You may select the number in front of the title of an article, to go to the article, or you may scroll down: 1. New Occupancy Classifications; 2. QUIZ - What occupancy group would these areas fall into?; 3. Scheduling of building plan reviews now possible via Internet; 4. UDC inspector ed at manufactured home seminar; 5. For public distribution, municipalities can order brochure about making sure to get permits; 6. Annual Wisconsin fire department survey form returned by 460 departments; 7. Employment Opportunities - City of Oshkosh Building Systems Inspector (Construction and HVAC) - Village of Pleasant Prairie Building Inspector, Deputy Zoning Admin.; 8. More occupancies will have fire protection system plan review; 9. Look at your credential card; 10. Training sessions on new codes starting to line up; 11. Safety and Buildings Division 2002 Credential Exam Schedule; 12. Inspectors' Continuing Edcuation; 13. Fire Protection Agents; 14. Certified Municipalities; 15. Answers to QUIZ 1. New Occupancy Classifications
by Larry Stilen, Safety and Buildings Division Commercial Buildings Plan Reviewer, 262-548-8607, lstilen@commerce.state.wi.us
With the adoption of an amended International Building Code as the base for the new Wisconsin Commercial Building Code, Comm 61-65, occupancy classifications change. The new code is scheduled to go into effect July 1, 2002, along with a revised Comm 14, Fire Prevention, which adopts NFPA 1 for operation and maintenance of commercial buildings (not for construction standards). Chapter 3 of the International Building Code addresses use and occupancy classifications. Every building and facility must be classified with respect to its use, and assigned one or more of the specific occupancy groups in the code. The occupancy groups represent broad categories that are used elsewhere in the code to address everything from building size to fire-protection features. The specific groups are divided into ten general types of uses:
+ Assembly;
+ Business;
+ Educational;
+ Factory industrial;
+ High-hazard;
+ Institutional;
+ Mercantile;
+ Residential;
+ Storage; and
+ Utility/miscellaneous. When a structure is proposed for a purpose that is not specifically provided in the code, such structure is to be classified in the group that the occupancy most nearly resembles, based on fire safety and relative hazards involved. (An article in a future WBCR will discuss the specifics of incidental uses, accessory uses, and mixed-occupancy uses.) Assembly Group A occupancies include uses for gathering of persons for civic, social or religious functions, recreation, food or drink consumption, awaiting transportation, or other similar purposes. A room or space used for assembly purposes by less than 50 persons, and accessory to the another occupancy is included as part of the other occupancy. Business Group B occupancies include the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for office, professional, or service-type transactions. The portion of such areas used for storage of records and accounts are considered part of the Group B use. Refer to section 304 of the IBC for examples of Group B uses. Educational Group E occupancies include uses by six or more persons at any one time for educational purposes through the twelfth grade. A daycare used for educational, supervision ,or personal care services on less than a 24-hour basis, for more than five children older than 2 1/2 years of age, is also classified as a Group E occupancy. A common feature to schools is that they include large spaces used for both education and public assembly, an example of mixed use. Refer to section 305 of the IBC for more about Group E uses. Factory Industrial Group F occupancies include uses for assembling, disassembling, fabricating, finishing, manufacturing, packaging, repair, or processing operations which are not classified as a hazardous Group H occupancy. Group F occupancies are subdivided into two additional occupancy categories, F-1 and F-2. F-1 uses are moderate-hazard factory and industrial uses. F-2 uses are low-hazard factory and industrial uses that involve the fabrication or manufacturing of noncombustible materials which during all operations do not involve a significant fire hazard. Refer to section 306 of the IBC for examples of Group F occupancies. Hazardous Group H occupancies include the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, involving the manufacturing, processing, generation or storage of materials that are characterized by an unusually high degree of explosion, fire, physical, or health hazard. Group H occupancies have quantities of hazardous materials in excess of those found in Tables 307.7(1) and 307.7(2) of the IBC. Group H occupancies are subdivided into five additional occupancy categories consisting of H-1 through H-5. Groups H-1 through H-4 occupancies are based on excessive quantities of hazardous materials. Group H-5 occupancies are based on their particular operations due to the explosiveness and high toxicity of materials used in the fabrication process. Refer to section 307 of the IBC for examples of Group H occupancies. Institutional Group I occupancies include uses in which people are under supervision and care due to physical limitations of health or age. Group