SPECIAL CALLED MEETING BUILDING and FIRE BOARD OF APPEALS AGENDA Wednesday January 29, 2025 @ 9:30 am- In Person Permitting Development Center; Conference Room 1406 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), Chris Gannon (Pool) Jim Rumbo(Alter), Alison Satt(Madison) Oren Mitzner (Qadri) Paredes-Juarez (Vela) 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. 1. Approve the Minutes from Regular Called Meeting from January 22, 2025 2. Conduct a public hearing and consider approving a recommendation to adopt the 2024 APPROVAL OF MINUTES DISCUSSION and ACTION International Building Code (IBC) 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.
M E M O R A N D U M TO: City Manager Office FROM: Joel G. Baker, Fire Chief DATE: January 17, 2025 SUBJECT: Austin Fire Department Position on 2024 IBC Proposed Single Stair changes The Austin Fire Department (AFD), in collaboration with the Development Services Department (DSD), is working toward adoption of the 2024 International Building Codes (IBC). One high visibility issue has been a local amendment to Code 1006.3.4.2 Single Stair in Certain R-2 Applications (see attached staff Single Stair amendment). The requested City of Austin Staff proposed amendment in response to Council Resolution 20240502-094 limits usage of single staircases in buildings with a maximum of five stories and requires additional fire protection engineering features and limitations to square footage per floor to mitigate risks. There is a proposal for the 2027 edition of International Code that allows a similar allowance of single staircase to a maximum of four stories. AFD supports the proposal from a structural engineering perspective. To support the proposal from an operational perspective AFD would need an additional three/five staffed aerial devices put in service. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 101 requires two means of escape. Multiple staircases allow one stairwell for fire attack and a second one for resident escape/evacuation. In single staircase buildings, residents caught above where the fire occurs will need to be protected in place and cannot be evacuated via the stairwell. Once a fire attack has commenced that stairwell will be exposed to dangerous heat and products of combustion. This concern is shared by the International Association of Fire Firefighters and Metro Fire Chiefs Association. Additionally, ground ladders are only able to reach the third floor (current code only allows single staircases in buildings up to three stories), so any external evacuation of higher floors would require aerial apparatus with access to all sides of the building. Additionally, NFPA Standard 1710 sets a response objective for initial full alarm complement to arrive within 8 Minutes for hazards such as residential buildings. AFD has not added an aerial to operation since the mid-1990s. The attached maps show the effects the lack of additional arial trucks have had on response times. Maps 1 & 2 shows how current aerials response times and how they are not meeting AFD’s objective of 8 minute response times for first unit on scene. In order to meet AFD’s target response goal, aerials should …
Affordability Impact Statement 2024 International Building Code & Local Amendments Date: 6/25/2024 Proposed Regulation The proposed adoption of the 2024 International Building Code (IBC) and local amendments would replace the current 2021 IBC and corresponding local amendments. The IBC is a model code published by International Code Council, a non-profit entity with a robust democratic process for weighing the costs and benefits of code changes. Most of the changes to the local amendments simplify or streamline code regulation and interpretation. The most impactful local amendments are likely the new requirements for natural light in living spaces and the reduction of required egress stairways in apartment buildings up to five-stories. Land Use/Zoning Impacts on Housing Costs The proposed changes would have a neutral impact on housing costs via land use and zoning. 2024 IBC and local amendments will update Austin’s land development code to reflect the most current standards. Keeping building codes up to date helps to ensure consistency with other jurisdictions and appropriate consideration of newer building materials/practices, such as mass timber. Impact on Development Cost The proposed changes would likely have a neutral impact on development costs overall. The 2024 IBC is a model code that makes incremental changes to improve building standards. Some changes raise the cost of construction in the interest of improving factors such as safety, accessibility, and code consistency. Other code changes decrease costs through means such as eliminating unnecessary requirements, providing clarification, or allowing greater design flexibility. The wider cost benefits of improved building safety, resilience, consideration of newer technology, and consistency with other jurisdictions’ building codes can counterbalance immediate building cost increases as well. 2024 Model Code Update: Research from the University of Florida is currently underway to evaluate the cost impact of updating from the 2023 Florida Building Codes to the 2024 International Codes (Issa et al. 2024).1 The 2023 Florida Building Code adopts the 2021 IBC as its model, so it may be a fair baseline to understand the overall cost impact of the changes from the 2021 IBC to the 2024 IBC. The State of Florida does adopt amendments to the model codes, but they have the closest available comparison to understand the cost impacts of adopting the 2024 IBC. The University of Florida study models the adoption of the 2024 International Codes on seven different building types, including small office, retail, primary school, small hotel, mid-rise apartment, 1-story residence, …
Community Engagement Summary: 2024 Technical Code Changes Engagement #1 (IBC & ISPSC) Overview The City of Austin updates the technical codes in accordance with the International Code Council (ICC) and International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) code cycle schedules. The International Codes are the most trusted source of model codes and standards. In preparation for the adoption of 2024 Technical Codes later this year, DSD provided stakeholder engagement opportunities for updates to the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC). These codes, along with any needed local amendments, will be reviewed by the Austin City Council prior to adoption. 2024 Technical Code Changes stakeholder engagement opportunities (IBC & ISPSC): • Public Input web page Open to community comments from March 20, 2024 to April 26, 2024. • Stakeholder Webinar with Q&A Tuesday, April 9, 2024 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. Stakeholders & Advertising The week of March 25, 2024 an email invitation to participate in the engagements was sent to 3,322 stakeholder email addresses (148 specified stakeholders, 2,750 active building permit holders, and 528 pool permit holders; note: discrepancy due to duplicate removal). The engagement opportunities were also included in the in the January, February, and March 2024 Building Connections external e- newsletter; each issue was sent to between 5,655 and 5,726 subscribers. Additionally, the engagements were included in the internal e-newsletter, the DSD Insider, in January and March 2024 and were posted on the DSD Events Calendar webpage in March 2024. A bilingual (English and Spanish) social media post was published on Facebook (891 followers) and Instagram (464 followers) on March 29. Feedback Summary In total, 200 community members participated in the first round of engagement for the 2024 Technical Code Changes which focused on the IBC and ISPSC. The Public Input Web Page Open to community comments or questions from March 20 to April 26, 2024, the IBC page received 901 views and 172 comments. During that same comment period, the ISPSC page received 74 views and zero comments. The IBC page comments and questions are summarized below. pg. 1 pg. 2 The overwhelming majority IBC comments were in support of single stair buildings, with only one comment in opposition. The responses could be categorized into several common themes around single stair reform: Support for Single Stair Buildings (159 responses), Safety and Fire Regulations Concerns (68 responses), Affordable Housing …
Community Engagement Summary: 2024 Technical Code Changes Engagement #2 (UMC, UPC, IRC, IBC, IPMC, IECC, IFC, WUIC) Overview The City of Austin updates the technical codes in accordance with the International Code Council (ICC) and International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) code cycle schedules. The International Codes are the most trusted source of model codes and standards. In preparation for the adoption of 2024 Technical Codes later this year, DSD provided stakeholder engagement opportunities for updates to the Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC), Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), International Residential Code (IRC), International Building Code (IBC), International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), International Fire Code (IFC), and the Wildland Urban Interface Code (WUIC). These codes, along with any needed local amendments, will be reviewed by the Austin City Council prior to adoption. 2024 Technical Code Changes stakeholder engagement opportunities: Public Input web page The time frames below indicate the duration of the Public Input web page comment period for each code, during which the proposed amendments were available for review. o Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC): May 15 – June 16, 2024 o Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC): May 15 – June 16, 2024 o International Residential Code (IRC): June 25 – July 24, 2024 o International Building Code (IBC): June 25 – July 24, 2024* o International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC): June 4 – July 5, 2024 o International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) : June 12 – July 8, 2024 o International Fire Code (IFC): May 28 – June 27, 2024 o Wildland Urban Interface Code (WUIC): May 20 – June 28, 2024 *Updates to the International Building Code (IBC) were posted for a second round of public input following the addition of additional language. Stakeholder Webinar with Q&A Monday, May 20, 2024 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:10 p.m. In-Person Stakeholder Engagement Thursday, May 30, 2024 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. City of Austin Permitting and Development Center 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Austin, TX, 78752 Event Center 1405 • • • pg. 1 Stakeholders & Advertising Tactics First Round: IBC, ISPSC The week of March 25, 2024 an email invitation to participate in the first round of technical code changes engagements (focusing on the IBC and ISPSC) was sent to 3,322 stakeholder email addresses (148 specified stakeholders, 2,750 active building permit holders, and 528 pool permit holders; note: discrepancy due to duplicate removal). The email included promotion …
FLOOR MODIFICATION E24-24-SHAPIRO-MC1 2024 International Building Code Revise as follows: Proponent: Jeffrey Shapiro, International Code Consultants, Self (jeff.shapiro@intlcodeconsultants.com) TABLE 1006.3.4(1) STORIES AND OCCUPIABLE ROOFS WITH ONE EXIT OR ACCESS TO ONE EXIT FOR R-2 OCCUPANCIES . Basement, first, second, or third, or fourth story above grade plane and occupiable roofs over the first, or second, or third story above grade plane Fourth Fifth story above grade plane and higher STORY OCCUPANCY MAXIMUM NUMBER OF MAXIMUM EXIT ACCESS TRAVEL DWELLING UNITS DISTANCE a, b, c, d R-2 4 dwelling units NP NA 125 feet NA d. 4-story buildings and 3-story buildings with an occupiable roof above the third story shall also comply with Section 1006.3.4.2. Add new text as follows: 1006.3.4.2 Single exit four-story buildings with Group R-2 dwelling units. Four-story buildings with a single exit for Group R-2 dwelling units shall comply with Table 1006.3.4(1) and all of the following: 1. The net floor area of each floor shall not exceed 4,000 square feet (418.5 m ). 2 2. Openings to the interior exit stairway enclosure shall be limited to those required for exit access into the enclosure from normally occupied spaces, those required for egress from the enclosure, and openings to the exterior. Elevators shall not open into the interior exit stairway enclosure. 3. A manual fire alarm system and automatic smoke detection system that activates the occupant notification system in accordance with Section 907.5 shall be provided. Smoke detectors shall be located in common spaces outside of dwelling units, including but not limited to gathering areas, laundry rooms, mechanical equipment rooms, storage rooms, interior corridors, interior exit stairways, and exit passageways. 4. Regardless of the stairway construction type, automatic sprinkler locations in interior exit stairways shall comply with the requirements of NFPA 13 for combustible stairways. 5. Electrical receptacles shall be prohibited in an interior exit stairway. FLOOR MODIFICATION # 38 E24-24-SHAPIRO-MC1 This floor modification is based on work of a joint FCAC/BCAC workgroup, which achieved consensus. The objective of this workgroup was bringing together interested parties in an effort to determine whether there is an opportunity for incremental progress in extending the current 3- story limit on R-2 single-exit buildings in the 2027 code. More immediately, the workgroup desired to achieve a recommendation of APPROVAL AS MODIFIED by the Means of Egress Committee at the Long Beach hearing, which may assist state and local jurisdictions that have …
PROPOSED IBC 2024 CODE V1, DRAFT SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL CHANGES AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING DIVISION 1 OF ARTICLE 1 OF CITY CODE CHAPTER 25‐12 RELATING TO THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE; REPEALING AND REPLACING ARTICLE 10 OF CITY CODE CHAPTER 25‐12 RELATING TO THE INTERNATIONAL EXISTING BUILDING CODE; AND CREATING OFFENSES. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: PART 1. City Code Chapter 25‐12 (Technical Codes) is amended to repeal and replace Division 1 of Article 1 (Building Code) to read: DIVISION 1. INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE AND LOCAL AMENDMENTS § 25‐12‐1 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE. (A) The International Building Code, 2021 2024 Edition, published by the International Code Council ("2021 2024 International Building Code") is adopted and incorporated by reference into this section with the deletions in Subsection (B) and the amendments in Section 25‐12‐3 (Local Amendments to the International Building Code). (B) The following provisions of the 20241 International Building Code are deleted. 414.1.3305.2.3 503.1.4 plus subsections 308.2.3 Chapter 9 308.2.4 1612 plus subsections 427.6 2901.1503.1.4 1108.6.4.2 1301.1 3102.5Chapter 9 103 plus subsections Table 1004.5308.3 3201.11008.2.1 1507.8 plus subsections 1507.9 plus subsections 1607.8.2 1612 plus subsections 2901.1 2902.2 2902.6 3102.5 3201.1 3202.1 Table 2901.1 Footnote (e) 1010.1.2308.3.1.1 1010.3.3 308.3.2 3202.1 1009.3 3202.3.41010.1.2 1102.1308.5 1204 plus subsections 308.5.1 1301.1 308.5.3 1507.8 plus subsections 308.5.4 1507.9 plus subsections 310.2 1607.8.2310.4.1 406.4.3 1010.2.7 1010.3.3 1101.2 1102.1 1108.6.1.2 1108.6.2.2.2 1108.6.2.3.2 1108.6.3 Page 1 of 19 101.4.1 101.4.2 101.4.3 104.32.1 105.1.1 105.2 105.5 107.2.6 110.3 112.3 113 plus subsections 305.2 305.2.2 Table 1004.5 414.1.3 (C) The following definition is deleted from Section 202.2.1 (General Definitions) of the 2021 International Building Code: (C) The city clerk shall file a copy of the 20241 International Building Code with the official ordinances of FOSTER CARE FACILITIES. (B) the City. § 25‐12‐2 CITATIONS TO THE BUILDING CODE. In the City Code, "Building Code" means the 20241 International Building Code adopted in Section 25‐12‐1 (International Building Code) as amended by Section 25‐12‐3 (Local Amendments to the International Building Code). In this article, "this code" means the Building Code. § 25‐12‐3 LOCAL AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE. Each provision in this section is a substitute for the identically numbered provision deleted in Section 25‐12‐ 1(B) (International Building Code) or is an addition to the 20241 International Building Code. [A] 101.4.1 Gas. The provisions of the International Fuel Gas Code and the Plumbing Code shall apply …
