Inspections
Inspection Requirements
It shall be the responsibility of the owner or his representative to contact Diane Sander at 651-213-8370 when the project is ready for each of the inspections listed, providing notice sufficiently in advance so as to allow adequate time for the inspection to be made without causing unnecessary delays in the construction.
A 24 hour notice shall normally be considered adequate, and inspections will be made during the hours of 8:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. You will need the name, site address and permit number when calling to schedule. You may leave a request for an inspection on voice mail as long as you have complete information, but it will not be considered confirmed until you speak directly with a staff person.
Inspections
Radon systems are now required in all new residential construction, including slab on-grade homes. Special radon inspections are included within the standard inspection requirements below:
Footing
To be made after excavating and forms for footings are complete and any required reinforcing steel is in place. Inspection is to be made prior to pouring the footings.
Foundation
To be made after all foundation walls are constructed and water-proofed, prior to backfilling. (For poured concrete foundations an inspection is not required on the forms prior to placing concrete, unless requested).
Any joints, cracks or openings in foundation walls must be sealed with polyurethane caulk or elastomeric sealant. Regardless of whether insulation is installed on the interior or exterior of block walls, at least one course of masonry block foundation walls, either at or above grade, must be filled using a solid masonry block, masonry grouted solid, a bond beam or a solid concrete beam.
Sump Pit
Requires a sealed or gasketed sump lid be installed.
Rough in Heating
To be made prior to or at the same time as a frame inspection, rough-in warm air supplies and cold air returns will be reviewed at this time. No inspection will be performed on supplemental heating systems unless specifically requested. For hot water radiant heat, a pressure test will not be required unless this is the primary heat source.
Rough in Plumbing
To be made as prescribed by the 2015 Minnesota Plumbing Code, Section 712.3, prior to or at the same time as a frame inspection. Equipment, material, power and labor necessary for testing inspection shall be furnished by the plumbing contractor. This inspection consists of a visual and an air test on drain, waste and vent lines (5 lbs. for 15 minutes.) Underground plumbing shall be left exposed for inspection prior to covering.
Radon
After underground plumbing has been inspected and poly has been laid, before floor is poured. (Radon stack location must be determined at this time).
Must include a uniform layer of clean aggregate, a minimum of 4 inches thick; or a uniform layer of sand, a minimum of 4 inches thick overlain by a layer of geotextile drainage matting; or other system demonstrated to permit depressurization across the entire sub-floor area. Inspection to be performed after a layer of 6 mil poly has been installed (lapped at least 12 inches) in the subfloor area.
After the basement floor has been poured all openings around pipes, wires etc. in the slab as well as all concrete joints and the joint between the slab and foundation wall must be sealed with polyurethane caulk or elastomeric sealant.
Rough Electrical
To be made before installing insulation. For the permit (usually taken care of by electrical contractor) contact the State Board of Electricity:
- 1821 University Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55104
Phone: 651-284-5064
To request an electrical inspection please contact the Minnesota State Electrical Inspector Stephen Fischer, at 320-279-7580 from 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Frame
To be made after the roof, all framing including windows, pan flashing, house wrap and stairs, fire blocking, and bracing are in place and all pipes, chimneys and vents are complete. Truss specifications shall be on-site during frame inspections. All rough inspections to be completed prior to or at the same time as framing inspection. Fireplaces must be inspected and the manufacturer’s installation instructions should be on-site for inspection.
A 3 or 4 inch ABS or PVC gas tight pipe must be installed from the sub slab base through conditioned space of building floors, terminating at least 12 inches above the surface of the roof at least 10 feet from any window or other opening less than 2 feet below the exhaust point. The space around the vent pipe in the attic needs to be a minimum of 24 inches in diameter, centered on the axis of the vent stack, extending vertically a minimum of 3 feet. an electrical receptacle near the pipe is required whether an optional exhausting fan is installed or not. The vent pipe must be labeled at least once per floor and accessible attics, with the words Radon Reduction System.
Insulation & Air Barrier
To be made before the sheet-rock is applied.
A vapor retarder and air barrier shall be installed to the warm in winter side of the walls and ceilings, and be sealed per the Minnesota 2015 Residential Energy Code.
Attic insulation card signed and dated (identifying the type of insulation installed, the manufacturer, the installer, R value per inch, designed settled thickness, square footage of attic coverage area, and number of bags installed) must be attached to the framing in a clearly visible place near the access opening. A copy must also be posted with the Energy Code Compliance Certificate.
Lath
For exterior stucco or masonry veneer shall be made after water resistant barriers, lath, and weeps are in place and before any plaster or veneer is applied.
Septic System
On any project which includes the installation of a sewage disposal system, this inspection shall be made when all components of the system, beyond the foundation, have been installed, and before any part of the system is covered. (See septic permit for list of all inspections required during installation). If the property is served by city sewer and water, contact the city office for the name and number of the person who will inspect the hookups.
Final Inspections
Plumbing
To be made as prescribed by the Minnesota Plumbing Code, Section 4715.28. Equipment, material, power, and labor necessary for inspection and testing shall be furnished by the plumbing contractor. This is a visual inspection after all fixtures are placed and includes a manometer test.
Electrical
To be made before occupying the structure. Contact Electrical Inspector Mark Thoma at 320-309-9483, from 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Heating
To be made after all heating and ventilating equipment, controls, grilles / diffusers are installed. Gas lines shall be tested by a manometer test. Equipment and labor for test shall be furnished by the heating contractor.
Outdoor intake for air to air exchanger’s must be labeled with a weather resistant identification label that states OUTDOOR AIR INTAKE. The exhaust air outlet must be labeled EXHAUST AIR OUTLET. Controls for the mechanical ventilation system must be labeled with VENTILATION SYSTEM or with ventilation symbols.
Final Inspection
To be made after building is completed and ready for occupancy.
New Construction Energy Code Compliance Certificate is required to be filled out by the builder and posted in a permanently visible location inside the building. The certificate addresses the radon system, thermal envelope, and mechanical systems.
Blower Door Test - A blower door test shall be performed any time after creation of all penetrations of the building envelope, and submitted to the inspector at the Zoning Office.
If the building has an on-site septic system, our office must receive an "As Built Record" from the septic system installer. A certificate of occupancy (CO) will be issued upon the request of the owner.
Questions?
For more information on inspection requirements and codes, contact Justin Colberg at 651-213-8370.