Explanation
BACKGROUND:
Building Services Division (BSD) is the regulatory agency for all types of building and structures being newly constructed, altered or renovated within the City. For that reason, it is essential that BSD maintains the Columbus Building Code (Title 41) to reflect correct and current references to the model codes and the code requirements of the City that have been adopted. It is equally essential that from time to time BSD modify the Columbus Building Code (Title 41) with pertinent descriptive definitions and clarifying text for specific issues when BSD ascertains that deficiencies exist causing construction industry misunderstanding of the intent of a code requirement. Subsequently, BSD has determined the following modifications to the Columbus Building Code (Title 41) are needed.
Accordingly, this ordinance purposely corrects erroneous Ohio Building Code (OBC) references currently found in various Sections of Chapter 4101 - "Definitions", expands current definition text for clarity, and adds new definitions appropriate to the attributes of plumbing systems of a building or structure. This proposal also clarifies in Chapter 4113 - "Permits and Fees", that potable water piping is an analogous part of the building services plumbing equipment system of a building. On January 21, 2004 the Building Services Division's Board of Review of Plumbing and Sewer Contractors and of Journeyperson Plumbers made a motion to approve the proposed changes to City of Columbus Building Code Section 4113.61 - "Plumbing Permit."
Subsequently, a Public Hearing on this proposed Ordinance was held before the Columbus Building Commission on February 17, 2004. The Building Commission at that time voted to recommend that it be forwarded to the Columbus City Council for adoption.
FISCAL IMPACT: No funding is required for this legislation.
Title
To amend sections of the Columbus Building Code, Title 41, in Chapter 4101 in order to correct references to the adopted model codes and to specify by adding new definitions and other code clarifications in Chapter 4113 that potable water piping is part of the building services plumbing equipment system.
Body
WHEREAS, Building Services Division (BSD) is the regulatory agency for all types of building and structures being newly constructed, altered or renovated within the City; and
WHEREAS, for that reason, it essential that BSD maintains the Columbus Building Code (Title 41) to reflect correct and current references to the model codes and the code requirements of the City that have been adopted; and
WHEREAS, it is equally essential that from time to time BSD modify the Columbus Building Code (Title 41) with pertinent descriptive definitions and clarifying text for specific issues when BSD ascertains that deficiencies exist causing construction industry misunderstanding of the intent of a code requirement; and
WHEREAS, BSD has determined modifications to the Columbus Building Code (Title 41) are needed; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance corrects outdated Ohio Building Code (OBC) references currently found in various sections of Chapter 4101, "Definitions", and expands the current definition and adds additional definitions appropriate to the attributes of plumbing systems of a building or structure; and
WHEREAS, this proposal also clarifies in Chapter 4113, "Permits and Fees", that potable water piping is part of the building services plumbing equipment system of a building; and
WHEREAS, on January 21, 2004, a public hearing on this proposed ordinance was held before the Board of Review of Plumbing and Sewer Contractors and of Journeyperson Plumbers at which time the Board of Review voted to recommend that these code changes be forwarded to the Columbus Building Commission for approval; and
WHEREAS, on February 17, 2004, a public hearing on this proposed ordinance was held before the Columbus Building Commission at which time the Building Commission voted to recommend that these code changes be forwarded to the Columbus City Council for adoption; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That existing Section 4101.005 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, is hereby amended to read as follows:
4101.005 Scope.
(A) Unless otherwise explicitly acknowledged, the following words and terms shall have, for the purposes of the Columbus Building Code, the connotation as defined in this chapter.
(B) This chapter of the Columbus Building Code shall include in their entirety, and as changed from time to time, the definitions incorporated in the following codes, including any referenced codes and standards adopted thereto:
(1) The Ohio Basic Building Code (OBBC OBC) Article Chapter 2, - "Definitions", [Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) Chapter 4101:2-2]; and OBBC Article 1, Administrative Definitions, (OAC Section 4101:2-1-02).
(2) The Ohio Mechanical Code (OMC) Chapter 2 - "Definitions"; and
(3) The Ohio Plumbing Code (OPC) Chapter 2 - "Definitions"; and
(4) The Ohio Residential Code for One, Two and Three Family Dwellings (ORC/OBOA) Chapter 2 - "Building Definitions."
(C) Where differences occur between a definition of this chapter and any of the above referenced standards, the decision of the chief building official shall prevail.
The following revisions and additions apply to Titles 41 and 43 of this Code.
Section 2. That existing Section 4101.02 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, is hereby amended to read as follows:
4101.02 Letter B.
"Balcony, exterior" means a parapet or railing-enclosed platform projecting outward from the exterior wall of a building.
"Balcony, interior," as applied to a place of assembly, means an open seating level located above the main assembly floor level but does not include a continuation of a rise of the main floor or other integrated seating area in connection therewith.
