May 3rd, 2006 minutes
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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Daniel Beebe, Russell Brickell, and Larry Frost |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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Moncef Hadiji, Jeff Hardie, and Jeff Oliver |
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STAFF PRESENT: |
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Phil Burke and Rich Barr, Fire Marshal |
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PUBLIC PRESENT: |
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None present |
Chairman Frost called the meeting to order at 6:12 pm.
Minutes
The minutes of the April 5th, 2006 meeting had been mailed to all members. All members present had viewed the minutes prior to the meeting. Frost made a motion to accept the minutes and Brickell seconded the motion, the motion passed unanimously.
Rich Barr, Fire Marshal
Mr. Barr distributed some materials to the Board Members and Staff. Mr. Barr stated that the Fire Code Board is recommending to the City Commission the adoption the International Fire Code. One of the sheets Mr. Barr distributed was references from the IFC to an Electrical Code. Mr. Barr wanted to make sure that any references from the Fire Code would have comparable references to the City of Lawrence Electrical Code which is based on the NEC.
Frost stated that he was under the impression that the ICCEC directly referenced the NEC. He had been involved in some preliminary International Code discussions and recalls that being mentioned. Frost questioned what book the references on the sheets correlated too.
Brickell stated that these references are from the Fire Code where they make reference to an Electrical Code, but the description would give everyone an idea of what they would relate to in the NEC. Brickell said that most of the references were to the general wiring methods required for equipment and others dealt with special occupancies, a small part deals with emergency power supplies.
Barr responded that he will be ordering a copy of the ICCEC and will make it available for viewing. He wants to be assured that all his bases are covered in respect to these Code references by both the Fire Board and Electrical Board. Mr. Barr thought that later in the process a letter would be required from the Electrical Board stating that these references from the Fire Code would be covered within the NEC as adopted by the City of Lawrence.
Beebe mentioned that from his experience no sections in the NEC referred to cryogenic fluids, he wondered if that type of reference would cause difficulties.
Brickell added that this is considered a hazardous location and the NEC addresses what type of wiring methods would be required.
Frost asked Barr who the main user of the City Fire Code was, would it be the alarm companies.
Barr stated that most everyone involved with buildings of any type had to deal with the City’s Fire Code. A lot of the use of the Fire Code was with regard to sprinkling, access and other various items. Barr has not found too many people that enjoy dealing with the Fire Code, but they do have many users of the Code.
Brickell stated that most items referenced from the Fire Code deal with the controlling of ignition sources.
Unfinished Business
Chairman Frost asked Staff to find out for sure if Dan Wilkus has submitted a formal resignation to the City Mangers office or not.
Beebe asked that his mailing address be updated.
Frost stated that Topeka had sent him a mailing regarding the concrete encased electrode and how their jurisdiction was dealing with the requirement. Frost summarized that the location of the connection to the footing rebar would be painted orange for ease in locating it by the Inspector.
New Business
Staff showed the Board the revised draft document with changes suggested by Brickell.
The draft document is posted on the Neighborhood Resources web site as well as the upcoming announcement of the public input meeting on the draft.
Frost asked Staff if any comment forms had been received.
Staff had not received any back as of meeting time.
Staff had the Board view the draft letter to be sent to all Electrical Contractors currently in the database. This letter will inform these parties as to the upcoming meeting where public comment will be heard on the draft document that will form the next City of Lawrence Electrical Code. Staff suggested that the Board hold the public comment session at the next regularly scheduled meeting on June 7th 2006. Once approved by the Board, the letters will be mailed out during the middle of May. The letter has been approved by the Neighborhood Resources Code Enforcement Manager, Barry Walthall.
The Board saw no problems with the letter and hearing comment at the next regularly scheduled meeting in June.
Frost asked if the Members had any further business. Frost stated that he and Daniel would look at some of the Fire Code references to make sure there are not any conflicts.
Brickell stated he would be looking at the comparison very closely also.
Staff mentioned his statement about where he had taken his stance on “bubble cover” enforcement was actually not in the 2002 NEC Handbook as he had previously stated. Staff had a changes book from an IAEI seminar that he attended where this item was discussed and that is what he has been going by in the field. He noted that some jurisdictions have actually amended the Code to be a little clearer about what is considered allowable.
Frost mentioned most Contractors are changing to the recessed type box and cover currently being stocked in Lawrence. These covers meet the Code and provide a much nicer finished look on the exterior of the house and can be used with all different types of siding material.
Beebe commented that many Electricians were moving the receptacle off the porch and off to the side to limit the impact of the appearance of the “bubble cover” not to mention the cover is less likely to become damaged out of the line of traffic. He had always disliked the appearance of this type of cover, especially on some of the higher end properties.
Correspondence
Staff had received no correspondence.
Frost made a motion to adjourn and it was seconded by Beebe. Motion passed unanimously and meeting was adjourned at 6:41 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Phil Burke, Secretary