Item 8DCity of Southlake, Texas
MEMORANDUM
June 28, 2004
TO: Billy Campbell, City Manager
FROM: Rick Black, Director of Public Safety (Ext. 2421)
SUBJECT: Ordinance No. 871, 1 st Reading, Adoption of the 2003 International Fuel Gas
Code.
Action Requested: City Council approval of Ordinance No. 871 adopting the 2003 International
Fuel Gas Code with local amendments.
Background
Information: The city currently operates under the 2000 editions of the International Codes
and under the 1999 edition of the National Electrical Code. These codes are
published on a three year cycle. The North Central Texas Council of
Governments Executive Board with the recommendation of the Regional
Code Coordinating Committee has recommended adoption of these codes
except the Property Maintenance Code be adopted with regional amendments.
The Property Maintenance Code is included as an update for the Dangerous
Building Code.
Financial
Considerations: These updated codes will have nominal impact on the cost of construction in
the city.
Financial Impact: This will have no financial impact on the city budget.
Citizen Input/
Board Review: The Building Board of Appeals held three public hearings and unanimously
recommended adoption of these codes. Two additional meetings were held to
receive input from the area building contractors.
Legal Review: This ordinance has been reviewed by the city attorney and changes have been
made as recommended.
Alternatives: Adopt the ordinance as recommended or direct staff to restudy any specific
issues that may be of concern.
Supporting
Documents: Detailed memorandum to Garland Wilson dated June 21, 2004
Ordinance No. 871, 2003 International Fuel Gas Code
Billy Campbell
June 28, 2004
Page 2
Staff
Recommendation: Approve Ordinance No. 871 on first reading with an effective date of
September 30, 2004.This is intended to provide builders time to factor changes
into contracts being developed.
RB /gw
City of Southlake, Texas
MEMORANDUM
June 21, 2004
TO: Garland Wilson, Chief of Administrative Services
FROM: Paul Ward, Building Official, and;
Chuck Bloomberg, Plans Examiner
SUBJECT: 2003 International Codes
The ICC, International Code Council, is a nonprofit organization founded in 1994 to develop a single
set of comprehensive and coordinated national model construction codes for use throughout the
country.
We as the City of Southlake have been involved and supportive throughout the code development
process and the creation of the International Codes. This support has been through the North Texas
chapter of the International Code Council and through the regional review process be the Regional
Codes Coordinating Committee of the NCTCOG (North Central Texas Council of Governments).
The I Codes were developed with the support of many organizations that have interest in the
construction industry although the final vote on all items is by code officials only. Work on the
International Codes has been a model of democracy, without territorial disparities getting in the way.
The American Institute of Architects and the National Association of Home Builders were both very
active participants in the code development process. The National Association of Home Builders has
applauded the recent action by the International Code Council (ICC) to add "affordability" to the
Purpose Statement section of the International Residential Code (IRC), which applies to one- and
two - family homes.
The City of Southlake has had a track record of supporting the latest edition of the codes. The code
has been published every three years for a long time. Since the 1980's Southlake has adopted the
new code within one year of it becoming available.
Another important reason to be up to date with the latest codes is the ISO insurance rating. Their
system will subtract points if the city is not on the current codes. We always need to be able to show
that we are current with the latest codes.
The Building Codes are a set of universally accepted standards adopted as guidelines for
construction of buildings and related building operations. The term "building codes" is a generic phase
that actually encompasses several individual codes, each of which must be approved and adopted by
the City Council before they can be applied or enforced. These codes are periodically updated,
primarily due to new products entering the marketplace, and minor revisions may be made under the
term "local amendments."
The International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) provides standards for fuel burning appliances and the
piping systems for them. The code also has requirements for appropriate fresh air and exhaust
ventilation necessary for safe operation. The Texas Plumbing License Law provides that only state
licensed plumbers may install or alter gas piping other than certain very specific exceptions.
Southlake currently operates under the 2000 IFGC. The proposed ordinance will bring us up to date
by adopting the 2003 edition of the International Fuel Gas Code (2003 IFGC). This ordinance was
created from the framework of the previous ordinance, inserting the NCTCOG recommended regional
amendments.
