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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Answers to common questions about our services and how we can assist you.

Do I need a building permit?

Building permits are required:

i. To construct, alter or demolish any structure.
ii. For electrical or plumbing work more than $2,500.
iii. For building repairs not requiring electrical or plumbing that are more than $10,000 within a 12-month period.

(Information provided as of April 2024)

How long does permitting take?

Permit timelines depend on multiple factors including the City’s workload and the ever-changing review process. Typically, at least one year can be expected. However, small and/or simple projects can take closer to 6 months to be reviewed and approved by the City.

(Information provided as of April 2024)

Do I need a Construction Manager?

This depends on the type and size of project. Douglas Engineering Pacific can provide permit routing, review of Contractor submittals, review and approval of Contractor pay requests, and monthly or weekly site visits by qualified personnel under the supervision of the licensed Engineer to observe the progress and quality of the executed work.

Do I need to replace my cast-iron piping?

Typically, cast-iron drain, waste, and vent (DWV) piping in multi-story condominiums have a usable life of 40-50 years. Douglas Engineering Pacific can help determine whether a partial or complete replacement is required by performing an assessment of your building’s DWV system.

What is the advantage of Engineer prepared bid documents?

Bid documents are used to obtain competitive bids from multiple Contractors at once. A detailed and complete set of bid documents is necessary for keeping bids equivalent and comparable. A professional set of bid documents can lower the number of unnecessary Change Orders compared to a hand drawn or PDF markup.

Is the City requiring my condominium building to install fire sprinklers?

No, Ordinance 22-2 gives the option of either installing fire sprinklers or passing a Fire and Life Safety Evaluation (FLSE). Douglas Engineering Pacific has conducted over 140 FLSE’s. We can provide design, permitting, bidding, and contract administration services for buildings to pass their FLSEs.

What is the cost comparison between installing fire sprinklers versus passing the Fire and Life Safety Evaluation?

Passing the Fire and Life Safety Evaluation (FLSE) is usually a fraction of the cost of installing fire sprinklers. Douglas Engineering Pacific can assist you with an opinion of probable cost as well as the next steps to passing your FLSE.

Our building failed the Fire and Life Safety Evaluation, now what?

Most buildings do not pass the first evaluation. Speak with your evaluator about how to address the deficiencies in your evaluation to obtain a passing score. If the deficiencies are impractical to address, consider getting a second opinion by another evaluator. Douglas Engineering Pacific has conducted over 140 FLSEs, including several re-evaluations.

Do I need an Engineer, or can I just ask contractors for bids?

If you directly ask the contractors for bids, they will often include the cost to hire an engineer anyway. Instead, we recommend directly hiring the engineer to design drawings and bid out the project for you. This ensures the bids are apples-to-apples. The engineer will have specialized knowledge and expertise to review the bids. This also allows you to communicate directly with the engineer rather than just the contractor. Our team of licensed engineers can help you throughout this process with your next project.

I have a Notice of Violation (NOV) for unpermitted work. What should I do?

Immediately hire an engineer or architect to submit a permit application and notify the inspector. Douglas Engineering Pacific has assisted multiple buildings with addressing their NOV’s.

Our condominium building is adding air-conditioners and/or EV chargers. Can our electrical system handle this?

Hire a qualified electrical engineer to assess the capacity of your electrical system. Douglas Engineering Pacific’s team of licensed electrical engineers can assist you with an assessment of your electrical system.

Our condominium building is adding clothes washers/dryers. Can our plumbing system handle this?

Hire a qualified mechanical and electrical engineer to assess the capacity of your plumbing and electrical systems. Douglas Engineering Pacific’s team of licensed engineers can assist you with an assessment.

Our building’s electrical equipment is getting old. What should we do?

Douglas Engineering Pacific can conduct an assessment of your electrical system to determine its condition and provide recommendations on maintenance.

Our insurance is telling us to replace our FPE and/or Zinsco circuit breakers. Why?

FPE and Zinsco circuit breakers are known for their high failure rate and thus increase the risk of fire. This may require the replacement of large components of your electrical system. Douglas Engineering Pacific can assist you with the next steps for this project.

Which buildings in the City and County of Honolulu have passed the Fire and Life Safety Evaluation (FLSE)?

Click here to view a list of buildings in the City and County of Honolulu, along with each building’s Fire Life Safety Evaluation (FLSE) passing status (according to Honolulu Fire Department).

Where can I find ordinances related to fire codes in the City and County of Honolulu?

Click here to view the City Council’s ordinances related to fire safety in the City and County of Honolulu.

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