Building Code Review Board

Regular Meeting

DeKalb, IL · September 3, 2015

Minutes

CITY OF DEKALB BUILDING BOARD OF APPEALS MINUTES September 3, 2015 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 9:06 by Chairman Whitmore. 2. Roll Call BBA Members present were Chairman Don Whitmore, Charles Shepard, and Jim Ward. Also present were Andrew Pieri of the City of Rockford, Ken Anderson of DeKalb County Builders and Developer Association, Steve Doonan of DeKalb Mechanical, Christine Scholl, and Matt Swanson representing the DeKalb County Building Trades Council. Steve Irving, Jerry Evans, Lisa Sharp, and Keith O’Higgens were unable to attend. Staff present were Community Development Director Ellen Divita, Deputy Fire Chief Greg Hoyle, Fire Chief Eric Hicks, Dan Burrow of SAFEbuilt, and Community Development Administrative Assistant Natalie Nelson. Natalie Nelson acted as recording Secretary. No quorum was present at the time of the start of the meeting. However, Charles Shepard joined the meeting at 9:20 AM and a quorum was present at that time. 3. Approval of Agenda Charles Shepard motioned to approve the Agenda without changes, and the motion was seconded by Jim Ward. All approved. 4. Approval of Minutes Jim Ward motioned to approve the August 13, 2015, minutes, and the motion was seconded by Charles Shepard. All approved. 5. New Business Discussion of the code updates under consideration: COMMITTEE REPORTS ON DRAFT OF REGIONAL BUILDING CODE REVIEW ACTIVITY • Mechanical: Steve Doonan is drafting a list of items to present next meeting. • Electric: Ken Anderson will seek electricians interested in helping with the review. • Plumbing. Jerry Evans was unavailable to report. Final Minutes 090315 Building Board of Appeals Meeting 1 • IBC (commercial): Christine Scholl, Don Whitmore, and Lisa Sharp met to discuss IBC. They compared the current Code to the updates. They came to consensus that there were no impediments to adopting the 2015 Code. • Fire: Greg Hoyle stated he has begun review of the 2015 Code. • IRC: No update. • Existing Building Code: Don Whitmore, Christine Scholl, and Lisa Sharp reviewed the 2015 Code and have found no real objections. This updated Code is more complicated than it used to be, but it offers alternative control systems and a more detailed breakdown of categories of renovation. This is better for the applicant as it provides guidelines that are more specific to remodeling. REGIONAL GROUP UPDATE – ANDREW PIERI, CFM, CITY OF ROCKFORD Andrew Pieri presented that the philosophy was held by the work group that it would be beneficial for Rockford-area communities to adopt the 2015 ICC Code with a limited number of amendments attached. Their philosophy is that having a uniform code throughout the area would make it easier for people to build less expensive homes since the requirements would not differ from place to place. It would also make it easier for designers, plan reviewers, and inspectors. Representatives from each group of industry professionals and representatives from many communities were invited to attend meetings in Rockford. Regarding specific topics from the group, he stated that the Rockford Area Business Association discussed sprinkler requirements for single-family homes and townhouses that are individually owned and rented. Rockford has adopted the Code guideline that all new townhouses must be built with sprinklers, regardless of the number of attached to each other. It was found that it was simpler to require all townhouses to have sprinklers, rather than making an arbitrary number or units for which a sprinkler system would be required. Andrew Pieri stated that he met with the DeKalb County Builders Associate and the topic of sprinklers was discussed. Some have asked about a compromise about sprinklers: four- and three-unit townhouses would be exempt from the requirement. Two units are considered duplexes and would be exempt as well. According to Andrew, each of the objections he heard from builders against requiring sprinkler systems in all townhouses can be countered with legitimate responses. • Builders have argued that townhouses that are being built are not selling well currently, and this requirement would increase the asking prices. However, these costs are passed on to buyers and are relatively minor when they are amortized. • Another objection was that sprinklers would reduce the amount of profit builders would see, but again, the costs are minimal compared to the entire construction, and they are passed to buyers. • Builders