Proposed Building Codes and Amendments under the Utah Uniform Building Standards Act

The following document has the full details and summary of proposed building codes and amendments. A public hearing regarding the proposed building codes will be held August 9, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. at Sandy City Hall, 10000 South Centennial Parkway, Room 341, Sandy, Utah.

The document has two parts: Part 1 -- Proposed Building Codes and Amendment Changes which have been recommended by the Uniform Building Code Commission (UBCC) and its advisory committees. It should be noted that the changes are made with strikethrough and underline as if making changes to existing statutes which have adopted the current building codes. This format is used for easier identification of items that are recommended for changes. Part 2 -- Summary and explanation of the changes proposed in Part 1.

 

Recommended changes to Construction Codes Under Title 15A State Construction and Fire Code Act Proposed by the Uniform Building Code Commission

Part 1

 

15A-3-302 Amendments to Chapters 1 and 2 of IPC.

(1) A new IPC, Section 101.2.1, is added as follows: "For clarification, the International Private Sewage Disposal Code is not part of the plumbing code even though it is in the same printed volume."

(2) In IPC, Section 202, the definition for "Backflow Backpressure, Low Head" is deleted.

(3) In IPC, Section 202, the following definition is added: "Certified Backflow Preventer Assembly Tester. A person who has shown competence to test Backflow prevention assemblies to the satisfaction of the authority having jurisdiction under Utah Code, Subsection 19-4-104(4)."

(4) In IPC, Section 202, the following definition is added: "Contamination (High Hazard). An impairment of the quality of the potable water that creates an actual hazard to the public health through poisoning or through the spread of disease by sewage, industrial fluids or waste."

(5) In IPC, Section 202, the definition for "Cross Connection" is deleted and replaced with the following: "Cross Connection. Any physical connection or potential connection or arrangement between two otherwise separate piping systems, one of which contains potable water and the other either water of unknown or questionable safety or steam, gas, or chemical, whereby there exists the possibility for flow from one system to the other, with the direction of flow depending on the pressure differential between the two systems (see "Backflow")."

(6) In IPC, Section 202, the following definition is added: "Deep Seal Trap. A manufactured or field fabricated trap with a liquid seal of 4" or larger."

(7) In IPC, Section 202, the definition for "Essentially Nontoxic Transfer Fluid" is deleted and replaced with the following:

"ESSENTIALLY NONTOXIC TRANSFER FLUID. Fluids having a Gosselin rating of 1, including propylene glycol; and mineral oil."

(8) In IPC, Section 202, the definition for "Essentially Toxic Transfer Fluid" is deleted and replaced with the following:

"ESSENTIALLY TOXIC TRANSFER FLUID. Soil, waste, or gray water; and any fluid that is not an essentially nontoxic transfer fluid under this code."

(9) In IPC, Section 202, the following definition is added: "High Hazard. See Contamination."

(10) In IPC Section 202, the following definition is added: "Injection well. A bored, drilled, or driven shaft whose depth is greater than the largest surface dimension; or a dug hole whose depth is greater than the largest surface dimension; or an improved sinkhole: or a subsurface fluid distribution system the primary purpose for which is the subsurface emplacement of fluids. Injection wells are subject to the regulations of the Utah Underground Injection Control Program, Utah Administrative Code R317-7. Injection wells associated with single family residences are not subject to R317-7."

( 10)( 11) In IPC, Section 202, the following definition is added: "Low Hazard. See Pollution."

( 11)( 12) In IPC, Section 202, the following definition is added: "Pollution (Low Hazard). An impairment of the quality of the potable water to a degree that does not create a hazard to the public health but that does adversely and unreasonably affect the aesthetic qualities of such potable water for domestic use."

( 12)( 13) In IPC, Section 202, the definition for "Potable Water" is deleted and replaced with the following: "Potable Water. Water free from impurities present in amounts sufficient to cause disease or harmful physiological effects and conforming to the Utah Code, Title 19, Chapter 4, Safe Drinking Water Act, and Title 19, Chapter 5, Water Quality Act, and the regulations of the public health authority having jurisdiction."

Amended by Chapter 249, 2016 General Session

 

15A-3-304 Amendments to Chapter 4 of IPC.

