Board of Appeals - June 17, 2021 Minutes
Board of Appeals - June 17, 2021
Members Present: Clay Dietrich, Mike Wild, Justin Schoenberg, and Kevin Bartram.
Members Absent: Brian Berg and Dave Obermiller.
Others Present: Ryan Erickson, Chris Rose, James Showalter, Mike Moss, Luke Olson, Laura Langdahl and Gretchen Morlan.
Chairperson Dietrich called the meeting to order at 9:36AM. Kevin Bartram moved to approve the minutes of the April 1, 2021 meeting, Mike Wild seconded the motion. All members present voted aye, and the motion was declared carried.
Unfinished Business
a) Definition of a Quorum
Continue to next meeting.
Ms. Rose welcomed attendees to the first Board of Appeals Code Hearing meeting.
Ms. Rose stated that the code hearings will begin with the International Building Code (IBC) in hopes of covering Chapters 1-15 on this date. She furthered that staff will be explaining all of the changes since the last code cycle but not changes that do not affect the intent of the code. Ms. Rose stated that in an effort to save time and potentially adopt the code set in the same year as it is issued, only significant changes will be covered.
Ms. Rose requested that the Board consider cancelling the August 12, 2021 hearing due to printing issues and obtaining code books. Mr. Wild inquired if the decision should be made on this date, or if schedules can be checked first. Mr. Wild requested that the decision be tabled until the next meeting so that schedules can be checked.
New Business
a) Review of the International Building Code (IBC), Chapters 1-2.
Presented by Christine Rose.
b) Review of the International Building Code (IBC), Chapters 3-8.
Presented by James Showalter.
c) Review of the International Building Code (IBC), Chapters 9-15.
Presented by Mike Moss.
Staff recommends continuing the existing AMENDMENT: Section 101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Building Code of (NAME OF JURISDICTION) the city of Fargo hereinafter referred to as “this code.”
Staff recommends continuing the existing AMENDMENT: Section 101.4.3 Plumbing. The provisions of the International Plumbing Code North Dakota State Plumbing Code shall apply to the installation, alteration, repair and replacement of plumbing systems, including equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings and appurtenances, and where connected to a water or sewage system and all aspects of a medical gas system. The provisions of the International Private Sewage Disposal Code North Dakota State Plumbing Code shall apply to private sewage disposal systems.
Staff recommends adding the following AMENDMENT: Section 103.1 Creation of enforcement agency. The Inspections Department is hereby created and the official in charge thereof shall be known as the building official. The function of the agency shall be the implementation, administration and enforcement of the provisions of this code.
Section 104.2.1 Determination of substantially improved or substantially damaged existing buildings and structures in flood hazard areas. Staff recommends deleting this section in its entirety as it relates to flood.
Staff recommends continuing the existing local AMENDMENT: Section 104.8.1 Legal Defense. Any suit instituted against an officer or employee because of an act or omission performed by that officer or employee in the lawful discharge of duties and under the provisions of this code shall be afforded all the protection provided by the city’s insurance pool and immunities and defenses provided by other applicable state and federal laws and shall be defended by legal representative of the jurisdiction until the final termination of the proceedings. The building official or any subordinate shall not be liable for cost in any action, suit or proceeding that is instituted in pursuance of the provisions of this code. This code shall not be construed to relieve from or lessen the responsibility of any person owning, operating, or controlling any building or structure for any damages to persons or property caused by defects, nor shall the code enforcement agency or the city be held as assuming any such liability by reason of the inspection authorized by this code or any permits or certificates issued under this code.
Section 104.10.1 Flood hazard area. Staff recommends deleting this section in its entirety as it relates to flood.
Section 104.11 Alternative materials, design and methods of construction and equipment. This section now has criteria to meet with determining if an alternative method should be used. Quality, Strength, Effectiveness, Fire Resistance, Durability and Safety. Ms. Rose stated that there were no previous criteria just that the Building Official had to decide that the material was equal to or above the current code. The intent is the same it is just a little more specific and gives the building official guidelines to meet.
Staff recommends continuing the existing AMENDMENT: 105.2 Work exempt from permit.
Building:
2. Fences not over 7 8.5 feet high.
6. Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above adjacent grade, and not over any basement or story below and are not part of an accessible route.
11. Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings.
12. Window awnings in Group R-3 and U occupancies, supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches (1372 mm) from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.
14. Reroofing.
Section 107.1 General. ***in two or more sets or in digital format where allowed by the building official, with each permit application. ***
Section 107.2.1 Design Flood Elevations. Staff recommends deleting this section in its entirety as it relates to flood.