have also argued that they would have to warranty the sprinklers, but that is no different from the current requirement that they must warranty the entire home anyway, which leads to improved products for buyers. • Additionally, a sprinkler requirement would result in employing another tradesperson who would likely take a full day to install a sprinkler system. Sprinkler installation would not significantly delay construction. • Sprinkler systems currently require backflow inspections which is just another inspection like all the others required for new construction. • Despite these objections, Andrew Pieri said that the Rockford Builders Association supported the townhouse sprinkler requirement. Christine Scholl discussed that new fire-resistant requirements might affect the basic design and the look of 3- and 4-unit townhouses, which might make sprinklers more attractive. She voiced site plan concerns about how multiple sets of 4-unit townhouses might be built to avoid a sprinkler requirement. Chuck Shepard stated he was willing to consider the sprinkler requirement as proposed by the regional group. Discussion was held regarding the difficulty to compare the costs of installing sprinklers and installing two-hour separation fire-resistant materials, as there are too many variables in the cost of materials and labor involved. Matt Swanson, who represents DeKalb building trades, spoke about how the current Code allows laborers to perform the work from five feet outside the structure to the property line, and that is how it has been for over 100 years. The new Code requires licensed plumbers do that work. He objected to adopting the new Code because these laborers would lose their jobs under the new Code. Christine Scholl explained that while laborers would not be allowed to connect to municipal water, they would still be able to do the excavating and laying of pipe, just not the actual connecting, as that would need to be supervised by a licensed plumbing. Andrew Pieri stated that Rockford has had requirement since 1993. Andrew will provide clarification of the verbiage—whether it must be an Illinois licensed plumber or if it can be an Illinois licensed plumbing contractor—who oversees the connection to municipal water. It was noted that a building sewer is not considered plumbing, so working on that connection is not at issue. Schedule Andrew Pieri spoke about the goal for all partner communities to participate in the regional building code with amendments, along with Rockford and Winnebago County/communities. They will meet next week to discuss policies, including administrative issues. They have set a goal of all communities joining and adopting the 2015 Code by January 1, 2016. It is not likely that DeKalb will be read to adopt the 2015 Code by January 1, 2016. Code Training Sessions: Rockford, Dixon DeKalb November 5, 2015, 7:30 AM-4:30 PM, the International Code Council training will take place at Faranda’s, regardless of whether or not DeKalb participates in the 2015 Code. Several presenters will be participating. Most of the sessions will be free. Both general industry knowledge and code-specific topics will be covered. 3. WORK TASKS • The Board will convene with trade builders to discuss updating to the 2015 Code. • The Board will take actions to educate the community on this possible change to the Code. • The Building Board of Appeals would need to vote to go forward with the 2015 Code. • Each participating community is writing its own administrative chapter, as this section is to be created by each individual municipality, including fees, permits, inspections, and other administrative areas. • The Board will still consider the: o townhouse sprinkler requirements. o Section related to requirements for a licensed plumber to perform connection work to water/sewer in the areas from five feet outside a building to the property line. This issue must be deferred to the Plumbing Board. • Members of the Board will reach out to individuals who may be able to fill the Electric representative position on the Board. The next Building Board of Appeals meeting is set for September 24, 2015, 9 AM at DeKalb City Hall. • All should reach out to other community members interested in working on review. • Each work group should work to present written comments that can be used for community education. • If you have anything prepared, get it to Ellen the week before the next meeting. HEARING AND SEEING NO ADDITIONAL COMMENT FROM ATTENDEES, CHAIRMAN DON WHITMORE CLOSED THE MEETING AT 10:29 AM.