(1) In IPC, Table 403.1, the following changes are made:

(a) The title for Table 403.1 is deleted and replaced with the following: "Table 403.1, Minimum Number of Required Plumbing Fixtures ^{a, h}";

(b) In row number "3", for "E" occupancy, in the field for "OTHER", a new footnote g is added.

(c) In row number "5", for "I-4 Adult day care and child day care" occupancy, in the field for "OTHER", a new footnote g is added.

(d) A new footnote f is added as follows: v"FOOTNOTE: f. When provided, in public toilet facilities, there shall be an equal number of diaper changing facilities in male toilet rooms and female toilet rooms. Diaper changing facilities shall meet the requirements of ASTM F2285-04 (2010) Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specifications for Diaper Changing Tables for Commercial Use."

(e) A new footnote g is added to the table as follows: "FOOTNOTE g: Non- residential child care facilities shall comply with the additional requirements for sinks in administrative rule made by the Department of Health."

(2) A new IPC, Section 406.3, is added as follows: " 406.3 Automatic clothes washer safe pans. Safe pans, when installed under automatic clothes washers, shall be installed in accordance with Section 504.7."

(3) A new IPC, Section 412.5, is added as follows: "412.5 Public toilet rooms. All public toilet rooms in A & E occupancies and M occupancies with restrooms having multiple water closets or urinals shall be equipped with at least one floor drain."

(4) IPC, Section 423.3, is deleted.

(5) A new IPC, Section 412.6 is added as follows: "Prohibition of Motor Vehicle Waste Disposal Wells - Injection wells such as floor drains, septic systems, French drains, dry wells, etc. that discharge to the subsurface are prohibited if vehicular service and/or maintenance activities involving vehicular fluids and associated fluids occur within the catchment area of the injection well."

Amended by Chapter 249, 2016 General Session

 

15A-3-206 Amendments to Chapters 37, 39, 44, and Appendix F of IRC.

(1) In IRC, Section E3705.4.5 the following words are added after the word "assemblies" "with ungrounded conductors 10 AWG and smaller,".

(1) (2) In IRC, Section E3901.9, the following exception is added:

"Exception: Receptacles or other outlets adjacent to the exterior walls of the garage, outlets adjacent to an exterior wall of the garage, or outlets in a storage room with entry from the garage may be connected to the garage branch circuit."

(2) (3) IRC, Section E3902.16 is deleted.

(3) (4) In Section E3902.17:

(a) following the word "Exception" the number "1." is added; and (b) at the end of the section, the following sentences are added:

"2. This section does not apply for a simple move or an extension of a branch circuit or an outlet which does not significantly increase the existing electrical load. This exception does not include changes involving remodeling or additions to a residence."

(4) (5) IRC, Chapter 44, is amended by adding the following reference standard:

 

"Standard reference Title Referenced in code

number section number

 

USC-FCCCHR 10th Foundation for Cross-Connection Control Table

Edition Manual of Cross and Hydraulic Research University of P2902.3"

Connection Control Southern California Kaprielian Hall 300

Los Angeles CA 90089-2531

(5) (6)

(a) When passive radon controls or portions thereof are voluntarily installed, the voluntary installation shall comply with Appendix F of the IRC.

(b) An additional inspection of a voluntary installation described in Subsection (5)(a) is not required.

Amended by Chapter 236, 2017 General Session

 

15A-2-103 Specific editions adopted of construction code of a nationally recognized code authority.

(1) Subject to the other provisions of this part, the following construction codes are incorporated by reference, and together with the amendments specified in Chapter 3, Part 3, Statewide Amendments to International Plumbing Code, and Chapter 4, Local Amendments Incorporated as Part of State Construction Code, are the construction standards to be applied to building construction, alteration, remodeling, and repair, and in the regulation of building construction, alteration, remodeling, and repair in the state:

(a) the 2015 edition of the International Building Code, including Appendix J, issued by the International Code Council;

(b) the 2015 edition of the International Residential Code, issued by the International Code Council;

(c) the 2015 edition of the International Plumbing Code, issued by the International Code Council;

(d) the 2015 edition of the International Mechanical Code, issued by the International Code Council;

(e) the 2015 edition of the International Fuel Gas Code, issued by the International Code Council;

(f) the 2014 2017 edition of the National Electrical Code, issued by the National Fire Protection Association;

(g) the 2015 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code, issued by the International Code Council;

(h) the 2015 edition of the International Existing Building Code, issued by the International Code Council;

(i) subject to Subsection 15A-2-104(2), the HUD Code; subject to Subsection 15A-2-104(1), Appendix E of the 2015 edition of the International Residential Code, issued by the International Code Council; and

(j) subject to Subsection 15A-2-104(1), the 2005 edition of the NFPA 225 Model Manufactured Home Installation Standard, issued by the National Fire Protection Association.

