HomeMy WebLinkAboutA005 - Council Action Form dated February 22, 2000 ITEM # a5
DATE: February 22, 2000
SUBJECT: Changes to Municipal Mechanical Code updating from the 1994 Uniform
Mechanical Code to the 1997 Uniform Mechanical Code with minor revisions.
BACKGROUND:
The Uniform Mechanical Code is updated on a three-year cycle. All of our other codes
have already been updated to the 1997 Edition (most current). The final local code to
make this conversion is from the 1994 Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) to the 1997
Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC). The Mechanical Code Board of Appeals has carefully
reviewed the differences between the two editions and recommends the attached
proposed ordinance. All of the revisions are proposed to clarify sections of the current
ordinance or are to bring certain items into compliance with the same items in the local
plumbing code as well as to adopt the 1997 Uniform Mechanical Code.
The 1997 UMC is moving more toward performance based codes in lieu of prescriptive
codes, meaning that the contractors can install mechanical equipment of their design as
long as they have the engineering to verify its safe installation. The technology of
mechanical equipment is changing so rapidly that the mechanical code cannot keep up,
so we always ask that equipment be installed as per manufacturer's instructions. The
Mechanical Code Board of Appeals was unanimous in their agreement to update to the
1997 UMC with the revisions in the attached sheets. There were four persons in addition
to the mechanical code board of appeals who attended a public hearing. They had several
questions but were comfortable with the update to the 1997 UMC and the minor revisions.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Adopt the proposed ordinance to change the Municipal Mechanical Code to the 1997
Uniform Mechanical Code with the proposed revisions.
2. Deny the request.
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative #1
adopting the ordinance to change the Ames Municipal Mechanical Code to include the
1997 Uniform Mechanical Code with the attached revisions.
COUNCIL ACTION: