Item 6G Ord 1251 2021 IFGC2021 International Fuel Gas Code
ORDINANCE NO. 1251
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE INTERNATIONAL FUEL GAS CODE, 2021
EDITION, REGULATING THE INSTALLAION OF FUEL -GAS PIPING SYSTEMS,
FUEL GAS APPLIANCES, GASEOUS HYDROGEN SYSTEM AND RELATED
ACCESSORIES EXCEPT ONE- AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS AND MULTIPLE
SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLINGS (TOWNHOUSES) IN THE CITY OF SOUTHLAKE;
PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF LOCAL AMENDMENTS THERETO;
PROVIDING FOR RECORDING OF SUCH CODE AS A PUBLIC RECORD;
PROVIDING THAT THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE CUMULATIVE OF ALL
ORDINANCES; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SAVINGS
CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION IN PAMPHLET FORM; PROVIDING FOR
PUBLICATION IN THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Southlake, Texas is a home rule city acting under its
charter adopted by the electorate pursuant to Article XI, Section 5 of the Texas
Constitution and Chapter 9 of the Local Government Code; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Southlake deems it necessary to
adopt this ordinance governing requirements for the installation and maintenance fuel
gas systems including requirements for materials, in order to protect the health, safety
and welfare of the citizens of the City of Southlake.
WHEREAS, beginning in the spring of 2021, NCTCOG's Regional Codes
Coordinating Committee (RCCC) and its four advisory boards conducted open review
meetings over a one-year period to review the 2021 editions of the International Codes
and to develop regional amendments. Their review and recommendations were
completed and endorsed by NCTCOG's Executive Board In July 2021. Now NCTCOG
encourages jurisdictions in North Central Texas to adopt the 2021 International Fuel
Gas Code along with its respective regional amendments:
2021 IFGC
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS:
Section 1
Adoption
That the International Fuel Gas Code, 2021 Edition, published by the
International Code Council, is hereby adopted as the Fuel Gas Code of the City of
Southlake, except for fuel gas systems otherwise regulated under the International
Residential Code for One- and Two- Family Dwellings as adopted. A True and correct
copy of this document is referenced in Exhibit "A."
Section 2
Amendments
That the 2018 International Fuel Gas Code, as adopted herein, is hereby
amended as provided in Exhibit "B" incorporated herein and attached hereto for all
purposes of this ordinance. The City of Southlake may from time to time determine that
additional local modifications to the 2021 International Fuel Gas Code are necessary
and appropriate to meet the unique construction needs of the City of Southlake. To
effectuate these modifications, the City council shall enact individual ordinances
amending this ordinance fully setting forth the change to be made in the code. The
amendments shall be consolidated as Exhibit "B" to this ordinance.
Section 3
Recording
The material contained in Exhibits "A" and "B" to this ordinance shall not be
included in the formal municipal codification of ordinances but shall be maintained as a
public record in the office of the City Secretary and/or the office of Building Inspections and
will be available for public inspection and copying during regular business hours.
Section 4
Cumulative Clause
This ordinance shall be cumulative of all provisions of ordinances of the City of
Southlake, Texas, except where the provisions of this ordinance are in direct conflict
with the provisions of such ordinances, in which event the conflicting provisions of such
ordinances are hereby repealed.
Section 5
Severability
It is hereby declared to be the intention of the City Council that the phrases,
clauses, sentences, paragraphs and sections of this ordinance are severable, and if any
phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph or section of this ordinance shall be declared
unconstitutional by the valid judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction,
such unconstitutionality shall not affect any of the remaining phrases, clauses,
sentences, paragraphs and sections of this ordinance, since the same would have been
enacted by the City council without the incorporation in this ordinance of any such
unconstitutional phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph or section. It is not the intention of
this ordinance to conflict in any way with the Plumbing License Law of Texas.
