01/28/2025 Ordinances 10,008 ORDINANCE NO. 10,008
An ordinance to amend Chapter 18 Mechanical of Grand Island City Code; to
amend Article 18-I Sections 18-6, and 18-9, and Article 18-III Sections 18-19, 18-25, 18-28, 18-
41, 18-43, 18-45.1, 18-45.2, 18-45.3, 18-46, 18-47, 18-53, 18-55, 18-57, 18-61, and 18-69; to
clarify and/or make general corrections to various code sections, to repeal any ordinance or parts
of ordinances in conflict herewith; and to provide for publication and the effective date of this
ordinance.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GRAND ISLAND,NEBRASKA:
SECTION 1. Article 18-I Sections 18-6, and 18-9, and Article 18-III Sections 18-
19, 18-25, 18-28, 18-41, 18-43, 18-45.1, 18-45.2, 18-45.3, 18-46, 18-47, 18-53, 18-55, 18-57,
18-61, and 18-69 of the Grand Island City Code Chapter 18 is amended to read as follows:
18-6 UMC - Certain Sections Not Adopted
It is especially provided that the following chapters, sections, and tables of the Uniform
Mechanical Code are not adopted or approved, and the same shall be of no force and effect:
A. 1 Table 104.5 Mechanical Permit Fees.
B. Sections 1203.2 Dual Purpose Water Heater, 1207.3 Dual-Purpose Water Heaters,
1207.3.1 Temperature Limitations and Table 1203.2 Water Heaters.
C. Chapter 14- Process Piping.
D. Chapter 16- Stationary Power Plants.
E. Appendix A- Residential Plan Examiner Review Form for HVAC System Design.
F. Appendix B- Procedures to be followed to Place Gas Equipment in Operation.
ORDINANCE NO. 10,008 (Cont.)
G. Appendix D- Fuel Supply: Manufactured/Mobile Home Parks and Recreational Vehicle
Parks.
H. Section 806.0 Certificate of Acceptance Forms of Appendix E- Sustainable Practice.
I. Section 603.10.1 Duct Leakage Test.
J. Section 405.4 Kitchen Exhaust.
18-9 UMC -Amendment Of Subsection 112.1
Subsection 112.1 of the Uniform Mechanical Code is hereby amended to include the following:
104.1. Permits Required.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to make any installation, alteration or
repair any mechanical system regulated by this Code except as permitted in Subsections 112.2 of
this section, or cause the same to be done without first obtaining a permit to do such work from
the Office of the Chief Building Official
(A) A permit is required for the installation or replacement of all fuel burning heating
equipment, and water heaters together with all chimneys, vents and their connectors.
(B) A permit is required for the installation, repair, or alteration of all fuel gas piping in or in
connection with any building or structure or within the property lines of any premises, other than
service pipe.
A permit is required for the installation or replacement of all warm-air furnaces and heating
systems including all chimneys, vents, and their connectors.
(C) No Commercial Hoods and Kitchen Ventilation equipment shall be installed without a
permit.
(D) A separate permit shall be obtained for each building or structure.
- 2 -
ORDINANCE NO. 10,008 (Cont.)
No person shall allow any other person to do or cause to be done any work under a permit
secured by a permittee except persons in his or her employ.
(E) A permit is required for the repair, replacement, or installation of a gas piping.
(F) No permit shall be issued to any person to do or cause to be done any work regulated by
this Code, except to a person holding a valid unexpired and unrevoked mechanical license as
required by this chapter, except when and as otherwise hereinafter provided in this section.
(G) Any permit by this code may be issued to do any work regulated by this code in a single
family dwelling used exclusively for living purposes, including the usual accessory buildings and
quarters in connection with such buildings in the event that such person is the bona fide owner of
any such dwelling and accessory buildings and quarters, and that the same are currently occupied
by said owner, provided, that said owner shall personally purchase all material and shall
personally perform all labor in connection therein. This, however, shall exclude all gas piping
and venting of fuel combustion appliances.