2003 International Fuel Gas Code
ORDINANCE NO. 871
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE INTERNATIONAL FUEL GAS CODE, 2003 EDITION; 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, 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 summer of 2003, NCTCOG's Regional Codes Coordinating
Committee (RCCC) and its four advisory boards conducted 26 open review meetings over a 10-
month period to review the 2003 editions of the International Codes and to develop regional
amendments. Their review and recommendations were completed and endorsed by NCTCOG's
Executive Board in March 2004. Now NCTCOG encourages jurisdictions in North Central Texas to
adopt the 2003 International Fuel Gas Code along with its respective regional amendments with an
effective date of July 1, 2004:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTHLAKE,
TEXAS:
SECTION 1
That the International Fuel Gas Code, 2003 Edition, published by The International Code Council, Inc., 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 Code is attached to this ordinance as Exhibit "A."
SECTION 2
That the 2003 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 2003 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. Upon adoption, copies of these amendments shall be attached to Exhibit
"B" to this Ordinance.
SECTION 3
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
will be available for public inspection and copying during regular business hours.
SECTION 4
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
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.
SECTION 6
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
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 electrical 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
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.
SECTION 9
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
This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and publication as required by law,
but not sooner than September 30, 2004, and it is so ordained.
Passed And Approved On First Reading On This Day Of , 2004.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
CITY SECRETARY
Passed And Approved On Second Reading On This Day Of , 2004.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
CITY SECRETARY
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
City Attorney
EXHIBIT `B"
Amendments to the
2003 International Fuel Gas Code
The following sections, paragraphs, and sentences of the 2003 International Fuel Gas Code are hereby amended as
follows: (Standard type is text from the IFGC. Underlined type is text inserted. Lined through typo is deleted te ) d from
IEGG) A double asterisk at the beginning of a section identifies an amendment carried over from the 2000 edition of
the code and a triple asterisk identifies a new amendment with the 2003 code. After each code amendment a reason is
given in parentheses. The reason is not a part of the code, but is given to aid in understanding the code.
* *Section 102.2; insert a sentence to read as follows:
§FG101.2 Scope. This code is not intended to supercede the Texas Plumbing License Law. This code shall apply to
the installation of fuel gas piping systems, fuel gas utilization equipment, and related accessories as follows:
(Remainder of section unchanged.)
* *Section 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 already
states: existing systems may stay unless considered unsafe.)
* *Section 102.8; change to read as follows:
102.8 Referenced codes and standards. The codes and standards referenced in this code shall be those that are
listed in Chapter 8 and such codes when specifically adopted, and standards shall be considered part of the
requirements of this code to the prescribed extent of each such reference. Where differences occur between
provisions of this code and the referenced standards, the provisions of this code shall apply. Whenever amendments
have been adopted to the referenced codes and standards, each reference to said code and standard shall be
considered to reference the amendments as well. Any reference to NFPA 70 or the ICC Electrical Code shall mean the
Electrical Code as adopted.
(Reason: Legal wording to recognize locally adopted codes and amendments adopted with referenced
codes.)
** *Section 304.10; change to read as follows:
304.10 Louvers and grilles. The required size of openings ... {bulk of paragraph unchanged) ... to provide the free
area specified. Where the design and free area are not known, it shall be assumed that wood louvers will have 25-
percent free area and metal louvers and grilles will have 750- percent free area. {Remainder of section unchanged.)
(Reason: This is the generally accepted practice in the region.)
** *Section 304.11; change Exception 8 to read as follows:
304.11 Combustion air ducts. (Bulk of section unchanged.)
8. Combustion air intake openings located on the exterior of a building shall have the lowest side of such
openings located not less than 12 inches (305 mm) vertically from the adjoining grade level or the
manufacturer's recommendation. whichever is more strinaent.
(Reason: To recognize the manufacturer's installation requirements.)
* *Section 305.5; delete.
(Reason: This provision does not reflect standard practice in this area. Consistent with regional amendment
to IMC 304.6.)
