New Construction Guideline

CONTACT THE ASSIGNED INSPECTOR REGARDING ALL PUBLIC WORK. REFER TO THE CITY OF FRDERICK STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS & CONSTRUCTION DETAILS FOR ADDITONAL INFORMATION.

In conjunction with the construction of improvements associated with the issuance of a Grading/Construction permit, various inspections are required.  Inspections include, but are not limited to:

CONSTRUCTION WORKING HOURS:

  • The noise ordinance prohibits construction or demolition site activities from emanating noise levels that exceed 90 dBA during daytime hours which are 7:00am to 10:00pm. Refer to the City code for The Sound Emission Ordinance for additional information. 
  • Standard operating hours for DPW personnel, including inspectors, are 7AM to 3PM, Monday through Friday. 

CONSTRUCTION ENTRANCE & SEC MAINTENANCE:

  • Construction entrances and sites must always be maintained in a manner to minimize soil erosion and prevent off-site sedimentation. Violations are subject to a fine and/or additional charge if the City proceeds with cleaning efforts. A Stop Work Order and permit suspension may also be issued.
  • City Code, Chapter 24 (Erosion & Sediment Control) & Section 22-2 (Deposit or Tracking Mud, etc. on the streets), states it is a violation to track mud, dirt, sticky substances, litter or foreign materials of any kind onto City streets. 
  • City Code Appendix H (Air Quality Control) &  Section 4 (Control & prohibition of particulate matter emissions), it is a violation to allow excessive dust particles to become airborne during construction.
  • CONSIDER THIS NOTICE AS THE FIRST WARNING 

CONSTRUCTION TRAILER/DUMPSTERS:

  • A permit is required for construction office trailers.
  • Construction office trailers are not permitted in any portion of the City ROW.
  • A permit is required for storage containers & roll-off dumpsters prior to staging in the ROW. 

BLASTING:

  • Permits for Blasting are issued by the State Fire Marshal (Western Regional Office: 301-791-4758) or Baltimore Office of the State Fire Marshal (410-875-5450). COF does not have jurisdiction when blasting is performed on private property, however, blasting is not permitted within 10’ of an existing utility (horizontal or vertical) without approval of that utility’s owner (Gas, PE, Water, Etc.). The inspector must be notified of blasting.  

TRAFFIC CONTROL:    

SEWER SYSTEM: 

  • Sanitary sewer improvements (mains, laterals, structures) within the public ROW must be inspected and approved by a COF inspector. SDR 26 is the only PVC sewer pipe accepted for use in the ROW.  New connections to existing/active public sewer manholes must be plugged & secured (via City approved method) on the inflow side until acceptance by the Sewer Department. 
  • Sanitary sewer improvements on private property are under the jurisdiction of the COF plumbing inspector. 
  • New connections to existing manholes must be professionally cored and installed. Coordinate with the inspector prior to working on any existing structure.
  • Accessing any existing COF structure (manholes, vaults, etc.) is unlawful and subject to a fine. Coordinate with the inspector in advance if access is needed.   
  • All sewer cleanouts must be set flush to finished grade.  Refer to the City specifications and details regarding cleanouts installed in traffic areas.
  • Refer to COF Specifications Section 2700 on requirements for TV Inspections & Acceptance. 

WATER SYSTEM:

  • Waterline improvements within the public ROW must be inspected and approved by a COF inspector.
  • Waterline improvements on private property are under the jurisdiction of COF plumbing inspector.
  • COF Water Department will make all taps (up to 12”) on active mains owned by the City.  Tapping fees must be paid through the City’s permitting department prior to scheduling a tap.  All coordination with the Water Department must go through the inspector. A minimum of 48 hours’/two business days’ notice is required.
  • The contractor will install, sterilize, and hydrostatically test the tapping sleeve & valve (150 psi for 2 hours) under supervision of COF inspector. Refer to COF Construction Detail W-7.0 for excavation requirements. COF personnel reserves the right to refuse entry into any unsafe excavations.
  • Accessing any existing City structure (valves, hydrants, vaults, etc.) is unlawful and subject to a fine (starting at $500). Coordinate with the inspector in advance if access is needed. Use of a public/private fire hydrant by anyone other than Frederick County Department of Fire & Rescue Services or COF is NOT permitted in the COF.
  • All newly installed waterlines shall be sterilized and hydrostatically pressure tested (150 psi for 4 hours) under supervision of COF inspector. High chlorination levels for sanitization should be approximately 30ppm. High chlorination or bacteria testing shall NOT be conducted on Fridays.
  • The discharge of high-chlorinated water into COF sewer or storm drain system is not permitted. Flushing of high-chlorinated lines through a de-chlorinator is required. 
  • A valve must be installed at the property line (this is often omitted by the design engineer).  

STORM WATER CONVEYANCE SYSTEM:

  • Storm water improvements (mains, inlets & structures) within the public ROW must be inspected and approved by a COF inspector.
  • Storm water improvements on private property are under the jurisdiction of the COF plumbing inspector.
  • Refer to COF Construction Detail ST-2.1 for specific bedding & trench fill requirements.
  • Refer to COF Specifications Section 2700 on requirements for TV Inspections & Acceptance.

STORM WATER MANAGEMENT FACILITIES (SWM):

  • Consultant data (geotechnical tests/reports/documentation, functionality verification, etc.) and engineer’s as-builts will be required as a condition for release of surety. 

