City of Lawrence
Building Code Board of Appeals Meeting
August 13, 2015 Development Services
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
Dan Wethington, Sean Reardon, Dennis Odgers, Kevin Markley, Micah Kimball
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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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Meeting called to order 11:07 a.m.
The Board reviewed the July 23, 2015 minutes.
Odgers motioned to approve the July 23, 2015 minutes, seconded by Markley. Motion passed 4-0.
Micah Kimball arrives at 11:10 a.m.
Adrian Jones gives presentation on continuous insulation. Reardon asked what the city looks at in the exterior envelope to determine insulation compliance. Jones explained that R values are prescriptive and U values are more performance based. The designer has the job of telling the plans examiner how they will meet the U value; either way to achieve compliance is acceptable. Continuous insulation in the prescriptive method can be avoided by using performance based methods. Jones then updated the board on the completion of electrical amendments to the 2015 International Residential Code (IRC).
Reardon reported on the 2015 International Building Code (IBC) electrical data. Reardon noted that the new code has lowered the allowable watts per foot by 10%, Table C405.4.2(1). This in turn will require the use of the LED lighting in nearly all new projects. He proposed to not deviate from the code and adopt as written.
Wethington asked if the lighting allowances should be adopted or amended. After discussion, the board agreed to not amend lighting allowances in the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
Smalter presented a list of significant changes to the codes prepared by the ICC and asked the board to review for items of significance to be discussed. Wethington asked if there were any amendments to the IECC. Queen noted all IECC amendments were residential. Motion to adopt the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code with no amendments by Kimball, seconded by Reardon. Motion passed 5-0.
The board initiated review of the 2015 IBC Group E occupancies and emergency responder facilities located in ‘tornado alley’ are required to have storm shelters. Discussion concerning the new storm shelters required in schools is a concern to board members. Reardon noted in the last round of school design work the issue of an area of refuge was addressed but not to the extent that the 2015 IBC would require if adopted. Queen stated the storm shelters required by the 2015 IBC were required to contain the entire occupancy and use of the school. Reardon asked if the school district should be included in this discussion. Markley inquired on the degree of design difficulty using the ICC 500 requirements. Wethington noted the design criteria is not challenging but can be costly. Markley questioned where to draw the line of exemption from the requirement. Kimball explained the code exempts places of worship and day care facilities. Reardon explained the calculation of the occupant load for a Group E building can be confusing and problematic to determine the total use and occupancy of the facility. Reardon questioned the evaluation of the code for an addition to an existing building and inquired if they were the same. Markley stated his support for storm shelters in Group E occupancy. He is concerned with the determination of a realistic occupant load factor for the design. Markley said there should be an effort to create criteria for determining occupant loads in E class structures. Wethington suggested the board adopt the code as written, notify the school board of the requirements and provide the opportunity to amend the code for future construction. Queen stated that by the time local bond issues for schools are reviewed again this code could be different and part of the next code cycle (2018 IBC).
The board agreed to continue discussion of the 2015 IBC at the next meeting. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2015, 11:00a.m.
Markley motioned to adjourn, seconded by Reardon. Motion passed 5-0. Meeting adjourned.