Tell us how we are doing! As we make improvements to assist our customers with the permitting process, your feedback is important to us. Please fill out a Customer Service Survey or email permit.center@alexandriava.gov and let us know what we can do to improve your permitting experience. 

ALEXANDRIA DEPARTMENT OF CODE ADMINISTRATION

ONE TEAM, ONE CITY – OUR CITY

One Team:

• The Department of Code Administration staff is part of the safe building team.  We will work with all  customers to provide a safe built and sanitary environment that:
  • Provide housing to our citizens;
  • Design, provide materials for, and construct buildings and structures;
  • Own or occupy properties within the City of Alexandria.
• We are part of the City of Alexandria team.  We will provide quality services within the scope of our duties and will assist any department or other city-wide efforts during times of emergency, disaster or as needed.
• We will hold each other accountable to these values expressed while supporting each other to meet them.

One City:

• There are no silos.  We will work as one city unit with all departments, agencies, citizens, and customers to provide:
  • Quality, timely, efficient, and needed services;
  • Without unnecessary bureaucracy, processes or steps;
  • While still meeting mandated codes, standards and regulations.
• We believe that our services should be reviewed under a continuous improvement model for efficiency, ease of access, and regulatory need to better serve our internal and external customers.

Our City:

• No matter where we live and call home, Alexandria is our city.
• We are proud of our city; its proud history and accomplishments.
• We recognize that Alexandria is successful if we are successful in providing:
  • Quality service that are easy to access
  • A well trained, customer service oriented, and cooperative staff
  • A safe built environment for all who live, work, visit, and play in our city
  • A sanitary and nuisance free environment that provides for the safety of citizens and visitors while maintaining an excellent quality of life and property values for our city.

Dear Customers.

We currently have a ten year old mission statement that speaks more to what we do, than the value of our services.  We have asked our staff for feedback regarding the below guiding principles and mission statement.  Now we want your input as well.

Your input as our customer is very important to us and we welcome your feedback.  Please feel free to contact me directly at 703.746.4182 or john.catlett@alexandriava.gov with comments and suggestions. 

John Catlett, Director

“One Team, One City – Our City”

Staffing Levels: The Permit Center is staffed with six Permit Technicians, a Transportation & Environmental Services Engineer, an Urban Planner from Planning & Zoning, and an Account Clerk from Finance for Business Tax Services.  Please visit www.alexandriava.gov/code for current estimated customer wait times. 

Submit Your Permit Applications Online:  You can now submit Sign, Plumbing, Electrical, Mechanical, Demolition, and FPS applications electronically. Many applications such as small residential alterations as well as any supporting documents that are no larger than 11" x 17" may be submitted online once Permit Center Staff have reviewed and accepted the permit application.  In addition, permtis can be paid for and issued electronically without physically coming into the Alexandria Permit Center. To start your online permit application click here.  

New Online Service offered by Virginia Department of Taxation: The Department of Taxation has implemented a new online service to assist businesses with identifying the correct FIPS code associated with a specific address in the State of Virginia. FIPS codes are used to identify where a City or County business is physically located, in order to accurately distribute sales tax to the correct locality. Check out the FIPS Code Lookup to determine yours, or using the kiosks located in the Permit Center during your next office visit.   

For Tuesday,  February 7, 2012:

Inspection requests are moderate at 109 .  Field staffing levels are at 90%.  We anticipate having all inspections completed by the end of the business day (3:30PM)

If you are interested in calling your assigned inspector to determine an estimated time of arrival on site, field inspectors are available for phone calls between 7:45 - 8:00 a.m. Should you need to contact your inspector, visit  http://apps.alexandriava.gov/codeinspection/ for contact information.

If you need an unscheduled inspection on site today, we may be able to accommodate your request. To inquire, please call Supervisor Pete Mensinger (ON-DUTY) at 202.497.7140,  Supervisor Paul Abernathy (ON-DUTY) at 703.906.2371 or the Code Administration Office at 703.746.4200.

Fax, email, and phone inspection results with inspector notes are now available! You will need to request this option (submit your fax number) when scheduling inspections usng the automated IVR system at 703.838.4900.

Attention Customers : Please be aware that on MONDAY mornings,  field inspectors may be attending in-house training on the National Electrical Code® from 8:00-9:00AM. If you are requesting an inspection on those MONDAYS, please be aware that the inspectors will be getting into the field a bit later than normal. Thank you in advance for your patience. (P.S. This FREE TRAINING is open to Electrical Contractors who would like to attend. The training will be held on Room 2000 at City Hall, Please RSVP if you wish to attend by calling Supervisor Abernathy or Mensinger )

TIDBITS OF KNOWLEDGE

   While it may be common knowledge for those in the electrical trade to protect conductors and cables in accordance with Section 300.4 of the National Electrical Code® when running cables or raceways through and/or parrallel to wood members or when Non-metallic Cable ( refered to as Romex® ) or Electrical Non-metallic Tubing (refered to as Smurf Tube) is installed through metal studs but what many do not know is that these requirements for protection also apply to data cables, telecommuniction cables, coax cables and fire alarm cables as well. The National Electrical Code© has general provisons that apply to all areas of the code either by reference or based on a general rule. For example, Chapters 1-4 of the National Electrical Code® apply to all electrical applications and Chapters 5-7 either suppliment or modify the general rules of Chapters 1-4 for specific applications covered in those specific chapters. However, what about Chapter 8 of the National Electrical Code® ?

