102nd Annual Conference of the IML September 19, 2015 Chicago IL

Negotiating the Building Code Maze

Richard A. Piccolo, President Presenting Today: Richard A. Piccolo, President Building and Fire Code Academy, Inc B & F Construction Code Services, Inc Doug Jones, Building Inspection Supervisor Village of Schaumburg, IL

History of Codes Why, How & When Codes Started Protect health, welfare and life safety Hammurabi – King of Babylon c. 1772 BC Established builder liability if house collapsed

History of Codes 1900s - People lived/worked in cities Structure fires Expensive losses for owners and insurers Building codes reduced the likelihood of fire & collapse

History Great Chicago Fire 1871 Iroquois Theater Fire 1903 Cocoanut Grove Nightclub Fire MA. 1942 Our Lady of Angels Fire 1958 Cook County Administration Building Fire 2003 The Station Nightclub Fire R.I. 2003

History Main Building Code Related Drivers Protect structure under fire conditions Entomb (“compartmentalize”) fire & extinguish Provide safe passage & time to get out Healthy, comfortable environment Handicap Accessibility Reactive to disasters Now attempt to be proactive

History Main Building Code Related Drivers Safe electric systems Energy efficient mechanical systems Correct amount of plumbing fixtures Safe drinking water installation Properly installed sanitary system Properly installed fire protection systems

What codes are mandatory? What do the codes regulate? What are typical codes? What codes are mandatory? What do the codes regulate?

International Code Council (ICC) IBC Building Code (Commercial/Industrial/Institutional) IMC Mechanical Code IFC Fire Code IECC Energy Conservation Code IPC Plumbing Code IRC Residential Code (1 & 2 F Dwellings and Townhouses < 3 stories above grade plane)

State of Illinois Codes 1997 Illinois Accessibility Code 2000 NFPA 101 2012 Illinois Energy Conservation Code (Based on 2012 International Energy Conservation Code) 2014 Illinois Plumbing Code

NFPA Codes and Standards National Electric Code Fire Alarm Code Sprinkler Standard Other fire related standards Referenced from the other codes Robert Wierzha starts from this slide

Electric Systems Arc fault protection for most circuits in a single family homes Safety covers over electric receptacles GFCI protected receptacles permits

Residential Sprinklers 2009 International Residential Code requires sprinklers in all one (1) and two (2) family dwellings and townhomes 3 stories or less No changes to 2012 or 2015 IRC regarding residential sprinklers May be amended out of code during adoption process

Evolution of Code Organizations Legacy Code Organizations: Building Officials & Code Administrators (BOCA) International Council of Building Officials (ICBO) Southern Building Code Congress (SBCC) Began Integration Discussion Early 1990’s Last BOCA edition - 1999 Inaugural International Building Code - 2000

Protect People, Property & Values Without building & property maintenance codes, what would happen to: Property values Tourism Insurance rates Crime rates (Broken Windows Theory) Quality of life in your city/town/village

Protect People, Property & Values Building/Maintenance & Zoning Enforcement Officials are “First Preventers” and prevent disasters by abating hazards Extraordinarily effective when teamed with Fire & Police – powerful synergy develops Remove open, vacant vandalized buildings used for illegal activities. Improve area via orders to repair.

Protect People, Property & Values Demonstrate to investors that officials are “in charge” Will enforce codes so it is safe to invest Will remove condemnable structures Will remove opportunities for buildings to be used for illegal activities Will bring full, complete code enforcement to such properties

Adoption of Codes By Municipality Codes are only a list of rules until adopted by a municipality – Then become law and enforceable Municipalities typically adopt nationally recognized codes Codes are adopted and amended by elected representatives of the people Robert Wierzha starts from this slide

Adoption of Codes By Municipality 65 ILCS (Illinois Compiled Statutes) 5/1-2-3.1 Requires Municipalities <1M pop to give 30 days notice to IL Building Commission before adoption/amendment of building code or zoning ordinance with construction activities At least one copy of the adopted codes shall be on file in the office of the Public Clerk

Board of Appeals Hears property owners’ appeals of Building Official’s determinations regarding the building code Advises on the applicability of alternative materials and methods of construction Considers electrical, plumbing and permitting issues Rules on intent of code, not to waive the code

Board of Appeals (BOA) Comprised of five (5) people Simple majority needed for ruling Important, high responsibility Hearing must be open to public Fiduciary duty to uphold intent of code Building Official is “ex officio” non-voting member of BOA

Fees Not regulated by codes Established by municipal ordinance Building permits Fines and penalties Municipal citations Starting work without a permit

Policies and Procedures Not regulated by codes Established by municipal ordinance Written to meet local needs

Zoning Not regulated by building related codes Controls location of building uses Separate appeals board Not to be confused with Building Code

Amendments Typical path for additions, insertions, deletions and changes to code adoption: Building Official reviews and submits Corporation Counsel reviews submittal Council subcommittee review at public hearings Council consideration and vote

Amendments Model codes can be amended Some state adopted codes can not be amended Energy Conservation Code – no amendments Plumbing Code – no amendments Accessibility – Can be made stricter NFPA 1- - Can be made stricter

Updating To Latest Code Edition Three (3) year code cycle Stay current: Latest materials/technology Insurance Service Office (ISO) requires adopted code to be within five (5) years of current edition in order to receive optimal ISO Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCGES) rating

Questions? Thank You IML Participants Richard A. Piccolo, President 2420 Vantage Drive Elgin, IL 60124 847.428.2951 www.bfcacademy.com Doug Jones, Building Inspection Supervisor 101 Schaumburg Court Schaumburg, IL 60193 847-895-4500 www.villageofschaumburg.com Thank You IML Participants