HVAC Contractor Memo

This is a reminder to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning designers and contractors of their obligations when installing or replacing HVAC equipment and appliances. Additionally, for buildings incorporating boilers, pressure vessels, and refrigeration equipment for either ventilation or processing should be aware of requirements which must be met prior to installation and operation of equipment. 

Boilers and Pressure Vessels

If boilers or pressure vessels are associated with either building heating or processing in a commercial building, then the equipment must be registered prior to installing and operating in the field based on SPS 341.41. One and two family dwellings under the UDC (SPS 320-325) are exempt from the registration requirements, not the installation requirements per SPS 341. Registration is required to be in writing on Form SBD-6314-E, Registration for Pressure Vessel Installation.

Mechanical Refrigeration Systems

If mechanical refrigeration equipment is associated with either building cooling or processing, and the system uses a Group A1 or B1 refrigerant having a capacity rated at or greater than 50 horsepower, 50 tons or 50,000 volt-amperes; OR the system uses a Group A2, B2, A3 or B3 refrigerant, having a capacity rated at or greater than 10 horsepower, 10 tons or 10,000 volt-amperes, then the equipment must be registered prior to installing and operating in the field per SPS 345.07. Registration is required to be in writing on Form SBD-34, Registration for Mechanical Refrigeration Installation 

New HVAC Equipment Installations in Commercial Buildings

If the new Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning (HVAC) equipment is associated with a commercial building, a commercial building addition, or an alteration to an existing commercial building, and the equipment is used, in any way, for ventilation or human comfort purposes, HVAC plans may be required to be submitted for plan review and approval. The need for submittal is dependent on the volume of the building (not just the alteration or addition). If the building (not just the volume of the alteration, and inclusive of both the existing building and the proposed addition) is over 50,000 cubic feet, a Wisconsin registered Professional Engineer, Architect, or HVAC Designer is required to prepare the plans. In all cases, the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code requirements are to be met.  Below are references as to when submittals are not required.

SPS Table 361.30-1 Buildings Exempt from Plan Review

Those that require commercial building plan review are to submit electronic HVAC plans, and calculations as needed. Buildings exempt from HVAC Plan Review are not exempt from Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Mechanical Refrigeration installation registration requirements as stated above. Failure to obtain plan approval, if required, prior to equipment installation could result in double fees.

HVAC Equipment Replacements in Commercial Buildings

Equipment replacement implies the removal of existing, and the installation of new heating ventilating or air conditioning equipment including, but not limited to, furnaces, air handling units, central air conditioners, refrigeration equipment, as well as boilers and pressure vessels. Replacement of equipment means no changes to existing ductwork or piping are permitted other than those necessary to fit the new equipment to the existing system.  If changes to the ductwork and piping go beyond this, HVAC alteration plans must be submitted in accordance with SPS 361.30(1) if the equipment is used for ventilation purposes. Replacement does not include changing equipment sizes or capacities to accommodate building alterations or additions. When HVAC equipment sizes or output capacities are changed due to a building addition or alteration, HVAC alteration plans must be submitted in accordance with SPS 361.30(1).

Although submission to the State is not required unless identified in the ensuing summary, local ordinances may require HVAC equipment information to be submitted prior to issuing HVAC permits. Any fees associated with the HVAC permit would be defined by the municipality issuing the permit. 

A Summary of Fees and Submittal Requirements is Listed Below

In all cases involving new equipment, if the new equipment is such that it will require fire rated isolation from the balance of the building, per IBC Table 509, where the old equipment did not require fire rated isolation, evidence of a rated enclosure must be submitted with the plan submittal.  

Replacement of Equipment (Substantially similar in size)

No State fee or submittal required. Boiler/refrigeration replacements are required to contact the Boiler and Pressure Inspection Unit. Additionally, if multiple boilers, refrigeration or furnace units have an aggregate output capacity substantially equivalent or greater than that of the original equipment, no State fee or submittal required. Any required local permit shall be obtained, and all commercial building code requirements shall be met.  New HVAC equipment does NOT need to have same fuel as the old equipment (i.e. fuel oil, natural gas, etc.)  Any equipment replacement to be “substantially equivalent”. See discussion of “substantially smaller” below.  

Replacement of Equipment (Substantially smaller in size)

Submittal required; “substantially smaller” means that the output of the new equipment is less than 85% of the original equipment. The lower cost of either $250 per piece of equipment, or fees based on the area of the room in which the equipment is located, plus $100 submittal fee is required.  A plan submittal shall include:

1. A completed and signed checklist form;

2. appropriate fees as to be paid by credit card;

3. An electronic copy of a letter which shall: identify the building by address, occupancy and owner; identify the name and address of the HVAC contractor or designer responsible for making the replacement; give the make model and BTU output of the equipment being replaced; give the make, model and BTU output of the replacement equipment. UL, AGA, PFS or other recognized laboratory approval shall be specified.

4. Since the BTU output of the replacement equipment is substantially less than that of the equipment being replaced, HVAC heat loss calculations must be submitted proving the adequacy and code compliance of the smaller unit(s). 

5.  If the replacement equipment has a BTU output substantially less than that of the equipment being replaced and the building contains more than 50,000 cubic feet total volume, the letter and heat loss calculations must be signed, sealed, and dated by a Wisconsin registered architect, engineer or HVAC designer.   

Boiler/refrigeration replacements are also required to contact the Boiler and Pressure Inspection Unit.

Heating ONLY Equipment is Replaced with Equipment Capable of Both Heating and Cooling OR Cooling is Added to Existing Equipment 

HVAC Plan Submittal required, fee based on area to be served by equipment, plus $100 submittal fee.

Boiler/refrigeration replacements are also required to contact the Boiler and Pressure Inspection Unit.

Installation of Standalone Equipment (fireplaces, commercial kitchen hoods, waste oil burners, etc.)

HVAC Plan Submittal required, $250/piece of equipment, plus $100 submittal fee.

If HVAC Plan Submittal is required, the HVAC plans shall be stamped, signed and dated by the licensed Wisconsin Professional that prepared them if required by SPS 361.31(1).  

Installing or Servicing HVAC Equipment Requires HVAC Contractor Registration SPS 305.70 (1)

GENERAL. (a) Pursuant to ss. 101.177 (2) and (3) (a) and 101.178 (2), Stats., no person, entity or business may engage or offer to engage in the following activities, unless the person, entity or business holds a registration issued by the department as a registered HVAC contractor, except as provided in par. (b): 1.

1. Installing or servicing heating, ventilating or air conditioning equipment. 

2. Installing or servicing refrigeration or air conditioning equipment that would release or may release ozone-depleting refrigerant.

3. Selling for reuse used ozone-depleting refrigerant from refrigeration or air conditioning equipment.

(b) 1. A person, entity or business is not required to hold a registration as a registered HVAC contractor to service existing heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or refrigeration equipment within facilities or properties owned by the person, entity or business provided the air conditioning or refrigeration equipment does not involve ozone-depleting refrigerants.

Effective November 1, 2006, there were changes implemented involving HVAC Registration requirements.  The new requirements for HVAC contractor registration are listed below

1. A person, entity or business is not required to hold a registration as a registered HVAC contractor to install or service heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or refrigeration equipment within a dwelling owned by the person, entity or business and in which the person, entity or business resides or will reside provided the air conditioning or refrigeration equipment does not involve ozone depleting refrigerants. 

2.  A person, entity or business is not required to hold a registration as a registered HVAC contractor for electrical or plumbing work associated with the installation or servicing of the HVAC equipment or systems.