I occupancies also include areas in which people are detained for penal or correctional purposes, or in which the liberty of the occupants is restricted. In Group I occupancies, the occupants are either restricted in their movements or require supervision in an emergency in order to escape from the hazard along an exit route to safety. Refer to section 308 of the IBC for examples of Group I occupancies. Mercantile Group M occupancies include uses for the display and sale of merchandise. Refer to section 309 of the IBC for examples of Group M occupancies. Residential Group R occupancies include the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for sleeping accommodations not classified as a Group I occupancy. Refer to section 310 of the IBC for examples of Group R occupancies. Storage Group S occupancies include storage not classified as a hazardous occupancy, and uses related to the storage and repair of motorized vehicles. Group S occupancies are subdivided into two additional occupancy classifications, S-1 and S-2 based on the hazard level involved. Group S-1 occupancies are used for moderate-hazard storage purposes and Group S-2 occupancies consist of the low-hazard uses. Refer to section 311 of the IBC for examples of Group S occupancies. Utility and miscellaneous Group U occupancies include accessory buildings that normally are not occupied. Wisconsin has chosen to also use Appendix "C" for agricultural uses that are not exempt by law. Refer to section 312 of the IBC for examples of Group U occupancies. As I noted earlier, where a structure is proposed for a purpose which is not specifically provided for in the code, the structure shall be classified in the group the occupancy most nearly resembles, according to the fire safety and relative hazards involved. If confronted with such a situation, a conservative path would be to choose the more restrictive occupancy. Classifying the building into the more restrictive category allows the building to be protected to a higher level and addresses the worst-case situations that could occur within the occupancy. More information about the adoption of the national model codes as part of Wisconsin's building and fire codes is on the S&B WebSite, http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/SB/SB-CommercialBuildingsModelCode Adoption.html. 2. QUIZ - What occupancy group would these areas fall into?
1. Automobile assembly plant
2. Bank
3. Bar and restaurant with a capacity of 60 people
4. Banquet hall with a capacity of 300 people
5. Medical clinic
6. College or university classroom
7. Hotel
8. Automotive repair garage
9. Elementary school
10. Convenience store
Answers 3. Scheduling of building plan reviews now possible via Internet
It is now possible to request a commercial building plan review by filling out a form on the Safety and Buildings Division WebSite. S&B will respond with an email providing exact review appointment information and review identification numbers. A link to the review scheduling form is on the page showing the available scheduling openings in each of the plan review offices, http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/SB/SB-DivDailyDoc.html. Also, the scheduling will be available from the Commercial Buildings Program page, http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/SB/SB-CommercialBuildingsProgram.html, and the Multifamily Program page, http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/SB/SB-MultifamilyDwellingsProgram.html. There is also a toll-free 24-hour fax line for requesting plan review scheduling, 877-840-9172. For more information, contact the Madison Plan Entry Supervisor, Josh Schultz, 608-261-8460, jschultz@commerce.state.wi.us. 4. UDC inspector ed at manufactured home seminar
The Tomorrow's Home Foundation, the charitable arm of the Wisconsin Manufactured Housing Association, is sponsoring a "Site Construction Seminar" relating to the Uniform Dwelling Code and its application to manufactured homes. Three hours of Safety and Buildings-approved continuing education is available for UDC-Construction Inspectors and UDC-HVAC Inspectors. Topics include permits, steps, landings, foundations, basements, additions, energy use, electrical and plumbing connections, and more. The seminar will be December 12, 2001 at the Raintree Resort in Wisconsin Dells, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fee is $109, including seminar, materials, a copy of the 2001 UDC Code and Commentary, and lunch. (If you register before November 15, 2001, the fee is $89.) S&B staff scheduled to speak are Ken Fiedler, Mobile/Manufactured Homes Consultant; Leroy Stublaski, UDC Consultant; and Larry Swaziek, UDC Program Manager. Contact Amy or Julie at the Tomorrow's Home Foundation, 800-236-4663. 5. For public distribution, municipalities can order brochure about making sure to get permits