Staff recommends continuing the existing local AMENDMENT: Section 107.3.1 Approval of construction documents. When the building official …One set of construction documents so reviewed shall be retained by the Building Official. The other set shall be returned to the applicant, shall be kept at the site of work and shall be open to inspection by the building official or a duly authorized representative.
Staff recommends continuing the existing local AMENDMENT: Section 109.2 Schedule of permit fees. On buildings, structures, electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing systems or alterations requiring a permit, a fee for each permit and plan review shall be paid as required, in accordance with the schedule as established by the applicable governing authority Board of City Commissioners. The plan review fees specified in this subsection are separate from, and in addition to, permit fees. When submittal documents are incomplete or changed so as to require additional plan review or when the project involves deferred submittal items as defined in Section 107.3.4.1, an additional plan review fee shall be charged in an amount not to exceed 10% of the building permit fee established in Section 108.2.
Section 110.3.3 Lowest floor elevation. Staff recommends deleting this section in its entirety as it relates to flood.
Section 110.3.5 Types IV-A, IV-B and IV-C connection protection inspection.
In buildings of Types IV-A, IV-B and IV-C construction, where connection fire-resistance ratings are provided by wood cover calculated to meet the requirements of Section 2304.10.1, inspection of the wood cover shall be made after the cover is installed, but before any other coverings or finishes are installed.
Ms. Rose stated that this is a new section that enables the Inspections Department to do inspection on wood buildings that are now allowed to be much taller than in previous codes.
Section 115.3 Emergencies. Where an emergency exists, the building official shall not be required to give a written notice prior to stopping the work.
Section 116 Unsafe Structures and Equipment. Ms. Rose stated that there are a few new items in this section that outline how to post, give notice or serve and restore or abate the structure. She furthered that there is a local ordinance for Dangerous Buildings and this process is similar.
Section 303.1.5 Special Amusement Areas. This is a new section stating that special amusement areas need to comply with Section 411.
Section 304.2 Airport traffic control towers. This is a new section stating that airport traffic control towers need to comply with section 412.
Section 304.3 Ambulatory care facilities. This is a new section stating that ambulatory care facilities need to comply with section 422.
Section 304.4 Higher education laboratories. This is a new section stating that higher education laboratories need to comply with section 428.
Section 305.2 Group E, day care facilities. Staff recommends continuing the existing local AMENDMENT which increases the limit of 5 children to 12 children.
Section 305.2.2 Five or fewer children. Staff recommends continuing the existing local AMENDMENT which increases the limit of 5 children to 12 children.
Section 305.2.3 Five or fewer children in a dwelling unit. Staff recommends continuing the existing local AMENDMENT which increases the limit of 5 children to 12 children.
Section 305.3 Storm shelters in group E occupancies Higher education laboratories. This is a new section stating that Storm shelters in group E occupancies Higher education laboratories need to comply with Section 423.5.
Section 306.2 Moderate-Hazard factory industrial, Group F-1. Two new items have been added to list of F-1 uses: Energy storage systems (ESS) in dedicated use buildings and water/sewer treatment facilities.
Section 306.2.1 Aircraft manufacturing facilities. This is a new section stating that aircraft manufacturing facilities need to comply with Section 412.6.
Section 307.1.1 Uses other than Group H. Item 12 has been updated to include aerosol cooking spray products or plastic aerosol 3 products, and items 18 and 19 have been added to include distilling and brewing or the storage of beer, distilled spirits and wines in barrels and casks shall conform to the International Fire Code (IFC).
Section 308.2 Institutional Group I-1. Group I-1 occupancies shall also comply with Section 420.
Section 308.3.1 (Institutional I-2) Occupancy conditions. Group I-2 occupancies shall also comply with Section 407
Section 308.4 Institutional I-3. Group I-3 occupancies shall also comply with Section 408
Section 308.5 Institutional Group I-4 Daycare facilities. Staff recommends continuing the existing local AMENDMENT which increases the limit of 5 children to 12 children.
Section 308.5.1 Classification as a Group E. Staff recommends continuing the existing local AMENDMENT which increases the limit of 5 children to 12 children.
Section 308.5.3 Five or fewer persons receiving care. Staff recommends continuing the existing local AMENDMENT which increases the limit of 5 children to 12 children.
Section 308.5.4 Five or fewer persons receiving care in a dwelling. Staff recommends continuing the existing local AMENDMENT which increases the limit of 5 children to 12 children.
