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Master Plumber Virtual Inspection Training
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- What is the Virtual Inspection Program?
- What benefits are there in participating in the program?
- Who can utilize virtual inspections?
- Can you be removed from participating in virtual inspections?
- What the Division will inspect as a virtual inspection?
- How to utilize the inspection checklist?
- How will approval stickers be handled?
- What must be submitted for inspector approval?
- What is the process the inspectors will follow?
- What happens after the inspection approval?
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Virtual inspections are an efficient alternative to in-person inspections. Utilizing virtual inspections provides master plumbers with the ability to complete required inspections in a more convenient way. These virtual inspections are conducted between a virtual inspection certificate holder and a Division of Plumbing inspector by using video technology.
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Virtual Inspection at a Glance:
- Master plumbers who want to participate must attend and receive a certification to be approved for virtual inspection.
- Certifications for master plumbers are to be renewed every three years.
- Permits will be procured from the Division on-line permit portal and a virtual inspection certification number must be entered on the permit when entering your information for that project.
- After the installation, a video of the installation will be made showing everything needed for an approval from an inspector.
- An installation checklist will be completely filled out and signed by the journeyman plumber.
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Virtual Inspection Steps Continued:
- The master plumber will be required to make sure all documents, files, videos, etc. are emailed to the inspector they are requesting the virtual inspection from.
- The inspector will complete the inspection process the same business day as the email is received from the contractor.
- The inspector will finish the inspection process if they deem they are able to complete the inspection. However, if the inspection is determined to be too complex, it may require an in person inspection.
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Participating in the program correctly can save both time and money for the contractor. No more having an employee wait at a job site for an inspector on certain installations. Contractors can be assured that all water heaters, irrigations, etc. are actually being inspected taking the homeowner contacting an inspector out of the equation.
The Division will also save time, having inspectors to be able to complete many inspections from their office. Freeing this time will give inspectors more time to be looking for violations and working on complaints and jobs where Stop Work Orders were placed. Doing this should create more business for legitimate licensed contractors.
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Any active master plumber who obtains the certification by completing this virtual inspection training can participate in the program.
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Master Plumber: By definition, is a person who assumes responsible charge, supervision, or direction of journeyman plumbers, plumbers' apprentices, and other persons in the construction, installation, or alteration of plumbing or who engages in, offers to engage in, or advertises or otherwise represents that he is permitted or qualified to engage in the design, planning, superintending, contracting for, or responsible charge of plumbing.
Any master plumber found to be knowingly and willfully misleading the Department, or concealing violations during a virtual inspection, shall be held accountable and punished pursuant to KRS 318.064.
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- Water heater replacements or new installations.
- Water service replacements or new installations.
- Sewer replacement or sewer installations.
- Underground installations of limited size and scope.
- Rough-in installations of limited size and scope.
- Final inspections on renovations to existing structures.
*No medical gas installations, homeowners permits, or final inspections on new construction or inspections deemed to complex to complete without a physical visit from the inspector.
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Master plumbers will make an initial request and be mailed virtual approval stickers after requesting them. Prior to receiving additional inspection stickers, the master plumber will be required to provide a report of inspection stickers assigned and affixed by permit number.
Floyd Schanz must be contacted at 502-782-0645 or floyd.schanz@ky.gov to obtain stickers. He will track and audit all virtual inspection approval sticker requests to ensure all stickers have been assigned to an approved plumbing installation permit.
Each sticker will have a unique number that will be tracked specifically to the master plumber assignment and to the installation.
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- Completed checklist for the proper type of inspection.
- Video of the complete installation.
- Pictures to support the video evidence of your inspection. Examples would include items such as serial number on water heater, ASTM numbers of the pipe being used, picture of approval sticker affixed to the installation, etc.
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- Inspectors will confirm all supportive documentation was received such as inspection checklist, video, photos, etc.
- All documents will be reviewed to the satisfaction of the inspector that he/she can complete a thorough inspection with what was received.
- If the inspector rejects the virtual inspection due to complexity of installation or data/media submitted being of poor quality, a physical inspection will then be required to complete the inspection process. Any virtual inspection request that is rejected for completion as a virtual inspection, will not count as an inspection.
- Inspectors will enter all information given into the Division’s on-line permit portal and will complete the data entry.
- Each approved inspection will be issued an approval number to be provided to the master plumber for entry on the sticker.
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- Inspectors will close the permit upon an approved inspection.
- The Department shall provide an email to the master plumber notifying him of an approved or unapproved inspection.
- The inspector shall notify the master plumber of an approved virtual inspection by providing the approved inspection number.
- The master plumber shall be responsible to ensure the number is correctly applied to the virtual inspection sticker.
- The virtual inspection is now officially complete.
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Pursuant to 815 KAR 20:150, a master plumber may only request a remote inspection from the department if the master plumber holds a certificate of completion issued by the department.
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Congratulations on your successful completion of the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, Virtual Inspection Program. This certificate is awarded to you and is in effect for three years from the date of issuance.
Your 'Certificate of Completion' is available for download below.
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Download Certificate of Completion:
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