Council Subcommittee

MINUTES OF THE GILBERT COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE ON BUILDING CODES, MARCH 6, 2019, AT 4:00 P.M., ROOM 100, 90 EAST CIVIC CENTER DRIVE, GILBERT, ARIZONA COUNCIL PRESENT: Chair Jared Taylor and Councilmember Scott Anderson COUNCIL ABSENT: Councilmember Aimee Yentes 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 5:00 p.m. AGENDA ITEMS 1. Approval of the minutes of the February 6, 2019 meeting. A MOTION was made by Chair Taylor, seconded by Councilmember Anderson, to approve the minutes of the February 6, 2019 meeting. Motion carried 2-0. 2. Presentation of significant changes to the 2018 Building Codes. Fire Marshal DuBois discussed changes to the 2018 International Fire code. 907.2.3 Group E Manual Fire Alarm System: increased occupants for when fire alarms required. Group R-4 Fire Alarm System: fire alarm no longer required. 312.3 Vehicle Impact Protection: different types of barriers allowed. 315.6, 605.12 Storage and Abandoned Wiring in Plenums: requires removal of abandoned wiring in pelnums. 315.7 Outdoor Pallet Storage: new section with requirements. 319 Mobile Food Preparation Vehicles: new section. Arizona Revised Statues has regulations and Department of Health Services will inspect the vehicles. 607.3.3.3.1 Hood Cleaning: remove old tag and put up new tag when hood is cleaned. 611 Hyperbaric Chambers: new section with regulations. 901.4.6 and 901.6.4.4 Fire pump and riser: new section already in Gilbert code. 901.6.2 Integrated Fire Protection: requires the design engineer to make sure all systems work together, especially in high-rise buildings. 904.2, 904.11 Water Mist System: can be used as fire protection in place of sprinklers in certain situations. 904.14 Aerosol Fire Extinguishing Systems: recognized as alternative fire suppression system. 913.2.2 Electric Circuits Supplying Fire Pumps: require listed wiring. 1006.2.2.6 Groups R-3 and R-4 Protected With NFPA 13 D Sprinkler System: new section with more distance if sprinkle system installed. 1010.1.4.4 Locking Arrangements in Educational Occupancies: ensures people can exit safely when locking out others. Also one main control at front of building that would release all the locks. 1010.3 :eration of Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings: new section. 1103.5.1 Fire Sprinklers in Existing Group A-2 Occupancies: there are currently no facilities in Gilbert that are not sprinkled. 1105.6.2 Fire-Protection-Rated Doors in Existing Group I-2: allows different ways to activate doors. Chapter 12 Energy systems: new chapter concerning battery storage, for example battery banks. 2303.2.1 Height of Emergency Disconnect Switch: regulations for location of disconnect switch. 2306.7.3.1 Protection from Vehicle Impact: allows for the addition of more barriers. 2311.8 Repair of Vehicles Fueled by Lighter-than Air Fuels: rules to protect people working in shops. 2810 Outdoor Storage of Pallets at Pallet Manufacturing and Recycling Facilities: new section with regulations. 3105 Temporary Special Event Structures: requires approval when set up. The Fire Department does tent inspection for tents over a certain size. 3106 Outdoor Assembly Events: rules when there are more than 1,000 attendees. If there are fences exits are required. 3306.2 Cleaning with Flammable Gas: rules for piping and systems. 5307.4 Carbon Dioxide Enrichment Systems: used for storage for CO2 for soft drinks. Tanks may be installed correctly but pumps discharging CO2 can build up. All pumps must be vented. Chapter 38 Higher Education Laboratories: new chapter that does not apply to Gilbert. Chapter 39 Processing and Extraction Facilities: new chapter with regulations. 5103.2.2, 5104.2.2, 5104.3.3, 5104.8, 5106.2.2 Aerosol Cooking Spray Products: rules for cooking spray in commercial establishments. 907.2.6, 907.5.2.1, 907.5.2.3 Fire Alarm and Detection Systems for Group I-2 Condition 2 Occupancies: allows for the set-up of private code alarm to deal with in-house problems. 1008.2.3 Illumination of the Exit Discharge: illuminated path to safe area required. 1009.8 Two Way Communication: requires elevators to communicate to exterior source. 1010.1.9.9, 1010.1.10 Electrically Locked Egress Doors: rules for using locks to control egress. 3206.10.3 Dead-end Aisles in High-piled Combustible Storage: clarification to language. 314.4 Indoor Display of Vehicles: ability to access battery needs to be hooked up. 315.3.1: Modifications for storage locations in sprinkled and non-sprinkled room. 403 Emergency Preparedness Requirements: all businesses are required to have a plan and these are the rules. 403.12.3 & 403.12.3.1 Crowd Managers: required for large crowds. 404 Emergency Preparedness Updates-Educational Facility Lockdowns/Locking Arrangements: plan required for school lock-downs. The Fire Department and Police Department are already working with schools on this section. 510.4.2.5 Emergency Responder Radio Coverage: applies to large structures only and there are none in Gilbert at this time. The Fire Department is having discussion on setting the threshold for when this section applies. 603.3.2.1 Fueled Fire Appliances: this applies to larger tanks. 605.13, 605.16, 605.17 Refrigerants with Lower Flammability Hazards: rules to prevent fire. 606.6 Sprinkler Systems and Water in Hoistway: applies to elevators. 606.12 Pressure Relief Devices for Mechanical Refrigeration: requirements for pressure relief devices. 607.4 Gas-fired Appliance Connections: need to review this section 608.3 Nonmetallic Cooking Oil Storage Tanks: plastic must be UL listed quality. 