Section 309.1 Mercantile Group M. This is a clarification that makes it clear that incidental areas do not necessarily have to meet accessibility requirements but rather the public must have access to such areas in order for them to me considered Group M.
Section 309.3 Motor fuel-dispensing facilities. This is a new section stating that motor fuel-dispensing facilities need to comply with Section 406.7.
Section 310.1 Residential Group R. New text added that Group R occupancies not constructed in accordance with the International Residential Code (IRC) as permitted by Sections 310.4.1 and 310.4.2 and shall comply with Section 420.
Section 310.4.2 Lodging Houses. Text has been added requiring a sprinkler to build an owner-occupied lodging house with 10 or fewer occupants under the IRC.
Section 311.1.2 Combustible storage. This is a new section stating that high-piled stock or rack storage, or attic, under-floor and concealed spaces used for storage of combustible materials, shall be in accordance with Section 413.
Section 311.2 Moderate-Hazard Storage, Group S-1. Beverages over 16% alcohol are now considered a Group S-1 (formerly Group S-2). Also, the word “Public” is added before parking garages to clarify that private parking garages are still Group U.
Section 311.3.1 Public parking garages. This is a new section that directs public parking garages to comply with the appropriate sections in 406.
Section 312.1 General (Group U). Fences that are over 7 ft are considered Group U, previously it was only 6 ft.
Section 312.2 Private garages and carports. This is a new section stating private garages shall comply with Section 406.3.
Section 312.3 Residential aircraft hangars. This is a new section stating that residential aircraft hangars shall comply with Section 412.4.
Section 402.6.3 Play structures. The word “children” was removed from play structures.
Section 402.7.2 Smoke control. Smoke control is now required to comply with Section 909 instead of 404.5. Also, the exception for atriums in covered malls was deleted.
Section 402.7.5 Fire department access to equipment. The words “Fire protection systems” replaces several different types of fire suppression systems.
Section 403.3.2 Water supply to required fire pumps. Buildings of Type V construction 120 ft and taller are now required to comply with this section regarding fire pump supply connections.
Section 403.4.8.2 Fuel line piping protection. The options for protecting fuel lines to generators have been expanded to allow for a listed, tested system to be installed, as well as other approved methods.
Section 404.1 General (Atriums). This section was rewritten and expanded to include more subsections in Section 712.
Section 404.5 Smoke control. A new exception has been added that allow no smoke control if the atrium is only open to the 2 lowest stories and any stories above that are separated by a shaft.
Section 404.6 Enclosure of Atriums. Exception 5 is added to allow for no horizontal assembly between the atrium and an escalator and exception 6 is added for no horizontal assembly between the atrium and exit access stairways and ramps.
Section 404.9 Exit access travel distance. Several sections regarding means of egress have been relocated to Section 1017.
Section 404.10 Exit stairways in an atrium. Five criteria have been added for when an atrium contains an interior exit stairway.
Section 404.11 Interior exit stairway discharge. Requirements for exit discharge have been relocated to Section 1028 as referenced here.
Section 406.2.4 Floor surfaces. The exception for S-2 parking garages to not need to have a sloped surface has been deleted.
Section 406.2.7 Electric vehicle charging stations and systems. The word “Systems” has been added and Section 1108 has been specified for when accessible stations/systems are required.
Section 406.3.2.1 Dwelling Unit Separation. Staff recommends continuing the existing local AMENDMENT removing the requirement for doors in private garages in group R-3 to be self-closing or self-latching.
Section 406.6.4 Mechanical-access enclosed parking garages. This is a new section with five sub-sections regulating enclosed parking garages where vehicles are parked by mechanical means and occupancy is prohibited except in the vehicle access bay.
Section 407.2.6 Nursing home cooking facilities. Six of the criteria for nursing home cooking facilities have been moved to a new Section 407.2.7 called domestic cooking facilities.
Section 407.2.7 Domestic cooking facilities. This is a new section comprised of the six criteria moved from nursing home cooking facilities. In addition, two exceptions are added where if there are no sleeping units in the same smoke compartment, or the cooking appliances are used for training only, then they do not need to comply with this section.
Section 407.3.1.1 Door construction. This is a new section added to specify requirements for the different styles of doors that are used in I-2 occupancies where smoke resistant construction is imperative.
Section 407.4.4.1 and 404.4.4.3 Exiting and Group I-2 care suites. These two sections have been re-written to allow for more design flexibility in the way care suites are arranged. There is no longer a restriction on the number of suites you can egress through as long as the travel distance to a corridor or exit is no more than 100 ft.
