked for compliance with emergency egress requirements.
Final: To
be made after the building is completed and ready for occupancy.
The building must not be occupied prior to final inspection, and
issuance of Certificate of Occupancy.

ELECTRICAL
Rough-In: To
be made after the electrical panel has been installed, all feeder
and branch circuit outlet boxes, ceiling outlet boxes, and wires
are in place an before any walls or ceilings are covered.
Intermediate
or Temporary: For convenience of having
power on the building before final inspections. To be made
after meter base is set, entrance wire and weather head is in place,
entrance wires connected in the entrance panel and the ground wire
has been installed. Also, after lighting fixture outlets,
all feeder and branch circuits are installed, including HVAC equipment
and circuits.
Final: After
all wiring has been connected to convenience outlets, lighting fixtures,
washer dryers, range heating system, water heater, bathroom, garage
and outside convenience outlets with ground fault protections, smoke
detectors and after everything electrical has been completely finished.
The electrical system must be energized prior to making final inspection.
The building must not be occupied prior to final inspection.

PLUMBING
The number of plumbing inspections required on a
new structure or new addition onto a building depends on the
type of construction.
First
Stage Water Test Rough In: All plumbing
installed under concrete floors must be tested with a ten (10) foot
head of water and be inspected by the City Pluming Inspector while
water test is on.
Second
Stage Water Test Rough In: To be made
after all of the pipes inside and under the building are in place
and a ten (10) foot head of water pressure applied. This water
is to stay on until the inspection is made.
Sewer
or Tap On Inspection: To be made after
the building sewer is in place and the connection is made to the
public sewer line or after septic tank approval with a ten (10)
foot head of water pressure applied until after the inspection is
made. Sewer and taps must be inspected prior to backfilling.
Final: To
be made after all sewer, drains, vents water lines, and fixtures
are connected, and are in proper working condition without leaks.
The building must not be occupied prior to final inspection.

MASONARY
FIREPLACE
The usual stage for the first fireplace inspection
is after the first flue liner is set in place. Additional
inspections may be required as conditions warrant such as multiple
fireplaces on different floors or other special conditions.
Final:
To be made after the fireplace is complete.

HEATING
SYSTEM
The number and type of inspections required for
heating and cooling systems depends on the type of fuel used; the
location of the unit, etc. If it is a gas unit, the licensed
gas contractor will know when to call for the air testing of the
gas piping. The electrical inspector will inspect the electrical
connections for the accessibility of the unit for maintenance.

LICENSED
CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS
An individual may, in certain cases, do his own
work on his property for his own use, with exceptions listed below.
Individuals or companies who contract for a fixed price, any work
(building, plumbing, electrical, heating, or cooling) must be licensed
to do work in that classification.

EXCEPTIONS:
GAS: Due
to the hazardous nature of gas, the City of Florence, as well as
the State of the Alabama, requires that all gas work be done by
a certified gas contractor. Gas work in the City limits requires
city license and state certification.
ELECTRICAL: Electrical
wiring, equipment or apparatus installed within the city must be
done only by a qualified licensed electrician. Persons doing
any wiring in their own home must first pass the qualification test
set up by the Electrical Inspector. Fee for this test is set
at five (5) dollars.
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