HomeMy WebLinkAbout05052005 BSC Agenda Item 4 •
e H.
Draft amendment of the
Standard Codes Schedule
regarding structural framing
and similar elements
revised 3-16-05
Standard Codes Schedule
Adoption. Subject to the amendments and deletions indicated beneath each code, each of the following codes,
including all of its published appendices and attachments, is adopted, ordained and made a part of the Code of
Ordinances of the City and of each chapter where it is referenced, except as otherwise expressly provided.
Procedure for amendments,etc. The procedure for adopting new codes, updated codes, local amendments and
provisions for administration and enforcement of these codes is as follows: (1)proposal by the building official
or other appropriate City official, (2)referral to the Building&Standards Commission, (3) consideration by the
City Council, after giving required meeting notices, and(4)adoption and publication, as required by Article II of
the City Charter.
International Building Code,2000 Ed.,International Code Council,Inc..
5. The structural elements for the following must meet the criteria in this section, as
applicable:
(i) 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 and
(ii) each accessible deck, balcony, walkway and similar structure having a
floor higher than seven feet.
This section does not apply to foundation elements observed and certified under another
section.
In this section:
"A2LA Lab"means a laboratory accredited by the American Association for
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Laboratory Accreditation on the basis of ISO/IEC 17025:1999 ("general
requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories").
"RLPE"means a licensed or registered professional engineer of the State of Texas
who is:
(1) listed with the State Board of Professional Engineers in either the
civil or structural branch of engineering (but, from and after May 1,
2006, listing in the structural branch is required);
(2) employed by a registered engineering firm of the State of Texas;
and
(3) covered by professional errors and omissions insurance that: (i)
has limits of at least $250,000 per claim (and at least$500,000 per
year, aggregate) and (ii)has effective dates—including any
retroactive coverage date that include the entire period when the
person provides services or takes actions regulated by this section.
a. Engineering. Structural elements must be constructed in accordance with
complete plans and specifications prepared, signed and sealed by a RLPE. The
plans and specifications must be prepared specifically for the structure in
question, and they must meet criteria as to scope, content and form specified by
the building official.
b. Fire Protection. Any part of a structural element within five feet of a property
line must be composed or, or fully protected by, materials with a"one-hour" fire
rating, or better, determined as provided in of the
Code.
c. Observation& Certification. Structural elements must be professionally observed
and must be certified by an RLPE, as more fully described below:
(1) Observations must:
(i) be performed either by the certifying RLPE or by one or more
persons under that RLPE's direct supervision and control whose
professional qualifications are approved by the RLPE,
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(ii) include actual observations of each beam,joist, rafter and similar
element: (i) after all required plumbing, electrical and mechanical
"rough-in" inspections have been passed "
? _ . - ••: .� • , and (ii)before it is
,y1
covered, and
(iii) be documented in a form and manner approved by the building
official (which may include photographs).
(2) Certifications must:
(i) refer to and be based upon the professional observations required
by this section,
(ii) state that the work complies with the plans and specifications last
approved by the building official (with any field changes that are
ordered by the RLPE and reported to the building official and that
comply with applicable regulations),
(iii) comply with criteria as to form and content as may be specified by
the building official,
(iv) be signed and sealed by the certifying RLPE, and
(v) be filed with the building official.
Certifications may rely in part upon an attached certification by an A2LA
Lab, as to materials testing (if applicable).
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Before any a-beam,joist, rafter or similar element is covered: (i) all required city
ins•ections relatin• to that element must be •assed and ii the •ermittee must
obtain written acknowledgment from the building official that the certification for
that element was duly filed as required above. For any given building, there may
be more than one certification filed.
After a beam,joist, rafter or similar element has been observed and certified, as
•rovided above it ma not be notched bored or structurall altered without: i a
new or amended permit, if required, and (ii) a new observation and certification,
in accordance with this section.
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Certifications,plans, specifications and related items may be kept on file by the
City, for public inspection, for an indefinite period of time.
d. Special Exceptions. The BSC may issue a special exception from any requirement
in subsection"a"through"c,"above, but only upon a showing that:
(1) the requirement will not affect life safety or the performance of a structure
1 (for its estimated useful life); or
1 (2) an alternate requirement to be imposed by the special exception will
provide equal or better protection for life safety and long-term structural
performance.
In connection with any such special exception,the BSC may require that the
applicant provide supporting engineering data and opinion, and the BSC may
impose conditions to carry out the purpose and intent of applicable regulations.
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