Building Code Review Board

CITY OF DEKALB BUILDING BOARD OF APPEALS MINUTES January 21, 2016 Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 9:01 AM by Chairman Don Whitmore. Roll Call BBA Members present were Chairman Don Whitmore, Charles Shepard, Christine Scholl, and Jim Ward. Lisa Sharp arrived at 9:03 AM. Steve Irving arrived at 9:55 AM. At 10:25 Eric Hicks and Bob Tinucci left the meeting. Staff present were Community Development Director Ellen Divita, Fire Chief Eric Hicks, Dan Burrow of SAFEbuilt, and Community Development Administrative Assistant Natalie Nelson. Natalie Nelson acted as recording Secretary. Also present were Dave Whiting from SAFEbuilt, Ken Anderson, Randy Nelson, and Bob Tinucci from Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Association. Approval of Agenda Chairman Whitmore asked for a motion to approve the agenda with the change of allowing Bob Tinucci, Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Association to present before the continuing workshop on the 2015 ICC Building Codes. C. Scholl motioned to approve the Agenda with the change, and the motion was seconded by C. Shepard. All approved. Approval of Minutes C. Shepard motioned to approve the December 10, 2015, minutes, and the motion was seconded by S. Irving. All approved. New Business 1. Presentation from Bob Tinucci, Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Association. Mr. Tinucci gave an overview of his experience with residential fire sprinklers. Residential sprinklers are measures intended for life safety protection, with building and contents protection as secondary. Sprinklers help suppress and contain small fires so that Approved Minutes 012116 Building Board of Appeals Meeting 1 flashover does not occur. He stated that newer construction is less fire resistant due to the common use of composite materials, light-weight materials, and synthetics. He presented data from UL regarding a fire development timelines with modern building practices versus legacy (1980s and earlier) building practices. The use of I-joists in residential buildings is one designator for what is modern versus legacy building practices. Mr. Tinucci stated that residential fire sprinklers in new construction allows for the trade- off of using newer lower-quality materials. He encouraged the Board to adopt of the IRC as an “engineered package.” If residential sprinklers are removed from the Code, then the use of newer lower-quality materials should also be removed, as it is the presence of sprinklers that allow for these materials. If residential sprinkling is not required, but the newer lower-quality materials are allowed, new buildings would be more vulnerable to fire. He stated that builders save money by using newer lower-quality materials, so adding sprinkler systems should not increase the overall cost of constructing the building. Westmont is an example of a community that removed sprinkler requirements in townhomes and had to strike out construction material trade-up allowances in the Code. The City’s ISO public protection rating will be affected negatively if the newest Code is not adopted, and everyone would pay higher insurance rates. The City’s building code effectiveness rating is also affected negatively if residential fire sprinklers are not required. The cost of insurance for a home with sprinklers is reduced by 5% to 20%. In addition, sprinklers reduce water usage in fire-fighting, as sprinklers put out about 23 gallons per minute while fire hoses put out about 200 gallons per minute. The annual backflow test can be performed by a non-trained person, but the state plumbing code requires a licensed professional to perform the official annual test. Mr. Tinucci presented two cost estimates for installing sprinkler systems in residential buildings. Nelson Fire Protection quoted a price for sprinklers of $2.15 per square foot. Absolute Fire Protection quoted a price for sprinklers of $2.30 per square foot. Nationally, the price is an average of $1.35 per square foot. These costs do not include the water service connection measures and annual inspections. L. Sharp asked when sprinkler system monitoring is required. Mr. Tinucci recommended that all sprinkler systems be monitored, including single-family homes. Chief Hicks stated that currently the City has one apartment development and a hotel that have sprinkler systems, and both are monitored by private companies. C. Scholl asked if new residential housing development requirements for fire department access are affected by having all units include sprinklers. Mr. Tinucci stated that a contractor would benefit from cost savings in new residential housing developments with sprinklers, including allowable reduced street width, narrower turning radii, shorter dead end length, and wider fire hydrant spacing.  