Mechanical Code/HVAC Historical Information

Notice

The Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits shall require the following in connection with HVACR installations:
  • Manual J will only be required for finished basements when new equipment is installed to serve that area
  • No Manual N is required if drawings are engineered stamped or certified by the Master HVACR contractor installing the same mechanical system
  • All change out of existing HVACR equipment will require a block house load calculation at time of permit application
  • Electrical permit is required when the contractor is relocating or replacing a unit that requires resizing electrical conductors and/or circuit breakers which also includes the disconnect replacement.
Contact the Plumbing Services Division at 410-638-3215 with any questions in reference to these requirements.

Annotated Code Requirements

The Annotated Code of Maryland §9A-205 (b) requires the State Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration to enter into a cooperative agreement with a county to enforce the State HVACR Code.  In January 2008,  the County and state board reached an agreement that provides for Harford County to register HVACR contractors operating within the county, create a local Advisory Board and initiate permitting and inspections of HVACR system installations within the county.

Mechanical Code

The Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits (DILP) submitted to the Harford County Council, for their approval, three pieces of legislation that were needed to effectively enforce the Mechanical Code in Harford County. After consideration and successful passage of the these bills, the Harford County Mechanical Code became law effective February 8, 2010 to comply with the 2006 International Mechanical Code as amended by Harford County. As a result, this department implemented the Mechanical Code in two phases.

Phase 1

Phase 1 requires the department to train and license existing departmental staff as state HVACR inspectors. Currently, there are 11 individuals on DILP’s staff who have been licensed. Phase 1 also included the implementation of a registration process for all HVACR Masters, Master Restricted, and Limited license holders. Registration with the department will consist of completing an application, providing a current valid State HVACR License and when applicable, verification of insurance. Specific requirements can be found in §82-8 of the Harford County Code.

This department successfully completed the first phase and began registering contractors as of February 8, 2010. Since this letter is only being sent to the State Licensed Master and Master Restricted, we are asking that you notify all Limited License holders employed by your company of their responsibility to also register with this department.

Phase 2

The second phase included implementing administrative procedures to initiate the permitting and inspection process of all new HVACR installations beginning July 1, 2010. Installations that are associated with a building permit that was applied for prior to July 1, 2010 are not affected by this legislation.

More information

We look forward to continuing to work with the industry to foster a productive, business friendly partnership. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to email Deputy Director Richard C. Truitt, or by phone at 410-638-3366, or email Plumbing Services Division Chief Scott Schott, or by phone at 410-638-3215. Thank you for your time and assistance in helping Harford County comply with the spirit of the state HVACR laws.