Minutes Building Cd Bd 12 11 03 MINUTES OF MEETING
BUILDING CODE BOARD OF APPEALS
DATE: December 11, 2003
TIME: 4:00 PM
PLACE: Conference Room A, City Hall
CHAIR: Jim Kolf
MEMBERS PRESENT: Ron Jahns, Chuck Carr and Rich Luchsinger
MEMBERS ABSENT: Steve Gudenkauf
STAFF: Rich Russell
MEDIA: None
OTHERS: Bobby Martin and Dick Schiltz
The meeting was called to order by Acting Chair Kolf. It was announced that
the meeting was being held in conformance with the Iowa Open Meetings
law.
Bobby Martin of 2544 Wheatland Drive discussed the south end of the front
pomh at his residence. He pointed out that it is not readily accessible to
pedestrians due to the bay window and encroaching into the width and that
the front door was on the north side of the bay window. Rich stated that the
staff concern is that someone falling off the south side of the porch would land
on some portion of the retaining wall system and that the drop is clearly more
than the 30 inches permitted by the International Building Code.
Luchsinger suggested that a Iow wall of bricks be mortared in around the bay
window to eliminate the walking surface. Jahns suggested a permanent
planter be built across the south side of the porch. It could be designed to be
compatible with the architecture.
Kolf motioned that a Iow wall of at least 4 courses of brick be installed around
the bay window or that a permanent planter or wall at leats 36 inches in
height be installed at the south end of the porch orthat a guardrail complying
with the current code be installed. Carr seconded. Motion carried 4-0. Russell
stated that the owner could have until next spring to install the permanent
solution, but that something temporary be installed in the interim.
2. Dick Schiltz requested a review of Section 309.1.1 be conducted. This
request is a result of a ruling stating that ducts pentrating into garages should
not have openings into the garage. This is the stdct reading of the code. In
the past, other building officials permitted these openings as long as they
were protected with fire dampers. The current staff concern is the passage of
carbon monoxide or other gases that could enter the duct without closing the
fusible link on the damper. Schlitz stated that codes should be as flexible as
possible. Kolf asked if there was any hardship in enforcing the code as
written. Schlitz stated that the auxiliary heat in the garage was important. Any
additional regulations would impact affordability. Kolf suggested a backdraft
damper in lieu of the fusible link, as long as there were no runs to other parts
of the residence after the garage.
Kolf moved that backdraft dampers and fire dampers be provided on all openings
into the garage and that no return air be taken from the garage. Luchsinger
seconded. The motion carded 4-0.
3. Jahns suggested that these policies or rulings be included in amendments to
further code adoptions.
Jahns motioned to adjourn. Kolf seconded. Motion carded 4-0.
Rich Russell, Secretary
Approved this day of ,2004.
Chair