(2 graphs in word doc format - 95 Kb)
The Nevis Building Board requires the inspection of construction projects at various stages. Builders and Contractors have not been applying for the inspection, as required, and a number of construction projects have been devoid of either any inspection or the full number of required inspections.
The Building Board and the Department of Physical Planning hereby reminds ALL Contractors and Builders of these requirements. The areas of inspection are as follows:
Site setout
Footing: With Reinforcement (No concrete)
Slab Preparation: Reinforcement, Plumbing, Electrical (No concrete)
Ring Beam: Casing and Reinforcement (No concrete)
Roof Attachment
Other Inspections, as the Inspector may require (e.g. septic system, cistern)
Final Inspection & Certificate of Occupancy
Kindly note the following excerpts from the Inspection procedure:
Work shall not be done on any part of a building or structure beyond the point indicated in each successive inspection without first obtaining the approval of the Building Inspector.
Reinforcing steel or structural framework of any part of any building shall not be covered or concealed in any manner whatsoever without first obtaining the approval of the Building Inspector (as it relates to the required inspections steps).
Kindly be further reminded that NO work shall be done on any building or part of building (including additions) without the approval of the Building Board.
Copies of the Inspection Applications can be obtained from the Department of Physical Planning, on Main Street, Charlestown (upstairs Main Street grocery). These forms should be completed by the Contractor or Builder, and submitted 48 hours before inspection is required (exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and declared public holidays).
(a) Upon completion of a building erected in accordance with approved plans and after final inspection, the Board will issue a Certificate of Occupancy stating the nature of occupancy permitted.
(b) A new building shall not be occupied or a change made in occupancy or the nature of the use of a building or part of a building until after the Board have issued a Certificate of Occupancy.
(c) A temporary certificate of occupancy may be issued for a portion or portions of a building which may be safely occupied prior to final completion of a building.
COMPLIANCE
(a) The issuance and granting of a permit shall not be deemed or construed to be a permit for, or an approval of, any violation of the Building Codes or Regulations.
(b) The issuance of a permit upon plans and specifications, shall not prevent the Board from thereafter "requiring the correction or errors on such plans and specification", or from preventing building operation from been carried on thereunder in violation of the Building Codes or regulations.
(c) When during the construction of the work carried out under the permit, from issuance of permit to issuance of certificate of occupancy, the Board reasonably believes that approved plans are in violation of Building Codes, it shall notify the permit holder, and the permit holder shall correct the drawings, or otherwise satisfy the board that the design and/or working drawing are in compliance with the Building Codes.
(d) Compliance with the Building Codes is the responsibility of the permit holder until the issuance of the certificate of occupancy, at which time it shall become the responsibility of the owner.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE CODES � PERMISSION TO BUILD
APPLICATION TO BUILD
(a) An application shall be submitted to the Board in the manner prescribed and as set out in the Code.
(b) Three (3) sets of completed application forms and plans are to be provided. The plans shall be signed legibly by the person responsible for the preparation of the plans and shall include the following:
1) Location Plan - normally at a scale of 1:2,500, showing the location of the lot sufficient
to identify the site. Streets should be named and lots numbered where applicable.
2) Site Plan - normally at a scale of between 1:500 and 1:250 showing the:
� dimensions of the site and its relationship to abutting lots, roads and public utilities;
� location of the proposed building in relationship to the site boundaries which are to be
identified;
� existing and proposed contours and level of the site, and the level of the lowest part of
the building
� levels of proposed site installations, drainage and paths.
3) Buildings plans to include:
1. Floor Plan to scale 1/8" or to 1�-0� (1:00 or 1:50) ????, including
� room sizes and uses
� position of doors and windows
� materials used in construction
� thickness of each wall
� size of closets
2. Elevations and Sections to scale 1/8" or 1/4" to I' -0'' (1:00 or 1:50)???, including:
� roof heights (floor to ceiling) and pitch
� height of floor above ground
� position of doors and windows
3. Foundation Plan, including
� foundation layout
� cross sections
4. Electricity Plan, including
� electrical lines in floor plan
� amount of wires in circuit and wire gauges
� circuit numbers
� panel sizes
5. Structural Plan, including;
� detail of beams, columns, slabs, walls, cisterns
� reinforcement details
� roof design and construction details
6. Plumbing, including;
� location for inspection boxes
� location and details of grease traps
� size and the slopes of the pipes used in the sewer lines
� details of septic tanks and soakaways or other sewage disposal details
� water storage and catchment details
4) All drawings shall be individually numbered for ease of reference. Revisions shall carry
revision numbers.
5) The Board may require structural and other details, computations, stress diagrams, the
basis of the calculations and other data necessary to describe the construction, and they
shall bear the signature and state the qualification of the person responsible for the
design.
6) All tests required by the Board to show that materials and methods of construction
proposed by the owner meet the requirements of this Code shall be carried out by the
owner at his expense. The testing agency to be used by the owner must be approved by
the Board.
7) All drawings, specifications and accompanying data shall bear the name and address of
the designer(s).
(c) In the case of an application for approval of the erection of a structure, or the demolition, removal or relocation of a building or structure, the Board may waive any of the requirements of paragraph (b) as it considers appropriate.
(d) In the case of addition/renovation/alteration, the existing floor plan and site plan must be given, while the proposed additions must be clearly indicated in level or otherwise.
SETBACKS
From the eaves or any projecting part of the house to:
Front boundary - 6� 0�
Side boundary - 6� 0�
Rear boundary - 16� 0�
MINIMUMS
Bedroom size - 90 sq. ft
Bathroom size - 36 sq. ft
Ceiling height - 8� 6�
for porches & garages - 7� 6�
NOTE:
Proof of land ownership MUST accompany the Building Application.
Please note that the North Point must be indicated on all Location Plans. They must be legible, with key buildings e.g. Church, School, Shops etc., proximate to the site properly indicated.
ii. Checks methods of construction and quality of materials to ensure adherence to specifications and plans.
iii. Supervises issuance of building, plumbing, electrical and other permits and periodic inspections as required by regulations.
iv. Cites deficiencies and rechecks to make sure corrections have been made.
v. Ensures that land usage and buildings conform to safety as well as zoning regulations.
vi. Advises the public and contractors concerning building and other regulations and codes concerning construction.
vii. Inspects properties and buildings under construction for compliance with setbacks, size, height, hillside ordinances and subdivision conditions of approval.
viii. Explains the building, plumbing or zoning codes for contractors and the general public.
ix. Provides direction when deficiencies or violations are discovered and issues �Stop Work� orders or citations for non-compliance with appropriate codes. Investigates complaints, makes reports of field inspections, and may consult with the Legal Department and act as a witness in prosecution of code violators.
x. Meets with various community groups to educate and provide information and solve existing zoning or housing problems.
xi. Investigates and assists in the legal process of the abatement of abandoned and dangerous buildings.
xii. Maintains an accurate daily log and a list of current inspections, complaints and problems reported so that the status can be determined at all times. Prepare all necessary documents and input all cases into the computer database.
xiii. Inspects electrical wiring installations in residential structures during construction, to ensure compliance with rules and regulations for safe wiring;
xiv. Writes correction notices where unsafe or hazardous wiring conditions are found; re-inspects installation to ensure that corrections have been made. Refers unique issues to the Local Electrical Company
xv. Checks plans and blueprints during the Planning review process to determine compliance with the National Electrical Code or Regulations;
xvi. Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.
