CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Joseph Bowie (Vela); Robert Thornton-V Chair (Alter, R); VACANT (Kelly), Kyle Smith (Pool), Bobbi Joe Foster (Ellis) Bill Harris(Alter), Robert Butler(Watson), Stephen Cox (Madison) REGULAR CALLED MEETING MECHANICAL AND PLUMBING BOARD Tuesday June 25 @ 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 Joseph Cooper(Fuentes), Ramon Perez(Velasquez), VACANT(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 March 27, 2024 DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Austin Water- Laundry to Landscape. Local amendments to the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code DISCUSSION and ACTION 3. Approve a recommendation for the Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) 4. Approve a recommendation for the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) 5. Conduct officer elections for the Chair and Vice Chair. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS for July 23rd 2024 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
Laundry to Landscape: Local Amendments to the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code Kevin Kluge, Water Conservation Manager May 28, 2024 Timeline for UPC-related Landscape Transformation Activities 2 Laundry to Landscape Installation Require laundry to landscape-ready plumbing • Mandatory for all new homes with laundry connections adjacent to an exterior wall • DSD plumbing inspection • Edwards Aquifer exclusions External system – voluntary for homeowner, permit required, education and incentive available Impact on affordable housing – neutral Plumbing Specifications for Laundry to Landscape Requirement New image displays roofing vent rather than an auto-vent No significant updates beyond venting Figure F 301.1(7) of the 2026 WEStand Homeowner education Information placard Update the 2015 Residential Gray Water Design Manual • Update permitting process, subsurface installation, and ordinances Propose expanded incentives • 100% of materials, up to $300 • Up to $300 for installation costs by a licensed irrigator 5 Questions?
City of Austin 2024 Technical Code Changes UMC & UPC Background The City of Austin updates the technical codes in accordance with the International Code Council (ICC), International Association of Plumbing & mechanical Officials (IAPMO) code cycle schedules. The International Codes are the most trusted source of model codes and standards. 2024 Uniform Mechanical Code Reducing Amendments GOAL: To minimize the number of amendments and return to model code. Reasons for amendments: 1. Council mandated 2. Business needs (chapter 1) 3. Clarification purposes 4. ISO rating Strikethrough means deleted from amendments – underline is a new amendment Amendment 1 104.1.1 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 or a 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. 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 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. Treatment System. A method, device or process for the treatment of the water quality of cooling tower blowdown, air conditioning condensate, or other onsite alternative water necessary for the authorized end uses provided under city and state permitting requirements contained in Chapters 15 and 16 of the City’s Adopted Plumbing Code & 30 TAC Chapter 210 Subchapter F. Note: These definitions were deleted at AW request. Amendment 3 305.3.1 Gas and Oil-Fired Furnaces. A float-operated automatic control valve shall be installed in the fuel supply line for a heating system that uses a gas or oil-fired furnace. The automatic control valve shall shut off fuel supply when floodwaters reach an elevation equal to the floor level of the spaces where the furnace equipment is installed. A manually operated gas valve that can be operated from a location above the regulatory flood datum (RFD) shall be provided in the …
Mechanical and Plumbing Board RECOMMENDATION 20240625-3 June 25, 2024 Date: Subject: Recommendation of 2024 Uniform Mechanical Code Motioned By: William Harris Seconded By: Joseph Cooper Recommendation A unanimous decision in a recommendation to adopt the 2024 Uniform Mechanical Code with City of Austin local ordinance. Description of Recommendation to Council 2024 Uniform Mechanical Code as amended by ordinance. Language approved by the Mechanical and Plumbing Board and City staff. Rationale: The board understands the importance of this recommendation to council as it is necessary to keep up with the changes in construction and modifications of codes through ordinances, education, contractor/builder licensing requirements and public awareness programs with participation in code development and administrative policies and procedures. In this recommendation, it continues to keep the Citizens of Austin healthy and safe and to ensure codes are updated to adopted give them a long-lasting mechanical system in homes and business with minimal maintenance requirements and to continue making Austin the most livable City of America. Vote: 7-0 For: Robert Thornton, William Harris, Joseph Cooper, Stephen Cox, Bobbi Jo Foster, Kyle Smith and Roman Perez Against: None Abstain: None Absent: Robert Butler and Joe Bowie Attest: Robert C. Thornton, Chair 1 of 1