C. Shepard spoke about possible difficulties with requiring sprinklers in DeKalb, including the service connection widths, record-keeping for annual backflow inspections, and freezing pipes due to residents leaving town and turning down the heat. Chief Hicks stated that the water mains and pressure are adequate in new residential areas that have been platted out and are being developed. Mr. Tinucci stated that one-inch width and 50-60 psi are more than adequate. Chief Hicks also stated that the City fire department tracks the materials and building methods used in construction so that they can approach each fire appropriately. S. Irving stated that with all of the details involved in installing a residential sprinkler system that the cost is closer to $3.00 per square foot. Mr. Tinucci stated that the square- footage cost calculation does not take into account all of the areas protected by sprinkler systems, as they do not include the basement and garage areas. Sprinkler systems are designated as 13 for commercial, 13R for multi-family and systems that protect attics and garages (extinguishes), 13D for single- and two-family (suppresses). C. Scholl stated that Board is concerned with 13D systems, not 13R, in townhouses. Public Participation K. Anderson and R. Nelson presented information about home fire sprinkler costs to the Board. R. Nelson stated that there are no sprinkler contractors in DeKalb County, and he would like to use a local contractor. Rockford is currently the closest location for a sprinkler contractor. R. Nelson stated that plumbers can install a different type of sprinkler system that circulates throughout the home. Mr. Tinucci stated that this type of system is not adequate protection because shutting off the domestic water supply also shuts off the sprinkler water supply. Mr. Tinnuci also stated that whoever performs the sprinkler installation needs to be a licensed, whether union or non-union plumbers. D. Whiting stated there are advantages to an RPZ system versus a double-check system, as the RPZ is less likely to cause water contamination. He discussed that different communities allow the water shut-off at different locations, before and after the water meter. The one-hour fire rating wall is still required for new buildings in these locations. Old Business 1. Continued Workshop discussion on 2015 ICC Building Codes C. Scholl reported on her investigation of section 1401.2 – Applicability in the Northwest Illinois Regional Building Code amendments, which reads “Structures existing prior to 1985.” She stated that the intent of the Chapter 14 PERFORMANCE COMPLIANCE METHODS of the Existing Building Code is to allow for use of older building codes for older buildings. The City of DeKalb would need to develop its own date guideline. L. Sharp asked about how to approach renovating an existing building and which code to  follow, depending how much of the building is being modified. She stated that the Existing Building Code is an excellent tool to use when planning modifications. C. Scholl, D. Whitmore, L. Sharp, and D. Burrows presented recommendations on the 2015 Building Code Appendices: COMMERCIAL BUILDING CODE APPENDIX A – EMPLOYEE QUALIFICATIONS Prefaced with: “The provisions contained in this appendix are not mandatory unless specifically referenced in the adopting ordinance.” Deals with building official qualifications. A decent reference but DeKalb is capable of determining the qualifications for building officials. Recommendation: No Action, city will write own qualifications APPENDIX B – BOARD OF APPEALS Prefaced with: “The provisions contained in this appendix are not mandatory unless specifically referenced in the adopting ordinance.” Deals with the membership qualifications and operation of a building board of appeals. A good reference but the existing implementing ordinance for DeKalb’s building board of appeals is more than adequate. Recommendation: No Action APPENDIX C – GROUP U – AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS Prefaced with: “The provisions contained in this appendix are not mandatory unless specifically referenced in the adopting ordinance.” This appendix primarily sets area limits, story and height limits for agricultural buildings by construction type. It also sets exit travel distance and area (density) requirements. DeKalb’s code jurisdiction area is municipal; the need for this appendix is, therefore, virtually unnecessary. Recommendation: No Action, basically a municipality, applicant can apply based on alternate construction methods if needed. APPENDIX D – FIRE DISTRICTS Prefaced with: “The provisions contained in this appendix are not mandatory unless specifically referenced in the adopting ordinance.” This appendix sets the requirements for a “fire district” and the construction of buildings within the district. To my knowledge, DeKalb has not had a “fire district” for several years. The city has relied on the proximity, construction, and fire rating requirements of the basic commercial building code.  Recommendation: If the DeKalb Fire Department’s administrative staff and the Building Board members accept the concept that the overall basic building code is adequate, then No Action is necessary. Our District is in the county; within City is Department. APPENDIX E – SUPPLEMENTARY ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Prefaced with “The provisions contained in this appendix are not mandatory unless specifically referenced in the adopting; ordinance.” Deals with supplementary accessibility requirements, many of which are in addition to the Federal and Illinois Accessibility codes and requirements. Recommendation: No Action, do not adopt. Also, we eliminated Chapter 11. At Aurora training, they recommended that if we delete 11, have to eliminate references to this throughout. Dave – in Illinois, since 2010 when Federal wrote code. Doug Gamble has stated only enforce the areas where Illinois is more restrictive, otherwise the Federal code applies, City can’t enforce. If a complaint, State will investigate. Some think IL will drop their code in lieu of Federal