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HomeMy WebLinkAboutA003 - Council Action form dated September 22, 1998 OW IN ITEM # _31� DATE: September 22, 1998 SUBJECT: Change the local code to update from the 1991 to the 1997 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) with revisions to our local amendments. BACKGROUND: Local jurisdictions can adopt local plumbing codes, but they shall meet requirements of the state code. Local amendments can be more restrictive than the state, but shall not be less restrictive. In the early 1990's the City of Ames adopted a local plumbing code instead of following the state plumbing health code. This created the local plumbing code board of appeals. An interim board worked with city staff and the home builders association to come up with a code that was more restrictive than the state in certain areas and equivalent to the state in all other areas. The Uniform Plumbing Code is updated every three years. More recently, the Plumbing Code Board of Appeals and Inspection Staff have worked over the last year and one-half on revisions to our local plumbing code. They worked on changes from the 1991 to 1994 UPC for several months. With the turnover of plumbing inspection personnel and discussion with many other local jurisdictions, they decided to skip the 1994 and move to the 1997 code to be consistent with other communities. Consistency with other communities is beneficial to plumbing contractors who work throughout the area. There are many sections in the local amendments that are proposed to be deleted because the 1997 UPC update has been changed and is now similar to the intent of our local code. There are also several minor revisions to our local amendments that clarify the original intent so there are fewer disagreements and less frustration for all parties involved. The following are major changes that have occurred in the process of updating the 1997 UPC: • The 1997 UPC will have a higher standard in restaurants regarding waste water or storm drain pipe installed above the food prep area to prevent contamination of food or drink. • The 1997 UPC will require a 3" discharge pipe on sewage ejector pumps instead of 2" to prevent possible over-taxing of pipes, thus preventing flooding. • The 1997 UPC has less restrictive standards for water lines and drain lines to kitchen sinks and toilets, but more restrictive standards on tub/showers and washing machines. The following are major changes to our local amendments which are more restrictive than the state code: • The board approved an alternative design for grease/sand interceptors that will work for local conditions that will be less costly to install than the model described in the 1997 UPC, thus reducing costs for commercial repair garages. (The Plumbing Code Board of Appeals can approve alternate materials and methods if equal or exceed UPC.) • Homeowners' who do their own plumbing will be required to submit plans to verify the system will work as shown. Often, this will reduce frustration on the homeowner's part, since they may have less costly corrections to make upon the initial inspection. • The local amendments were made less restrictive by allowing cleanouts to be 12 inches ± off the floor rather than 42 inches as currently stated, thus reducing the cost of construction. • The local amendments were made less restrictive by eliminating the requirement to have access panels at all gas pipe threaded joint locations, thus reducing construction costs. • The local amendments were made less restrictive by allowing plastic pipe to run inside, under the floor of the structure for fire protection piping, thus reducing costs for apartment and commercial construction. • The local code was amended to require hair interceptors for all new hair salons, which will increase the initial cost of construction, but will reduce maintenance costs during the life of the structure. Some of the above code changes increase costs while others will decrease costs. Overall, inspection staff and plumbing board feel the proposed code is more fair and consistent than the existing code. A redline copy is attached to show deletions and additions to our local plumbing code. The members of the Plumbing Code Board of Appeals who worked on the changes were a good cross section of plumbers representing the community. The members are Jerry Cable, Cable Plumbing;John Weiss, C & K Plumbing & Heating. During the process Chris Kayser, ACI Mechanical; retired from the Board and new member Bill Soy, Gibbs Plumbing & Heating, was installed. Both Mr. Soy and Mr. Kayser remained involved to the end of the process. Letters were sent to all registered local plumbing and mechanical contractors for invitation to a public meeting. Makelbust Plumbing was the only contractor who appeared at the hearing and had no problems with the proposed changes. [Note: page 21-18 sentence ending with "10-2, except that in the area of the city south of Lincoln Way and west of Dotson Drive,the assumed pressure range will be 30-45psi." should not have been crossed out. This sentence will continue to be included in the municipal plumbing code.] O ALTERNATIVES: 1. Approve the request to adopt the 1997 Uniform Plumbing Code with revisions to our local amendments. 2. Deny the request. MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION: It is the recommendation of the City Manager and the Plumbing Code Board of Appeals that the City Council adopt Alternative#1 to adopt the 1997 Uniform Plumbing Code with revisions to the local amendments. COUNCIL ACTION: Proof Of Publication In THE TRIBUNE STATE OF IOWA,STORY COUNTY,ss. I,Craig McMullin/Joan Rost,on oath depose and say that I am President/Controller of DAILY TRIBUNE,a daily newspaper,printed at Ames,Story County,Iowa;that the annexed printed NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE LEGAL N O T I C E was published in said newspaper for 1 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The City Council of Ames,Iowa will hold a consecutive week(s)September 16, 1998 public hearing on a proposal to enact an ordinance to and the last of said publication was on the adopt by reference•pursuant to Section 380 10,CDd5 16th ay of September, 1998. of Iowa,the following.The Uniform Plumbing Code. ' 1997 Ed.,published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials,Chapters 1-1 I, - T and Chapter 14 and Appendix D, except for such r modifications;additions or deletions as enacted by said ��D"'�"••'°�"a' �. [ ordinance, the National.Fuel Gas Code. 3rd Ed., t published by the National Fire Protection Association J and International Approval Services-U.S.Inc.;and, Of the State PI gmbi Sod promulgated by the Iowa Department of Health in Chapter 25 of Part 641 of the sworn to before me and subscribed in my Iowa Administrative Code. Copies of the said codes presence by Craig McMullin/Joan Rost and portions of the codes are available at the office of this 18th day of September 199 the Ames City Clerk. The said hearing shall be held in conjunction with the regular meeting of the Ames City Council scheduled to begin at 7.00 p.m.on the Ay, 22nd day of Septmnber,1998,in the City Council VIRGINIA A.BRANNAN I Chambers,City Hall,Ames,Iowa MY COMMISSION EXPIRES "' a" Notary Public in and for the State Of Iowa My commission expires 11/28/2000. I FEES: $8.69 NO. 40997 AMES05 hva NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The City Council of Ames, Iowa will hold a public hearing on a proposal to enact an ordinance to adopt by reference, pursuant to Section 380.10, Code of Iowa, the following: The Uniform Plumbing Code, 1997 Ed., published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, Chapters 1-11, and Chapter 14 and Appendix D, except for such modifications, additions or deletions as enacted by said ordinance; the National Fuel Gas Code, 3rd Ed., published by the National Fire Protection Association and International Approval Services - U.S. Inc.; and, the State Plumbing Code promulgated by the Iowa Department of Health in Chapter 25 of Part 641 of the Iowa Administrative Code. Copies of the said codes and portions of the codes are available at the office of the Ames City Clerk. The said hearing shall be held in conjunction with the regular meeting of the Ames City Council scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. on the 22nd day of September., 1998, in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, Ames, Iowa.