HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd 1791 - foundations
Ordinance No. 1791
AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO FOUNDATIONS; AMENDING THE CODE OF
ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE, TEXAS;
CONTAINING FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT;
AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
WHEREAS, the building official of the City has proposed certain amendments to
the Standard Codes Schedule (and standard codes that are incorporated into the Code
of Ordinances by that schedule); and
WHEREAS, such amendments were referred to the Building & Standards
Commission, which has recommended them for consideration and adoption by the City
Council;
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST
UNIVERSITY PLACE:
Section 1. The Standard Codes Schedule of the Code of Ordinances of the City
of West University Place, Texas is hereby amended as set out in Appendix AJ which is
attached to and made a part of this ordinance~
Section 2. All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this Ordinance
are repealed to the extent of the conflict only.
Section 3. If any word, phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph) section or other
part of this Ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, shall
ever be held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction,
neither the remainder of this Ordinance, nor the application of such word, phrase,
clause~ sentence~ paragraph, section or other part of this Ordinance to any other
persons or circumstances, shall be affected therebYt
Section 4. The City Council officially finds, determines and declares that a
sufficient written notice of the date, hour, place and subject of each meeting at which
this Ordinance was discussed, considered or acted upon was given in the manner
required by the Texas Open Meetings Actt as amended, and that each such meeting
has been open to the public as required by law at all times during such discussion,
consideration and action. The City Council ratifies, approves and confirms such notices
and the contents and posting thereof.
Section 5. The public importance of this measure and the requirements of the
law create an emergency and an urgent public necessity requiring that this Ordinance
Page 1
be passed and take effect as an emergency measure, and a state of emergency is
hereby declared~ This Ordinance is accordingly passed as an emergency measure and
shall take effect on the tenth day following its publication as provided in the City CharteL
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED ON FIRST READING on ~ // l
2005.
Councilmembers Voting Aye:
Councilmembers Voting No:
Councifmembers Absent:
SED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED ON SECOND AND FINAL READING
on i 2005.
Councilmembers Voting Aye:
Councilmembers Voting No:
Councilmembers Absent:
Recommended:
Mayor
ReViewed:~~
City Attorney
Page 2
Appendix A
Amendments to the
Standard Codes Schedule
regarding foundations
3-16-05a Note~. Base draft includes the proposed new Section 3 as of 11-29-04; additional
revisions after that date are marked in the text.
Delete the existing paragraph 3 under Ulnternational Building Code" and insert
the following:
3. The foundation for each new building (and each new addition to a building) All
foundations for nc\y buildings containing habitable space (as defined in the IBe) feF
additions to existing buildings) \vith more than one story, or ~,;?ith a gross floor area of
485 square feet or morc, must meet the criteria in this section, as ap"plicable~ In this
section:
"A2LA Lab" means a laboratory accredited by the American Association for
Laboratory Accreditation on the basis of ISO/IEe 17025:1999 ("general
requirements for the competence of testing and calibration la"boratories").
"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) (llnless waived "bv the ESe as provided in "t"" below) 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.
Page 3
':RLGE" means a person who .is:
(1) either: (a) a registered professional geoscientist of the State of
Texas, or (b) a licensed or registered professional engineer who is
listed with the State Board of Professional Engineers in a relevant
branch of engineering (civil, structural or geological) and
en1ployed by a registered engineering firnl of the State of Texas;
and
(2) (unless vlaived by the BSe as provided bclo?/) covered by
professional errors and 011llssions 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. Foundations must be constructed in accordance with complete plans
and specifications prepared, signed and sealed (v/ith a n1anunlly iill.pressed se~l
and manual signature) by a RLPE. The plans and. specifications must be prepared
specifically for the site of the work, and they nlust meet criteria as to scope,
content and form specified by the building officiaL If there are existing trees
(either to remain or to be removed) within 20 feet of a foundation, that could
affect a foundation, the RLPE must acknow ledgelf in writing, certify that the trees
have been taken into account in the preparation of the plans and specifications.
.b. Basic Standards. Each foundation must be an approved basic type listed in the
following c.harL In addition'! the design of each foundation lTIUst be supl?orted by
a geotechnical report and special engineering certification"! to the extent indicated
in the following cllart
rNote: chart is newl
Page 4
Approved Basic Types. See Note 1. Geotechnical Report. Special Engineering
See Notes 2 and 3. Certificati 0 D. See Note 4.
S tru ctu ral sl ab wi lh voi d space and deep Iou nd ati ons Li/nit ed Not required
Structural noor with crawl space and deep Foundations Li/llited Not required
Stiffened structural s] ab with deep foundations Full Reg llired
Stiffened non-structural slab with deep foundations Full Required
Mixed-depth systelTI for all new building construction Full Required
Mixed-depth syslem for building additions with deep foundations Full Required
Another type approved by special exception issued by the BSC. As specified in the As specified in the special
See r::r, ~1 belo\v. special exception excep t ion
Note J. Approved Basic Types. Types of foundations are defined and described in ..Foundntion Design Options For Residential and Other
Low-Rise Buildings on Expansive Soils" published by the Structural Committee of the Foundation Performance Association~
Houston, Texas (Document # FP A~SC-O l-O~ Rev #0, 30 Jun 04~ 1l1urked "For Website Publishing~~)t a copy of which is on file in the
Ci ty Secretary's offi ce ("FDO'~).
Note 2. Geotechnical Report, Stalldards. The plans and specifications for each foundation must be based on a written geotechnical repolt
prepared, signed and sealed by u RLGE. The report nUlst cover all testing and site evaluation, and all must meet all applicable criteria
in "Reconllnended Practice for Geotechnical Explorations and Reportsn published by the Structural COJnmiUee of the Foundation
Performance Association~ H ouston ~ Texas (Document # FP A -SC-04-0, Rev #0, 11 ApliJ 2001, issued for websi te pu bl ishing), a copy
of which is on file in the City Secretary's office. The mini mum depth of borings is 20 feet in all cases. All tests and other laboratory
work [nust be performed by an A2LA Lab.
Nole 3. Geotechnical Report, Scope. HLilnit"edH indicates that the geotechnical testing, evaluation and rep0l1 Inay be liluitcd to a
detennination of the appropri fite depth for the deep foundations (but the deep foundation cOInponcnts must meet the other cri ten a
appl icable to them). hFulr~ indi cates that the geotechnical testi ng, evnluati on and repOIt must cover all foundation components.
Note 4. Special Engineering Certification. Where indicated as "required/' for a particular type of foundation) the RLPE must certify that the
plans and specifications were prepared to achieve a soi l -caused foundati on lllovelnent potenti aI of one inch or less, and that the RLPE
used the estimated depth of the active zone and at least two of the following Jnethods to prepare the plans and specifications:
(I) Potential vertical rise (PVR) determined in accordance with Test Method Tex-124-E, Rev. January I ~ 1978/December 1982~ Texas
State Department of Highways and Public TranSp0l1ation~ Materials and Test Division, "Method for Determining the Potential
Vertical Rise~ PVR" (a copy of which is on file in the office of the City Secretary). For this purposet the ~~dry'~ Inoisture condition
(from which Ii tHe shrinkage is experienced, but where vol umetric swel] potenti al is greatest) shall be used for each sample and test.
(2) Swell tests perforrued in accordance with ASTM 04546-03) "Standard Tesl Methods for One-Dimensional Swell or Settlement
Potential 0 r Cohesi ve Soils" as last revised pri or to June J, 2004.
(3) Suction and hydrometer swell tests performed in accordance with ASTM 05298-03 HStandard Test Method for Measurelnenl of
SoH Potential (Suction) Using Filter Paper" and ASTM 06836-02 .~Standard Test Methods for Detennination or the Soil Water
Charactclistic Curve for Desorption Using a Hanging Column~ Pressure Extractor~ Chilled Mirror Hygrometer~ and/or Centri fuge/' as
sLlch methods were last revised prior to June I, 2004.
Gcotcchrlicc:l R::pot"t The plans and specifications for eac.h fO~lndnt:ion must be based on a
T1'vritten geotechnical report prepared, signed. and ~culcd by a RLGE~ T.he report Inust co'ver atl
Page 5
c.
(2)
(3)
Pa.ge 6
Desorption Using a Hanging Column, Pressure Extractor, Chilled I\firror
Hygrometer, and/or Centrifuge~" as such methods \vere last re-';/ised prior
to June 1, 2004.
(""Dar-fiat cxccption.~ If the basic type of foundation is "structural slab IIvvith l[/o.i.d
space and deep foundations" or "structural floor ""y/ith cr::p~'vl space 3nd deep
foundations," as described belo~l'~/ , neither a P'fR determination nor a s'fl/ell,
sllction or h~ldronleter test is rcquircd~)
d. -1-17oundations, Essie T}pcs~ Each foundation must be of an approved basic type.
