TITLE
Consider an ordinance amending Chapter 8 and Chapter 11 of the Killeen Code of Ordinances adopting the 2015 International Construction and Fire Codes and the 2014 Electrical Code as amended.
SUMMARY
AGENDA ITEM
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 8 AND CHAPTER 11 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, ADOPTING THE 2015 INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION CODES, FIRE CODE AND 2014 ELECTRICAL CODE
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES/FIRE DEPARTMENT
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
New building and fire codes are produced in three-year cycles. Currently, Killeen is enforcing the 2009 International Construction codes and the 2008 National Electric Code. The 2012 codes were reviewed in 2013. Since the most significant changes were energy code related rather than life safety related, staff and the building community jointly agreed to delay new code adoption until the 2015 codes became available.
Therefore, starting April 2015 staff held joint public meetings with our Construction Board of Appeals and the building community. Staff held seven public meetings presenting significant code changes identified in each code. On June 18, 2015, staff hosted and presented to the Central Texas Home Builder’s Association a summary of the significant code changes identified for new home construction.
Another reason to go forward and adopt the new 2015 codes is to maintain the City’s Building Code Effectiveness Grading Classification evaluation provided by the Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO). ISO is an independent statistical, rating and advisory organization that serves the property/casualty insurance industries. Its evaluations grade a building department's effectiveness as to building construction regulation. With an evaluation period every five years, the City has an opportunity to continually improve its score, which is shown on a range from 1 to 10 with 1 being exemplary. The City’s 2014 evaluation rating was a “5” for one and two family residential property and “4” for commercial and industrial property. Prior to that, in 2006, the City’sevaluation rating was a “5” for one and two family residential property and a “5” for commercial and industrial property. The national average is “6” for residential and commercial. In addition, the City’s Building Code rating impacts the Fire Department’s ISO rating.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION
The Building Inspections division and Fire Department worked jointly to review and bring recommendations for council consideration to adopt new building codes. Historically, the City has adopted new codes every three to five years. By adopting new construction codes, new life safety requirements are introduced as well as new products. Section 8-42 of the Killeen Code of Ordinances requires the Construction Board of Appeals to review and make recommendations to the City Council for adoption of new construction codes. On July 21, 2015, the board concluded its code hearings with the building community and voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council adopt the 2015 International Construction Codes and 2014 National Electrical Code as amended.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no anticipated fiscal impact.
RECOMMENDATION
Building Inspections and Fire Department staff recommend approval of the attached ordinance.