Building Department

Section 220.87 of the California Electrical Code requires that prior to modifying or adding to electrical systems, their existing loads must be determined. The code requires 30 days of data monitoring, but in buildings with stable loads, the Campus Electrical Engineer may reduce this requirement to 7 days.

Load studies are required so that electrical panels do not become overloaded or their loads become unbalanced between phases.

If you have any questions about load studies, please contact us.

Submit for a final inspection, both with the Building Department and the Campus Fire Marshal. Once you've corrected any prior deficiencies, and passed a final inspection (or corrected any punchlist items generated during your final inspection) you can start working on your closeout documents:

If you've passed your final inspections with the Building Department and the Campus Fire Marshal, you may be issued a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy, which allows you to occupy the space, while you work on gathering your closeout documents. Note: retention will not be released nor final payment made until you have received a permanent Certificate of Occupancy.

Yes. All projects are reviewed for compliance with Chapter 11b - Accessibility to Public Buildings, Public Accommodations, Commercial Buildings and Public Housing.

Generally, large projects are reviewed by the Division of the State Architect. Small projects are reviewed in-house by Certified Access Specialist (CASp) certified plan reviewers.

Carpet, drapery, acoustic panels and the like must be reviewed for compliance with the California Fire Code. Additionally, the university is obligated to collect and maintain data regarding these activities to demonstrate compliance with California and University bidding, purchasing and contracting rules.

Email is easy! Send your documents as attachments to: building@berkeley.edu. Make sure your email denotes your project details (Permit number if one has been issued, client reference number if not) so we know what the documents pertain to.

If your files are too big for email, you can use either of Berkeley's file sharing tools (Box or Google Drive). Just be sure to allow access to "anyone with the link" in either system before you send along...

When we first instituted the permit process, we did require permits for paint in order to collect data on who was doing such work on campus. We have since changed our business process, and as such, permits for paint are no longer required.

Recycling Protocol Decision Tree – Polycarbin

*Anything being put into Polycarbin should still abide by EH&S guidelines first and foremost

Permitted in Bins:

• Plastic type 1 (PETE)
• Items with stickers/labels still attached
• BSL1 (only recombinant DNA, and must be autoclaved or treated with liquid bleach before recycling. No living organisms, cells, or infectious agents)
• Rinse bottles that contained U-List chemicals

Prohibited Items:

Ensure all products are drip-dry, and rinse out any powders before disposal.

• ≥BSL2
• For plastics that have come in contact with non-infectious yeast or E. coli, please spray the plastics with 70% EtOH or 1% bleach.
• Soft Packaging (non-rigid plastics, like film)
• Municipal plastics (eg. food packaging)
• Fibrous waste (eg. Kimwipes, cardboard, paper)
• Rubber/Latex/Nitrile/Silicone (eg. tubing, gloves)
• Metal (eg. cold block, face masks)
• #7 Plastics (Safety Glasses, Cell Scrapers, Weigh Boats)
• P-List Chemicals

The California Building Code requires:

“Any owner or owner's authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be performed, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit...

Construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the building official and such construction or work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved.”

If you have any questions about permits or plan review, please contact us.

Plans, specifications, product submittals, California Energy Code (Title 24 Pt. 6) compliance documentation, and where applicable, a Load Study.

For simple modifications, this might be covered by a scope of work narrative or a simple drawing. Electrical modifications require a single-line diagram.