Explanation
BACKGROUND: Historically, the city of Columbus, through its building code, has regulated the construction of all One, Two-, and Three-family dwellings constructed within its boundaries by adopting a combination of locally developed and codified construction standards and by adopting model codes as part of the Columbus Building Code, Title 41.
However, with the enactment of House Bill 175, a uniform, statewide residential code, known as the "Residential Code of Ohio for One, Two- and Three Family Dwellings" or the "RCO", has been mandated as a state wide model code and this model code shall be used as the construction standard for all such buildings and structures. This model code shall have priority over all existing construction codes in effect and shall serve as both the minimum and maximum standard for all construction covered by this code.
Therefore, the current Chapter 4127 of the Columbus Building Code, as now adopted, must be modified by the deletion of all its current residential building code requirements that are already addressed in the new mandated RCO model code. The remaining section will be renumbered by this ordinance and outdated references corrected. The Columbus Building Commission, at a public hearing on April 18, 2006, recommended adoption of these changes by City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT: No funding is required for this legislation.
Title
That existing Chapter 4127 of the Columbus Building Code, Title 41, of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, is hereby repealed and new sections enacted to coincide with the adopted new statewide model Residential Code of Ohio (RCO).
Body
WHEREAS, the city of Columbus, through its building code, has regulated the construction of all one, two-, and three-family dwellings constructed within its boundaries by adopting a combination of locally developed and codified construction standards and by adopting model codes as part of the Columbus Building Code, Title 41; and
WHEREAS, through the enactment of House Bill 175, a uniform, statewide, residential code known as the "Residential Code of Ohio for One, Two- and Three Family Dwellings", or the RCO has been created; and
WHEREAS, this legislation requires that this new model code be used as the construction standard for all such building and structures that are to be regulated under the rule of law by a political sub-division; and
WHEREAS, this model code shall have priority over all existing construction codes in effect and in use and prescribes both the minimum and maximum standards allowed; and
WHEREAS, this proposed Ordinance will adopt the "Residential Code of Ohio for One, Two- and Three Family Dwellings" and make the necessary modifications to the current Columbus Building Code, Title 41, Chapter 4127 of the Columbus City Code, 1959, in order assure compliance with the new model code: and
WHEREAS, this proposed ordinance was presented to and reviewed with the Columbus Building Commission at a public hearing held on April 18, 2006; and
WHEREAS, at that time, the Columbus Building Commission voted to recommend this ordinance be forwarded to the Columbus City Council for consideration and adoption; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS
Section 1. That the title of Chapter 4127 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, is hereby supplemented by a new title reading as follows:
CHAPTER 4127 CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS AND
MATERIALS - RESIDENTIAL CODE OF OHIO GOVERNED
STRUCTURES
Section 2. That the Columbus City Codes, 1959, is hereby supplemented by new section 4127.01 to read as follows:
4127.01 Residential Code of Ohio (RCO).
(A) Incorporated. The "Residential Code of Ohio for One-, Two- and Three Family Dwellings", also known as the RCO, as adopted, and/or as republished from time to time, by the Ohio Board of Building Standards (OBBS) of the State of Ohio, Department of Commerce, and Division of Industrial Compliance, shall be in full force and effect. This code includes, but is not limited to, all related codes and standards for electrical, mechanical (HVAC), refrigeration, hydronic and plumbing systems. The provisions of this model code shall apply to all buildings and structures governed under the provisions of the OBBS - Residential Code of Ohio (RCO). The OBBS - Residential Code of Ohio (RCO) is incorporated as if set out fully at length herein and is referred to as the RCO.
(B) Plans and specifications submitted to the Department for approval for the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal and demolition of every building or structure covered by this code, any appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings or structures, or any accessory structures, shall be governed by the code as adopted above.
Section 3. That Columbus City Codes, 1959, is hereby supplemented by new Section 4127.03 to read as follows:
4127.03 Columbus revision to the Residential Code of Ohio (RCO) "Part V - Mechanical", Chapter 13.
The following subsections are added to the Residential Code of Ohio (RCO) "Part V - Mechanical", Chapter 13, Section M1301 - "General", and shall apply to all one (1), two (2) and three (3) family dwellings and all structures not covered or governed under the OBC:
M1301.2 HVAC--General Provisions:
Installing starting collars. When installing a starting collar into ductwork, the dovetails shall be drawn up on the inside to make a dust-tight joint. The dovetailing of elbows, angles, and joints of pipe, into any plenum or the sides or bottom of ductwork, is strictly prohibited. The dovetailing of elbows, angles, and joints of pipe is permitted in the top of ductwork. Dovetails shall be as short as possible.
Section 4. That Columbus City Codes, 1959, is hereby supplemented by new Section 4127.05 to read as follows:
4127.05 Columbus revision to the Residential Code of Ohio (RCO) "Part V - Mechanical", Chapter 14.
The following subsections are added to the Residential Code of Ohio (RCO) "Part V - Mechanical", Chapter 14, Section M1401 - "General", and shall apply to all one (1), two (2) and three (3) family dwellings and all structures not covered or governed under the OBC:
M1401.6 Warm air-heating systems.
Temperature variation. Each room or area to be heated shall be provided with at least one supply, return outlet or means of providing a maximum variation in temperature from the floor to the breathing line of five (5) feet (1524 mm) above the floor of two (2) degrees Fahrenheit (1.11 degrees Celsius) during the heating season. In split-level housing units, at least one return shall be installed on each level. Each individual room shall have at least one (1) inch (25.4 mm) undercut above the finished floor and return air shall be sized to be equivalent to the supply air volume for the floor area being served. Duct systems shall be installed for the designed pressure and size as shown on any approved plans. In the absence of these plans, one (1) inch (25.4 mm) of static pressure will be used as the design basis.
