HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/05/2011 - Regular Agenda Packet - Construction Board of Adjustments CITY OF COLLEGE STATION
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AGENDA
CONSTRUCTION BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS
Wednesday, October 5, 2011 - 6:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
City Hall
1101 Texas Ave.
1. Call meeting to order.
2. Consideration, discussion and possible action of absence request from meeting.
3. Hear visitors.
4. Presentation, possible action, and discussion to approve minutes from the Construction
Board of Adjustments and Appeals Meeting from August 26, 2010.
5. Public hearing, presentation, possible action, and discussion on a recommendation to
City Council regarding the 2012 International Plumbing Code (IPC) and related
amendments.
6. Public hearing, presentation, possible action, and discussion on a recommendation to
City Council regarding the 2012 International Mechanical Code (IMC) and related
amendments.
7. Public hearing, presentation, possible action, and discussion on a recommendation to
City Council regarding 2012 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) and related
amendments.
8. Discussion and possible action on future agenda items - A Construction Board member
may inquire about a subject for which notice has not been given. A statement of
specific factual information or the recitation of existing policy may be given. Any
deliberation shall be limited to a proposal to place the subject on an agenda for a
subsequent meeting.
9. Adjourn.
Consultation with Attorney {Gov't Code Section 551.071; possible action.
The Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals may seek advice from its
attorney regarding a pending and contemplated litigation subject or attorney-client
privileged information. After executive session discussion, any final action or vote
taken will be in public. If litigation or attorney-client privileged information issues
arise as to the posted subject matter of this The Construction Board of Adjustments
and Appeals meeting, an executive session will be held.
Notice is hereby given that a Regular Meeting of The Construction Board of
Adjustments and Appeals of College Station, Texas will be held on the 5th day of
October, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers, 1101 Texas Avenue,
College Station, Texas. The following subjects will be discussed, to wit: See Agenda
Posted this the day of ,2011 at p.m.
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS
By
Sherry Mashburn, City Secretary
By
David Neeley, City Manager
I, the undersigned, do hereby certify that the above Notice of Meeting of The
Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals of the City of College Station,
Texas, is a true and correct copy of said Notice and that I posted a true and correct
copy of said notice on the bulletin board at City Hall, 1101 Texas Avenue, in College
Station, Texas, and the City's website,www.cstx.gov. The Agenda and Notice are
readily accessible to the general public at all times. Said Notice and Agenda were
posted on, at and remained so posted continuously for at least 72 hours proceeding
the scheduled time of said meeting.
This public notice was removed from the official posting board at the College Station
City Hall on the following date and time: by
Dated this day of , 2011.
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS
By
Subscribed and sworn to before me on this the day of , 2011.
My commission
expires:
This building is wheelchair accessible. Handicap parking spaces are available. Any request for sign
interpretive service must be made 48 hours before the meeting. To make arrangements call (979)764-
3517 or(TDD) 1-800-735-2989. Agendas may be viewed on www.cstx.gov.
(*hrq" I
CITY OF COId.H:CF.STAT ION
Home of Tex u AerM Unlvenlyry
MINUTES
CONSTRUCTION BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS
August 26,2010
6:00 P.M.
City Hall Council Chambers
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Frank Cox, Mike Lane, Charles Thomas, Bobby
Mirza, Glenn Thomas
MEMBERS ABSENT: Alternates Oran Mikeal and Richard Dabney (not needed)
STAFF PRESENT: Assistant Director Lance Simms, Building Official Chris
Haver, Assistant City Attorney Adam Falco, Permit
Technician Gina Southerland and Staff Assistant Mandi Alford
OTHERS PRESENT: Representative of CSISD, Director of Construction Services
Jon Hall
AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Call meeting to order.
Chairman Frank Cox called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Consideration, discussion and possible action on absence
request from meeting.
There were no absence requests to consider.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: Hear visitors for items not on agenda.
There were no visitors.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Consideration, discussion, and possible action to approve
minutes from Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals meeting from November
11,2009.
Mike Lane motioned to approve the minutes, Glenn Thomas seconded the motion. Motion
passed (5-0).
AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: Public Hearing, presentation, possible action and discussion
of a recommendation to City Council regarding the 2009 International Plumbing Code
regarding waste grinders for food service facilities.
Chairman Cox opened public hearing.