Article 18-III
Mechanical Fitters, Contractors, Installers, and Mechanical Inspector
Division 18-III-1 Examining Board
Division 18-III-2 Mechanical Inspector
Division 18-III-3 Registration Of Contractors
Division 18-III-4 Master And Journeyman Mechanical Fitters
Division 18-III-5 General
Division 18-I1I-6 Permit To Perform Mechanical Work
Division 18-I1I-7 Penalty
- 3 -
ORDINANCE NO. 10,008 (Cont.)
18-19 Duties; Examinations; Licenses
The Board shall establish standards and procedures for the qualification, examination and
licensing of master mechanical fitter and journeyman mechanical fitter, and shall issue an
appropriate license to each person who meets the qualifications therefore and successfully passes
the standardized exam administered by International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical
Officials (IAPMO).
The Board shall establish written standards and procedures for the approval of all continuing
education requirements as set forth in §18-48.1.
18-25 General Rules
A. All mechanical apprentices actively engaged under a master mechanical fitter will be
required to register with the City of Grand Island Office of the Chief Building Official .
Experience accrued towards taking the journeyman mechanical test will only be accepted as a
registered apprentice. Time accrued previous to registration will be noted.
B. Time required for an apprentice to be actively engaged in the trade under the supervision
of a master, journeyman, or qualified shop will be a minimum of three years. Proof of
qualifications will be submitted to the chief building official in writing for consideration and
approval for the journeyman examination. Any academical time to be considered in place of
actual apprenticeship time in the trade must be from a State accredited college or Technical
school and be submitted to the Board for consideration.
C. Applicants must hold a journeyman license for a minimum of four years before taking the
Master exam, and be actively engaged in the trade under the supervision of a contracting master
mechanical fitter for the full four years. Proof of qualifications will be submitted to the chief
building official in writing for consideration and approval for the master examination.
- 4 -
ORDINANCE NO. 10,008 (Cont.)
D. The minimum age limit for a Journeyman examination will be Twenty (20) years of age
unless approved by the Board.
E. The allotted time for the Master and Journeyman examination will be as administered by
IAPMO.
F. Request for Master and Journeyman examination will be filed in the City of Grand Island
Office of the Chief Building Official prior to taking the examination for the consideration of the
chief building official or the Board. Examination application fee will be paid with the
application. No exam fee will be refunded after taking the examination. Exam application
review fees shall be submitted directly to the Office of the Chief Building Official. Online exam
fees shall be submitted directly to IAPMO.
G. All applicants will submit, along with their request for examination, letters of proof of the
required apprenticeship time actively engaged in the trade.
H. In the event that an applicant fails to pass the examination given, he may make application
for a subsequent exam after thirty (30) days have passed.
I. At the discretion of the Board, experience gained at an industrial plant or outside the tri-
city jurisdiction may be considered as apprenticeship time to qualify for a Journeyman
examination. Information considered by the Board shall include written proof of previous
experience record and oral examination.
J. All examination papers are the property of the examining Board. Applicants will not be
permitted to remain during grading or to review examination papers after they have been
submitted for grading. Test results will be sent by mail.
- 5 -
ORDINANCE NO. 10,008 (Cont.)
K. Applicant must obtain a passing score on each part of the exam (written as well as
drawing). A passing score for a Journeyman Mechanical Fitter is 70% and for a Master
Mechanical Flter is 80%.
L. An applicant with a passing score will have a 30 day grace period to pick up a new license
dated from the test date.
M. An applicant must supply his own copy of this Code; the Grand Island Office of the Chief
Building Official will not supply copies to anyone during the test. Photocopies, reference books,
or any other reference materials will not be allowed in the testing area during the test.
N. For purposes of Chapter 18 an "employee" shall include employees, agents, contractors,
subcontractors, and independent contractors so long as the "employee" is under supervision of a
registered contracting mechanical fitter and is covered by the registered contracting mechanical
fitter's insurance obligations as set forth in 18-57.
