March 14th, 2005 minutes
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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Lee Queen - Chairperson, Janet Smalter Vice Chairperson, John Craft, Mark Stogsdill Mike Porter |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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None |
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GUESTS PRESENT: |
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Joe King - Coriolos Architecture , Ron Durflinger – Durflinger Homes, Tim Pinnick – Inspections Supervisor, Victor Torres – Director Neighborhood Resources |
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Ex-Officio |
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Adrian Jones, Structural Inspector |
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Chairman Queen called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m.
Queen stated that he was prepared to give a present the Boards statement to the commission regarding Chapter 11 of the IRC. Then he was going to give his reasons why it shouldn’t be adopted. After spending time with Ron Durflinger this morning and evaluating the Rescheck software, he felt Rescheck was the best way to comply with Chapter 11. The IRC give builders two ways to comply with the Code. One is the prescriptive method and the other performance method. What he discovered is that most of the homes using present construction methods may comply with the IRC. It would not require drastic methods to bring non-compliant homes up to the new standards using the RESCHECK method. He asked Durflinger to attend this meeting and make a presentation on Rescheck. He did a Rescheck evaluation on a simple house and it only took about ten minutes. It was a relatively simple process. He feels that the board could recommend to adopt Chapter 11 for the good of the board and the City.
Durflinger gave a brief summary of why he got involved, what he has discovered about the software, his work with the Johnson County licensing and his experience using the program in Gardner. Durflinger explained that he evaluated three different types of homes he constructs using the Rescheck method. What he discovered is that the code allows for a maximum 15% glazing. His typical home has from 4 to 8%. He also evaluated different configurations of each home using finished and unfinished basement, walkout versus full basement, and insulated foundations versus non-insulated foundations. He stated that by making slight adjustments to the plans he could comply with the Code. The only types of structure that did not readily comply were single story slab rancher or single story basement. The fix in those cases would be as simple as adding R38 attic insulation or low-E glass. The cost would be approximately $500 to bring these structures into compliance. The use of the prescriptive method would be limited to structures with a large amount of glazing, or unusually shaped structures.
Ron stated that in Gardner there is an insulation inspection. The contractors are required to leave the sticker on the window until the inspection has passed. On homes with blown in insulation the contractor is required to provide a certificate from the insulation contractor to certify that the correct amount of insulation is in place.
Queen stated that the DOE designed Rescheck to meet the requirements of the Code.
Torres stated that question before the Board is whether use of Rescheck complies with the Chapter 11 of the IRC. Durflinger stated that the code has prescriptive methods and performance methods. The performance method would require some type of engineers evaluations. The Rescheck evaluation method , which is designed by the DOE would qualify as a performance method under the IECC if accepted the City of Lawrence.
Torres stated that the question for the commission is that what other communities are using this method.
King stated that Rescheck and HERS are now the norm of compliance with the energy provisions of the IRC. He has worked with the building officials in Johnson county and Kansas city metropolitan area and most if not all have accepted this method for evaluating energy efficiency of new homes.
Queen stated that instead of going to the commission and stating a reason for not adopting Chapter 11, if the board could come to an agreement that this method be acceptable it would be better for the City. It would add some work to the inspection department but not much. It would support what he has stated all along that houses as currently constructed in Lawrence for the most part are compliant with modern energy standards.
Stogsdill stated that the information presented by Durflinger is exactly the type of information that the board needed when it requested more input from the public. The information gives concrete numbers not guestimates. Stogsdill asked if this was enough information to make a determination on this method.
Craft asked Queen what was the result when he ran the numbers on his homes. Durflinger stated that for his typical slab rancher using Rescheck required R38 ceilings and low-E glass, or about $500.00. That same house using the prescriptive method was about $3,300.00. Durflinger stated that there was no additional labor cost.
Porter stated that Rescheck seems to be an acceptable method for evaluating new structures. He felt that the board should adopt the IRC in it’s entirety.
Durflinger stated that complying energy standards would help sell homes. The contractor would be able to say to the consumer that his homes comply with the new energy standards.
Queen stated that staff would have to discuss the ramification of adopting the IRC including Chapter 11. Torres stated that adoption of the energy standards would have some impact , but, he would look at it from a budgeting perspective. The new standards were part of some of the changes of adopting a new set of codes in addition to the contractor licensing. He would ask the commission for additional staff to implement the changes. The standards by themselves will have impact as far as additional inspections and plan review. He asked the board not to consider the impact on staff in it’s recommendation to the commission.
Stogsdill stated that he has no problem with reviewing Chapter 11 for adoption. He stated that the board came to an impasse fairly quickly.
Porter stated that previously the board made a statement to adopt the IRC with the exception of Chapter 11, and to receive input from the public.
Smalter stated that the Board’s statement to the commission said that the IRC would have an impact on affordable housing.
Porter stated that what the board said was that it did not have enough information to make a recommendation. The board now has the information it requested. He feels comfortable with the Rescheck method as a performance method.
Jones stated that his research into energy provisions adopted by other jurisdictions, indicated that most have allowed three different methods for compliance, the prescriptive method, Rescheck and HERS. Jones stated that if the Board was going to amend the Code to allow for a accepted performance method it should include the HERS method.
Craft stated that he agreed that the HERS system should be part of the ordinance.
Smalter asked the Board if it need to make a motion to retract the statement. Torres stated that The Board needs to update the commission on the recent findings. The information that Durflinger has provided to the Board has also been presented to the Commission. If the Board agrees that Rescheck is an acceptable methods, then Queen will have to go before the Commission tomorrow and say that the statement presented to the Commission no longer valid based on subsequent information that has been presented to the Board. The new information addresses the concerns in the statement.
Jones asked if the Board wanted staff to amend the draft ordinance to include Rescheck and HERS as two accepted performance methods.
Smalter asked if the Board wanted to amend the prescriptive methods. During initial discussions the Board felt that some of the provisions in the prescriptive methods would require additional impact on staff.
Queen asked Torres how many additional inspections would be required. Torres stated one for sure and maybe two. Jones stated that staff would have to check the exterior wall insulation, the
U factors of the windows and the attic insulation. He stated that the best method for checking the attic insulation would be as Durflinger suggested to receive a certificate from the insulation contractor.
Smalter suggested that staff prepare a draft ordinance amended to include the two performance methods.
Queen made a motion to forward the following statement to the Commission. “The Board has had a change of direction in regards to the previous statement to the Commission on the subject of energy provisions of the 2003 International Residential Code. The board has received new information, which addresses the concerns outlined in that statement. The Board fully anticipates making a recommendation to adopt the IRC, Chapters 1 through 11 after a review of the draft ordinance”. Porter seconded the motion which passed 5-0.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Stogsdill moved to adjourn. Smalter seconded the motion, which passed 5-0.
The meeting adjourned 5:30 p.m.