Mechanical and Plumbing Board October 27, 2020 Mechanical and Plumbing Board to be held October 27, 2020 at 10:00 AM with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (October 26, 2020 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Mechanical and Plumbing Board Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512-550-5836 or at rick.arzola@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to rick.arzola@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live con deben registrarse Reunión del Tablero mecánico y de plomería FECHA de la reunion 27 de octubre de 2020 La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los anticipación oradores 26 de octubre de 2020 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los residentes deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en Rick. Arzola; 512-550-5836; rick.arzola@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). La información requerida es el nombre del orador, los números de artículo sobre los que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutrales, y un número de teléfono o dirección de correo electrónico. • Una vez que se haya llamado o enviado por correo electrónico una solicitud para hablar al enlace de la junta, …
Mechanical and Plumbing Board October 27, 2020 Mechanical and Plumbing Board to be held October 27, 2020 at 10:00 AM with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (October 26, 2020 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Mechanical and Plumbing Board Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512-550-5836 or at rick.arzola@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to rick.arzola@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live con deben registrarse Reunión del Tablero mecánico y de plomería FECHA de la reunion 27 de octubre de 2020 La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los anticipación oradores 26 de octubre de 2020 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los residentes deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en Rick. Arzola; 512-550-5836; rick.arzola@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). La información requerida es el nombre del orador, los números de artículo sobre los que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutrales, y un número de teléfono o dirección de correo electrónico. • Una vez que se haya llamado o enviado por correo electrónico una solicitud para hablar al enlace de la junta, …
Recommendation for Resource Management Commission Commission Meeting Date: Council Meeting Date: Department: November 17, 2020 December 10, 2020 Austin Water SUBJECT Approve amendments to city ordinances contained in Chapter 6-4 Water Conservation and 15-9-24 Utility Regulations to: assess administrative penalties for failure to submit cooling tower water efficiency registration and inspection reports required by 1126.1 of the city’s Mechanical Code; add efficiency performance standards for cooling tower drift eliminators; require the use of biocides in cooling tower recirculating water to increase water efficiency and protect public health by preventing airborne bacteria; and make ineligible for the evaporative loss credit on wastewater charges towers for which registration and inspection reports are not submitted. AMOUNT AND SOURCE OF FUNDING There is no unanticipated financial impact. The program would be administered under current funding and staffing. N/A N/A Purchasing Language: Prior Council Action: For More Information: Boards and Commission Action: MBE/WBE: Kevin Crittendon, 512-972-0191; Mark Jordan, 512-974-3901; Denise Avery, 512-972-0104 November 17, 2020 - To be reviewed and Resource Management Commission November 18, 2020 – To be reviewed by Water and Wastewater Commission N/A The 2018 Austin Integrated Water Resources Plan – Water Forward – recommended the adoption of ordinances that would increase water use efficiency by the commercial, industrial and institutional (CII) water use sectors, specifically including cooling towers. The proposed ordinances would amend Chapter 6-4 Water Conservation by imposing administrative penalties of up to $500 for failure to submit required cooling tower registration and annual inspection reports to ensure towers are meeting all water efficiency standards and equipment requirements. Assessment of administrative penalties for this program would be consistent with the current assessment of penalties under the Commercial Irrigation System Evaluation and Commercial Car Wash Certification programs. The proposed ordinances would also amend the inspection report to include whether the tower is meeting additional water efficiency standards for drift eliminators and the addition of biocides to cooling tower recirculating water to prevent algae growth, thereby increasing water efficiency as well as protecting public health by preventing airborne bacteria. These measures are consistent with 1126.1 and E 403.5.2, respectively, of the 2015 Uniform Mechanical Code, International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAMPO), and Standard 189.1, International Green Construction Code, of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Finally, the proposed CII ordinances would amend 15-9-24 Utility Regulations by providing that those who do not submit required registration …