CONSTRUCTION BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS
August 23, 2010 - Minutes
Building Official Chris Haver presented the staff report stating that the proposed amendment
would allow the removal of the solids interceptor if the grease trap is designed and sized
adequately to allow the proper retention time and rate of flow with the solids being retained in
the grease trap. Several manufacturers have designed a grease trap that would eliminate the
need for a solids interceptor and grease trap to be installed inline. Thus saving the owner
money and allowing for the same protection of the drainage system and public treatment plants.
Jon Hall spoke regarding CSISD staff being open to this amendment.
With no one else stepping forward to speak Chairman Cox closed the public hearing.
Charles Thomas motioned to approve the 2009 International Plumbing Code and related
amendments. Mr. Mirza seconded the motion,which passed unopposed(5-0)
AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: Discussion and possible action on future agenda items - A
Construction Board member may inquire about a subject for which notice has not been
given. A statement of specific factual information or the recitation of existing policy may
be given. Any deliberation shall be limited to a proposal to place the subject on an agenda
for a subsequent meeting.
None
AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: Adjourn.
Glenn Thomas motioned to adjourn the meeting; Mike Lane seconded the motion,which passed
unopposed(5-0). The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
APPROVED:
Chairman: Frank Cox
ATTEST:
Permit Technician: Gina Southerland
Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals
Staff Report
Item: Public hearing,presentation,possible action, and discussion on a recommendation
to City Council concerning the adoption of the 2012 International Plumbing Code (IPC)
and related amendments
Item Background: The City of College Station currently uses the 2009 edition of the
International Codes, including the IPC. The International Code Council issues new code
editions every three years. The 2012 I-Codes have been published and are available for
adoption by governmental entities. Staff will present an overview of changes included in
the 2012 IPC and recommended code amendments.
Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approving a recommendation that the 2012
IPC and related amendments be forwarded to City Council for adoption.
Attachments: 2012 IPC (Overview of Changes)
Proposed Amendments to the 2012 IPC
2012 International Plumbing Code
Overview of Changes
The 2012 International Plumbing Code (IPC) contains many changes that provide clarity of
content and resolve common interpretation problems. The scope of the 2012 IPC continues to
encompass the initial design of the plumbing system, the installation and construction of plumbing
systems, and the maintenance of operating systems. All plumbing systems which are provided
for utilization by and for the general safety and well-being of the occupants of a building are
intended to be governed by the code. Plumbing installations associated with one-and-two family
dwellings are regulated by the International Residential Code.
New in the 2012 Edition
Table 403 1 Minimum Number of Required Plumbing Fixtures (Service sinks are no
longer required in Group B Business and M Mercantile occupancies where the occupant
load does not exceed 15.)
403.2 Separate facilities (Separate restroom facilities are not required in mercantile
occupancies in which the maximum occupant load is 100 or less.)
403.3.6 Door Locking (Locking devices are now specifically prohibited on the egress door
of toilet rooms designed for multiple occupants.)
403.5 Drinking fountain location (Where drinking fountains are required, the permitted
locations of the fountains have been specified regarding their placement in multi-tenant
facilities, similar to the permitted locations for required public toilet facilities.)
Chanaes to 2012 Edition
403.3.2 Toilet room location (Opening of toilet rooms directly into food preparation areas
is prohibited.)
405.3.1 Water closet, urinals, lavatories and bidets (The minimum depth of a water closet
compartment containing a wall-hung water closet has been reduced from 60 inches to 56
inches.)
607 2 Hot or tempered water supply to fixtures (The maximum distance between a hot
water supply source and all fixtures served by the supply source has been reduced from
100 feet to 50 feet.)
903.5 Location of vent terminals (Requirements that a vent terminal located within 10 feet
horizontally of a door, openable window, or other air intake opening be at least 2 feet
above the top of the opening has increase the requirement to 3 feet above the top of the
opening.)
1003.3.1 Alternate grease interceptor locations (Combination of grease interceptors are
now allowed to be provided for renovation projects involving existing buildings where
there is insufficient space or it is cost prohibitive to install a large enough in-ground
interceptor to meet local sewer ordinance requirements.)
Chapter 13 Gray Water Recycling Systems (Provisions addressing gray-water recycling
systems have been relocated from Appendix C to a new Chapter 13 in the body of the
code.)
2012 International Plumbing Code
Proposed Amendments
Note: An asterisk at the beginning of a section identifies a new amendment with the 2012
code edition.
"E. The International Plumbing Code adopted by reference in Section 101.4.3, 2012
International Building Code is hereby amended as follows-
1 Section 102.8 (Referenced codes and standards) is amended by adding the
following exception:
'Exception: Any reference to the ICC Electrical Code shall mean the National
Electrical Code, as adopted and amended by the City of College Station.'
