Minutes Building Code 11 13 01BuJlclhng Services Department
City Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 520014864
(563) 5894150 office
(563) 589-0890 fax
MINUTES OF MEETING
BUILDING CODE BOARD OF APPEALS
DATE: November 13, 2001
TIME: 4:00 PM
PLACE: Conference Room A, City Hall
CHAIR: Steve Gudenkauf
MEMBERS PRESENT: Jim Kolf, Rich Luchsinger and Ron Jahns
MEMBERS ABSENT: Chuck Carr
STAFF: Rich Russell and Mary Rose Corrigan
MEDIA: None
OTHERS: Mike Buelow, Bill Niemann, and Dave Czarmecki of the Environmental
Stewardship Commission and Steve Boka and Joe Haggerty of the City of Muscatine.
1. The meeting was called to order by Chair Gudenkauf. It was announced that the
meeting was being held in conformance with Iowa Open Meetings Law.
2. Jahns motioned to approve the minutes of the February 22, 2001 meeting.
Luchsinger seconded. Motion carried 3-0 (Kolf and Carr absent).
3. A discussion was held regarding the inclusion of radon control in the adoption of the
next building code. The Environmental Stewardship Committee is in support of
adoption of this measure.
Bill Niemann provided a power point presentation on the basics of radon. Radon is a
gas that is the result of the breakdown of uranium and radon. It is always present in
the atmosphere and is colorless, tasteless and odorless. It is also radioactive.
There are health concerns because the products of the decay damage lung tissue. If
radon is inhaled for long periods of time at a high level, lung cancer can result.
Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
Radon is dangerous where it is allowed to accumulate. Approximately 18,000 deaths
are attributed to radon each year.
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Radon enters the home through cracks, joints and unsealed sump pits.
Dubuque is impacted because of the soils and geology of the area. The mitigation of
radon could be considered a form of risk management. Radon mitigation is like
seatbelts; both can reduce the likelihood of problems encountered later on.
Steve Boka discussed the importance of testing homes individually because of the
strong potential for varying conditions. Testing should be done during the winter
months and during closed conditions so that the worst case is determined.
Joe Haggerty discussed the components of the passive and active mitigation
systems. The following are the components of a passive system: 1. A layer of sand or gravel.
2. A sheet of 6-mil poly with 12" overlaps where necessary.
3. Seal and caulk all joints in the concrete with a polyurethane caulk.
4. Install a 3" PVC tee in an indentation in the sand or gravel and duct tape the
opening of the sheet of poly.
5. Rough in an electrical outlet near the discharge of the pipe at the roof (less
than 6 feet from the discharge point).
An active system has these additional components: 6. An exhaust fan in the 3" vent pipe (approximate cost of $160).
7. A visible or audible alarm to ensure proper airflow through the 3" PVC pipe.
The cost to install a passive system in a new home ranges from $350-500. The cost to
mitigate in an existing home ranges from $500-2500.
The benefits include: 1. Low cost to install in a new home.
2. A marketing tool.
3. Aesthetics of installing prior to sheet rocking.
4. The building codes are changing towards eventually having a requirement for
this system.
Muscatine has adopted the 2000 versions of the International Building Code (IBC) and
the International Residential Code (IRC), including Appendix F of the IRC, which
addresses radon mitigation.
Passive systems can be installed by anyone. Active systems need to be installed by a
licensed mitigation specialist.
Jim Kolf thought the mitigation was a good idea. Rich Luchsinger wanted to make sure
that the public didn't get a false sense of security. We should remind the public to test
every two years. A permit would be required for the installation of either system.
Mary Rose Corrigan offered to provide educational items for the public.
The Board took no action at this time.
Rich distributed copies of the IBC and IRC to Jim Kolf and Ron Jahns. Chuck Carr
hasn't received his copies yet. Rich suggested that we let architects know that the
effective dates of these two codes will be May 1, 2002. This will allow for the
architects to design to the appropriate code based on their desired submittal date.
5. Our next meeting will be January 17, 2002 at 4:00 PM.
Kolf moved to adjourn. Jahns seconded. Motion carried 4-0.
Rich Russell,' Secretary
Approved this day of ,2002.
Chairman