Replacing a water heater? Batavia now requires permit, inspection

People planning to replace a water heater, furnace or air conditioning condenser in Batavia now need to get a permit from the city to do so.

The city council, citing safety concerns, passed a law Monday night requiring permits and inspections for those items, as well as electrical service upgrades, boiler replacements and renovations and ductwork replacement.

However, the city won't charge for those permits for one year, in order to give people a financial break during the recession.

While inspecting other kinds of permitted work, city inspectors have seen some "messed up" installations of these devices, said Alderman James Volk, chairman of the city services committee, which recommended the law.

In his memo to the city council, building commissioner Jeff Albertson said nearby St. Charles, which requires inspections of water heaters, has found that nearly 60 percent of those inspected were installed incorrectly, even when done by a professional.

Typically, boilers, furnaces, air conditioners and water heaters involve the use of natural gas, water and electricity, leading to concerns about gas explosions, water contamination from backflow and electrical shock hazards, Albertson said.

Anytime there is fuel combustion involved, there must be proper ventilation of the resulting exhaust, which contains carbon monoxide.

"You have some very volatile possibilities," Albertson said.

He said the improper work is seen when, for example, they are inspecting a remodeling of a building, or when the fire department has red-tagged and shut off a water heater or furnace because of a carbon monoxide leak.

The fees, which take effect next June, will range from $30 for a replacing an air conditioning condenser to $85 for inspection of a new mechanical systems installation. A water heater permit will cost $60.