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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-18-2016 mtg FINAL MINUTES _approved on 12-06-171 CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Building and Fire Board of Appeals Minutes Building and Fire Board Regular Meeting October 18, 2016 I.) CALL MEETING TO ORDER – The meeting was called to order at 3:01 p.m. II.) ROLL CALL Present: Jeannette, Sandland, Anderson, Luehrs, Pulaski, Nour Absent: Elbettar Chair Jeannette welcomed Board Member Pulaski to the Board. III.) PUBLIC COMMENTS – None. IV.) APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of June 16, 2016 Draft Minutes Recommended Action: Approve minutes Motion by Vice Chair Sandland, seconded by Board Member Nour, and carried (4-0, 1 absent, 2 abstaining) to approve the Minutes of June 16, 2016, as presented. AYES: Jeannette, Sandland, Anderson, Nour NOES: ABSENT: Elbettar ABSTAIN: Luehrs, Pulaski V.) NEW BUSINESS 2. Staff Presentation on the Proposed City Amendments to the 2016 California Building Standards Code which Includes: Building–Volumes 1 and 2, Residential, Fire, Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical, Green, Energy, Historical Building, and Existing Building. Recommended Action: Provide comments to staff Chief Building Official Jurjis reported staff would Introduce an ordinance containing proposed amendments to the Building Code at the November 8 City Council meeting, with a second reading scheduled for November 22. The amended Codes would take effect on January 1, 2017. Any applications submitted on or before December 23, 2016, would be checked under the 2013 Codes. Any plans submitted on or after January 3, 2017, would be reviewed under the 2016 Codes. In response to Vice Chair Sandland's questions, Chief Building Official Jurjis advised that important items were carried forward from cycle to cycle. Prior amendments and new provisions were included in each cycle of Code amendments. Chief Building Official Jurjis reviewed Fire Code prohibitions for beach, camp, and recreational fires and fireplaces using flammable or combustible liquid as a fuel source. The liquid was the 2 same as gasoline. Staff was working on a solution to allow Isokern fireplaces. Sky lanterns were not allowed. Dead-end roads 150 feet or more in length required a cul de sac. The gradient for fire apparatus was 10 percent, the same as in prior cycles. He highlighted amendments for key boxes, radio systems, emergency power outlets, sprinkler systems, and multiple berthing of marine vessels. Building materials for new construction in severe fire hazard zones were required to be ignition-resistant. Life Safety Services Specialist III Guzzetta added that blasting and fireworks were not allowed. Board Members and staff discussed the need to ventilate attics while preventing the spread of fire, insulation of water lines, products to accomplish both goals, and size of mesh screens. Requirements applied to all openings to the outside of homes located in the fire hazard area. Chief Building Official Jurjis explained the calculation of the threshold for new construction versus remodels and renovations. If a project was valued at less than $209,000, the new construction requirements were eliminated. A foundation retrofit project need not be perfect. As Chief Building Official, he could determine the project was good enough. The goal was not perfection but public safety. A masonry or concrete wall over 3.5 feet in height and a wood fence over 6 feet in height required a permit. Adjoining property owners could build a fence wall on the property line if they both signed the application. The requirement for Class A roof materials was revised to Class B roof materials. Class A roof materials were still required in fire hazard zones. This change would help with solar requirements. A special deputy inspector was required to register with the City, pass a written exam, and provide proof of qualifications. With respect to pools, two safety devices would be required. Removable fencing and floating alarms would no longer be allowed. The Residential Code was modified to reference floodplain management provisions contained in the Municipal Code. The Federal government issued a new floodplain map, which placed the entire Peninsula in a flood zone. The City hired a consultant to conduct an analysis. The consultant had important data points which could demonstrate that the City had more specific data than FEMA used in developing the map. The provision for sound transmission between units remained in the Code. In the Electrical Code, exterior exposed conduit should be either rigid piping or a specific type of PVC pipe that was UL rated. With solar, EMT for electrical was not allowed. Because the Mechanical Code and the Plumbing Code contained no allowances for modifications, provisions for modifications were placed in the Municipal Code. No changes were made to the Energy Code or the Green Code. The State had a new Historical Building Code, which staff referenced for historical structures. Other significant changes were a requirement for high efficacy lighting in all new residential construction; insulation of hot water pipes; and permitting of electric vehicle charging stations at the front counter. In 2017, simple permits could be pulled online through an ipermit. An inspector would verify the minimum requirements. In reply to Chair Jeannette's inquiry, Chief Building Official Jurjis indicated the Council would have to approve a reduction or elimination of permit costs for electric vehicle charging stations. Currently, the permit cost less than $100. Board Member Nour suggested expedited permitting for solar. Chief Building Official Jurjis indicated staff would propose an ordinance the following year to expedite permitting of electric vehicle charging stations both at the counter and through ipermit. Board Members and staff discussed design of homes to facilitate production of solar power and new regulations allowing a second meter. 3 Chief Building Official Jurjis stated staff would incorporate the Board's comments into the staff report to the Council for the November 8, 2016, meeting. VI.) BUILDING AND FIRE BOARD OF APPEALS ANNOUNCEMENTS OR MATTERS WHICH MEMBERS WOULD LIKE PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION, ACTION OR REPORT. Board Member Nour expressed concerns regarding sound mitigation and potential litigation. Sound was a pseudo-science. Chief Building Official Jurjis referred to the need for a new air conditioning unit to comply with the City's noise standard before staff could issue a permit. A sound and acoustical report was then needed to ensure the unit's compliance. Staff wished to review and amend the ordinance because technology had changed. Staff did not believe the entire City should be subject to the same noise requirement. Chief Building Official Jurjis announced the City of Newport Beach won the ICC Community Service Award for meritorious achievement in the community. VII.) ADJOURNMENT Chair Jeanette adjourned the meeting at 4:04 p.m.