HomeMy WebLinkAbout01162003 BSC Agenda Item 7 • •
City of West University Place*Texas
Memo
To: Jim McDaniel
Chairman Building Standards Commission
From: Dennis Mack, Chief Building Official
Date: January 6,2003
Re: Foundations
Over the last several months the Building Standards Commission has had many discussions
dealing with foundations. These discussions ranged from foundation design criteria to who
was responsible to verify the engineering.
Although I do not believe the city should hire an engineer to check all foundation designs, I do
believe we could tighten our existing ordinance to combat the perception of faulty designs.
The following are the amendments to our current ordinance dealing with foundations that I
feel the city should adopt.
International Building Code, 2000 Ed., International Building Code Congress
International, Inc.
1 . The administrative officer is the building official. All hearings, variances etc. are
handled by the BSC.
2. All roofs must have Class C or better fire resistance, as determined under Sec.
1505.1 .
3. All foundations and structural framing for new buildings greater than 450 sq. ft. and
foundation repairs shall be designed by a registered licensed professional engineer ("LPE")
who shall be known as the engineer of record, and the work shall be:
a. illustrated in complete plans and specifications signed and sealed by the engineer
of record LPE;
b. based on a soils report from a recognized and reputable firm or agency (Exception:
no soils report is required for a single story accessory building with less than 950
sq. ft. of gross floor area); and
c. inspected by an RPE who certifies preper construction, before work proceeds
further. at the completion of all the requirements of the plans and specifications,
the engineer of record shall certify by letter to the city, (which may be based on
foundation.doc
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observation reports by a qualified delegate) the construction of the foundation and
structural framing was:
1. in conformance with the engineer's plans and specifications including any
modifications or alterations authorized.
2. that fill conditions were satisfied in accordance with the plans and
specifications;
3. piers were observed for proper placement and depth;
4. observation of all foundation elements, including reinforcement,
immediately before concrete placement;
5. observation of concrete during placement; and
6. observation during stressing to document the elongation and stressing load
of each tendon.
4. All concrete footings and foundations must be cured for at least 72 hours before any
significant load is placed on them.
5. All walls and ceilings within a R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 type occupancy shall be sheathed
with Type X gypsum board at lease 5/8-inch (15.9 mm)thick. Exception:Where this code
(IBC) requires otherwise for moisture protection.
6. Delete: Appendices A (Employee Qualifications), B (Board of Appeals) and D (Fire
Districts).
7. Minimum Foundation Plans and Specification Information:
a. Plans shall be specific for each site or lot location.
b. Plans shall include the client's name and engineer's name, address and telephone
number; and the source and description of the geotechnical data.
c. a plan view of the foundation locating all major structural components and
reinforcement
d. sufficient information to show details of beams, piers, retaining walls, drainage
details, etc.,
e. sufficient information for the proper construction and observation by field personnel
f. information or notes addressing minimum perimeter and lot drainage requirements
g. descriptions of the reinforcing or pre-stressing cables and hardware;
h. concrete specifications including compressive strengths;
i. site preparation requirements;
j. notes concerning nearby existing or future vegetation and the required design
features to accommodate these conditions; and
k. the schedule of required construction observations and testing.
1. all load calculations supporting the design
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