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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09062012 BSC Minutes of West University Place City A Neighborhood City 0 Recycled Paper Building & Standards Commission Located in the Bill Watson Conference Room, 3800 University Blvd, West University Place, Texas 77005 Meeting Minutes September 6,2012 MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Wilson, Laurinda Lankford, Denny Powers, (A) Muddy McDaniel, (A)Kirk Eyring, and(A) Kris Westbrook. MEMBERS ABSENT: David Flame, Frank Griffin, and A.J. Durrani STAFF PRESENT: Building Official John R. Brown, Legal Counsel Shelly Eversole, Permit Technician Mike Morris GUEST PRESENT: No Guests present [Call to Order] Richard Wilson called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. 1. Notices,Rules, Etc. Richard Wilson welcomed BSC members, and staff members to the meeting. Alternate Voting members, Kirk Eyring, and Kris Westbrook. 2. Meeting minutes. Matters in the discussion and approval of the August 2, 2012 minutes. Richard Wilson made motion to approve with minor corrections. Laurinda Lankford seconds. AYES: Richard Wilson, Laurinda Lankford, Kirk Eyring, Kris Westbrook, and Denny Powers.NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. 3. Construction Code updates. Matters relating to discussion concerning updating the International Code Council (ICC) construction codes to the 2012 edition and the 2011 National Electrical Code and local amendment to the codes. a. Deliberation, decisions, other action,etc. regarding the preceding matters. Richard Wilson starts the meeting by asking John Brown to give the B.S.C. an overview on the previous work shops and anything else that needs to be discussed. John Brown states that he was asked by B.S.C. to go through the current local amendments and determine what might be obsolete or out dated. John Brown states he did and provided it to the B.S.C. via email. John Brown states one was in the electrical section 26-27, certain circuits and plugs were required. John Brown states he is not sure why the requirement was there and that independent circuits are not necessary to be placed in local amendments because the NEC addresses this already in the code. John Brown states that he modified the window unit air conditioners for that if it is a 220 VAC circuit it needs to be wired with #10 AWG wire. Building and Standards Commission Meeting Minutes September, 2012 3826 Amherst Street• West University Place,Texas 77005-2830 • 713.668.4441 • www.westu.org John Brown explains that #12 AWG wire gauge is within our minimum requirement. Laurinda Lankford asks what a bonded Polarized plug is. John Brown states in a standard plug there is a hot, neutral, and ground. Polarized is when the hot tab of the plug is larger than the neutral tab in order for there to be only one way to install the plug into the wall receptacle, so you can't put the plug in upside down. Laurinda Lankford said she was confused and thought the reference in the local amendment was to the outlet. John Brown states the next one was in the International Mechanical Code where it talks about the local amendment where it states that air conditioner return air filters must be accessible without the use of a portable ladder. John Brown states that he changed that to say all return air filters shall be installed within the 24" of the finished floor or there must be a media type or electrostatic type air filter at the equipment. John Brown goes on to explain what a media filter is. Laurinda Lankford states that one thing that was dropped was the prior requirement that limits this to new construction. John Brown states that yes if return air ducting was to be replaced it would have to be brought to current code. Laurinda Lankford states the one thing that is hard is that if you are adjusting your air flow without replacing your a/c unit, it's hard to put electrostatic or media air filters in the exiting unit. John Brown states it is probably easier to do that than place a new return air system unless you are going to run it through the ceiling. Laurinda Lankford states her concern for remodel work that it is required to be brought up to current code requirements. Richard Wilson states that he does see that the new requirement is more absolute. John Brown states that in some cases it can be very difficult to comply with current code requirements when trying to add to an existing structure and can become very expensive. Laurinda Lankford gives an example of mechanical work that required adding additional duct returns. John Brown states that he would not have a problem with that because it does not diminish the effectiveness of the code. Richard Wilson asks why not go back to the old language. Laurinda Lankford states yes that