z - Retired - Building and Zoning Committee

MINUTES Village of Westmont Sub Committee ‐ Residential Sprinkler September 9, 2014 4:00 P.M. Westmont Village Hall Executive Session Room 31 West Quincy Street, Westmont, IL Call to Order Attendance/Introductions Trustee Barry, Steve Vernon ‐ Vernon Development, Larry Forssberg, Bob Tinucci, Larry Kaufman, Deputy Chief Jim Connolly, Jill Ziegler, Vicki Senesac, Jim Long, Trustee Barker. Pledge of Allegiance Building Code amendment ‐ Sprinkler requirement. Discussion started with sprinkler heads. Larry Kaufman passed around both a residential and commercial sprinkler head. The residential sprinkler head has a ball, called a frangible disk that activates the sprinkler. In comparison to commercial/industrial sprinkler heads, the size of the orifice is larger and more water comes out for the commercial heads; there is no frangible disk. Residential sprinklers are built for quick response and life safety. Commercial sprinklers are made to save buildings. How quick do the residential sprinklers go off? This is by design. Between 135‐150 degrees is when the sprinkler head will go off. Discussion about height of a ceiling and if this has any effect on sprinklers. Discussion regarding insurance companies and savings. There was also more discussion on ISO codes and how insurance companies look at them. It was discussed that the price per square foot is actually coming down. Approximate cost can be as low as $2 per square foot, or 1 ½% of the cost of construction. A video on sprinklered residences was shown. The Fire Chief has 2 recommendations: 1 ‐ to adopt the 2012 code as it stands 2 ‐ adopt the 2012 code, with an amendment that the sprinkler portion will not go into effect until 1/1/16. More discussion on adopting the code with the amendment, including comments that there are a lot of other changes, with possible additional cost to developers with adopting the 2012 building code. It was mentioned to hold off until 2016, or 2017. Further discussion ensued on the reasoning behind adopting the 2012 code on January 1, 2015, also discussion on the ISO rating. Discussion on the surrounding Villages and what codes they follow. It was noted that the 2015 Building Code is complete. The recommendation will go to the Building & Zoning Committee for the October 2nd meeting. It was discussed that the Committee should find out where Downers Grove & Darien stand on adopting the 2012 building code.