HomeMy WebLinkAbout155 - 01/02/2019 - AMENDING CHAPTER 5, ARTICLE IV, OF THE CITY CODE FOR THE PURPOSE OF REPEALING THE 2015 INTERNATIONAL- 1 -
ORDINANCE NO. 155, 2018
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AMENDING CHAPTER 5, ARTICLE IV, OF THE CODE OF THE
CITY OF FORT COLLINS FOR THE PURPOSE OF REPEALING THE
2015 INTERNATIONAL MECHANICAL CODE, AND ADOPTING THE
2018 INTERNATIONAL MECHANICAL CODE, WITH AMENDMENTS
WHEREAS, since 1924, the City has reviewed, amended and adopted the latest
nationally recognized building standards available for the times; and
WHEREAS, upon recommendation of City staff, the City Council has determined that it is
in the best interests of the City to align seven interconnected basic construction codes under one
publication year; and
WHEREAS, the seven interconnected basic construction codes are the International
Building Code, International Residential Code, International Mechanical Code, International
Fuel Gas Code, International Energy Conservation Code, and International Property
Maintenance Code; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the 2018 publication year of the seven
interconnected basic construction codes ought to be adopted and that any counterpart codes
previously adopted should be repealed, both in order to align the publication years of the codes
and also because the 2018 publications contain improvements in construction code regulation; and
WHEREAS, City staff has conducted a significant public outreach program, working with
the regulated construction industry and building professionals; and
WHEREAS, the adoption of the seven interconnected basic construction codes has been
presented to and recommended by the Board of Realtors, Water Board, Energy Board,
Commission on Disability, Natural Resource Advisory Board, Poudre Fire Authority Board,
Building Review Board, Affordable Housing Board, Air Quality Advisory Board, Northern
Colorado Home Builder Association and the Chamber of Commerce; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the health,
safety and welfare of the City and its citizens that the 2015 International Mechanical Code, as
previously adopted and amended by the City pursuant to Ordinance No. 072, 2017, be repealed
and that in its place, the 2018 International Mechanical Code be adopted, with local amendments
as set forth in this Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the City Charter II, Section 7, City Council may enact any
ordinance which adopts a code by reference in whole or in part provided that before adoption of
such ordinance the Council hold a public hearing thereon and that notice of the hearing is published
twice in a newspaper of general circulation published in the City, with one of such publications
occurring at least eight (8) days preceding the hearing and the other publication occurring at least
fifteen (15) days preceding the hearing; and
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WHEREAS, in compliance with Article II, Section 7, the City Clerk published in the Fort
Collins Coloradoan such notice of hearing concerning adoption of the 2018 International Building
Code on November 18, 2018, and November 25, 2018; and
WHEREAS, attached as Exhibit “A” and incorporated herein by reference is the Notice of
Public Hearing dated November 18, 2018, that was so published and which the Council hereby
finds meets the requirements of Article II, Section 7 of the City Charter.
Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes and adopts the determinations and
findings contained in the recitals set forth above.
Section 2. That Section 5-106 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 5-106. – Adoption of standards.
Pursuant to the power and authority conferred on the City Council by Section 31-16-202,
C.R.S., and Article II, Section 7 of the Charter, the City Council hereby repeals the 2018
International Mechanical Code (2018 IMC) and adopts as the mechanical code of the City
the 2018 International Mechanical Code (2018 IMC), published by the International Code
Council, which shall have the same force and effect as though set forth in full herein except
as amended pursuant to Section 5-107 of the City Code. The subject matter of the 2018
International Mechanical Code (2018 IMC), adopted herein includes comprehensive
provisions and standards regulating and controlling the design, construction, installation,
quality of materials, location, operation and maintenance of heating, ventilating, cooling
and refrigeration systems, incinerators, miscellaneous heat-producing appliances for the
purposes of protecting public health, safety and general welfare. None of the 2018
International Mechanical Code Appendices are hereby adopted.
