BS 2007-07-05 BSC
MINUTES OF JULY 5, 2007
BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION
The Building and Standards Commission of the City of Coppell met on Thursday, July 5, 2007, at
7:30 p.m. in the Conference Room, Fire Administration Building, 500 Southwestern Blvd.
Commissioners in attendance: Alternate Commissioners in attendance:
Mark LeGros, Chairman Jon Holzheimer, Alternate Commissioner
David Stonecipher, Vice Chairman Laura Ketchum, Alternate Commissioner
Robert Chomiak, Commissioner Harold Copher, Alternate Commissioner
Donald Perschbacher, Commissioner
Absent:
Also present: John Hoppie, Commissioner
Tim Oates, Deputy Chief - Prevention
Greg Jones, Chief Building Official
Mary Beth Spletzer, Secretary
Item 1: Call to Order.
Meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Chairman LeGros.
Commissioner Holzheimer was appointed to serve on the board in place of Commissioner Hoppie
who was absent.
Item 2:
Public Hearing to consider the recommendation for adoption of the 2006 Editions of
the following Codes: International Building Code, International Energy Conservation
Code, International Fire Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International Mechanical
Code, International Plumbing Code, International Property Maintenance Code,
International Residential Building Code, as well as the 2005 Edition of the National
Electrical Code, all with local Coppell amendments, carried over from the previous
code adoption.
Greg Jones introduced Tim Oates, indicating that Chief Oates had served on the Fire Code
subcommittee, and that he himself had served on the Building and Energy Advisory Committee.
He distributed an overview of the code updates, explaining why the City has chosen to adopt the
2006 International Codes and the 2005 National Electrical Code, at this time. He noted that
Coppell will be one of the first cities in the Metroplex to adopt the 2006 editions. He reported that
tonight’s meeting is intended to provide a brief overview of the code updates, with the intention of
seeking the Board’s recommendation for approval, and subsequent approval and adoption by City
Council.
Greg Jones reported that this adoption will also include previously adopted local amendments,
such as: the ban on wood shingles and wood shakes as roof covering material for all types of
construction; the requirement that buildings over 55 feet above the lowest level of access for fire
fighting must be equipped with all the safety provisions of high-rise construction; and, the
requirement that buildings must be equipped with automatic fire sprinkler systems if they’re over
5,000 sq. ft., over 35 feet in height, or two or more stories. At the same time, he noted that mini
warehouses are required to be equipped with automatic fire sprinkler systems.
Greg Jones further reported that the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG),
which is comprised of 23 cities, has also proposed amendments to these new versions of the
family of I-Codes, and those amendments are also incorporated in these drafts of the adopting
Ordinances. He commented that this organization’s goal was to standardize construction in the
Metroplex to make it easier for architects, builders and developers.
In addition, Greg Jones explained that the Energy Conservation Code, which mandates green and
energy efficient construction, as well as the Plumbing, Fuel Gas, Mechanical, and Electrical Codes,
all of which encompass the latest in technological improvements, help put Coppell at the cutting
edge. He further explained that the Property Maintenance Code replaces the original
Neighborhood Integrity Ordinance, but is more all-encompassing because it provides City staff with
a legal means by which to condemn property, define dangerous buildings, and provide for the
abatement of those buildings, when necessary.
Greg Jones summarized that this package of codes was previously reviewed and approved by the
City Attorney’s office. He commented that adoption of these codes will bring Coppell to an even
higher level of life safety and, in addition, will favorably impact the City’s ISO rating, with the goal of
eventually lowering citizens’ rates of homeowners’ insurance.
Referring to the International Building Code, Chairman LeGros noted an error, as follows:
Page 3, Section 108.6.1. Refunds: “The Building Official may authorize any fee paid
hereunder which was erroneously paid or collected.” Change phrase to read, “the Building
Official may authorize the refund of any fee hereunder which was erroneously paid or
collected.” Greg Jones noted this error, and indicated he would make that revision.
Referring to the International Building Code, Chairman LeGros asked if the following section
referred to interior situations, and Greg Jones indicated that it did:
Page 3, Section 109.3.5. Lath and gypsum board inspection: (Section to be deleted)
Referring to the International Fuel Gas Code, Chairman LeGros commented that, in his experience
as a licensed home inspector, he questioned the following:
Page 5, Section 616.6.1. Maximum Length: “The maximum length of a clothes dryer
exhaust duct shall not exceed 25 feet from the dryer location to the wall or roof termination,
with not more than two bends.” Chairman LeGros explained that this statement actually
allows a clothes dryer another 10 feet of exhaust duct, because the additional two bends
are not differentiated as 45-degree or 90-degree bends. He further explained that in most
cases, when a duct is traveling through unconditioned attic space, temperature changes
occur, resulting in condensation, which attracts lint, thereby creating blockages, which can
lead to the potential for fire hazards.