18-28 Inspections
It shall be the duty of the mechanical inspector to make inspections of any mechanical work, gas
piping, appliance installation or connections at the request of the installer, chief building official
, owner, agent, tenant, or occupant of any building or the premises where such gas piping or
mechanical work is located in order to ascertain whether or not the mechanical work, gas piping
or appliances in such building or premises are in a safe condition. The inspector shall have the
authority to enter any building or upon any premises at all reasonable hours to ascertain if the
provisions of this article, or any ordinances relating to mechanical work, gas piping or appliance
installations have been or are being violated or being complied with, and should the inspector,
upon making such an inspection as requested by the installer, owner, agent, tenant, or chief
building official , find an unsafe or unsatisfactory installation, the inspector shall have the
- 6 -
ORDINANCE NO. 10,008 (Cont.)
authority to request the gas company to shut off the appliance or service at the meter (depending
upon the seriousness of the conditions as determined by the inspector), tag same, and shall notify
the installer immediately if the job is a new installation, or the owner, agent, tenant, or one in
charge of the property to cause the same to be remedied within a specified time, not exceeding
ten days if the same is not a new installation. Should the installer, owner, agent, tenant, or one in
charge of the premises fail to make such corrections, changes or repairs, or fail to notify the
inspector to make a re-inspection within the specified time after receiving such notification to
comply therewith, said owner, agent, tenant, installer or person in charge, shall be considered
maintaining an unsafe mechanical installation and violating the requirements hereof, and the
inspector shall make a re-inspection of the premises and report the findings to the chief building
official, who shall in turn cause action to be taken in the proper court to secure compliance, and
the penalties as set forth in this chapter shall apply. It shall be the duty and the responsibility of
the installer or one making such correction, changes or repairs to notify the inspector within
forty-eight hours after completion of such correction, changes or repairs, and request for re-
inspection.
18-41 Certificate; Revocation
The city council by a majority vote shall have the power to revoke any certificate of registration
of any mechanical contractor, upon the recommendation of the Mechanical Board for any of the
following reasons:
A. Lack of competency or lack of knowledge in matters relevant to the certificate of
registration;
B. Certificate of registration being obtained by fraud;
- 7 -
ORDINANCE NO. 10,008 (Cont.)
C. The lending of any certificate of registration or the obtaining of permits there under for any
other person;
D. Failure to comply with this Code and any rules issued by the chief building official or
Board;
E. Abandonment of any contract or undertaking without good cause or fraudulent departure
from plans or specifications;
F. Failure to obtain or cause to be obtained permits when the same are required by this code.
G. Failure to complete the continuing education contact hours as required by §18-48.1.
The chief building official shall serve notice of such action by registered mail to the holder of the
certificate.
18-43 Insurance
A. Every registrant shall maintain in full force and effect insurance policies written by a
company or companies authorized to do business in the State of Nebraska, with the following
coverages, amounts, and provisions:
A. Comprehensive General Liability Insurance covering the operations of the registrant,
including coverage for completed operations, with limits of not less than $1,000,000 per
occurrence for bodily injury and property damage.
B. A provision making the City of Grand Island an additional insured for any third party
claims for bodily injury or property damage based upon occurrences in connection with the
registrant's operations, including completed operations, within the City's zoning jurisdiction.
C. The registrant shall furnish the City of Grand Island Office of the Chief Building Official
with a certificate or certificates of insurance for the above insurance coverage.
- 8 -
ORDINANCE NO. 10,008 (Cont.)
D. Any registration certificate issued under the provisions of this chapter shall be revoked
should the registrant permit the insurance policy herein required to expire or lapse.
Division 18-III-4
Master And Journeyman Mechanical Fitters
18-45 Examinations; Fee; Exemptions
18-46 Licenses; Reciprocity
18-47 Re-Examination
18-48 Licenses; Term; Renewal; Fees
18-49 License; Revocation
18-50 Temporary Journeyman Mechanical Fitter License
18-51 Use Of Licensee's Name By Another
18-52 Renewal Of License
18-45 Examinations; Fee; Exemptions
18-45.1 Master Mechanical Fitter
18-45.2 Journeyman Mechanical Fitter
18-45.3 Apprentice Mechanical Fitter
Any person desiring to be licensed as a master mechanical fitter or as a journeyman mechanical
fitter pursuant to this chapter shall make written application for an examination to the chief
building official. Examination application fees shall be in accordance with the City of Grand
Island Fee Schedule. Online examination fees shall be in accordance with the testing facilities
fee schedule.