Section 407.6.1 Activation of automatic-closing doors. In I-2 occupancies, doors that are automatic-closing that have hold-open devices must close upon activation of the fire alarm, sprinkler system or both.
Section 411 Special amusement areas. This title of this section has been changed from “building” to “areas” to cover portions of building that contain special amusement activities.
Section 411.2 Automatic fire detection and 411.3 Fire alarm system. Section 411.2 Automatic fire detection has been deleted, and Section 411.3 was re-written and now requires that an automatic smoke detection system be installed in accordance with Section 907.2.13.
Section 411.4 Emergency voice/alarm communications. Emergency voice/alarm communications systems must be installed in accordance with Section 907.2.12 and are no longer permitted to be used as a public address system.
Section 411.5 Puzzle room exiting. This is a new section that allows alternative designs for exiting from puzzle rooms as long as it is approved by the building official, or as long as the doors are unlocked and readily available upon activation of fire alarm or sprinkler and there is a manual over-ride at a constantly attended location.
Section 414.2.3 Number (Control areas). The ability to use fire walls to create separate buildings has been expanded to include the need to create separate fire areas.
Section 419 Live/work units. Live/work units have been moved from Section 419 to Section 508.5
Section 419 Artificial decorative vegetation. This is a new section that regulates the height of and distance away from buildings that artificial decorative vegetation can be installed.
Section 420.9 Domestic cooking facilities. This is a new section comprised of the six criteria moved from I-1 cooking facilities. In addition, two exceptions are added where if there are no sleeping units in the same smoke compartment, or the cooking appliances are used for training only, then they do not need to comply with this section.
Section 422.7 Domestic cooking. This is a new section comprised of the same six criteria mentioned two times before but this time relating to ambulatory care facilities.
Section 423.3 Occupancy classification. This is a new section that clarifies the occupancy classification of certain storm shelters. A shelter dedicated for the sole use as a storm shelter shall be Group A-3 and those shelters inside another building that will normally be used for other purposes shall be classified for that use unless required otherwise by ICC 500.
Section 424.2 Play structures. No longer called “children’s” play structures, a new criteria has been added to regulate the flame spread of materials used in play structures. In addition, the size of play structures regulated by this section has doubled to 600 sf and a maximum of 10 ft tall.
Section 503.1.4 Occupied roofs. This new text clarifies how occupied roofs are to be considered regarding building height and number of stories based on whether the penthouse or enclosed rooftop structure complies with Section 1511 (Rooftop Structures).
Mr. Showalter stated that the existing exception 1 adds text to require the extension of a required fire alarm to the roof if one is required elsewhere in the building.
Table 504.3 Allowable height in feet above grade plane. There are three new types of Type IV construction and their allowable heights have been added to this table.
Table 504.4 Allowable number of stories above grade plane. The number of stories allowed for the three new types of Type IV construction have been added and S-1 sprinklered buildings received a 1 story increase for types IIB and IIIB construction.
Table 506.2 Allowable area factor. The allowable areas for the 3 new types of Type IV construction have been added and single story sprinklered buildings in Group I-3 of Type IIA have received a 33% increase to 60,000 sf.
Section 506.3 Frontage increase. This section has been modified significantly to simplify the frontage increase calculation. The equations are gone and the increase factor is now found in a table that uses the smallest open yard greater than 20 ft and the percentage of the total perimeter that is open over 20 ft.
For buildings that comply as an unlimited area building under Section 507 except for compliance with the 60 ft clear yards, there is a new table with an area increase factor with the same criteria as the new frontage increase table.
Section 508.4.4.1 Construction (of separated uses). Of the three new type IV construction types, types B and C are required to be covered with a thermal barrier when associated as part of a fire barrier separating different occupancies.
Section 509.4.1.1 Separation (of incidental uses). Of the three new type IV construction types, types B and C are required to be covered with a thermal barrier when associated as part of a fire barrier separating incidental uses.
Section 510.2 Horizontal building separation allowance. Condition 4 has been added to allow stairs to be built of combustible materials in type IA construction inside of an interior exit stairway as long as the type of construction above the horizontal separation is type III, IV or V construction, and the stairway in the IA building is enclosed by a 3-hour fire resistant construction with opening protectives.
Table 602 Fire resistance rating for exterior walls based on fire separation distance. Table 602 has been appropriately relocated to Section 705 Exterior walls.
