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 ...
Click here for full text