City of Lawrence

Mechanical Board of Appeals

July 26, 2012 minutes

MEMBERS PRESENT:	Laura Blanchard-Chair, Mark Jarboe-Vice Chair, Wayne Duncan, Chris Champagne
MEMBERS ABSENT:	Eric Epperson
GUEST PRESENT:	None
STAFF PRESENT: EX-OFFICIO:	None Patrick O’Brien, Building Inspector II

Chair called the meeting to order at 4:31 p.m.

Review and approve minutes from July 12, 2012

After review, Jarboe moved to accept the minutes as written. Seconded by Champagne; Passed 4-0.

Discuss the 2012 International Residential Code

The chair opened the floor for discussion.  Champagne stated one of the changes was in the air leakage testing the amount of leakage required to pass has been reduced, with the rough-in without equipment test reducing from 4cfm/100ft² the 3cfm/100ft². Rough-in with equipment test reducing from 6cfm/100ft² to 4cfm/100ft².

Staff indicated there was a discrepancy between the International Residential Code(IRC) and International Mechanical Code(IMC) with the dryer vent length requirement. The IRC was inadvertently left at 25ft and the IMC was changed to 35ft.  They are now both the same at 35ft.

Blanchard stated the building envelope requirements have been made more stringent.

Champagne stated there is now a requirement for all new homes to have a whole house “blower door test”.

Jarboe asked what credentials are required to perform the air leakage testing of the duct.  Staff responded that any 3^rd party testing agency must be certified in their profession to test, and mechanical contractors can test their own system provided an inspector witness the test.

Champagne stated that when the “blower door test” shows less than 5 ach(air changes per hour), there is a requirement that outside air be brought in to the house by mechanical means.  It was determined that a Heat recovery ventilator does not need to be installed and can be accomplished by piping outside air into a return air duct.

Staff stated the duct test can be omitted if a whole house “blower door test” is performed.

Blanchard asked if there should be a requirement.

Staff stated that if a contractor wanted to cover his installation, they should perform an air leakage test anyway to ensure there were no leaks in the duct.

There was discussion of building framing cavities not being allowed to be used as ducts or plenums.  After the board found the code to be inconsistent in the requirement of air ducts or plenums, staff was asked to confer with the building code board to see if there was a way to make the code consistent.

Staff brought to the board’s attention concerning unvented heaters being installed in certain situations and also requiring a carbon monoxide detector shall be installed in the house.  The current code now requires a carbon monoxide detector be installed when any work requiring a permit.  Duncan moved to allow unvented heaters and additionally require a CO detector in the same room with the appliance. Seconded by Jarboe.  Pass 4-0.  Staff stated they would make the changes for review by the board.

Discuss length limitation of flexible duct

Blanchard made a motion to table discussion of flexible duct until the next meeting to allow for additional research.  Seconded by Champagne.  Pass 4-0.

Continue discussion of underground ducts

Blanchard made a motion to table discussion of underground duct until the next meeting.  Seconded by Champagne.  Pass 4-0.

Miscellaneous

Next meeting to be held August 21, 2012.

Adjourn

Motion to adjourn made by Duncan.  Seconded by Jarboe; passed 4-0.  Meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m.

Members	07/12/12	07/26/12
Laura Blanchard	+	+
Wayne Duncan	+	+
Mark Jarboe	+	+
Eric Epperson	A	A
Chris Champagne	+	+

Attendance Roster

+=Present; EA=Excused Absence; A=Absent