Examination application fees shall accompany such application. Examination fees are not
returned but shall be forfeited in the event the applicant fails the examination.
- 9 -
ORDINANCE NO. 10,008 (Cont.)
18-45.1 Master Mechanical Fitter
A Master Mechanical Fitter shall mean a person who is registered with the Grand Island Office
of the Chief Building Official and has completed all experience requirements as a journeyman
mechanical fitter and has passed a master level mechanical fitter's examination. A Master
Mechanical Fitter has the necessary qualifications, training, experience, and technical knowledge
to properly plan, layout, install, alter and repair mechanical systems or parts thereof including,
but not limited to, ventilation air; exhaust systems; duct systems; combustion air; chimneys and
vents; installation of specific appliances — as defined in the UMC; boilers and pressure vessels;
hydronics; refrigeration; fuel gas piping; process piping; solar energy systems; stationary power
plants — as defined in the UMC, in accordance with the standards, rules, and regulations
established by the Grand Island Mechanical Board. A practicing Master Mechanical Fitter must
be an employee of a registered Contracting Master Mechanical Fitter and work under a
Contracting Master Mechanical Fitter's supervision.
18-45.2 Journeyman Mechanical Fitter
A Journeyman Mechanical Fitter shall mean a person who is registered with the Grand Island
Office of the Chief Building Official and who has completed their apprenticeship under the
supervision of a Contracting Mechanical Fitter. A Journeyman Mechanical Fitter has passed a
journeyman level mechanical fitter's examination and has a working knowledge and application
of the skills required to be employed as a mechanical fitter in accordance with the standards,
rules, and regulations established by the Grand Island Mechanical Board. A practicing
Journeyman Mechanical Fitter must be an employee of a registered Contracting Master
Mechanical Fitter and work under a Contracting Master Mechanical Fitter's supervision.
- 10 -
ORDINANCE NO. 10,008 (Cont.)
18-45.3 Apprentice Mechanical Fitter
An Apprentice Mechanical Fitter is an entry-level mechanical fitter who is registered with the
Grand Island Office of the Chief Building Official and is working under the direct supervision of
a licensed Journeyman Mechanical Fitter or Master Mechanical Fitter and is an employee of a
registered Contracting Master Mechanical Fitter.
18-46 Licenses; Reciprocity
A. Any person validly licensed as a master or journeyman mechanical fitter by a municipal
jurisdiction, provided the testing mechanism of that municipality has been verified by the
chief building official or the Board to meet or exceed the standards of an unamended
standardized exam provided by a nationally licensed testing agency, may apply for
exemption from taking the examination specified by Section 18-25 and,provided the
applicant is otherwise qualified pursuant to this Code,the chief building official may
approve the applicant to receive a valid license, and direct their designee to execute and
deliver the license to the applicant.
B. The chief building official shall have the right to require any applicant to take an
examination. In the event that an applicant is denied a license,they may appeal to the
mechanical board.
C. Any person validly licensed as a master or journeyman mechanical fitter by a jurisdiction
with a current reciprocal licensing agreement approved by board shall be granted a licenses
of the same level for the Grand Island Jurisdiction.
18-47 Re-Examination
Any person desiring to become a master mechanical fitter or a journeyman mechanical fitter who
fails to pass an examination pursuant to this chapter as prescribed by the Board may make
written application for a subsequent examination 30 days after taking the examination.
18-53 Application
Application for registration shall be made in writing to the chief building official which shall
show the name, residence and business location of the applicant and such other information as
may be required.
- 11 -
ORDINANCE NO. 10,008 (Cont.)
