Title
A RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE WICHITA-SEDGWICK COUNTY UNIFIED BUILDING AND TRADE CODE BY MOVING MECHANICAL PROVISIONS LOCATED IN THE ARTICLE FOR THE BUILDING CODE INTO THE ARTICLE FOR THE MECHANICAL CODE. ALSO, THIS RESOLUTION AMENDS THE PLUMBING CODE TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT FOR TRACER WIRES CONTAINED WITHIN SEC. 604.9 OF THE UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE, 2012 EDITION.
Presented by: Thomas Stolz, Director, Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the resolution and authorize the Chairman to sign.
Body
This resolution is intended to address three separate matters: (1) relocation of mechanical code content that is currently located within the building code; (2) removal of the tracer wire requirement; and (3) general clarification of provisions regarding licensure terms.
With regard to Sections 1 through 47 of the resolution, after a unanimous vote recommending approval of such sections by the Mechanical Board for the Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department (MABCD), mechanical provisions that are currently contained within the building code portion of the Wichita-Sedgwick County Unified Building and Trade Code (UBTC) would be moved to the mechanical code portion of the UBTC. These provisions are currently within the building code because of how the incorporated code is drafted. However, for simplification for contractors, homeowners, and staff, it makes sense to move these provisions to where they actually apply. Also, by moving these provisions, subsequent code amendments involving these provisions could more easily be addressed.
Section 48 of the resolution would have the effect of removing a tracer wire requirement under which the MABCD had previously required that when a property owner/contractor would utilize plastic pipe, a tracer wire would run from the structure out to the meter can so that the water line could readily be located. However, the City of Wichita has indicated that it does not intend to allow access to its meter cans, which has the effect of making the tracer wire requirement impossible to meet. This change was approved by a vote of the MABCD Plumbing Board.
Lastly, Sections 49 and 50 of the resolution modify provisions on plumbers' and mechanical contractors' license terms to be consistent with other UBTC provisions on those terms.
Alternatives: Do not approve the resolution.
Financial Considerations: None
Legal Considerations: The County has the authority to make these changes pursuant to K.S.A. 19-101 et seq. Approval is by simple majority vote.
Policy Considerations: The County has the authority to make these changes pursuant to K.S.A. 19-101 et seq. Approval is by simple majority vote.
Outside Attendees: None
Multimedia Presentation: N/A