Section 3. That Section 5-107 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby repealed
and re-enacted to read in its entirety as follows:
Sec. 5-107. - Amendments and deletions to the 2018 International Mechanical Code.1
The 2018 INTERNATIONAL MECHANICAL CODE adopted in § 5-106 is hereby amended in the
following respects:
(1) Section 101.1 Title is hereby retained in its entirety with the following amendments:
101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Mechanical Code of the City of Fort
Collins, hereinafter referred to as “this code.”
1 Changes to the 2018 International Mechanical Code are shown as follows: inserted language is highlighted in
yellow and deleted language is shown as stricken.
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(2) Section 102.8 Referenced codes and standards is hereby retained in its entirety with the
following amendments:
Section 102.8 Reference codes and standards. The codes and standards referenced herein
shall be those that are listed in Chapter 15 Section 101.4 of the adopted International
Building Code, entitled “Referenced Codes” and shall be considered part of the
requirements of this code to the prescribed extent of each such reference.
Exception: Where enforcement of a code provision would violate the conditions of the
listing of the equipment or appliance, the conditions of the listing and the manufacturer’s
installation instructions shall apply.
(3) Section 103 Department of Mechanical Inspection is hereby deleted and replaced in its
entirety and the following is hereby added in lieu thereof:
SECTION 103 – CODE ADMINISTRATION
103.1 Entity charged with code administration. The entity charged with code
administration shall be as determined in accordance with Section 103 of the adopted
International Building Code, entitled “Code Administration.”
(4) Sections 106.1.1 Annual permit and 106.1.2 Annual permit records are deleted in their
entirety:
(5) Sections 106.5 Fees, 106.5.1 Work commencing before permit issuance, 106.5.2 Fee
schedule, and 106.5.3 Fee refunds are hereby deleted and replaced in their entirety and
the following is hereby added in lieu thereof:
106.5 Payment of fees. All items relating to fees shall be as specified in Section 109 of
the adopted International Building Code, entitled “Fees.”
(6) Sections 107.3 Testing and verification, 107.3.1 New, altered, extended or repaired
systems, 107.3.2 Apparatus, material and labor for tests, and 107.3.3 Reinspection and
Testing are hereby deleted and replaced in their entirety and the following is hereby added
in lieu thereof:
107.3 Testing and verification. Installed heating, cooling and ventilation systems shall be
performance-tested by an approved agency and adjusted to operate within design
specifications, in accordance with ANSI/ACCA QI 5-2010 HVAC Quality Installation
Specification. Documentation of results shall be submitted to the building official prior to
approval.
Exception: Buildings subject to commissioning requirements in Section 3604.1 of the
2018 International Building Code as amended.
(7) Section 108.4 Violation Penalties is hereby retained in its entirety with the following
revision:
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108.4 Violation penalties. Persons who violate a provision of this code or fail to comply
with any of the requirements thereof or who erect, install, alter or repair a mechanical work
in violation of the approved construction documents or directive of the code official, or of
a permit or certificate issued under the provisions of this code, shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor and shall be subject to the penalties and fines specified in Section 1-15 of the
City Code. Each day that a violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense.
(8) A new Section 108.4.1 Work Commencing before Permit Issuance is hereby added to
read as follows:
108.4.1 Work commencing before permit issuance. In addition to the penalties set forth
in Section 108.4, any person or firm who, before obtaining the necessary permit(s),
commences any construction of, or work on, a building, structure, electrical, gas,
mechanical or plumbing system that is not otherwise exempted from obtaining a permit,
shall be subject to a fine in addition to the standard prescribed permit fee. Said fine shall
be equal in amount to the permit fee, except that it shall not be less than $50 nor more than
$1,000 for the first such violation. A person or firm committing the same such violation
repeatedly shall be subject to a fine equal to double the amount of the permit fee or double
the amount of the fee imposed for the preceding violation, whichever is greater, for every
such subsequent violation committed within 180 days of a previous violation. Said fines
may be appealed to the City Manager pursuant to Chapter 2, Article VI of the City Code.