M1401.7 Additional Requirements.
(A) Conformity to all of the following requirements shall be required.
(1) All mechanical equipment, regardless of type, shall be supported by a substantial and non-deteriorating base or framework, or by an approved method designed by an Ohio registered structural engineer. All piping connecting this equipment shall be supported with substantial and non-deteriorating materials.
(2) All mechanical equipment shall be secured to the base or framework if elevation exceeds two (2) feet (610 mm), measured from the average finish grade to the bottom of the unit.
M1401.8 Materials and equipment tests.
Materials, equipment, devices, and installations for heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems shall be tested when required for safety and performance. Systems shall be tested as follows:
(A) Gravity and forced warm-air, steam and hot water systems shall be tested to demonstrate the delivery of heat to all parts of the system, and for proper operation of safety devices.
(B) All fuel burning and heat generating equipment shall be tested for fuel supply, carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and draft. For burner operation, a flue gas determination shall be made and the limitations as set out below shall be maintained:
(1) Temperature of the flue gas shall not exceed seven hundred (700) degrees Fahrenheit (371.1 degrees Celsius).
(2) CO2 shall not be less than eight (8) percent.
(3) CO shall not exceed four/one-hundredths (0.04) percent of flue gas by volume.
Section 5. That Columbus City Codes, 1959, is hereby supplemented by new Section 4127.07 to read as follows:
4127.07 Columbus revision to the Residential Code of Ohio (RCO) "Part V - Mechanical", Chapter 14.
The following subsection is added to the Residential Code of Ohio (RCO) - "Part V - Mechanical". Chapter 14, Section M1411 - "Refrigeration Cooling Equipment", and shall apply to all one (1), two (2) and three (3) family dwellings and all structures not covered or governed under the OBC:
M1411.5 Additional Refrigeration requirements.
Conformity to all of the following requirements is required.
All mechanical equipment, regardless of type, shall be supported by a substantial and non-deteriorating base or framework, or by an approved method designed by a structural engineer. All piping connecting this equipment shall be supported with substantial and non-deteriorating materials.
All mechanical equipment shall be secured to the base or framework if the elevation exceeds two (2) feet (610 mm) measured from the average finish grade to the bottom of the unit.
Required refrigerant line installation provisions.
(A) All refrigerant lines, when buried in the ground less than eight (8) inches (203 mm), shall be enclosed in a pipe duct.
(B) The suction line and the liquid line shall not be in contact with each other or other dissimilar metals or alloys.
Section 6. That Columbus City Codes, 1959, is hereby supplemented by new Section 4127.09 to read as follows:
4127.09 Columbus revision to the Residential Code of Ohio (RCO) "Part VIII - Electrical."
The following subsection is a supplement to the Residential Code of Ohio (RCO) - "Part VIII - Electrical", and shall apply to all one (1), two (2) and three (3) family dwellings and all structures not covered or governed under the OBC:
(A) Conversion possibility. Any area finished to a point where it could be converted to habitable room without additional construction other than application of finish material(s) shall be wired according to the National Electrical Code.
(B) Authorization of service connections. No person or any public or private utility corporation engaged in the distribution or sale of electrical energy shall connect any distribution system, any live supply, or service conductors from such distribution system to any electrical equipment in, on, or about a one- two- and three-family dwelling or any other structure not covered or governed under the "OBC". No connection shall be made until such electrical equipment and all authorized connections have been inspected and approved. Whenever the chief building official finds any electrical distribution system, or any live supply or service conductor to have been connected to any electrical equipment, in, on or about any building, without the required approvals, the chief building official is authorized and empowered to cause such system or conductor to be disconnected or order and require the same to be disconnected by the person owning or operating such distribution system.
(C) Electrical service entrance maintenance and repair. The electrical service entrance conductors and electrical service equipment in a one, two, or three-family dwelling, if it is proven to be adequate for the load it supplies, may be replaced or repaired only for purposes of simple maintenance caused by storm damage, weathering, or for other purposes that are acceptable to the electrical inspector. No such maintenance, repair or replacement shall be done without the prior approval of the electrical inspector.
An existing electrical service entrance of less than sixty (60) amperes in a one (1)-, two (2)-, or three (3)-family dwelling that is in need of maintenance or repair shall be excluded from these requirements and shall be made to comply with National Electrical Code (NEC) "Article 230 - Services"
(D) Re-connection of an existing electrical service of dwelling(s) to the utility supply. Any electrical service that has been disconnected from the utility supply for any reason shall require that a licensed electrical contractor obtain an electrical permit for the electrical service(s) and make any corrections or modifications necessary to the electrical service(s), if any, to restore the electrical services(s) to its original condition of National Electrical Code and Columbus City Code compliance and to assure its adequacy for the intended load(s) to be served. The electrical contractor shall obtain inspection approval of the electrical inspector before re-connection of the electrical service(s) by the electric utility to the utility's supply.
Exception: This section will not apply to the disconnection of electrical service(s) by the electric utility for the non-payment of a utility bill when the method used by the utility to disconnect the electrical energy from the utility supply to the dwelling(s) or other structure governed by this chapter has not been caused by the separation of, and/or removal of, the supplying utility's service conductors.
Section 7. That existing Chapter 4127 of the Columbus Building Code, Title 41, of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, is hereby repealed.
Section 8. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period provided by law.