Mechanical and Plumbing Board March 26, 2021 Mechanical and Plumbing Board to be held March 26, 2021 at 9:00 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 (March 25, 2021 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 Tablero mecánico y de plomería 26 de marzo de 2021 La Junta de Mecánica y Plomería se llevará a cabo el 26 de marzo de 2021 a las 9:00 a.m. con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (25 de febrero de 2020 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión de la Junta de Mecánica y Plomería, los residentes deben: Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta al 512-550-5836 oa 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 …
2021 Uniform Mechanical Code Meeting Purpose To present proposed changes to the 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code Reducing Amendments GOAL: To minimize the number of amendments and return to published code. Amendments were reduced by more than 50% compared to the 2015 adoption process. About 24 sections were amended with 16 of the major changes detailed in the following slides. Reasons for amendments: 1. Council mandated 2. Business needs (chapter 1) 3. Additional options for the public with exempts from permitting 4. Clarification purposes 5. ISO rating Amendment 1 104.1.1 Special Inspections Program for Timed Inspections Commercial Mechanical Change-Out Program. For buildings not covered under the Residential Code, the building official may establish, by rule, an inspection program for commercial mechanical components identified in this section for buildings not covered under the Residential Code or a Special Inspections Program change-out program authorized in other technical or building codes. The buildings must be located within the zoning jurisdiction of the City, outside of the zoning jurisdiction under agreement with a municipal utility district, or where the City provides electrical service. The program applies to replacing roof top equipment; refrigeration equipment; and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment. Note: Renamed to remove confusion with the special inspection process in the IBC, and made a clarification about buildings not covered under the IRC. Amendment 2 CHAPTER 2: DEFINITIONS 202.1.1 Supplemental Definitions. The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this code and amend or supplement the definitions in Chapter 2 Section 202 (General Definitions) of in the 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code, as published: Alternate Water Source. Non-potable source of water that includes but is not limited to recycled manufacturing process water, air conditioner condensate, rainwater, storm water, gray water, black water, cooling tower blow down, and foundation drain water. Bleed-off (Blowdown). Means The circulating water in a cooling tower which is discharged to help keep the dissolved solids in the water below a maximum allowable concentration limit. Blow-Down Meter. Means A meter that tracks the amount of water discharged from a cooling tower system. Concentration. Means Re-circulated water in a cooling tower that has elevated levels of total dissolved solids as compared to the original make up water. Conductivity Controller. Means A device used to measure the conductivity of total dissolved solids in the water of a cooling system to and control the discharge of water in order to maintain efficiency. Cooling Tower. Means …
2021 Uniform Plumbing Code Meeting Purpose To present proposed changes to the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code Reducing Amendments GOAL: To minimize the number of amendments and return to published code. Amendments were reduced by more than 50% compared to the 2015 adoption process. The following slides detail some of the major changes proposed in the ordinance. Reasons for amendments: 1. Council mandated 2. Business needs (chapter 1) 3. Additional options for the public with exempts from permitting 4. Clarification purposes 5. ISO rating Chapter 25-12: Local Amendments to Uniform Plumbing Code Note: Modified to align definitions and terms with the published code. Chapter 25-12: Local Amendments to Uniform Plumbing Code Note: Deleted to allow homeowners to do work on alternative water systems. Chapter 25-12: Local Amendments to Uniform Plumbing Code Note: Modified to avoid confusion with the IBC Special Inspection Program, to limit where timed inspections occur and to be specific to occupied structures. Chapter 25-12: Local Amendments to Uniform Plumbing Code Note: Modified to provide additional allowances for the Building Official and clarification regarding tubs and showers. Chapter 25-12: Local Amendments to Uniform Plumbing Code Note: Modified to maintain consistency with other codes. Chapter 25-12: Local Amendments to Uniform Plumbing Code 108.0 The Building Criteria Manual. Additional information on procedures and rules related to administering the Residential Code is available in the Building Criteria Manual. Note: Creating a pointer to BCM to facilitate the process for changes. Chapter 25-12: Local Amendments to Uniform Plumbing Code Note: Deleted to be consistent with published code definitions and terms. Chapter 25-12: Local Amendments to Uniform Plumbing Code Note: Replacing the word ‘auxiliary’ with ‘alternative’ throughout the amendments to match published code. Chapter 25-12: Local Amendments to Uniform Plumbing Code Note: Adding the 100 gallon rule to the amendment for water protection purpose. Chapter 25-12: Local Amendments to Uniform Plumbing Code Note: Modified to simplify language. Chapter 25-12: Local Amendments to Uniform Plumbing Code Note: Deleted outdated flood requirements, already exist in IBC. Flood administrators review for these requirements as does the building designer. Chapter 25-12: Local Amendments to Uniform Plumbing Code Note: Deleted outdated flood requirements, already exist in IBC. Flood administrators review for these requirements as does the building designer. Chapter 25-12: Local Amendments to Uniform Plumbing Code Note: Modified to meet intent of the code. Chapter 25-12: Local Amendments to Uniform Plumbing Code Note: Deleted due to additional requirements that …
