REGULAR CALLED MEETING BUILDING and FIRE BOARD OF APPEALS Wednesday June 26, 2024 @ 1:30 PM- In Person Permitting Development Center; Conference Room 1401-1402 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr Austin, Texas 78752 Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation. To register, contact rick.arzola@austintexas.gov CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Ron Buys(R. Alter); Alan Schumann-Chair(Ellis); Ben Abzug(Velasquez); Aubrey Brasfield-V Chair(Fuentes) Gary Wilks(Kelly); Jim Rumbo(Alter), Alison Satt(Madison) Oren Mitzner (Qadri) AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the Minutes from Regular Called Meeting from May 22, 2024 2. DISCUSSION- 2024 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) by Austin Code. 3. DISCUSSION- 2024 International Fire Code (IFC) 4. DISCUSSION- 2024 International Wildland Urban Interface (IWUI) FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS- ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Rick Arzola at Development Services Department, Building Inspections, at (512) 974-2417, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711.
Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals Board Meeting Approved Minutes The Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals met in a Regular Meeting on June 26, 2024 Board Member, Schumann called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Ben Abzug, Ron Buys, Aubrey Brasfield, Allison Satt, Oren Mitzner, Jim Rumbo and Alan Schumann Board Members Not in Attendance: Gary Wilks and Ashley Juraska Staff in Attendance: Rick Arzola (DSD) and Marty Starrett (DSD) June 26, 2024 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. The minutes from the May 22, 2024, regular called meeting were approved as written. Board member Mitzner made a motion to accept the minutes as written, Vice Chair Brasfield second the motion. Motion passed 7-0. Board member Wilks and Juraska were absent. DISCUSSION: 2. 2024 International Property Maintenance Code- Austin Code- Austin Code Supervisor Moses Rodriguez presented to the board the 2024 Local amendments proposed changes to the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC). In his presentation, staff highlighted infestation to include scorpions and bed bugs as part of their rodent infestation, which was not included previously. Also included in the amendment of major changes is upgrading from 60 amps to 100 amps for single family dwellings only if the electrical system is defective or damaged. Cooling facilities, to maintain a room temperature of at least 15 degrees cooler than the outside temperature but not higher than 85 degrees in each occupiable room. Not having these changes would be considered an unfit structure for human occupancy and would be considered a hazard for the occupants of that structure and or to the public. The property owner shall then provide an action plan for repairs to the code official within two days of the initial notice. In concerns of these changes with affordability, board inquired as to what is defined as a damaged electrical system for it to be upgraded, staff for now does not have a definition but it would be a case-by- case situation. Austin Code will take the IPMC Code amendments to the Building and Standard commission for recommendation and hope to have council approved at the September 12 date with a January 1, 2025 implementation. 2024 International Fire Code- Austin Fire- Austin Fire engineer Ben Flick addressed the board on significant changes 2024 International Fire code and changes to the 25-12 local amendments. These changes are to address the changing technology that has …
AUSTIN FIRE DEPARTMENT 2024 International Fire Code Adoption 2024 International Fire Code L o c a l A m e n d m e n t A d o p t i o n The Our Mission Goes Beyond Our Name is the cornerstone of the Austin Fire Department. A leader in the fire service, AFD is on the cutting-edge of technology and training. A leader in the fire service, the Austin Fire Department protects lives and property through extensive fire prevention and safety education efforts, in addition to a quick and effective response to emergencies. 2 Proposed Adoption In accordance with ICC latest publication, Austin Fire Department is on track to implement the 2024 International Fire Code (IFC) on January 1, 2025. 3 Coordinate and Clarify Goal: To clarify previously adopted local amendments with changing technology and published code and coordinate changed or outdate references to other adopted codes and standards. Reasons for amendments: 1. To support operating procedures for Operations, both in and outside of structures 2. Clarification purposes 3. Provide higher level of safety for properties utilizing hazardous materials 4 2024 IFC Significant Changes • Chapter 2 § 202 Definitions • Flammable Gas Definition - A material which is a gas at 68°F or less at 14.7 psia subdivided as follows: • 1. Category 1A. A gas that meets either of the following: • 1.1. A gas which is ignitable at 14.7 psia when in a mixture of 13% or less by volume with air; or • 1.2. A gas with a flammable range at 14.7 psia with air of not less than 12%, regardless of the lower limit, unless data shows compliance with Category 1B. • 2. Category 1B. A gas which meets the flammability criteria for Category 1A, is not pyrophoric or chemically unstable, and meets one of more of the following: • 2.1. A lower flammability limit of more than 6% by volume of air; or • 2.2. A fundamental burning velocity of less than 3.9 inches/second. • The limits specified shall be determined at 14.7 psi and a temperature of 68°F in accordance with ASTM E681. Where not otherwise specified, the term “flammable gas” includes both Category 1A and 1B. • Occupiable Roof – an exterior space on a roof that is designed for human occupancy, other than maintenance and repair, and which is equipped with a means of egress system meeting requirements …
