Peoria Standard

The Peoria Construction Commission met June 15.

Here is the meeting agenda as provided by Peoria:

ROLL CALL

The following Commissioners were present: Cicciarelli, DeJarld, Goad, Hall, Huber, Scott, Shoemaker, Snyder – 8. Absent: Dillon – 1

City Staff Present: Ross Black, Joseph Spencer, Dakota Reed, Scot Wolf, Phil Yehl

MINUTES

Commissioner Cicciarelli moved to approve the December 16, 2015, minutes, seconded by Commissioner Snyder. The motion was approved viva voce vote 8 to 0.

REGULAR BUSINESS

Chairperson Shoemaker said the purpose of the meeting was to discuss various city codes in consideration of adoption. Discussion was limited to new information or a specific response to each code, as to avoid repetition from previous meetings.

Chairperson Shoemaker informed the Commission that the term “adoption” does not actually mean that anything is adopted, it is simply recommended to the City Council.

The first code under consideration was the Electrical Code 2014 Edition. Commissioner Snyder moved to adopt the 2014 National Electric Code, seconded by Commissioner Cicciarelli. The motion was approved viva voce vote 8 to 0.

The next recommended code under consideration was the 2012 International Fuel Gas Code. Chairperson Shoemaker requested to amend the wording of Section 106.3.1. of the Fuel Gas Code. Construction documents shall read as follows:

Section 106.3.1. Construction documents: The code official shall require drawings and details of all mechanical and electrical work as he/she deems necessary. The Illinois Architectural Act and the Illinois Professional Engineering Act shall be the guidelines for minimum requirements.

City Staff Member Scot Wolf clarified that the language used in this section was found in the city ordinance. There is parallel language in the building code and this language doesn’t change how the city conducts business.

Commissioner Snyder moved to adopt the 2012 International Fuel Gas Code with the original language, seconded by Commissioner Cicciarelli. The motion was approved viva voce vote 8 to 0.

Moving on, Chairperson Shoemaker noted some typos and changes to be made to the 2012 International Property Maintenance Code. The first correction was the title change of “2003 International Property Maintenance Code” to “2012 International Property Maintenance Code.”

Chairperson Shoemaker discussed the complexity of the second to last sentence in Section 107.5, Transfer of ownership, in the 2012 International Property Maintenance Code. City Staff Member Scot Wolf recommended that the Legal Department reviews Section 107.5 before moving to Council. Chairperson Shoemaker approved this proposal.

Commissioner Huber moved to adopt the 2012 International Property Maintenance Code with the amendment by the Legal Department in Section 107.5, seconded by Commissioner Scott. The motion was approved viva voce vote 8 to 0.

Chairperson Shoemaker requested clarification on the language used in the 2012 International Fire Code. Chief Maclin reviewed the amendments that were made since the last meeting in December, and explained how the 2010 International Building Code language was replaced with the 2012 language.

Commissioner Snyder moved to adopt the 2012 International Fire Code, seconded by Commissioner Hall. The motion was approved viva voce vote 8 to 0.

Moving on to the 2012 International Building Code, City Staff Member Scot Wolf mentioned that the language used in this code is the same language used in the city ordinance.

Chairperson Shoemaker was confused why some items were listed in Chapter 29 regarding plumbing systems, but not all items. City Staff Member Scot Wolf explained that the language used in Chapter 29 of the 2012 International Building Code was already likely in the city ordinance.

Chairperson Shoemaker declared that the only real change in this code is Section 109.3, regarding stair treads and risers. Again, City Staff Member Scot Wolf claimed this section is from the city ordinance.

Commissioner Snyder moved to recommend adoption of the 2012 International Building Code, seconded by Commissioner Cicciarelli. The motion was approved viva voce vote 8 to 0.

Chairperson Shoemaker suggested that the 2012 language of the International Existing Building Code should replace the 2006 language used in Section 1203.1 regarding the exemption of historical buildings. Paul Kouri of the Farnsworth Group explained his IEBC revisions and everything should be correct as is.

City Staff Member Ross Black mentioned that Scot Wolf would provide guidance if any clarification is needed to determine what is a historical building. This would be parallel to the International Code Book definition of historical building.

The discussion continued as the Commissioners clarified what is meant by a historical building. Commissioner Huber moved to request approval for adoption as written (no improvement on language), seconded by Commissioner Snyder. The motion was approved viva voce vote 8 to 0.

Chairperson Shoemaker asked the Commission and the public if there were any questions or comments regarding the 2012 International Mechanical Code. City Staff Member Ross Black made note of the typo in the title “2006 International Mechanical Code” and requested to have the year be corrected to 2012. There were no more comments on the 2012 International Mechanical Code.

Commissioner Snyder moved to adopt the 2012 International Mechanical Code, seconded by Commissioner Goad. The motion was approved viva voce vote 8 to 0.

Continuing the discussion on the 2012 International Mechanical Code, the following amendment was suggested:

Amend code for Section 401.2 of the IMC so that historical building will be require to follow the code requirements for the 2012 IMC in regards to this section.

Commissioner Cicciarelli moved to approve the amendment of Section 401.2 of the 2012 International Mechanical Code, seconded by Commissioner Goad. The motion was approved viva voce vote 8 to 0.

Having moved on to discuss the International Residential Code, Chairperson Shoemaker suggested an amendment pertaining to the sprinkler requirement in 1-2 family dwellings. City Staff Member Scot Wolf stated that the amendments are already in city ordinance.

Commissioner DeJarld suggested double-checking the section number regarding treads and risers, as it may be incorrect. City Staff Member Scot Wolf will look into this and make changes as needed.

Commissioner Huber recommended adopting the 2012 International Residential Code excluding the sprinkler regulation. Upon discussion between the Commissioners, Chairperson Shoemaker decided to give homeowners the option of having a sprinkler system, but they must meet requirements of the sprinkler system regulations if they choose to have one.

Commissioner Huber moved to recommend the adoption of the 2012 International Residential Code as written with the exemption of sprinkler requirements, seconded by Commissioner Scott. The motion was approved viva voce vote 8 to 0.

The last item on the list was the International Existing Building Code. City Staff Member Scot Wolf explained that city staff worked with architects, Mr. Kouri, and Commissioner Huber on the language in the amendments to this code.

City Staff Member Ross Black reassured Chairperson Shoemaker that the language may be changed if needed, but that won’t change the meaning of the code.

Chairperson Shoemaker asks if anyone can explain what Section 1012.1.3 is trying to achieve in the International Existing Building Code. Paul Kouri with the Farnsworth Group provided assistance in making this section more clear. Kouri explained that the main difference between the International Building Code and the International Existing Building Code is the IBC is in regards to new buildings and the IEBC is regarding old buildings.

Paul Kouri continues to describe the differences between the IBC and IEBC, and the importance of Section 1012.1.3 of the International Existing Building Code. He explains that when there is a change of use in an existing building, the code looks at hazard levels. When a building moves to a higher class/hazard level, it is treated as a new building. This particular item, 1012.1.3 is important because it states the sprinkler requirement based on hazard levels.

Chairperson Shoemaker recommended a language improvement on item 1012.1.3 in the International Existing Building Code as it causes confusion. City Staff Member Scot Wolf and Commissioner Huber will work together to improve the language of this item.

The following amendment was agreed upon by the Commission:

“Where a historic building is changed to an R-2 occupancy, the occupancy classifications for Sections 1012.4, 1012.5, 1012.6, and 1012.7.2 shall be determined to be a change of use to an equal hazard category.”

Commissioner Hall suggested that the language in 1012.1.1.3 should be revised to be consistent with the rest of the code. His recommendation is to strike the words “all floors” and rearrange the wording in the last sentence to say “total building square footage does not exceed…”

Paul Kouri provides insight on the reasoning behind item 1012.1.1.3 of the International Existing Building Code. Ultimately, the International Existing Building Code is trying to make buildings more accessible to non-commercial developers. Section 1012.1.1.3 tries to accomplish what live-work units have in new building code.

Paul Kouri continued to explain the next section, 1012.2.1 regarding fire sprinkler systems in Live/Work buildings. Sprinkler systems are not required in buildings under 12,000 square feet with a list of 13 exceptions listed in section 1012.2.1, with advice provided by the Peoria Fire Department. However, fire alarm systems are required even if a sprinkler system is not, as stated in section 1012.2.2.1.

Commissioner Huber explained that these amendments to the International Existing Building Code allow people to live and work in the same environment, which is important for small business owners.

Division Chief of Fire Prevention Phillip Maclin provided a clearer definition of Live/Work unit, and recommended that the language in sections regarding Live/Work units should not be changed because it is a vital portion of the document.

Captain Taylor explained his concerns with Section 1012.1.1.3. This section states “…a new Live/Work occupancy with four or fewer tenants…”, but this goes against the International Fire Code, which requires separation regulations with three or more tenants. The wording in this section should be changed to be consistent with the International Fire Code.

Captain Taylor also expressed his concern with an absence of separation in stairs, as it allows smoke and combustion to travel anywhere in the building.

Commissioner Huber explains that this code wouldn’t allow for growth in the Warehouse District if the tenant has to own both the business and residence. Commissioner Huber’s goal with this code is to find a way for small developers to compete with large commercial developers.

Michael Freilinger of DDC chimed in to explain the reasoning behind the recurring number of square footage in these sections. 12,000 was the consistent threshold found within the code.

Michael Freilinger agreed with Paul Kouri’s language in his amendment because in most cases the property owner will live and work will live in their own building. However, there are exceptions and some businesses will want to rent out their living areas to other tenants. The changes that the Fire Department provided gives protection of what type of business is going on in Live/Work use buildings.

Captain Taylor states that he and Scot Wolf met with an architect to come to a compromise to find a solution regarding this issue.

City Staff Member Scot Wolf explained that business owners were allowed to separate the building horizontally between existing operations. In addition to this compromise a sprinkler system was required for the building.

Chairperson Shoemaker confirmed with Phillip Maclin that he was comfortable with the sprinkler regulations in section 1012.2.1, and he is.

Captain Taylor claimed that parts of this section conflicts with the life-safety code. Some parts of life-safety may require sprinklers.

Michael Freilinger explained that his main objective is to reduce the requirement for sprinkler systems. However, if the Fire Department is working with the tenant to meet the requirements of the life-safety code, he and DDC are supportive of their decision.

Chairperson Shoemaker requested a review of the life-safety code to make sure there isn’t any conflicting language between that and the International Existing Building Code before it’s approved and recommended for adoption. City Staff Member Scot Wolf will change the language in Section 1012.1.1 to align with the fire code.

Chairperson Shoemaker requested that an email be sent to the Commissioners to spell check all language revisions.

Commissioner Cicciarelli moved to request a follow up on Attachment G revisions regarding the International Existing Building Code, seconded by Commissioner Snyder. The motion was approved viva voce vote 8 to 0.

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Snyder moved to adjourn the Construction Commission Meeting, seconded by Commissioner Cicciarelli. The motion was approved viva voce vote 8 to 0.

The Construction Commission meeting adjourned at 3:57 p.m.