2021 Technical Code Engagement Comment Summary March 1, 2021 UNIFORM MECHANICAL CODE (UMC) Question/ Comment: The City of Austin received a letter in favor of adopting the Uniform Mechanical Code from Stan’s Heating, Air & Plumbing. A copy of that letter has been attached for reference. Question/ Comment: The City of Austin received letters in favor of adopting the International code over the Uniform code from the organizations listed below. These letters have been attached for reference. • • American Planning Association Texas Chapter (APATX) Building Officials Association of Texas (BOAT) Building Owners and Managers Association Austin (BOMA) • Home Depot • International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI) International Code Council International Code Council Bluebonnet Chapter • • • • Pool and Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) and Texas Pool and Spa Coalition (TPSC) Smart Vent Products, Inc. & Floodproofing.com South-central Partnership for Energy Efficiency as a Resource (SPEER) Target Texas Fire Protection Associations (TFPA) • • • • 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code Comment Summary Page 1 of 6 March 2021 Chapter Officers Chance Sparks, AICP, CNU-A President 512.312.0084 Chance.Sparks@freese.com Heather Nicks, AICP President-Elect 903-245-4459 hnick@tylertexas.com Gary Mitchell, AICP Treasurer (281) 721-4105 gary@kendigkeast.com> Christina Sebastian, AICP Secretary 972.941.5760 christinas@plano.gov Doug McDonald, AICP Past-President 214.801.7792 president@apatexas.org Lee Battle, AICP TML Affiliate 214-509-4163 lbattle@cityofallen.org Executive Administrator Mike McAnelly, FAICP 9629 Fallbrook Drive Dallas, Texas 75243 214.850.9046 administrator@apatexas.org APA Texas Chapter texas.planning.org February 19, 2021 City of Austin P.O. Box 1088 Austin, TX 78767-1088 Attn: Honorable Mayor and City Council of Austin; City of Austin Plumbing and Mechanical Board; and City of Austin Development Services Department The Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association (APATX) strongly encourages the City of Austin to consolidate its plumbing and mechanical codes under the International Code Council (ICC) series of codes, with appropriate local amendments consistent with regional practices. Texas has consolidated most other construction-related codes under the ICC series of codes, with the plumbing and mechanical codes remaining an anomaly. Local Government Code Section 214.212 requires cities to use the International Residential Code (IRC), which references the International Plumbing Code (IPC) and International Mechanical Code (IMC). Numerous amendments are required for the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) and Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) to correlate with the other building codes adopted and enforced in Texas, Austin, and the overall region. Austin’s regulatory approach to construction does not exist in a vacuum—it functions within a regional regulatory ecosystem and arguably …
2021 Technical Code Engagement Comment Summary March 1, 2021 UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE (UPC) Question/ Comment: American Planning Association Texas Chapter (APATX) Building Officials Association of Texas (BOAT) Building Owners and Managers Association Austin (BOMA) • Home Depot • International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI) International Code Council International Code Council Bluebonnet Chapter • • • • The City of Austin received letters in favor of adopting the International code over the Uniform code from the organizations listed below. These letters have been attached for reference. • • Pool and Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) and Texas Pool and Spa Coalition (TPSC) Smart Vent Products, Inc. & Floodproofing.com South-central Partnership for Energy Efficiency as a Resource (SPEER) Target Texas Fire Protection Associations (TFPA) • • • • 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code Comment Summary Page 1 of 3 March 2021 Chapter Officers Chance Sparks, AICP, CNU-A President 512.312.0084 Chance.Sparks@freese.com Heather Nicks, AICP President-Elect 903-245-4459 hnick@tylertexas.com Gary Mitchell, AICP Treasurer (281) 721-4105 gary@kendigkeast.com> Christina Sebastian, AICP Secretary 972.941.5760 christinas@plano.gov Doug McDonald, AICP Past-President 214.801.7792 president@apatexas.org Lee Battle, AICP TML Affiliate 214-509-4163 lbattle@cityofallen.org Executive Administrator Mike McAnelly, FAICP 9629 Fallbrook Drive Dallas, Texas 75243 214.850.9046 administrator@apatexas.org APA Texas Chapter texas.planning.org February 19, 2021 City of Austin P.O. Box 1088 Austin, TX 78767-1088 Attn: Honorable Mayor and City Council of Austin; City of Austin Plumbing and Mechanical Board; and City of Austin Development Services Department The Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association (APATX) strongly encourages the City of Austin to consolidate its plumbing and mechanical codes under the International Code Council (ICC) series of codes, with appropriate local amendments consistent with regional practices. Texas has consolidated most other construction-related codes under the ICC series of codes, with the plumbing and mechanical codes remaining an anomaly. Local Government Code Section 214.212 requires cities to use the International Residential Code (IRC), which references the International Plumbing Code (IPC) and International Mechanical Code (IMC). Numerous amendments are required for the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) and Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) to correlate with the other building codes adopted and enforced in Texas, Austin, and the overall region. Austin’s regulatory approach to construction does not exist in a vacuum—it functions within a regional regulatory ecosystem and arguably a statewide and national ecosystem, given Austin’s growing profile. Austin remains the only city in the region and one of only seven statewide to continue using the UPC and UMC. Within those seven …
