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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03102005 BSC Minutes WS a City of West University Place • A Neighborhood City Workshop ® Recycled Paper Building & Standards Commission 3826 Amherst Street, In the Public Works Building, Located in the Public Conference Room, West University Place, TX. 77005 Meeting Minutes March 10th & 11th, 2005 MEMBERS PRESENT: Bryant Slimp and J. Denis Powers. MEMBERS ABSENT: David Flame, John Ayres, Dr. Peter Benjamin, Brian Hoogendam, Muddy and McDaniel and Kevin McMahon. COUNCIL LIASION: Mike Woods (Absent.) STAFF PRESENT: Annette Arriaga, Dennis Mack and Jim Dougherty. GUESTS PRESENT: Les Albin. [Call to Order.] With a quorum, present Bryant Slimp called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. 1. Structural. Bryant Slimp requested for the workshop committee to refer to the draft amendment of Standard Code Schedule regarding structural framing dated 01-06-05. Dennis Mack wanted to discuss the 1-inch potential vertical rise and the insurance requirements. He stated that the 1-inch PVR would not be necessary if we were using types 1 or 2 on the • foundation design methods. Dennis Mack stated that we could put in a provision stating that the piers must extend to the zero movement area, or the inactive zone. Under this provision, the RLPE would have to state the depth of the active zone using the soils report data. The workshop discussed the active zone depths etc. Active Zone. The movement of expansive clay soils that is general restricted to an upper zone of soils known as the active zone. The lower boundary of this zone is highly defined as the line of zero movement. The depth of active zone varies from site to site and in the Houston area this depth ranges from 8 to 12 feet in some cases 15 to 20 feet. The depth of the active zone is an important design used in the engineering design for the foundations on expansive soils. Bryant Slimp was unable to have Mr. David A. Eastwood, RE with Geotech Engineering present at our workshop meeting. Bryant Slimp will try to get with Mr. Eastwood and have some of Mr. Eastwood's input, comments and answers to a few questions before the workshop reconvenes on Friday morning at 8:30 a.m. on March 11 t', 2005. The workshop continued to review and discuss the draft amendment of the Standard Code Schedule regarding structural framing, dated 01-06-05. The workshop discussed the term habitable space. The workshop committee agreed to have Jim Dougherty add in and define "habitable space", to include each new building (and each addition to an existing building) containing habitable space and having a floor higher than four feet, or having a gross floor area of 485 square feet, or more. This will allow the ordinance to include each accessible deck, balcony, walkway and similar structure having a floor higher than four feet. 3800 University Boulevard 0 West University Place, Texas 77005-2899 • 713066804441 0 www.westu.org Building and Standards Commission WS Meeting Minutes March 10 h & 11th, 2005 Page 2of 4 The workshop committee discussed the 1- hour fire ratings on page 2, b. Fire • Protection. They agreed to add in language that stated that: any part of a structural element within five feet of a property line must be composed or fully protected by, materials with a "one-hour" fire rating, or better, determined as provided in 2000 of the IRC Building Code. Jim Dougherty will re-word all of part b. on page 2. Additional regulations. The workshop committee discussed c. Observation & Certification on page 2: Structural elements must be professionally observed and must be certified by an RLPE, as more fully described below. The workshop agreed to list out several observations. (1) Observation must: (i) Be performed either by the certifying RLPE or by one or more persons under that RLPE's direct supervision. (ii) Include actual measurement of piers, fill, compaction, reinforcement, forms, material, dimensions, structural elements, attachments, etc. before the work is covered or concrete is placed. (iii) Be performed continuously during placement of concrete and (iv) Be documented in a form and manner approved by the CBO (which may include photographs). (2) Certifications may: (i) Rely in part upon an attached certification by a RLPE, as to geophysical matters, and • (ii) Rely in part upon an attached certification by an A2LA Lab, as to material testing. The workshop continued to discuss several options and special exceptions. However: (i) unless the basic type of foundation is "structural slab with void space and deep foundations" or "structural floor with crawl space and deep foundation," as described in this section, the BSC may not issue a special exception waiving any requirement for an RPLE to have professional errors and omissions insurance, in whole or part; and (ii) the BSC may not waive any requirement for an RLGE to have such insurance. In connection with any special exception, the BSC may require that the applicant provide supporting data and opinion, and the BSC may impose conditions to carry out the purpose and intent of the applicant. Bryant Slimp asked for Jim Dougherty to add in all of the changes and recommendations from the workshop. Jim Daugherty was asked to re-draft the structural ordinance draft and send it out for BSC to review. Bryant Slimp requested fora special meeting to be set in order to go over the both the structural and foundation draft ordinances. Bryant Slimp requested for the draft amendment ordinances to go to city council for the March 28"' meetings. • Meeting in recess at 4:55 p.m. The workshop meeting is standing at a recess and will reconvene on Friday, March 11'h at 8:30 a.m in the Public Works Conference Room. Building and Standards Commission WS Meeting Minutes March 10h & 11th, 2005 Page 3of 4 Bryant Slimp called the meeting back in session at 8:40 a.m. on Friday, March 11, • 2005. Bryant Slimp requested for the workshop committee to refer to the draft amendment of the Standard Codes Schedule regarding foundation dated 02-16-05 Note: Base draft includes revisions through 11-29-04; additional revisions reviewed and approved by BSC 02-16-05 are marked in the text. Bryant Slimp updated the workshop committee and stated that he was finally able to communicate with Mr. David A. Eastwood P.E. Mr. Eastwood recommended that with respect for the piers and the 1-inch PVR, he recommends that the piers should be drilled to twice the depth of the active zone so that the pier bottoms won't move. 2 X the active zone. As far as the 1 inch PVR and the slab, He stated that he recommends that if the BSC wanted to move away from using the PVR, he recommends using minimum 8-inch void boxes and then it doesn't matter what the PVR of the soil is, because the slab will not