Building Code Review Board

CITY OF DEKALB BUILDING BOARD OF APPEALS MINUTES March 23, 2016 Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 9:29 AM by Chairman Don Whitmore. Roll Call BBA Members present were Chairman Don Whitmore, Christine Scholl, Lisa Sharp, and Jim Ward. Charles Shepard arrived at 9:39 AM. Steve Irving was not present. Staff present were Community Development Director Ellen Divita, Fire Chief Eric Hicks, and Community Development Administrative Assistant Natalie Nelson. Natalie Nelson acted as recording Secretary. Dan Burrows of SAFEbuilt joined the meeting at 9:20 AM. Approval of Agenda Chairman Whitmore requested for a motion to approve the agenda with a modification to address New Business before Old Business. L. Sharp motioned to approve the Agenda, and the motion was seconded by C. Scholl. All approved by voice vote. Public Participation None Approval of Minutes 1. February 11, 2016 – Building Board of Appeals full committee meeting 2. February 19, 2016 – Building Board of Appeals subcommittee meeting 3. March 4, 2016 – Building Board of Appeals full committee meeting Chairman Whitmore requested for a motion to approve the minutes from the Building Board of Appeals meetings held on February 11, February 19 (subcommittee), and March 4, 2016. C. Scholl motioned to approve all three sets of minutes, and the motion was seconded by L. Sharp. All approved by voice vote. New Business 1. Consideration of Roof Permits The intent of examining the City’s handling of roofing is to establish minimum code requirements to safeguard the public health, safety and general welfare through structural strength, means of egress facilities, stability, sanitation, adequate light and ventilation, energy conservation and safety to life and property from fire and other hazards attributed to the building environment and to BBA Mar 23 2016 approved minutes provide safety to fire fighters and emergency responders during emergency operations. IBC, section 101.3 Residential Recommendation Discussion: D. Burrows reported that homeowners have called the City of DeKalb’s Building Division to complain about the quality of roofing work contracts have done. He related a situation in which a homeowner discovered that the contractor he hired to work on his roof removed and replaced the shingles in the front of the house only and just covered the back part with another layer of shingles without the homeowner’s knowledge. There is currently nothing the City can do to help remedy the situation because there is no requirement for the City to permit or inspect roofs, nor are roofing contractors required to register with the City. The only recourse for homeowners is legal action. The timing of roofing inspections was discussed. The Board considered if it would be beneficial to require rough-in inspections and/or a final inspections. Requiring roofing inspections would mean inspectors would make multiple trips out to the site, and they may need to climb up onto roofs. The Board decided that no inspections should be required. Roofing permit applications and roofing contractor registration with the City were also discussed. It was considered that if the City requires this documentation, a homeowner who seeks to remedy a complaint about poor work would be better protected. C. Scholl recommended that roofing contractors register with the City, to prove that they have insurance. A permit application would allow the City to know who performed the work and to confirm the person performing the work is aware of the City’s requirements. C. Shepard stated that a permit application’s informational element is necessary for homeowners and contractors, so requiring a permit application would be beneficial. L. Sharp asked if a roofing permit application would be required for a small repair. C. Shepard recommended that the permit application requirement would apply to roof repairs of 100 square feet or larger. The Board agreed that this guideline would be adequate. The Board agreed that roofing contractors should be required to register with the City and roofing permit applications should be required by the City. Commercial Recommendation Discussion: D. Burrows described the different types of roof that are installed on commercial buildings. He recommended that the City require a permit and inspection of roof installation on existing commercial buildings, including inspection of flashing and insulation (if being replaced). L. Sharp confirmed that a roofing permit would not be required for new commercial buildings, as roofing would be rolled into the initial permit application. A discussion took place of a proposed requirement for commercial roofs to be “installed to manufacturer’s