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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBuilding Commission Minutes 5 21 2014BUILDING COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday, May 21,2014,2:30 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Pat Hudgens, Tom Lohbauer, Steve Silva, David Teas, John Shales and Dave Ryan MEMBERS ABSENT: Chuck Kellenberger. STAFF PRESENT: Raoul Johnston, Marc Mylott, Dave Decker, Chief John Fahy EFD, Ron Sessions EFD and Sandra Kolba. VISITORS: None. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Pat Hudgens at 2:32 p.m., in the 2nd Floor South Conference Room at City Hall, 150 Dexter Court, Elgin, IL. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the May 1, 2012, meeting were presented. A motion was made by Steve Silva and seconded by David Teas and the minutes of that meeting were unanimously approved. REVIEW/DISCUSS EQUIVALET /ALTERNAT PROTECTION FOR WOOD I- JOISTS IN LIEU OF DRYWALL OR FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM. NO- BURN WHICH IS A FIRE RETARDANT COATING AND FLACK JACKET WHICH IS AN INTUMESCENT COATING: At the start of the meeting, two documents were provided to the members of the Commission -1) No Burn Plus information sheets and specifications and 2) Flack Jacket Protection information sheets and specifications. Pat Hudgens indicated that he has, as does Raoul Johnston and Chief John Fahy, some background regarding this subject. Raoul indicated that this subject was brought to the City's attention by a developer, and subsequently by the manufacturer, to allow these alternatives in the Amendments from 2012 in lieu of fire sprinklers. Staff looked at and discussed the products and had some concerns and decided to bring the matter before the Commission to see if the products are equal to drywalling and sprinklers. Some of the problems were field constraints on temperature, keeping the product free from mud and debris, range of moisture content and the fact that the City inspectors would be unable to watch as the product was being installed. Pat indicated that there are two ways in which this product is prepared - factory installed and, in the case of the No -Burn, field installation. One product, Flak Jacket, is a coating which is spray applied at the factory. The second product, No -Burn, is applied by roller or spray at the jobsite. Tom Lohbauer indicated that the product expands to give an insulation against a fire. Raoul indicated that City staff has concerns about quality control and whether the products would be equal to drywall or a sprinkler system? He also indicated that City inspectors would have to be present at the time of installation and that the City does not have the staff to allow time for that type of inspection. Tom wondered if a third -party could be there to inspect and Raoul indicated that that is a possibility. Raoul also added that City staff is concerned about the wood I -joist (TJI's) being delivered ahead of time and then sitting out in the rain and other elements since the product specifications indicate they should remain free of oil, mud and moisture. Chief Fahy indicated that, to date, there have been no complaints from the builders regarding the current three options. He indicated that, as a matter of fact, Highland Woods builders are using dimensional lumber and are saving money. A report indicated the products were vendor rated and said that the product was equivalent to 2x10 lumber in collapse time. Chief Fahy indicated that he had asked if the products could be UL tested but was told that it would be too expensive. He said that he would be comfortable and would approve the product if it was factory applied but wondered if the Commission would recommend a change now or wait until the next code changes. He wanted to bring the product to the City Council but only with the Commission's approval. Raoul added that Toll Brothers is using sprinklers, with 4 to 5 head designs, in the basements on the new townhomes and are finding significant savings at a cost of $3,500 per unit in comparison to the other options. 2 There was a brief discussion about the size of the water meters and the costs of going to a larger meter and Raoul indicated that the costs are the same up to a 1" meter size. Chief Fahy said that he believed that the cost of the products, per foot, was expensive. A concern was brought up about some of the small holes in the product but Raoul indicated that the product swells with heat and closes the holes. Pat asked City staff what was their recommendation of the products. Marc said that Chief Fahy said it best with his comment about the Flack Jacket product and it being factory applied and agreed that there are too many variables with the field approach. He indicated that the City would consider the Flack Jacket product and might consider other products later. Dave Teas wondered who would check for holes to be sure that the home was safe and Dave Decker indicate that he checks for holes when he does his inspections. Dave Decker indicated that he has some concerns with the drywall option since he has gone into subdivisions and seen dumpsters filled with drywall because homeowners don't like it when they are doing basement finishes and buildouts. He believed that, with the option of the sprinkler system and the Flack Jacket product, that concern would disappear. Dave Decker believed that, with the No Burn product, it might be good in different areas of the country but not in this area. Raoul also added that, if No Burn would eventually be factory installed, the City might consider it as an option. Marc commented that, on the No Burn sample before the Commission, there was wood showing through and that is not good. Raoul also added that the No -Burn product must be installed in no less than 40 degree temperatures and with proper humidity and wondered how it could be applied in the winter. Pat indicated that he did not believe that the No Burn product was what the City wanted but believed that the Flack Jacket product was better. Dave Teas asked, if in the field the product is found to be chipped, can the coating be reapplied? Dave Decker said that there is flexibility in the field. Pat asked if any of the members would like to make a motion to affirm City staff's recommendation to allow the Flack Jacket product as an option within the area of exceptions of Sections 312.1 and 313.2 of the code? Tom Lohbauer made the motion and the motion was seconded by Dave Teas. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously. Chief Fahy thanked the Commission for giving builders a fourth option. He also said that the City of Elgin is very thorough. Raoul agreed and thanked the Cornmision as well. He indicated that the City doesn't take the Commission's recommendations lightly and thanked the Commission members for their devotion to review and make the best recommendations for the City. Pat said that he has heard from developers that the City of Elgin is one of the easiest communities to work with because the City listens. NEW BUSINESS: There was no new business for the Commission to discuss at this meeting. PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no public comments presented at this meeting. ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Steve Silva to adjourn the meeting at 3:05 p.m., and seconded by David Teas. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Z. Pra . K Acting Secretary Date: n