You may choose the number of a title of an article that terests you, or scroll down:
1. Model code package expected to go to legislative review;
2. Period for late credential renewal is lengthened;
3. Approved plans must be kept at site;
4. Uniform Dwelling Code Q&A - Comm 21.18;
5. Petition forms must be notarized;
6. Sharing information on building department software;
7. Employment Opportunities;
8. Daniel Meneguin is new fire and electrical programs section chief;
9. Comm 83 changes are part of credential exams;
10. Fire Preventon Week is October 7-13, 2001;
11. Certified Municipalities
1. Model code package expected to go to legislative review
A building code change package for Wisconsin was expected to go to the state legislature for review in mid-June to adopt four amended International Code Council model codes and an amended National Fire Protection Association NFPA 1 . As of the deadline for this WBCR, the proposal would adopt Comm 61-65 as building codes, based in an amended International Building Code, International Energy Conservation Code, International Mechanical Code, and International Fuel Gas Code. Also in the package would be adoption of NFPA 1 as the base for Comm 14, the Wisconsin Fire Code. The NFPA 1 provisions would not apply to existing or new building construction, but rather to fire safety in terms of building use and operation. The NFPA use and operation regulations would apply to new and existing buildings, while Comm 61-65 would govern construction aspects of fire safety. This code package proposal has support of the advisory S&B code councils and the state fire service. After final consideration by the Secretary of the Department of Commerce, Brenda Blanchard, the package could be forwarded to the legislature for review. The assigned legislative committees would have up to 60 days to discuss the package, hold hearings, and make comments. If the rules were to receive legislative approval, they could be officially adopted by the department, possibly in September. If so, the new codes would tentatively go into effect on July 1, 2002. A planned delay has been built into that effective date to allow for more education on use of the new codes. For information, contact Jim Smith, S&B Commercial Buildings Program Manager, 608-266-0251, jsmith@commerce.state.wi, or John Lippitt, S&B Fire Safety Program Manager, 608-266-1036, jlippitt@commerce.state.wi.us.
2. Period for late credential renewal is lengthened
The period during which credential holders may renew expired Safety and Buildings Division credentials with relatively minor consequences has been lengthened to one term after expiration. The change does not allow someone who does not renew on time to go on working. Installing without the appropriate active license, certification, or registration is in violation of the administrative code. As of June 1, 2001 the Credential Code Comm 5.07(2)(b)1 states: "A person may apply to renew his or her license, certification or registration in accordance with par. (a) no later than one term after expiration of the license, certification or registration as specified in Table 5.06 in accordance with all of the following conditions ..." The code change, according to Credentialing Program Manager Jim Quast, is to more appropriately match the consequence to the offense of not renewing on time. Previously, Quast explained, holders of certificates, registrations, and licenses under Comm 5 could be up to six months late in their renewal and still renew their credential, with some extra procedures. After six months, renewal of an expired credential necessitated going through the same process as if obtaining a new credential, which in some cases demanded a re-examination for the credential. Now, credential holders have up to one term to renew an expired credential before they must follow the procedure for obtaining a new credential. (Terms for various credentials and the processes for obtaining the different credentials vary.) Another major change is that late continuing education may be obtained and credited after the end of the continuing education cycle for a credential, with minor extra procedures for processing by S&B credentialing staff. Previously, a petition for variance was needed for any late con ed to be considered. Not having the appropriate con ed on time has been a cause for credential holders not being able to renew a credential on time. To repeat, though the code has been relaxed in dealing with late renewal, whether it be for lack of continuing education, a misplaced renewal form, or forgetfulness, working with an expired credential is inviolation of code requirements. For more information, contact the S&B Credentialing Unit, 608-261-8500, madisocred@commerce.state.wi.us. Codes are avaiable online, http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/SB/SB-DivCodesListing2001.html.
3. Approved plans must be kept at site
by Henry Kosarzycki, S&B Agent Monitor, 262-548-8615, hkosarzycki@commerce.state.wi.us A common concern continues to surface among inspectors and regulatory agents - The conditionally approved construction documents are not available at the construction site. For different parts of projects for which plan review is required by the state or local municipalities, plans must be approved before commencing the construction or installation. Those plans are needed on the site. For commercial building projects, the Safety and Buildings Division requires at least four complete bound sets of plans, which are clear, legible and permanent copies, and one copy of specifications to be submitted for examination. For fire protection systems plan review, four is also the minimum number. Five is the maximum, before an additional fee is required. For elevator plan review, the minimum number is four. For plumbing, the minimum number is two sets, the maximum is five. For private onsite wastewater treatment systems, the minimum number is three sets, the maximum is five. After review and conditional approval of the various areas of review, one set of plans is retained by the reviewing office and the remaining sets bearing approval stamps, with review letters, are returned to the submitting party (after elevator review one set is also sent to the S&B inspector). The number of sets of plans and specs which must be submitted to an agent municipality or county having jurisdiction for different reviews varies. It's best to contact the local jurisdiction in advance to ascertain the appropriate number. In any case, the architect, engineer, designer, installer, builder, manufacturer, or owner must keep at the building site one set of plans bearing the stamps of conditional approval and a copy of the specifications. The plans shall be open to inspection by the S&B staff, authorized representatives, and the municipality. Now that we are beyond the threshold of another building season in Wisconsin, we need to make sure that approved plans are located at all of our construction sites. Owners, builders, mechanics, inspectors, we all need the plans as tools to keep construction projects moving forward to success.