STREETLIGHTS: 

  • Installation of most commercial entrances will involve the City’s street lighting system. Typically, existing conduit must be lowered to 30” from finished grade at new entrances. 
  • All work must be performed by a licensed electrician. 
  • Streetlight pole bases must be inspected and approved prior to pouring.
  • Cable splices in between poles is not allowed. There are to be no more than 360° max., of bends per conduit run: (4-90°, 3-90° and 2-45°). 

STREET TREES, LANDSCAPING, AFFORESTATION/REFORESTATION:  

  • A Tree Planting Permit must be obtained for trees planted within the ROW 
  • Contact the COF inspector and COF Arborist prior to planting anything in the ROW or proceeding with afforestation/reforestation efforts.
  • Stake-out of the proposed planting locations in the ROW is required. The inspector will verify proposed locations to avoid conflicts with existing utilities.  The COF Arborist is the accepting authority for street trees in the City ROW.  

PUBLIC WALK, CURB/GUTTER, ADA RAMPS, APRONS: 

  • All concrete work in the ROW must be inspected prior to pouring or it will not be accepted by the City of Frederick (COF). 
  • COF inspector must inspect and approve the sub-grade and sub-base prior to placement of concrete. Aggregate sub-base must be a minimum of 2” compacted CR6/GAB under sidewalks, curb & gutter, 4” under driveway aprons and 6” under ADA ramps.
  • SHA Mix #3 is required for all concrete poured in the public ROW. All concrete must be treated with curing compound.
  • Concrete sidewalks are 4” in depth. Aprons and ADA Ramps are 6” in depth and reinforced. Full expansion material to match concrete depth is required.
  • All utility crossing installations must be complete (electrical conduits, gas, cable, etc.) prior to pouring concrete.   Proposed curb must be staked out by an engineer.  The stakeout must include all high & low points. Cut sheets must be provided to the inspector.
  • COF does not allow undermining of curb & gutter; curb & gutter must be replaced in full sections if disturbed.   Replacement curb & gutter must be restored to match existing. 
  • MG-Krete is the only patching compound currently accepted by the COF. Authorization from the inspector is required prior to usage. Any alternative products must be reviewed by the City and approved as equal.

PAVING: 

  • All utility crossing installations must be complete (electrical conduits, power, gas, cable crossings etc.) prior to placing asphalt.  
  • The portion of the entrance(s) that falls within the public ROW must match (or exceed) the paving section of the roadway your project is on. 
  • The sub-grade and sub-base must be inspected and approved by the inspector before the placement of any asphalt. 
  • The City follows MSHA paving specifications. 

ROADWAY PATCHES:

  • All roadway patches require a full depth, 1’ cut-back beyond undisturbed subgrade. The surface coat must be milled back an additional 1’ to tie-into existing pavement. Refer to City Construction Detail, ST-2.0 for patch requirements.
  • If hot-mix asphalt cannot be obtained due to seasonal plant shutdown, a 4” concrete patch is permitted. Concrete patches must be replaced with hot-mix in the Spring (or as warmer temperatures allow of that same year). Long-term cold-mix patches are only permitted upon approval of the inspector.
  • Steel plates used in the City ROW for an extended period (5 days or more) or during the Winter months, must be milled into the asphalt and pinned.  All steel plates must have advanced warning signage in place for the duration. 

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

  • A copy of the signed approved plans must be provided to the inspector at the pre-construction meeting.
  • Inspections must be scheduled before noon the day before the inspection is needed. Proper notice facilitates scheduling of inspections so the inspector can devote enough time to the project and assist in completing the work in accordance with the requirements. Work performed in the public ROW without required inspections will be not be accepted.
  • It is unlawful to work in the City ROW without a current, cleared Miss Utility locate.
  • The Inspector will coordinate work needed by other City Departments (Water/Sewer/Lights etc.) as necessary. Tasks such as water valve operation and accessing City structures for investigation generally requires 24 hours’ notice. Tasks requiring extended assistance from City personnel such as mainline taps and unremitting accompaniment for modifications of active utilities generally requires 48 hours’ notice. Proper planning and coordination with the inspector are critical.
  • Stake-out installed by a licensed Surveyor or Engineer is required for all utility installations. Cut sheets must be provided to the inspector.
  • Do not install any signs in the City ROW that are not on the approved plans. 
  • Do not stockpile construction materials (lumber packages, portable toilets, etc.) or construction equipment (trailers, sea containers, etc.) in the City ROW. 
  • Construction Materials Testing and Inspection by an accredited geotechnical engineering firm is required on site when backfilling utilities in the City ROW.
  • The City of Frederick Construction Details have been revised, as of March 2017

DPW PROJECTS & INSPECTIONS SUPERVISORS:

  • NICKI HARSHMAN 
    • 240-344-6852 
    • nharshman@cityoffrederickmd.gov
    • Department Manager
  • MIKE LISTON 
    • 240-409-6626 
    • mliston@cityoffrederickmd.gov
    • Department Assistant Manager

REFERENCE INFORMATION:

Every contingency for every project cannot be accounted for in this sort of condensed reference guide. The purpose of this document is to provide proactive guidance for the most frequently encountered questions and issues. Refer to the City of Frederick Specifications and Construction Details for more detailed information. Please do not hesitate to ask questions. Please utilize the assigned inspector as the first resource for information. The inspection team is committed to providing assistance while maintaining productivity and ensuring compliance with all applicable codes, details and specifications.