Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Fire Medical

TO:	Mike Wildgen City Manager
FROM:	Mark Bradford Chief
CC:	David Corliss, Assistant City Manager Debbie Van Saun, Assistant City Manager Victor Torres, Neighborhood Resources
Date:	March 2, 2006
RE:	Adoption of Blended Codes in the City of Lawrence

The Fire Code Board of Appeals has been meeting regularly to review the 2003 International Fire Code since the adoption of the “blasting ordinance” last fall. Since January, the Board has been scheduling meetings every two weeks to expedite the review process.

During the Code Review Committee (CRC) meetings in 2003 and 2004, the difficulty of referencing Uniform Mechanical Code requirements in the International Fire Code was mentioned.

Upon discussion with the Fire Code Board of Appeals recently, they expressed unanimous concern in trying to reference mechanical code requirements utilizing any other code but the International Mechanical Code. With sixty-six (66) references to the IMC, it would be very cumbersome not only for code enforcement but for architects, construction companies and mechanical contractors.

We cannot stress enough the impact that this may have on the future construction in the community. Envision a mechanical company coming into our community and constructing according to UMC only to find out that the IFC, through its reference to the IMC, requires something different.

If the City wishes to adopt the UMC as a blended code, then our recommendation would be to task the Mechanical Code Board with ensuring that all sections referenced by the International Fire Code be clearly identified in the UMC adopting ordinance, and that the requirements are equivalent to those referenced in the International Mechanical Code. This cross-reference would require review and approval of the Fire Code Board of Appeals.

Victor Torres, Director of Neighborhood Resources, has our list of references to the International Mechanical Code, the International Plumbing Code and the International Fuel Gas Code for your information.