Yes they are part of a public record, and as such you must provide copies on request. You do not usually have to provide these copies for free.(Check Local law.) Just as an adopted code or standard is public record, and copies must be provided. That does not allow the wholesale reproduction without compensation to be it NFPA or IBC.
You as an AHJ must provide copies of "Public Record" Plans. If someone were to use those plans from BLD. #1 XYZ industrial park to install a fire sprinkler system in building 17 of XYZ industrial park, then the original layout company would be entitled to compensation for copyright infringement. If on the other hand, if someone got those plans and just used them to identify the existing layout for a remodel, then there is no infringement of copyright, and no need for compensation. Thom McMahon, SET Firetech, Inc. 2560 Copper Ridge Dr P.O. Box 882136 Steamboat Springs, CO 80488 Tel: 970-879-7952 Fax: 970-879-7926 -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jim Kettler Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 5:49 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Plan rights As an AHJ, our records are governed by Commonwealth law. Under the open records law (at least in these parts), once the permit is submitted to the AHJ it becomes public record. If anyone - media, contractor, citizen, FD, etc - submits a request to see a Township record, we are obligated to provide that information. They are also entitled to a copy of the permit and plans if they so desire. Jim Kettler Buckingham PA _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
