Philadelphia Department of Licenses & Inspections (L&I)
Philadelphia, PA
Avg Review
38d
Rejection Rate
58%
Skill Files
8
Status
High Risk
Ventilation — Philadelphia Type I Hood
2018 IMC w/ Philadelphia amendments / NFPA 96Type I hoods per IMC with extensive Philadelphia amendments. Exhaust 400 CFM/LF. Makeup air required. Philadelphia has significant local amendments to IMC that differ from standard IBC. PA energy code applies.
Examiner Note: Philadelphia L&I has extensive local amendments. Review Philadelphia Building Code mechanical chapter carefully — differs from standard IBC/IMC in many areas.
Common rejection: Philadelphia local amendments not addressed; standard IBC references used instead of Philadelphia Building Code
Correction: Reference Philadelphia Building Code (not standard IBC/IMC) on M-sheets. Address all Philly-specific mechanical amendments. Show heated makeup air and energy compliance.
Fire Suppression — Philadelphia NFPA 96
NFPA 96 / UL 300 / Philadelphia Fire CodeUL 300 suppression for Type I hoods. Philadelphia Fire Department reviews fire plans. L&I handles fire review for most commercial. Automatic gas shutoff. Philadelphia fire code has local amendments.
Examiner Note: L&I reviews fire plans as part of building permit for most commercial. Philadelphia Fire Code has local amendments beyond standard NFPA.
Common rejection: Philadelphia Fire Code local amendments not addressed; UL 300 documents incomplete
Correction: Reference Philadelphia Fire Code. Include UL 300 documents. Show gas shutoff and nozzle layout on FP-1.
Plumbing — Philadelphia Grease Interceptor
2018 IPC w/ Philadelphia amendments / PWDGrease interceptor per IPC with Philadelphia amendments. Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) reviews FOG and industrial waste. 3-comp sink. PWD has Grease Interceptor Program.
Examiner Note: PWD Grease Interceptor Program has specific requirements beyond standard IPC. Submit grease interceptor application to PWD early.
Common rejection: PWD Grease Interceptor Program application not submitted; Philadelphia plumbing amendments not followed
Correction: Submit grease interceptor application to PWD. Reference Philadelphia plumbing amendments on P-1. Include sizing calculations.
Electrical — Philadelphia Kitchen Circuits
2017 NEC w/ Philadelphia amendmentsNEC with Philadelphia amendments. GFCI within 6 feet of water. Emergency disconnect. Philadelphia has local electrical amendments. PA/Philadelphia electrical license required.
Examiner Note: L&I requires Philadelphia electrical license (separate from PA state). Philadelphia electrical amendments differ from standard NEC.
Common rejection: Philadelphia electrical license not on application; local electrical amendments not addressed
Correction: Include Philadelphia electrical license on application. Reference Philadelphia electrical amendments. Add GFCI on E-1.
Health — Philadelphia Food Facility
PA Food Safety Act / Philadelphia Dept of Public HealthPhiladelphia Department of Public Health reviews food facility plans. Handwash, 3-comp sink, FRP, sealed floors. Philadelphia has own health code. Separate food establishment permit.
Examiner Note: Philadelphia DPH requires separate food facility plan review. 4-6 week turnaround. Very thorough review.
Common rejection: DPH plan review not submitted; Philadelphia health code requirements not met
Correction: Submit food facility plan to Philadelphia DPH. Show all fixtures, finishes, and equipment per Philadelphia health code.
Structural — Philadelphia Loads
2018 IBC w/ Philadelphia amendments / ASCE 7-16Seismic Design Category A/B. Snow load 25 PSF. Philadelphia has local structural amendments. Older building stock — many unreinforced masonry buildings. PA PE required.
Examiner Note: Philadelphia L&I reviews older buildings carefully. Unreinforced masonry may require seismic retrofit evaluation. PA PE stamp required.
Common rejection: Existing building structural capacity not verified; PA PE stamp missing; Philadelphia structural amendments not addressed
Correction: Provide PA PE-stamped calculations per Philadelphia Building Code. For older buildings, include structural investigation. Address URM if applicable.
ADA — Philadelphia Accessible Design
PA UCC Ch. 11 w/ Philadelphia amendments / ADA 2010PA UCC accessibility with Philadelphia amendments. Accessible route, restroom. Philadelphia has additional accessibility requirements beyond PA UCC. Historic district considerations.
Examiner Note: L&I reviews Philadelphia accessibility amendments. Historic buildings may qualify for alternative compliance per PA UCC.
Common rejection: Philadelphia accessibility amendments not addressed; historic building alternative compliance not applied for
Correction: Show accessible route per Philadelphia Building Code on A-1. Address local amendments. Apply for alternative compliance for historic buildings if applicable.
Egress — Philadelphia Exit Requirements
2018 IBC §1006 / §1017 w/ Philadelphia amendmentsIBC egress with Philadelphia amendments. Philadelphia has additional egress requirements for older buildings. Two exits for 50+ occupants. Travel distance 250/300 feet.
Examiner Note: Philadelphia L&I reviews egress per local amendments. Older buildings may have egress deficiencies that require resolution.
Common rejection: Philadelphia egress amendments not addressed; existing building egress deficiencies not resolved
Correction: Reference Philadelphia Building Code egress provisions. Address existing building egress deficiencies. Add occupant load on A-1. Show travel distance.