City of Dallas Building Inspection
Dallas, TX
Avg Review
25d
Rejection Rate
48%
Skill Files
8
Status
Medium
Ventilation — Type I Hood (2021 IBC/IMC)
2021 IMC §507 / NFPA 96 / Dallas AmendmentsType I hood required over grease-producing cooking per 2021 IMC §507. Exhaust rate per IMC Table 507.2.1. Makeup air: 80-100% of exhaust. Dallas requires separate mechanical permit for Type I hood systems. Grease duct: 16-gauge welded steel minimum. Cleanout access every 20 feet and at direction changes.
Examiner Note: Dallas Building Inspection requires separate mechanical permit for all Type I hoods — do not combine with building permit. Include duct construction detail on mechanical plans.
Common rejection: Separate mechanical permit not filed for Type I hood; duct construction detail not provided
Correction: File separate mechanical permit with Dallas Building Inspection for Type I hood system. Add grease duct construction detail per NFPA 96 §7.1 on M-1. Show cleanout access locations.
Fire — Suppression & Dallas Fire Marshal
NFPA 96 / 2021 IBC §903 / Dallas Fire CodeUL 300 wet chemical system required. Automatic sprinkler per IBC 903.2.1.3. Dallas Fire-Rescue reviews fire protection plans separately. Manual pull stations at exits. K-class extinguisher within 30 feet of cooking. Suppression system must interlock with gas shutoff and electrical disconnect.
Examiner Note: Dallas Fire-Rescue conducts separate plan review — submit fire plans to DFR concurrent with building permit to Dallas Building Inspection to avoid schedule delays.
Common rejection: Fire plans not submitted to Dallas Fire-Rescue concurrently; interlock sequence of operations not provided
Correction: Submit fire protection plans to Dallas Fire-Rescue concurrent with building permit. Provide interlock sequence of operations on FP-1. Show K-class extinguisher locations within 30 feet of cooking.
Plumbing — Grease Interceptor (Dallas/UPC)
2021 UPC §1014 / Dallas Water Utilities FOG ProgramGrease interceptor required per UPC 1014 — Dallas Water Utilities strictly enforces FOG (Fats, Oils, Grease) program. Minimum 1,000 gallon external interceptor for commercial kitchens. Quarterly pumping and maintenance records required. 3-compartment sink, handwash stations. Backflow prevention on water service per UPC 603.
Examiner Note: Dallas Water Utilities reviews grease interceptor sizing and FOG compliance separately from building permit. Submit FOG compliance application with plumbing permit.
Common rejection: Grease interceptor undersized; FOG compliance application not submitted to Dallas Water Utilities
Correction: Size grease interceptor minimum 1,000 gallons per Dallas Water Utilities FOG requirements. Submit FOG compliance application. Show interceptor on site plan with pumping truck access on P-1/C-1.
Electrical — Kitchen Power (2020 NEC)
2020 NEC Art 210 / Art 422 / Art 230Minimum 200A service per kitchen bay. GFCI within 6 feet of water sources per NEC 210.8(B). Dedicated circuits per NEC 422. Emergency disconnect within sight per NEC 422.33. Panel schedule with circuit directory required. Surge protection per NEC 230.67 (2020 NEC adoption).
Examiner Note: Dallas adopted 2020 NEC — verify surge protection compliance under NEC 230.67. Complete panel schedule required.
Common rejection: Panel schedule not provided; surge protection not addressed per 2020 NEC 230.67
Correction: Provide complete panel schedule on E-1. Address surge protection per NEC 230.67 on service entrance. Mark GFCI on all outlets within 6 feet of water sources.
Health — Dallas County Health & Human Services
Dallas County HHS / Texas TFER 25 TAC §228Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER) apply. Dallas County HHS conducts food facility plan review separately. Handwash within 25 feet. 3-compartment sink with drainboards. FRP/SS wall finish behind cooking to 6 feet AFF. Sealed floors, coved base. Adequate ventilation, lighting (50 FC at prep, 20 FC at wash). Pest control: sealed penetrations, self-closing doors.
Examiner Note: Dallas County HHS requires plan review appointment. Submit food facility plans at least 2 weeks before anticipated permit application.
Common rejection: Food facility plan review not completed with Dallas County HHS before building permit submittal
Correction: Schedule Dallas County HHS food facility plan review. Submit complete food facility plans including equipment layout, finish schedule, handwash locations, and pest control provisions at least 2 weeks before building permit.
Structural — Dallas Wind & Floor Loads
2021 IBC §1607 / ASCE 7-22 / Dallas AmendmentsFloor live load 150 PSF for commercial kitchen. Wind design per ASCE 7: Dallas basic wind speed 115 mph (Risk Category II). Equipment anchorage for rooftop units. No significant seismic requirements (SDC A/B). Stamped by TX PE required.
Examiner Note: Dallas structural review is standard 2021 IBC. Ensure TX PE stamp on all structural drawings.
Common rejection: Structural calculations not stamped by TX PE; rooftop equipment anchorage not addressed
Correction: Provide TX PE-stamped structural calculations. Include wind load analysis for rooftop equipment per ASCE 7 (115 mph). Show equipment anchorage on S-1.
ADA — Dallas Accessibility (TAS/TDLR)
2021 IBC Ch 11 / TAS / TDLR / 2010 ADATexas Accessibility Standards (TAS) apply. TDLR project registration required before permit submission. Accessible route 36-inch minimum. Accessible restroom. Accessible parking per TAS. Signage with Braille. Existing building renovations trigger path-of-travel upgrades.
Examiner Note: Dallas requires TDLR registration number on permit application. Complete TDLR registration before submitting to Dallas Building Inspection.
Common rejection: TDLR registration not completed; registration number not on permit application
Correction: Complete TDLR project registration and include registration number on Dallas permit application. Show accessible route, parking, and restroom on A-1 per TAS. Include Braille signage notation.
Egress — Dallas Exit Requirements (2021 IBC)
2021 IBC §1006 / §1017 / §1013Two exits when occupant load exceeds 49. Travel distance: 250 feet (unsprinklered), 300 feet (sprinklered). Exit signs per IBC 1013 illuminated and on emergency power. Panic hardware for 50+ occupants. Dead-end corridors: 20 feet (50 feet sprinklered). Occupant load calculation required.
Examiner Note: Standard 2021 IBC egress. Dallas requires occupant load calculation shown on plans.
Common rejection: Occupant load not calculated on plans; travel distance not dimensioned
Correction: Add occupant load calculation per IBC 1004.5 on A-1. Dimension travel distance on egress plan. Show exit sign locations and panic hardware notation.