City of Lawrence
Building Code Board of Appeals Meeting
May 14, 2015 Minutes
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
Sean Reardon, Dennis Odgers, Kevin Markley, Micah Kimball
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
Dan Wethington
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STAFF PRESENT: |
Development Services Lee Queen-Building Inspector, Janet Smalter- Plans Examiner, Adrian Jones-Senior Plans Examiner
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PUBLIC PRESENT: |
Bruce Chyka, Neal Ezell, Bob Dannevik, Hubert Kettler, Kelly Drake, Erik Hensen, Bobbie Flory, Robert Coffman, Ken Riead, Sharla Riead, Frank Salb
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Meeting called to order 11:00 a.m.
The Board reviewed minutes from the April 9, 2015 meeting. A correction was made to the ACH value from .5 to 5. Sean Reardon moved to approve minutes as amended, seconded by Kevin Markley. Motion passed 4-0.
Reardon opened the floor to public comment. Flory responded to a request by the board to list reasons why a builder prefers not to use the prescriptive method. Flory stated the following:
1. 2x6 framing of exterior walls is required in order to meet the component wood framed wall requirement insulation value of R-19.
2. The prescriptive method requires a minimum air change per hour. The testing at completion of work when the home does not meet the required air changes per hour (ACH), can be costly.
3. The prescriptive method is not flexible and restricts creativity by builders to meet the component insulation requirements. HERS performance method allows mechanical equipment, creativity of construction and house functions to meet the required HERS index.
The Lawrence Home Builders Association requests the HERS index to remain at 70 to prevent cost increases in new housing. Lawrence is the leader in code stringency in the region. There are costs associated with a lower HERS score. The houses most challenged to meet a lower score are entry level homes. A HERS score below 70 should be a decision between the builder and buyer.
Bruce Chyka stated the change of the HERS index from the current value of 75 to the proposed value of 54 is a big leap and chasing numbers is non-productive. He suggested that the HERS index 70 value (effective July 1, 2015) remain for 1-2 years, re-evaluate and possibly recommend a drop by 5 points consecutively. He feels this would not be difficult to meet.
Ezell asked the HERS raters present at the meeting how Lawrence homes compare with the Kansas City area. Requirements differ dramatically based on location. Hensen commented the jump from 70 to 54 is a huge jump. An upgrade is effective but costly. Builders are running out of viable options to lower the score without added costs. Reardon asked if advances in equipment will assist in meeting lower scores. Sheila Riead, a quality assurance rating provider stated the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) average Energy Star rated home HERS index score is 70. Kansas is one of only seven states to adopt the HERS index and we are leaders in this area. Riead stated that 70 is not a bad number. Markley asked what scores occur in other regions over the country. Riead stated the average index range from 85-50. Ezell asked how many municipalities will adopt the 2015 International Residential Code in its entirety in the next 2-3 years. Riead replied most adopt the codes but amend the HERS index numbers. Riead believes all duct leakage to be zero leakage would make a huge difference. Ken Riead stated correct duct size and velocity would increase the index. Ezell stated the Index of 54 is a steep learning curve to achieve.
Markley asked if a completed home does not meet the HERS index what can a builder do? Solar panels are an option. Kettler notes some areas do not allow solar panels. Odgers asked if the prescriptive method on an average home was followed, what would be the house HERS index. Ezell responded the comparison of a small house to the prescribed code, the HERS rating is 67. Ezell stated that the size and style of a home affects the HERS index due to the complexity of the home. Drake stated that many homes he currently builds cannot meet the 54 index and would not be cost effective with the new HERS rating.
Staff member Janet Smalter noted the plans she has reviewed for the city of Lawrence building permit applications in the last month have proposed a draft HERS index number between 60 and 65. Final scores were not provided in the recording. Drake noted the cost increase to meet a 54 average is 1% and the savings amounts to $13-14 per month. Drake noted the goal is to save energy but at what costs?