2024 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) The IPMC is a model code intended to establish minimum standards for structural conditions, lighting, ventilation, sanitation, and fire safety. The IPMC is administered by local building code officials nationwide with local amendments that are approved by City Council. Purpose of Presentation To provide an overview of the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) amendment process and share major proposed changes Background The City of Austin will adopt the International Code Council (ICC)’s 2024 IPMC updates from the current 2021 IPMC The DSD Code Compliance Division established an internal amendment committee to draft proposed amendments to the code Purpose of proposed changes is to ensure public safety and maintain consistency with other city codes 2024 IPMC Adoption Timeline Review Phase #1 (Internal) October 2023 – December 2023 Stakeholder Engagement March 25, 2024 – May 2024 Legal Review July 2024 Implementation – January 1, 2025 Review Phase #2 (Internal) December 2023 – February 2024 Building and Standards Commission – June 26, 2024 City Council Hearing – September 12, 2024 Primary Goal The proposed amendments aim to ensure public safety when unsafe or hazardous conditions are found on a property by requiring: • 100 amps minimum for a single family dwelling. • Cooling Facilities Primary Goal The proposed amendments aim to ensure public safety when unsafe or hazardous conditions are found on a property by requiring: • 100 amps minimum for a single family dwelling. • Cooling Facilities Major Changes in the 2024 IPMC Draft The following language was added as section 603 Cooling Facilities 603.7 Cooling Facilities Required. (1) Air conditioning. (A) An owner shall: (i) provide, and maintain, in operating condition, refrigerated air equipment capable of maintaining a room temperature of at least 15 degrees cooler than the outside temperature, but in no event higher than 85° F. in each habitable room; (ii) maintain all air conditioning systems, including air conditioning unit covers, panels, conduits, and disconnects, properly attached, and in operating condition. (B) The required room temperatures shall be measured 3 feet (914 mm) above the floor near the center of the room and 2 feet (610 mm) inward from the center of each exterior wall (C) It is a defense to prosecution under this paragraph that at least one habitable room is 85° F, if the outside temperature is over 110° F.” 111.1.3 - Structure unsafe for human occupancy. A structure is …
AUSTIN FIRE DEPARTMENT 2024 International Wildland Urban Interface Code Adoption 2024 International Wildland Urban Interface Code L o c a l A m e n d m e n t A d o p t i o n Our Mission Goes Beyond Our Name is our cornerstone As a leader in the fire service: We are on the cutting-edge of technology and training. We protect lives and property through extensive fire prevention and safety education efforts, in addition to a quick and effective response to emergencies. 2 Proposed Adoption In accordance with ICC latest publication, Austin Fire Department is on track to implement the 2024 International Wildland Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) and local amendments 30 days following City Council adoption, tentative date mid-October 2024. 3 Coordinate and Clarify Goals: Clarify previously adopted local amendments with changing technology and published code. Adjust requirements based on challenges and successes of initial implementation of the IWUIC. Reasons for amendments: 1. To support operating procedures for Wildfire Operations. 2. Formalize WUI Proximity Zones to clarify structure hardening requirements. 3. Align requirements with current wildfire research. 4. Clarification purposes and formalizing 2015 WUIC interpretations. 4 2024 IWUIC Significant Changes Significant Changes to IWUIC model code: • 104 Determination of Compliance (COA amendments refer to Fire Code) • Outlines requirements for technical opinions, reports, and alternative materials, design and methods • 503.2 Ignition-resistant building material. Reorganized and clarified. • 504.5.1 Flashing. Additional requirements above International Residential Code. • 504.10, 505.10, 506.5 Vents • Performance and Prescriptive requirements • 1/8” max. mesh openings, in alignment with current COA regulation 5 Wildland An area in which development is essentially nonexistent including but not limited to grassland, pastures and farmland, shrub-covered and treed areas, easements, unmitigated parkland, and other natural surfaces that are not regularly maintained. • Wildland is no longer defined as 40 acres or 750 acres. • Wildland mapping will reflect approximately 10 acres, to be specified within Fire Protection Criteria Manual. • Expands examples of wildland types and includes easements. • Compared to the model code, the amendment does not exempt roads, railroads, power lines or similar facilities from being wildland. • Additional guidance will be included in the Fire Protection Criteria Manual. 6 Proximity Zone Section 302.4 The designation given to a structure to determine the enhanced ignition resistant construction required to reduce the effects of a wildfire on the structure. The proximity zone is …
