Which building inspections come at the end?
Division C of the Building Code lists the stages the permit holder must report, including substantial completion of fire separations and fire protection systems such as sprinklers, fire alarms and emergency lighting, and the plumbing fixtures. Under Article 1.3.5.3, the inspector visits within two days of the notice. A failed item is fixed and inspected again, so the last inspections are booked before the opening date, not on it.
Can you open before everything is finished?
Only with a permit authorizing occupation. Article 1.3.3.1 sets what must be done first: walls around the space, fire separations and closures, every required exit with its doors, hardware and handrails, working plumbing, lighting, heat and power, sprinklers and fire alarms working, fire extinguishers in place, incomplete areas closed off and fire access routes open. Anything still unfinished has to be walled off from customers.
What does the electrical sign-off involve?
Electrical work is inspected by the Electrical Safety Authority, not the City. ESA says the installation must be inspected before it is concealed, so rough-in is checked before drywall, and once the work passes ESA issues a Certificate of Acceptance to whoever filed the notification.
What extra steps do restaurants, spas and child care centres have?
The City of Hamilton says that before you build or renovate a food premises you must notify both Public Health Services and the Building Division, and you need a business licence to operate. A spa or salon notifies the health unit before opening; see spa fit-outs. A child care centre needs ministry plan approval before work starts; see child care centres.
Does the business need a fire safety plan?
Under the Fire Code (Article 2.8.1.1), a fire safety plan is required in buildings with an assembly occupancy, such as a restaurant, and in stores or offices with an occupant load over 300, among others. The handover guide lists the documents to collect at the end, and retail fit outs covers the landlord's own sign-off.
| Sign-off | Who gives it | When |
|---|---|---|
| Fire separations and fire protection systems | Building inspector | At substantial completion, before opening |
| Permit to occupy an unfinished building | Chief building official | Only if opening before the permit work is finished |
| Electrical Certificate of Acceptance | Electrical Safety Authority | After the final electrical inspection |
| Food premises notice | Public Health Services | Before building or renovating |
| Fire safety plan | Owner or landlord, approved by the Chief Fire Official | Where the Fire Code requires one |