SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MECHANICAL AND PLUMBING BOARD Tuesday June 27 @ 9:30 AM- IN PERSON PERMITTING DEVELOPMENT CENTER/ 1st FLOOR, CONF RM 1401-1402 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DR AUSTIN, TEXAS 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: Joseph Bowie (Vela); Robert Thornton-V Chair (Alter, R); Alex Ramirez (Kelly), Kyle Smith (Pool), Bobbi Joe Foster (Ellis) Bill Harris(Alter), Robert Butler(Watson) 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- DISCUSSION 1. Approve the Minutes from Regular Called Meeting from June 28, 2022 2. Uniform Mechanical Code- Interpretation of Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) requirement for exhaust fans in Multi Family dwelling units. 3. Reclaimed Water use at singe family residential sites. 4. Legionellosis Prevention in Buildings. 5. 2024 Code Adoption: Uniform Plumbing Code and Mechanical Code DISCUSSION AND ACTION 6. 2023 Board Schedule 7. 2023 Board Elections 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. For more information of the Mechanical and Plumbing Board, please contact Rick Arzola at 512-974-2417
BOARD MEETING June 27, 2022 Mechanical and Plumbing Board Approved MINUTES The Mechanical and Plumbing Board convened in a Special Called Meeting on June 27, 2023. Meeting took place at the Permit Development Center at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive. Vice Chairman Thornton, called the Meeting to order at 9:42 a.m. Board Members in Attendance: William Harris, Robert Thornton, Kyle Smith, Joe Bowie, Robert Butler and Bobbi Jo Foster. Absent members: Alex Ramirez Staff Members in Attendance: Todd Wilcox (DSD), Chad Watson (DSD), Tony Hernandez (DSD) Marty Starrett (DSD) Betsy Kirkpatrick (AHD), Conner Lynd (AHD) GENERAL CITIZEN COMMUNICATION- Tanner Thornton spoke on behalf on discussion item 2 and John Mata of IAPMO spoke on behalf of discussion item 5. 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes from the June 28th, 2022 meeting was approved as written. Board member Harris made a motion to approve the minutes, board member Bowie second the motion. Motion pass 6-0 DISCUSSION ITMES 2. Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC)-Interpretation of Cubic feet per minute (CFM) requirement for exhaust fans in Multi Family dwelling units. – Board member Harris in conjunction with the UMC workgroup are working to clarify the language with the exhaust. It will basically align itself the same exhaust flow rates that are currently in the 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC). Currently the only comment that has been decided within the workgroup, was to include in the local 2024 amendments downdraft appliances in the kitchens would have to be the 300 CFM with a downdraft. This will allow for continuous and intermittent flowrates that are in the IMC. 3. Reclaimed Water use at Single Family Residential Sites- There was no discussion item on this. This will be tabled to the next meeting with Austin Water being present. 4. Legionellosis Prevention in Buildings- Staff from Austin Health, Betsy Kirkpatrick and Conner Lynd presented to the board for discussion on Legionella Prevention in Commercial buildings, most common found in Hospitals and nursing homes. Found in freshwater environments, a health concern is when bacteria grow and spread in man- made building water systems where overgrowth can be caused by plumbing systems replacement and its repairs. Austin Health is proposing that the Plumbing and Mechanical board to consider recommending adopting ASHRAE 188, 8.4 which describes the timing of disinfection and flushing prior to use. “Disinfection and flushing shall be completed no more than three weeks before whole or partial beneficiary occupancy” …
2023 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) Election of Officers Annual Report Due January 24, 2023 February 28, 2023 March 28, 2023 April 25, 2023 May 23, 2023 June 27, 2023 July 25, 2023 August 22, 2023 September 26, 2023 October 24, 2023 November 28, 2023 December 19, 2023 Moved to 3rd Tuesday due to xmas holidays Remember to note change in regular meeting date if it conflicts with a holiday.
24 UPC Code Ammendment Mechanical and Plumbing Board meeting, June 27, 0930 Permitting Development Center APH Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance presentation Goal: Improving timing of flushing prior to occupancy Legionella prevention Legionella Overview • Legionella bacteria are found naturally in freshwater environments, like lakes and streams. The bacteria can become a health concern when they grow and spread in human-made building water systems like • Showerheads and sink faucets • Cooling towers (structures that contain water and a fan as part of centralized air cooling systems for buildings or industrial processes) • Hot tubs • Decorative fountains and water features • Hot water tanks and heaters • Large, complex plumbing systems • About 1 in 3 cases (35%) are due to changes in water quality from reasons 3 external to the building itself Legionella in biofilm… ▪ Biofilm is often associated with Legionella in plumbing systems. Biofilm is a slimy coating that is formed as microbes attach to underwater surfaces (e.g., the inside of a pipe). Biofilm can form in valves, fittings, and on pipe walls, feeding Legionella. ▪ Legionella overgrowth can also be caused by plumbing system replacement and repairs, water temperatures between 68°-122°F, water pressure drops, boil water notices, water main breaks, water stagnation, and increased sediment 4 Legionella Symptoms (you have to breathe it in) • Symptoms can include: • Cough • Shortness of breath • Fever • Muscle aches • Headaches • Legionnaires’ disease can also be associated with other symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and confusion. Symptoms usually begin 2 to 14 days after being exposed to the bacteria, but it can take longer • Legionnaires’ disease is deadly for about 10% of people who get it. 5 Issue: Water stagnation leads to Legionella overgrowth • Recently a healthcare facility had brown water when connected early April. • “Prior to use” flush done >4 months ago • Water service lines installed last June 2022 • Common issue in new hospital construction especially when water does not get turned on in timely manner and no timed flushing protocols in place • Corrosion of pipes leads to biofilm growth • Many Legionella outbreaks in hospitals are related to new construction • What is current Austin standard? • Can we improve? Click to edit footer style 6 Uniform Plumbing Code- no timing for flushing https://www.iapmo.org/publications/read-uniform-codes-online/ 609.10 Disinfection of Potable Water System New or repaired potable water systems shall …
