Virtual Inspection Protocol

(as of 1/26/2021)

The City of Marietta is now requiring all "stand-alone" MEP inspections, such as water heaters and HVAC changeouts, in occupied homes be accomplished virtually by way of the Webex application. This is available for free for both Android and IOS devices.  This provides a safer and cleaner inspection process for our residents and inspectors, and can be done the day of installation during normal working hours.

• It is the responsibility of the permitting contractor to ensure installers on-site have Webex capability.  We will not do a virtual inspection with the homeowner, as your installer is the representative of your permitted work on each site. 

• When an inspection is needed, the installer will call our main number, 770-794-5659, Option 8 and leave a voicemail for our inspector.  You can also send the Inspector, Tim Warner, an email at twarner@mariettaga.gov.

The email and voicemail shall include:

1. Site address
2. Installer’s and company name
3. Installer’s phone number
4. Requested time for inspection

• Please provide a 30 minute window for inspection time and schedule at least 1 hour in advance.

• We will contact you via Webex for the inspection, or contact you prior to the inspection via your phone number to discuss any possible conflicts.

• If same day inspection is not possible (work completed outside of normal working hours), a video of the inspection can be accepted in lieu of virtual inspection. Email video to Senior Residential Inspector Jennifer Thorn at jthorn@mariettaga.gov  --Video will be reviewed and inspection will be approved or failed and results emailed to applicant via Sages software.

• This does, per code, require that you have your permit purchased and displayed on site at the time of the installation/ inspection. 

• Our inspector will guide the inspection, beginning with verifying site address.

• Please call 770-794-5659, Option 8 for any questions or concerns.

VIDEO INSPECTIONS

• Occasionally, you may have an emergency repair on the weekend or after hours. We appreciate that you will follow the proper code requirements and permitting procedures and will allow the items in each checklist, below, for HVAC or Water Heater, to be recorded on phone video to be used in lieu of a separate, in person, virtual inspection.

• Please make sure the subject line or title of each video submittal is clearly labeled with the respective ADDRESS and “VIRTUAL VIDEO INSPECTION”.

• TRANSMIT: You may email the video as a .MOV or .MP4 file, or you may request a link to my OneDrive to share it that way. You may also create your own YouTube channel to upload your videos to and share the link via email. (Using YouTube as a medium keeps the video from taking up much needed data and space on your side and ours.) Vimeo is also an acceptable share site.

*SEE HELPFUL TIPS BELOW!

THE INSPECTION: BOTH HVAC and WATER HEATER:

*Flip camera around, we will see what you see-

*Show us the house ADDRESS that matches what is permitted. This can either be the mailbox or on the house as we go to the door.

*Always advise homeowner that you are doing a virtual inspection and that you have the City of Marietta inspector on Webex with you when you go into a house with the video on.

*” Take” us with you to the unit(s) that have been changed out. We want to see what you see as you go into the attic or basement.

HVAC

We will ask you to show us:

-Pan, cleaned out and not holding water

-Alarm tied in/power and connection and power to condensate pump, if used.

-New flex connection installed-

-Existing gas line and joints; If rust is observed, we advise that the HVAC company or homeowner use a water-resistant paint on them to help seal away the moisture that creates the rust, over time. (RUST= possible pinhole)

-Vent connected properly to existing vent, or supply air properly installed to unit (PVC) for more Energy Efficient units. We may ask if breaker was compared for the “max amps” if being changed out to an EE unit in an older home.

-Silicone Seal all knock-outs or penetrations in unit, or mastic any holes or tears in existing plenum or return boxes. Properly apply mastic as required by code to seal existing duct to new units. All plenum boxes- horizontal- supported.

Outside:

-Condenser unit, proper insulation on line-set, as now required

-Locking caps

-Check pad for level and support

-Condensate lines all draining out, away from house or units.

-Disconnect- Wiring in proper conduit with secure disconnect, Labeled if necessary, on a multi-family structure.

Water Heater

We will ask you to show us:

-Installed in a pan where necessary -Installed on stand where necessary

-Disconnect provided if not in view of electrical panel

-Light and outlet in work area for service

-Existing vent secured properly and draft stopped at ceiling or wall entrance to mechanical room, if in finished area or if continuing to- or through- finished area or chase.

-All Hot water line insulated, if in unconditioned area, per 2015 IECC

-Expansion tank supported by means other than just pipe it is attached to. Tank must be independently supported and cannot just “hang” or “stand” on pipe. Water pipe is NOT a support.

-Temperature set at Max 120°

-Any regulators or mixers on line connected or plugged in and operable at time of inspection.

-Drain line from blowoff valve run to outside, to hub drain, or to garage floor with incline. Any valve on this drain line is to be kept in the “OPEN” position.

• End-of-Inspection. We will enter the inspection and result it, noting that it was a virtual inspection, and the name of the company employee that conducted it with us in the comments.

*HELPFUL TIPS

Tips for a successful remote inspection include:

• Ensuring all electronic devices to be used during the inspection are fully charged and that whoever is using the device at the location has a battery pack available.

• Verifying that the jobsite has either high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity or a minimum of 4G cell service with a strong signal.

• Making sure onsite personnel has the necessary physical tools — e.g. flashlight, tape measure and selfie pole to access elevated areas — to conduct inspections.

• Ensuring good lighting and clear the areas to be inspected of clutter.

• Making sure the lens portion of each device is clean to get clear shots of the work.

During a virtual inspection, contractors should follow all the inspector's instructions and make sure that whoever is on the jobsite to facilitate the inspection is trained to use the required mobile devices and is familiar with the work being inspected.