April 14,
2008 minutes
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MEMBERS
PRESENT: |
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Bryan
Wyatt, Kevin Chaney, Gary Mohr, Jim Sparkes |
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MEMBERS
ABSENT: |
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Mark
Jarboe |
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GUEST
PRESENT: |
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Bobbie
Flory, LHBA, Bill Schweitzer, IAPMO |
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STAFF
PRESENT: EX-OFFICIO: |
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Barry
Walthall, Building Safety Manager Patrick
O’Brien, Mechanical Inspector |
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Meeting called to order at 6:35 p.m.
Review and approve minutes from
January 14, 2008
Mohr made a motion to approve the minutes as
written. Wyatt seconded the motion. Pass 4-0.
Wyatt
inquired the status of the vent free heater amendment process.
Walthall
replied staff had been asked to combine the amendment with another code change
that was made to the plumbing code into a single ordinance and is scheduled to
be heard for first reading on the April 29th City Commission agenda.
Wyatt
stated he would like to be made more aware of the process as he had assumed the
amendment had already been adopted by the City Commission.
Walthall
stated the amendment was originally scheduled for the City Commission in March
but was held back by the City Manager to receive opinions from the fire department. During that time an amendment was made to the
plumbing code and the two ordinances were combined to be presented to the City
Commission. Walthall apologized for not
keeping the board up to date.
Elect Chairman and Vice-Chairman
Sparkes made a motion to elect Chaney as
Chairman. Seconded by Wyatt. Pass 3-0.
Chaney made a motion to elect Wyatt as
Vice-Chairman. Seconded by Mohr.
Pass 3-0.
Discuss Manual J design temperature
parameters
Chaney
began discussion explaining the outdoor design temperature the City is
requiring is 93 degrees and he stated he is concerned the temperature is too
low. He was concerned since the there
were 22 days in 2007 that were recorded above 95 degrees, and four of those
days it was over 100 degrees.
Mohr
referred to the standards by ASHRAE that have recording stations in Topeka and
Kansas City, MO that say 96 or 97 degrees would be appropriate for use in load
calculations. The more important aspect
is to select the equipment for a higher temperature since it is typically in a
confined space. Mohr stated he would
recommend 96 or 97 degrees for load calculations and a 76 degree wet bulb.
Staff
stated most of the discussion concerning the load calculations has been the
outdoor design temperature. Submittals
would be accepted with a 2 degree variance from the 93 degree design
temperature. Staff stated ACCA changes
the design temperature annually to stay current with the actual design
conditions. The capacity of the
equipment is also important when making equipment selection. As the temperature increases, capacity of
equipment goes down and it is important to design the equipment to the higher
ambient outdoor temperature such as 105 degrees.
Chaney
clarified with staff that they could size the equipment based on the higher
outdoor temperature.
Staff
replied there has been limited discussion on the equipment selection process,
but gave indication that the higher ambient temperature would be allowed for
equipment selection.
Mohr
stated the contractor should use discretion when choosing the location of the
cooling equipment. He also stated some
of the requirements were beyond the board’s reach as far as determining the
size of the equipment.
Chaney
asked if there was a mandated indoor temperature setting.
Staff
replied there is not any requirement on indoor temperature setting. Staff also mentioned with energy code
provisions that require higher insulation values for walls, ceilings, ductwork,
there is a trend that equipment sizes will decrease.
Mohr
stated he does not feel the board has the authority to tell the City what to
accept and what not to accept. He would
entertain a recommendation to raise the outdoor design temperature to 95
degrees with a swing of plus or minus two degrees.
Walthall
suggested if the board would like to make a recommendation to that effect,
Development Services would use that recommendation for accepting design
submittals.
Wyatt
asked if staff had fielded concerns from contractors about the ‘Manual J”
submittals.
Walthall
replied there had not been specific complaints pertaining to the design
temperature, there had been concerns regarding the ‘Manual J” calculations were
recommending smaller equipment than what was previously utilized. The other
concern is that the calculations are required to be provided, particularly at
the time of the permit application.
Wyatt
stated he wanted to make sure if there were code issues, the board was being
informed and could have discussions to resolve those issues.
Walthall
replied that it was good for the board to be involved in the issues to help
them get resolved. Walthall also stated
the newly adopted codes have been and will continue to be a learning process
for all parties involved. He agreed with
the board suggesting a baseline for the outdoor design temperature.
Mohr moved to recommend making 95 degrees the
baseline for outdoor design temperature with plus or minus two degree swing.
Bobbie
Flory stated the builders were originally opposed to requiring the submittals
of the load calculations at the time of permit application, but had not taken
into consideration the parameters that were required with regard to design
temperature and agreed the temperature should be raised. At this time, with the minimal amount of
building permits being issued, it was difficult to recognize a trend or a
baseline of where the new codes were producing issues. She also mentioned many builders have not
factored in what the energy code will result in.
Mohr
stated the energy code also mandates equipment not be oversized.
Walthall
mentioned the code is not totally clear on what the temperature should be and
appreciates the input the board is giving on this issue.
Wyatt
mentioned he had an issue brought to his attention recently where on a remodel,
the inspector was requiring a “Manual D”, but a “Manual J” was not required and
was wondering why a “Manual D” was required and a “Manual J” was not.
Staff
replied the situation in question was a fire remodel and there was an entirely
new HVAC system installed, staff requested the “Manual D” to verify the system
duct sizes not knowing a “Manual J” had not been submitted. Staff also explained the way the code is
written, a remodel would not require a “Manual J”, staff mentioned the language
is not clear and if an entire system were replaced, it should be required to
submit the load calculations.
Wyatt
asked where the line should be drawn, because the intent of the board was to
not require remodels to submit load calculations since a fair amount of
de-construction could occur.
Walthall
stated even if a load calculation was not submitted, one should have been
performed to know what to install.
Wyatt
stated on this particular remodel, there were no plans, so there was not a
method to perform the load calculations and the duct design. There needs to be a clear cut plan when items
are required to be submitted and when they are not.
Chaney
stated he assumes the contractor probably replaced the system with the same
size equipment.
Mohr
echoed Walthall in saying the calculations are required to be performed,
whether or not they are submitted.
Sparkes
asked if only the equipment were changed, would there need to be a calculation.
Staff
replied there would not need to be a calculation submitted.
Wyatt
stated everyone needs to be working together and communicating so issues do not
end up at the Commission level.
Sparkes
stated there will be a period of time with the new codes where miscellaneous
issues will come up and will need to be worked out.
Mohr
repeated his motion to recommend making
95 degrees the baseline for outdoor design temperature with plus or minus two
degree swing. Seconded by Chaney. Pass 4-0.
Flory
asked if the motion would require Commission action or will it be immediate.
Walthall
replied the recommendation would be implemented immediately.
Miscellaneous
None
Motion
to adjourn made by Wyatt, seconded by Mohr, pass 4-0.
Meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m.