Freedom Code Compliance
Single Family

Single Family Hot Water Heater Changeout

Replacement of existing water heater with like-for-like or upgraded unit

Last updated: Sep 29, 2026

Section 1

Required Documents

Submit these with your initial project package.

Always required

  • Equipment Specifications
    Manufacturer specifications for the replacement water heater including capacity, fuel type, and input rating
  • AHRI Certification Sheet
    AHRI performance certification showing Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) rating for the replacement water heater

Courtesy screen

Courtesy screen on every plan review

Every plan FCC reviews receives a limited courtesy screen for the items below when they are reasonably visible in the submitted documents. If we see an apparent issue that could cause the plans to fail review by another agency, we will identify it as a Courtesy Comment. Courtesy Comments alone do not cause FCC to fail or return the plan set unless the same condition also creates a building-code compliance issue within FCC's review scope. The responsible agency makes the final determination—for example, Planning and Zoning for setbacks, lot coverage, use, and other lot-compliance matters. The absence of a Courtesy Comment is not approval of those separate requirements.

  1. #01Plan and document coordination

    Obvious clerical, title-block, sheet-index, permit-description, or cross-sheet inconsistencies visible in the submitted documents. A Courtesy Comment on these items does not cause FCC to fail or return the plan set unless the same condition also creates a building-code compliance issue within FCC's review scope.

    FBC-B 107.2.1
  2. #02Zoning and site coordination

    Apparent setback, lot-coverage, use, or site-dimension conflicts visible in the submitted plans that could cause the plans to fail Planning and Zoning review. Planning and Zoning makes the zoning and lot-compliance determination. The absence of a Courtesy Comment is not approval of those separate requirements.

  3. #03Floodplain coordination

    Apparent inconsistencies or missing coordination in flood-zone, design-flood-elevation, finished-floor, or flood-opening information shown on the plans that could cause the plans to fail floodplain review. The floodplain administrator makes the determination. The absence of a Courtesy Comment is not approval of those separate requirements.

  4. #04Fire-authority coordination

    Apparent separately reviewed fire alarm, sprinkler, hood-suppression, smoke-control, or similar coordination issues visible on the plans that could cause the plans to fail fire review. The fire marshal makes the determination. The absence of a Courtesy Comment is not approval of those separate requirements.

Section 2

Approval criteria for this project type

These are the building-code criteria FCC uses to determine the plan-review result. An unresolved item may be issued as a Required Correction and cause the plan set to be returned for correction.

PlumbingRequired

  1. #01Water heater installation requirementsCode

    Replacement water heater installation must include T&P valve, expansion control, drain pan, and proper combustion air / venting for fuel-fired units.

    FBC-P 504FBC-M 303FBC-FG 304.1FBC-FG 503
  2. #02Construction-document clarity — water heater changeoutDocumentation

    The submitted documents must clearly identify the water heater replacement, location, and plumbing connections so FCC can review this mandatory single-family plumbing trade as part of the one residential plan review.

    FBC-B 107.2.1

Section 3

Inspection Walkthrough

Inspections are listed in their typical phase order. Your own inspection list comes from your approved plans. Inspections marked “If in scope” apply only when your plans include that work. Call (772) 222-6679 with questions.

Plumbing

Phase #1

Plumbing Rough-In

If in scope
  1. Water heater specificationsCritical

    Compare listed heater model and capacity with approved plans and manufacturer documentation.

  2. TPR valve and discharge pipeCritical

    Verify temperature and pressure relief valve is installed with proper discharge pipe to approved termination

    FBC-P 504.6
  3. Drain pan and drain lineCritical

    Where leakage could cause damage, show the required pan and drain; apply the replacement exception where no prior pan drain existed.

    FBC-P 504.7FBC-P 504.7.2
  4. Supply connectionsCritical

    Show new hot and cold supply connections and the applicable pressure test for leaks.

    FBC-P 312.5
Phase #2

Plumbing Final

Typical Final
  1. Operational testCritical

    Verify water heater heats water and all fixtures receive hot water

    FBC-P 607.1
  2. No visible leaksCritical

    Run affected fixtures or equipment and show new visible supply and drain connections remain dry.