Type IV. Three full pages of requirements for the three new types of Type IV construction have been added.
Section 603 Combustible materials in Types I and II construction. Fire retardant treated wood is no longer allowed in shafts in I-2 occupancies or ambulatory care facilities, and when used in roof construction in I-2 occupancies it must be covered by no less than a class A roof covering.
Sections 703.6 and 703.7. Two new sections describing how the new types of heavy timber construction can be attributed a fire resistance rating in minutes based on having noncombustible protection and how to seal adjacent mass timbers that are a part of a rated assembly.
Section 704.6.1 Secondary attachments to structural members. This is a new section to clarify how secondary members connected to primary structural members shall be protected. The fire resistive materials shall extend 12-inches onto the secondary member at the same required thickness as the required for the primary member. If the secondary member is hollow, then protection is required on the inside also.
Table 705.5 Fire resistance rating for exterior walls based on fire separation distance. This table has been relocated here from Chapter 6, formerly Table 602. The new type IV construction types have been added, but no other changes have been made.
Section 707.5 Continuity (fire barriers). Exit passageways are now allowed to terminate at a lid of the same fire resistance rating as the walls instead of terminating at the underside of the floor/ceiling above.
Sections 708.1 and 708.4.1 Fire partitions and supporting construction. The list of walls required to be constructed as fire partitions has been expanded, as well as the list of supporting construction that does not need to be rated if of type IIB, IIIB or VB construction.
Section 710.5 Louvers in doors and pass through openings in I-2. Louvers are now permitted in doors in I-2 smoke partitions in accordance with Section 407.3.1.1, and a new section regulating pass through doors in I-2 condition 2 has been added.
Section 713.12 Enclosure at top (Shafts). This section was re-written to clarify that there are three options for terminating the top of a shaft.
The subsection clarifies that a damper is not required at the penetration of the roof where the shaft extends into a roof top structure complying with Section 1511 and duct work from the shaft is connected directly to the equipment.
Section 713.12.1 Penthouse mechanical room. Equipment located on the roof directly above the shaft, and its connected directly to the duct work in the shaft, a fire damper is not required at the roof line.
Section 716.2.2.1.1 Smoke and draft control. Terminated stops are now prohibited in certain elevator lobbies where smoke control is more important than being able to clean the floor at the door jam.
Table 716.1(2) Opening fire protection assemblies, ratings and markings. Double fire walls have been added to the table to address the required opening protectives when two walls and two doors are protecting one opening as in the case of adjoining hotel rooms. The table reflects the reduced rating for each door since together their ratings would exceed the minimum for a single door.
Section 716.4 Fire protective curtain assembly. This is a new section that establishes requirements for fire protective curtain assemblies.
Section 717.2.3 Static dampers. In air distribution systems and smoke control systems, static fire dampers and ceiling radiation dampers are now permitted provided that air movement is stopped when an alarm condition is present. New requirements for these static dampers and options for shutting down the air flow are added in Section 717.6.2.1.2.
Section 717.4 Access to dampers. There are now specific requirements for access to dampers and when there are space restrictions that would make damper inspection difficult, the damper must comply with the remote inspection requirements.
Section 717.5.2 Fire barriers (fire dampers). In the list of exceptions for fire dampers penetrating fire barriers, there is an item that allows no damper if the HVAC system is fully ducted with solid steel duct. Two new exceptions to that rule have been added that allow flex duct connectors as long as the connector begins and ends in the same room and is in accordance with the International Mechanical Code.
Section 722.7 Fire resistance rating of mass timber. A new page of text has been added to provide a prescriptive approach to assigning fire ratings to mass timber construction members and assemblies.
Section 802.4 Applicability. Staff recommend continuing the existing local AMENDMENT deleting this section in its entirety as it relates to flood.
Section 806.9 Combustible lockers. Combustible lockers are now regulated for interior finish purposes.
Section 903.2.4.2 Group F-1 distilled spirits. This is a new section that has been added to the F-1 classification.
Section 903.2.4.3 Group F-1 upholstered furniture or mattresses. This section has been revised to state that if the Fire Area exceeds 2,500sq ft then an automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in just this area as long as there is the required separation from the adjoining spaces.
Section 903.2.7.2 Group M upholstered furniture or mattresses. This section has been revised to state that if the Fire Area exceeds 2,500sq ft, then an automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in just this area as long as there is the required separation from the adjoining spaces.
Section 903.2.9.3 Group S-1 Distilled spirits or wine. This is a new section that has been added to the S-1 classification.
