Two questions were presented to the Mass Dept of Licensure regarding the Sheet Metal law. Charles Kilb, Legal Counsel on behalf of the Board of Examiners of Sheet Metal Workers (“Board”) responded to the questions answering the recent communication to Executive Director Peter Kelly in which the two following questions were posed to the Board:
- Is a separate sheet metal permit needed if there is already a building permit for the project?
- Does sheet metal apply to one and two family dwellings?
Answer: The Board reviewed your correspondence at its regular meeting on September 21, 2015. At that time, the Board unanimously voted to request that Charles respond on the Boards behalf that the answer to both of the questions is YES. Please note, this answer is based upon the Board’s present regulations, 271 CMR 2.01, 5.02 and 9.02. Additionally, in answering these questions, the Board notes that its presently engaged in a full review of all its regulations to ensure they are business friendly and in the best interest of the public’s health, safety, and welfare. Therefore, all public feedback regarding the regulations is appreciated.
I do a lot of kitchen and bath remodeling in single family homes. My problem is with the new sheet metal / mechanical permit now required to replace or install a bathroom fan. Am I now supposed to involve an hvac/ sheet metal licensed sub to pull a permit and then do what? They don’t want to be bothered with such a small job, and no offence but I’d like to be the one to cut the hole in the roof and install the vent. I don’t even use sheet metal to duct the unit. 9 times out of 10 I’m in an unconditioned attic and I use insulated flex. I guess I just don’t understand why a bath fan falls under this new interpretation.
Thanks for letting me vent.
The sheet metal law exempts bathroom fans/exhaust in one and two family dwellings from the sheet metal permit requirements, however a building commissioner may require a building permit to be obtained by a Construction Supervisor Licensee when installing but if you have obtained a building permit for the alteration for a kitchen or bath it should be included on your plans and specs for fans and vents are regulated within the State Building Code therefore if included when applying for such permit it would be covered when the permit is issued to you.
Feel free to send me any questions you may have
Thanks and happy venting
Mike