CCAB Orientation

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CCAB Orientation

• January 19, 2006

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What does DPD doMission

• The mission of the Department of Planning
  Development (DPD) is to manage growth and
  development within Seattle in a way that enhances
  quality of life. We promote a safe and
  sustainable environment through comprehensive
  planning, good design, and compliance with
  development regulations and community standards.

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What does DPD doOverview

• DPD develops, administers, and enforces standards
  for land use, design, construction, and housing
  within the city limits. DPD is also responsible
  for long-range planning in Seattle.

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What does DPD doSpecifics

• Long-range planning
• Building plan review
• Land use review
• Design review
• Construction and electrical inspections
• Sign inspections
• Licensing of boiler operators, refrigeration
  mechanics and contractors, gas piping installers
• Annual inspections of elevators, refrigeration
  systems, boilers
• Code development
• Code enforcement based on complaints from the
  public

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DPD Organizational Chart
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Primary Contacts for CCAB

• Staff SupportCode Development
• Maureen Traxler 206-233-3892
• Vicki Baucom 206-233-2757
• Subject Experts
• Jon SiuPrincipal Engineer
• Skip KingChief Building Inspector
• Dick AlfordElectrical
• Bill WatsonElevator
• Robby LiemEnergy and Mechanical
• John HoganEnergy
• Larry LeetBoilers
• Rich RichardsonFire Dept.

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Which codes do we enforce?

• http//www.seattle.gov/dpd/Codes/
• Seattle Building Code
• Seattle Residential Code
• Seattle Electrical Code
• Washington State Energy Code with Seattle
  amendments
• State Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Code
• Seattle Mechanical Code
• Seattle Fuel Gas Code
• Boiler Pressure Vessel Code
• Housing Bldg Maintenance Code
• (These are codes CCAB reviewssee handout for
  complete list)

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Directors Rules

• http//www2.seattle.gov/dpd/codes/dr/dr_index.asp
• Adopted administratively instead of legislatively
• Used to clarify and interpret codes, to formalize
  widely-used code alternates
• Must not change the code

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Client Assistance Memos

• http//www.seattle.gov/dpd/publications/client_ass
  istance_memos_(CAMs)/
• Explanatory, meant to make requirements or
  process understandable to the public
• Not formally adopted
• Not enforceable
• CAMs are sometimes directed to a knowledgeable
  segment of the public, e.g. CAM 339 Emergency and
  Standby Power Systems

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CCAB

• Created by SBC Section 105
• Purpose is to review proposed code amendments and
  Directors Rules and to act as advisory hearing
  body on appeals from DPD code interpretation
  decisions
• AdvisoryDecisions arent binding, but DPD relies
  heavily on advice as do elected officials
• SBC specifies 13 members architect, structural
  engineer, electrical engineer, mechanical
  engineer, general contractor, electrical
  contractor, commercial building owner or
  operator, apartment building owner or operator,
  residential developer, organized labor, and 3
  general public.

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How CCAB OperatesMeetings

• Meetings are scheduled for first and third
  Thursdays every month members are expected to
  reserve those times for CCAB meetings
• Frequency of meetings varies depending on work
  load
• Two-hour meetingsnoon until 2 p.m.

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• DPD prepares agendas and minutes, but CCAB
  members may suggest agenda items
• Meetings are informal
• CCAB members should question DPD, and think
  critically about DPDs proposals

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How CCAB OperatesBylaws

• Meetings are open to the public
• Chair and Vice Chair are elected by the Board
• 5 members make a quorum Board may conduct
  business without a quorum, subject to later
  ratification of votes
• Committees may be formed with non-Board members
• Past committees include earthquake repair,
  Mechanical Code review, Electrical Code review,
  and Elevator Code

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How CCAB OperatesCode of Ethics

• CCAB is subject to City Code of Ethics, but are
  not subject to financial disclosure. How the
  Code applies to CCAB is not very clear.
• Appearance standard appliesan officer or
  employee should not work on projects or be
  involved in activities if a reasonable person
  with the facts would believe that there is a
  conflict of interest.
• May not work on City projects where they have a
  financial benefit or interest, directly or
  indirectly. (Code review is not a conflict
  because CCAB is advisory)
• Use of City resources, such as supplies and
  computers, for other than your job as a Board
  member can be a violation of the Citys Code of
  Ethics.
• May not ask for or receive gifts, loans, or other
  things of value from people with whom they do
  City business.

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Model Codes

• Most codes enforced by DPD are based on a model
  code, with Seattle amendments
• International Codes (International Code Council)
• Building
• Residential
• Mechanical
• Fuel Gas
• Fire
• National Electrical Code (National Fire
  Protection Association)
• Electrical Code
• Washington State Codes
• Energy Code
• Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Code
• Accessibility provisions of Building Code
• Seattle Fire Code is enforced by the Fire Dept
  which has a separate advisory board.

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• No model code
• Boiler Code
• Licensing Codes
• Housing Bldg Maintenance Code

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Footnote on ADA Fair Housing Act

• Local jurisdictions do not have authority to
  enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act or
  the Federal Fair Housing Act
• However, the International Code Council, US Dept
  of Justice and HUD have worked hard to make the
  IBC and ANSI A117.1 as close as possible to the
  federal standards.
• The IBC and Washington State Bldg Code are being
  reviewed by DOJ for consistency with ADA
  standards
• HUD has granted IBC status as a safe harbor for
  compliance with FHA standards

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Model Code Updates

• New editions of International Codes and National
  Electrical Code are published every 3 years
• ICC codes 2003, 2006, 2009
• NEC 2005, 2008, 2011
• Amendments to State codes usually take effect the
  year after new editions of the ICC codes are
  published

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Standards

• Many standards are adopted by reference in the
  model codes. Usually codes have scoping
  provisions standards have detailed design or
  manufacturing specs
• E.g. ANSI A117.1 is adopted in the IBC. A117.1
  provides details of how to design accessible
  features IBC specifies when or where to put
  them.
• Many structural design standards are adopted by
  the IBC, e.g. ASCE 7 Minimum Design Loads for
  Buildings and Other Structures

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State Building Codes

• State Building Code is specified in state law
  (RCW 19.27.031) to consist of
• International Building, Residential, Mechanical
  and Fire codes
• Uniform Plumbing Code
• State also adopts Ventilation and Indoor Air
  Quality Code and Energy Code

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State Energy Code

• RCW 19.27A requires State Building Code Council
  to adopt an energy code meeting specific minimum
  standards
• Different standards for residential and
  nonresidential buildings

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State Building Code Council

• Washington State Building Code Council is created
  by RCW 19.27
• Has rulemaking authority
• Members are part-time (meet apx 10 times/year),
  volunteers
• 15 members specified in 19.27.0702 county
  electeds, 2 city electeds, bldg official, fire
  official, comml builder, residential builder,
  architect, mechanical engineer, structural
  engineer, labor, manufacturers/installers/distribu
  tors, person with disability, general public

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Timeline for Adoption of 2006 State Building Codes

• 2006
• March 1Code changes proposals are due (anyone
  may submit proposals)
• Mid-MarchBldg Code Council usually forms a
  Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for each code, and
  assigns proposals to TAG for review
• March-MayTAGs review new codes and code change
  proposals

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• JuneCouncil reviews TAG work and decides which
  proposals go to public review
• September and Octoberpublic hearings
• NovemberCouncil votes on final rules
• SBCC codes are not allowed to take effect until
  after the next legislative session
• 2007
• July 1New editions of codes take effect

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Local AmendmentsMini-Max

• Some provisions of state codes are mini-maxno
  amendments are allowed.
• Accessibility
• Residential sections of Energy Code

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Local AmendmentsResidential

• Residential amendments (other than Energy Code)
  must be approved by SBCC
• single-family buildings
• multifamily buildings
• four or fewer units
• no more than 2 stories
• less than 5000 sf
• One-hour fire resistive occupancy separation
  between units

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• Criteria that may be used to justify local
  residential amendments (WAC 51-40-030)
• Unique climatic, geographic, or seismic condition
• Unique environmental impacts such as noise, dust
• Life, health or safety conditions unique to
  jurisdiction
• Adoption of appendices do not require SBCC review
• Amendments to administrative provisions are not
  subject to review
• Findings of fact adopted by the local
  legislative body are now required

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SBCC Review of Seattle Amendments

• In 2005, Seattle submitted 40 residential
  amendments to SBCC
• All but 7 SBC 3 SRC amendments were approved
• Amendments not approved are null and void

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Other Local Amendments RCW 19.17.060

• Amendments shall not result in a code that is
  less than the minimum performance standards and
  objectives contained in the state building code
• State Building Code doesnt apply to buildings of
  4 or more stories in B occupancy as defined by
  the 1982 UBC located in a city with a fire
  insurance rating of 1, 2, or 3. (Seattle is such
  a city.)

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Implementation of State Codes in Seattle

• Seattles amendments are much more extensive than
  States
• New editions of Seattle codes take effect as
  close to the effective date of State Codes as
  possible
• State amendments are reviewed for adoption in
  Seattle codes
• Review of Seattle codes progresses mostly
  independently of review of State Codes
• DPD staff participates on TAGs

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Process for Adoption of 2006 Seattle Codes

• Less definite timeline than State
• After DPD receives draft codes, staff inserts
  existing amendments discusses new issues
• CCAB usually reviews Bldg and Residential codes
  as a committee of the whole forms committees to
  review Mechanical and Fuel Gas codes, and Bldg
  Code Chapter 30 (elevators)

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More Information

• DPD Web Site http//www.cityofseattle.net/dpd/
• How to Reach Us at DPD in your notebook
• DPD phone list http//www.seattle.gov/dpd/About/D
  PD_001308.asp
• Directory of City Employees http//www.seattle.gov
  /directory/
• Building Code Technical Back-up 206-684-4630
  (M-F 100-415 pm)
• Energy/Mechanical Technical Back-up 206-7846
  (M-F 100-415 pm)