According to Section 90.3 of the National Electrical Code® the above senerio is clearly defined as to how the nine chapters of the Code is to be applied. So we asked the question above if the same protection requirements in Section 300.4 applicable to Chapter 8 and the answer is clear. If you are working on projects that fall under the scope of Chapter 8 of the National Electrical Code® the requirements of Chapter 8 are fully required and when it makes reference to other areas of the Code , those additional requirements are indeed something our inspection staff will be looking for as well. Here are a few examples that show a direct reference to Section 300.4 within Chapter 8 applictions.

• 800.24 - Communication Circuits
• 820.24 - Community Antenna Television and Radio Distribution Systems
• 830.24 - Network-Powered Broadband Communications Systems

And finally for those fire alarm professionals Section 760.8 sends you also to Section 300.4 as well.

In closing, the integrity of the systems within Chapter 8 are no less important as those covered in Chapters 1-7, thus the code language ensures that the protection is in place and referenced accordingly.

Educationally Yours,

Paul W. Abernathy,Code Supervisor
Electrical & Fire Protection Systems
703-906-2371

Week of February 6, 2012 

Scheduled plan reviews this week, include:

Training Opportunity!

•  2009 International Energy Conservation Code - Commercial and Residential Fundamentals on February 23, 2012

Product Recall

The Container Store Recalls Brightly-Colored Power Strips Due to Fire Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Lush Life® power strips

Units: About 7,200

Importer: The Container Store Inc., of Coppell, Texas

Hazard: The power strips have undersized wiring, and the wiring and plastic strip fail to meet the requirements for fire resistance, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported

Description: This recall involves three designs of brightly-colored, six-outlet power strips with model number 8001-6 embossed on the back. Power strip designs include Pop Power Strip in Scroll (black with white scroll), Dot (blue with orange, white and lime green dots and a lime green cord), and Zebra (black and white zebra stripes). The power strips have three-foot power cords. “Lush Life® power strips by design” is printed on the product’s packaging.

Sold at: The Container Stores nationwide and on the firm’s website www.containerstore.com from October 2011 through December 2011 for about $15.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled power strips immediately and return them to any of The Container Store locations for a full refund plus a $15 merchandise card.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, consumers should contact The Container Store toll-free at (888) 266-8246 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. CT Monday through Saturday, and between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT on Sunday, or visit the firm’s website at www.containerstore.com

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on www.saferproducts.gov

CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

Under federal law, it is illegal to attempt to sell or resell this or any other recalled product.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, go online to: www.saferproducts.gov, call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain this news release and product safety information at www.cpsc.gov. To join a free e-mail subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx.

On July 1, 2011, the Department of Code Administration became a new, separate department from the Alexandria Fire Department. The Virginia Fire Prevention Code, fire prevention code permits, special events coordination, and fire investigations activities are now in the Fire Prevention and Life Safety Section of the Alexandria Fire Department located at Fire Station 204, 900 Second Street. The new phone number for the Fire Prevention and Life Safety Section is 703 746-5227. Chief Rudolf Thomas is the new Division Chief. Fire Prevention Permits will still be managed through the Alexandria Permit Center, located at City Hall, 301 King Street, Room 4200.

For Tuesday, February 7, 2012:

Inspection requests are light - Field staffing levels are at 100%  Inspections requests: 4

**Give us a call......we have the ability to work in some last minute inspections if needed...Call Supervisor Abernathy !

Notice: If you are interested in calling your assigned inspector to determine an estimated time of arrival on site, field inspectors are available for phone calls between 7:45 - 8:00 am, and after 10am. Should you need to contact your inspector, visit  http://apps.alexandriava.gov/codeinspection/ for contact information.  If you need assistance please call  Supervisor Paul Abernathy  (ON-Duty) @ 703.906.2371, Supervisor Pete Mensinger @ 202.497.7140 (ON-Duty), or the Code Administration Office @ 703.746.4200.

Faxed, email, and phone inspection results with inspector notes are now available! You will need to request this option (submit your fax #) when scheduling inspections via the automated IVR system @ 703.838.4900. 

