How to Plan For Commercial Plumbers at Your Anchorage Construction Site
It goes without saying that the installation of plumbing is one of the most consequential phases of construction for your new commercial building in Anchorage. Hopefully, you have chosen a commercial plumbing contractor that is:
Licensed for commercial plumbing — water and gas as necessary.
Bonded and insured, for their protection and yours.
Experienced in plumbing installation for the type of building you have in mind.
Once you have selected your contractor and the plumbing timeline is set, here’s how to prepare your Anchorage commercial construction site for the commercial plumbers:
1. Check the Permits
In Anchorage, you don’t need to pull permits for most plumbing repairs or alterations … but you definitely need permits for a new installation. Depending on the needs of the building, you may have to pull:
Plumbing Permit
Gas Permit
Fire Suppression System Permit
Heating Permit
Mechanical Permit
Special Fixture and Installation Permit
Water and Sewer Connection Permit
Health Permit
These permits need to be obtained before the date of construction within the plumbing timeline, and they need to be obtained by your commercial plumber.
This is why it’s so important to be discerning when choosing your commercial plumber. The city will only issue permits to a plumbing contractor qualified to do the necessary work. If you choose a plumber who doesn’t have the requisite qualifications, the city won’t issue the permit.
Without the proper permits, it is illegal to proceed with the installation. You could face fines and orders to tear down the installation, which of course can cost a fortune. So before the installation date, check the permits carefully and make sure they are in order. Don’t hesitate to double-check with the building department if you’re unsure or have questions.
2. Validate the Location and Size Of The Mechanical Room
It’s a best practice in both commercial and residential plumbing to centralize the system as much as possible. In the case of a commercial building, this is usually a mechanical room, plant room, or boiler room.
Check with your architect and builder to make sure the location of the mechanical room is viable. Remember it will need to connect to the water and gas mains, as well as the sewer and wastewater removal lines, and have enough space for all major components included in the commercial plumber’s plan. Make sure to validate the position and accessibility of emergency shutoff valves.
3. List Every Room That Needs Water or Gas Access
To make sure that nothing gets missed, make a complete inventory of the water and gas needs of every room that needs it, so you can confirm the checklist with your commercial plumber step-by-step.
Don’t forget to include:
Bathrooms
Kitchens
Laundry rooms
Laboratories
Factory floors
4. Validate the Plumbing Timeline
Check the timeline provided by your commercial plumber. Make sure you are available when you need to be available, and that no other contract work is scheduled to conflict with it. Verify the plumbing timeline with your builder and any other contractors involved.
These are important steps to preparing for your commercial plumbing installation, but the most important first step is choosing the right commercial plumbing contractor for the job. This will make the installation a lot smoother and more hassle-free.
All-Star Plumbing is qualified for all commercial water and gas plumbing installations. We’re centrally located in Anchorage and have experience installing plumbing into nearly every kind of commercial building imaginable.
Looking for a quote on your Anchorage commercial plumbing installation? Fill out the contact form below, or just give us a call!
