News Updates - March 4, 2010

Live Web-based class on commercial
green building available in March

The two part course, Commercial Green Building and the Building Code is being presented March 23 and 25 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. BCD will be hosting this online class through their iLinc platform. The class will be similar to the classes Cascadia Green Building Council presented in Salem, Portland area, Hood River, and Medford. This interactive Webinar training invites both the public and private sectors to learn about emerging green building technologies, identify potential code conflicts, and discuss solutions for overcoming obstacles to sustainable development within the context of safeguarding public health and welfare. You must complete both classes to receive 6 continuing education credits. There is limited space for this two part class and it is popular, so please fill out a registration form today and look for a responding email from our training coordinator with more information, once we have that registration.

If you have questions please contact Sherri West, BCD training coordinator, at 503-373-7509 or sherri.d.west@state.or.us.

Oregon State Board of Examiners for Engineering
and Land Surveying (OSBEELS) Memo

At the request of OSBEELS, BCD is forwarding a memorandum dated February 16, 2010. The memorandum is addressed to "building officials and other interested parties" and the following information is highlighted:

• Restates that the engineers' laws and rules under Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 672.060(10) provide for a person who is not registered as a professional engineer to plan, design, and supervise the erection, enlargement, or alteration of:
  a. a single family residence; and
  b. a structure less than 4,000 square feet and not more than 20 feet in height.
• Reinforces that single family residences and structures whose area and height are below the thresholds noted above are "exempt" from the statutory requirements of ORS 672.
• Notes that previously if an engineer prepared the design for an exempt structure the engineer was not required under ORS 672 to seal and sign documents. However, during the 2009 Regular Session, Senate Bill 143 was passed which has eliminated this exemption for professional engineers.
• States that as of the effective date of January 1, 2010, if documents for an exempt structure are prepared by a professional engineer, the engineers' laws and rules require the professional engineer to seal and sign those documents.

This OSBEELS policy shift relates to a new expectation that design professionals seal and sign all designs, regardless of the structure's exemption status.

There appears to be no change in policy related to persons "not registered as a professional engineer." Such persons may continue to plan, design or supervise the erection, enlargement, or alteration of exempt structures.

For further information or clarification, please contact Mari Lopez, OSBEELS Executive Secretary, at (503) 362-2666.

FAQs about new Oregon-issued certification requirements

House Bill 3462, passed by the Legislature in 2009, required the division to establish a renewal process for Oregon-issued certifications that includes application and fee requirements for inspectors, plan reviewers, and building officials. The rulemaking process for these requirements has been finalized and implementation dates for inspector certification renewal changes required by HB 3462 are fast approaching. As part of BCD's effort to communicate these changes we have created a set of frequently asked questions to help get the right information out.

Update on Availability of 2010 Oregon Codes

BCD is pleased to inform you that the 2010 Edition of the Oregon Mechanical Specialty Code (OMSC) has been printed and is available for purchase through several outlets. Additionally, the final draft of the 2010 Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC) has been sent to ICC for printing, and we expect it to be available for purchase in early spring also, as anticipated. Both of these codes will be available online in the future. The online version of the OMSC will be available through the BCD Web site by the beginning of April and the OSSC will be available by the beginning of May.

If you have any questions please contact Dana Fischer at 503-373-0226 or dana.c.fischer@state.or.us.

Enforcement

Summary of enforcement cases presented
to the State Plumbing Board
Summary report: These cases were resolved by the division's enforcement section without going to a contested case hearing. No action was required by the State Plumbing Board.

Final orders after hearing: These cases went to a contested case hearing. Each penalty assessment was reviewed and approved by the State Plumbing Board.

Summary of enforcement cases presented
to the Board of Boiler Rules
Summary report: These cases were resolved by the division's enforcement section without going to a contested case hearing. No action was required by the Board of Boiler Rules.