April 30, 2007 minutes
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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Jim Sparkes, Bryan Wyatt, Gary Mohr, Mark Jarboe |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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Kevin Chaney |
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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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Tim Pinnick, Plan Review Manager
Patrick O’Brien, Mechanical Inspector |
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Meeting called to order at 6:49 p.m.
After review Mohr made a motion to approve the minutes as written. Seconded by Sparkes, pass 4-0.
Discuss the review of chapters 13-18 of the 2006 IRC
Staff distributed the draft ordinance adopting the 2006 IRC and explained that staff is in the process of redoing Chapter 5 of the City Code which is the building chapter to make it more user friendly. All the boards will be in one section and all the trade licensing will be in one section. Each board will still have ownership of the appropriate sections. Staff stated that once the articles are complete they will be distributed to the boards.
Staff also distributed a letter from the Lawrence Home Builders Association explaining that they supported the Mechanical Board in the adoption of the IMC.
Staff also distributed IRC sections that were in the existing mechanical ordinance and showed the changes.
Sparkes questioned the LHBA letter declaring the Mechanical Board of Appeals has the full support of the LHBA.
Mohr stated that the City Commission has directed the board to review the ICC codes.
Staff stated that origination of the letter is unknown and was asked to forward to the Mechanical Board.
Wyatt suggested discussing the letter at the next meeting.
Wyatt asked if the board wants to begin the IRC review chapter by chapter and bring up any concerns they had at that time. The board agreed.
Sparkes stated that in section M1202.1 there was discussion at the last meeting concerning that existing systems shall not become overloaded.
Wyatt agree and that Chaney asked if the City checked to make sure systems were not overtaxed on performance and if the system was required to be upsized.
Wyatt expressed concern about a system that is at it’s limit and a room is added, causing the existing system to work improperly.
Jarboe asked if the board was using the definition of overloaded from the UMC.
Staff stated that if load calculations are required for new homes, that an addition to the house would also require a load calculation.
Wyatt stated that this is a good subject for discussion and that it needs to be addressed for overloading systems.
Sparkes pointed out a concern about section M1202.3 that inspectors will not have time to reinspect systems to make sure they are maintained.
Wyatt stated this was for renters if they thought their system was unsafe they could call the building inspection department for an inspection.
Mohr stated that this section gave the City the authority to inspect a system if a problem is suspected.
Sparkes stated that this would be a good time to have a rep from ICC at the meeting to be able to find the intent of the code.
Pinnick stated a representative was to attend the last two meetings. Scheduling conflicts prevented attending tonight but two representatives are available by telephone.
Wyatt asked Sparkes if he had his list of questions for the ICC person to send in.
Sparkes stated that he did, and would like to have the person present to ask questions.
Wyatt stated that he hoped that if there were questions for ICC, that staff could get them to ICC and the ICC person would come to the meeting with the answers.
Sparkes asked what the City requires for access as provided in section M1401.2 when it talks about access and wanted to know what the city is following.
Staff replied that clearances for furnace replacements can be reduced from 30” if any component can be removed from the furnace, for new construction the clearance will be 30”. All the clearances are covered in chapter 13 and have not changed from the UMC.
Sparkes asked about drain overflow pans for coils.
Staff stated that it is also contained in the code and also allows water level detection devices that will shutdown the system when there is a condensate problem. Condensate disposal is covered under section M1411.3 in the IRC.
Wyatt explained to Jarboe the importance of an overflow pan for a coil when installed over finished areas. Wyatt also stated that now if a replacement furnace does not meet the clearances, the manufacturer information allows reduced clearances if components can be removed. He has had on occasion had to rotate the new furnace 180 degrees and install a door to achieve the required clearances.
Schweitzer stated that chapter 9 has specific clearance requirements along with chapter 13.
Mohr stated that he would like to get through the chapter reviews before discussing other matters.
Mohr stated that from a code standpoint the 30” clearance is still a good number. He also asked if the board planned to modify M1307.3 to keep the 14” height of the elevation of ignition source.
Staff responded that it had been modified as stated in the handout that was given earlier.
Mohr suggested adding the word “return” in section M1601.1.1, #5 in front of plenum, to prohibit the use of gypsum products in any supply air applications.
Sparkes initiated a discussion about section M1801.3.2, requiring existing chimneys to have a liner installed unless the clay liner was free of all defects. He stated that he did not feel comfortable with requiring all chimneys to be lined if they could not meet the requirements.
Staff replied that now chimneys without a clay liner must have a liner installed and that the intent was that a contractor would have to prove the existing clay liner was free of defects or it would have to have a new metal liner.
Sparkes stated that some chimneys that have an existing clay liner could still have obstructions unless the chimney is examined thoroughly.
Wyatt stated that he checks to make sure that even a clay-lined chimney is safe before he will attach a new furnace to it. He stated that he didn’t think that changing the wording would be enforceable.
Staff stated that the way the section is worded that all chimneys will be lined with a metal liner or the chimney would be abandoned and a direct vent appliance would be installed.
The board decided to review chapters 19-23 for the next meeting.
Staff suggested to the board that they review chapter 24 also since it was the fuel gas chapter and that they would only need to review the venting and combustion air portions. The gas piping was being reviewed by the Plumbing board.
The board agreed.
Miscellaneous
Staff responded that the Commission directed the boards to adopt the International family of codes and return with appropriate amendments.
Schweitzer also stated that pertaining to gas pipe pressure testing that the 3 pounds or 1 and one half times the operating pressure and that amount of pressure will not detect a slow leak.
Staff stated that there had not been a change in the testing pressure and plumbing contractors were still testing at 10 pounds.
Sparkes had concern when a house is constructed under the I-Codes and there is a problem with water pressure, who is going to be responsible to fix it.
Pinnick responded that he get call all the time on issues like this. Most of the time, these types of issues have to be worked out with the homeowner and contractor and ultimately the homeowner ends up paying for any repairs.
Wyatt stated that it is typically a civil matter between the homeowner and the contractor to come up with a viable solution.
Mohr stated that the code is just a minimum standard and the buyer must beware.
Staff informed the board that the Plumbing board is planning to adopt the three codes as-is and that problems could be addressed in the future. It was pending the input of one board member that has been unavailable since the Commission direction.
Motion to adjourn made by Mohr, seconded by Sparkes, passed 4-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.