* *Section 305.7; change to read as follows:
305.7 Clearances from grade. Equipment and appliances installed at grade level shall be supported on a level
concrete slab or other approved material extending a minimum of 3 inches (76 mm) above adjoining grade or shall be
suspended a minimum of 6 inches (152 mm) above adjoining grade.
(Reason: Consistent with current local practice. Consistent with regional amendment to IMC 304.9.)
* *Section 306.3; change to read as follows:
306.3 Appliances in attics. Attics containing appliances requiring access shall be provided ... {bulk of paragraph
unchanged) ... from the opening to the equipment. The passageway shall have continuous unobstructed solid
flooring not less than 24- 30 inches (640 762 mm) wide. A level service space not less than 30 inches (762 mm) deep
and 30 inches (762 mm) wide shall be present at the front or service side of the equipment. The clear access opening
dimensions shall be a minimum of 20 inches by 30 inches (508 mm by 762 mm), or larger where such dimensions are
not large enough to allow removal of the largest appliance. As a minimum, access to the attic space shall be provided
by one of the following:
1. A permanent stair.
2. A pull down stair.
3. An access door from an uaaer floor level.
Exceptions: 4: The passageway and level service space are not required where the appliance is capable of
being serviced and removed through the required opening. (Delete Exception #2.)
(Reason: To provide a safe means of accessibility. Consistent with regional amendment to IMC 306.3.)
* *Section 306.5; change to read as follows:
306.5 Equipment and appliances on roofs or elevated structures. Where equipment and appliances requiring
access are installed on roofs or elevated structures at a an aggregate height exceeding 16 feet (4877 mm), such
access shall be provided by a permanent approved means of access_ the extent of w hi G h shall be from Permanent
exterior ladders providing roof access need not extend closer than 8 feet (2438 mm) to the finish grade or floor level
below and shall extend to the equipment and appliance's level service space. Such access shall ... {bulk of section to
read the same)... on roofs having a slope greater than 4 units vertical in 12 units horizontal (33- percent slope).
A receptacle outlet shall be provided at or near the equipment and appliance location in accordance with the Electrical
Code.
(Reason: To assure safe access to roof appliances. Consistent with IMC amendments.)
* *Add Section 306.5.1.1 to read as follows:
306.5.1.1 Catwalk. On roofs having slopes greater than 4 units vertical in 12 units horizontal, 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
the working platform at the appliance.
(Reason: To assure safe access to roof appliances. Consistent with IMC amendments.)
* *Add Section 306.7 to read as follows:
306.7 Water heaters above ground or floor. When the attic, roof, mezzanine or platform in which a water heater is
installed is more than eight (8) feet (2438 mm) above the ground or floor level, it shall be made accessible by a
stairwav or permanent ladder fastened to the buildina.
306.7.1. Whenever the mezzanine or platform is not adequately lighted or access to a receptacle outlet from
the main level is not obtainable, lighting and a receptacle outlet shall be provided in accordance with Section
306.3.1.
(Reason: To provide safe access to water heaters. Consistent with regional amendments to IPC 502.5 and
IMC 306.7.)
* *Section 401.5; add a second paragraph to read as follows:
Both ends of each section of medium pressure corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) shall identify its
operating gas pressure with an approved tag. The taps are to be composed of aluminum or stainless steel and the
following wording shall be stamped into the tag:
"WARNIN(�
1/2 to 5 psi gas pressure
Do Not Remove"
(Reason: To protect homeowners and plumbers.)
* *Section 402.3; add an exception to read as follows:
Exception: Corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) shall be a minimum of 1/2 ".
(Reason: Pipe less than 1/2" has a history in this region of causing whistling.)
* *Section 404.6; change to read as follows:
404.6 Piping in solid floors. Piping in solid floors shall be laid in channels in the floor and covered in a manner that
will allow access to the piping with a minimum amount of damage to the building. Where such piping is subject to
exposure to excessive moisture or corrosive substances, the piping shall be protected in an approved manner. As an
alternative to installation in channels, the piping shall be installed in accordance with Section 404.11 a GaSiRg of
SGhedyle 4 0 steel, wFought iren, PVC eF ABS pope with tightly sealed ends and joints. Both eRdS Of SUGh Gasing shall
extend not less than 2 ORGhes (51 mm) beyond the point wheFe the i
(Reason: Referencing Section 404.11 provides CSST piping with outside venting.)