Greg Jones noted that the regional code coordinating committees are still meeting to finalize the
code amendments, so it’s possible that this topic could still be revised. He noted, however, that, at
the local level, this revision can be easily adopted.
Chairman LeGros further clarified his concern to other board members, adding that this section
was revised, in the 2006 Codes, to read, “25 feet, with two bends”, which allows more latitude, not
less. He commented that because the angles of those bends are not specified in the newly
revised amendment, they allow for as much as an additional 10 feet of ductwork. Discussion
continued on the meaning of this revision. Chairman LeGros suggested that the wording be
revised as follows:
Remove the words, “with not more than two bends”, “extra”, and “that occur after the first
two bends”.
Chairman LeGros noted that this same wording also appears in the International Mechanical and
Residential Codes.
Referring to the International Plumbing Code, Chairman LeGros commented that the following
revision seemed restrictive for anyone installing or inspecting water heaters:
Page 5, Section 502.5. Water Heaters installed in attics. “The clear access minimum
opening dimensions shall be a minimum of 20 by 30 inches.” Chairman LeGros noted that
this has been reduced from 22 inches to 20, and Greg Jones explained that the actual
phrasing is “20 by 30 inches or larger”, noting that it depends on the size of the water
heater, and is phrased that way to allow for removal of the unit, when a change-out is
needed.
Commissioner Chomiak asked if any of the nine codes were new, or if all had been previously
adopted during the last code adoption. Greg Jones responded that the only one that is new is the
Property Maintenance Code, which is being adopted on the advice of the City Attorney’s Office,
and will give City staff the legal means to abate dangerous buildings, should the need arise.
Commissioner Perschbacher asked if any of the amendments might be considered burdensome to
business owners and developers, and Greg Jones responded that he did not foresee any such
problems, due to the fact that a good cross section of vendors, contractors, architects, and
developers were represented at these regional hearings, and the outcome was a concerted effort
to agree on standard regional amendments.
Commissioner Copher asked about the City’s ISO rating, how insurance rates are determined in
relation to it, and how the adoption of these codes will impact that rating. Tim Oates reported that
Coppell initiated an ISO inspection this year, because it is strongly believed that the ISO rating has
improved. He explained that the ISO rating is determined by many factors, with code adoption
being worth 2 points of a total 107 points. In addition, he listed the following categories of ISO
evaluation: Fire Department, 50 points; water supply, 40 points; dispatch, 10 points; Texas
addendum to insurance services, 6.5 points; inspections, 2 points; fire investigations, 2 points; and
public education, 2.5. He noted that Coppell is currently rated at 78, which equates to an ISO
rating of 3, with 1 being the best. He reported that Coppell’s last ISO rating occurred in 1998, but
the following additions and improvements have been made since then: a truck company; an
additional six personnel on staff each day; elevated water tower; improvements to the dispatch
center, etc. In conclusion, he noted that Staff anticipates a rating, this time, of a very solid 2.
Commissioner Holzheimer asked if there was a grace period for projects under construction during
the change-over to the new 2006 I-Codes. Greg Jones replied that any projects that are now
“under development” in Coppell will be allowed to work under the current 2000 International Codes
and 1999 National Electrical Code. He added, however, that contractors and developers may want
to comply with many of the new changes in the 2006 I-Codes, simply because they make good
sense.
Referring to the International Fire Code, Tim Oates reported one typographical error, as follows:
Page 16, item #40. 3301.1.3 Fireworks. Replace: “within 1,000 feet of its borders” with
“within 5,000 feet of its borders”.
Commissioner Perschbacher questioned whether the Board fully understood the change they were
making to the Fuel Gas Code, considering the fact the Council of Governments had apparently
thoroughly debated the issue. Chairman LeGros commented that he wondered if the Council of
Governments was even aware of the ramifications of their decision, due to the fact that they only
review new products, and don’t consider their performance over time. Whereas, those in his
(Mark’s) profession can see the track record of certain products and types of installation, as well as
the way they perform, and their deficiencies. He noted that liability issues fall back on people such
as him (home inspectors), and not on the inspectors of new home construction.
Motion was made by Commissioner Holzheimer that the 2006 International Codes and the 2005
National Electrical Code be recommended for adoption by City Council. Motion was seconded by
Commissioner Chomiak, and a vote was taken. Motion carried, 5 to 0.
Motion was modified by Commissioner Holzheimer that the 2006 International Code be
recommended for adoption, by City Council, with the inclusion of the amendments as discussed
this evening. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Chomiak, and a vote was taken. Motion
carried, 5 to 0.
Other Business.
None.
Adjournment.
Meeting adjourned.
____________________________________
Mark LeGros, Chairman
____________________________________
Mary Beth Spletzer, Recording Secretary