February 28, 2006 minutes
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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Lynn Barrington, Jim Sparkes, Bryan Wyatt, Kevin Chaney, Frank Estrada |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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None |
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GUEST PRESENT: |
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Bill Schweitzer, IAPMO |
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STAFF PRESENT:
EX-OFFICIO: |
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Victor Torres, Neighborhood Resources Director
Patrick O’Brien, Mechanical Inspector |
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Meeting called to order at 9:00 a.m.
Wyatt requested that under the review of the October minutes when staff responded to the inquiry about the joint meeting to remove mechanical sections, there needed to be added that the board agreed with staff that a meeting would not be necessary.
Chaney made a motion to approve the minutes as written. Seconded by Wyatt, pass 4-0.
Update from staff regarding flat fees for miscellaneous permits
Staff distributed memo and stated that Neighborhood Resources plan to implement flat permit fees for residential mechanical changeouts and will begin to proceed with a draft of a policy and will keep the board updated.
Wyatt asked if a flat fee will make the permit process easier.
Torres replied that the process is automated and will not affect the permit process, but the suggestion from the board is valued and makes sense in the fact that regardless of the cost of the installation, the inspection is the same.
Wyatt stated that the flat permit fee will remove the chance of an undervalued permit.
Torres advised the board that the process for implementation may still be a few months down the road given the present workload in the legal department.
Chaney asked how the fees will be structured, either a fee for each changeout or a fee for each piece of equipment.
Torres responded by inviting the board to make suggestions on how the fees may be structured.
Barrington suggested the fees be based on each piece of equipment.
Barrington made a motion for to charge a fee for each piece of equipment. Seconded by Chaney. Pass 4-0.
Chaney inquired about the new automated phone inspection scheduling system. He stated that he normally faxed in his permits and does not usually get a permit number back for each one. He requested that staff fax back the permit numbers for contractors to use in the phone system.
Torres responded that staff has discussed posting all permit numbers on the city’s website.
Chaney suggested making inspections that involve a homeowner be a top priority when scheduling inspections.
Torres assured the board that inspections that involve a homeowner always receive top priority.
Begin review of 2006 Uniform Mechanical Code
Bill Schweitzer of IAPMO explained to the board that the new chapter 4 of the 2006 UMC now includes all the ventilation requirements of ASHRAE 62 but has made it easier to read than the actual publication.
(The following paragraph is in reference to the Agenda item pertaining to performance standards)
Schweitzer continued that in Chapter 6 of the 2006 UMC, the requirement for duct sizing refers to ANSI’s Manual J for residential load calculations. He also emphasized that time could not allow an inspector to calculate all the loads in a residential home, but the contractor could provide a “J Sheet” with all the calculations and then the inspector would be able to compare the “J Sheet” to the actual conditions on the job site.
Schweitzer also stated that the 2006 UMC is now in effect and will be supplying the Mechanical Board and Building Inspections with code books and analysis of changes for review. Schweitzer stated that most of the changes in the code are verbiage changes and format changes that do not affect the context of the code.
Wyatt asked staff if the new Chapter 4 covers the requirements that had been missing from previous code editions.
Staff responded that the ventilation requirements are still being reviewed.
Wyatt asked if there could be a review of the changes made to the 2006 UMC so the board knew what all the changes were.
Schweitzer responded that he could conduct a review of the changes with the board.
The board decided on March 14th unless there is a conflict and then March 21st for an alternate at 9:00 a.m. in the Neighborhood Resources office.
Wyatt asked Torres what the position of Neighborhood Resources requiring the “J Sheet” for residential construction.
Torres stated that the City of Lawrence is in the process of reviewing the energy code. It would require all the information such as windows, roof, ceiling, walls, doors, and insulation to determine a house’s efficiency.
Wyatt was concerned if the requirements were known by the contractor, how the inspector would know if the correct size of ductwork was installed by the subcontractor.
Torres replied that the board could refer to a program known as “ResCheck” that is used to determine the efficiency of a house to see what kind of information is contained about the ductwork system.
Schweitzer added that if the “ResCheck” program said a certain size furnace would make an efficient house, but may not perform properly. The “J Sheet” would serve that purpose.
Kevin suggested getting all the information from the “ResCheck” and the Manual J and compare the two and have further discussion on the topic.
Discuss performance standards for residential duct systems
Wyatt stated that the discussion had already moved into this topic but would like to raise the concern that many of the homes being built do not receive the proper airflow to properly heat and cool the new homes but also did not want to add a huge burden of adding more requirements on to the Building Inspection Department. His main focus is to ensure homes are being built with the proper airflow and how to have an easy solution on how the implement a method of enforcement. His concern is that the contractor must be competitive and be able to make money but also must install a system that is going to work properly and the burden should be on the contractor to install a system that works efficiently. Since once a system is installed and the house is completed, it is much more difficult to make corrections on a poorly performing system. Wyatt stated that the problem is not coming from an individual company but is a larger problem. Contractors need to be made aware that the systems being installed must perform properly.