Paying attention to the variety of possible permits needed for different building projects is the theme of a brochure the Safety and Buildings Division has prepared. The brochure will be provided to municipalities to distribute free to people contacting local government departments. The brochure is available for download from the S&B WebSite, http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/SB/SB-DivPublications.html, and will be printed this fall for distribution to all municipalities which ask for copies. Registration to receive copies is also on the WebSite. Leading customers to ask the right questions is important to getting all the needed permitting steps taken. Time, money, and aggravation are at stake. If you have questions about the brochure, contact Henry Kosarzycki, S&B Agent Monitor, 262-548-8615, hkosarzycki@commerce.state.wi.us, or Todd Taylor, S&B Publications Editor, 608-267-3606, ttaylor@commerce.state.wi.us. 6. Annual Wisconsin fire department survey form returned by 460 departments
by John D. Lippitt, S&B Fire Safety Program Manager, 608-266-1036, Jlippitt@commerce.state.wi.us
Annually, the Safety and Buildings Division mails a survey update form to each fire department in Wisconsin which provides fire prevention and fire protection services to a municipality. The information returned is compiled in a computer database. This year, 460, approximately 54 percent of the state's departments, returned the update form to S&B. This response is 8 percent lower than last year. The survey update forms are required by administrative code, Comm 14.025(5), to be completed and returned to S&B. The S&B database does contain information about all of Wisconsin's 863 fire departments, of which 846 provided services to 1850 municipalities in calendar year 2000. (Note that departments listed below as having pay statuses of 5-6 do not typically provide services to municipalities.) This is the current S&B data on Wisconsin fire departments by pay status:
Pay status 1 (career) = 35
Pay status 2 (combination) = 92
Pay status 3 (volunteer) = 719
Pay status 4 (affiliate) = 1
Pay status 5 (federal or tribal) = 11
Pay status 6 (private industry) = 5 S&B has information, from this year and previous years' surveys, describing 506 fire departments as having 16,561 firefighters. 3,085 fire inspectors are recorded as working for 720 fire departments. 425 fire departments' fire inspectors conducted 218,514 fire inspections in calender year 2000. Also in 2000, 373 fire departments identified 105,365 code violations and 361 fire departments reported 70,605 violations corrected. (This is the second year that S&B has asked for information on fire inspections. Hats off to the fire inspectors for helping to keep Wisconsin safe from unwanted fires and explosions!) Thank-you to the 460 fire chiefs who completed and returned the fire department annual update form, as required by state code. I sincerely hope that next year we have more complete information about fire service statistics in Wisconsin. 7. Employment Opportunities
City of Oshkosh Building Systems Inspector (Construction and HVAC)
Challenging position involves the inspection of buildings in order to secure compliance with local, state, and national codes. Ability to inspect and secure compliance with one- and two-family building, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing codes, zoning ordinances, and related regulations also required. Requires state of Wisconsin certification in UDC-Construction, UDC-Electrical, UDC-Plumbing, UDC-Construction, UDC-HVAC, and Commercial Buildings, or the ability to obtain such within one year of employment. 2000 salary range $38,590 - $46,531 per year plus excellent benefits. Submit resume to: Director of Administrative Services, PO Box 1130, 215 Church Ave. Oshkosh, WI, 54903-1130. Resumes will be accepted until position is filled. EOE, M/F/H.
Village of Pleasant Prairie Building Inspector, Deputy Zoning Admin.
One Building Inspector/Deputy Zoning Administrator position in the Village of Pleasant Prairie. Primary duties include review of construction plans, and building and zoning inspection of all construction within the village. Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain certification in the following six areas: UDC-Construction, UDC-HVAC, UDC-Electric, Erosion Control, UDC-Plumbing, and Commercial Building. Salary is dependent upon qualifications and certifications. $14.46 - $23.59 per hour. Application and job description are available from the village administrator's office, Village of Pleasant Prairie, 9915 39th Avenue, Pleasant Prairie, WI 5315, 262-694-9304. Send application, resume, and references to that address. Position will remain open until filled. 8. More occupancies will have fire protection system plan review
by John D. Lippitt, Fire Safety Program Manager
Effective January 1, 2002, fire protection system plans for the following additional types of occupancies must be submitted to S&B or an appointed agent for plan review prior to construction of the fire protection system:
· All public buildings exceeding 60 feet in height;
· IBC Mercantile Group M buildings exceeding 50,000 square feet with a combined use of retail area and rack storage ; and
·State-owned buildings, except hospitals and nursing homes. (Health care facility reviews are done by the Department of Health and Family Services.) This is in addition to previously designated occupancies:
· Atriums located in any type of occupancy;
· Educational Group E, K to 12 Schools;
· Institutional Group I-1, CBRFs within the scope of Comm 57;*
· Institutional Group I-3, Detention Facilities; and
· Residential Group R-1, Hotels and Motels.
