HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Mechanical/Plumbing Advisory Board - 08/14/2014 NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING
Mechanical/Plumbing Advisory Board
August 14, 2014
Time: 2:00 p.m.
2406 Leopard ❖ Corpus Christi, Texas
Development Services
31 Floor, Fire Department Training Room
Minutes
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 2:10
IL Roll Call-
Present:James Mokry, David Matthews,Clinton Bailey, Gilbert Canales, Ronald Klepac, Karim
Salighedar
Absent:
Billy rgin, Julio Sanchez and Staccy Gallagher
Staff Present:
Gene Delauro and Yvette Francis
111. Approval of Absences: January 29, 2014, Regular Meeting
Motion to approve the absences 6-0
IV. Approval of Minutes: January 29, 2014,Regular Meeting
Approval of minutes 6-0
V. Discussion and possible action regarding the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act in relation
to the use of hose bibs with lead content for potable water.
Mr. Delauro explained that the two hose bibs that we are passing out is what we have been
seeing in the field. Mr. Delauro explained that the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act came
in to enactment in January 2014. The Act states that if it can be used for human consumption that
it has to be lead free, Currently hose hubs are being installed on the exterior of residential homes
and we need to determine if it can possibly be used for human consumption. Page 11 question 2 1,
someone specially asks the same question and the answer fro the EPA says as long as it used
exclusively for non-potable services.
Labeling being used one has a tag and the other has a stamp on the handle. Mr. Klepac says most
of them are white and labeled do not drink in the ball valves. Mr. Bailey said once the tag is
removed there is not way to tell if it has lead or not. Mr. Mokryfeels that they should let them go
and install them, because in the tune they will no longer be allowing them so they will no longer
be producing them. He would not throw out the hose bibs he has in stock and personally would
not drink out of a hose bib. Mr. Mokry,feels that we maybe able to use a brass tag that states not
for drinking purpose sothat it does not fade over time.
Mr. Delauro mentioned that lead free is available, but a little bit more costly. TC EQ has not
adopted this requirement, but the federal government has. Mr. Delauro is looking at it from a
liablility standpoint, where someone claims that they are harmed when we have a federatl law
stating that is not allowed. Mr. Delauro feels that on a Commerical project the owner of the
building can control what the hose bib is used for, and that in residential a home owner may not
be able to. r. Mokryfeel that the definitionfor a hose bib as defined in the code is it intended for
washing cars,fillig your pool, etc. Mr. Mokryfeels that it is intended for using as maintenance in
your yard. r. Bailey wanted to know what the date that everyone has to use it and no longer sell
or manufacture lead hose bibs. Mr. Delauro said January 4, 2014 after a 3 year period.
Mr. Bailey explained that lead is used to help hold the brass together.Mr. Delauro sateted that
the lead content went from 8%to .02 1X-,. So there is still lead, but not enough to do harm. Bailey
what if you require the to be on new installations. Delauro discussion is primarily on new
residential construction.
Matthews if you say Commerical isokay, residential new construction needs the lead free, Bailey
we should say that all new. Matthews replacement or repair you are saying you can still use lead
bibs.Mokry what are the brass City water meters made out of. So, if they are not lead free the
meters that the water is currently running through that supplies the house has lead content.
Matthews but the new law requires that they be leadfinee so the new meters will probably
be lead free, 11
Mokry thinks we should give all of the plumbers notice or have a meeting once the State adopts
this law, but until the State or City says then they should still be allowed. Delauro U7CEQ adopts
this they always give time for enforcement. What direction would the Board like to take?
Matthews is a hose bib intended for potable water and rgin and Mokryfeel it is not. Delauro it
is the Boards decision that we should allow these lead bib with proper lables. If TCEQ comes
back with the law we will bring this back to Board. rgin all commericals job state that all
devices need to be lead free. Canales it's the manufacture and there are more manufactures that
have lead free bibs that are sold here.
Recommendation-Because the hose bib is not intended for potable water we will still allow these,
but in any application that the hose bib is used for potable water it will not be allowed,
The Board recomendtion is unanimous 6-0
V . Discussion and possible action regarding a possible local amendment to the 2009 International
Residential Code Section 2705.1 regarding fixture clearances.
Delauro clearance issues with the 15 inch clearance espically in double vanitys. HBA has asked
if we could ask the Boardfor a possible reduction on the lavatory clearance 12 inch minimum.
Commentary states the 15 inch is for cleaning and sanitary purposes mokry 15 from the center of
the bowl? rgin they should get with the plumber. Matthews it should befroin the edge of the
bowl to the wall, Delauro what is a code measurementfrom the bowl to the wall. Mokry 3 inches.
Matthews 4 inches. rgin 4 inches.
Measurefrom the side wall of the lavatory to the wall needs to be at least 4 inches.
sdfads
VII. Discussion and possible action regarding a possible local amendment to the 2009 International
Fuel as Code Section 102.9 regarding clearance requirements for gas meters.
Delauro as department has concerns about the gas meters being to close to energized electrical
equipment. If the vent is venting gas and the electrical equipment sparks there could be an issue.
3foot of clearance fro any electrical clearance.Delauro 3foot horizontal clearance, he doesn't
think that there is a vertical requirement. Larginfeels that there should be nothing above or
beside the gas meter. Delaurojeels that there sholdn't be operable windows or doors. Canales
are we talking about new installations and not change outs. Matthews what kind of clearance is
in the code, Delauro there is none, but it does talk about the municipality set the quidelines.
Motion to recommend is to except the gas meter clearance with the following amendment:
Remove the water spigots.Matthews, rgin seconded 6-0.
V111. Building Official's Report
A. Staff update
Staff changes. Building Official resign September 26. Interim Director leaving 8122, new
Director in September, Yvette Floodplain Manager, Christopher Miller resigned as of
8122, Guadalupe Chavarria plumbing inspector has returned as a plumbing inspector. 5-
licensed plumbing inspectors James, Ernest, Joseph, Guadalupe and Katie.Plumbing
inspectors are doing mechanical inspectoirs. James will go back to irrigation, backflow
and commercial plan review,
B. Permit recap
Gene Dealuro-permit recap 80 new residential homes
Commercial- valuations exceed what we had last year for the year last year,
Public Comments
No one addressed the Board at public comment.
X. Identify items to be placed on next agenda
Interpretation of the Code realting to the requirement of installing locking caps on the access
ports of air conditioning equipment.
Dry wells for condensate. (soil engineering requir ents)
A,djourtl3:13
Presiding Officer