Agenda

BUILDING BOARD OF APPEALS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT 200 S FOURTH STREET COUNCIL CHAMBERS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2015 – 9:00 A.M. CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF AGENDA (Deletions or Additions) APPROVAL OF MINUTES (AUGUST 23, 2015) NEW BUSINESS 1. Committee reports on draft Regional Building Code review activity (committee composition, work underway, next steps for the subcommittee)  Mechanical  Electric  Plumbing  IBC (commercial)  Fire  IRC.  Existing Building Code 2. Regional Group Update – Andrew Pieri, CFM, City of Rockford  Draft Code Updates  Schedule  November Training sessions: Rockford, Dixon, DeKalb 3. Work Tasks  Timeline to review and identify all needed changes within current code  DeKalb suggested amendments  Calendar for subcommittee work and community meetings ANYTHING THAT MAY LEGALLY COME BEFORE THE BOARD CITY OF DEKALB BUILDING BOARD OF APPEALS MINUTES August 13, 2015 Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 8:00 AM by Chairman Whitmore. BBA Members present were Chairman Don Whitmore, Charles Shepard, and Lisa Sharp. Also present were Ken Anderson, Steve Doonan, Jerry Evans, Dennie Elliot, Will Heinisch, Randy Nelson, and Christine Scholl. Keith O’Higgens and Dan Hager were unable to attend. Staff present were Community Development Director Ellen Divita, Deputy Fire Chief Greg Hoyle, and Dan Burrow of SAFEbuilt. Ellen Divita acted as recording Secretary. There was no change made to the agenda. With spelling corrections, a motion was made to approve the July 16, 2015 minutes by Chuck Shepard. Second by Jerry Evans. All approved. DISCUSSION OF THE CODE UPDATES UNDER CONSIDERATION: SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS o Mechanical. Steve Doonan was welcomed to the group. Steve discussed the gas piping requirements of the code as proposed by the regional group. All high pressure gas lines and all 2” and above pipe to be welded. o Electric. No discussion. Chairman Whitmore will call Dan Hager and Lance Ferris to discuss. o Plumbing. No report. o IBC (commercial). The group has reviewed some good comparison documents, including one from the City of Galesburg found on-line, and the ICC docs. Lisa and Christine Scholl will write up comments. The Regional group eliminated the Accessibility chapter and replaced with the Illinois; Christine will check for any conflicts and needed amendments within other sections. o Fire. Greg Hoyle has received the transition documents referencing the upgrades from 2006 forward and will begin reviewing. o IRC. Dan is preparing narrative on the changes. o Existing Building Code. The point system is still within the 2015 Code and this was discussed briefly. The group will look at what a change of use or additions will mean for an older building. If a use stays the same, the code application is less stringent. With fire suppression in place, there is often enough points to overcome other requirements. The newer codes consider earthquakes, and the group will review for what that may mean. GENERAL DISCUSSION Draft Minutes 070215 Building Board of Appeals Meeting 1 In general discussion the group discussed the Area of Refuge, 300 s.f. of non-accessible space allowed in religious structures, IBC requirement of manual fire alarms in assembly uses with 300 occupants (and proposed amendment for 100 occupants – they feel the latter may be too stringent), The regional group has taken out a consideration to require an outside power connect, based on new information from Commonwealth Edison (and their ability to de-power a structure through the smart grid system). The DCBDA members asked why the City is considering an upgrade of the Codes. BBA members noted these benefits: o Potential ability to influence State Codes (as a group); more important as the Energy, Accessibility, and Plumbing codes are updated without room for variance. o Consistency is a benefit for construction design professionals working across the region. o To benefit from the extensive work done in Rockford by a large group of industry professionals who have already considered the update. o Keeping the code books current can affect insurance ratings in a positive way o A thought we should get as far ahead as we can since we’ll most likely sit on the next codes for 9-12 years again. The adopted codes of other cities was discussed including: Naperville is on 2012’s, Batavia, sycamore are using 2006’s. Geneva has a mix of 2006 and 2009’s. St. Charles is in the 2009 code. The group discussed fire suppression and the regional group’s decision to exempt sprinklers in single family homes (with appropriate fire proofing), but to require them for townhomes. IRC fire protection on I- joists is an issue and Ken Anderson said he is researching the new materials including joists and sprinkler systems. He has a meeting set with Weyerhauser. The builders present are against the requirement for sprinklers in townhomes. The definition of what a townhouse is will affect the sprinkler application. The BBA said they will consider the definition, use of firewalls, and number of units. Updates o The DeKalb County Builders Association is hosting a meeting the following week with Andrew Pieri of Rockford coming to speak and discuss the proposed code. o Greg Hoyle – Rockford Work Group Schedule timeline --  September 9, 2015 final document is their concern.  They still expect January 1, 2016 to move forward.  A Standard building permit is being created  3 regional areas have been chosen for training. (Dixon, DeKalb, Rockford)  They continue to talk to other communities and there may be more that sign on. o The next Building Board of Appeals meeting is set for September 3, 2015, 9 AM at DeKalb City Hall.  All should reach out to other community members interested in working on revie  Each work group should work to present a written reports that can be used for community education.  If you have anything prepared, get it to Ellen the week before the next meeting. HEARING AND SEEING NO ADDITIONAL COMMENT FROM ATTENDEES, THE CHAIRMAN CLOSED THE MEETING AT 9:25 AM.