* *Section 404.9; change to read as follows:
404.9 Minimum burial depth. Underground piping systems shall be installed a minimum depth of 42 18 inches (39-5
458 mm) below grade eXGept aS PFGV f„r OR cow ien 404 . 94 .
(Reason: To provide increased protection to piping systems.)
** *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. For tests requiring
a pressure of 3 psiq, mechanical gauges u sed to rneasyFe test pFessyres 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 ranae not to exceed 6 Dsi for
tests requiring a pressure of 3 psiq. For tests requiring a pressure of 10 psiq, mechanical gauges shall utilize a dial
with a minimum diameter of three and one -half inches (3 '/2 "), a set hand, a minimum of 2/10 pound incrementation
and a pressure range not to exceed 20 psi. have n range such that the highest ens' o f th sGale is not greateF than fide
times the test pressure
(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:
406.4.1 Test pressure. The test pressure to be used shall be not less than one and one -half times the proposed
ma x i m u rn weFking pre but n less than 3 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 052 mm) of mercury, measured with a
manometer or slope gauge. OFFeSpediVe Of design pFessyFe. VVheFe the test PFeSSUFe eXGeedS 125 psig (862
gauge), the test pFessyFe shall RGt eXGeed a value that PFOdYGes a hoop stFess On the piping gFeateF than 50 PeFGeRt Of
the Spec Tea mini �rrmm urn y ?t; e ngrh of the p For welded piping, and for piping carrying gas at pressures in excess
of fourteen 04) inches water column pressure (3.48 kPa) 0/2 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 00) 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.
(Reason: To provide for lesser pressures to coordinate with the use of more accurate diaphragm gauges.)
** *Section 406.4.2; change to read as follows:
406.4.2 Test duration. Test duration shall be held for a length of time satisfactory to the Code Official, but in no case
for net less than fifteen 0 5) minutes. For welded piping, and for piping carrying gas at pressures in excess of
fourteen (14) inches water column pressure (3.48 kPa), the test duration shall be held for a length of time satisfactory
to the Code Official, but in no case for less than thirty (30) minutes. (Delete remainder of section.)
(Reason: To comply with accepted regional practices.)
* *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.)
* *Section 410.1; add a second paragraph and exception to read as follows:
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.)
* *Section 614.6; add a sentence to read as follows:
The size of duct shall not be reduced alona its developed lenath nor at the point of termination.
(Reason: To clarify the size requirement. Consistent with regional amendment to IMC 504.6.)
* *Section 614.6.1; change to read as follows:
614.6.1 Maximum length. The maximum length of a clothes dryer exhaust duct shall not exceed 25 feet (7620 mm)
from the dryer location to the outlet terminal. The maximum length of the duct shall be reduced 21/2 feet (762 mm) for
each 45 degree (0.79 rad) bend and 5 feet (1524 mm) for each 90 degree (1.6 rad) bend.
Exceptions:
1. Where the make and model of the clothes dryer to be installed is known and the manufacturer's installation
instructions for such dryer are provided to the code official, the maximum length of the exhaust duct, including
any transition duct, shall be permitted to be in accordance with the dryer manufacturer's installation
instructions.
2. Where the first 9 feet of vent are 4" diameter pipe with not over two 90 bends and the pipe size is then
increased to 5" diameter, it may extend horizontally as far as 28.5 feet to the termination outdoors.
(Reason: Engineered dryer vent equivalent considering velocity and pressure drop.)
* *Section 621.2; change to read 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.)
* *Section 624.1.1; change to read as follows:
624.1.1 Installation requirements. The requirements for water heaters relative to access, sizing, relief valves, drain
pans and scald protection shall be in accordance with the International Plumbing Code.
(Reason: To clarify installation requirements. Also corresponds with amendments regarding water heater
access.)
END OF AMENDMENTS