(9) Section 109 Means of Appeal is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety and the
following is hereby added in lieu thereof:
109 Appeals. Appeals of decisions, determinations and interpretations of this code shall
be made pursuant to the applicable provisions of Section 113 of the adopted International
Building Code, entitled “Board of Appeals.”
(10) Section 202 GENERAL DEFINITIONS, is hereby amended to add, in alphabetical order,
the following definitions:
Multifamily. Any building housing group R-1, R-2 or R-4 occupancies.
Whole-dwelling unit mechanical ventilation system. An exhaust system, supply system,
or combination thereof that is designed to mechanically exchange indoor air for outdoor
air when operating continuously or through a programmed intermittent schedule to satisfy
the whole-dwelling ventilation rate.
(11) A new Section 408 Whole-dwelling unit ventilation is hereby added to read as follows:
408.1 Whole-dwelling unit mechanical ventilation system. For new buildings, a
mechanical exhaust system, supply system, or combination thereof shall be installed for
each dwelling unit to provide whole-dwelling unit ventilation. Such system shall comply
with Sections 408.1.1 through 408.5.
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408.1.1 Whole-dwelling unit ventilation rate. The dwelling unit mechanical ventilation
system shall provide outdoor air at a continuous rate of not less than that determined in
accordance with IRC section M1505.
Exception:
The whole-dwelling unit mechanical ventilation system is permitted to operate
intermittently where the system has controls that enable operation for not less than 25-
percent of each 4-hour segment and the ventilation rate prescribed in IRC Table
M1505.4.3(1) is multiplied by the factor determined in accordance with IRC Table
M1505.4.3(2).
408.2 System design. The design of the required whole dwelling unit ventilation system
shall comply with the requirements of this Section. System design documents shall be
submitted, as required by the building official, at the time of application for a building
permit.
408.2.1 System type. The system shall consist of one or more supply or exhaust fans, or a
combination thereof, and associated ducts and controls. Exhaust fans shall be permitted to
be part of a mechanical exhaust system. Outdoor air ducts connected to the return duct of
a forced air furnace shall be considered to provide supply ventilation and shall be sized to
provide adequate mechanical ventilation in accordance with ASHRAE 62.2 and shall meet
the manufacturer’s requirements for minimum return air temperature to the furnace heat
exchange.
408.2.2 Outdoor air intakes. Outdoor air intakes shall have automatic dampers that close
when the ventilation system is not operating.
408.2.3. Exhausts. Exhausts shall have gravity dampers that close when the ventilation
system is not operating.
408.2.4 Air Circulation fan motors. Motors for air circulation fans used in the ventilation
system, rated at one-quarter horsepower or greater, shall meet at least one of the following
criteria:
1. Where the furnace serves as an air handler for the ventilation system, the furnace shall
be certified as an “Electrically Efficient Furnace” by the Air-conditioning, Heating and
Refrigeration Institute (AHRI).
2. The blower motor shall be specified as a “Brushless DC” (BL or BLDC) motor by the
manufacturer.
3. The blower motor shall be specified as “Brushless Permanent Magnet” (BPM) motor.
4. The blower motor shall be specified as “Electronically Commutated Motor (ECM).”
5. The blower shall meet equivalent criteria acceptable to the building official.
408.2.5 System controls. The mechanical ventilation system shall be provided with readily
accessible and labeled controls that enable occupant override.
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408.2.6 Sound ratings for fans. Whole-dwelling unit ventilation fans shall be rated for
sound at a maximum of 1.5 sones, in accordance with the procedures of the Home
Ventilating Institute (HVI 915, Procedure for Loudness Rating of Residential Fan
Products).
408.3 System installation. The installation of the whole-dwelling unit ventilation system
and equipment shall be carried out in accordance with the manufacturers’ design
requirements and installation instructions.
408.4 Performance verification. Performance of installed mechanical ventilation systems
shall be verified in accordance with Section 107.3.
