Explanation
BACKGROUND:The requirement for using certain construction materials and practices in and around rodent prone portions of buildings had been part of the Ohio Basic Building Code until a new code was adopted for state wide use in 2002. When the new code was adopted by the Ohio Board of Building Standards, called simply the Ohio Building Code, language as it relates to rodent proofing was deleted.This ordinance will create a section in the Columbus Building Code (Title 41) that will adopt language similar to the code language that was deleted from the Ohio Building Code in order to continue to adequately assure that appropriate construction methods are followed in rodent prone portions of buildings. No new code requirements are being created by the adoption of this new code section.
FISCAL IMPACT: No funding is required for this legislation.
Title
To amend Chapter 4123 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, by enacting new Section 4123.49, to require that all buildings and structures and the walls enclosing habitable and occupiable rooms and spaces therein, which are regulated by the Columbus Building Code (Title 41), incorporate rat and rodent proofing in their design and construction.
Body
WHEREAS, the requirement for using certain construction materials and practices in and around rodent prone portions of buildings had been part of the Ohio Basic Building Code until a new code was adopted for state wide use in 2002; and
WHEREAS, when the new code was adopted by the Ohio Board of Building Standards, called simply the Ohio Building Code, language as it relates to rodent proofing was deleted; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance will create a section in the Columbus Building Code (Title 41) that will adopt language similar to the code language that was deleted from the Ohio Building Code in order to continue to adequately assure that appropriate construction methods are followed in rodent prone portions of buildings; and
WHEREAS, no new code requirements are being created by the adoption of this new code section; and
WHEREAS, a Public Hearing was held before the Columbus Building Commission on September 16, 2003, where the Building Commission voted to recommend this proposed Ordinance 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 the Columbus City Codes, 1959, are hereby supplemented by the enactment of new section 4123.49, which shall read as follows:
4123.49 Rat and rodent proofing required.
(A) Rat and rodent proofing: All buildings or structures and the walls enclosing habitable or occupiable rooms and spaces in which persons live, sleep or work, or in which feed, food or foodstuffs are stored, prepared, processed, served or sold, shall be constructed in accordance with the provisions of this section. The provisions of this section shall apply to any building or structure that is governed under the model building codes adopted by the City of Columbus and promulgated in the Columbus Building Code.
(B) Grade protection: Buildings not provided with a continuous foundation shall be provided with protection against rats and rodents at grade in accordance with either (B)(1) or (B)(2) that follows:
(1) Apron: Where an apron is provided, the apron shall not be less than eight (8) inches (203 mm) above, nor less than twenty-four (24) inches (610 mm) below grade. In all cases, the apron shall not terminate below the lower edge of the siding material. The apron shall be constructed of an approved nondecayable, water-resistant and rat and rodent proofing material of required strength and shall be installed around the entire perimeter of the building or structure. Where constructed of masonry or concrete materials, the apron shall not be less than four (4) inches (102 mm) in thickness.
(2) Grade floors: Where continuous concrete grade floor slabs are provided, open spaces shall not be left between the slab and walls, and all openings in the slab shall be protected.
(C) Opening protection: Openings shall be protected in accordance with (C)(1), (C)(2) and (C)(3) that follows:
(1) Wall openings: Openings in the wall or apron required for ventilation or other purposes shall be guarded with corrosion-resistant rat and rodent proof shields of not less than nominal 0.034-inch (0.864 mm) perforated steel sheets, or No 20 B&S Gage aluminum (0.032 inch / 0.813 mm) or nominal 0.064 inch (1.63 mm) expanded steel or wire mesh screens, with not more than one-half (0.5) inch (13 mm) mesh openings.
(2) Slab openings: Access openings in grade floor slabs shall be protected with concrete, masonry, metal or other corrosion-resistant noncombustible cover of adequate strength to support the floor loads.
(3) Pipe and conduit openings: All openings for pipe, conduit, cable and similar purposes at or near grade shall have snugly fitted collars to eliminate all open spaces.
Section 2. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period provided by law.