code; we don’t have right to enforce it. RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CODE APPENDIX A – SIZING AND CAPACITIES OF GAS PIPING Was not adopted under the 2003 IRC for DeKalb Recommendation: Not Adopting the IRC 2015 and Adopting the 2015 IFGC Appendix A. APPENDIX B – SIZING OF VENTING SYSTEMS SERVING APPLIANCES EQUIPPED WITH DRAFT HOODS, CATEGORY 1 APPLIANCES, AND APPLIANCES LISTED FOR USE WITH TYPE B VENTS Was not adopted under the 2003 IRC for DeKalb Recommendation: Not Adopting the IRC 2015 Appendix and Adopting the IFGC Appendix B APPENDIX C – EXIT TERMINALS OF MECHANICAL DRAFT AND DIRECT- VENTING SYSTEMS Was not adopted under the 2003 IRC for DeKalb, Manufactures include this illustration in there specifications. Recommendation: Not Adopting the IRC 2015 Appendix and Adopting the IFGC Appendix C APPENDIX D – RECOMMENDED PROCEDURE FOR SAFETY INSPECTION OF AN EXISTING APPLIANCE INSTALLATION Was not adopted under the 2003 IRC for DeKalb  Recommendation: Not Adopting the IRC 2015 or IFGC 2015. We don’t go into a location and inspect existing (including kitchen and HVAC, etc.) appliances. APPENDIX E – MANUFACTURED HOUSING USED AS DWELLINGS (Mobile homes, not pre-fab) if HUD certified, we have no authority Was not adopted under the 2003 IRC for DeKalb. Southmoore Estates is still adding but they are tie-down; is manufactured house, even if on wheels. In past 18 months, we haven’t reviewed any work in Southmoore. Manufacturer specifies where support is needed. Recommendation: Needs additional review. Consideration to inspect permit, water, electric, sewer connections. APPENDIX F – PASSIVE RADON CONTROLS Was not adopted under the 2003 IRC for DeKalb Nearly the entire appendix has been re-written DeKalb County is in the Zone 1 High Potential Recommendation: Consider adoption. It is in state regulations as a passive system. It is 4” PVC pipe from basement through roof, hard wired box in attic. APPENDIX G – PIPING STANDARDS FOR VARIOUS APPLICATIONS Appendix G was formerly Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs and was adopted under the IRC for DeKalb Miscellaneous ASTM standards for all sorts of piping: central vacuum, reclaimed water, residential fire sprinklers, solar heating, geo thermal, rain water harvesting, radon Does not address potable water piping, sanitary waste / vent Recommendation: Consider adoption APPENDIX H – PATIO COVERS Was not adopted under the 2003 IRC for DeKalb Very similar to Appendix I, Patio Covers for the IBC Provides modest description of materials (translucent, screening, ‘or approved’) for structure with open or glazed walls for recreational purposes. Also provides description of when structure can be built to sit on slab and not on foundations. Provides height limitation for patio cover Requires 65% open on sides Recommendation: Consider adoption APPENDIX I – PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL Was not adopted under the 2003 IRC for DeKalb Simply refers straight to the International Private Sewage Disposal Code Recommendation: Do not adopt. APPENDIX J – EXISTING BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES Provides waiver of typical egress window height restrictions New windows / replacement glass to meet safety requirements of code (even if not before) Directs to IEBC Allows repair or replacement of electrical with like materials. Allows existing headroom at stairs to be maintained, even if stairs replaced, as long as not making worse Recommendation: Consider adoption APPENDIX K – SOUND TRANSMISSION Prefaced with: “The provisions contained in this appendix are not mandatory unless specifically referenced in the adopting ordinance.” Deals with sound transmission of wall and floor-ceiling assemblies separating dwelling units. 45STC rating between duplexes. Commercial code requires 45 and 51. A similar requirement is found in the 2015 commercial building code which does not directly apply to duplexes. Recommendation: Adopt and include this appendix in the code. APPENDIX L – PERMIT FEES Prefaced with: “The provisions contained in this appendix are not mandatory unless specifically referenced in the adopting ordinance.” This appendix presents building permit fees based on the total value of the project. DeKalb has a building permit fee schedule that is considerably more detailed than the prototype presented in the appendix L. Aspects other than general construction, such as plumbing, electrical, etc., are also included. Recommendation: No Action, use City fee schedule. APPENDIX M – HOME DAY CARE – R3 OCCUPANCY Prefaced with: “The provisions contained in this appendix are not mandatory unless specifically referenced in the adopting ordinance.” This appendix primarily deals with Means of Egress and Smoke Detection for Home Day Care Operations in dwellings.  