specification.” It was recommended that the City’s permit application be submitted along with a printout of the roofing manufacturer’s system description details and installation instructions. This would serve as a certification that the contractor intends 2  to install according to the roofing manufacturer specifications and the building code. As a result, the City would not have to actually inspect any roof and thus not be liable for any roofing defects. C. Scholl asked if SAFEbuilt could research other communities and their treatment of roofing permits. E. Divita stated she would contact Ken Andersen and other contractors in the community to get their feedback before proposing roofing permit requirements to City Council. The City will send a letter to contractors notifying them of proposed roofing permit requirements prior to bringing it before the City Council. C. Scholl asked if the proposed roofing permit fee should be increased to $50. L. Sharp recommended that the City keep the fee at $30 unless it is found later on that these permits require a higher fee due to the time they require. Old Business 1. Continued review of 2015 ICC Building Codes The Commission turned its attention to City of DeKalb Municipal Code Chapter 14: Rooming Houses. Chief Hicks expressed concern that any changes to Chapter 14 would cause objections from the community. He recommended that the requirements for smoke detectors should stay in Chapter 14, not be addressed in the City’s Chapter 24. The Commission expressed its intention to review the amendment changes recommended by Keith O’Higgins and Steve Doonan to ensure they are included in both the Mechanical Code and the Residential Code. The following chapters in the 2015 International Residential Code Part V. Mechanical will be examined in greater detail: Chapter 12: Mechanical Administration Chapter 13: General Mechanical System Requirements Chapter 14: Heating and Cooling Equipment and Appliances Chapter 15: Exhaust Systems Chapter 16: Duct Systems Chapter 17: Combustion Air Chapter 18: Chimneys and Vents Chapter 19: Special Appliances, Equipment and Systems Chapter 23: Solar Thermal Energy Systems The following chapters in the 2015 International Residential Code Part V Mechanical will be retained: Chapter 20: Boilers and Water Heaters Chapter 21: Hydronic Piping Chapter 22 Special Piping and Storage systems 3 The following chapter the 2015 International Residential Code Part VI Fuel Gas will be examined in greater detail: Chapter 24: Fuel Gas The following chapters from the 2015 International Residential Code Part VII Plumbing will be revised as follows: Delete Chapter 25: Plumbing Administration Delete Chapter 26: General Plumbing Requirements Delete Chapter 27: Plumbing Fixtures Delete Chapter 28: Water Heaters Delete Chapter 29: Water supply and Distribution Delete Chapter 30: Sanitary Drainage Delete Chapter 31: Vents Delete Chapter 32: Traps Retain Chapter 33: Storm Drainage Delete Appendix I: Private Sewage Disposal Add: All plumbing to comply with the currently adopted State of Illinois Plumbing Code. The following chapters from the 2015 International Residential Code Part VIII Electrical will be revised as follows: Delete Chapter 34: General Requirements Delete Chapter 35: Electrical Definitions Delete Chapter 36: Services Delete Chapter 37: Branch Circuit and Feeder Requirements Delete Chapter 38: Wiring Methods Delete Chapter 39: Power and Lighting Delete Chapter 40: Devices and Luminaires Delete Chapter 41: Appliance Installation Delete Chapter 42: Swimming Pools Delete Chapter 43: Class 2 Remote-Control Signaling and Power-Limiting Circuits Delete reference to Deletion of Appendix G SWIMMING POOLS, SPAS AND HOT TUBS (08-11) Add: All electrical to comply with the currently adopted edition of the NFPA 70 - National Electric Code. (03- 143) 24.02-2 INTERNATIONAL EXISTING BUILDING CODE/2003 2015 ADOPTED. The 2003 2015 International Existing Building Code is hereby adopted and considered an alternate code for buildings that qualify as existing buildings as defined in the International Building Code 2003 2015. (08-11) 4 At the next meeting of the Building Board of Appeals, discussion will start at page 12 of the Chapter 24 of the Municipal Code. C. Shepard voiced concern about financial impact of the new calendar-year cycle for contractor bonds. It was suggested that the revised first page of the City’s Municipal Code Chapter 24 list the individual 2015 Codes that are being adopted. Announcements None. Adjournment Hearing and seeing no additional comment from attendees, Chairman Whitmore closed the meeting at 10:58 AM. The next Building Board of Appeals meeting is set for Wednesday April 6, 2016, 10:00AM at DeKalb City Hall. 5