2021 IFGC 2
Section 6
Penalty
Any person, firm or corporation who violates, disobeys, omits, neglects or refuses
to comply with or who resists the enforcement of any of the provisions of this ordinance
shall be fined not more than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) for all violations
involving zoning, fire safety or public health and sanitation, including dumping or refuse,
and shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars ($500) for all other violations of
this ordinance. Each day that a violation is permitted to exist shall constitute a separate
offense.
Section 7
Saving Clause
All rights and remedies of the City of Southlake are expressly saved as to any
and all violations of the provisions of any ordinances affecting the installation and
maintenance of fuel gas systems which have accrued at the time of the effective date of
this ordinance; and, as to such accrued violations and all pending litigation, both civil
and criminal, whether pending in court or not, under such ordinances, same shall not be
affected by this ordinance buy may be prosecuted until final disposition by the courts.
Section 8
Publication
The City Secretary of the City of Southlake is hereby authorized to publish this
ordinance in book or pamphlet form for general distribution among the public, and the
operative provisions of this ordinance as so published shall be admissible in evidence in
all courts without further proof than the production thereof.
The City Secretary of the City of Southlake is hereby directed to publish in the
official newspaper of the City of Southlake, the caption, penalty clause, publication
clause and effective date of this ordinance one time within ten days after passage of this
ordinance, as required by Section 3.13 of the Charter of the City of Southlake.
Section 10
Effective Dave
This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and
publication as required by law but not before May 1, 2022.
2021 IFGC 3
APPROVED ON FIRST READING THIS 5 DAY OF APRIL, 2022.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
CITY SECRETARY
APPROVED ON SECOND READING THIS 19 DAY OF APRIL, 2022.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
CITY SECRETARY
:1o1V 4I7_F'l t0170] N Lvv I_1 ki I exp Xr7_1>! k va
CITY ATTORNEY
PUBLISHED:
EFFECTIVE:
2021 IFGC 4
EXHIBIT A
2021 International Fuel Gas Code Complete Edition
Located in the Building Inspections Office
1400 Main St., Suite 250
City of Southlake, Texas
76092
2021 IFGC 5
EXHIBIT B
Amendments to the 2021 International Fuel Gas Code
The following sections, paragraphs, and sentences of the 2021 International Fuel Gas Code are hereby
amended as follows: Standard type is text from the IFGC. Underlined type is text inserted. Lined through
typo ;s deleted tp-xt fr„rn lFGG A double asterisk (**) at the beginning of a section identifies an
amendment carried over from the 2018 edition of the code and a triple asterisk (***) identifies a new or
revised amendment with the 2021 code.
**Section [A]102.2; add an exception to read as follows:
Exception: Existing dwelling units shall comply with Section 621.2.
(Reason: Previous code provisions made unvented heater provisions retroactive except as provided for
in local amendment. This amendment and amendment to IFGC 621.2 better clarify what the code
alread states: existin s stems ma sta unless considered unsafe.)
**Section 102.8; amend and add to read as follows:
[A]102.8 Referenced codes and standards. The codes and standards referenced in this code shall be
those that are listed in Chapter 15 and such codes, when specifically adopted, and standards shall be
considered as part of the requirements of this code ... {Remainder Text unchanged}
[A1102.8.3 Local amendments. Whenever amendments have been adopted to the referenced codes and
standards, each reference to said code and standard shall be considered to reference the adopted
amendments. Any reference to NFPA 70 or the National Electrical Code (NEC) shall mean the Electrical
Code as adopted.
Reason: To recognize locally adopted codes and amendments adopted with referenced codes.)
**Section 306.3; change to read as follows:
[M] 306.3 Appliances in attics. Attics containing appliances shall be provided ... (bulk of paragraph
unchanged} ... As a minimum, for access to the attic space, provide one of the following:
A permanent stair.
2. A pull down stair with a minimum 300 lb. (136 kg) capacity.
3. An access door from an uooer floor level.
4. Access Panel may be used in lieu of items 1, 2, and 3 with prior approval of the code official
due to buildina conditions.
Exceptions:
1. The passageway ...
2. Where the passageway is unobstructed and not less than 6 feet (1829 mm) high and 22
inches (559 mm) wide for its entire length .... {bulk of section to read the same).
(Reason: To provide a safe means of accessibility to appliances in attics and to allow for different types
of construction limitations. Consistent with regional amendment to IMC 306.3. Exception to match IMC
306.3 #2)
**Section 306.5; change to read as follows:
2021 IFGC 6
[M] 306.5 Equipment and appliances on roofs or elevated structures. Where equipment requiring
access or appliances are located on an elevated structure or the roof of a building such that personnel will
have to climb higher than 16 feet (4877 mm) above grade to access, an interior or exterior means of
access shall be provided. Exterior ladders providing roof access need not extend closer than 12 feet
(2438 mm) to the finish grade or floor level below and shall extend to the equipment and appliances' level
service space. Such access shall ... {bulk of section to read the same) ... on roofs having a slope
greater than four units vertical in 12 units horizontal (33-percent slope).... (remainder of text unchanged).
(Reason: To assure safe access to roof appliances. Consistent with IMC amendments.)
"Section 306.5.1; change to read as follows:
[M] 306.5.1 Sloped Roofs. Where appliances, equipment, fans or other components that require service
are installed on a roof having a slope of 3 units vertical in 12 units horizontal (25-percent slope) or greater
and having an edge more than 30 inches (762 mm) above grade at such edge, a catwalk at least 16
inches in width with substantial cleats spaced not more than 16 inches apart shall be provided from the
roof access to a level platform at the appliance. The level platform shall be provided on each side of the
appliance to which access is required for service, repair or maintenance. The platform shall be not less
than 30 inches (762 mm) in any dimension and shall be provided with guards. The guards shall extend
not less than 42 inches (1067 mm) above the platform, shall be constructed so as to prevent the passage
of a 21-inch-diameter (533 mm) sphere and shall comply with the loading requirements for guards
specified in the International Building Code
(Reason: To assure safe access to roof appliances. Consistent with IMC amendments.)
"Section 401.5; Identification. add a second paragraph to read as follows:
Both ends of each section of medium pressure gas piping shall identify its operating gas pressure with an
approved tag. The tags are to be composed of aluminum or stainless steel and the following wording
shall be stamped into the tag:
"WARNING
1/2 to 5 psi gas pressure
Do Not Remove"
(Reason: To protect homeowners and plumbers.)
"Section 404.12 and 404.12.1; change to read as follows:
404.12 Minimum burial depth. Underground piping systems shall be installed a minimum depth of 42 18
inches (385 458 mm) top of pipe below grade, eXGe t as provided fnr ,.. SeGtien 404.12.4.
404.12.1 Individual Outdoor Appliances; Delete in its entirety
(Reason: To provide increased protection to piping systems and address reference number change.
Corresponds with IRC G2415.12)
'Section 406.4; change to read as follows:
406.4 Test pressure measurement. Test pressure shall be measured with a monometer or with a
pressure -measuring device designed and calibrated to read, record, or indicate a pressure loss caused
by leakage during the pressure test period. The source of pressure shall be isolated before the pressure
tests are made. Mechanical gauges used to measure test pressures shall have a range such that the
highest end of the scale is not greater than five times the test pressure. Spring type gauges do not meet
the requirement of a calibrated gauge.
(Reason: To require the use of more accurate diaphragm gauges. Spring gauges do not provide
accurate measurement below approximately 17 psig.)
