City of Lawrence

Mechanical Board of Appeals

September 18, 2012 minutes

MEMBERS PRESENT:	Laura Blanchard-Chair, Mark Jarboe-Vice Chair, Wayne Duncan, Chris Champagne, Eric Epperson
MEMBERS ABSENT:
GUEST PRESENT:	None
STAFF PRESENT: EX-OFFICIO:	None Patrick O’Brien, Building Inspector II

Chair called the meeting to order at 4:40 p.m.

Review and approve minutes from July 26, 2012

After review, Jarboe moved to accept the minutes as written. Seconded by Duncan; Passed 5-0.

Discuss the 2012 International Residential Code

Staff asked the board to postpone the discussion of underground ducts and flexible ducts in order to expedite the adoption of the 2012 International Codes.  Staff presented the proposed amendments to the 2012 IFGC and fuel gas portion 2012 IRC concerning unvented heaters.  The board accepted the changes as discussed at the July 26, 2012 meeting.

Proposed amendments to the 2012 IMC were presented and amendments discussed. Staff presented a proposal to amend the code to reflect the requirement for flexible duct lengths in residential to be limited to 15’ citing there was not a reasonable amendment that could be placed in the 2012 IRC.  There was also a proposal to require encasement of underground ducts in two inches of concrete be limited only to metallic ducts.  The board asked for the proposed amendments to be returned at the next meeting for acceptance by the board.

Proposed amendments to mechanical portions of the 2012 IRC were presented and discussed.  A section of the energy chapter was included for a proposed amendment removing the inconsistency regarding framing cavities being utilized for ducts or plenums.  Duncan asked that the amendment regarding load calculations and the timing of their submittals be changed to reflect what is actually being required. Staff replied the changes would be made and brought back for approval.  The section on underground ducts was also changed to reflect the changes made in the 2012 IMC.

Staff also asked if there was a desire of the board to remove the requirement that the board be required to have at least four members present to constitute a quorum.  Blanchard moved that the sentence be struck from City code section 5-1.231 requiring a four member quorum.  Seconded by Duncan.  Passed 5-0.

Discuss length limitation of flexible duct

Deferred to future meeting.

Continue discussion of underground ducts

Deferred to future meeting.

Miscellaneous

Next meeting to be held October 2^nd, 2012.

Adjourn

Motion to adjourn made by Duncan.  Seconded by Champagne; passed 5-0.  Meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.

Members	07/12/12	07/26/12	09/18/12
Laura Blanchard	+	+	+
Wayne Duncan	+	+	+
Mark Jarboe	+	+	+
Eric Epperson	A	A	+
Chris Champagne	+	+	+

Attendance Roster

+=Present; EA=Excused Absence; A=Absent