"Building" means any structure used for shelter, occupancy, enclosure, or support of persons, animals, or property or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy, having a roof supported by columns or walls and requiring a building permit. For application of this Code, each portion of a building completely separated from other portions by fire walls complying with OBBC 1407.0 the Ohio Building Code (OBC) shall be considered as a separate building. Whenever possible herein, the term "building" shall include the term "structure."
(a) "Building addition" or "addition" means a part added to a building, either by being built so as to form one architectural whole with it, or by being joined with it in some way, as by a passage, and so that one is a necessary adjunct or appurtenance of the other or so that both constitute the same building.
(b) "Building Code" means Titles 41 and 43 of the Columbus City Codes.
(c) "Building line" means the clearance line limiting the approach of a building, exclusive of open porches, steps, terraces or walkways, to a property line, or to other buildings on the same lot.
(d) "Existing building" means a building already erected or one for which a legal permit has been issued prior to the adoption of the Building Code.
(e) "Building official" means the officer so designated by the director of trade and the department of development. The building official may also be referenced as the "chief building official" in this code. The building official and his regularly authorized representatives are charged with the administration and enforcement of the building code. The authorized representatives may include city employees or registered contract inspectors. The building official is also the designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement in the city of Columbus of the Ohio Basic Building Code (OBC) approved by the Ohio Board of Building Standards (OBBS) in accordance with Rule 4101:2-1-45 of the Administrative Code of Ohio Chapter 1 - "Administration" of the Ohio Building Code.
Section 3. That existing Section 4101.03 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, is hereby amended to read as follows:
4101.03 Letter C.
"Canopy" means a projection from a building, cantilevered, suspended or supported on columns intended only for shelter or ornamentation. For definition of "marquee," see Section 4101.13.
"Cast stone" means a building stone manufactured from precast concrete and used as a trim, veneer or facing on or in buildings or structures.
"Ceiling height" means the height from the finished floor to the finished ceiling, or when there is no finished ceiling, the height from the finished floor to the underside of the exposed secondary framing next above the floor.
"Condominium" means a multi-unit building in which the units are owned individually and the structure is owned jointly; regulated under OBBC OBC for use and occupancy on the basis of the jointly owned structure with the individually owned units treated as tenant spaces.
"Conflagration hazard" means the fire risk involved through the spread of fire by exposure to and from adjoining buildings, building contents, and materials stored adjacent thereto.
Section 4. That existing Section 4101.12 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, is hereby amended to read as follows:
4101.12 Letter L.
"License-holder" means the individual who has passed the required examination(s) given by a board of examiners review and has been issued a license to perform the work of a specific trade or craft.
"Licensed-business" means the business concern to whom which a license-holder has assigned his or her rights to a license.
"Lot" means a parcel of land occupied or designated to be occupied by one building and the accessory buildings or occupancies customarily incident to it, including such open spaces as are required by the Zoning Code Title 33 and such open spaces as are arranged and designed to be used in connection with such building.
"Low-voltage" means all installations of wiring or equipment operating at forty-nine (49) volts or less, direct current or alternating current.
"Loads."
(a) "Live loads" means the imposed, fixed or transient loads other than "dead loads" and "wind loads."
(b) "Dead load" means the weight of walls, partitions, floors, roofs and other permanent construction of a building.
Section 5. That existing Section 4101.14 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, is hereby amended to read as follows:
4101.14 Letter N.
"Night club" means a place of assembly used for the consumption of food and alcoholic beverages and which normally affords entertainment through permitting dancing or through organized entertainment other than music.
"Noncombustible materials" or "incombustible materials" is a general and relative term. Its precise meaning is as the context provides in specific instances. For definition of "noncombustible materials" refer to OBBC OBC Chapter 7 - "Fire-Resistance-Rated Construction" Section 1403.4.1.1 (OAC Section 4101:2-14-03411).
Section 6. That existing Section 4101.16 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, is hereby amended to read as follows:
4101.16 Letter P.
"Partition" means a minor interior wall used to subdivide a floor area.
"Partition, bearing" means a partition which supports a load in addition to its own weight.
"Partition, nonbearing" means a partition which supports only its own weight.
"Passageway" means an enclosed hallway or corridor connecting a required exit to a street, or other open space communicating with a street when such required exit does not lead directly to a street.
"Permanent open space" means a street, alley, permanent surface and air easement, waterway, public park, or railroad right-of-way, other than a siding for the loading, unloading, or storage of cars or motive power equipment.
"Person" means a natural person, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, and also includes an organization, firm, partnership, corporation, contractor, or subcontractor, its or their successors or assigns, or the agent of any of the aforesaid.
"Platform" means a raised section of floor not enclosed by walls above the platform floor level. This definition shall not include a stage as defined in the Ohio Basic Building Code.