(Reason: The City of College Station has adopted the National Electrical Code to
regulate electrical installations.)
2 Section106.3 (Application for permit) is amended by deleting the text in said
section and replacing it with the following:
'The code official may require a permit application for work regulated by this
code.'
(Reason: The code as written, requires a written application for plumbing permits. This
amendment provides the flexibility of making written permit applications optional.)
3 Section 106.6.2 (Fee Schedule) is amended by deleting this section in its
entirety.
(Reason: The City currently has a permit fee schedule that has been adopted by
resolution.)
4 Section 106.6.3 (Fee refunds) is amended by deleting the text in said section and
replacing it with the following:
'The City Manager or designee is authorized to establish a refund policy.'
(Reason: A refund policy for permit fees already exists. This amendment also makes the
IPC fee refund requirement consistent with section 109.6, 2012 IBC.)
5 Section 108.5 (Stop work orders) is amended by inserting the following amounts
in the blanks provided at the end of said section:
'twenty-five ($25.00) in the first blank and two-thousand ($2,000.00) in the
second blank'
(Reason: The amounts above are consistent with the fines as outlined in the adopting
ordinance for violations.)
6 Section 109 (Means of Appeal) is amended by deleting the section in its entirety.
(Reason: The City already provided for the establishment of the Construction Board of
Adjustments and Appeals in Section 1(A), Chapter 3, College Station Code of
Ordinances.)
7 Section 305.4.1 (Sewer depth) is amended by inserting "twelve (12)" in both
blanks and adding the following sentence to the end of said section.
`Where conditions prohibit the required amount of cover, cast iron pipe with
approved joints may be used unless other means of protecting the pipe is
provided as approved by the Building Official.'
(Reason: When field conditions do not allow at least 12 inches of ground cover over a
sewer line, cast iron pipe is provided as approved by the Building Official.)
8 Section 312.1 (Required tests) is amended by deleting the following text from
said section:
`, for piping systems other than plastic, by'
(Reason: This change allows an air test for plastic piping systems—a common practice
on job sites without access to water.)
9 Section 312.2 (Drainage and vent water test) is amended by deleting said section
in its entirety and replacing with the following:
'312.2 Drainage water test. A water test shall be applied to the drainage system
either in its entirety or in sections. If applied to the entire system, all openings in
the piping shall be tightly closed, except the highest opening, and the system
shall be filled with water to the point of overflow. If the system is tested in
sections, each opening shall be tightly plugged except the highest opening of the
section under test, and each section shall be tested with not less than a 10-foot
head of water. This pressure shall be held for at least 15 minutes. The drainage
system shall then be tight at all points.'
(Reason- This change omits any reference to pressure testing the vent system. It is not
a common practice in this area to require a pressure test on the vent system.)
10 Section 312.3 (Drainage and vent air test) is amended by deleting said section in
its entirety and replacing with the following:
'312.3 Drainage air test. An air test shall be applied to the drainage piping by
forcing air into the system until there is uniform gauge pressure of 5 pounds per
square inch (psi) or sufficient to balance a 10-inch column of mercury. This
pressure shall be held for a test period of at least 15 minutes. Any adjustment to
the test pressure required because of changes in ambient temperature or the
seating of gaskets shall be made prior to the beginning of the test period.'
(Reason- This change omits any reference to pressure testing the vent system. It is not
common practice in this area to require a pressure test on the vent system.)
11 Section 312.10 (Inspection and testing of backflow prevention assemblies.) is
amended by deleting said section in its entirety and replacing with the following:
'312.1OInspection and testing ofbackflow prevention assemblies. Upon initial
installation, aninspection shall bamade ofall backflow prevention devices and
assemblies hodetermine whether they are operable. Testing ofall backflow
prevention devices and assemblies shall beinaccordance with Chapter 11,
Section 10, Subsection F, of the Code of Ordinances, City of College Station,
Texas."
(Reason: Consistent with City Council's direction concerning backflow prevention
devices.)
12 Section 410.3 (Substitution) is amended by deleting the last sentence in said
section and replacing it with the following:
'Where bottle water dispensers are provided in other occupancies, drinking
fountains shall not be required.'
(Reason: This change allows bottled water dispensers bobeused inplace ofdrinking
fountains and )oconsistent with the requirements inthe 2000 |PC.)
