Review of proposed amendments to the 2009 International Fire Code (IFC) and 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) by Yorkville\'s Building Code Update Committee

1. Building Code Update Committee Meeting Monday, November 15, 2010 6:30 PM City Council Conference Room United City of Yorkville Building and Community Development Departments

3. International Residential Code United City of Yorkville Building and Community Development Departments

4. International Residential Code(IRC 2009) Frequently Asked Questions: Q: If a room is added on to an existing home or townhouse that does not have an approved for sprinkler system, will one be required? A: No. An exception in the 2009 IRC states that a fire sprinkler system is not required as the result of additions or alterations to an existing building that does not already have fire sprinklers. United City of Yorkville Building and Community Development Departments

6. Closets & pantries of 24 sq. ft. or less, and with the smaller dimension not greater than 3 feet.

7. Bathrooms of 55 sq. ft. or less

8. Garages, carports, porches

9. Unheated entry areas such as mud roomsUnited City of Yorkville Building and Community Development Departments

10. International Residential Code(IRC 2009) Q: Are smoke alarms still installed when a fire sprinkler system is installed? A: Yes. Smoke alarms are still required to be installed. Smoke alarms react to smoke and fire sprinklers react to heat. The smoke alarm is designed to waken and warn the occupants that a fire has occurred. While, the fire sprinkler is designed to allow time for the occupants to escape by slowing the spread of fire and inhibiting flashover. United City of Yorkville Building and Community Development Departments

11. International Residential Code(IRC 2009) United City of Yorkville Building and Community Development Departments

12. International Residential Code(IRC 2009) Q: What is the cost of the fire sprinkler system? A: Cost is affected by several components of the fire sprinkler system. Most significantly by the type of water source (public or private), the type of piping (metallic or non-metallic) and pipe design (stand-alone or multipurpose). A recent study by the National Fire Protection Research Foundation found prices ranging from $0.38 to $3.66 per square foot of sprinkled space. United City of Yorkville Building and Community Development Departments

13. International Residential Code(IRC 2009) Yorkville price survey of local fire protection system companies based on the installation in a 2,500 sq. ft. SFD with city water, excluding basement and garage. Average cost is $6,070.00 or $2.43 per sq. ft. United City of Yorkville Building and Community Development Departments

14. International Residential Code(IRC 2009) Q: Does the homeowner insurance increase because of possible water damage from the fire sprinklers? A: A 2007 study by the National Association of Home Builders found a reduction of insurance premiums in dwellings and townhomes when fire sprinklers were installed. The reductions were up to 10% and varied depending on state and location. United City of Yorkville Building and Community Development Departments

15. International Residential Code(IRC 2009) Homebuilder Benefits to Installing Fire Sprinklers: United City of Yorkville Building and Community Development Departments

16. International Residential Code(IRC 2009) R305.1 Minimum height Contains a new provision that allows the ceiling height above bathroom fixtures to be “such that the fixture is capable of being used for its intended purpose.” This will allow builders to construct bathrooms under stairs and other sloped ceiling locations in new and existing homes, thereby not requiring the use of other locations at additional expense and reducing the square footage available for living space. The change was submitted by NAHB. R311.7.4 Stair treads and risers New language requires that tread and riser dimensions be measured exclusive of carpeting. This will provide for more consistent interpretation and enforcement for builders and reduce disagreements between builders and code officials as to the correct method of measurement on carpeted stairs. United City of Yorkville Building and Community Development Departments

17. International Residential Code(IRC 2009) R302.2 Townhouses, exception Reduces from two hours to one hour the required fire-resistance rating of common walls separating townhouses. Note: this change was part of the proposal to require sprinklers in all townhouses. Any modification to not require sprinklers should also retain the two-hour requirement. R317.4 Wood/ Plastic composites and other related sections This adds criteria to the code for the use of these materials for decks, guards and handrails. Although previously accepted by code officials under alternate material provisions and ES reports, placing criteria for the material in the code should ease approval and acceptance for builders. United City of Yorkville Building and Community Development Departments

18. International Residential Code(IRC 2009) R401.3 Drainage, Exception The section addresses the grading of the ground adjacent to foundation walls in situations where small yard space does not allow for the usual minimum 6:10 slope. Cost savings are difficult to quantify, but the deletion of a provision that was difficult to comply with should ease the approval process for builders. The change was submitted by NAHB. R404.1 Concrete and masonry foundation walls The lateral support requirements that were new in the 2006 IRC, including Tables R404.1(1), (2) & (3) have been deleted, and the text returns to what was in the 2003 IRC and previous IRC & CABO codes. Table R404.1(2) had anchor bolt spacing as low as every 5 inches. This section of the 2006 IRC is considered onerous by home builders and was commonly modified by adopting jurisdictions. The change was submitted by NAHB and four concrete and masonry associations. United City of Yorkville Building and Community Development Departments

19. International Residential Code(IRC 2009) Table R602.3(1) Fastener Schedule for Structural Members The spacing for edge fasteners for attaching gypsum sheathing to supports is increased from 4 inches to 7 inches. R602.10 Wall bracing This section has been the source of conflict between builders and code officials due to its complexity and misinterpretation. The new section should make plan reviews easier and quicker, and reduce disagreements between builders and code officials as to the correct application of the section. R602.10.3 Minimum length of braced panels New text provides a simpler alternate method for bracing adjacent to garage doors in braced wall lines. The change was submitted by NAHB. United City of Yorkville Building and Community Development Departments

20. International Residential Code(IRC 2009) R703.7.3.2 Lintels The new section provides a more-economical method for spanning large masonry veneer openings such as occur above two-car garage door openings. P2903.5 Water hammer Water hammer arrestors are no longer required to be installed everywhere quick-closing valves are used. United City of Yorkville Building and Community Development Departments

21. Building Code Update Committee Next Scheduled Meeting… Monday, December 20, 2010 6:30 PM City Council Conference Room United City of Yorkville Building and Community Development Departments