*Comm 57, Residential Occupancies, includes new Community Based Residential Facility buildings serving nine or more unrelated adults and CBRFs serving more than 20 unrelated adults to be located in an existing building. Fire detection, prevention and suppression systems, features, and components that must be submitted for review are: Alternate Fire Suppression Systems, Atrium Fire Protection Systems, Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems, Fire Alarm Systems, Manual-Wet Sprinkler Systems, and Standpipe and Hose Systems. Beginning immediately, S&B will also accept the submittal of fire protection systems plans for other occupancies, on a voluntary basis. The fees for a voluntary plan submittal will be based on tables Comm 2.31-1 and 2.31-2, the same as for a required plan submittal. Plans submitted voluntarily will be placed in the rotation for review as received by S&B. However, required submittals will have priority for scheduling. For more information, contact the fire protection system plan reviewers, Bill Sullivan, wsullivan@commerce.state.wi.us, 608-266-9643, or Keith Glaunert, kglaunert@commerce.state.wi.us, 262-548-8604. 9. The world is not coming to an end! However, your continuing education time frame may be. Look at your credential card. When does your license, registration, or certification expire? Your continuing education responsibilities, if you have any, usually must be fulfilled three months before your credential expires. For more information, contact the S&B Credentialing Unit, 608-261-8500, madisoncred@commerce.state.wi.us. Lists of people holding credentials and their con ed status are on the Internet, http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/SB/SB-CredentialsList.html 10. Training sessions on new codes starting to line up
After the adoption of the International Code Council suite of building codes by Wisconsin, a variety of training opportunities have evolved. The opportunities have been sponsored by and developed to serve a a number of different audiences and organizations. The Safety and Buildings Division is seen as a component in the educational system, rather than a single source of training programs. S&B's looks forward to assisting various organizations and groups involved in providing training. With the building code change now in effect, we recognize this as the beginning to a a continuous process of education. Please contact Henry Kosarzycki, 262-548-8615, hkosarzycki@commerce.state.wi.us, to discuss how S&B can assist you in providing building code training. - November 8, 2001, UW-Stout, IBC Evening Training Workshop, American Institute of Architects-Wisconsin
- November 15, Waukesha County Tech College, IBC Evening Training Workshop, AIA-Wisconsin
- November 20, Contact AIA for location (SW Wisconsin), IBC Evening Training
Workshop, AIA-WI
- December 7, Green Bay KI Center, Associated General Contractors Wisconsin Winter Conference IBC Introduction
- December 10-11: City of Milwaukee, International Building Code Training (Session 1)
- December 12-13, City of Milwaukee, International Building Code Training (Session 2)
- January, February, March, 2002, Milwaukee (proposed), ICC Introduction and Training, AIA-Wisconsin SE Chapter
- January, February, March NW, SW, SE, NE, Safety and Buildings Division and Building Inspector Associations Regulatory Training
- February 11, AGC Safety Day IBC Introduction
- February 18-21, Madison Alliant Energy Center, Wisconsin International Building Code Training Intensive, UW-Madison Department of Engineering Professional Development
- April 2002, Wisconsin Inspector Institute IBC Training, Wisconsin League of Municipalities 11. Safety and Buildings Division 2002 Credential Exam Schedule
Wausau - Park Inn International, 2101 N Mountain Rd, 715-842-0711: January 8, March 5; May 7; July 9; September 4; November 5.
Black River Falls - Best Western Arrowhead Lodge, I-94 & Hwy 54: February 7; April 11; June 6; August 8; October 10.
Madison - Thompson Bldg, 201 W. Washington Ave: January 15; February 12; March 12; April 16; April 18; May 14; May 16; June 11; July 16; August 13; September 10; October 15; October 17; November 12; December 10.
Pewaukee - Waukesha County Technical College, 800 Main Street: February 19; April 23; May 22; June 18; July 23; August 20; September 17; October 22; November 19; December 17.
For more information, contact the S&B Credentialing Unit, madisoncred@commerce.state.wi.us, 608-261-8500. 12. Inspectors' Continuing Education
"Cure for the Common Callback," an overview of fundamental building science, the Wisconsin ENERGY STAR program, and techniques to avoid common callback and home performance issues. 7 credit hours for UDC-Construction Inspectors and 2 credit hours for UDC-HVAC Inspectors. Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2001 at the Ramada Conference Center, Wausau; Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2001 at the Sheraton Hotel, Madison, Wednesday, Dec. 5 2001 at the Country Inn Hotel, Waukesha. The fee is $60 per ssession. Contact Tarah Evans, 608-238-8276 x120, tevans@ecw.org. Sponsored by Wisconsin Focus on Energy. 13. Fire Protection Agents: These municipalities are delegated agents of the department to perform plan review and inspection of fire detection and suppression systems as prescribed under Comm 50.12(2)(k): City of Appleton; City of Burlington; City of Madison; Village of McFarland. 14. Certified Municipalities 15. Answers to occupancy group questions (see #2)
1) Group F-1;
2) Group B;
3) Group A-2;
4) Group A-2;
5) Group B;
6) Group B;
7) Group R-1;
8) Group S-1;
9) Group E;
10) Group M