13 Table 605.3 (Water Service Pipe) is amended by deleting the following materials:
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene k\BS\ plastic pipe
Aabemtos—unmentpipu
Polybutylene (P8) plastic pipe and tubing
Polyethylene (PE) plastic pipe
Polyethylene (PE) plastic tubing
Po|yethy|ena/a|uminum/oo|yethy|ene(PE,AL'PE) pipe
(Reason: The piping nnaherio|a listed above are not commonly used in this area.
Furthermore, College Station has relatively high water pressure demanding the best
water service piping material.)
14 Section 608 (Installation of the Building Water Distribution Syehann) is amended
by adding section 606.7 to read as follows:
'600.8 Materials below slab, Water distribution piping installed under concrete
slabs shall becopper(minimum type K). cross-link polyethylene (PEX) tubing, nr
cross-linked po|yethy|ane/a|uminVm/polyethylene (PEX-A[-PEX) pipe, all
installed without joints or connections. yWabarie|a subject to corrosion sha|| be
protected when exposed toconcrete orcorrosive onUm.'
(Reason: This amendment provides an elevated standard for water distribution piping
installed under concrete slabs.)
15 Section dUG (installation of the Building Water Distribution System) is amended
yedding section 60S.0tn naod as follows:
'806.9 Sleeved cross-polyethylene piping or tubing. 'When o sleeve is provided
for cross-linked polyethylene /PEX\ plastic piping or tubing installed under
concrete slabs the annular space between the piping or tubing and the sleeve
must becaulked, foamed, o[otherwise sealed boprevent the entrance of
hermitic/de.'
(Reason: This amendment provides added protection from liquid chemiuo| bynni§uidam
that may enter the void between the sleeve and piping/tubing]
16 Section 608.16,5 (Connections to lawn irrigation systems) is amended by
deleting the first sentence in said section and replacing it with the following:
'The potable water supply to lawn irrigation systems shall be protected against
backflow by an atmospheric vacuum breaker, a pressure vacuum breaker
assembly, a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly or a
double check.'
(Reason: Consistent with City Council's direction concerning backflow prevention
devices.)
17 Section 701.2 (Sewer required) is amended by deleting the section in its entirety
and replacing with the following:
'701.2 Sewer required. Every building in which plumbing fixtures are installed
and all premises having sanitary drainage piping shall be connected to an
approved sewer. Private sewage systems must comply with City of College
Station's Code of Ordinances (Chapter 11, Section 2). All private sewage
disposal systems must comply with the latest adopted standards of the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality and be installed under the direction of the
Brazos County Health Department. The installer shall be licensed by the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality.'
(Reason: This change requires private sewer system installations—treatment plants,
septic systems, etc. —to comply with state and county health department rules.)"
18 Section 1003 3.4 (Hydromechanical grease interceptors and automatic grease
removal devices) is amended by deleting the first sentence in said section-
(Reason: Chapter 11, Section 6H, College Station Code of Ordinances, contains detailed
provisions for sizing grease interceptors.)
Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals
Staff Report
Item: Public hearing,presentation,possible action, and discussion on a recommendation
to City Council concerning the adoption of the 2012 International Mechanical Code
(IMC) and related amendments
Item Background: The City of College Station currently uses the 2009 edition of the
International Codes, including the IMC. The International Code Council issues new code
editions every three years. The 2012 I-Codes have been published and are available for
adoption by governmental entities. Staff will present an overview of changes included in
the 2012 IMC and recommended code amendments.
Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approving a recommendation that the 2012
IMC and related amendments be forwarded to City Council for adoption.
Attachments: 2012 IMC (Overview of Changes)
Proposed Amendments to the 2012 IMC
2012 International Mechanical Code
Overview of Changes
The latest code change cycle resolved common interpretation problems and provided clarity of
content to the 2012 International Mechanical Code (IMC). The code was also changed to reflect
current design, construction and inspection methods. In order to keep the IMC up to date on new
technology, requirements to assist designers, installers and inspectors as the demand for new
energy sources increase.
The 2012 IMC is primarily intended to be a commercial code. Therefore, mechanical installations
associated with one-and-two family dwellings are regulated by the International Residential Code.
New in the 2012 Edition:
505.1 Domestic systems (Domestic kitchen exhaust ducts are now required to be
independent of all other exhaust systems.)
506.3.8 Grease duct cleanouts and openings (Grease duct cleanout doors are now
required to be rated a t a minimum of 1500 degrees Fahrenheit.)
