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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Mechanical/ Plumbing Advisory Board - 06/09/1994 • 460 Revised: City of Corpus �..► Christi MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE MECHANICAL PLUMBING ADVISORY BOARD JUNE 9, 1994 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Miller, Chairman Lew Larson, Vice-Chairman Zernie Smith Mike Sutton Ronnie Marek Reed Glendenning Rob Hurst Ronald Murray BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Richard Rector Paul Brunsvold STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Lelland Kirbow, Chief Mechanical Plumbing Inspector Lorenzo Gonzalez, Building Official Olga Carrion, Clerk Typist II Chairman, Mr. Miller called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. , in the Committee Room on the first floor of City Hall. The first item of business was the approval or corrections of the minutes of May 12, 1994. A motion was made by Mr. Larson seconded by Mr. Sutton to approve the minutes. Motion carried. The next item of business was the discussion of a proposed recommendation by the Coastal Bend Air Conditioning Contractors Association. Mr. Larson stated that in his opinion their proposal was a very good recommendation. Chairman Miller inquired whether the Building Inspection Division hada fax machine that could be used. Mr. Gonzalez, Building Official stated that the department did have a fax machine. He added that he had not had an opportunity to visit with Mr. Flores but that he had looked at the proposal and did not fully agree with the proposal. He explained that in order for the proposal to go forward it would need additional clarification and definition. P.O. Box 9277 • Corpus Christi, Texas 78469-9277 • (512) 880-3000 VCM fr City of Mechanical Plumbing Advisory Board Corpus June 9, 1994 Christi Page 2 v.i�. Chairman Miller explained that it was his understanding that they were proposing a method for obtaining a permit to be used for an emergency situation only and that they were proposing that they be allowed to fax the application for a permit and within 24 hours of that time they would mail their permit fee. Chairman Miller asked whether staff had a problem with the proposed recommendations. Mr. Gonzalez stated that he had not had an opportunity to visit with the proponent and that the proposal was not something that could be put in place exclusively for his area of work since it would impact all the disciplines of construction. He explained that the comprehensive rewrite of the Administrative Chapter applied to all construction fields and therefore review of any amendments needed to be scheduled before each board. Mr. Gonzalez added that at the present time there seems to be a difference of opinion as to what constitutes an emergency, from a code stand point it would have to be something that would deal with life safety. An emergency was not something that would be driven by a business decision to proceed with the project without a permit. Mr. Gonzalez stated that he needed to speak with the proponent and have all the boards review the proposal because it would affect all the construction boards. Mr. Smith stated that they needed a clarification of and a definition for emergency. He added that they were trying to find a workable solution that would comply with the code, since the public would not wait. Mr. Marek stated that in his opinion the public would not tolerate having to wait some time period to have their air conditioning or other equipment repaired. Mr. Miller stated that if they eliminate the word emergency and said all permits would be applied for in the same manner whether by fax or whatever that would resolve the problem. Mr. Gonzalez stated prior to amending the code the only disciplined that had the emergency clause was the electrical field because of life safety issues. Mr. Miller stated that they had taken a long time to amend the administrative chapter of the code written to fit every discipline and now they need to make sure that whatever was recommended that it would work for everybody else. The next item was the discussion and consideration to recommend Plumbing Code Amendments in the following subject areas. a. Chapter 4, General Regulations - 401 Fittings, Section 401.1 Change in Direction. 0 V City of Mechanical Plumbing Advisory Board Corpus June 9, 1994 Christi Page 3 Mr. Larson explained that the reason for changing to 3 inch and larger quarter bends was because when they adapted from cast iron and copper to pvc a short sweep fitting was not designated. A motion was made by Mr. Larson seconded by Mr. Hurst and passed unanimously to recommend an exception whereas the 3 inch and larger quarter bends be allowed for plastic sanitary sewer for change of direction in Chapter 4 General Regulations - 401 Fittings Section 401 Change in direction, Section 401.2 Short Sweeps. b. Chapter 5, Materials - 502 Special Materials, Section 502.1 Lead Mr. Hurst explained that the reason for changing Table 500, item #2 from 3 psf for flashings of vent terminals to 21 psf was that it was not readily available as a standard item. A motion was made by Mr. Larson seconded by Mr. Hurst and passed unanimously to amend section 502.1 of the Plumbing Code, Table 500 item 112 to read "Por flashings of vent terminals - not less than 21 psf." c. Chapter 7, Traps and Cleanouts - 701 Traps, Section 701.2 Distance of Trap to Fixture Mr. Larson explained that the reason for changing Section 701.2 of the Plumbing Code was that the distance required from the trap to the fixture was not practical . Mr. Kirbow, Chief Mechanical Plumbing Inspector stated that Section 701.2 Distance of Trap to Fixture in most cases it was impossible. Mr. Kirbow read from the code commentary regarding, Distance of Trap to Fixture. A motion was made by Mr. Larson seconded by Mr. Hurst and passed unanimously to amend the code and delete Section 701.2 of the Plumbing Code. d. Chapter 9, Plumbing Fixtures - 921 Water Heaters and Hot Water, Water Storage Tanks, Section 921.2 Location Mr. Larson explained the reason for the change was that they did not see why they could not have a water heater above the ceiling without being readily accessible and added that they have been doing it for a long time. Mr. Larson then added that the people could not afford to waste 3 square feet of building area for a 6 gallon water heater. Mr. Kirbow read from the code commentary regarding water heaters and storage tanks. Mr. Kirbow also read the definitions of accessible and readily accessible. Mr. Marek expressed concern that by deleting the term "readily accessible" from this Section 701.2 it would allow some people to put a water heater in such areas that would not allow an individual to remove the water heater. 'F V City of Mechanical Plumbing Advisory Board Corpus June 9, 1994 Christi Page 4 A motion was made by Mr. Hurst seconded by Mr. Larson to amend Section 921.2 of the Plumbing Code by removing the word (readily) . The motion carried. Board members Mr. Hurst, Mr. Larson, Mr. Smith, Mr. Sutton and Mr. Murray voted for. Board members Mr. Marek and Mr. Glendenning voted against. Mr. Miller abstained from voting. The next item was the presentation and discussion of a proposal by Mr. Ronnie Voss regarding Standard Mechanical Code Sections 308.2 General Provisions and 308.9.3 Clothes Dryers. Mr. Voss made a brief presentation regarding bathroom vents and clothes dryers. He stated that by code bathroom vents should be vented to the outside. His question was why couldn't it be vented to the floor joist instead of venting it to the outside, if it has not been a problem in the past. Mr. Murray responded that there would be the possibility of the air being recirculated if vented to the floor joist because there are too many penetrations between floors thru which air would come back into the structure. Mr. Voss stated that he did not know of any reason regarding safety or health as to why it shouldn't be vented to the floor joist. Mr. Voss explained that he had compared two different types of materials for vents, one being allowed by the code and the other pvc which was not fire rated. He added that pvc was easy to clean out and it did not accumulate built up. Mr. Kirbow read Section 308.9.3 of the Standard Mechanical Code regarding to Clothes Dryers. Mr. Kirbow stated they could follow the manufactures recommendations for a listed dryer venting but that if it was not a non combustible material it still would not be allowed by the code. After a short discussion a motion was made by Mr. Hurst seconded by Mr. Murray and passed unanimously to place this item on next month's agenda for discussion and consideration to recommend amending Section 308.9.3 Clothes Dryers of the Standard Mechanical Code. The meeting was adjourned at 3:25 p.m. INSPECTIION DIVIIISSIION- LO ENZO GO�EL, P.E. BUILDING OFFICIAL OIMP-087 LG:oc