Building Code Review Board

BUILDING BOARD OF APPEALS MINUTES July 2, 2015 Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 9:07 AM by Chairman Whitmore. BBA Members present were Chairman Don Whitmore, Charles Shepard, Jim Ward, and Lisa Sharp. Steve Irving arrived at 9:35. Also present were Keith O’Higgens, Ken Anderson, Christine Scholl, and Jerry Evans. Steve Doonan and Dan Hager were unable to attend. Staff present were Ellen Divita, Chief Hicks, Deputy Chief Greg Hoyle, Dan Burrows and Reese Menard. Ellen Divita acted as recording Secretary. New Business. Chairman Whitmore stated the purpose of the meeting was to review and consider if we move forward with adoption of code, discuss the Rockford meetings and decide how to proceed. Ellen Divita reviewed the background of the project. The City of Rockford set out to update codes and contacted all of the communities in Winnebago County, and eight surrounding counties. Work teams comprised of tradesmen, architects, and building trades related professionals were created to review each code. The City of DeKalb has had multiple people following the process and participating in the committees as their schedules has allowed. A regional code council is the intent; the work groups have sought to keep amendments to the minimum. The City has been clear that we will monitor and probably move through the process later in the year. The list of amendments is still a draft and Building Officials from each participating city are now reviewing as an Administrative team. There are still some decisions to be made such as whether townhomes should be sprinkled, how to reference the NEC. Each town that participates will draw up their own Administrative Chapter; each is encouraged to consider the appendices. Chairman Whitmore asked each in attendance to discuss their thoughts from the committees. • Lisa Sharp noted she went to early meetings and feels this has been a good process that brought many communities together. She feels if we move forward DeKalb will need to pay close attention to what the 2015 codes say in regard to smoke and fire protection in apartments. We have more student and multi-family than other towns. • Chief Hicks indicated that will be a time consumptive process – we have many exceptions in this area. We need to understand if our exceptions are covered in these code versions. Rooming BBA15-001-070215 revised Minutes 1  houses are the major area we are different from the other towns, not the multi-family residences (MFR). • Chuck Shepard echoed the comments on rooming houses. He feels that for the record,– it becomes important to understand that to be part of this regional group gives us a voice in Springfield. Right now Chicago sways things. If we are part of a banded northwest corridor can have a stronger voice on things that affect us. Joining voice with Rockford brings a voice in number. Not that there are any issues right now, but this is important. Discussion turned to the Illinois Energy Code. Illinois is only 1 of 22 states that adopted energy code and there’s a proposed version. Attendees felt we are making buildings so efficient that problems are being created. Though HVAC systems are operational there is no load and then of humidity is a problem. • Jerry Evans attended the last 4 or 5 meetings on plumbing code. He thinks the concept is good. He noted are some issues that we need to address, such as townhouse sprinklers. • Chief Hicks noted that if we support new code, it allows for new technology. With the older version, we are putting old technology in buildings, In reference to sprinklers, if the code includes light weight construction and if we exempt out of the sprinklers, there are things to do to make building compliant for example, extra drywall and fire resistant materials to compensate. • Dan Burrows attended the residential meetings. When the group talked about townhomes they talked about the tradeoff for the additional fire suppression to be added between the units and in the basement ceilings in the lower level of residential structures. The work team had an estimate for the compensation in an 1800 s.f. house: ,aterial and labor was $1600 and the sprinkler system cost was estimated by a fire suppression company to cost $10,000 indicating it would be cheaper to do the workaround. The group’s main objective was creating evacuation time with the light weight construction. Dan will confirm if the working group removed the idea that homes built on speculation would also be exempt from sprinkler. The group discussed the proposed amendment to the building code to change the definition of building drain. State code says plumbing stops 5’ outside building. The proposed amendment would require that only licensed plumbers can hook up the domestic water supply and sanitary sewer system. The working group wished to keep the homeowner from working on this connection to the public water supply (but they can still work within their own homes). DeKalb Sanitary district wants licensed plumbers to hook up. Jerry and Reese agree this is a good amendment. The group discussed the process to move forward. Chairman Whitmore noted that if we make a decision to join code group – that is tantamount to adopting codes as they have presented. If we don’t join the regional code concept – we would have to make decision on adopting on our own with any changes we may or may not want. It was noted that being on the same code as other nearby communities will make it easier to design and bid jobs. The group began the process of forming DeKalb committees to review each code section. This isn’t a linear adoption with a need to understand what changed from our existing codes. As our codes are from 2003, they