408.5 Multifamily buildings. In multifamily buildings, all doors between dwelling units
and common hallways shall be gasketed or otherwise substantially airtight with weather
stripping, except when the ventilation system explicitly requires transfer of air from
corridors into units.
(12) Section 504.1 Installation is hereby retained in its entirety with the following amendments:
504.1 Installation. Clothes dryers shall be exhausted in accordance with the
manufacturer's instructions. Dryer exhaust systems shall be independent of all other
systems and shall convey the moisture and any products of combustion to the outside of
the building. Dryer exhaust duct terminations shall not be located within 36 inches (914
mm) of exterior openings into conditioned spaces, crawl spaces, and attic spaces.
Exception: This section shall not apply to listed and labeled condensing (ductless) clothes
dryers.
(13) Section 506.3.11 Grease duct enclosures is hereby retained in its entirety with the
revision:
A commercial kitchen grease duct serving a Type I hood that penetrates a ceiling, wall,
floor, or any concealed space shall be enclosed from the point of penetration to the outlet
terminal. In-line exhaust fans not located outdoors shall be enclosed as required for grease
ducts. A duct shall penetrate exterior walls only at locations where protected openings are
permitted by the International Building Code. The duct enclosure shall serve a single
grease duct and shall not contain other ducts, piping or wiring systems. Duct enclosures
shall be a shaft enclosure in accordance with Section 506.3.11.1, a field-applied enclosure
assembly in accordance with Section 506.3.11.2 or a factory-built enclosure assembly in
accordance with Section 506.3.11.3. Duct enclosures shall have a fire-resistance rating not
less than that of the assembly penetrated and not less than 1 hour. Fire dampers and smoke
dampers shall not be installed in grease ducts.
(14) Section 512.1 General is hereby retained in its entirety with the following amendments:
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512.1 General. Where a subslab soil exhaust system is provided, the duct for such system
shall conform to the requirements of International Residential Code Appendix F, entitled
“Radon Control Methods,” as adopted and amended by the City of Fort Collins.
(15) Section 602.3 Stud cavity and joist space plenums is hereby deleted and replaced in its
entirety and the following is hereby added in lieu thereof:
Section 602.3 Building cavities (Mandatory). Building framing cavities shall not be used
as ducts or plenums.
(16) A new Section 602.3.1 Return air is hereby added to read as follows:
Section 602.3.1 Return air. Return air shall be taken from inside the dwelling. Dilution of
return air with outdoor air shall be permitted. A return air path shall be provided in all
habitable rooms by means of ducts or transfer grills.
(17) A new Section 603.18.3 Construction debris and contamination is hereby added to read
as follows:
603.18.3 Construction debris and contamination. Mechanical air-handling systems and
their related ducts shall be protected from the entrance of dirt, debris, and dust during the
construction and installation process. Prior to passing final inspection or issuance of a
Certificate of Occupancy, such systems shall be substantially free of construction-related
contaminants.
(18) Section 801.19 Multistory prohibited is hereby retained in its entirety with the following
amendments:
801.19 Multistory prohibited. Common venting systems for appliances located on more
than one floor level shall be prohibited, except engineered systems where all of the
appliances served by the common vent are located in rooms or spaces that are accessed
only from the outdoors. The appliance enclosures shall not communicate with the
occupiable areas of the building.
(19) A new Section 903.1.1 Solid fuel fireplaces and appliances is added to read as follows:
903.1.1 Solid fuel fireplaces and appliances. Solid fuel fireplaces, fireplace stoves and
solid-fuel-type room heaters shall also comply with Section 5-110 of the City Code.
(20) Section 903.3 Unvented gas logs heaters is deleted in its entirety:
Section 4. The City Attorney and the City Clerk are authorized to modify the
formatting and to make such other amendments to this Ordinance as necessary to facilitate
publication in the Fort Collins Municipal Code; provided, however, that such modifications and
amendments shall not change the substance of the Code provisions.
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Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 18th day of
December, A.D. 2018, and to be presented for final passage on the 2nd day of January, A.D. 2019.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 2nd day of January, A.D. 2019.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk