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Building Code Update Minutes 2010 07-19-10 Page 1 of 3 APPROVED 8/16/10 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE BUILDING CODE UPDATE COMMITTEE Monday, July 19, 2010 6:30 p.m. City Council Conference Room 800 Game Farm Rd. Committee Members in Attendance: Cheryl Lee Bill McCue Stan Free Mike Skinner Don Duffy Lynn Dubajic Jeremy Canavan, Fire Marshal Absent: Richard Scheffrahn, Adam Dontz City Officials in Attendance: Krysti Barksdale-Noble, Community Development Director Paul Zabel, Building Code Official Rose Spears, Alderman Joe Plocher, Alderman Guests: Steve Tisinai, President of TPI Building code Consultants, Inc., and Illinois state licensed plumber. Meeting Called to Order Meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. Roll Call Roll call was taken. Introduction of Community Development Director, Krysti J. Barksdale-Noble and Paul Zabel, Building Code Official Ms. Noble introduced herself and Paul Zabel and welcomed the Building Code Update Committee members. Establish a Chairperson for the Committee. Motion was made to appoint Mr. Don Duffy or Fire Marshal Jeremy Canavan as chairperson. Motion was seconded. Fire Marshal Canavan was appointed by unanimous voice-vote. Presentation Ms. Noble gave a Power Point presentation to define the purpose of the update committee and to explain the anticipated process and timeline for drafting and adopting new codes, with an effective date for enforcement. An assessment of the current building codes, the ICC 2000 and a comparison to the 2009 version of the International Codes. The presentation included discussion of the passage of Illinois House Bill 3987 amending the Energy Efficient Commercial Building Act, which applies energy conservation standards to all buildings in Illinois and is mandatory statewide, now known as the 2009 IECC. The International Fuel Gas code, the Illinois Plumbing Code, and the International Energy conservation Code are all proposed for discussion. Page 2 of 3 Introduction of Paul Zabel, Building Code Official. Mr. Zabel introduced himself and stated his qualifications and 11 year experience as Building Code Official. He came to Yorkville after ten years as the Code Official in Elburn. Review of the 2009 International Fuel Gas Code. Mr. Zabel recommends adoption without additional amendments. Fire Marshal Canavan questioned if the appendices will be automatically adopted. Discussion The committee discussed the changes in the 2009 IFGC from the 2000 IFGC. Mr Zabel explained how the code is marked for changes and how to navigate the code books. Mr. McCue explained how significant changes affect the builder’s costs. Ms. Lee discussed venting issues. Mr. Tisinai and Alderman Plocher discussed the merits of hard piping versus flexible; Alderman Plocher would like to see all hard piped and states that we can always go above and beyond the adopted code. Mr. Tisinai pointed out the benefits for using flex pipe in various applications. Fire Marshal Canavan affirmed that alternative energy sources are addressed in the code. Staff made recommendation to adopt the 2009 IFGC as is. Consensus is to study the code further, specifically the section of the 2009 Code regarding the requirement for flexible pipes, and bring the topic to the committee meeting in August. Illinois Plumbing Code. Mr. Zabel explained the Illinois Plumbing Code in use by the City at this time is the current 2004 code and recommended continuing with the current Illinois State Plumbing Code and introduced Mr. Tisinai. Discussion. Mr. Tisinai explained that the plumbing code cannot be amended unless approved by the state. The new Illinois Plumbing Code is being rewritten at present, and should be available in approximately six months time. Some of the changes will be less stringent than the current code, and any amendments that are approved will not add cost to the builder or homeowner. There are five items that are more stringent than in the present code: Hospitals will require a second water supply; ball valves required on sill cock; hot water piping over 30’ must have a return line; minimum sizing of lavatories is addressed for the first time; and storm water and roof drainage. Mr. Tisinai’s opinion is that the Illinois Plumbing Code is sufficient. He adds that there should be amendments for cities that flood and an overhead drainage system, and water metering outside and inside of a building. Mr. Skinner began the discussion on gray water systems, a system to re-circulate used water for use in toilets. Mr Tisinai stated that the Illinois Plumbing Code has no requirements for gray water systems. Fire Marshal Canavan pointed out