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 3 of 7 infrastructure in place for the certification and training for residential fire sprinkler review and inspections and this has been resolved in the last few years. There is a memo from 2009 with a note to revisit the fire sprinkler code at the next code adoption discussion. Parker feels Superior is the best example since they made the decision to be a fire safe community and feels we should look toward them as an example. Geise asked what is in the code regarding what square footage triggers the sprinkler requirement. Berry asked if there would be a separate line for the sprinklers. Staff replies there is a rule which allows it to share the domestic line. Berry asked if it was after or before the meter. Geise replies there is a separate pump that would run a tank with the water in it. Mestes added the tank is between 300-500 gallons so the water would not be pulled off the system, but from the tank to contain the fire. Geise asked what would be required with the lines and tanks in basements if the City required sprinklers. Staff replies this is part of the discussion. Berry adds the utilities must be on at the property for the sprinklers to even work. Staff provided copies of the research by Tim Pate and mentions this will provide the back up as to how other jurisdictions have handled fire sprinklers. Geise asked if the jurisdictions adopted the 2012 codes in their entirety. Parker stated he believed jurisdictions who have, or will adopt the 2012 codes, will make a few amendments. Staff feels the sprinklers are up and coming and it is a matter of time. Parker states this is the first time the American Fire Association has endorsed it and feels it is due to so many firefighters have been killed at over 100 a year. Geise asks which code the Fire District is currently on. Mestes states they are on the 2009 and try to keep in line with those codes adopted by the City. Van Pelt asked if there are any other big changes in the 2012 codes. Mestes feels this is the biggest and there are more minor changes. Tew mentions a Council member's emphasis on sprinklers in multi -family homes and asked how difficult it would be to remove the requirement for single family homes. He stated the requirement for townhomes would remain. Berry and Van Pelt explain the difference between the townhomes and apartments and condos. Parker explains he always tries to convince the