506.3.9 Grease duct horizontal cleanouts (New requirements for the location of cleanouts
in grease ducts.)
507.2 Where required (A Type I or Type II commercial kitchen hood is not required for
appliances with listed integral downdraft exhaust systems.)
507.2.1 Type I hoods (Where the cooking process does not produce quantities of grease
exceeding the prescribed threshold, a Type I hood is no longer required for electrical
cooking appliances )
805 3 Factory-built chimney offsets (The maximum offset in a factory-built chimney is
now specified and the number of offsets has been limited.)
1101.10 Locking access port caps (Locking caps are no longer required on refrigerant
access ports if the refrigeration equipment is located in a secure location.)
Changes to the 2012 Edition:
306.5 Equipment and appliances on roofs or elevated structures (It has been clarified that
permanent access is required to equipment and appliances on a roof or elevated
structure higher than 16 feet above grade, and required clearances are provided to
assure access.)
2012 International Mechanical Code
Proposed Amendments
Note: An asterisk at the beginning of a section identifies a new amendment with
the 2012 code edition.
"D. The International Mechanical Code adopted by reference in Section 101.4.2,
2012 International Building Code is hereby amended as follows:
1 Section 102.8 (Referenced codes and standards) is amended by adding
the following exception:
`Exception: Any reference to the ICC Electrical Code shall mean the
National Electrical Code, as adopted and amended by the City of College
Station.'
(Reason: The City of College Station has adopted the National Electrical Code
to regulate electrical installations.)
2 Section 106.3 (Application for permit) is amended by deleting the text in
said section and replacing it with the following:
'The code official may require a permit application for work regulated by
this code '
(Reason: The code, as written, requires a written application for mechanical
permits. This amendment provides the flexibility of making written permit
applications optional.)
3 Section 106.5.2 (Fee schedule) is amended by deleting the section in its
entirety.
(Reason, The City currently has a permit fee schedule that has been adopted by
resolution.)
4 Section 106.5.3 (Fee refunds) is amended by deleting the text in said
section and replacing it with the following:
"The City Manager or his designee is authorized to establish a refund
policy.'
(Reason: A refund policy for permit fees already exists. This amendment also
makes the IMC fee refund requirement consistent with section 109.6, 2012 IBC.)
5 Section 108 5 (Stop work orders) is amended by inserting the following
amounts in the blanks provided at the end of said section-
'twenty-five ($25.00) in the first blank and two-thousand ($2,000.00) in
the second blank'
(Reason- The amounts above are consistent with fines for violations as outlined
in the adopting ordinance.)
6 Section 109 (Means of Appeal) is amended by deleting the section in its
entirety.
(Reason• The City has already provided for the establishment of the
Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals in Section 1(A), Chapter 3,
College Station Code of Ordinances.)
7 Section 304.7 (Private garages) is amended by deleting the section in its
entirety.
(Reason: It is not consistent with current local practice to require appliances to
be elevated 6' in private garages. This amendment is also consistent with IFGC
amendment.)
8 Section 507.16.1 (Capture and containment test) is amended by deleting
the section in its entirety.
(Reason: It is not consistent with local practice to require a capture and
containment test on commercial kitchen hoods.)"
Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals
Staff Report
Item: Public hearing,presentation,possible action, and discussion on a recommendation
to City Council concerning the adoption of the 2012 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)
and related amendments.
Item Background: The City of College Station currently uses the 2009 edition of the
International Codes, including the IFGC. The International Code Council issues new
code editions every three years. The 2012 I-Codes have been published and are available
for adoption by governmental entities. Staff will present an overview of changes
included in the 2012 IFGC and recommended code amendments.
Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approving a recommendation that the 2012
IFGC and related amendments be forwarded to City Council for adoption.
Attachments: 2012 IFGC (Overview of Changes)
Proposed Amendments to the 2012 IFGC
2O12International Fuel Gas Code
Overview mfChanges
The 2012 International Fuel Gas Code(IFGC)consolidates all code changes from the fuel gas
related installations into one convenient document. It is o compilation of fuel gas na|etud text from
the International Mechanical Code, the International Plumbing Code, and the National Fuel Gas
Coda The code is designed to complement the family of International Codes, including the
International Mechanical Code, the International Plumbing Code, the International Fire Code, and
the International Building Code.
The IFGC regulates fuel gas distribution piping systems, gas-fired appliance installation and gas-
fired appliance venting systems for structures other than one-and-two family dwellings Fuel gas
installations associated with one-and-two family dwellings are regulated by the International
Residential Code.