4. Uniform Dwelling Code Q&A - Comm 21.18
by Laurence Swaziek, Program Manager, 608-267-7701, Lswaziek@commerce.state.wi.us Question: This Comm 21 section requires that, when vertical reinforcing is provided in a masonry foundation wall as required by 21.18(3), sill plate anchor bolts must be placed in the same core as the reinforcement. Does this require reinforcement steel be placed at the anchor bolts located within 18 inches of the corner? Answer: No. Analysis: To clarify what was presented at the March 2001 UDC inspector training, the intent of the code is to provide the anchor bolts at the areas where the vertical reinforcement is needed or required - in the center span of the wall away from the corners. The masonry walls that are perpendicular to the wall in question already supports it at the corners. Therefore, reinforcing steel need not be added in the corners or at the anchor bolts within 18 inches of the corner.
Clay backfill for foundation walls
Question: Table 21.18-A lists a number of soils which are not suitable as backfill material for either masonry (block) or poured concrete foundation walls - Organic silts and clays, low plasticity (OL); Inorganic clayey silts, elastic silts (MH); Inorganic clays of high plasticity (CH); and Organic clays and silty clays (OH). What should I do if that type of soil is located at the site I am building on? Answer: One option would be to remove the unsuitable soil and backfill with a suitable soil. Unless otherwise specified by structural analysis, the unsuitable backfill should be removed at a slope of at least 2 to 1 away from the foundation wall (See figure after analysis.). A second option would be to use the site soil as backfill and, prior to backfilling, provide a structural analysis, if required by the local inspector, to the inspector for review and approval. Analysis: The information for the newly expanded soils table, effective April 1, 2001, was taken from the International Building Code. This code source recognizes that there are some soils that are not appropriate as backfill without structural analysis. This holds true for any type of foundation wall - poured concrete or masonry. The soils identified have high densities and can create problems due to their potential expansive and high lateral load properties. When determining site soil types, available resources are: The slightly expanded descriptions found in 2001 UDC Code and Commentary, page 21-82; federal Department of Agriculture soils map; soil tests; a private onsite wastewater treatment system soils report; soils engineer report; ASTM standards; and local code officials. Example: If backfill is six feet deep, top would have to be excavated away at least three feet.
5. Petition forms must be notarized
The owner's signature on Petition for Variance forms, SBD-9890, must be notartized. An article in the April 2001 Wisconsin Plumbing Codes Report about a misprint on the form said the signature does not have to be notartized. That statement is wrong. Comm 3.02(2)(a) dictates the form must be notarized. For more information on petition forms, contact Safety and Buildings Division plan entry staff in one of the offices.
6. Sharing information on building department software
by Henry Kosarzycki, S&B Agent Monitor, 262-548-8615, hkosarzycki@commerce.state.wi.us A presentation at the building inspectors institute meeting this spring in La Crosse offered three municipal experiences concerning computerization of building departments. Here are some of the points I picked up from Ken Dentice of the City of La Crosse:
-What is your goal? Permitting, tracking, electronic plans, email plan attachments?
-Tell your staff what the goals are.
-Be as paperless as possible. Don't ask, "Where is my code book?" Ask, "Where is my laptop?"
-What about all those files…Can you scan documents into a filing system?
-Assess your operation, ask yourself why you are doing what you are doing.
-Cost, timing, support, setup-time are critical choices. Tom Lesperance of the City of Green Bay discussed and explained his program based on a number of years of development. I noted the following points:
-You can have the experience of building the boat while moving down the river.
-Paper, paper, paper…Think of all of it: Address, general info, inspection info, written orders, re-write to give to clerical, and finally re-write to file. Wouldn't you rather document information once and make it available to everyone?
-Consider formatting information so it is brough togehter from multiple spread sheets to do what you need done.
-Support, budget, resources, training are involved - Is your staff willing? Rick Heller presented the experience of the City of Racine's implementation of a city-wide software package written to interact among all of the departments. Highlights of his discussion included, for me:
-Building as well as zoning information is stored on the data base.