Section 903.2.9.4 Group S-1 upholstered furniture and mattresses. This section has been revised to state that if the Fire Area exceeds 2,500sq ft then an automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in just this area as long as there is the required separation from the adjoining spaces.
Section 903.2.10 Group S-2 parking garages. This section has been revised to include all S-2 parking garages. Enclosed and Open parking garages are now included in this section.
Section 903.2.10.2 Mechanical-access enclosed parking garages. This is a new section that has been added.
Section 903.3.1.2 NFPA 13R sprinkler systems. This section now addresses the number of allowable stories to be counted from grade plane instead of being able to count the stories from the horizontal assembly creating separate buildings in Sections 510.2 and 510.4 previously. It also changes the allowable height to be 30’ measured from the floor level of the highest floor above fire department vehicle access or 30’ or less below the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.
Section 903.3.1.2.2 Corridors and balconies in the means of egress. This section has been added to help define when sprinkler protection should be added to these areas that are used as a means of egress.
Staff recommends continuing an existing local AMENDMENT to read as follows:
Section 905.1 is hereby amended to add an exception to read as follows:
Exception: The installation of fire hose on standpipes may be omitted when approved by the local fire code official. Approved standpipe hose valves and connections shall be provided where required.
Section 905.3.11 Height. There is now an exception in this section to allow Class I standpipes to be allowed in parking garages. This exception in the past was just for open parking garages.
Section 907.2.10 Group S. This section has been added to require a manual fire alarm system that activates the occupant notification system in Group S public and self-storage occupancies three stories or greater.
Staff recommends continuing an existing local AMENDMENT as follows:
Section 907.2.11.1 is hereby amended to read as follows:
Section 907.2.11.1 Group R-1. Single- or multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed in all of the following locations in Group R-1:
4. In sleeping units where the ceiling height of a room open to the hallway serving the sleeping rooms exceeds that of the hallway by 24 inches or more, smoke alarms shall be installed in the hallway and in the adjacent room.
Staff recommends continuing an existing local AMENDMENT as follows:
Section 907.2.11.2 is hereby amended to read as follows:
Section 907.2.11.2 Groups R-2, R-3, R-4 and I-1. Single- or multiple station smoke alarms shall be installed and maintained in Groups R-2, R-3, R-4 and I-1 regardless of occupant load at all of the following locations:
4. In dwelling units where the ceiling height of a room open to the hallway serving the sleeping room exceeds that of the hallway by 24 inches or more, smoke alarms shall be installed in the hallway and in the adjacent room.
Section 907.4 Initiating devices. This section now requires an occupant notification to be activated by one or more of the listed devices when a fire alarm system is required by another section.
Section 907.5 Occupant Notification. This section now requires occupant notification by smoke alarms in R-1 and R-2 occupancies.
Section 907.5.2.1.3.1 Fire alarm system signal. This section has been added to require an audible alarm in sleeping rooms of R-1 and R-2 occupancies when the building is required to have a fire alarm. This system shall now be a 520-Hz low-frequency signal.
Section 907.5.2.1.3.2 Smoke alarm signal in sleeping rooms. This section has been added to require smoke alarms to have an alarm signal to be a 520-Hz sounder when the building is required to have a fire alarm.
Section 909.20.6 Pressurized stair and vestibule alternative. This section has been added to allow a pressurized vestibule into the exit enclosure as another option of achieving the smokeproof enclosure on buildings that require so.
Section 911.1 General. This section now includes buildings with F-1 and S-1 occupancies with a building footprint of over 500,000sq ft.
Section 911.1.3 Size. This section adds specific room dimensions to the fire command center rooms now.
Section 911.1.7 Fire command center identification. This section has been added to require a visible sign reading “Fire Command Center” to be located on the door of the fire command center room.
Staff recommends adding a new local AMENDMENT to read as follows:
Section 1003.3.1 is hereby amended as follows:
An approved barrier shall be provided where the vertical clearance above a circulation path is less than 80 inches (2032 mm) high above the finished floor. The leading edge A portion of such a barrier shall be located 27 inches (686 m) maximum above the finished floor.
Section 1006.2.1 Egress based on occupant load and common path of egress travel distance. Exception 3 has been added for unoccupied mechanical rooms and penthouses to not comply with egress travel distance measurements.
Section 1006.3.2 Path of egress travel. Exceptions 3 and 7 have been added to this section.