that the 2009 International Plumbing Code does address gray water systems. Ms. Noble added that we can move forward and adopt both plumbing codes in order to address gray water. It is then noted that the state will not approve any amendments if there is a higher cost of building. Mr. Skinner asked will there be guidelines in our codes for gray water systems. Mr. Tisinai pointed out that the Illinois Plumbing Code does have guidelines regarding drinking water and sanitary systems, and closely regulates backflow protection. He also stated that in Illinois any plumbing code a municipality adopts has to be approved by the State. Ms Noble would like the city to adopt the more stringent code for hospitals requiring two sources of water supply as stated in the 2009 International Plumbing Code and acknowledged that all amendments and codes adopted have to be submitted to the state for approval. Mr. Skinner asked if the new code addresses separate water supplies for fire suppression systems. He points out that if one tenant of a duplex is foreclosed and the water is turned off, the other half of the duplex is vulnerable to fire damage. Mr. Tisinai said the current code does not address water supply for single family attached sprinkled except for back flow prevention. Fire Marshal Canavan pointed out that there is a separate water supply for sprinkler systems in Montgomery, one meter per dwelling unit and a separate unmetered line for the sprinkler’s water supply. Yorkville at present requires only one water supply. Fire Marshall Canavan and Mr. Tisinai discuss backflow requirements with a multi purpose system. They referenced Section 890.11 of the Illinois Plumbing Code that allows up to 20 sprinkler heads without backflow protection. Page 3 of 3 Mr. Tisinai directed the committee to Mr. Frank Sempkes, program supervisor, 217-524-0791 and the local office is 630-293 6800. Mr. Sempkes reviews all submitted amendments to the Illinois Plumbing Code and also reviews any other code questions needing approval before adoption. Mr Zabel tells the committee that the city’s codes adopt the latest Illinois Plumbing Code; ICCI also adopted the 2000 International Plumbing Code with appendices B, D, E and F, of which do not include gray water systems. Alderman Plocher stated that if we adopt the 2009 International Plumbing Code it can be overridden by the state inspector. Alderman Spears stated that the city should be pro-active in addressing gray water and wind turbines. She would like to see a survey of other communities and the codes they currently use. Mr. Skinner questioned if rain water capture systems are addressed in the International Plumbing Code. Ms. Noble asks for a consensus; shall we adopt both plumbing codes or just the Illinois Plumbing Code? Mr. Tisinai suggested the city adopt the current Illinois Plumbing Code. Alderman Plocher agreed as this is the code all plumbers are licensed under, and the code that is enforceable. Chairman/Fire Marshal Canavan sums up: the consensus is we will do a comparison and more review of the Codes for the next meeting. Mr Zabel will obtain a copy of the 2009 International Plumbing Code. The previous plumbing code was 1998 Illinois Plumbing Code. The new codes will be available on line. Review of the 2009 Energy Code. Fire Marshall Canavan opens discussion on the 2009 Energy Code, inquiring if there are any amendments? Mr. Zabel replied that there are no amendments. The state is requiring adopting it as is, this code went into effect January 9, 2010 and must be enforced beginning in September 2010. Ms. Noble explains that the 2009 Energy Code pertains to all commercial and residential structures. The code will not apply to historic buildings. Res-check is discussed both prescriptive and performance. Mr. Zabel explained that he accepts com-check for commercial projects and res-check for residential projects. The builder must choose one and stick with it for the entire project. Mr. Duffy asked if conservation or capturing energy on your own property, whether it might be solar, geo-thermal or wind is addressed in the 2009 Energy Code. Mr. Zabel confirmed that it is. Adjournment: The motion to adjourn was made by Ms. Lee. The motion was seconded by Mr. Duffy. Meeting was adjourned at 8:05 pm. Additional Business. The next meeting will be held on Monday, August 16, 2010 at 6:30pm, at Yorkville City Hall, City Council Conference Room. At this meeting the committee will continue to review the International Fuel Gas Code, The Illinois Plumbing Code and 2009 International Plumbing Code, and determine if other municipalities have had problems adopting both plumbing codes. Minutes respectfully submitted by Dee Weinert