-Permit issuance is subject to having complete information, i.e. design review, zoning, and plan approval.
-One fortunate aspect was being supported by a city willing to budget resources.
-Consider having custom software written for you instead of writing and customizing your own from a foundation software package.
-Forms were developed from the existing templates, but were soon revised and redeveloped. As departments continue to move to meet demands for current technology, we can find a wealth of knowledge by contacting municipal neighbors, and we can learn from their experiences.
7. Employment Opportunities
Plumbing Consultant 2 - Chippewa Falls
Department of Commerce; Division of Safety and Buildings; Bureau of Field Operations. Salary: Start at $36,650 per year, plus excellent benefits. Job Duties: Provide consultation to a variety of parties regarding proper design of plumbing installations, technical code-related inquiries, etc; perform inspections of plumbing installations in a variety of buildings; determine compliance with state plumbing codes; issue written directives to resolve violations of codes; monitor licensing credentials of plumbers and apprentices and investigate possible licensure violations; provide instruction to plumbing professionals. Well-Qualified Applicants: All candidates must have a journey level plumber's license, or be registered as a professional engineer or engineer in training AND be eligible to write the Master Plumber's exam upon completion of the six-month probationary period. Well-qualified candidates will be licensed in Wisconsin as a Master Plumber or be eligible to write the Master Plumber's exam within six months of appointment. A valid Wisconsin driver's license is required. Knowledge and Skills Required: Wisconsin Uniform Plumbing Code; Chapter 145 Stats.; Wisconsin administrative code and state statutes governing plumbers' licensing, and plumbing design and installation techniques; engineering principles involved in plumbing; preparation, reading and interpretation of blueprints, designs, plans and specifications for plumbing systems; assessing plumbing systems; groundwater systems, and hydrologic and pneumatic principles and practices as they relate to plumbing systems; cross connection control practices; computations and calculations involved in plumbing; flow theories used in engineering for the plan review function; and effective oral, written and interpersonal communication techniques. Application Information: Apply with the Application for State Employment form (DER-MRS-38), current resume and a description of your qualifications for this position. Include a list of credentials/licenses and a description of your experience in the plumbing field, including the nature of plumbing work performed (residential/commercial, etc.) and specific nature of plumbing duties. Send application materials to Dale Bartz; Bureau of Human Resources; 201 West Washington Avenue, 6th Floor; PO Box 7970; Madison, WI 53707-7970. Fax 608-266-0182; email dbartz@commerce.state.wi.us, telephone 608-266-0366. Deadline: Application materials will be accepted until the needs of the department are met. First review of applications is scheduled for the week of July 9, 2001. Elevator Safety Inspector 2 - Hayward (Area includes the northern tier of counties in Wis.)
Department of Commerce; Division of Safety and Buildings; Bureau of Field Operations. Salary: Start at $31,608 per year, plus excellent benefits. A 6-month probationary period is required. This position is included in the Security and Public Safety Bargaining unit. Job Duties: Inspect existing elevators and related lift equipment within a geographical area to ensure safe operation and compliance with state and national safety codes. Write orders to require correction of code and safety violations, shut down unsafe equipment, and provide additional enforcement action as necessary. Prepare detailed inspection reports, make recommendations to owners, and participate in prosecution activities. Oversee safety testing of newly installed elevators and related equipment and evaluate results to determine compliance with safety codes. Well-Qualified Applicants: Well-qualified applicants will have experience installing, maintaining, repairing, designing, or inspecting elevators and related systems. The person hired must become certified as an elevator inspector according to the provisions of Comm 5, Wis. Admin. Code, within the first six months of employment. This position requires possession of or eligibility to obtain a valid Wisconsin driver's license. Substantial travel, including overnight, will be required. This position requires the ability to bend, stoop, and climb for the inspection of elevators. Knowledge and Skills Required: Structural and mechanical construction of elevators and related lift equipment; elevator installation and maintenance; elevator safety testing procedures, such as testing car safety devices, overspeed governors, oil buffers, hydraulic bypass valves, capacity loading, smoke detectors, and fire control features; inspection methods; principles of hydraulics; electrical wiring methods; blueprint reading. Applications Information: Apply with the Application for State Employment form (DER-MRS-38), current resume and description of the qualifications as stated above. Send application materials to Dale Bartz; Bureau of Human Resources; 201 West Washington Avenue, 6th Floor; PO Box 7970; Madison, WI 53707-7970. Fax 608-266-0182; email dbartz@commerce.state.wi.us, telephone 608-266-0366. Deadline: Applications will be accepted until the needs of the dept. are met. Fire Protection Engineer - The City of Madison
The Fire Protection Engineer independently manages the Fire Protection Engineering Unit of the Fire Prevention Division under the general guidance of the Fire Marshal. This is responsible, professional, and supervisory work in developing and implementing fire protection engineering programs and services. Work primarily involves directing the department's plan review, new construction inspection, and high hazard occupancy inspection programs (including staff supervision and program management); and providing technical expertise and consultation on a wide variety of fire protection engineering issues. The position is characterized by considerable judgment and discretion. Acceptable qualifications include: two years of experience in professional fire protection engineering work or a closely related field and a bachelor's degree in fire protection engineering or technology. Other combinations of training and/or experience, which can be demonstrated, to result in the possession of the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the duties of this position will be considered. Salary range: $52,956-$63,704. Applications and additional information can be obtained at www.ci.madison.wi.us/hr/jobopen.html or contact the City Human Resources Dept. at 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Madison, WI 53709; 608-266-6500: Fax 608-267-1115. Applications will be accepted until 4:30pm on August 31, 2001 For more information, contact Madison Fire Marshal Ed Ruckriegel at 608-266-4457 or eruckreigel@ci.madison.wi.us.
8. Daniel Meneguin is new fire and electrical programs section chief
Daniel Meneguin is the Safety and Buildings Division Bureau of Field Operations Section Chief for the Fire Safety and Electrical Programs. He supervises the division's Fire Safety Consultants and Electrical Consultants. Meneguin has over 14 years of diverse fire protection experience, including work with volunteer, partially-paid, paid, and military fire departments. Most recently, he was the fire inspector for the City of Madison Fire Department who was responsible for the fire safety aspects of all the construction projects within the city. Meneguin comes with a great deal of knowledge through experiences working with NFPA 1 and 101, the Uniform Building and Fire Code, the International Building and Fire Code, and is a certified commercial building inspector under Comm 50-64. Meneguin can be contacted at dmeneguin@commerce.state.wi.us, 608-264-7624.
9. Comm 83 changes are part of credential exams
The Comm 83 Plumbing Code changes that took effect July 1, 2000 are now part of the credential examinations for POWTS inspectors, Master Plumbers, Journeyman Plumbers, Master Plumbers-Restricted Service, or Journeyman Plumbers-Restricted Service. Also tested in the exams is working knowledge of the component manuals for Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems. These manuals will not be provided at the exam sites; it will be the responsibility of the examinees to bring such materials. Component manuals can be purchased from state Document Sales, 800-362-7253, or are on the Safety and Buildings Division WebSite www.commerce.state.wi.us/sb, choose "Publications," http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/SB/SB-DivPublications.html Questions on these exams, including allowable materials, can be directed to the S&B credential staff, 608-261-8500, madisoncred@commerce.state.wi.us.
10. Fire Prevention Week is October 7-13, 2001
"Cover the Bases & Strike Out Fire" is this year's theme for National Fire Prevention Week, October 7-13, 2001. The campaign combines America's interest in baseball with important fire safety tips to teach children and their families how they can "cover the bases" to "strike out" preventable home fires. Sparky, the Fire Dog, celebrating his 50th birthday this year as the National Fire Protection Association's mascot, will play a role in coaching families and communities on the steps they can take to avoid fires. "Every year, we make a special effort to include children in our Fire Prevention Week campaign, with help from firefighters and teachers," says Meri-K Appy, vice president of public education for the NFPA, the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week. "Kids are very effective at driving fire safety messages home, which is where the risk of fire is greatest. This year, we'll use a baseball diamond as a visual cue; each base on the diamond represents important safety tips." Cooking, heating, and electrical fires account for half of all home fires. So, "Cover the Bases & Strike Out Fire" positions kitchen safety at first base, heating safety at second base, and electrical safety at third. Home plate serves as a reminder to kids to conduct smoke alarm testing and home fire escape planning with parents and caregivers. "Just like baseball, fire prevention is a team game, and we encourage parents to work closely with their children to stay safe," said Appy. For the last three years, "Fire Drills: The Great Escape!" was the Fire Prevention Week campaign theme, focusing on home fire escape planning and practice. According to NFPA, that campaign reached seven million children through collaborative work of the fire service, public and private schools, and Weekly Reader, a widely-read grade school publication. NFPA reports 74 lives have been saved - mostly children - as a result of that campaign. As in previous years, NFPA will distribute free Fire Prevention Week materials to more than 40,000 fire departments throughout North America for use as the foundation of their activities in schools and their communities. Weekly Reader will target school age children grades 2-4. Major funding for Fire Prevention Week 2001 is provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Fire Administration, with support from KIDDE, a fire protection products firm, and contributions from Underwriters Laboratories, and USAA Property and Casualty Insurance Group. 11. Certified Muncipalities 