Mechanical and Plumbing Board RECOMMENDATION 20240625-4 June 25, 2024 Date: Subject: Recommendation of 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code Motioned By: Joseph Cooper Seconded By: William Harris Recommendation A unanimous decision in a recommendation to adopt the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code with City of Austin local ordinance. Description of Recommendation to Council 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code as amended by ordinance. Language approved by Mechanical and Plumbing Board and City Staff. Rationale: The board understands the importance of this recommendation to council as it is necessary to keep up with the changes in construction and modifications of codes through ordinances, education, contractor/builder licensing requirements and public awareness programs with participation in code development and administrative policies and procedures. In this recommendation, it continues to keep the Citizens of Austin healthy and safe and to ensure codes are updated to adopted give them a long-lasting plumbing system in homes and business with minimal maintenance requirements and to continue making Austin the most livable City of America. Vote: 7-0 For: Robet Thornton, Bill Harris, Joseph Cooper, Stephen Cox, Bobbi Jo Foster, Kyle Smith and Ramon Perez Against: None Abstain: None Absent: Robert Butler and Joe Bowie Attest: Robert C. Thornton, Chair 1 of 1
BOARD MEETING June 25, 2024 Mechanical and Plumbing Board APPROVED MINUTES The Mechanical and Plumbing Board convened in a Regular Called Meeting on June 25, 2024. The meeting took place at the Permitting Development Center at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive. Chairman Thornton, called the Meeting to order at 9:32 a.m. Board Members in Attendance: Robert Thornton, Bill Harris, Joe Cooper, Stephen Cox, Bobbi Jo Foster, Kyle Smith and Ramon Perez Absent members: Blaine Butler and Joe Bowie Staff Members in Attendance: Tim Taylor (DSD), Charlie Ablanedo (DSD), Chad Watson (DSD), Todd Wilcox (DSD) Robert Stefani (AWU), Kevin Kluge (AWU) Eric Reynolds (AWU), Kevin Critendon(AWU) and Heather Cooke (AWU) GENERAL CITIZEN COMMUNICATION- John Mata from the International Association of Mechanical and Plumbing Association (IAPMO) was on hand to listen in and weigh in his support of the recommendation of the 2024 Uniform Mechanical and Uniform Plumbing Code. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1.The minutes from the February 27, 2024 meeting was approved as written. Board member Cooper made a motion to approve the minutes, Board member Smith second the motion. Motion passed 7-0. Board members Bowie and Butler were absent. DISCUSSION ITMES 2. Austin Water-Laundry to Landscape- Austin Water Kevin Kluge recapped on 3 local amendments that are being proposed to save water as part of the 2018 Water forward plan in strategy of the landscape transformation for new homes, which includes pressure reduction devices on new irrigation systems, limit irrigation areas and required laundry to landscape ready plumbing in new homes after January 2025. Laundry to landscape would be a requirement for new homes with laundry connections only adjacent to an exterior wall. These inspections would be enforced by DSD plumbing inspections and would not apply to homes built in the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone. Exterior systems which distribute water to the plants and trees, would be voluntary for homeowners and a permit would be required. Austin water will provide education and incentives for this. No impact on affordability. In the past board meeting, there were concerns regarding venting of the plumbing specifications and how to ensure that homeowners install this correctly. In coordination with International Association of Mechanical and Plumbing Code Officials and John Mata of IAPMO, design was approved to vent through the roof as means of alternative venting system. In terms of the education, a required placard would be placed on the 3-way valve providing homeowners that they are …