18-55 Examination; Prerequisites; Exemptions
A. Before the applicant shall be registered as a master mechanical fitter, contractor or
journeyman, as the case may be, he or she shall submit to an examination to determine fitness
and competency to engage in the business, trade, or calling of gas fitting, mechanical work or
appliance installation work, as the case may be, which examination shall be given by the online
standardized exam administered by International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical
Officials (IAPMO) for mechanical fitters as hereinbefore set forth, such applicant after having by
such examination been shown to be fit, competent and qualified to engage in the business, trade,
or calling of a master or journeyman mechanical fitter, as the case may be, shall be registered by
the chief building official, who shall deliver to such applicant a certificate of registration, signed
by the chief building official.
B. An applicant failing to pass an examination shall not be eligible for re-examination until
thirty days shall have elapsed after the previous examination. Each applicant shall pay an
examination fee for each re-examination required.
18-57 Insurance
A. Every registrant shall maintain in full force and effect insurance policies written by a
company or companies authorized to do business in the State of Nebraska, with the following
coverages, amounts, and provisions:
A. Comprehensive General Liability Insurance covering the operations of the registrant,
including coverage for completed operations, with limits of not less than $1,000,000 per
occurrence for bodily injury and property damage.
I
- 12 -
ORDINANCE NO. 10,008 (Cont.)
B. A provision making the City of Grand Island an additional insured for any third party
claims for bodily injury or property damage based upon occurrences in connection with the
registrant's operations, including completed operations, within the City's zoning jurisdiction.
C. The registrant shall furnish the Office of the Chief Building Official a certificate or
certificates of insurance for the above insurance coverage.
D. Any registration certificate issued under the provisions of this chapter shall be revoked
should the registrant permit the insurance policy herein required to expire or lapse.
18-61 Corporations; Registration; Revocation
Any corporation, firm, or partnership which may be registered hereunder as a mechanical
contractor in the name of such corporation, firm or partnership shall have a master mechanical
fitter who has submitted to the examination requirements determined by the examining board for
mechanical fitters and installers and has thereby shown himself or herself fit, competent and
qualified to engage in the business, trade, or calling of mechanical work, HVAC installation and
gas piping as a bona fide officer of such corporation or as a member of such firm or partnership
and who shall at all times be in actual charge of and be responsible for the mechanical work,
HVAC installation, removal or repair of any gas fitting work done by such corporation, firm, or
partnership. Before such corporation, firm or partnership shall be registered in its corporate, firm,
or partnership name as a mechanical contractor, there shall be filed with the chief building
official a certificate from the examining board of mechanical fitters showing the fitness and
competency of such officer of such corporation or such member of such firm or partnership to
engage in the business or calling of mechanical contractor; provided, if, after a certificate of
registration is issued such corporation, such member of such firm or partnership shall withdraw
there from and cease to be connected therewith, then and in that event the city council shall
- 13 -
ORDINANCE NO. 10,008 (Cont.)
forthwith revoke the certificate of registration of such corporation, firm or partnership upon the
request of the chief building official.
18-69 Required; To Whom Issued; Term
Before any new gas fitting mechanical work or HVAC installation is started or any repairs are
made to existing gas fitting, mechanical, HVAC installation inside any building or structure,
except the stoppage of leaks or minor repairs or adjustments, a permit shall be obtained from the
chief building official and the required fee paid to the city Office of the Chief Building Official .
No permits shall be issued to anyone except a licensed master mechanical contractor or
authorized journeyman mechanical fitter. All gas fitting mechanical work or HVAC installation
work shall be inspected by the mechanical inspector. All gas fitting mechanical work or HVAC
installation permits shall expire and become invalid sixty days after the date of their issuance.
SECTION 2. Any ordinance or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith be, and
hereby are, repealed.
SECTION 3. This ordinance shall be in force and take effect fifteen (15) days
from and after its passage and publication pursuant to law.
Enacted: January 28, 2025
Roger teele, ayor
Attest: _
OF.GRANp 4s�it
�;; zpRPORgr�..t l'
J Granere, City Clerk ;�k'1 """'
+t+,1`t.vFBRAS�P r
- 14 -