Building Code Update Minutes 2010 12-13-10
APPROVED 1/31/11
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
BUILDING CODE UPDATE COMMITTEE
Monday, December 13, 2010 6:30 p.m.
City Council Conference Room
800 Game Farm Rd.
Yorkville, IL 60560
Committee Members in Attendance:
Alderman Rose Spears
Billy McCue
Fire Marshal Jeremy Canavan, Chairman
Mike Skinner
Don Duffy
Richard Scheffrahn
Adam Dontz
Lynn Dubajic
Cheryl Lee
City Officials in Attendance:
Krysti Barksdale-Noble, Community Development Director
Paul Zabel, Building Code Official
Meeting Called to Order
Meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m.
Roll Call
Roll call was taken.
Previous Minutes
Motion to approve the minutes of the October 18, 2010 meeting was made by Fire Marshal
Canavan, seconded by Mr. Scheffrahn, unanimous voice vote.
2009 International Fire Code
The committee resumed discussion.
Section 507.5.7 Hydrant Marking
.
Ms. Noble read the City’s recommendation to incorporate the language that in all private,
commercial and industrial uses a “No Parking – Fire Hydrant” sign shall be placed in a
conspicuous location to identify the restricted area. Fire Marshal Canavan stated that people park
right in front of fire hydrants which hinders the response time of the fire fighters. Mr. Scheffrahn
added that requirements for painting and signage at multi-family uses should be addressed. The
committee questioned how the city would enforce these requirements. Mr. Zabel stated that it
would have to be regulated by ordinance.
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Mr. Duffy made the motion to insert multi-family residential to Section 507.5.7. Mr. McCue
seconded. Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.
Section 903.2.1 Commercial Sprinklers
Ms. Noble directed the committee to the City’s memo in which Mr. Zabel simplified the
assembly groupings. Fire Marshal Canavan recommended the section be approved without
exceptions to a zero square footage requirement. The City’s memo recommended required
sprinklers in the A-1 use as 5,000 square feet or more. Fire Marshal Canavan explained that State
law requires sprinklers in an A-2 use with an occupant load exceeding 100 persons. Fire walls in
a strip mall with tenant spaces classified as different uses were discussed. Mr. Zabel read the
section of the 2009 Code regarding fire areas that differs from the 2000 Code.
Section 903.2.1.1 Group A-1
Mr. Skinner made the motion to include; an automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for
Group A-1 occupancies when the fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet. Ms. Lee seconded. Roll
call vote taken, motion carried.
Section 903.2.1.2 Group A-2
Mr. Duffy made a motion to include; an automatic fire sprinkler system shall be provided when
fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet. Mr. Skinner seconded. Roll call vote taken, motion carried.
Section 903.2.1.3 Group A-3
Mr. Skinner asked who determines occupant loads. Fire Marshal Canavan explained he
determines the occupant load based on a prescribed formula. Mr. Skinner made the motion to
include an automatic fire sprinkler system shall be provided when fire area exceeds 5,000 square
feet. Ms. Lee seconded. Roll call vote taken, motion carried.
Section 903.2.1.4 Group A-4
Ms. Lee made the motion to include; an automatic fire sprinkler system shall be provided when
fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet. Alderman Spears seconded. Roll call vote taken, motion
carried.
Section 903.2.2 Group B
Group B shall be changed to read an automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all
Group B occupancies when the fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet. An automatic sprinkler
system shall be provided for all “Group B ambulatory health care facilities”.
Ms. Lee made the motion to approve. Mr. Skinner seconded. Roll call vote taken, motion carried.
Section 903.2.3 Group E
The committee discussed the City’s recommendation of a 5,000 square foot fire area. Mr. Duffy
commented that in Group E occupancies he agreed with a smaller square footage requirement.
Mr. Scheffrahn inquired about in-home daycare facilities. Ms. Noble answered that the State
would supersede the City’s Code.
Ms. Lee made the motion to approve. Mr. Dontz seconded. Roll call vote taken, motion carried.
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Section 903.2.4 Group F
Fire Marshal Canavan made the motion to require sprinkler systems in Group F Factory,
Industrial and Industrial Moderate Hazard, F1 and F2 when the fire area exceeds 5,000 square
feet or exceeds three stories. Ms. Lee seconded.
Discussion
Mr. Duffy said that the 5,000 square footage requirement would be detrimental to small
businesses. Mr. Dontz suggested increasing the square footage for the fire area. Mr. Scheffrahn
asked Mr. Zabel what the requirement for F2 is at present. Mr. Zabel informed the committee
that there was no sprinkler requirement at present. Mr. Dontz asked if the committee desired to
increase the square footage requirement, especially if the use is non-hazardous. Roll call vote
taken, motion does not carry. Code as written stands.
