Phoenix Development Services
Phoenix, AZ
Avg Review
20d
Rejection Rate
35%
Skill Files
8
Status
Medium
Ventilation — Type I Hood (2018 IBC/IMC)
2018 IMC §507 / NFPA 96 / Phoenix City Code Ch 31Type I hood per 2018 IMC §507. Exhaust rate per IMC Table 507.2.1. Makeup air with cooling/conditioning critical due to Phoenix extreme heat (110°F+ design temp). Evaporative cooling supplemental makeup air common in AZ. Duct routing must avoid combustible spaces.
Examiner Note: Phoenix Dev Services uses electronic plan review (ePlans) — submit digitally. Ensure makeup air system accounts for extreme heat. Evaporative cooler for makeup air acceptable per Phoenix.
Common rejection: Makeup air unit not sized for Phoenix extreme heat; ePlans formatting issues (oversized PDF)
Correction: Size makeup air for Phoenix design temperature (110°F dry bulb). Specify whether evaporative or refrigerated cooling for makeup air. Submit plans in ePlans format per Phoenix Dev Services requirements.
Fire — Suppression & Phoenix Fire Marshal
NFPA 96 / 2018 IBC §903 / Phoenix Fire CodeUL 300 system required. Automatic sprinkler per IBC 903.2.1.3. Phoenix Fire Dept reviews fire plans separately. K-class extinguisher within 30 feet. Manual pull stations at exits. Phoenix requires fire alarm monitoring connection.
Examiner Note: Phoenix Fire review is concurrent with building review — submit to both at same time. Relatively fast turnaround (2-3 weeks).
Common rejection: Fire alarm monitoring connection not specified; K-class extinguisher not shown on plans
Correction: Submit fire plans to Phoenix Fire concurrent with building permit. Specify fire alarm monitoring connection on FP-1. Show K-class extinguisher locations within 30 feet of cooking.
Plumbing — Grease Interceptor (IPC/Phoenix)
2018 IPC §1003 / City of Phoenix Water Services FOGGrease interceptor per IPC §1003. Phoenix Water Services FOG program requires external interceptor minimum 750 gallon for commercial kitchens. 3-compartment sink, handwash stations. Backflow prevention per IPC §608. Floor drains with grease-rated interceptors if internal POG units used.
Examiner Note: Phoenix Water Services reviews grease interceptor — submit FOG application with plumbing permit. Phoenix allows internal point-of-use (POG) units for smaller operations.
Common rejection: FOG application not submitted to Phoenix Water Services; interceptor sizing not per Phoenix requirements
Correction: Submit FOG application to Phoenix Water Services with plumbing permit. Size interceptor per Phoenix requirements (750 gallon minimum external). Show on site plan with pumping access.
Electrical — Kitchen Power (2017 NEC)
2017 NEC Art 210 / Art 422 / Phoenix AmendmentsMinimum 200A service per bay. GFCI within 6 feet of water per NEC 210.8(B). Dedicated circuits per NEC 422. Emergency disconnect per NEC 422.33. Panel schedule required on plans. APS (utility) coordination for service upgrades.
Examiner Note: Phoenix uses 2017 NEC (not 2020). Standard review. APS coordination for service upgrade — allow 4-6 weeks.
Common rejection: APS service upgrade not coordinated; panel schedule not provided
Correction: Coordinate with APS for service upgrade (allow 4-6 weeks). Provide panel schedule on E-1. Mark GFCI on outlets within 6 feet of water. Show emergency disconnect locations.
Health — Maricopa County Environmental Services
Maricopa County ESD Food Code / AZ Admin Code R9-8Maricopa County Environmental Services reviews food facility plans. Arizona food code (R9-8) applies. Handwash within 25 feet. 3-compartment sink. FRP/SS behind cooking. Sealed floors, coved base. Pest control provisions (desert pests: scorpions, rodents). Adequate cold storage with thermometer access.
Examiner Note: Maricopa County ESD review is separate from Phoenix building permit. Submit food plans to ESD early. Desert pest control provisions are unique — sealed base of walls, no gaps at doors.
Common rejection: ESD plan review not submitted; pest control provisions inadequate for desert environment
Correction: Submit food facility plans to Maricopa County ESD. Add desert-specific pest control: sealed wall bases, tight door sweeps, screened openings, sealed pipe penetrations. Show on A-1.
Structural — Phoenix Low Seismic / Heat Loads
2018 IBC §1607 / ASCE 7 / Phoenix AmendmentsFloor live load 150 PSF. Phoenix is low seismic (SDC B). Wind design per ASCE 7 (115 mph basic). Roof live load with consideration for monsoon ponding. Equipment anchorage for rooftop units — thermal expansion of steel in extreme heat must be considered. AZ PE stamp required.
Examiner Note: Phoenix structural review is straightforward. Low seismic but ensure roof drainage addresses monsoon ponding. Thermal expansion of exposed steel noted.
Common rejection: Roof drainage not addressing monsoon ponding; structural calcs not AZ PE stamped
Correction: Provide AZ PE-stamped structural calculations. Address roof drainage for monsoon ponding per IBC §1611. Note thermal expansion considerations for exposed steel. Show equipment anchorage on S-1.
ADA — Phoenix Accessibility (IBC Ch 11)
2018 IBC Ch 11 / 2010 ADA / AZ accessibility lawIBC Chapter 11 accessibility applies. Accessible route 36-inch minimum. Accessible restroom. AZ law requires compliance with 2010 ADA Standards. Accessible parking per IBC Table 1106.1. Path-of-travel upgrades triggered by renovation per IEBC.
Examiner Note: Phoenix checks accessibility through ePlans review. Standard IBC/ADA compliance. Ensure accessible parking is shown on site plan.
Common rejection: Accessible parking not shown on site plan; accessible restroom dimensions not meeting ADA
Correction: Show accessible parking per IBC Table 1106.1 on site plan. Dimension accessible route and restroom per 2010 ADA Standards on A-1.
Egress — Phoenix Exit Requirements
2018 IBC §1006 / §1017 / §1013Standard IBC egress. Two exits when occupant load exceeds 49. Travel distance: 250 feet (unsprinklered), 300 feet (sprinklered). Exit signs per IBC 1013. Panic hardware for 50+ occupants. Dead-end corridors limited. Occupant load calculation required.
Examiner Note: Phoenix follows standard 2018 IBC egress requirements. Ensure occupant load calculation is on plans.
Common rejection: Occupant load calculation missing from plans
Correction: Add occupant load calculation table on A-1 per IBC 1004.5. Show exit sign locations on RCP. Dimension travel distance on egress plan.