are 4 versions behind. With the new technology and intervening versions we’ll have to make sure we understand what is in the 2015 codes, have other tradesmen review, we’d be asking the community to step up 12 years. Opening up the work group is a good way to let others know this process is happening. A public hearing is possible. It was noted that in the past, the building department staff would review the newer codes as published every 3 years. Building Board of Appeals and interested people would meet and discuss advantages/disadvantages to be made and based on multiple meetings and then recommend to Council. Ellen Divita will send out a link to a working version of the new codes which was provided by ICC for the purpose of review by those considering adoption. She’ll also include a link to a document summarizing changes. The group agreed we’ll need to review the code as well as the list of amendments to be sure we understand how they differ from what we have now. If we become aware of any amendments we’d like, we can submit to the Rockford group before they move to adoption; their timeline is not yet finalized. The group had a general discussion on changes noted. Chairman Whitmore noted there can be big changes in the code. For example he found that the definition of a building has been modified creating a “building 1” and “building 2” above the first. This allows a separation of construction as well as a separation of mixed use. With the right fire separation, you can change the construction type and have two separate construction types can be placed in the same structure, one on top of the other. Lisa noted that while the 2003 code defines area as between exterior walls, the 2015 includes covered storage, garden centers, covered lumber within the shared area of the building with different triggers for sprinklers. Chairman Whitmore noted new materials are possible in the 2015 code including a retardant wood being to be allowed and used as cladding on outside or as part of structural system. This product is not readily available here - both Fire retardant and rot proof. Chief indicated this is a material desirable for areas out west where they are prone to mountain fires. Consensus was we need to educate each trade. People need to be educated and informed. It’s more than just the list of amendments. The Rockford group has been firm on minimizing amendment. We’ll have to be aware of the needs of the DeKalb building stock and to cover our interests. Chief Hicks noted that part two of the process will be needed changes to the municipal code, identifying references to the building codes, within multiple chapters. By voice vote, the consensus is to move forward. All in favor. Representatives from Rockford have offered ot attend some meetings to answer questions. Before then, we should come up with our questions. We need to understand change from 2003 to 2015 Attendees were asked their experience with the 2015 code versions. Christine Scholl introduced herself. She is a licensed architect, plans examiner, and DeKalb resident who retired from the City of Aurora 5 years ago. She asked for clarification on whether the versions totally eliminate the ICC plumbing code (in deference to the State of Illinois); the answer is yes. She noted there’s room to improve readability for amendments. The group agreed we need to mark those up now and send to Rockford so they can be incorporated. Dan Burrows, our Deputy Building official has been studying the 2015 codes for his CBO test. No other SAFEbuilt towns have adopted 2015. He noted that the height and area definitions and tables have changed significantly - one table is now in 4 sections. They have subdivided occupancy types and overall things are more complicated. In response to questions, Dan will confirm the relationship to the Illinois Accessibility code to confirm if any additional standards are proposed. Right now DeKalb eliminates the ICC accessibility chapter and follows the State code. Sycamore doesn’t eliminate the ICC IBC chapter. It’s noted Illinois is under the 1997 Accessibility code and may introduce a new version 2016 to be presented as of January 1, 2016. Dan was also asked to identify the connection to the Illinois Energy Code - do they intend to drop that chapter and refer to State of Illinois? We need to understand how that is referenced in IBC. The group will meet again on July 16, 2015 at 8 AM. Attendees are asked to begin review of chapters, and identify additional members of our working groups. Possible work groups were discussed with these possible members, and others to be determined: • Mechanical - Mr. O’Higgens, Steve Doonan • Electric - Steve Touloumis, Lance Ferris, Dan Hager (NEC is proposed). • Plumbing - Jerry Evans, Reese Menard • IBC (commercial) Lisa Sharp, Christine Scholl, Don Whitmore, Chuck Shepard, Dan Burrows. – Identifying 2003-2015 change for building code will be a large task. • Fire – Chief Hicks and Deputy Chief Hoyle. We will have to go to 15 fire code if go to 15 building code • IRC – Consensus held that we may need to reach outside this group to include others though this group could possibly serve as a committee of whole to review. It was noted that the Rockford Builders Association had a lot of input on it. Ken Anderson will send out some emails to builder members to see if anyone is interested. Ellen to coordinate those who volunteer. Send her the name of any identified volunteers. • Existing Building Code – Don Whitmore If the working groups prepare any comments/ questions and can send to Ellen by Friday the 10th, she will compile before the meeting. Next meeting is the 16th. At 8 AM. The meeting adjourned at 10:18. Respectfully submitted, Ellen Divita