Section 1006.3.4 Single exits. Exception 1 has been revised to exclude the words “common path of egress” and replace them with “exit access” travel distance. This now means the occupants must actually reach the door of an exit and will no longer be allowed to stop the distance measurement when they reach a point where there is two ways to go to reach an exit.
Section 1008.2.1 Illumination level under normal power. This section has been revised to change the required level of illumination from 1 footcandle at the walking surface to 10 footcandles when the stairway is in use. This only applies under normal power supply for the building and not under emergency power.
Section 1009.2.1 Elevators required. This section has been revised to include occupied roofs now to count towards the number of stories above the level of exit discharge.
Section 1009.6.2 Stairway or elevator access. An exception has been added to allow an interior area of refuge to be added at the level of exit discharge that provides direct access to an exterior exit door.
Section 1009.6.3 Size. The required size for the wheelchair space has changed from 30 inches by 48 inches to now being 30 inches by 52 inches.
Staff recommends adding a local AMENDMENT:
Section 1009.8.1 is hereby amended to read as follows:
Section 1009.8.1 System requirements. Two-way communication systems shall provide communication between each required location and the fire command center or a central control point location approved by the fire department. Where the central control point is not a constantly attended location, the two-way communication system shall have timed, automatic telephone dial-out capability that provides two-way communication with an approved supervising station or 9-1-1. The two-way communication system shall include both audible and visible signals.
Section 1010.1.1 Size of doors. There is no maximum size limit of 48 inches of a swinging door leaf anymore.
Exception number 11 has been revised to now limit the minimum clear opening width to 20 inches in these locations.
Section 1010.1.1.1 Projections into clear openings. They have added a few items into the exception now that can be 78 inches minimum above the finished floor.
Section 1010.2.4 Locks and latches. Exception 2 has been added for specific I-1 and I-2 occupancies. Exception 8 has been added to address the locking of doors to such areas as outdoor patios and seating areas. This now gives the owner a way of locking the exit doors if the means of egress is going back into the building from these spaces. Exceptions 9 and 10 also allow locking devises on doors in certain locations as well.
Section 1010.2.8 Locking arrangements in educational occupancies. This section has been revised to include Group I-4 occupancies. This regulates the requirements for the ability to lock down the individual classrooms from the outside. This section is not mandatory, it just gives the owner the option.
Section 1010.2.9 Panic and fire exit hardware. Exceptions 3 and 4 have been added to this section.
Section 1010.2.9.2 Rooms with electrical equipment. This section now requires panic or fire exit hardware on rooms containing electrical equipment rated 800 amperes or more instead of 1,200 previously.
Staff recommends changing the existing local AMENDMENT by adding Exception 2:
Section 1011.1 Exceptions are hereby amended to read as follows.
Section 1011.1 Exceptions:
1. Within rooms or spaces used for assembly purposes, stepped aisles shall comply with Section 1030.
2. A stairway complying with section 1011 except where in a B, F, M, S or U that serves an area of 750 sf or less, and is not open to the public, that has a maximum riser height of 8 inches and a minimum tread depth of 9 inches, has a minimum width of 36 inches and has at least one handrail that terminates at the top and bottom riser and otherwise complies with section 1014.
Staff recommend continuing the existing local AMENDMENT to read as follows:
Section 1011.5.2 Exceptions.
Section 1011.5.2 Exceptions:
3. In Group R-3 occupancies; within dwelling units in Group R-2 occupancies; in Group U occupancies that are accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy or accessory to individual dwelling units; the maximum riser height shall be 7 ¾ inches(197 mm) 8 inches; the minimum tread depth shall be 10 inches(254 mm) 9 inches; and the minimum winder tread depth shall be 6 inches(152mm). A nosing projection not less than ¾ inch(19.1mm) but not more than 1 ¼ inches(32mm) shall be provided on stairways with solid risers where the tread depth is less than 11 inches(279mm)
Section 1011.6 Stairway landings. Exceptions 2 and 3 have been added to this section.
Staff recommend continuing the existing local AMENDMENT to read as follows:
Section 1015.2 is hereby amended to read as follows:
Section 1015.2 Where required. Guards shall be located along open-sided walking surfaces, including mezzanines, equipment platforms, aisles, stairs, ramps and landings, that are located more than 30 inches(762 mm) measured vertically to the floor or grade below at any point within 36 inches (914 mm) horizontally to the edge of the open side above the floor or grade below or if within 36 inches (914 mm) horizontally to the edge of the open side of the vertical measurement to the floor or grade below is greater than 48 inches. Guards shall be adequate in strength and attachment in accordance with section 1607.9.
