Air conditioners help keep humidity and hot, muggy air at bay, throughout the different seasons. They can also filter out pollen and pollutants that trigger allergies, consequently ensuring that you enjoy clean, fresh air in your indoor space. Considering all these benefits, it is essential to install one in your home or office.
Nevertheless, there is a catch. Some types of air conditioning and ventilation systems require a special installation permit known as an Equipment Use Permit (EUP). This is in line with most building codes and regulations issued by relevant regulatory agencies nationwide.
So what is an Equipment Use Permit?
Just as the name implies, an Equipment Use Permit is an approval from the fire department and the building department. The permit allows property owners to install and operate various machinery such as boilers, heating systems, elevators, fire alarms, sprinklers, air conditioners, and any other equipment mounted on the roof or ceiling.
The reason why you need a EUP card is to protect the occupants of your building from health and safety risks that might result from using the equipment. As you might be aware, certain types of air conditioners may release hazardous gases, that may cause health problems.
In addition, building experts classify air conditioners as fire hazards, hence it has to go through inspection and testing to ascertain that it is operating optimally. This process ultimately stops with the issuance of an Equipment Use Permit.
What types of air conditioning systems require Equipment Use Permits?
Seemingly, most but not all air conditioners require an Equipment Use Permit. This particularly applies to any HVAC system that has more than 800 CFM.
Moreover, all air conditioning systems must go thorough inspection and testing by a certified technician, an architect, or an engineer in accordance with laid out procedures. The building department and the fire department must also inspect and test the air conditioner before granting a permit.
However, you may not require an Equipment Use Permit if:
- An air conditioner installed as a voluntary system and only serves one floor of a building
- The air con does not use lot line windows for the mounting of equipment or for the intake/exhaust of air
- The air conditioner is not installed in a stairway, public hallway or passageway
- The air conditioning system does not penetrate fire divisions, floors, walls or roofs
- The air con does not reduce ventilation of any room or space below permissible levels
- The air conditioner has less than 800 CFM
Bottom line
The importance of an Equipment Use Permit cannot be understated. The document proves that you have gone through the process of safeguarding your building from health and safety hazards.
All you have to do is to request a registered architect or engineer to file your plan with the building department. Once approved, an inspection agency will assess and test your air conditioner before issuing a EUP card.