Chambana Sun

Champaign Code Review and Appeals Board met Wednesday, Jan. 25.

The Board reviews and advises Council regarding all building construction codes as it applies to new construction. The Board also hears appeals by persons or entities affected by a code violation or decision involving building codes as it applies to new construction.

Here are the minutes as provided by Champaign:

CITY OF CHAMPAIGN

CODE REVIEW AND APPEALS BOARD MINUTES JANUARY 25, 2017

Meeting was called to order at 4:45 p.m.

Roll Call:

Members Present: Kenwood Sullivan , Kirk Skelton, James Gleason, John Frauenhoffer, Scott Kunkel, Steve Billhymer and Chip Craddock.

Members Absent: Mike Scott and Neil Strack

Staff Present: Larry Happ, Jaymie Huffman and Duane Allen Visitors Present: NONE

Before the meeting was called to order, Larry Happ introduced the City of Champaign’s new Plans Reviewer, Duane Allen. Duane spent a few minutes speaking to the board about his previous experience.

Larry also shared a Power Point Presentation with the Board. The presentation covered a brief overview of the 2016 construction activity for the City of Champaign.

Approve the Minutes:

Meeting Minutes 10-26-2016

MOTION by James Gleason to approve the minutes as presented; seconded by Kenwood Sullivan. All: Aye

Old Business:

None

New Business:

Larry presented the Board with a citizen concern about security devices for exterior roof ladders. After discussing the concern with City staff, there was a proposal to add an amendment to the mechanical code to address the issue. After further discussion, the Board decided this should be the building owner’s choice. If the owner wants to restrict unauthorized access to their roof, they could purchase the proper device to secure the ladder. Therefore, the Board declined to add the section to the mechanical code.

Continued review of the substantial changes to the 2012 and 2015 International Building Code – Chapters 9-10. Code sections that the Board initiated further discussion on are as follows:

CHAPTER 9 – Fire Protection Systems

MODIFICATION – 904.3.2 Actuation of Multiple Fire-Extinguishing Systems When two or more alternative automatic fire-extinguishing systems are required to protect a hazard, all of the systems must now be designed to simultaneously operate. There was further clarification on hood extinguishing systems and different hazards.

ADD – 904.13 Domestic Cooking Systems in Group I-2 Condition 1 Requirements for domestic appliances installed within commercial facilities but used only for domestic cooking have been clarified, including provisions for an appropriate fire-extinguishing system for domestic cooking equipment in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and similar buildings. There was clarification that this requirement depends on the occupancy classification.

AMEND – 906.1 Portable Fire Extinguishers – Where required

The Board discussed removing this amendment that was adopted several code cycles ago. The new code no longer requires an extinguisher in R-2 hallways. The decision was made to keep the amendment as is. Building owners will have the option to provide extinguishers in units.

ADDITION: 917.1 Fire Apparatus Access Roads.

Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided for all new buildings in accordance with Section 503 of the International Fire Code. This added code section would alert building code users to the section of the Fire Code that requires fire apparatus access roads for all new buildings similar to section 916 of the building code that alerts users to the requirement for emergency responder radio coverage in the Fire Code.

Motion by Chip Craddock to approve Chapter 9– Fire Protection Systems – as modified; seconded by Scott Kunkel. All: Aye

CHAPTER 10 – Means of Egress.

Provisions addressing the minimum required number of means of egress and their arrangement for rooms and space as well as stories have been reformatted and relocated. Most of the egress provisions in 2012 IBC Sections 1015 and 1021 have been combined, reformatted, and relocated to the general provisions of Sections 1006 and 1007. There was discussion and clarification regarding the ability to provide exit access stairs between floor levels.

MODIFICATION: 1004.1.2 Occupant Load Factors

The mercantile occupant load factor has been revised such that a single factor (60SF per person) is now applicable regardless of the story on which the mercantile use is located. John Frauenhoffer requested more information on the effectiveness of the occupant load postings. He specifically would like the statistics on the number of calls the fire department receives for businesses who are over their posted occupant load. This will be revisited when the Deputy Fire Marshals review the Fire Code at a future meeting.

Comments from the Audience:

NONE

Next Meeting:

Larry Happ addressed the Board requesting additional meetings to expedite the code review process. He suggested meeting the 2nd and 4th Wed of each month and possibly extending a few meetings until 7:00 pm. The City Manager would like to see the 2015 code package adopted this year. The City of Champaign also has an ISO evaluation of the building codes this fall. If the 2015 codes are not adopted before the ISO review, our rating will be adversely affected. The Board agreed to have inquiries sent out for meeting availability for February and March.

Invites went out and our meeting dates and times are as follows:

Wednesday, February 8, 2017 - 4:30 – 6:00 pm Wednesday, February 22, 2017 - 4:30 – 7:00 pm Wednesday, March 8, 2017 - 4:30 – 6:00 pm Wednesday, March 29, 2017 - 4:30 – 7:00 pm

All meetings at Champaign Fire Department Station #1 – Basement Training Room

Adjournment:

Motion by Steve Billhymer to adjourn; Second by Kenwood Sullivan. All: Aye. The meeting adjourned 6:06 pm