"Section 406.4.1; change to read as follows:
2021 IFGC 7
406.4.1 Test pressure. The test pressure to be used shall be no less than 1 '� tomes the proposed
maximum ,rkiRg pressure bUt RG loos than 3 psig (20 kPa gauge), or at the discretion of the Code
Official, the piping and valves may be tested at a pressure of at least six (6) inches (152 mm) of mercury,
measured with a manometer or slope gauge. +rrespestiVe Of desig„ 1A/here the testpFesse;�
exr.eedds 125 psig (862 kPa gauge), the test pFes,;--rp ;h;;" not exreed a value that PFGduGes a heep
stress in the piping greater than 50 perGent of the SpeGified minimurn yield strength of the p For tests
requiring a pressure of 3 psig, diaphragm gauges shall utilize a dial with a minimum diameter of three and
one half inches (3'/2"), a set hand, 1/10 pound incrementation and pressure range not to exceed 6 psi for
tests requiring a pressure of 3 psig. For tests requiring a pressure of 10 psig, diaphragm gauges shall
utilize a dial with a minimum diameter of three and one-half inches (3 W), a set hand, a minimum of 2/10
pound incrementation and a pressure range not to exceed 20 psi. For welded piping, and for piping
carrying gas at pressures in excess of fourteen (14) inches water column pressure (3.48 kPa) (1/2 psi)
and less than 200 inches of water column pressure (52.2 kPa) (7.5 psi), the test pressure shall not be
less than ten (10) pounds per square inch (69.6 kPa). For piping carrying gas at a pressure that exceeds
200 inches of water column (52.2 kPa) (7.5 psi), the test pressure shall be not less than one and one-half
times the proposed maximum working pressure.
Diaphragm gauges used for testing must display a current calibration and be in good working condition.
The appropriate test must be applied to the diaphragm gauge used for testing.
(Reason: To provide for lesser pressures to coordinate with the use of more accurate diaphragm gauges.
Corresponds to IRCG 2417.4.1
"Section 409.1; add Section 409.1.4 to read as follows:
409.1.4 Valves in CSST installations. Shutoff valves installed with corrugated stainless steel (CSST)
piping systems shall be supported with an approved termination fitting, or equivalent support, suitable for
the size of the valves, of adequate strength and quality, and located at intervals so as to prevent or damp
out excessive vibration but in no case greater than 12-inches from the center of the valve. Supports shall
be installed so as not to interfere with the free expansion and contraction of the system's piping, fittings,
and valves between anchors. All valves and supports shall be designed and installed so they will not be
disengaged by movement of the supporting piping.
(Reason: To provide proper security to CSST valves. These standards were established in this region in
1999 when CSST was an emerging technology. Corresponds with IRC G2420.1.4
"Section 410.1; Add a second paragraph and exception to read as follows:
410.1 Pressure regulators. A line pressure regulator shall be ... {bulk of paragraph unchanged)...
approved for outdoor installation. Access to regulators shall comply with the requirements for access to
appliances as specified in Section 306.
Exception: A passageway or level service space is not required when the regulator is capable of
being serviced and removed through the required attic opening.
Reason: To require adequate access to regulators. Corresponds with IRC G2421.1)
"Section 411.1.3.3; Prohibited locations and penetrations. Delete Exception 1 and Exception 4.
Reason: To comply with accepted regional practices. Corres onds with IRC G2422.1.2.3
"Section 621.2; add exception as follows:
621.2 Prohibited use. One or more unvented room heaters shall not be used as the sole source of
comfort heating in a dwelling unit.
Exception: Existing approved unvented heaters may continue to be used in dwelling units, in
accordance with the code provisions in effect when installed, when approved by the Code Official
unless an unsafe condition is determined to exist as described in Section 108.7.
(Reason: Gives code official discretion. Corresponds with IRC G2445.2)
2021 IFGC 8
"Section 624.1.1; add to read as follows:
624.1.1 Installation requirements. The requirements for water heaters relative to sizing ... {bulk of
paragraph unchanged)... with the International Plumbing Code. The requirements for water heaters
relative to access, sizing, relief valves, drain pans and scald protection shall be in accordance with this
code.
(Reason: To clarify installation requirements. Also corresponds with amendments regarding water heater
access. Corresponds to IRC G2448.1.1)
END
2021 IFGC 9