Section 903.2.7 Group M
Fire Marshal Jeremy Canavan recommended adding an exception, upholstered furniture
showroom. Mr. Dontz discussed the 2009 Code as written and agreed with the 12,000 square
footage requirements. Fire Marshal Jeremy Canavan asked what the Village of Oswego has
adopted. Mr. Duffy read the Village of Oswego Code which states that in any new Mercantile
use, all must be sprinkled.
Mr. Scheffrahn commented that 5,000 square feet is reasonable, Mr. Skinner suggested requiring
10,000 square feet.
Mr. Dontz made the motion to accept 10,000 square feet as the requirement. Mr. Skinner
seconded. Roll call vote taken, motion carried.
Section 903.2.8 Group R-1 through R-3
Mr. Skinner made the motion to include automatic sprinkler systems shall be required throughout
Groups R-1, R-2 and R-4 occupancies, and R-3 occupancies with exceptions. Mr. Dontz
seconded.
Discussion
Mr. Zabel explained that R-3 is defined as single family residential where residents are primarily
permanent in nature. Mr. Skinner amended his motion to include single family detached homes
shall be required to follow Section R 313 of the 2009 International Residential Code as amended.
Roll call vote taken, motion carried.
Section 903.2.1 Group S and S1 Moderate Hazard
The committee discussed the definition of “floor” or “story” as the vertical distance from top-to-
top, in-between tiers or beams. The Fire District recommended adopting a requirement of 5,000
square feet. The City’s recommendation 12,000 square feet has not changed from the 2000 Code.
Mr. Dontz made the motion to amend Section 903.2.1 to read the automatic sprinkler systems are
required where the fire area exceeds 10,000 square feet and the fire area is located 3 stories
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above grade. Mr. Skinner seconded. Roll call vote taken, motion does not carry. Code as written
stands.
Section 903.2.10 Group S-2 Enclosed Parking Garage
Alderman Spears made the motion to accept. Fire Marshal Canavan seconded.
Discussion
Fire Marshal Canavan read Section 406.4 of the 2009 International Building Code. He
referenced a parking garage fire and explained why he recommends a more stringent code.
Alderman Spears amended the motion to include all Group R occupancies. Fire Marshal
Canavan seconded. Roll call vote taken, motion does not carry. Code as written stands.
Section 903.3.5 Water Supplies
Mr. Zabel explained that he referenced the State of Illinois Plumbing Code instead of the 2009
International Code. Fire Marshal Canavan made the motion to accept. Mr. Duffy seconded. Roll
call vote taken, motion carried.
Section 903.3.5.3 Secondary Water System
The committee discussed wells as a secondary supply to the sprinkler system. Ms. Dubajic made
the motion to adopt. Ms Lee seconded. Roll call vote taken, motion does not carry.
Section 905.3.1 Height
Fire Marshal Canavan read the amendment regarding stand pipe requirements. Alderman Spears
made the motion to accept. Mr. Skinner seconded.
Discussion
Mr. Dontz asked for clarification. Fire Marshal Canavan explained that his recommendation to
amend the code to read and approved standpipe system shall be installed in all buildings three (3)
stories or more in height in each stairwell at each level. Standpipe systems shall be installed in all
buildings where any portion of the building floor area is more than 200 feet travel distance from
the nearest point of the fire department vehicle access.
Alderman Spears amended the motion to include the fire department recommendation. Fire
Marshal Canavan seconded. Roll call vote taken, motion carried.
Section 907.1.3 Equipment
Fire Marshal Canavan read the Fire Department recommendations and made the motion to
amend. Mr. Dontz seconded. Roll call vote taken, motion carried.
Section 907.2.1. Group A
The Fire Department recommended complete fire alarm systems installed in all occupancies
except R-3. Mr. Skinner asked if already sprinkled structures would require fire alarms and was
answered in the affirmative. The Village of Oswego Code was referenced, which stated that all
sprinkled structures require a fire alarm system. The cost of a monitored system was discussed.
Mr. Scheffrahn made the motion to approve as read. Fire Marshal Canavan seconded.
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Discussion
Mr. Dontz suggested that the recommendation be made clearer on the fire alarm system
requirements. Mr. Duffy offered that the words “approved NFPA72 system” should be added.
Ms. Lee read an exception stating manual fire alarm boxes are not required with an approved
sprinkler system. Roll call vote tied. No change to Group A 907.2.1.
Section 907.2.2 Group B
The committee discussed monitored alarm systems and costs to new businesses. Mr. McCue
suggested studying the codes other municipalities have adopted.
Mr. Scheffrahn made the motion to adjourn and to table the discussion on Section 907.2.2 Group
B. Seconded by Mr. Skinner. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 10:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by:
D. Weinert
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