New Orleans Department of Safety & Permits
New Orleans, LA
Avg Review
35d
Rejection Rate
55%
Skill Files
8
Status
High Risk
Ventilation — New Orleans Type I Hood
2018 IMC w/ LA amendments / NFPA 96Type I hoods per IMC with Louisiana amendments. Exhaust 400 CFM/LF. Makeup air required. Hot/humid climate — dehumidification critical. Rooftop equipment must be hurricane-rated.
Examiner Note: NOLA Safety & Permits follows LA amendments. Hurricane-rated equipment required. Show product approvals for rooftop equipment.
Common rejection: Rooftop equipment not hurricane-rated; makeup air dehumidification not specified
Correction: Show hurricane-rated product approvals for rooftop equipment. Specify dehumidified makeup air. Include exhaust CFM on M-1.
Fire Suppression — New Orleans NFPA 96
NFPA 96 / UL 300 / NOFD Fire PreventionUL 300 suppression for Type I hoods. New Orleans Fire Department reviews fire plans. Automatic gas shutoff. Manual pull station.
Examiner Note: NOFD reviews fire plans as part of Safety & Permits process. Include fire details in submittal.
Common rejection: UL 300 documents missing; fire suppression plan incomplete
Correction: Include UL 300 documents. Show suppression system, gas shutoff on FP-1.
Plumbing — New Orleans Grease Interceptor
2018 IPC w/ LA amendments / SWBNOGrease interceptor per IPC with LA amendments. Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) reviews FOG. 3-comp sink. SWBNO has specific grease management requirements.
Examiner Note: SWBNO reviews interceptor and may have additional requirements beyond IPC. Submit to SWBNO early.
Common rejection: SWBNO review not initiated; interceptor not meeting SWBNO requirements
Correction: Submit interceptor to SWBNO. Show sizing per IPC/LA amendments on P-1. Comply with SWBNO FOG requirements.
Electrical — New Orleans Kitchen Circuits
2017 NEC w/ LA amendmentsNEC with LA amendments. GFCI within 6 feet of water. Emergency disconnect. LA electrical license required. Flood zone electrical requirements.
Examiner Note: NOLA requires flood zone electrical considerations. Electrical panels above BFE. LA electrical license on application.
Common rejection: Electrical panel below BFE in flood zone; LA electrical license not on application
Correction: Verify flood zone and place electrical panels above BFE. Include LA electrical license. Add GFCI on E-1.
Health — New Orleans Food Facility
LA RS 40:4 / LA DHHS / NOLA Health DeptLouisiana DHHS and NOLA Health Department review food facility plans. Handwash, 3-comp sink, FRP, sealed floors. Separate health permit required.
Examiner Note: NOLA Health requires separate plan review. Submit early due to potentially slow processing.
Common rejection: Health department review not submitted; food facility requirements not met
Correction: Submit food facility plan to NOLA Health Department per LA RS 40:4. Specify all finishes and fixtures.
Structural — New Orleans Flood & Hurricane Design
2018 IBC w/ LA amendments / ASCE 7-16 / ASCE 24Seismic Design Category A. BUT wind speed 140-150 mph (hurricane zone). Most of NOLA in Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Building must comply with ASCE 24 flood design. Elevated construction may be required. LA PE required.
Examiner Note: NOLA Safety & Permits strictly enforces flood zone requirements. Verify FEMA flood zone, BFE, and ASCE 24 compliance. This is the #1 structural issue in NOLA.
Common rejection: Flood zone/BFE not addressed; ASCE 24 compliance not shown; wind loads for hurricane incomplete
Correction: Provide LA PE-stamped calculations with ASCE 24 flood design and hurricane wind loads. Show BFE compliance. Verify FEMA flood zone map.
ADA — New Orleans Accessible Design
2018 IBC Ch. 11 w/ LA amendments / ADA 2010IBC Chapter 11 with LA amendments. Accessible route, restroom. LA follows federal ADA. Flood-elevated buildings may need accessible ramp to BFE level.
Examiner Note: NOLA requires accessible path even to flood-elevated buildings. May need ramp design to meet both flood and ADA requirements.
Common rejection: Flood-elevated building not accessible; ramp to BFE not provided
Correction: Show accessible route including ramp to BFE level if elevated. Detail per IBC Ch. 11/ADA.
Egress — New Orleans Exit Requirements
2018 IBC §1006 / §1017 w/ LA amendmentsIBC egress with LA amendments. Two exits for 50+ occupants. Travel distance 250/300 feet. Exit signs on emergency power.
Examiner Note: NOLA follows IBC egress with LA amendments.
Common rejection: Occupant load not on plans; exit signs not on emergency power
Correction: Add occupant load on A-1. Show exit signs on emergency power. Dimension travel distance.