Explanation
BACKGROUND:
As there has been strong growth in the field of medical gas installations coinciding with strong growth of the medical field at large, the state of Ohio has offered, as an option for local jurisdictions, the ability to assume the plan review and inspection function for medical gas installations. Fees to be charged, which were included in the most recent amendments to the Building Services Division Fee Schedule in anticipation of this change, are commensurate with those being charged by other local jurisdictions, including Franklin County, that have already exercised this option for local review and inspection.
Local regulation of the plan review, installation and inspection of such medical gas piping will allow for an increase in customer service in both the plan review area and in the area of required field inspections as more inspectors will be available locally than currently are assigned by the state to cover inspections in all of Ohio. This will assist in furthering the goal of creating a true "One-Stop Shop" as these additional services will provide a single point of contact for all plan review aspects, including the medical gas portion formerly handled under a separate process by the state of Ohio and for local scheduling of the resulting required inspection. The Columbus Building Commission reviewed this ordinance on September 19, 2006 and again at their monthly public meeting on October 17, 2006, at which time the Columbus Building Commission approved this code change and recommended its adoption by City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT:
New fees, which were included in the most recent fee schedule amendments in anticipation of this change, are in line with other local jurisdictions that have exercised this option and are expected to cover all costs associated with the new plan review and inspection program.
Title
To supplement the Columbus City Codes, 1959, by creating a new section in Chapter 4113 of the Columbus Building Code, Title 41, numbered 4113.83, in order to provide for local plan review and installation inspection of medical gas piping as allowed by option under state code.
Body
WHEREAS, as there has been strong growth in the field of medical gas installations coinciding with strong growth of the medical field at large, the state of Ohio has offered, as an option for local jurisdictions, the ability to assume the plan review and inspection function for medical gas installations; and
WHEREAS, fees to be charged, which were included in the most recent amendments to the Building Services Division Fee Schedule in anticipation of this change, are commensurate with those being charged by other local jurisdictions, including Franklin County, that have already exercised this option for local review and inspection; and
WHEREAS, local regulation of the plan review, installation and inspection of such medical gas piping will allow for an increase in customer service in both the plan review area and in the area of required field inspections as more inspectors will be available locally than currently are assigned by the state to cover inspections in all of Ohio; and
WHEREAS, this will assist in furthering the goal of creating a true "One-Stop Shop" as these additional services will provide a single point of contact for all plan review aspects, including the medical gas portion formerly handled under a separate process by the state of Ohio and for local scheduling of the resulting required inspection; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Building Commission reviewed this ordinance on September 19, 2006 and again at their monthly public meeting on October 17, 2006, at which time the Columbus Building Commission approved this code change and recommended its adoption by City Council; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That Columbus City Codes, 1959, is hereby supplemented by new Section 4113.83 to read as follows:
4113.83 Nonflammable medical gas system.
(A) No person shall alter, construct, install, and/or repair any nonflammable medical gas system, inhalation anesthetic system, and vacuum piping system defined by the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) Chapters 4101:3 - 4101:13 - "Ohio Plumbing Code" (OPC) within the city without first obtaining a medical gas system permit from the department to perform such work. No owner, or person having charge of any property within the city, shall cause or allow any such work to be performed on such premises without a medical gas system permit having been first obtained therefore and the prescribed fee having been paid. Any person or company performing permitted work on a regulated system shall be appropriately certified and provide proof of such certification upon request at time of inspection.
(B) Definitions:
(1) A medical gas system is the complete system to convey medical gases for direct patient application from central supply systems (bulk tanks, manifolds, and medical compressors), with pressure and operating controls, alarm warning systems, related components, and piping networks extending to station outlet valves at patient use points.
(2) A medical vacuum system is a system consisting of central-vacuum producing equipment with pressure and operating controls, shutoff valves, alarm-warning systems, gauges, and a network of piping extending to and terminating with suitable station inlets at locations where patient suction may be required.
(C) Medical gas system permit fees shall be calculated according to the fee schedule and shall be paid before commencing work.
Section 2. That prior existing section 4113.83 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, is hereby repealed.
Section 3. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period provided by law.