To: Mark R. Hafner, City Manager
From: Julie Smith, Director of Community Development; Payne Randell, Building Official; and Debra Crafton, Fire Marshal
Subject:
Title
Consider an ordinance amending the City of Keller Code of Ordinances to adopt the 2021 International Building Code, the 2021 International Residential Code, the 2021 International Fire Code, the 2021 International Fuel Gas Code, the 2020 National Electric Code, the 2021 International Plumbing Code, the 2021 International Mechanical Code, the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code, the 2021 International Existing Building Code, the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code, and the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code; amending City of Keller Ordinance 1807 Related to Outdoor Burning; providing a cumulative clause; providing a severability clause; providing a savings clause; authorizing publication; and establishing an effective date.
Action Requested:
Consider an ordinance amending the outdoor burning (Ordinance 1897) and the following International Codes and National Electric Code with amendments and exceptions as identified in Exhibit A: Proposed 2021 Code Amendments:
1. The 2021 International Building Code (IBC)
2. The 2021 International Residential Code (IRC)
3. The 2021 International Fire Code (IFC)
4. The 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)
5. The 2020 National Electric Code (NEC)
6. The 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC)
7. The 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC)
8. The 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
9. The 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC)
10. The 2021 International Property Code (IPMC)
11. The 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC)
Background:
The International Code Council (ICC) researches and develops codes related to structures in three-year cycles; the last published cycle was 2021, and the next set of revised codes will be published in 2024. (The National Electric Code operates in three-year cycles but is not part of the ICC cycle; it is off by one year - the 2020 edition is the most recent.)
The City of Keller currently operates under the 2018 ICC. The primary differences of interest to the City between the 2018 and the 2021 editions include the addition of puzzle rooms, simplified frontage increase calculations, and the requirement that ratings related to live load, snow, wind, and seismic be confirmed by an engineer. Design loads are based on IBC-level forces (region specific). Fire Code updates include sprinkler requirement for manufacturing of distilled spirits or storage occupancies and carbon monoxide detection requirements in educational, institutional, and residential occupancies.
Though staff’s experience has been that commercial submittals generally already comply with the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) related to LED lighting, but given Council concern generally, staff surveyed other jurisdictions that have already adopted the 2021 IECC to specifically determine if there may be other unforeseen challenges with the 2021 IECC. Staff found that the software that is commonplace in energy calculations currently does not support the 2021 IECC requirements. By adopting the 2021 IECC, the City may inadvertently create a hardship in the permitting process for residents, developers, and staff. Staff recommends skipping the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) adoption until the next code cycle adoption in 2024 to allow development of the software and application of the software. Staff does not believe skipping the 2021 IECC adoption will negatively affect the City’s ISO rating since the 2018 IECC is still within two code cycles and all the other codes would be 2021 editions.
Exhibit A contains a complete redline of the proposed amendments and exceptions Staff recommends adopting. These recommendations are largely based on the North Central Texas Council of Governments’ recommendations so that the Codes reflect this region’s climate and building conditions. Other amendments and exceptions reflect conditions and considerations specific to the City of Keller.
Citizen Input/Board Review:
NA
Alternatives:
City Council has the following alternatives:
- Approve as submitted
- Approve with changes
- Denial