Title of Regulation: 13VAC5-63. Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (amending 13VAC5-63-540).

Statutory Authority: § 36-98 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Hearing Information:

December 16, 2019 - 10 a.m. - Virginia Housing Development Authority, Virginia Housing Center, 4224 Cox Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060

Public Comment Deadline: December 28, 2019.

Agency Contact: Kyle Flanders, Senior Policy Analyst, Department of Housing and Community Development, Main Street Centre, 600 East Main Street, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 786-6761, FAX (804) 371-7090, TTY (804) 371-7089, or email kyle.flanders@dhcd.virginia.gov.

Background: Currently, the Virginia Maintenance Code (VMC), a part of the Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), requires that when cooling is provided to tenants of certain multifamily buildings, it must be provided to a temperature of at least 80° Fahrenheit. The current threshold has been identified as a public health concern in multiple localities that adopt the VMC.

Summary:

The proposed amendment lowers the required cooling temperature as provided in the USBC to 77° Fahrenheit, making permanent an emergency regulation currently in effect.

13VAC5-63-540. Chapter 6 Mechanical and electrical requirements.

A. Delete the following sections from Chapter 6 of the IPMC:

1. Section 601.2 Responsibility.

2. Section 603.6 Energy conservation devices.

3. Section 604.2 Service.

4. Section 604.3.2 Abatement of electrical hazards associated with fire exposure.

B. Change the following sections in Chapter 6 of the IPMC to read:

1. Section 601.1 General. The provisions of this chapter shall govern the maintenance of mechanical and electrical facilities and equipment.

2. Section 602 Heating and cooling facilities.

3. Section 602.2 Heat supply. Every owner and operator of a Group R-2 apartment building or other residential building who rents, leases, or lets one or more dwelling unit, rooming unit, dormitory, or guestroom on terms, either expressed or implied, to furnish heat to the occupants thereof shall supply heat during the period from October 15 to May 1 to maintain a temperature of not less than 68°F (20°C) in all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms. The code official may also consider modifications as provided in Section 104.5.2 when requested for unusual circumstances or may issue notice approving building owners to convert shared heating and cooling piping HVAC systems 14 calendar days before or after the established dates when extended periods of unusual temperatures merit modifying these dates.

Exception: When the outdoor temperature is below the winter outdoor design temperature for the locality, maintenance of the minimum room temperature shall not be required provided that the heating system is operating at its full design capacity. The winter outdoor design temperature for the locality shall be as indicated in Appendix D of the IPC.

4. Section 602.3 Occupiable work spaces. Indoor occupiable work spaces shall be supplied with heat during the period from October 1 to May 15 to maintain a minimum temperature of 65°F (18°C) during the period the spaces are occupied.

Exceptions:

1. Processing, storage, and operation areas that require cooling or special temperature conditions.

2. Areas in which persons are primarily engaged in vigorous physical activities.

5. Section 602.4 Cooling supply. Every owner and operator of a Group R-2 apartment building who rents, leases, or lets one or more dwelling units, rooming units, or guestrooms on terms, either expressed or implied, to furnish cooling to the occupants thereof shall supply cooling during the period from May 15 to October 1 to maintain a temperature of not more than 80°F (27°C) 77°F (25°C) in all habitable rooms. The code official may also consider modifications as provided in Section 104.5.2 when requested for unusual circumstances or may issue notice approving building owners to convert shared heating and cooling piping HVAC systems 14 calendar days before or after the established dates when extended periods of unusual temperatures merit modifying these dates.

Exception: When the outdoor temperature is higher than the summer design temperature for the locality, maintenance of the room temperature shall not be required provided that the cooling system is operating at its full design capacity. The summer outdoor design temperature for the locality shall be as indicated in the IECC.

6. Section 603.1 Mechanical equipment and appliances. Required or provided mechanical equipment, appliances, fireplaces, solid fuel-burning appliances, cooking appliances, chimneys, vents, and water heating appliances shall be maintained in compliance with the code under which the appliances, system, or equipment was installed, kept in safe working condition, and capable of performing the intended function.

7. Section 603.2 Removal of combustion products. Where required by the code under which installed, fuel-burning equipment and appliances shall be connected to an approved chimney or vent.

8. Section 603.5 Combustion air. Where required by the code under which installed, a supply of air for complete combustion of the fuel shall be provided for the fuel-burning equipment.

9. Section 604.1 Electrical system. Required or provided electrical systems and facilities shall be maintained in accordance with the applicable building code.

10. Section 604.3 Electrical system hazards. Where it is found that the electrical system in a structure constitutes a hazard to the occupants or the structure by reason of deterioration or damage or for similar reasons, the code official shall require the defects to be corrected to eliminate the hazard.

11. Section 604.3.1.1 Electrical equipment. Electrical distribution equipment, motor circuits, power equipment, transformers, wire, cable, flexible cords, wiring devices, ground fault circuit interrupters, surge protectors, molded case circuit breakers, low-voltage fuses, luminaires, ballasts, motors, and electronic control, signaling, and communication equipment that have been exposed to water shall be replaced in accordance with the provisions of the VCC.

Exception: The following equipment shall be allowed to be repaired or reused where an inspection report from the equipment manufacturer, an approved representative of the equipment manufacturer, a third party licensed or certified electrician, or an electrical engineer indicates that the exposed equipment has not sustained damage that requires replacement:

1. Enclosed switches, rated 600 volts or less;

2. Busway, rated 600 volts or less;

3. Panelboards, rated 600 volts or less;

4. Switchboards, rated 600 volts or less;

5. Fire pump controllers, rated 600 volts or less;

6. Manual and magnetic motor controllers;

7. Motor control centers;

8. Alternating current high-voltage circuit breakers;

9. Low-voltage power circuit breakers;

10. Protective relays, meters, and current transformers;

11. Low-voltage and medium-voltage switchgear;

12. Liquid-filled transformers;

13. Cast-resin transformers;

14. Wire or cable that is suitable for wet locations and whose ends have not been exposed to water;

15. Wire or cable, not containing fillers, that is suitable for wet locations and whose ends have not been exposed to water;

16. Luminaires that are listed as submersible;

17. Motors; or

18. Electronic control, signaling, and communication equipment.

12. 604.3.2.1 Electrical equipment. Electrical switches, receptacles and fixtures, including furnace, water heating, security system and power distribution circuits, that have been exposed to fire shall be replaced in accordance with the provisions of the Virginia Construction Code.

Exception: Electrical switches, receptacles and fixtures that shall be allowed to be repaired or reused where an inspection report from the equipment manufacturer or an approved representative of the equipment manufacturer, a third party licensed or certified electrician, or an electrical engineer indicates that the equipment has not sustained damage that requires replacement.

13. Section 605.1 Electrical components. Electrical equipment, wiring, and appliances shall be maintained in accordance with the applicable building code.

14. Section 605.2 Power distribution and receptacles. Required or provided power circuits and receptacles shall be maintained in accordance with the applicable building code, and ground fault and arc-fault circuit interrupter protection shall be provided where required by the applicable building code. All receptacle outlets shall have the appropriate faceplate cover for the location when required by the applicable building code.

15. Section 605.3 Lighting distribution and luminaires. Required or provided lighting circuits and luminaires shall be maintained in accordance with the applicable building code.

16. Section 605.4 Flexible cords. Flexible cords shall not be run through doors, windows, or cabinets or concealed within walls, floors, or ceilings.

17. Section 606.1 General. Elevators, dumbwaiters, and escalators shall be maintained in compliance with ASME A17.1. The most current certificate of inspection shall be on display at all times within the elevator or attached to the escalator or dumbwaiter, be available for public inspection in the office of the building operator, or be posted in a publicly conspicuous location approved by the code official. Where not displayed in the elevator or attached on the escalator or dumbwaiter, there shall be a notice of where the certificate of inspection is available for inspection. An annual periodic inspection and test is required of elevators and escalators. A locality shall be permitted to require a six-month periodic inspection and test. All periodic inspections shall be performed in accordance with Section 8.11 of ASME A17.1. The code official may also provide for such inspection by an approved agency or through agreement with other local certified elevator inspectors. An approved agency includes any individual, partnership, or corporation who has met the certification requirements established by the VCS.

C. Add the following sections to Chapter 6 of the IPMC:

1. Section 602.2.1 Prohibited use. In dwelling units subject to Section 602.2, one or more unvented room heaters shall not be used as the sole source of comfort heat in a dwelling unit.

2. Section 607.2 Clothes dryer exhaust duct. Required or provided clothes dryer exhaust systems shall be maintained in accordance with the applicable building code.