STAFF DRAFT PRE-LAW DEPT REVIEW ORDINANCE NO. 20170608-056 AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ARTICLE 8 OF THE CITY CODE; AMENDING CHAPTER 2-1 RELATING TO THE MECHANICAL, PLUMBING, AND SOLAR BOARD AND ELECTRIC BOARD; AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING ARTICLE 5 OF CITY CODE CHAPTER 25-12 TO ADOPT THE 2021 UNIFORM MECHANICAL CODE AND LOCAL AMENDMENTS; AND CREATING OFFENSES. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: PART 1. City Code Chapter 25-12 is amended to repeal Article 8 (Solar Energy Code). PART 2. City Code Section 2-1-161 (Mechanical, Plumbing, and Solar Board) is repealed and replaced with a new Section 2-1-161 to read as follows: § 2-1-161 MECHANICAL AND PLUMBING BOARD. A. The Mechanical and Plumbing Board should include members who are qualified by experience and training to consider matters pertaining to the installation and design of mechanical and plumbing systems, including the following individuals: a. licensed air conditioning contractor; b. licensed master plumber; c. representative of a natural gas utility; d. professional engineer; or e. citizen of the City. B. A City employee may not be a member of the board. C. The board shall hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions, or determinations made by the building official relating to the application and interpretation of Chapter 25-12, Article 5 (Mechanical Code) and Article 6 (Plumbing Code). D. The board may not waive a requirement of the Mechanical Code or the Plumbing Code. E. The board shall render all decisions and findings in writing to the appellant. F. The building official shall retain a copy of each written decision and findings. G. An interested party aggrieved by the board's decision may appeal the decision to the city council consistent with the appeal procedures set forth in Chapter 25-1 (General Requirements and Procedures). H. In addition to the information required to file an appeal under Chapter 25-1 (General Requirements and Procedures), a notice of appeal filed under this subsection must include a statement containing facts which show that the decision that forms the basis of the appeal was incorrect because it was inconsistent with a City ordinance or state law or because a finding of fact by the board was clearly contrary to the evidence before the board. I. The board shall conduct public hearings and take public comment before recommending city council adopt a model code. PART 3. City Code Section 2-1-142 (Electric Board) is amended to …
2021 Uniform Plumbing Code Meeting Purpose To present proposed changes to the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code Reducing Amendments GOAL: To minimize the number of amendments and return to published code. Amendments were reduced by more than 50% compared to the 2015 adoption process. The following slides detail some of the major changes proposed in the ordinance. Reasons for amendments: 1. Council mandated 2. Business needs (chapter 1) 3. Additional options for the public with exempts from permitting 4. Clarification purposes 5. ISO rating Chapter 25-12: Local Amendments to Uniform Plumbing Code Note: Modified to align definitions and terms with the published code. Chapter 25-12: Local Amendments to Uniform Plumbing Code Note: State plumbing license laws already cover this exemption. Chapter 25-12: Local Amendments to Uniform Plumbing Code Note: Modified to avoid confusion with the IBC Special Inspection Program, to limit where timed inspections occur and to be specific to occupied structures. Chapter 25-12: Local Amendments to Uniform Plumbing Code Note: Modified to provide additional allowances for the Building Official and clarification regarding tubs and showers. Chapter 25-12: Local Amendments to Uniform Plumbing Code Note: Modified to maintain consistency with other codes. Chapter 25-12: Local Amendments to Uniform Plumbing Code 108.0 The Building Criteria Manual. Additional information on procedures and rules related to administering the Residential Code is available in the Building Criteria Manual. Note: Creating a pointer to BCM to facilitate the process for changes. Chapter 25-12: Local Amendments to Uniform Plumbing Code Note: Deleted to be consistent with published code definitions and terms. Chapter 25-12: Local Amendments to Uniform Plumbing Code Note: Replacing the word ‘auxiliary’ with ‘alternative’ throughout the amendments to match published code. Chapter 25-12: Local Amendments to Uniform Plumbing Code Note: Added the 100 gallon rule to the amendment for water protection purpose. Chapter 25-12: Local Amendments to Uniform Plumbing Code Note: Modified to simplify language. Chapter 25-12: Local Amendments to Uniform Plumbing Code Note: Deleted outdated flood requirements, already exist in IBC. Flood administrators review for these requirements as does the building designer. Chapter 25-12: Local Amendments to Uniform Plumbing Code Note: Deleted outdated flood requirements, already exist in IBC. Flood administrators review for these requirements as does the building designer. Chapter 25-12: Local Amendments to Uniform Plumbing Code Note: Modified to meet intent of the code. Chapter 25-12: Local Amendments to Uniform Plumbing Code Note: Deleted due to additional requirements that don’t exist for …