or retain the phrase "in all new residential construction". Richard Wilson clarifies to leave in everything starting with the phrase "all new residential" including the end where it states"whenever possible in existing buildings". Laurinda Lankford agrees. John Brown states the next item is in regards to demolition. John Brown states that in some instances an organization like Habitat for Humanity has came in and asked for a deconstruction variance, due to the time line requirement for a demolition permit. John Brown states that what he has tried to do now is place the time line requirements for deconstruction in an entirely new section. John Brown states all of the differences in the deconstruction process versus the demolition process. Laurinda Lankford asks if deconstruction consists of removal as well. John Brown states yes due to the fact he does not want people trying to recycle old materials and place them or sell them on the lot. Laurinda Lankford, Richard Wilson, and John Brown discuss exact verbiage and punctuation of the deconstruction requirement. Richard Wilson asks to go on to discussion of the plumbing code. John Brown states that he did make a change from the B.S.C. work shop discussion in section 3a. where it states air admittance valves are only approved in an unenclosed structure. Laurinda Lankford asks if the 5 rating can be added in regards to the PEX. John Brown states that he wants to make sure that the 5 rating is not a proprietary number due to them not being allowed. John Brown states that if he finds that it is not a proprietary number he will include it. John Brown states Building and Standards Commission Meeting Minutes September, 2012 that he did make one other change which was to section D. John Brown states that in alot of instances people will make a manifold system which allows for multiple shut off areas such as just turning water off to the bathroom, the change is to make sure these systems are not placed in a wall shared with the garage. Laurinda Lankford asks in regards to 4b. is the type L or type K in regards to the PEX. John Brown states it is only for the copper. Laurinda Lankford, Richard Wilson, Denny Powers, and John Brown discuss various grammar and punctuation issues. John Brown states that he would like to go over the Existing Building Code in the Residential Building Code, which is contained in appendix J. John Brown states appendices are not enforceable unless specifically adopted. John Brown states in the International Building Code there is Chapter 34 which applies to existing buildings. John Brown gives examples as to when the Existing Building Code may apply. Laurinda Lankford states that when she reviewed the Existing Building Code she had noticed that it references A.D.A. accessibility a lot. John Brown goes on to explain the processes in regards to interpretation of the Code. John Brown explains and gives examples of minimum building permit requirements. John Brown explains the diagram provided shows the section of pipe affected by wet venting. John Browns states that the purpose of wet venting is to save venting though the roof. B.S.0 discusses various benefits in allowing each one of the proposed code changes. John Brown asks if the B.S.C. wants adopt the Existing Building Code or adopt the existing Building Appendices in the Residential Code. Laurinda Lankford asks about the Appendix J if it applies to the Building Code. John Brown states no it is Appendix J to the Residential Building Code. Richard Wilson asks the general requirements for Appendix J. John Brown states that it covers existing residential buildings and structures. John Brown briefly goes over the Appendices that the Fire Department wishes to adopt. John Brown defines the property maintenance code and the requirements in Appendix A. John Brown goes over the benefits in adopting the proposed swimming pool code. Richard Wilson makes motion that the B.S.C. approves adopting of the 2012 International Codes including the International Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Property Maintenance, Fire, Energy Conservation, Swimming Pool/Spa, 2011 International Electrical Code, along with the new City of West University Places local amendments, as well as continuing the City's local amendments currently adopted. Denny Powers seconds. AYES: Richard Wilson, Laurinda Lankford, Kirk Eyring, Kris Westbrook, and Denny Powers. NOES: None [Adjournment] Richard Wilson made a motion to adjourn. Denny Powers seconds. AYES: Richard Wilson, Laurinda Lankford, Kirk Eyring, Kris Westbrook, and Denny Powers. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. PASSED THI DAY OF 5 iJ'/ ,2013 / Steve Brown, Chairman ATTEST: Michael W. Morris, Permit Technician Building and Standards Commission Meeting Minutes September, 2012