Sparkes asked Schweitzer if the Manual J and the “J Sheet” would solve the problems that Wyatt has addressed.
Schweitzer stated that the information discussed earlier pertaining to the “J Sheet” would fill the requirements and ensure a better performing system.
Wyatt reiterated that the responsibility of installing a properly performing system is on the contractor, but would like to have at least a minimum standard in place that is easy for the inspector to enforce and not add a large amount of time to the inspection.
Staff stated that there are many software programs available that can calculate and design the duct system and can provide a drawing on the proper duct system.
Barrington stated that all commercial duct systems require design by an engineer and even after the system is installed and balanced right, problems can still arise with hot and cold rooms.
Wyatt stated that he has contacted contractors to inquire about problems with airflow and the contractor replied that the job was passed by the city, that he doesn’t have to do anything. Wyatt would like to have some kind of recourse to fall back on.
Sparkes asked if the energy code will help improve the performance of the duct system.
Torres replied that the energy code will make major impacts on heating and cooling.
Elect new chairman and vice-chairman
Wyatt moved to nominate Jim Sparkes as Chairman. Seconded by Chaney. Pass 4-0.
Barrington stated that his activity plate is full and is not sure if he will be seeking a second term and to not include him as eligible for an officer position at this time. He would like to see some of the issues finished up, but not sure if staying on another six months would be fair to the board to do.
Motion made by Barrington to nominate Kevin Chaney as Vice-Chair. Seconded by Wyatt. Pass 4-0.
Miscellaneous
Barrington inquired how a contractor who had previously been licensed, but did not keep up the continuing education requirements, what would be the status of his license.
Torres stated that without the continuing education requirements, his license would expire.
Torres asked Schweitzer whether the 2006 UMC was available to the public or not.
Schweitzer replied that they were.
Torres stated that he looked online and didn’t see it, but if you (Schweitzer) says that they are, then fine.
Torres stated that city staff appreciates the time and dedication that the board contributes to the tasks given to them, and respects their opinions and the work that you do.
Torres reminded the board that the state has passed a requirement that all licensed people must attend 12 hours of continuing education. Torres continued that the city is in the process of many ordinances; one included is getting the trade contractors into the Contractor Licensing ordinance, and with that task, takes time to make sure all the affected ordinances are reviewed for accuracy. Legal is working to get it all coordinated does take time and they sometimes have to wait in line to get them through the legal process.
Torres asked Schweitzer where in the State of Kansas IAPMO has provided training to fulfill the new state requirement.
Schweitzer replied that any type of training that is requested, they can provide. At IAPMO’s last chapter meeting, attendees received 2 CEU’s for attending the training. There will be another meeting in El Dorado to provide additional training for the Branine water heater installations.
Torres asked again, where in the State of Kansas IAPMO has provided training to comply with the new state requirement.
Schweitzer replied that they have not provided training unless it has been requested.
Torres asked, no jurisdiction has requested training to comply with the new state requirements.
Schweitzer stated that Wichita and Garden City conducted training last year and IAPMO obtained certification with PHCC to qualify for CEU’s.
Torres asked what the proposal for 2006 will be for IAPMO for training.
Schweitzer stated that he had not heard yet but will keep everybody informed.
Barrington asked if the Johnson County continuing education would comply with the state education requirements.
Torres replied that there is a new house bill being introduced that requires the continuing education be under the local jurisdictions current codes. He stated that if that law passes, where are Lawrence licensed people going to get training.
Chaney asked if that were the case, would they be able to get training.
Schweitzer stated that the IAPMO chapter can provide the training as needed for those requirements.
Chaney asked if the Johnson County training would count in Lawrence.
Torres stated that any of the training provided by Johnson County would comply with the Lawrence requirement.
Barrington asked about how to get all the other licensed Journeyman trained.
Torres responded that the jurisdiction is not required to administer the training, only to record it.
Torres left the meeting for another meeting.
Chaney suggested to Schweitzer to get some kind of training set up because Victor did not ask those specific questions for no reason, the board agreed with the suggestion. He also stated that he does not want Victor to come back and say that IAPMO is not willing to offer classes. And be sure that Lawrence is included in any kind of training that IAPMO offers.
Schweitzer assured the board that training will get set up in the near future.
Motion to adjourn made by Wyatt, seconded by Chaney, passed 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m.