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Item 6A-6J Memo 2018 International Codes Page 1 S T A F F R E P O R T April 9, 2019 TO: City Council FROM: Ken Baker, Senior Director of Planning & Development Services SUBJECT: 2018 International Code Updates EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The City of Southlake has adopted the International Code Council’s construction codes as local building codes with regional and local amendments. The codes are continually updated on the national level and are published every three years. The new 2018 International Codes have been reviewed by the Regional Codes Coordinating Committee, which includes several advisory boards comprised of local government officials, architects, engineers, contractors, educators, property management professionals, insurance representatives, builders and developers that provide expertise in various building science fields under the direction of the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG). The committee researches and provides recommendations on the standardization of municipal construction codes for the local area. The amendments suggested by this committee are recommended for adoption by local jurisdictions for all trades: commercial/residential building, electrical, plumbing/gas, mechanical, fire, energy, existing buildings and swimming pools and spas. The amendments include clarification of previous codes; updates for materials, design/methods of construction and equipment; and changes in life safety construction. The NCTCOG has actively promoted the standardization of model construction codes in an effort to simplify the construction process, advance the safety of building systems, promote common code interpretation, facilitate the mobility of contractors, and reduce training and construction costs. DETAILS: In general, the 2018 International Codes provide clarification from previous code cycles. Significant changes and highlights of the proposed ordinances are detailed below. Examples provided below include local and NCTCOG amendments historically adopted by Southlake and carried over with the new code cycle. These examples do not necessarily reflect changes from the City’s code from the previous cycle to the 2018 codes. 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), Ordinance No. 1208. The IECC addresses energy efficiency in several areas including cost savings, reduced energy usage, conservation of natural resources and the impact of energy usage on the environment. This code has been adopted by the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) as the state energy code. 2018 International Codes Page 2 Cities may not amend the IECC to be less restrictive than the code as written. NCTCOG recommendations of the 2018 IECC have been analyzed and approved by the Energy Systems Lab of the University of Texas. Some of the amendments to this ordinance historically adopted by Southlake and carried over with the new code cycle include allowing alternate compliance through state and federal programs, assigning climate zones for insulation, fenestration and u-factors for glazing and testing options for compliance verification. 2018 International Building Code (IBC), Ordinance No. 1209. This code regulates all buildings not covered by the International Residential Code. The Code provides the minimum standards to safeguard the health and property regulation and controlling the use, occupancy, maintenance, repair, design, construction and quality of materials for buildings and structures within the city. The NCTCOG recommendations are followed except for some items that are more clarification than actual code changes. Southlake follows the NCTCOG choice for group B cities as far as fire sprinkler options, protecting buildings 6,000 square feet or more. The 6,000 square foot fire sprinkler requirement remains unchanged from the current code. Some of the amendments to this ordinance historically adopted by Southlake and carried over with the new code cycle include the requirement for an architect or engineer for design, clarification in the code for use of the most restrictive construction type when dissimilar building types are used, specification for fireblocking and draftstopping and clarification on exit discharge. Option “A” Option “B” (staff recommends selecting Option “B”): 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), Ordinance No. 1210. This code regulates one and two-family dwellings and townhouses not over three stories high and accessory structures. The IRC regulates and controls the use, occupancy, maintenance, repair, design, construction and quality of materials for residential buildings and structures including building, electrical, energy conservation, plumbing, heating and air conditioning and fuel gas piping. Other than in the administrative chapter and appendix chapters the 2018 International Codes Page 3 amendments are as recommended by NCTCOG. The energy code provisions are consistent with the 2018 IECC. The residential sprinkler requirements for houses 6,000 square feet or more have not changed per state law. Some of the amendments to this ordinance historically adopted by Southlake and carried over with the new code cycle include completing the table for local requirements for climatic and geographic design criteria (such as wind loads and snow loads), separation for townhouses and roof covering materials. 