New inthe 2D12Edition:
401,9 Identification (Each length of pipe and tubing and each pipe fitting, utilized in a fuel
gas system shall bear the identification ofthe rnanufaotun*r.)
3O8.1Scope (Gypsum board isoften incorrectly thought tmbeanoncombustible material.
Because of this misunderstanding, appliances that require a specific clearance to
combustible material have not been required to maintain the required clearance to
gypsum board. The code has nor clarified that gypsum board istnbaaddressed iDo
manner consistent with any other combustible material when reducing clearances to
2012 International Fuel Gas Code
Proposed Amendments
Note: An asterisk at the beginning of a section identifies a new amendment with the 2012
code edition.
"C. The International Fuel Gas Code adopted by reference in Section 101.4.1, 2012
International Building Code is hereby amended as follows:
1. Section 102.8 (Referenced codes and standards) is amended by adding the
following exception-
"Exception: Any reference to the ICC Electrical Code shall mean the National
Electrical Code, as adopted and amended by the City of College Station "
(Reason: The City of College Station has adopted the National Electrical Code to
regulate electrical installations.)
2. Section 106.3 (Application for permit) is amended by deleting the text in said
section and replacing it with the following:
"The code official may require a permit application for work regulated by this
code."
(Reason• The code, as written, requires a written application for gas permits. This
amendment provides the flexibility of making written permit applications optional.)
3. Section 106.6.2 (Fee schedule) is amended by deleting the section in its entirety
(Reason- The City currently has a permit fee schedule that has been adopted by
resolution.)
4. Section 106.6.3 (Fee refunds) is amended by deleting the text in said section and
replacing it with the following:
"The City Manager or his designee is authorized to establish a refund policy."
(Reason- A refund policy for permit fees already exists. This amendment also makes the
IFGC fee refund requirement consistent with section 109.6, 2012 IBC )
5. Section 109 (Means of Appeal) is amended by deleting the section in its entirety
(Reason: The City has already provided for the establishment of the Construction Board
of Adjustments and Appeals in Section 1(A), Chapter 3, College Station Code of
Ordinances.)
6. Section 305.5 (Private garages) is amended by deleting the section in its entirety.
(Reason. It is not consistent with local practice to require appliances to be elevated 6' in
private garages.)
7 Section 403.4.3 (Copper and brass) is amended by deleting the section in its
entirety.
(Reason• Gas may have a corrosive effect on copper and brass pipe.)
8. Section 403.5.2 (Copper and brass tubing) is amended by deleting the section in
its entirety.
(Reason: Gas may have a corrosive effect on copper and brass pipe )
9. Section 406.1.2 (Repairs and additions) is amended by deleting the existing
text in its entirety and replacing it with the following:
"In the event repairs or additions are made after the pressure test, the affected
piping shall be tested. If approved by the code official, minor repairs and
additions are not required to be pressure tested provided the work is inspected
and connections are tested with a noncorrosive leak-detecting fluid or other leak
detecting methods."
(Reason: As written, the code would allow gas pipe repairs and additions to be tested
with a soap solution. This amendment provides the code official with the discretion to
require a pressure test if deemed appropriate.)
10. Section 406.4 (Test pressure measurement) is amended by adding the following
to the end of said section:
`For gas systems with a working pressure up to and including five (5) psi , a
diaphragm gauge utilizing a dial with a minimum diameter of three and one-half
inches (3 '/Z"), a set hand, 2/10 pound incrementation and a pressure range not
more than twenty (20) psi shall be acceptable. A mechanical spring gauge is
only acceptable for use on gas systems requiring a pressure test of more than 20
psig•'
(Reason. This amendment allows the use of the more accurate diaphragm gauge for gas
tests on systems operating at 5 psi or less )
11. Section 406.4.1 (Test pressure) is amended by deleting the existing text in it
entirety and replacing it with the following:
'The test pressure to be used shall be no less than twice the proposed maximum
working pressure, but no less than five (5) psig, irrespective of design pressure.'
(Reason• This amendment provides for an elevated standard for gas pressure.)
12. Section 406.4.2 (Test duration) is amended by deleting the existing text in its
entirety and replacing it with the following:
"Gas piping systems shall withstand the required pressure test for a period of not
less than ten (10) minutes without showing any drop in pressure"
(Reason. The Code, as written, bases the test duration on the volume of the gas pipe.
The amendment also makes the test duration consistent with previous code editions.)"