Drake stated it is very difficult to hit a 54 HERS rating. He expressed that several home builders have discussed the cost increase to be an average of 1%. A $300,000 home the cost is $3,000. With approximately 100 homes built in the past year the costs are $300,000. The 1% cost is saving the homeowner approximately $13-14 per month in utilities, 100 homes x 12 months- averaging out to $15,000 per year. If borrowing the money, the savings of $13-14 does not even cover the interest. The Department of Energy looks at this analysis. Drake knows the goal is to save energy but at what cost?
Ken Riead noted energy costs are rising, electrical rates are rising and solar costs are coming down. Solar is a viable option and a solar ready home is an option for single family homes to be “future ready” to meet the proposed HERS rating. It is a low cost expense in relation to the higher energy bills predicted. Sheila Riead suggests the low gas prices keeps energy costs down in the region and when the costs increase the savings will too.
Reardon appreciated the public comment and closed the commentary. Reardon stated the board received good feedback and will consider the revised numbers and look at a graduated decline in the HERS index rating. The final HERS rating will be discussed on the agenda for the next meeting. Chyka remarked that the Board, the City of Lawrence, builders and all trades should be commended for enforcing the energy codes and the quality has increased.
Staff member Adrian Jones informed the board the mechanical board has determined an outside design temperature for the Manual J of 99 degrees maximum design temperature for cooling to be allowed. The current design temperature for cooling is 93 degrees, a difference of 6 degrees. Jones stated the 99 degree proposed design temperature for the region is too much of a variation. Jones has concern with departure from the current number. This variation will have an impact on what the 2012 IRC, chapter 11, Energy Efficiency, is trying to achieve. The design temperature affects sizing equipment. Efficient smaller equipment sizing saves money. Jones will discuss his concerns with the mechanical board.
Jones reported on the action of the electrical board in regards to the AFCI changes and new GFCI requirements in the 2015 code.
Staff presented significant changes previously reviewed to the board and the following will be amended:
R106.1 Submittal documents.
Submittal documents consisting of construction documents, and other data shall be submitted in one set with each application for a permit. The construction documents shall be prepared by a registered design professional where required by the statutes of the jurisdiction in which the project is to be constructed. Where special conditions exist, the building official is authorized to require additional construction documents to be prepared by a registered design professional.
M1401.3 Equipment and appliance sizing.
Heating and cooling equipment and appliances shall be sized in accordance with ACCA Manual S or other approved sizing methodologies based on building loads calculated in accordance with ACCA Manual J or other approved heating and cooling calculation methodologies.
Exception: Heating and cooling equipment calculations are not required to be submitted for addition projects of 100 square feet or less.
N1101.14 (R401.3) Certificate (Mandatory).
A permanent certificate shall be completed by the builder or registered design professional and posted on the electrical panel. The certificate shall not cover or obstruct the visibility of the circuit directory label, service disconnect label or other required labels. The certificate shall list the predominant R-values of insulation installed in or on ceiling/roof, walls, foundation (slab, basement wall, crawl space wall and/or floor) and ducts outside conditioned spaces; U-factors for fenestration and the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of fenestration, and the results from any required duct system and building envelope air leakage testing done on the building. Where there is more than one value for each component, the certificate shall list the value covering the largest area. The certificate shall list the types and efficiencies of heating, cooling and service water heating equipment. Where a gas-fired unvented room heater, electric furnace, or baseboard electric heater is installed in the residence, the certificate shall list “gas-fired unvented room heater, ”electric furnace” or “baseboard electric heater,” as appropriate. An efficiency shall not be listed for gas-fired unvented room heaters, electric furnaces or electric baseboard heaters.
SWIMMING POOLS
3109.3 Public swimming pools.
Public swimming pools shall be completely enclosed by a fence not less than
6 feet (1290 mm) in height or a screen enclosure. Openings in the fence shall not permit the passage of a 4-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere. The fence or screen enclosure shall be equipped with self-closing and self-latching gates.
The agenda for the next meeting will include:
Delete or revise current amended items to meet IRC 2015 code.
HERS index score
A graduated decline in HERS score
Conclude IRC 2015 review
The next meeting is scheduled for June 11, 2015 11:00a.m.
Markley motioned to adjourn, Seconded by Odgers. Motion passed 4-0. Meeting adjourned 12:20 p.m.