******Attention Fire Protection System Contractors & Designers******

Effective 12/1/2011- The items below will be required on all fire protection inspections (where applicable).

• Record of Completion on Fire Alarm Systems and Certificate of Completion on all other systems must be supplied to your inspector prior to performing your inspection on all new and/or alterations of fire protection systems. Please be sure your system has been tested and is 100% working and your record of completion and/or certification of completion form is completely and accurately filled out, signed and presented to your inspector. Copies of an acceptable documents are available in the respective code standards (i.e.: NFPA® 72). Provide enough copies to retain one set of signed documents on site and one copy for the code inspectors records.
• Before Normal Business Hours Inspections - Must be requested at least 7 days in advance.
• All equipment (other than DB Meters)needed for completely testing the system must be supplied by the fire protection contractor at the time of inspection.

Final Notes - Please provide verification that your fire protection system (where applicable) has been in-service and monitored for no less than 24 hours prior to any testing. This can be as simple as a pre-test report from the monitoring service showing the system was put into service at least 24 hours prior to the time of your inspection.

Things to Consider - NFPA® 70 states in Section 760.8 - "Mechanical Execution of Work- Fire Alarm circuits SHALL BE installed in a neat workmanlike manner. Cables and conductors installed exposed on the surface of ceilings and sidewalls shall be suppored by the building structure in such a manner that the cable will not become damaged by normal building use. Such cables SHALL BE supported by straps, staples, hangers, or similar fittings designed and insalled so as not to damage the cable. The installation SHALL also conform with 300.4(D)."

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Educationally Yours,

Paul W. Abernathy, Code Supervisor
Electrical & Fire Protection Systems
Phone: 703-906-2371

No chemicals such as oil, waste grease, motor vehicle fluids, paint, solvents, or corrosive soaps or cleaners are permitted to be released into any storm sewer system within the City of Alexandria. Violations are  criminal offenses and upon prosecution most carry a fine of up to $2,500 and/or up to a year in jail.  Please report any illegal dumping in progress to the Alexandria Fire Department at 911 or 703.838.4660. Any spills of hazardous materials are required to be promptly reported to the Alexandria Fire Department, regardless of size.  Failure to report a spill or leak may result in criminal penalties as prescribed by law.

There are many household chemicals in use daily throughout homes and businesses.  Please take the time to read and follow all instructions and warning labels located on the containers.  Pay careful attention to storage requirements and do not store or use chemicals that are not compatible.  Some tips on use of household chemicals:

• Keep all chemicals and hazardous materials out of the reach of children and pets. 
• Read and follow all instructions and warning labels for storage, use and disposal.
• Keep all flammable chemicals outside of the home.  Gasoline should be stored in the proper container, such as a rated safety can.  Never store gasoline or other flammable fuels in glass jars or other improper containers  Flammable materials should be kept in a metal cabinet or other non-flammable storage container.  Many chemicals such as paint thinners and oil based paints are flammable or combustible.
• Keep chemicals away from heat sources such as open flames, mechanical equipment, water heaters and other sources of heat.
• Properly dispose of oil-soaked rags.  Do not leave oil soaked rags lying around, as they may start a fire.  Keep rags in a metal container until they can be disposed of.
• Certain chemicals cannot be disposed wtih your regular trash, and must be taken to Alexandria's household hazardous waste collection center. 

Other important news:

• Waste grease from cooking and restaurants is required to be placed in the proper containers at all times until picked up.  Lids should be closed on the containers at all times and secondary containment is required for all containers over 5.33 cubic feet (40 gallons) in accordance with the City of Alexandria Fire Prevention Code.  To report violations, contact Code Administration at 703.746.4200. 
• Did you know that auto repairs are illegal on a City street or any parking lot in the City of Alexandria?  Auto repair on a street is a violation of City Code and violators are subject to a ticket and fines.  Auto repair, including general maintenance such as oil changes, should only be conducted in an approved facility.  (The only exception is emergency repairs, such as changing a tire or topping off fluids). Spills of any hazardous materials, including oil, require proper clean up and disposal. Discharge of oil or other hazardous materials into a street, storm sewer or the ground is a criminal offense and is subject to enforcement and prosecution by law.  To report illegal auto repairs, contact Code Administration at 703.746.4200 or the Nuisance Abatement Hotline after hours at 703.836.0041.

To report an Environmental Crime or release of Hazardous Materials in progress, contact 911.

NEED TO EMAIL US A PROPERTY COMPLAINT? 

Send an email to the Permit Center staff regarding tall grass and weeds, improper appliance disposal, improper trash/debris removal, building maintenance concerns, rodents, hoarding and other property maintenance issues.

301 King St., Suite 4200
Alexandria, VA 22314
703.746.4200
Fax: 703.838.3880

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Nuisance Abatement Hotline
703.836.0041

Virginia Paving Hotline
703.906.9918