Item 6B-6K MemoSOUTHLAK.E
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES
STAFF REPORT
April 19, 2022
TO: City Council
FROM: Ken Baker, Senior Director of Planning & Development Services
SUBJECT: Items 613 — 6K — 2nd Reading — Adoption of the 2021 International Codes
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY: The purpose of these items is to consider adoption on 2nd reading of the
latest approved International Codes (Items 6B through 6K) with the
recommended North Central Texas Council of Government (NCTCOG) local
code amendments. The City of Southlake has traditionally always adopted
the latest International Code Council's construction codes as its local building
codes along the with regional and local amendments to ensure the highest
level of safety and security. The codes are continually updated on the
national level and are published every three years. The new 2021
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, swimming pools
and spas and property maintenance. 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 2021 International Codes provide clarification from previous
code cycles. Significant changes and highlights of the proposed ordinances
are detailed in each section below. Information provided below also include
local and NCTCOG amendments which are historically adopted by Southlake
and carried over with the new code cycle.
Items 613 through 6K
2021 International Codes Page 1
Item 6B - 2021 International Building Code (IBC), Ordinance No. 1246.
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 include: new construction
type designations for mass timber buildings of taller height, increase to
structural rain load calculation requirements, vehicle charging stations
location and space size, and required storm shelter occupant load
calculations.
Item 6C - 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC),
Ordinance No. 1247. 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. The
NCTCOG amendments have been recommended for the IECC. Some of the
amendments to this ordinance include a change in climate zones for Tarrant
County.
Item 6D - 2021 International Fire Code (IFC), Ordinance No. 1248. 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.
Item 6E - 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC), Ordinance No. 1249.
This code regulates the installation and maintenance of heating, air
conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems. The NCTCOG amendments
have been recommended for the IMC.
Item 6F - 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC), Ordinance No. 1250.
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.
Item 6G - 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), Ordinance No. 1251.
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.
Item 6H - 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), Ordinance No. 1252.
This code regulates one and two-family dwellings and townhouses not over
three stories high and accessory structures. The IRC regulates and controls
Items 613 through 6K
2021 International Codes Page 2
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
amendments are as recommended by NCTCOG. 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 include flashing at
window and door openings to allow for better drainage of water to the surface
of exterior wall finish, emergency escape and rescue openings require a clear
36-inch wide path to a public way, a surge -protection device required at the
service panel and a GFCI receptacle for each parking bay.
Item 61 - 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), Ordinance
No.1253. 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 recommended by NCTCOG.
Item 6J - 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC),
Ordinance No. 1254. 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.
Item 6K - 2021 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC),
Ordinance No. 1255. 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.
NCTCOG recommends these model construction codes along with their
respective amendments be adopted. If approved, these ordinances will have
an effective date of May 1, 2022.
CITIZEN INPUT: April 12, 2022; A SPIN Town Hall Forum was held on the proposed
ordinances.
BUILDING BOARD
OF APPEALS: March 21, 2022; Recommended approval (5-0)
CITY COUNCIL: April 5, 2022; Approved 111 reading on consent (6-0).
Items 613 through 6K
2021 International Codes Page 3
ACTION
NEEDED: Consider 2"d reading approval.
ATTACHMENTS: (A) Link to Powerpoint
STAFF CONTACT: Ken Baker (817) 748-8067
Mike White (817) 748-8230
Items 613 through 6K
2021 International Codes Page 4