2021 UMC Update: 1. Our directive was to eliminate as much amendments as possible and go back to publish code. This required that we separate the process into two different phases. 2. Change being proposed that may be of concern. The first phase consisted of making comparisons with the 2015 UMC published code and the 2015 UMC amendments. This phase has been completed with better than 50% of the language going back to publish code. The second phase is making comparison with the 2015 UMC amendments and the 2021 UMC, the second phase of the UMC ordinance is into its second meeting with all departments involved. The cloth dryer section being deleted from the UPC and using section 504 from the IMC. For plan review and inspections this issue is a common problem and staff is attempting to work on a new approach to better help all involved. The biggest concern is with domestic cloth dryers although the entire section is being adopted to help with eliminating confusion. The 2015 amendments already had 3 section from the IMC and table 504.4.2.1.1. Section 504 basically covers four areas. a) General requirements for cloth dryers b) Domestic cloth dryers c) Commercial cloth dryers d) Common exhaust for cloth dryers We are working on bring the 2021 UMC to the stakeholders sometime in February, soon after to the Board. The adoption of the 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code is on schedule to be adopted sometime in November 2021 although the plan is to adopt all the codes at one time which could delay the 21 UMC code adoption. I will gladly discuss the overview of the adoption although as a professional courtesy the details of individual sections will be left to Charlie Ablanedo. SECTION 504 CLOTHES DRYER EXHAUST (IMC) 504.1 Installation. Clothes dryers shall be exhausted in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Dryer exhaust systems shall be independent of all other systems and shall convey the moisture and any products of combustion to the outside of the building. Exception: This section shall not apply to listed and labeled condensing (ductless) clothes dryers. 504.2 Exhaust penetrations. Where a clothes dryer exhaust duct penetrates a wall or ceiling membrane, the annular space shall be sealed with noncombustible material, approved fire caulking or a noncombustible dryer exhaust duct wall receptacle. Ducts that exhaust clothes dryers shall not penetrate or be located within any …
UPC AMENDMENTS UPC SECTIONS Indicates deleted from publish code 422.1 Fixture Count 422.1.1 Family or Assisted-Use Toilet and Bathing Facilities. Table 422.1 422.2 Separate Facilities. 422.2.1 Single Use Toilet Facilities (pertains to signage contradicts 2902.2.1) 422.2.2 Family or Assisted-Use Toilet Facilities. 422.3 Fixture Requirements for Special Occupancies. 422.4 Toilet Facilities Serving Employees and Customers 422.4.1 Access to Toilet Facilities. IBC SECTIONS Indicates deleted from publish code 2902.1 Minimum number of fixtures. 2902.1.1 Fixture calculations 2902.1.2 Family or assisted-use toilet and bath fixtures. Table 2902.1 2902.2 Separate facilities 2902.2.1 Family or assisted-use toilet facilities serving as separate facilities 2902.3 Employee and public toilet facilities 2902.3.1 Access 2902.3.2 Location of toilet facilities in occupancies other than malls 422.5 Toilet Facilities for Workers 2902.3.3 Location of toilet facilities in malls 2902.3.4 Pay facilities 2902.3.5 Door locking. 2902.3.6 Prohibited toilet room location 2902.4 Signage 2902.4.1 Directional signage 2902.5 Drinking fountain location 2902.6 Small occupancies 422.2 Separate Facilities. 422.2.1 Family or assisted-use toilet facilities serving as separate facilities 422.2 Required public toilet facilities 422.4.1 Access 422.4.3 Location in a shopping mall or center. This section is a combination of section 2902.3.2 and 2902.3.3 in the IBC, Also created a new use “Center” that isn’t in the building code. 422.4.2 Toilet room location 422.4.4 Access to toilet facilities. This section is a combination of 2902.3.1 and 2902.3.2 from the IBC. Also created language that is exclusive to the UPC. 422.4.1 A toilet facility that may be accessed only from a private office may not be counted to determine compliance with this section.
This language is in the draft form, and is subject to change, it is not required to bring rules adoption to a Board although as a courtesy I would provide updates before adopting, the rules process does allow for public input. 5.6.2 - GAS PLUMBING SYSTEMS TEST REQUIREMENTS 5.6.2.1 Gas pressure test required. 5.6.2.2 Plumbing gas rough inspection 5.6.2.3 Final gas inspection. 5.6.2.4 Emergency pulled gas meter. 5.6.2.4.1 Scheduling inspection for emergency pulled gas meter 5.6.2.5 Building sewer test 5.6.2.6 Manhole test. 5.6.2.7 Testing procedures for drain, waste, and vent piping. 5.6.2.8 Trench drains 5.6.2.9 Methods of testing storm drainage systems. 5.6.2.10 Test procedures for material other than polyvinyl chloride (PVC) drainage piping. 5.6.2.11 Testing procedures for plastic roof drainage piping. 5.6.2.12 Testing requirements for non-human use medical gas and vacuum systems. 5.6.2.1 Gas pressure test required. A. A natural gas pressure test shall be required as described in sections 5.6.2.2 through 5.6.2.4 the Plumbing Code under the following circumstances: 1. Gas plumbing work has been performed; or 2. There is evidence of a gas leak; or 3. A building is declared substandard and gas service has been disconnected for more than 30 days; or 4. A building is declared dangerous; or 5. Any condition stipulated by the natural gas supplier. B. The City shall not approve natural gas service to a building which has not complied with this rule. 5.6.2.2 Plumbing gas rough inspection. A rough inspection is required after all piping authorized by the permit is installed, but before any portions of the piping are covered or concealed, and before any fixture, appliance, or shutoff valve is attached to the pipe. A. Low Pressure Gas Test. This inspection must include an air, carbon dioxide, or nitrogen pressure test. Test pressure must be at least 15 pounds per square inch gauge pressure and held at least 15 minutes with no perceptible drop in pressure. The Building Official may extend the test time. A Bourbon tube (“spring") gauge may be utilized. See “Test Gauge” requirements in the plumbing code. B. Medium Pressure Gas Test. For welded piping and piping that carries gas at pressures that exceed 14 inches water column pressure, the test pressure must be at least 60 pounds per square inch and must be continued for at least 30 minutes with no perceptible drop in pressure. The Building Official may extend the test time. The test may be …
