News Updates - January 11, 2012

2010 OSSC Chapter 11 Accessibility Revisions online course

In an effort to provide an affordable and easy-to-access course on the 2010 Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC) Chapter 11 Accessibility revisions, BCD has designed an online class available on Chemeketa Community College's (CCC) eLearn system. Due to the magnitude of changes that have been made to the OSSC's Chapter 11, BCD is requiring a class on the revisions as part of the code change continuing education obligations for inspectors and plans examiners stated in 918-098-1450 of the Oregon Administrative Rules. This is in addition to the requirement to complete a course on the OSSC.

This online course is self-paced and there is a link to access it on the CCC eLearn page of the BCD website. The course is the equivalent of four hours of classroom training. There are four lessons that each consist of several presentations, an assignment, and a quiz. There will be a printable certificate available at the end of the course. The registration fee for the class is $35 and is paid directly to Chemeketa. Once registered for the course, you will have access to the site 24/7 and can go at your own pace. You must finish the course within the same Chemeketa quarter as you started. For example, the winter quarter starts Jan. 9 and if you register any time soon (up to March 16) you must finish the course by March 24. The spring term for the course will begin April 2.

Ecoroofs and Residential Reach Code Brown Bag Lunch offerings

You can start off the new year with the latest session in the Brown Bag Lunch series on Ecoroofs in Oregon. The session will be from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 12. In this session, the City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services Ecoroof Program will talk about how vegetative roofs are part of a growing national effort to promote sustainable development and improve watershed health. The course will also cover structural load requirements, what to look for in plan review, and lessons learned. Ecoroofs are a project elective in the Oregon Reach Code.

On Wednesday, Feb. 15, there will be a Brown Bag Lunch session on the Residential Provisions of the Reach Code. Mark Heizer, the staff engineer who is part of the Green Building Services section of BCD, will talk about how the Reach Code will work for residential construction. The course will review compliance methods, comparisons between the Reach Code and the 2011 Oregon Residential Specialty Code, and compatibility with third-party programs such as Earth Advantage.

There are recordings of all of the Brown Bag Lunch sessions archived on the BCD website and these new sessions will be added within two weeks after the live presentation.

If you have questions or need more information about any of the training mentioned above, contact Sherri West, training coordinator, at 503-373-7509 or sherri.d.west@state.or.us.

Mid-cycle code changes

Effective Jan. 1, 2012

• Mid-cycle code amendment for the 2010 Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code (OEESC) Section 503.2.4.5 Shut-Off Dampers.

• Mid-cycle code amendment for the 2010 Oregon Mechanical Specialty Code (OMSC) Chapter 15, Referenced Standards.

• Mid-cycle code amendment for the 2010 Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC) Chapter 35, Referenced Standards.
  

• 2011 Boiler and Pressure Vessels Code adopted in OAR 918-225-0430, 918-225-0435, 918-225-0570, 918-225-0600, and 918-225-0620 with Oregon-specific amendments provided in Table 2-B.

• 2011 Oregon Elevator Specialty Code adopted in OAR 918-400-0455 and 918-400-0458 with Oregon-specific amendments provided in Table 2-L.

Effective Feb. 1, 2012 (anticipated)

• Mid-cycle code amendment for the 2010 Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC). The amendment for Adult Foster Care Homes will go to public hearing on Jan. 17, 2012, and has an anticipated effective date of Feb. 1, 2012.

Mid-cycle code amendment for the 2010 Oregon Structural Specialty Code Section 412 Aircraft Hangars did not move forward as anticipated for a Jan. 1, 2012, adoption. The division is not currently moving forward with the amendment. For more information, contact Richard Rogers, structural program chief, at Richard.Rogers@state.or.us or 503-378-4472.

Structural code requirements for adult foster care homes

BCD is considering changes to the existing provisions in the 2010 Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC) that govern the construction requirements for adult foster homes licensed by the state. Currently, Section 310.1 of the 2010 OSSC classifies these residences that provide care to five or fewer residents who may require assisted self-preservation as SR-3, so they must comply with the provisions of Appendix SR.

The division received a letter from the Department of Human Services (DHS) requesting that we amend the 2010 OSSC and delete the requirement for these homes to meet the standards in Appendix SR. DHS pointed out that the OSSC requirements are in conflict with the provisions of ORS 443.760(1), which states that these homes are considered single-family dwellings and subject to the construction standards for single-family residences. The statute further states that the licensing agency, after consultation with BCD and the State Fire Marshal, has the sole ability to require a more stringent construction standard.

Based on the request from DHS, we filed a Notice of Rulemaking with the Secretary of State. As part of the code amendment process, we will provide the opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed changes at a public hearing at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, in Conference Room A of BCD. People may offer oral or written testimony at the hearing and may also submit written comments by 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 20, 2012.

BCD contact list

BCD has created a Quick Reference Guide as a more general contact list than the staff directory found on our website. Local building departments may use this reference guide as concise subject-matter tool to contact appropriate BCD staff members when needed.

Specialized Inspector Training Survey reminder

The division is looking for feedback on the Specialized Inspector Certification Pilot Program. We are evaluating the program, taking into account its successes and challenges as we plan for the future. Whether or not your jurisdiction participated in the Specialized Inspector Pilot, we rely on your feedback on why you did or did not participate. Please take just a few minutes to complete this survey, if you haven't already. Your responses will help us meet the needs of the jurisdictions and ensure a successful future for the program. We will reconvene the 3462 scoping committee early this year to evaluate the program and chart future certification courses.

2011 BCD Law Change course

We mentioned in last month's newsletter that certified individuals who attended the Oregon Building Officials Association class at its annual meeting in Bend would be given credit and do not have to take the 2011 BCD Law Change course. That same exception will also be given to those who attended the Law Change class at the OBOA Fall Institute on Nov. 16 at the Holiday Inn in Wilsonville.

As a reminder, the 2011 BCD Law Change course is designed to summarize law changes passed during the most recent legislative session. Inspectors, plans examiners, and building officials are required to take this course as part of their continuing education requirements as specified in OAR 918-098-1450. The free, online class will be accessible from BCD's website for at least a year. Two continuing education credits will be issued for completing this course.

If you have any questions about this course, contact Tiffani Alexander at tiffani.k.alexander@state.or.us or 503-373-1248.