The State of Illinois licenses day care homes for children. Apparently the State of Illinois does not currently license adult day care centers. The Department on Aging – Community Care does have regulations for adult day care in the Administrative Code. Recommendation: No Action. State Fire Marshal does inspections on everyone licensed for daycare. We have nothing to do with adult centers, unless it’s new construction. APPENDIX N – VENTING METHODS Prefaced with: “This appendix is informative and is not part of the code. This appendix provides examples of various venting methods.” Examples of plumbing vents; however the venting shown in the Illinois Plumbing Code takes precedence. Recommendation: No Action APPENDIX O – AUTOMATIC VEHICULAR GATES Prefaced with: “The provisions contained in this appendix are not mandatory unless specifically referenced in the adopting ordinance.” References standards for automatic vehicular gates for one and two family dwellings. It is doubtful if DeKalb has a demand for this type of gate that warrants special provisions in the residential building code. Recommendation: No Action. No one has ASTM standards readily available. Not a large demand, so no action. APPENDIX P – SIZING OF WATER PIPING SYSTEM Prefaced with: “The provisions in this appendix are not mandatory unless specifically referenced in the adopting ordinance.” Describes how to size domestic residential water piping systems. Perhaps a good reference but the Illinois Plumbing Code has precedence on the design of water distribution systems. Recommendation: No Action APPENDIX Q – RESERVED NA. This amendment has been removed from this code. APPENDIX R - LIGHT STRAW-CLAY CONSTRUCTION Alternate Construction method provision of R104.11 can be used by an applicant who chooses to propose this type of construction. For instance, if an applicant proposed such construction, standards in these amendments would be required as part of alternate construction documentation. Probably not necessary to adopt as an amendment.  APPENDIX S – STRAWBALE CONSTRUCTION Alternate Construction method provisions of R104.11 may cover these provisions without need to actually adopt the amendment. Probably not necessary to adopt as an amendment. APPENDIX T – RECOMMENDED PROCEDURE FOR WORST-CASE TESTING OF ATMOSPHERIC VENTING SYSTEMS UNDER N1102.4 OR N1105 CONDITIONS ≤5ACH50 Provides procedures for testing of Atmospheric Testing of venting systems where the leak tightness is less than five air changes per hour at 50 Pascals. Requirements of the Energy Code could result in not enough combustion air, or not enough draft for fire places. Requirements for combustion air are outlined in Chapter 17, and reference NFPA 31. Requirements for Fuel Gas appliances are outlined in Chapter 24. Do not believe it is necessary to adopt a proscribed test method for this. APPENDIX U – SOLAR-READY PROVISIONS—DETACHED ONE- AND TWO- FAMILY DWELLINGS, MULTIPLE SINGLE FAMILY DWELLINGS (TOWNHOUSES) Ready Provisions: Requires dwellings to provide a solar ready area on the roof for future solar panel installation. Requires roof load calculations and “inter- connection pathway” for either plumbing or electrical connections are also required on the drawings. Would have to decide if we want all applicants to provide this; may be considered too onerous for builders and developers. Consensus at workshop seemed to be that this does not need to be a requirement at this time, but further discussion with other City departments or committees may be required. INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE: APPENDIX F – RODENT PROOFING Was not adopted under the 2003 IBC for DeKalb Recommendation: Do not believe it’s necessary to adopt. Standard construction practices, meeting the energy code, provide sufficient discouragement to vermin. APPENDIX G – FLOOD RESISTENT CONSTRUCTION Was not adopted under the 2003 IBC for DeKalb IDNR Water Resource Management also permits work in flood plains. http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/WaterResources/Documents/3700.pdf  Recommendation: Do not adopt at this time. Some of the restrictions appear more stringent than state law. APPENDIX H – SIGNS Was not adopted under the 2003 IBC for DeKalb Smart, reasonable requirements for mounting, electrical, wind loads Size requirements will conflict with UDO requirements, so if we adopt, would need to resolve these issues. Recommendation: Do not adopt unless we are having structural concerns with the types of signs that are being installed. We review signs now per NEC. Sizing would conflict with existing UDO. APPENDIX I, IBC (APPENDIX H IRC) – PATIO COVERS (PERGOLA, SCREEND IN PORCH, FABRIC) Was not adopted under the 2003 IBC for DeKalb Provides modest description of materials (translucent, screening, ‘or approved’) for structure with open or glazed walls for recreational purposes. Also provides description of when structure can be built to sit on slab and not on foundations. Provides height limitation for patio cover Requires 65% open on sides Limits to 12’ Recommendation: Consider adoption APPENDIX J – GRADING Believe should be based upon city engineering standards. Confirm with Public Works; probably do not need to adopt this amendment. APPENDIX K – ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS Used for enforcement of NFPA 70, National Electrical Code. Section K11 has technical provisions which are in addition to requirements of NFPA 70. Electrical Inspector to review; D. Burrows and D. Whiting from SAFEbuilt recommend adoption of this amendment. APPENDIX L – EARTHQUAKE RECORDING INSTRUMENTATION Not Applicable in this area; provisions are being reviewed by IBC structural Code Development Committee. Board members at workshop in agreement. APPENDIX M – TSUNAMI-GENERATED FLOOD HAZARD  Not Applicable in this area; as with L, under review by IBC Structural Code Review Committee. Board members at workshop in agreement. The next Building Board of Appeals meeting is set for February 11, 2016, 9:00AM at DeKalb City Hall. Hearing and seeing no additional comment from attendees, Chairman Whitmore closed the meeting at 11:33 AM.