Council Subcommittee

MINUTES OF THE GILBERT COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE ON BUILDING CODES, FEBRUARY 6, 2019, AT 4:30 P.M., ROOM 100, 90 EAST CIVIC CENTER DRIVE, GILBERT, ARIZONA COUNCIL PRESENT: Chair Jared Taylor and Councilmembers Scott Anderson and Aimee Yentes COUNCIL ABSENT: none STAFF PRESENT: Town Clerk Lisa Maxwell, Development Services Director Kyle Mieras, Plan Review and Inspection Manager Larry Taylor, Fire Marshal Dan DuBois CALL TO ORDER Chair Taylor called the meeting to order at 4:34 p.m. AGENDA ITEMS 1. Approval of the minutes of the January 15, 2019 meeting. A MOTION was made by Councilmember Anderson, seconded by Chair Taylor, to approve the minutes of the January 15, 2019 meeting. Motion carried 2-0 with Councilmember Yentes not present for the vote. 2. Report on presentation to the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce. Plan Review and Inspection Manager Taylor met with the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce a couple of weeks ago. He gave a presentation on the Commercial Building Codes. He reported the feedback he received was positive. The 2018 Building Codes are viewed as being pro-business friendly. 3. Presentation of significant changes to the 2018 Building Codes. 2018 International Residential Code (IRC): R101.2 Scope/R202 Definitions: This update allows accessory structures to be three stories with no size limitation. The previous IRC only allowed a two story structure of 3,000 square feet. R301.2(4)A & B Ultimate Design Speeds: The wind speed maps were changed to match the International Building Code (IBC). It was 90 miles per hour and it changed to 115 miles per hour. Table R302.1(1) Exterior Walls: This update allows building to be located closer to the lot line if fireblocking is installed between the wall top plate and roof sheathing. Fireblocking is slow burning and it gives the fire department time to get to scene. Table R302.1(1) Exterior Walls: Penetrations are permitted a minimum of three feet from the property line without special treatment. R304.1 Minimum Area: The requirement for one habitable room with a minimum of 120 square feet was removed. R305.1 Ceiling Height: The ceiling height for bathrooms, toilet rooms and laundry rooms was to a minimum of 6 feet eight inches. Obstructions such as beams are ducts are now allowed at a minimum height of six feet four inches from the finished floor. R308.4.2 Glazing: The location of glass with safety glazing was defined. R308.4.4.1 Structural Glass Baluster Panels: A top rail is required. R310.1 Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings: These are no longer required for bedrooms in basements if there are fire sprinklers and there is at least one emergency escape and rescue opening in the basement. R311.7.3 Stairways: The maximum vertical rise between floor levels or landings increased to twelve feet seven inches. 311.7.8.2 Handrail Projections: A new exception allows handrails to project a maximum of 6 feet six inches into a stairway in certain circumstances. R311.7.10.1 Spiral Stairways: The requirement for a center post was removed. R311.7.11 Alternating Tread Devices and R311.7.12 Ships Ladders: These are now permitted as access to lofts and mezzanines that are no more than 200 square feet. R311.8 Ramps: The grade can be steeper the ramp is not serving the egress door. R312.1.2 Guards: The height of the rail would now be measured from floor. R314 Smoke Alarms: The exception for interconnecting additional smoke alarms was removed. Wireless smoke alarms are allowed. R315.3 Carbon Monoxide Alarm Location: Required in bedrooms where a fuel-burning appliance is present in the bedroom or attached bathroom. R315.5 Carbon Monoxide Alarm Interconnectivity: Whenever more than one alarm is required they must be interconnected. R315.6 Power Source: Carbon monoxide alarms must be connected to the building’s wiring. R324.6.2.2 Solar Panel Installation: Panels cannot be located below an escape or rescue opening. R325 Mezzanines: New addition to IRC with provisions for mezzanines. R327 Stationary Storage Battery Systems: New addition to the IRC gives provisions for battery storage. They may be installed in non-habitable spaces and ventilation requirements must be followed. Table R502.3.1 Floor Joist Spans, Table R802.4 Ceiling Joist Spans, and Table R802.5 Rafter Spans: There are minor changes to span length. Energy Efficency: N1101.13 Compliance: This update provides three paths for compliance. N1102.1.3 R-value Computation: Insulated siding can be used in the calculation for satisfying the insulation R-value. N1103.3 Duct Sealing and Testing: Leakage rates are no longer mandatory. 