(2) Consistent with Title 65A, Chapter 8, Management of Forest Lands and Fire Control, the Legislature adopts the 2006 edition of the Utah Wildland Urban Interface Code, issued by the International Code Council, with the alternatives or amendments approved by the Utah Division of Forestry, as a construction code that may be adopted by a local compliance agency by local ordinance or other similar action as a local amendment to the codes listed in this section.

Amended by Chapter 249, 2016 General Session

 

Statewide Amendments to National Electrical Code

 

15A-3-601 General provisions.

The following are adopted as amendments to the NEC to be applicable statewide:

(1) The IRC provisions are adopted as the residential electrical standards applicable to installations applicable under the IRC. All other installations shall comply with the adopted NEC.

(2) In NEC, Section 210.8(B), the words "and three phase receptacles rated 150 volts to ground or less, 100 amperes or less", are deleted.

(3) NEC, Section 210.71 is deleted.

(4) In NEC, Section 240.67, the words "January 1, 2020" are deleted and replaced with "upon adoption of the 2020 NEC".

(2) NEC, Section 240.87(B), is modified to add the following as an additional approved equivalent means:

"6. An instantaneous trip function set at or below the available fault current."

Amended by Chapter 249, 2016 General Session

 

 

Part 2

 

Summary of Reasons for recommended changes Proposed by the Uniform Building Code Commission to Construction Codes Under Title 15A State Construction and Fire Code Act

 

15A-3-302. At the request of the Department of Environmental Quality, the UBCC is recommending statewide amendments to the International Plumbing Code (IPC) to incorporate the requirements of the Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program (UAC R317-7) regarding fluid disposal to the subsurface via injection wells. Discharge of fluids into individual or single family residential waste disposal systems is specifically excluded from regulation under the UIC rules at 40 CFR 144.1(g)2. There are a variety of fluid discharge practices that have been banned by the United States EPA which are addressed in the UIC program. It is necessary to now amend the 2015 IPC to reference the ban and other requirements of the UIC program.

 

15A-3-206. The UBCC is recommending this amendment to the International Residential Code (IRC) Section E3705.4.5 to make it consistent with the 2017 National Electric Code (NEC) which amends this section so that larger feeders are permitted to be sized in accordance with the 75 degree C ampacity when installed in thermal insulation. This will result in a significant cost savings of approximately $100-$200 per home as the current IRC requires larger feeder cables at a much higher cost.

 

15A-1-2-103. The UBCC Electrical Advisory Committee has extensively studied the 2017 National Electric Code throughout the course of the interim and is recommending adoption of the code with amendments as noted to implement updated technology provisions and increased welfare and safety of electrical workers and the public.

 

15A-3-601. NEC Section 210.8(B) The amendment removes the requirement for three phase receptacles 150 volts to ground or less to be GFCI protected. This will allow the manufacturers more time to come up with more cost effective means for providing GFCI protection for three phase 150 volts to ground or less circuits. This will be a significant cost savings as currently the only equipment available to GFCI protect a three phase circuit is a ground fault relay system which can cost upwards of $3,500.

 

15A-601. Delete NEC Section 210.71 which is a new requirement for floor box receptacles in meeting rooms. The UBCC is recommending deletion of this section of the 2017 NEC determining it is an unnecessary cost to impose on individuals/business owners who can make that determination based upon need and without a code requirement.

 

15A-3-601. NEC, Section 240.67 changes the effective date of this requirement to allow for manufacturers to adjust equipment to comply. This will result in a significant cost savings as installers will not have to attempt to comply with this requirement until manufacturers have adjusted their equipment to be able to meet the specifications.

 

15A-3-601 NEC, Section 240.87(B). The UBCC is recommending deleting this section of the state amendments which adds an instantaneous trip function set at or below the available fault current as an additional approved equivalent means. It has been incorporated into the 2017 NEC and is no longer necessary as a state amendment.