Building Code Board of Appeals Agenda and Packet 2013 11 21

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Building Code Board of Appeals Meeting Minutes September 19, 2013 Page 3 of 8 Staff asked if there is a specific direction the Board has on this. Berry stated he feels if the structure can carry the load based on the level of decay. Geise asked if decay had been changed also to "slight to moderate." Staff replied it has changed also and the termite and decay factor could be a case by case basis. Staff asked the Board and others present if they have run in to decay on projects. A yes reply was heard. Staff asked if it was generally due to the wood in contact with earth or because a non -decay species was used. Johnson replied it is because a non -decay species has been used and has run into a termite issue on a project, but it is rare to see termite damage and adds he normally sees decay due to weather or moisture. Staff stated the chart in the codes is more for newer construction. Berry added the termite damage is normal with direct contact with earth and decay has been with projects with direct contact with earth or near creeks and other areas with constantly high ground water. Van Pelt asked if Staff is looking to amend out the residential sprinkler code for new single family homes. Staff replied they are looking to not amend out the fire sprinkler codes as was done in the last code adoption process. Van Pelt asked about how tap fees would be figured out in regards to the current municipal code. Staff replied tap size is normally 3/4" for a single family residential. The IRC address sprinkler taps two ways. One is it can split off and run the sprinklers separately. The second is to not split from the domestic line and run the water supply system and the sprinkler system. The homeowner can also run a separate tap for sprinkler only. A separate tank can be installed and acts like a reservoir to run the sprinklers. Mestas added the code requires two heads with a water supply for 10 minutes. FD has seen the stand alone system with a separate tap with no fees from the City. The separate reservoir tank can be filled by way of a garden hose or a separate line a plumber can run which will only run if the water goes below a certain level. There is also the shared system which runs all the water. Staff added the requirement of the tank would only be required if in engineering, the current water tap size couldn't support the pressure needed to maintain the 7 gallons per minute of water for 10 minutes needed by code. Geise stated there are pros and cons to adopting the sprinkler codes. The pros being life safety, the time added to get people out and for the fire department to get there and the cons being the added cost and the additional possibility of flooding in the instance of tank or sprinkler head failure.