Building Code Board of Appeals Agenda and Packet 2013 09 19

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Building Code Board of Appeals Meeting Minutes July 18, 2013 Page 2 of 7 is the annual meeting where the Board can update the City Council with who they are and what they do. DISCUSSION Projects for 2013 Building Code Board of Appeals I. 2012 Building Codes • Chief Parker and Fire Marshall Mestes discussed the residential fire codes and what the Louisville Fire Protection District would like to see. Mestes mentioned the townhomes and apartments being built looks to be the possible trend from here on out for new housing. He specifically mentioned the three story apartments and three story townhomes currently being built in Steel Ranch South and the fact fire sprinklers are required in one but not the other based on the type of construction; multi -family and single family attached. Van Pelt mentioned one is governed by the IBC and the other the IRC. Staff stated this is the beginning of the Code discussions and more input will be needed from other departments, Boards and Commissions and citizens and contractors. Staff has been in contact with Tim Pate, Chief Building Official with the City & County of Broomfield, and his research into other jurisdictions and which have adopted the 2012 codes. Superior, Westminster, and Boulder County have adopted the 2012 Codes. Geise asked if there is a height stipulation which would trigger the fire sprinkler. Mestes stated he is unsure of the code without a review in the book. Berry mentions townhouses and condominiums are required to have a fire wall separating each unit. Based on the IRC, a middle townhouse unit should have firewalls on each side where if there were to be a fire, it should have a minimal effect on the outside units. Van Pelt asked if the IFC and IRC relate. Mestes stated they do. Parker mentioned the fire sprinkler code was researched and discussed in 2009 during the 2009 code adoption process and the Fire District still fully endorses the fire sprinkler code. Louisville has the highest residential fire loss/deaths in the Front Range at six in the last 35 years with one in the last 20-25 years being the normal. Even with the best training and equipment, fire loss is still possible. In the Fire Districts research, it was found the fires burn hotter and quicker. With the Louisville Fire Protection District being an all -volunteer department, the response time equation isn't always there. The biggest concern is the feeling the code will stifle development. Parker states this has not been found during research. In 2009, there wasn't the