807 Combustible Decorative Materials: generally found in an educational environment and rules given. 901.8.2 Class II Standpipe: old standpipes can be removed. 903.3.1.2.3 Protection of Attics in Group R Occupancies: Gilbert already requires this. 903.3.1.2 NFPA 13R Sprinkler Systems: modification to code. 904.12 Commercial Cooking Operations: allows water mist suppression systems. 904.13 Domestic Cooking in Institutional Occupancies: stoves are required to be UL 300 compliant. 905.3.1 Class III Standpipes: conditions for these standpipes. 905.4 Class I Standpipe Hose Connection: already in Gilbert code, refers to connection for firehose to hook into water supply. 907.1.2 Fire Alarm Construction Documents: clarification to code. 907.2 Fire Alarms in Group A Occupancies: regulations are lowed, fewer manual alarms required with sprinklers systems. 907.2.10.3, 907.2.10.4 Smoke alarm to close to shower or steam: eliminate false alarms caused by steam. 907.5.2.2.4 Emergency Voice/Alarm Communication System Captions: this does not apply in Gilbert. 910.5 Maintenance of Smoke and Heat Removal Equipment: defines maintenance schedule. 915 Carbon Monoxide Detection and 916 Gas Detection Systems: requirements. Chapter 10 Means of Egress: all requirements moved to one section. 1004.1.1, 1004.5, 1004.8 Cumulative Occupant Loads: clarifies had occupant load is calculated. 1006.2.1 Spaces With One Exit or Exit Access Doorway, 1006.3.1 Exits on Adjacent Stories, 1007.1 Exit and Exit Access Door Configuration, and : defines where exits need to be located. 1010.1.9.8, 1010.1.9.8.1 Delayed egress: expands section for businesses that want to prevent people from taking merchandise and running out. 1010.1.9.12 Locks on Stairway Doors: rules for locking doors from the stairwell side. 1010.1.10 Panic Hardware and Fire Exit Hardware: clarification of devices. 1016.2 Egress Through Intervening Spaces: clarification. 1017.2.2 Travel Distance Increase for Group F-1 and S-1 Occupancies: distances increased. 1018.3, 1018.5 Aisles: minimum widths and widths based on occupant load. 1023.3.1 Stairway Extension: allows more distance between exit stairway and exit passageway. 1103.4.1 Vertical Openings in Existing Group I-2 and I-3 Occupancies: need to review. 1025.1 Luminous Egress Path Marking in Group I-1’s: required on stairwells five stories and more high. 1026.4 Refuge Areas for Horizontal Exits: clarification. 1030.1 Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings: lessened number needed if it is sprinkled. 1103.9 Carbon Monoxide Detectors in Existing Buildings: no longer required to retroactively fit existing building. 1104.16.2 Wall openings Adjacent to Fire Escapes: not allowed in Gilbert. 1206.2 Stationary Storage Battery Systems: rules for racks with battery banks. 3504.1.7, 3510 Hot Work on Flammable and Combustible Liquid Storage Tanks: regulations. 2203.1m 2203.2 Combustible Dust: dust hazard analysis required to ensure safe environment. 2307.4, 2307.5, 2307.6, 2307.7, 2307.8 LP-gas Dispensing Operations: regulations. 2403.2.1.3 Classified Electrical Areas Around Spray Booths: electrical outlets near flammable spray booths moved to 3 feet from 5 feet. 3107.13 LP-gas Containers and Tanks Adjacent to Tents and Membrane Structures: not applicable in Gilbert. Chapter 32 High-piled Combustible Storage: reconciles the various codes. 3203.2 Class I Commodities: rules for using and storing plastic pallets. Table 5003.1.1(1) Consumer Fireworks: maximum allowed quantity is increased. 5003.8.3.4 Construction of Control Areas: allows reduction to one hour fire rating when sprinkled. 5005.1.12 Protection of Hazardous Materials Piping Systems: shut-off valve required to isolate system. 5103.2, 5104.1.2 Aerosol Products in Plastic Containers: rules to prevent fires spreading. 5306.1, 5306.2 Medical Gas Storage: room needs 1 hour fire rating. 5307.3 Carbon Dioxide Detection: either detection or ventilation required. 6104.3 Location of LP-gas Containers: applies to containers over 2,000 gallons not less than five feet from public area. There are updates and additions to appendices. These can be adopted with the code. They can also be modified as well. Appendix B Fire-Flow Requirements for Buildings: tables added for better clarification. Appendix C Fire hydrant Locations and Distribution: Gilbert Engineering Standards are more stringent. Appendix E Hazard Categories: reclassification depending on chemical compound and weight. Appendix K Construction Requirements for Existing Ambulatory Care Facilities: new section. Appendix L Fire Fighter Air Replenishment Systems: new section. Appendix M Retroactive Installation of Fire Sprinklers in Existing High-rise Buildings: does not apply in Gilbert. Appendix N Indoor Trade Shows and Exhibition: different rules for materials used for indoor displays. Chair Taylor said he is concerned about the section on crowd control and the effect that could have on churches. Fire Marshal DuBois said he views that as a requirement for bars or concert halls. Chair Taylor asked about the section on the separation of exits. Fire Marshal DuBois said there are a lot of variables in this section. It depends on the use, size, smoke control system, type of fuel. Chair Taylor said he would like to learn more about domestic cooking item, illumination on stairwells, and minimum width corridors. 3. Discussion of next steps. Plan Review and Inspection Manager Taylor said he has about 30 minutes of material left to review. The next meeting will be March 27, 2019 at 4:30 p.m. ADJOURN Chair Taylor adjourned the meeting at 6:10 p.m.  ATTEST: ___________________________ ___________________________________ Chair Jared Taylor Lisa Maxwell, MMC, Town Clerk