News Updates - July 16, 2008
Two new alternate methods for water conservation
systems and rainwater collection
The Building Codes Division has approved
two new water conservation methods. Oregon joins a small group
of states, including California, Washington, Ohio, Texas, Arizona,
New Mexico, and Hawaii that are working toward allowing builders
and homeowners to install wastewater conservation systems. The
new plumbing alternate methods deal with rainwater harvesting
for both potable
and non-potable
water, and wastewater
conservation systems. Wastewater conservation systems are
one of many design options used in green building.
Informational meeting Web page
The Building Codes Division periodically holds informational
meetings in order to receive public input and brainstorm ideas
relating to the issues before the division. This Web
page contains records of the informational meetings. Samples
of meetings you would find records for on this page are net metering
and interconnection public meetings, residential fire sprinkler
hearings, and other meetings that are not board/committee meetings
or rulemaking hearings. You will find meeting notices, video archives
of the informational meetings and any other meeting records.
Surcharge clarifications
Everyone knows about the additional 4% surcharge as of Jan.1
on all building permits in Oregon, but what exactly does that
mean? When is the surcharge applied and to what fees? BCD has
put all this information into a two-page
information sheet. Use this information sheet as a reference
for surcharge questions.
Questions about consistent fees and form formulas
BCD has discovered that wording can mean everything. When it
comes to the information about the consistent
fees and forms rule, the title is confusing some. We want
everyone to understand that fees and fee schedules will continue
to be set by the jurisdiction. This does not mean fees will be
consistent throughout the state. What it does mean is that fees
throughout the state will be calculated using the same formula,
part of this formula (when calculating structural fees) being
the ICC
valuation table.
OSBEELS staff must consult board before offering
advice or issuing an interpretation
The division has continued to hear concerns and questions regarding
implementation of the Oregon State Board of Examiners for Engineering
and Land Surveying (OSBEELS) statement related to design of fire
protection systems. Because the division is without authority
to interpret engineer license scope of work issues, many of these
questions must be referred to OSBEELS. The division has been made
aware that OSBEELS staff is limited to providing advice on issues
upon which the board has previously provided guidance. This has
meant that many jurisdictions have been unable to obtain guidance
and are uncertain how to implement the new standard. The division
has recommended that jurisdictions implement the OSBEELS statement
to the extent that clear guidance has been provided and seek additional
information from OSBEELS where appropriate. The June
27 memo provides additional background.
Statewide code interpretation on hazardous exhaust
systems
The BCD has, at the request of the state fire marshal's office,
released a statewide
code interpretation of 2007 OMSC Section 510 regarding motor
and fan requirements for hazardous exhaust systems. The interpretation
provides that Section 503 sets standards for the types of motors
and fans used in a hazardous exhaust system governed by Section
510. An example of the applicable standards of Section 503 includes
the interlocking requirement of Section 503.1. When designing
a hazardous exhaust system, it's extremely important to apply
both sections.
Regional Program Services
New regional coordinator
The Regional Program Services team within the BCD is proud to
announce that Ms. Wendy Beard has joined our staff as regional
coordinator for the northwest Oregon region, encompassing the
Portland metropolitan area, and including Washington, Clackamas,
Multnomah, Columbia, Clatsop, and Tillamook counties.
Wendy comes to thse BCD with a strong background in private and
public sector management, marketing, policy coordination, and
stakeholder outreach and communications. She was a national program
manager for over 11 years at Intel Corporation, specializing in
personal computer sales, training, certification, and organizational
development.
ePermitting
City and county managers show interest in Quick Permits
The benefits of the existing Quick
Permits system and eBuildingPermits system (which is still
"under construction") were presented to the City and
County Managers Association on July 10 in Cottage Grove at their
annual meeting. The managers seemed excited about the idea of
speeding up the permitting process.
State staff from DCBS assigned to BCD's ePermitting system continue
to work with those building departments across Oregon that have
expressed an interest in offering their customers permit services
over the Internet.
Current participants in Quick Permits and those who join in the
next 2-3 months will have the opportunity (if they choose) to
be amongst the first to move to the new system.
If you are interested or have questions, please contact Dave
Galati at 503-373-7319.
|