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS METROPOLITAN FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION Joint Statement Regarding Single Stairways in Multifamily Buildings The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association (Metro Chiefs) have joined forces to notify our members and the general public of efforts in some jurisdictions to reduce the number of required exit stairwells and permit a single means of egress in multifamily buildings up to six stories. Current model code requires at least two means of egress in residential occupancies above three stories. These legislative actions are an attempt to supersede the model safety codes, placing occupants and fire fighters at greater risk of injury and death. We must do all we can to defeat these misguided efforts. Allowing residential structures to be built with exemptions or modifications contrary to decades of research and investigation will jeopardize safety. Put simply, lives will be endangered. History is filled with examples of incidents where a single means of egress and blocked egress resulted in trapped occupants and loss of life. More concerning is that some state, provincial, and local legislatures are considering reducing established critical life-saving features by circumventing the national code development consensus process. The national code development process ensures equal, non-biased dialogue between all stakeholders to find consensus. Circumventing the code development process jeopardizes the public, building occupants, and first responders. Much like smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms, proper exiting is known to have saved thousands of lives and remains the fundamental building block to life safety. Layered fire prevention measures encompassing multiple means of egress, fire suppression systems, fire-rated construction, automatic fire alarm systems, compartmentalization, and many other codes provide a reasonable, widely accepted, and nationally developed level of protection. Drastic changes, such as those proposed in some jurisdictions, directly contrast with time-tested safety fundamentals. Model codes and standards are minimum safety requirements established to address identified hazards, including fires, explosions, hazardous materials incidents, natural disasters, and other dangerous events. In opposing this effort, the IAFF and the Metro Chiefs recognize the following: 1. Single means of egress places residents and fire fighters in danger; 2. Many fire departments lack the personnel and equipment required to combat these types of fires and to safely evacuate large numbers of people from elevated floors through a single means of egress; 3. Operations on ground or aerial ladders are hazardous for trained fire fighters. Removing occupants via ground or …
TABLE 1006.3.4(1) STORIES WITH ONE EXIT OR ACCESS TO ONE EXIT FOR R-2 OCCUPANCIES STORY OCCUPANCY MAXIMUM EXIT ACCESS TRAVEL MAXIMUM NUMBER OF DWELLING UNITS Basement, first, second, third, 4th or 5th story above grade plane and occ. roofs over the 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th story Sixth story above grade plane and higher For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm. NP = Not Permitted. NA = Not Applicable R-2a, b,c,d 4 dwelling units 125 feet NP NA NA a.Buildings classified as Group R-2 equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 and provided with emergency escape and rescue openings in accordance with Section 1031. b.This table is used for R-2 occupancies consisting of dwelling units. For R-2 occupancies consisting of sleeping units, use Table 1006.3.4(2). c.This table is for occupiable roofs accessed through and serving individual dwelling units in Group R-2 occupancies. For Group R-2 occupancies with occupiable roofs that are not accessed through and serving individual units, use Table 1006.3.4(2). d. 5-story buildings and 4-story buildings with an occupiable roof above the third story shall also comply with Section 1006.3.4.2. 1006.3.4.2 Single exit 4 or 5 story Group R-2 Occupancies. 4 or 5 story buildings with a single exit for Group R-2 dwelling units shall comply with Table 1006.3.4(1) and all of the following: 1. The net floor area of each floor served by a single exit shall not exceed 4,000 square feet (418.5 m). 2. An exterior exit stairway or interior exit stairway shall be provided at each story served by a single exit. Exit Access Doors into the exit stairway shall swing in the direction of egress travel regardless of the occupant load served. 3. Regardless of the stairway construction type, automatic sprinkler locations in interior exit stairways shall comply with the requirements of NFPA 13 for combustible stairways. 4. There shall be no more than 20 feet (6096 mm) of travel to the exit stairway from the entry/exit door of any dwelling unit. 5. The exit shall not terminate in an egress court where the court depth exceeds the court width unless it is possible to exit in either direction to the public way. 6. Other occupancies shall not communicate with the Group R occupancy portion of the building or with the single-exit stairway. Exception: parking garages and occupied roofs accessory to the Group R occupancy are permitted to …