2018 International Fire Code (IFC), Ordinance No. 1211. This code establishes regulations affecting or relating to structures, processes, premises and safeguards regarding: (1.) The hazard of fire and explosion arising from the storage, handling or use of structures, materials or devices; (2.) Conditions hazardous to life, property or public welfare in the occupancy of structures or premises; (3.) Fire hazards in the structure or on the premises from occupancy or operation; (4.) Matters related to the construction, extension, repair, alteration or removal of fire suppression or alarm systems. Some of the amendments to this ordinance historically adopted by Southlake and carried over with the new code cycle include recommendations specifically not allowing occupancy prior to approval, regulating open burning, specifying hose lay path, vertical clearance for road, fire lane specs, emergency vehicle access, outside storage tanks, fire suppression system requirements, fire system testing, and water supply to fire pumps. Per the NCTCOG, jurisdictions should choose Option “A” or Option “B” in the Fire and Building Code amendments based on their fire-fighting philosophies and capabilities when adopting code amendments. Additional information about these two options are included below: Option “A”: 2018 International Codes Page 4 Option “B” (staff recommends selecting Option “B”): 2018 International Plumbing Code (IPC), Ordinance No. 1212. This code regulates the installation and maintenance of plumbing systems including water and sewage and storm sewer piping systems and their fixtures. Landscape irrigation systems are also a part of the plumbing code. The Plumbing ordinance adopts amendments as recommended by NCTCOG. Some of the amendments to this ordinance historically adopted by Southlake and carried over with the new code cycle include protection for plumbing components, sewer depth, floor drain and drain system requirements, plumbing fixture counts and water heater requirements. 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC), Ordinance No. 1213. This code regulates the installation and maintenance of heating, air conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems. The NCTCOG amendments have been recommended for the IMC. Some of the amendments to this ordinance historically adopted by Southlake and carried over with the new code cycle include providing minimum access to attic space holding mechanical equipment, equipment on roofs, condensate disposal, roof drain systems, exhaust discharge and makeup air for large fuel burning appliances. 2018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), Ordinance No. 1214. This code regulates installation and maintenance of fuel gas piping, fuel burning appliances and venting systems. Amendments to the Fuel Gas Code are recommended by the NCTCOG. Some of the amendments to this ordinance historically adopted by Southlake and carried over with the new code cycle include providing minimum access to attic space holding mechanical equipment, clarifies installation requirements for water heaters, gas pressure labeling, underground piping depth and test pressure requirements. 2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), Ordinance No.1215. This code regulates the repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition to and relocation of existing buildings. The IEBC also establishes safety requirements during construction and demolition of existing buildings. These standards are intended to protect the public from injury and adjoining property from damage. The Existing Building ordinance adopts amendments as 2018 International Codes Page 5 recommended by NCTCOG. Some of the amendments to this ordinance historically adopted by Southlake and carried over with the new code cycle include acknowledging state regulation for architectural barriers, flood hazard items removed from code to be administered by city department, electrical wiring requirements and fire escape regulations. 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), Ordinance No. 1216. The ISPSC is a model code that regulates the minimum requirements for the design, construction, alteration, repair and maintenance of swimming pool, spas, hot tubes and aquatic facilities. This includes public swimming pools, public spas, aquatic recreation facilities, on-ground storable residential pools, and permanent in-ground residential pools. The ordinance adopting the ISPSC includes amendments as recommended by NCTCOG. Some of the amendments to this ordinance historically adopted by Southlake and carried over with the new code cycle include Texas statutes regulating public pools and spas, the regulation of barrier requirements around private and public pools, suction entrapment avoidance, emergency shutoff switch and water envelope for diving pools. 2018 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), Ordinance No. 1217. This code provides minimum standards to safeguard the health, property and welfare of the citizens of Southlake by regulating and controlling the use, occupancy, maintenance, repair, vacation, removal, demolition, and abatement of substandard or dangerous buildings within the City. The IPMC provides minimum standards for the continued use and occupancy of all buildings regardless of the date of their construction and to provide for the giving of proper notice to the owner of a building and to provide for a public hearing to determine whether a building complies with the standards set out in this ordinance. Some of the amendments to this ordinance historically adopted by Southlake and carried over with the new code cycle include definition updates and the enforcement of dangerous or substandard buildings. NCTCOG recommends these model construction codes along with their respective amendments be adopted as expeditiously as the code adoption process will allow and before September 1, 2019. These ordinances will have an effective date of May 1, 2019. CITIZEN INPUT: A SPIN Town Hall Forum was held on February 26, 2019. Link to SPIN Report BUILDING BOARD OF APPEALS: February 13, 2019; Recommended approval (5-0) CITY COUNCIL: April 2, 2019; Approved (7-0) at 1st Reading on the Consent Agenda. ACTION NEEDED: Consider 2nd Reading approval of Ordinances 1208 – 1217 2018 International Codes Page 6 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends adoption of ordinances 1208 – 1217 as presented, including selecting Option “B” in both the 2018 International Building Code (IBC), Ordinance No. 1209 and the 2018 International Fire Code (IFC), Ordinance No. 1211. Staff also recommends selecting Option “B” in the IBC regarding hoistway opening protection. ATTACHMENTS: (A) Ordinance 1208 adopting the 2018 IECC (B) Ordinance 1209 adopting the 2018 IBC (C) Ordinance 1210 adopting the 2018 IRC (D) Ordinance 1211 adopting the 2018 IFC (E) Ordinance 1212 adopting the 2018 IPC (F) Ordinance 1213 adopting the 2018 IMC (G) Ordinance 1214 adopting the 2018 IFGC (H) Ordinance 1215 adopting the 2018 IEBC (I) Ordinance 1216 adopting the 2018 ISPSC (J) Ordinance 1217 adopting the 2018 IPMC Link to PowerPoint Presentation STAFF CONTACT: Ken Baker (817) 748-8067 Mike White (817) 748-8230