1104.1 Lighting Systems: The percentage of high efficacy light bulbs in permanently installed light fixtures increased to 90 percent. Table N1106.4 Maximum Energy Rating Index: This increased to 57 becoming less restrictive. Mechanical: M1305.1.1. Furnaces and Air Handlers: The requirement for specific clearances for equipment installed in closets or compartments was removed. M1502.4.4 Dryer Exhaust Duct Power Ventilators: Now recognized in the IRC. M1502.4.5.3: The length of power ventilator duct is determined by the manufacturer. M1502.4.6: A label is required when the exhaust duct exceeds 35 feet in length. M1503.6 Range Hoods: Now only requires makeup air when natural draft gas appliances are present. Fuel Gas: G2404.11 Condensate Pumps: Pumps located in uninhabitable spaces must be connected to equipment in such a way the equipment turns off if the pump fails. Table G2413.2 Approximate Gas Input for Typical Appliances: This was removed. G2414.4.2 Steel: Steel pipe is now allowed to be used for fuel-gas piping. G2414.6 Plastic Pipe: PVC and CPVC pipe is not permitted for use as gas piping. G2415.7.1 Piping Through Bored Holes or Notches: Protection must extend four inches on both sides of a stud wherever protection is required. There is an exception for steel piping. G2427.4.1 Plastic Piping: This is only allowed when it is approved the venting when the appliance is listed for its use. Plumbing: P2503.7 Water Supply System Testing: An exception was added so PEX piping can be air tested P2603.2.1 Protection Against Physical Damage: The minimum distance concealed piping can be to the face of a stud without protection was reduced. P2713.1 Bathtub Overflows: Would no longer be required. P2801.6 Required Pan: These can now be plastic. P2903.5 Water Hammer: This was added back to the IRC and they allow for quick closing valves. Some new sections added to plumbing will probably be removed from the Gilbert Code as they are monitored by Maricopa County. P3010 and P3011.1 Trenchless Sewer Replacement: This is new technology for replacement of sewers and piping. P3103.1.3 – Vent Terminals: Plumbing vents can be terminated at two inches instead of the current six inches of they are covered. Electrical: E3702.13 Electric Vehicle Branch Circuit: This must be a dedicated circuit for vehicle charging stations and it cannot supply other outlets. E3703.5 Garage Branch Circuits: There must be one dedicated 20 amp circuit for the garage. E3901.9 Garage Receptacles: A receptacle is now required in each car bay. E3901.2 Wall Space: Cabinets with counter tops are considered wall space when spacing electrical outlets. E3901.4.3 Peninsular Countertop Space: The required outlet spacing is now measured from the perpendicular wall. E3902.8 Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) in Bathrooms: GFCI is required within six feet of bathtubs and showers. E3902.9 Laundry Areas: All receptacles in laundry areas must be GFCI protected. E3902.10 Kitchen Dishwasher Branch-Circuit: GFCI protection required. E3902.16 Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) Protection: Kitchen and laundry rooms now require AFCI protection. E4002.9 Wet Locations: Outlet box hoods have to be extra duty which the exception for locations where a pressure washer routinely used. Appendices are not part of code unless they are specifically adopted There is an Appendix A regarding Tiny houses. This section relaxes a lot of the IRC codes. Many times these homes are built somewhere else and moved to a different location. They would not be subject to Gilbert Building Codes. 4. Discussion of next steps. Chair Taylor said many of the comments received on the website repeats. He asked if the form should be closed. If anyone has any comments they can email members of the subcommittee. Development Services Director Mieras said the department has been active in contacting interested parties. Plan Review and Inspection Manager Taylor noted changes in IRC and application of those codes are two different issues. He said he thought about removing the sections that do not pertain to this region but it would not make the Town’s Building Code any smaller as there would be more amendments about disregarding different sections. Councilmember Anderson said he thinks some builders believe the Town only uses what is found in the amendments. They think if the entire IRC is adopted the Town will go through the IRC trying to find things wrong with buildings. Plan Review and Inspection Manager Taylor said that may be been true many years ago but it is not true today. The next meeting will be March 6, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. ADJOURN Chair Taylor adjourned the meeting at 5:17 p.m. ATTEST: ___________________________ ___________________________________ Chair Jared Taylor Lisa Maxwell, MMC, Town Clerk