Section 1016.2 Egress through intervening spaces. Exception 1 now allows small spaces with just a single exit to exit directly through an elevator lobby now.
Section 1019.3 Occupancies other than Groups I-2 and I-3. Exception number 9 has been added to this section.
Section 1020.5 Dead ends. Exception number 4 has been added to this section.
Section 1030.16 Handrails. Where stepped aisles have seating on one side and the aisle width is 74 inches or greater, two handrails are required now. One of which shall be within 30 inches of the stepped aisle.
Section 1030.16.1 Discontinuous mid-aisle handrails. Where a stepped aisle is required to have two handrails now. The mid-aisle handrail is allowed to be discontinuous.
Chapter 11 now references ICC A117.1 2017 Edition which includes several new and revised technical requirements.
Staff recommends changing to existing local AMENDMENT to read as follows:
Section 1104.4 Exceptions are hereby amended to read as follows:
Section 1104.4 Exceptions:
1. An accessible route is not required to stories, mezzanines and occupied roofs that have an aggregate area of not more than 3,000 square feet (278.7 m2), or are in a building 2 stories or less above grade plane and are located above and or below accessible levels. This exception shall not apply to:
Section 1104.4 Multistory buildings and facilities. Exception number 4 has been added to include structures with four or more dwelling units.
Section 1105.1.1 Automatic doors. In buildings having certain occupancies and occupant loads now in Table 1105.1.1, public entrances that are required to be accessible shall have one door that is power-operated.
Table 1105.1.1 Public entrance with power-operated door. This table is new and states which occupancies and occupant loads will require power-operated doors now.
Section 1107 Motor-vehicle-related facilities. This is a new section that gives certain requirements for accessibility for electric vehicle charging stations and the number of required parking spaces and types of charging stations.
Sections 1108.5.1.1 and 108.5.1.2 Accessible units in Group I-1. Exceptions 1 and 2 have been added to these sections.
Section 1108.5.4 Group I-2 rehabilitation facilities. Exceptions 1 and 2 have been added to this section.
Section 1110.2.2 Water closets designed for assisted toileting. This section has been added to specify the placement and clearances of the water closet and the locations for the grab bars and dispensers.
Section 1110.2.3 Standard roll-in-type shower compartment designed for assisted bathing. This section has been added to specify the size and clearance of these showers as well as the placement of the grab bars and the controls.
Staff recommends continuing the existing local AMENDMENT to read as follows:
Section 1202.1 is hereby amended to read as follows:
Section 1202.1 General. Buildings shall be provided with natural ventilation in accordance with Section 1202.5, or mechanical ventilation in accordance with the International Mechanical Code.
Where the air infiltration rate in a dwelling unit is less than 5 air changes per hour where tested with a blower door at a pressure 0.2 inch w.c. (50 Pa) in accordance with Section R402.4.1.2 of the International Energy Conservation Code---Residential Provisions, the dwelling unit shall be ventilated by mechanical means in accordance with Section 403 of the International Mechanical Code. Ambulatory care facilities and Group I-2 occupancies shall be ventilated by mechanical means in accordance with Section 407 of the International Mechanical Code.
Section 1204.4.4 Staff recommends deleting this section in its entirety as it relates to flood.
Sections 1206 Staff recommends deleting this section in its entirety as it relates to flood.
Sections 1402.6 and 1402.7 Staff recommends deleting these sections in their entirety as they relate to flood.
Sections 1403.6 and 1403.7 Staff recommends deleting these sections in their entirety as they relate to flood.
Fire Marshall, Ryan Erickson, approached the Board. He stated that the Fire Code is a companion code to the International Building Code (IBC) and that some things discussed at this meeting will be identical to what they are going to be discussing in their upcoming review. He furthered that regarding High Rises and Type IV Heavy Timber Construction, there is a detail regarding char and fire protection and char alone isn’t the fire protection. Mr. Erickson stated that the structure has to be over designed and have enough capacity to lose so many inches of wood through char and still be structurally sound. When this is done it is similar to steel construction where the steel is encased with so many hours of protection before the steel would fail.
Mr. Erickson stated that in regard to open parking garages, there will now be caps on sizes before a sprinkler is required.
Mr. Erickson stated that in regard to low frequency signals on smoke alarms, there is now a push to have the single station alarm operate on low frequency.
Staff Reports
Ms. Rose stated there were no staff reports.
Mike Wild motioned to adjourn the meeting. Justin Schoenberg seconded the motion. There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned.