Connecticut State Building Code

TOPICS Update on the Current Code Adoption Code Adoption Process Appeals Process Services from the Office of the State Building Inspector Discussion / Questions

Connecticut State Building Code Proposed 2015 State Building Code 2015 Connecticut Supplement 2012 ICC - International Building Code 2012 ICC – International Residential Code 2012 ICC – International Plumbing Code 2012 ICC - International Mechancial Code 2012 ICC – International Energy Conservation Code 2012 ICC – International Existing Building Code 2014 NFPA 70 - National Electrical Code

BUILDING CODE ADOPTION 101

Hierarchy of Law Federal Law – CFR,USC, etc. – 40 CFR 220 Connecticut General Statutes (CGS) – State Regulations (RSCA) – Local Law & Ordinances

The Players State Building Inspector Codes & Standards Committee State Fire Marshal Legislature Public

C.G.S Creates the position of State Building Inspector – Governor’s Appointment – Must be a R.A. or P.E. with 10 years experience – Authority to interpret State Building Code – Authority to Review a local building officials decision Adoption of a State Building Code – Based on a national standard – Develop Amendments to the model Administrative Geological and weather Statutory Requirements Any other issue deemed necessary – 18 Months after Publication of the model code

C.G.S Applicability of State Building Code – Applicable to all municipalities – May not be changed locally No local additions or exceptions – Related Laws Zoning regulations and ordinances Wetlands regulations and ordinances Fire Safety and Fire Prevention Codes

Regulation RCSA – State Building Code – Adopts ICC & NFPA Model Codes Connecticut Supplement – (Amd) Amendments – changes to model code language – (Add) Additions - entire sections or a few words – (Del) Deletions – sections, appendixes Amendments += SBC

Adoption Process Technical Review and Supplement Development Code Change Proposal Process Approval of the Final Draft Regulatory Adoption Process

Technical Review Technical Review and Supplement Development – Review of proposed model codes Subcommittees with OSBI staff – Draft Supplement Section revision and coordination Add new statutory requirements Remove incorporated items

Code Change Proposals May be submitted by anyone – Form and instructions on Adoption Website Proposer Information Code Section(s) with proposed language Background and supporting information May Request to do a Presentation to the committee – Limited to 10 minutes – Unlimited Q&A with the committee

Regulatory Approval Administrative Approval – Governor’s Office/OPM Formal Public Hearing – Catalog all comments – Develop Responses – Make Revisions Attorney General Review and Approval Regulation Review Committee – Legislative Commissioner Office Review – Regulation Review Committee Hearing – Approval Submission to the Secretary of the State – It is law!

Appeals General Appeals Process Municipal Board of Appeals or Chief Executive BO Decision Review by OSBI State Codes & Standards Committee State Superior Court

Avenues for Appeal C.G.S (d) SBI review of an LBO decision – Limited to misinterpretation or misconstrue C.G.S a(g) Refusal to issue a permit or Certificate of Occupancy C.G.S (b) Appeal of modification decision by SBI C.G.S (b) Appeal of a LBO decision C.G.S (b) Appeal of an Accessibility Waiver

Modifications Formal Interpretations and other Services provided by OSBI

Modifications Building Code Modifications C.G.S (b) – State Building Inspector may grant a modification if Practical Difficulty Unnecessary Hardship Otherwise adjudged unwarranted For a specific property or project – ONE TIME ONLY - not part of the code Municipal Building Officials are NOT empowered to make Code modifications!

Building Code Modification Application – Available through local BO – Online at the OSBI Website Submission – To Local BO to comment – LBO sends to OSBI for action Review and Approval – May contact LBO or requester – Research, discuss with ICC Approval (or denial) – Returned to applicant and LBO Modification Form

Other Modifications Accessibility Exemptions C.G.S (b) – Joint decision – OSBI and Office of Protection & Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities Educational Sprinkler Waiver C.G.S – Joint decision – State Building Inspector and State Fire Marshal Urban Homesteading and Historic Structures – C.G.S

Elevators and Lifts Elevators CGS Chapter 538 Limited Access Lifts Special handling when part of ‘accessible path’

Formal Interpretations SBI or designee may issue C.G.S (c) Required to compile and index (on website) Becomes part of the code

OSBI Services Code Questions, informal interpretations – Please do your homework first Conflict Resolution – LBO enforcement – Interagency Support for Local building offices

Questions? Contact Information: Office of the State Building Inspector 165 Capitol Ave. Room 265 Hartford, CT Telephone: Website: Thank you for the opportunity to talk with you tonight!