.(^:a.pprovcd basic types are listed beloTl'?~ In this list, types of foundations ~rc
defined and described in "Foundation Design Options For Residential and Other
LO'fJ/ Rise Buildings on Expansive Soils" publi~hed by the Structural Committee
of the Foundation Perfoflnance .L^:a.ssociatio.n, Houston, Texas (DOcul11cnt 1t FP..:^...
SC 01 0, Rev ftO, 30 lun 01, marlced "For 'l{ebsite Publishing"), u copy of Tvvhich
is on file in the City Secret3ry's office ('~FDO")~
(1) Stlucturru slab ~.vith void space and deep foundations.
(2) SttucturnI floor \vith crn\~/l space Ull.d deep foundations~
(3) Stiffened structural slab v.rith deep foundations.
(1) Stiffened non structural slab '\'/ith deep foundations~
(5) Grade supported stiffened structural slab~
(6) Grade supported stiffened non structural slab~
(7) Grade supported non stiffened slab of uniform thickness (appro~led for
one stOll' buildings or additions to buildings containing only garage or
storage space, not habitable spo:cc)~
@ Mixed depth SystC-ffi for all nevI building construction~
ill 11ixed depth system for building additions Tl'~/ith deep foundations.
ill .L^LDother type approycd by special exception issued by tIle BSe. See "h,"
belo'tyv ~
e-c~. Foundatio/ls, Deep Support Components~ Deep sup.port components must be of
an ap.proved type. Approved types are listed below. In t.his list, types of deep
support conlponents are defined and described in FDO~
(1) Drilled and llnderreamed concrete piers.
(2) Drilled straight-shaft concrete piers~
Page 7
(3) Auger-cast concrete piles.
(4) Another type approved by special exception issued by the BSC. See "h,"
below.
g. e. ~"Dou71dations, Observation & Certification. Each foundation must be
professionally observed ao.d ll1Ust be certified .by an RLPE, as more fully
described below:
( 1) Observations l11USt:
(i) be performed either by the certifying RLPE or by one or more
persons under that RLPEts direct supervision and control whose
professional qualifications are approved by the RLPE (any such
person may be an RLGE, with respect to geo.physical matters),
(ii) include actual measurement of piers, fill, compactio.n,
reinforcement, forms, materials, dinlension.s, structural elements,
stressing, tendons, tensions, attachments, etc. before the work is
covered or co.ncrete is placed eN ote: dimensions of an underground
element may be Ineasured or estimated from the fomls.. boring or
cavity for the elenlenL before pouring or filling),
(iii) be perfor.med continuously during placenlent of concrete and an)'
stressing or tensioning operations, and
(iv) be documented in a form and manner approved by the building
official (which luay include photographs).
Page 8
(2) Certifications l11USt:
(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 an.d reported to the building official and that
co.mply with applicable regulations),
(iii) state that the ~l'vork complies vlith sound engineering practices,
ffvt comply with criteria as to form and content as may be specified by
the building official,
(!v) be signed and sealed by the certifying RLPE, and
(vi) be filed with the building officiaL
(3) Certifications may:
(i) rely in pmt upon an attached certification by a RLO.E, as to
geophysical ll1atters, and
(ii) rely in part upon an attached certification by an A2LA Lab, as to
materials testing~
Before franting or other work commences atop a foundation (and before the
foundation is otherwise covered), the pelmittee must obtain written
acknowledgulent from the buildin.g official that the certification for the foundation
was duly filed as required above. Certifications, plans, specifications and related
items may be kept on file by the City, for public inspection, for an indefinite
period of time.
fh f Special Exceptions. The ESe may issue a special exception fro.ill any
requirement in subsection "a" through "g," above, but only upon a showing that:
(1) the requirement will not affect life safety or the performance of a structure
(for its estimated useful life); or
(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.
However: (i) unless the basic tvoe of fOll.ndation. is "structural slab with void
Page 9
space and deep foundations'~ or "structural floor with crawl space and deeD
foundat.ions.." as described in this section.. the BSC may not issue a special
exceotion waiving any requirement for an RLPE er RLGE to have orofessiona.l
errors and Ofilissions insurance.. in whole or in" part and (:ii) the BSC may not
waive any reauirement for an RLGE to have such insurance~ In connection with
any &aeh-special exception, the ESe may require that the applicant provide
sllpporting e"ngineering data and opinion~ and the BSC may impose conditions to
carry out the purpose and intent of applicable regulations.
Amend paragraph 4 under UlnternationaJ Building Code" as follows:
4. All concrete piers, footings and foundations must "be cured for at least 72 hours "before
any significant load is placed on them.
Page 10