Transition from Pennsylvania

1
Transition from Pennsylvanias Labor and
Industry Regulations to the International Series
of Codes Implications for Generating
Facilities

• RR Schartel PA LeMenager WI
  PaulusPPL Generation, Allentown, PA

2
Components

• Background
• Highlights and Major Impacts
• Comparison between LI and International
• LI Responses to Questions
• Overview of Codes
• International Building Code
• International Fire Code
• International Fuel Gas Code
• ICC Electrical Code
• International Mechanical Code
• International Energy Conservation Code
• International Plumbing Code
• International Private Sewage Code

3
Background

• Enacted as Act 45-1999 as the Pennsylvania
  Construction Code Act
• Adopts the 2000 Edition of the International
  Building Code as promulgated by the International
  Code Council (successor code to 1999 BOCA Code)
• ICC made up of BOCA, SBCCI, and ICBO groups.

4
FEATURES OF UCC ENABLING LEGISLATION

• Repeals most of the Fire and Panic Act, Act 222,
  most others addressing how buildings are built
  and operated.
• Must be adopted and enforced at the local level
• Requires adopting ordinance
• Local municipalities can set own fee structures
  and interpret as they see fit.
• Appeals handled at the local level by local Board
  of Appeals
• Regulations go into effect in Spring 2003.

5
Adoption Options

• Option 1---Local municipality adopts and enforces
  entirely
• Option 2---Local municipality contracts with a
  third party agency
• Option 3---Local municipality adopts and enforces
  jointly with intergovernmental agreement
• Option 4---Local municipality contracts with
  another municipality
• Option 5---Local municipality opts out and defers
  to LI for all but 1 2 Family Dwellings
• Local municipalities must have plans examiners
  and inspectors certified by LI to perform work
• State will provide state level variety

6
Highlights and Major Impacts

• Generally any construction, alteration,
  enlargement, repair, movement, demolition, or
  occupancy change
• A permit is not required for the installation,
  alteration or repair of generation, transmission,
  distribution, metering or other related equipment
  that is under the ownership and control of a
  public service utility by established right
• Also any construction, alteration, enlargement,
  repair, removal, conversion of any electrical,
  gas, mechanical, or plumbing
• If being done by the State, plan for 3 months
  minimum from application to approval to construct
  rather than the current one day plan approval

7
Highlights and Major Impacts

• Fees established locally for local reviews and at
  the state level for state reviews.
• Some relief provided for routine repairs and
  testing.
• Annual permits allowed for corporations regularly
  employing qualified trade persons on the
  premises. Detailed records of all alterations
  under the permit must be maintained.

8
Highlights and Major Impacts

• The new codes do not require that systems be
  installed by a certified electrician or plumber
  however, townships and cities occasionally add
  that requirement to their standards. This should
  be monitored for townships where the plants are
  located can be a training /certification need
  in the future.
• Electric Light and Powerhouses classified as
  Group F-1 Moderate Hazard Factory Occupancy.
  Special classifications allowed for areas
  handling hazardous materials, including
  combustible dusts (Group H).

9
Highlights and Major Impacts

• Inspections
• Inspectors (state and local) have access to the
  property virtually on demand whenever required to
  enforce the code or if there is suspicion of a
  violation or dangerous condition.
• CONCERN Most of the power plant electrical
  systems have not been inspected to comply with
  national codes excessive cables in cable trays
  is an exposure item. Some panels are not FM
  approved or offered that way.
• If access is denied, the inspector has recourse
  to any remedies allowed by law, generally a
  warrant or a police order.

10
Highlights and Major Impacts

• Adoption by Reference
• International Plumbing Code
• International Mechanical Code
• International Fire Code
• ICC Electrical Code (References NEC as part of
  NFPA)
• International Fuel Gas Code
• International Property Maintenance Code
• International Energy Conservation Code

11

• LI RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS
• Have other electric utilities within Pennsylvania
  discussed compliance with these new standards for
  power generating buildings (as opposed to office
  areas)? If so which companies?
• None to my knowledge.
• How are other heavy industries handled - such as
  the steel industry?
• All industries will be handled as required in the
  IBC.
• Are there grandfather provisions for obtaining
  variances for accessibility standards for power
  generating plants designed and built prior to the
  promulgation of the International Building Code
  as a statewide building code?
• The UCC will not apply to existing buildings
  approved prior to the effective date. Only
  alterations or additions will have to comply with
  the UCC. The existing portion will remain under
  the codes in effect at the time of approval.
• If so, can a determination be made for the entire
  power generating building (i.e. the turbine
  building and boiler without the need for a number
  of individual variances?
• Individual variances will be required when
  necessary.
• How long do you expect an average variance
  request take to process?
• In areas where the Department is enforcing, the
  PA Industrial Board will continue to hear
  variance requests. They usually work on a 45 day
  turn around. In areas where municipalities are
  enforcing, local Boards of Appeal will handle the
  processing of variance requests.

12
LI RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS

• Currently an existing facility must comply 100
  with accessibility standards after a ratio of
  accumulated modification construction costs meet
  or exceed 51 of the current Means estimated
  worth of the facility, will that be enforced
  again?
• No. The percentage of compliance under Act 235
  is repealed. Only alterations or changes to
  existing buildings will have to comply with the
  UCC.
• It would appear that the following International
  codes will be adopted by reference
• Mechanical code
• Plumbing code
• Fire Code
• Fuel Gas code
• Will LI enforce these additional codes?
• Yes.

13
2001 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE
Chapter Title Chapter Title 1 Administration
18 Soil Foundations 2 Definitions 19 Concrete
3 Use Occupancy Classification 20 Aluminum 4
Special Reqmts Based on Use and
Occupancy 21 Masonry 5 General Building Heights
and Areas 22 Steel 6 Types of Construction 23 Wo
od 7 Fire Resistance-Rated Construction 24 Glass
and Glazing 8 Interior Finishes 25 Gyp Board
Plaster 9 Fire Protection Systems 26 Plastic 10
Means of Egress 27 Electrical 11 Accessibility
28 Mechanical Systems 12 Interior
Environment 29 Plumbing Systems 13 Energy
Efficiency 30 Elev Convng Sys 14 Exterior
Walls 31 Special Construction 15 Roof Assembly
Rooftop Structures 32 Encroachments
16 Structural Design 33 Safgds during Constr.
17 Structural Tests Special Inspections 34 Exist
ing Structures 35 Referenced Standards
14
INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE
Scopeestablishes requirements to safeguard
society from unwanted fires, explosions and
hazardous conditions in new and existing
premises.
45 Chapters and 7 Appendices
Typical chapters affecting generation sites
Chapter Title Chapter Title 3 General Prec.
Against Fire 26 Welding and other Hot
Work 4 Emergency Planning Preparedness 27 Hazard
ous Materials--General 5 Fire Service
Features 34 Flammable Comb. Liquids 9 Fire
Protection Systems 35 Flammable Gases 13 Comb.
Dust Producing Sys. 38 LP Gases 23 High Piled
Storage 40 Oxidizers
15
INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE
PERMITS Operationalmay be either for a finite
period, or in effect until revoked or
renewed Constructionto install or modify
systems and equipment

• Examples of Operations Permits
• Aerosol Stg
• Cutting Welding
• Battery Systems (50gal soln)
• Combustible dust producing operations
• Repair Garage
• Hazmat Storage
• Explosives
• Compressed Gas Storage
• Misc. and High Storage

• Examples of Construction Permits
• Automatic Fire Prot. Systems
• Fire Alarm Systems
• Compressed Gas Systems
• Fire Pumps
• Flammable Comb. Liquid Systems
• Fire Hydrants
• Haz Mat Facilities

16
INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE
Inspections
Inspectors have access to the property virtually
on demand whenever required to enforce the code
or if there is suspicion of a violation or
dangerous condition. If access is denied, the
inspector has recourse to any remedies allowed by
law, generally a warrant or a police order.
Emergency Access
Fire Chief has authority to direct operations
required to control fires or other hazardous
conditions, and can have removed anyone getting
in his or her way.
17
INTERNATIONAL FUEL GAS CODE

• Scope-Fuel gas piping from point of delivery to
  utilization equipment. Scope does NOT apply to
  fuel gas piping in power and atomic energy
  plants. May still apply to fuel gas systems on
  site for reasons other than generation of power
  (heat, duct igniters, etc)

• Systems with pressures of 125 psi or less
• Piping system design, materials, testing,
  components, fabrication, assembly, installation,
  inspection, operation, testing, and maintenance
• Gas utilization equipment installation
  combustion, ventilation air and venting.

18
International Fuel Gas Code
Chapter Title 1 Administration 2 Definitions 3
General Regulations 4 Gas Piping
Installations 5 Chimney and Vents 6 Specific
Appliances 7 Referenced Standards Appendix
A Sizes and Capacities of Gas Piping
(IFGS) Appendix B Sizing of Venting Systems
Serving Appliances Equipped with Draft Hoods,
Category 1 Appliances, and Appliances Listed for
use and Type B Vents (IFGS) Appendix C Exit
Terminals of Mechanical Draft and Direct-Venting
Systems (IFGS) Appendix D Recommended Procedure
for Safety Inspection of an Existing Appliance
Installation (IFGS)
19
ICC ELECTRICAL CODE-- ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

• ScopeAll new electrical systems, repairs and
  alterations.
• Existing systems do not require removal or
  alteration however, must be maintained to meet
  code in effect at time of approval.
• Inspectors have authority to require systems to
  be reinspected.
• Code refers to other International Codes and
  following Standards
• ANSI - American National Standards Institute
• ICC International Code Council
• NFPA National Fire Protection Association
  (References NEC as part of NFPA)
• UL- Underwriters Laboratories

20
ICC ELECTRICAL CODE
21
INTERNATIONAL MECHANICAL CODE

• ScopeAll new buildings and additions must meet
  code
• Existing systems do not require removal or
  alteration however, must be maintained to meet
  code in effect at time of approval, if there is
  no current hazard to life, health or property.
• Inspectors have authority to require systems to
  be re-inspected.
• Permits for emergency repair or replacements
  shall be submitted within the next business day.
• The code is geared toward building size boilers,
  but if we comply with AWS requirements we should
  be okay.
• Reference to Fuel Oil Piping and Storage items is
  referenced to the International Fire Code for
  larger capacity systems.

22
INTERNATIONAL MECHANICAL CODE
23
INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE(TAKES THE
PLACE OF LI ACT 222 FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION)

• ScopeThermal design of new buildings and
  additions, and the associated mechanical and
  electrical systems.
• Allows for unconditioned buildings that are not
  heated and cooled.
• Existing buildings and ongoing work must meet
  code in effect at time of approval.

24
INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE
25
INTERNATIONAL PLUMBING CODE

• ScopeAll new buildings and additions must meet
  code
• Existing systems do not require removal or
  alteration however, must be maintained to meet
  code in effect at time of approval, if there is
  no current hazard to life, health or property.
• Inspectors have authority to require systems to
  be re-inspected.
• Modifications/repairs to existing systems work
  may be permitted in the same manner if they meet
  code in effect at time of approval.

26
INTERNATIONAL PLUMBING CODE
27
INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL
CODEScopeAll new systems and failed systems