"Plumbing" means the business, trade, or work having to do with the installation, removal, alteration, or repair of plumbing and drainage systems or parts thereof.
"Plumbing appliance" means any one of a special class of plumbing fixture which is intended to perform a special function. Its operation and/or control may be dependent upon one or more energized components, such as motors, controls, heating elements, or pressure or temperature-sensing elements. Such fixtures may operate automatically through one or more of the following actions: a time cycle, a temperature range, a pressure range, a measured volume or weight, or the fixture may be manually adjusted or controlled by the user or operator.
"Plumbing appurtenance" means a manufactured device, or a prefabricated assembly, or an on-the-job assembly of component parts, and which is an adjunct to the basic piping system and plumbing fixtures. An appurtenance demands no additional water supply, nor does it add any discharge load to a fixture or the drainage system. It is presumed that it performs some useful function in the operation, maintenance, servicing, economy, or safety of the plumbing system.
"Plumbing fixture" means a receptacle or device which is either permanently or temporarily connected to the water distribution system, and demands a supply of water therefrom, or it discharges used water, liquid-borne waste materials, or sewage either directly or indirectly to the drainage system, or which requires both a water supply connection and a discharge to the drainage system. Plumbing appliances as a special class of fixture are further defined.
"Plumbing system" means and includes all potable water supplies and distribution pipes, all plumbing fixtures and traps, all drainage and vent pipes and all building drains, including their respective joints and connections, devices and appurtenances within the property lines of the premises and shall include potable water treatment or using equipment.
"Porch" means a roofed structure with one (1) or more open sides, erected against and projecting from, an exterior wall of a building.
"Premises" means lands and everything of a permanent nature attached thereto as a part of realty.
"Property line" means the line of demarcation between properties either public or private.
"Public nuisance" means any structure which is permitted to be or remain in any of the following conditions:
(1) In a dilapidated, decayed, unsafe or unsanitary condition detrimental to the public health, safety, and welfare, or well being of the surrounding area; or
(2) A fire hazard; or
(3) Any vacant building that is not secured and maintained in compliance with Chapter 4513; or
(4) Land, real estate, houses, buildings, residences, apartments, or premises of any kind which are used in violation of any division of Section 2925.13, Ohio Revised Code.
"Public nuisance" also means any structure or real property which is not in compliance with any building, housing, zoning, fire, safety, air pollution, health or sanitation ordinance of the Columbus City Code or Columbus City Health Code, or any real property upon which its real property taxes have remained unpaid in excess of one (1) year from date of assessment.
Section 7. That the existing Section 4113.61 of the Columbus City Code, 1959, is hereby amended to read as follows:
4113.61 Plumbing permit.
A. (1) No person shall construct, install, alter, or repair any plumbing appliance, appurtenance, fixture or system or any piping used for and associated therewith, and not limited to, a plumbing drain, waste, sewer, vent, sump, water closet, sink, lavatory or any other plumbing appliance, appurtenance or fixture or system, including any potable water piping, within the city without first obtaining a permit from the department to do such work and paying the fee prescribed therefor in the fee schedule; nor shall the owner or person having charge of any property within the city cause or allow any such work to be done on such premises without a permit having been first obtained therefor and the fee having been paid.
(2) A permit shall be obtained only by an OCIEB licensed plumbing contractor duly registered with the department or an occupying homeowner.
(3) When a like-for-like replacement is performed in a detached one (1), two (2), or three (3) family building, the following shall not require a permit under this section: dishwasher, disposal, faucets, lavatory, sink, traps or a water closet.
(4) Exceptions: This section shall not apply to, nor shall any permit be required for, a repair not affecting sanitation such as mending a leak in a faucet, valve or water supply pipe; mending a broken fixture, tank, water heater; releasing a frozen pipe or rodding and flushing any house sewer or drain.
B. (a) Plumbing permit fees shall be required as follows:
(1) Residential Dwelling Units. One (1) plumbing permit fee shall be required for each dwelling unit of an R-2, R-3 or R-4 use group.
(2) Other than Residential Dwelling Units. For all other buildings not included in subsection (B) (a) (1) above, a separate plumbing permit fee shall be required for each certified address.
(b) The minimum plumbing permit fee shall be as prescribed in the fee schedule.
(c) Plumbing permit fees shall be assessed according to the fee schedule.
(d) The plumbing permit fee for water heater replacement and domestic solar panel units in conjunction with domestic water heating shall be as prescribed in the fee schedule.
(e) A plumbing permit or a refrigeration permit shall be required for each cooling tower and the fee therefor shall be as prescribed in the fee schedule.
(f) A plumbing permit shall be required for backflow preventers meeting ASSE Standards 1013, 1015 and 1020.
(g) A plumbing permit shall be required for the waterline connection made for lawn sprinklers.
Section 8. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period provided by law.
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