move when poured on the 8 inch void boxes. Jim Dougherty referred to the draft amendment of the Standard Codes Schedule regarding foundation dated 02-16-05 Note: Base draft includes revisions through 11-29-04; additional revisions reviewed and approved by BSC 02-16-05 are marked in the text. The workshop agreed to use 6-inch void boxes as a minimum. Jim Dougherty discussed page 2, partial exception. The workshop agreed and • discussed several foundation methods and types. Structural slab with void space and deep foundations, structural floor with crawl space and deep foundations, stiffened structural slab with deep foundations, stiffened non structural slab with deep foundations, mixed depth system for all new buildings, mixed depth system for building additions with deep foundations etc. Jim Dougherty to write in the basic standards and the workshop agreed to come up with a detailed chart of the approved basic types. This chart will simplify the requirements based on the slab type being considered. The workshop discussed the Geotechnical reports and standards.. The plans and specification for each foundation must be based on a written Geotechnical report prepared, signed and sealed by a RLGE. The report must cover all testing and site evaluation, and a; must meet all applicable criteria in "Recommended Practice for Geotechnical Exploration and Reports" etc. Geotechnical Report, Scope. "Limited" indicates that the Geotechnical testing, evaluation and report may be limited to a determination of the appropriate depth for the deep foundation (but the deep foundation components must meet the other criteria applicable to them). "Full" indicates that the Geotechnical testing, evaluation and report must cover all foundation components. Jim Dougherty would put in the chart as well as all of the performance and Geotechnical standards and all other changes into a new draft. The new draft will be • send to BSC. Bryant Slimp stated that a special meeting would be set for March 16Ib 2005 to discuss all matters relating to foundations and the proposed ordinance amendments before they go to city council. Building and Standards Commission Meeting Minutes March 3rd, 2005 Page 2of 5 Bryant Slimp asked that all guests please make all comments to the Chair and direct all questions to the Chair. He asked that an air of civility be maintained. Each speaker will be limited to five minutes. ❑ The Recoding secretary will inform us at the 4 %2 minute mark. ❑ The recoding secretary will inform us when the time limit has been reached. ❑ At that point, the Chair will ask the speaker to stop. Bryant Slimp requested that each speaker state the facts and he reminded the guests present that the meeting is being recorded electronically and therefore required that before speaking each person state his or her name, state their address if a West University citizen, or state their position and affiliation. The speaking time would start after their introduction. Bryant Slimp requested that City Staff state the facts and the results of their investigation. Dennis Mack stated that on January 17th, 2005 The West University Place fire department reported a structure fire at 2612 Werlein Street. The Fire Marshall reported that a demolition backhoe crew had ruptured a natural gas line in the rear of the house causing two breaks in the gas line. Dennis Mack stated that Al Collins, the Fire Marshall for West University Place stated in the report that the cause of fire was an accident. Bryant Slimp asked if there were any other reports pertaining to the house fires. Dennis Mack stated that this was the only report filed by the West University Place fire department. Dennis Mack put in a formal request for the accident review hearing. Bryant Slimp asked to hear the statements by the homeowners and the residents of 2612 Werlein Street. Lou Barragan addressed the board. Mr. Lou Barragan the resident at 2612 Werlein Street stated that he was at home taking care of his grandson. It was a holiday and all of a sudden he heard an explosion. His wife ran to the front of the house and stated fire, fire and continued to stay that there was a fire in the back of the house and they immediate they called the fire department. Lou Barragan stated that once he was outside he spoke to the resident Mrs. Gail Rosenthal and she said that she had called the fire department twice. Mr. Lou Barragan stated he was concerned with his house. He could here electric wires popping. Everyone was excited. The fire was going toward the garage near the next-door neighbor. Mr. Lou Barragan did indicate that nobody had notified him. Mr. Barragan stated that someone called and spoke to his daughter, but he did not know who it was. He stated that someone tried calling him last Thursday but that was it. He then stated "Usually, someone who have contacted me or put in a hotel but nobody has called or contacted me from JTB services or Covington Builders". Bryant Slimp extended his sympathies for all that has happened to Mr. Barragan and his family and to please accept the BSC's condolences. He thanked Mr. Lou Barragan for speaking to the BSC. Bryant Slimp requested for the next speaker from any other affected parties to please approach the chair. Gail Rosenthal stated that she is the resident at 2611 Cason Street. She stated that no one has recognized that she had a great deal of damage to her garage. Her property is as much involved as her neighbor at 2612 Werlein. The gas line runs in the back of her house. She was upstairs working on her computer and on the phone when she heard a loud explosion, then all of a sudden her phone went dead. She saw a wall of fire. She stated that nobody knocked on her door and nobody notified her. She stated that she ran out side and took her husband's car out of the garage, afraid that it might be damaged. She stated that the fire department did not come for 15 to 20 minutes. Mrs. Rosenthal stated that her house and property were very much involved as the house on Werlein Street. She is hoping to save a live oak tree but, she doesn't know if she will be able too due to the fire. She stated that she had a significant amount of damage to her garage. Luckily, she stated that she has insurance and she doesn't have somebody fighting for her. She did hear • from the adjusters and Robert Covington. They knocked on her back door and left their cards. But, two days later Robert Covington was already back working and had the new house framed. She stated that they were conducting business as usual without considering the lives that had been Building and Standards Commission WS Meeting Minutes March 10'h & 11th, 2005 Page 4of 4 [Adjournment.] Meeting adjourned at(1~0:10a.m. PASSED THIS DAY OF ~A t D 2005. Q. Bryant Slimp, Chairman ATTEST: Ms. Annette R. Arriaga Development Services Secr tart'