2021 UPC Update: 1. Our directive was to eliminate as much amendments as possible and go back to publish code. This required that we separate the process into two different phases. 2. 1st change being proposed that may be of concern. The first phase consisted of making comparisons with the 2015 UPC published code and the 2015 UPC amendments. This phase has been completed with better than 50% of the language going back to publish code. The second phase is making comparison with the 2015 UPC amendments and the 2021 UPC, with this process the individual departments are doing a detailed review and plan on meeting about mid-December 2020 for a comparison amongst all departments involved. Chapter 422 which includes table 422.1 to be deleted from the UPC and leaving the IBC to address the building design requirements. a) Table 422.1 was deleted in the 2015 amendments from the UPC and the table from the IBC was inserted into the UPC amendments. b) This would consolidate all the building design requirements to one area. c) The logic is that if a plumber is designing he is already using the building code. d) The local amendments will direct the designer to the UBC in section 422 of the 2021 plumbing ordinance. e) A table (exhibit A) has been provided for comparison of the sections showing the deleted and active code sections and locations. 3. 2nd change being proposed. All of the testing procedures to be relocated in the Building Criteria Manual. ( see exhibit B) This would consolidate all the testing procedures to one section. The testing requirements are exactly as published in the 2015 amendments with some minor exception such as deleting specific code references, to eliminate changes when new codes are adopted. A new section pertaining to scheduling pulled gas meter inspections has been added. The scheduling of pulled gas meters has existed since at least 2004 as a memorandum the goal is to have published in the Building criteria Manual. We are working on bring the plumbing code to the stakeholders sometime in February soon after the Board. The adoption of the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code is on schedule to be adopted sometime in November 2021 although the plan is to bring all the codes at one time which could delay the plumbing code adoption. I will gladly discuss the overview of …
2021 Approved Meeting Schedule for Mechanical & Plumbing Board The board shall meet monthly at 9:30 am or when the board is legally required to meet to comply with a legal deadline. MEETING DATES CANCELLED DATES Notes (The 4th Tuesday) January 26, 2021 February 23, 2021 March 23, 2021 April 27, 2021 May 25, 2021 June 22, 2021 July 27, 2021 August 24, 2021 September 28, 2021 October 26, 2021 November 16, 2021 December 14, 2021 Election of Officers Annual Report Due Annual Meeting schedule Due Remember to note change in regular meeting date if it conflicts with a holiday.
BOARD MEETING October 27, 2020 Mechanical and Plumbing Board APPROVED MINUTES The Mechanical and Plumbing Board convened on Tuesday in a Regular Called Meeting on October 27, 2020. Meeting was using thru Webex teleconference. Board Chairman Cox, called the Meeting to order at 10:12 a.m. Board Members in Attendance: Stephen Cox, William Harris, Joseph Cooper, Joseph Bowie, Robert Thornton, Bianca Tafares, Basheer Mohamed and David Nichols Absent members: David Dixon, David Dixon, Bobbi Jo Foster , and Joseph Hernandez Staff Members in Attendance: Rick Arzola(DSD), Charles Ablanedo(DSD), Chad Watson(DSD), Tony Hernandez (DSD), Robert Stefani (AWU), Steve Villatoro (AWU), Daniel Cavazos (AWU) 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes from the April 29, 2020 meeting was approved as written. Vice Chair Board Member Thornton made a motion to accept the minutes as written, Board member Bowie, seconded, and the motion passed 8-0. 2. DISCUSSION: A. COOLING TOWER ADMIN PENALITIES – Robert Stefani from Austin Water Utility addressed the board regarding Cooling Tower Penalties. In his address, Austin will begin to assess administrative penalties for the failure to submit cooling tower water efficiency registration and inspection report that is required by 1126.1 of the City Mechanical Code. In his report, Austin’s “Water Forward” recommended the adoption of ordinances that would increase water use efficiency by commercial, industrial and institutions that operate water uses that specifically include cooling towers. B. UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE ORDINANCE- Commercial Plumbing Inspector Supervisor Chad Watson gave a quick update to the board on where Development Service Department (DSD) is with Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC). In his report, DSD directive was to eliminate as much amendments as possible and go back to publish code. The two biggest concerns were involving Chapter 422 and all of the testing procedures to be relocated to the Building Criteria Manual. DSD plans to bring the plumbing code to stakeholders in February and the adoption of the 2021 UPC is scheduled to be adopted sometime in November of 2021. C. UNIFORM MECHANICAL CODE ORDINANCE- Commercial Mechanical Inspector Supervisor Charlie Ablanedo also gave a quick update and much like the UPC, the Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) is eliminating as many amendments as possible and go back to publish code. Its biggest concern at this time is the cloth dryer section is being deleted from the UPC and using section 504 from the International Mechanical Code (IMC). For DSD plan reviewers and inspections, staff is working on …
