City of Lawrence
Neighborhood Resources Department
MEMORANDUM
TO: David L. Corliss, City Manager
THRU: Debbie Van Saun, Assistant City Manager
FROM: Barry Walthall, Building Safety Manager
Victor Q. Torres, Neighborhood Resources Director
DATE: April 20, 2007
RE: I-Codes review progress report
The review of the 2006 International Building Codes (I-Codes) is underway. I-Codes currently under review and the responsible Board are as follows:
After receiving direction from the City Commission to proceed with the review of the I-Codes we contacted the International Code Council (ICC) to request assistance with the process. ICC has committed to assist by providing complimentary code books for Board members and staff, and will send ICC staff to attend Board meetings as needed. ICC provided 41 books valuing $2,357 needed for review.
A summary of each Boards progress follows:
Building Code Board
The Board has completed review of the International Residential Code (IRC) with exception of the appendix chapter on Radon gas. The Board plans to complete its review of the IRC on May 3 after receiving a presentation from Bruce Snead, Extension Specialist for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment concerning the hazards of Radon gas and the Kansas Radon Program.
The Board has also completed review of the International Energy Conservation Code and staff has prepared a draft ordinance for Board review and approval.
Electrical Code Board
The Board reviewed and created recommended amendments for the IRC electrical trade chapters and forwarded those to the Building Board for inclusion in the IRC draft ordinance.
The 2005 National Electrical Code is the referenced electrical code for the 2006 I-Codes. The Board completed review of the 2005 National Electrical Code in July, 2006. The City Commission voted to adopt the code in August of 2006, and this code is currently enforced.
Fire Code Board
The IFC, 2006 Edition, has been reviewed by the Board of Appeals. The proposed adopting ordinance is drafted with the changes as directed by the City Commission and is ready for Commission consideration.
Mechanical Code Board
The Board met April 2 and the chairperson assigned all members to review IRC chapters 13 through 18 for the next meeting. Staff was requested to report amendments pertaining to the corresponding text in the existing mechanical code for the next meeting, scheduled for April 16. The April 16 meeting has been rescheduled twice because of members schedule conflicts and is now scheduled for April 30.
On April 10 staff provided ICC mechanical code staff contact information to Mechanical Board members, along with the ICC protocol to submit code questions.
Plumbing Code Board
The Board met March 21 to begin review of the plumbing trade chapters of the 2006 IRC. Code books were distributed and there was a discussion of the necessity of amendments. The Board agreed to meet on April 4 to determine the schedule required to complete review of the codes.
At the April 4 Board meeting the Board voted to approve the 2006 International Residential Code and the 2006 International Plumbing Code without amendments pending Hoags review of the fuel gas portions and Lewis thoughts on the issue. Unless Hoag or Lewis have proposals to amend these codes review of the 2006 IRC and 2006 International Plumbing Code is complete.
At the April 18 meeting staff presented rough drafts of ordinances for the plumbing and fuel gas codes, as well as the IRC. Staff also briefed the Board on the work being done to reorganize City Code Chapter 5. The Board will continue the review process and individual members may still propose amendments.
Summary of staff support activities
Staff has begun drafting adopting ordinances for each of the codes under review. As the Boards complete their reviews any amendments recommended will be incorporated into the appropriate draft ordinance.
When the I-Codes are adopted existing Articles will be repealed and replaced and new Articles will be created. Staff will take advantage of this opportunity to reorganize Chapter 5 (Building and Construction) of the City Code to ensure the code is easily accessible and user friendly. A new article will be drafted for administrative provisions of the codes such as permit and inspection requirements, permit fees and Appeals Boards. Another new Article will contain trades licensing provisions.
Schedule of Board meetings
The schedule of Board meetings follows. These dates are subject to change, and additional meetings may be necessary.
April
30 Mechanical Board, 6:00 pm, City Hall
May
2 Plumbing Board, 6:30 pm, City Hall
3 Building Board, 11:30 am, NR offices
14 Mechanical Board, 6:30 pm, City Hall
16 Plumbing Board, 6:30 pm, City Hall
17 Building Board, 11:30 am, NR offices
28 Mechanical Board, 6:30 pm, City Hall
31 Building Board, 11:30 am, NR offices
June
14 Building Board, 11:30 am, NR offices
18 Mechanical Board, 6:30 pm, City Hall
20 Plumbing Board, 6:30 pm, City Hall
28 Building Board, 11:30 am, NR offices
July
2 Mechanical Board, 6:30 pm, City Hall
12 Building Board, 11:30 am, NR offices
16 Mechanical Board, 6:30 pm, City Hall
18 Plumbing Board, 6:30 pm, City Hall
26 Building Board, 11:30 am, NR offices
August
6 Mechanical Board, 6:30 pm, City Hall
9 Building Board, 11:30 am, NR offices
15 Plumbing Board, 6:30 pm, City Hall
20 Mechanical Board, 6:30 pm, City Hall
23 Building Board, 11:30 am, NR offices