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Code Changes Set To
Take Effect "We, as a committee, started a review of the 2000 UPC and 2000 UMC two years ago. We recommended as little change as possible," said Dennis Daniels, educational director of the Clark County Building Department. "Some amendments you’ll love, and some you’ll love to hate." Jordan Krahenbuhl, Clark County Plans Check, was chairman of the Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) committee and Chuck Kirby of the Henderson Building Department was chair of the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) committee. Daniels and Krahenbuhl joined City of Las Vegas Building Official Tom Gugino in a panel discussion about the upcoming code changes at the December meeting of the Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors of Nevada. |
(l to r) Jordan Krahenbuhl and Dennis Daniels, Clark County Building Department, with Tom Gugino of the City of Las Vegas |
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Clark County will adopt the 2000 codes on April 7. (NOTE: It was learned following press time that Clark County will hold off implementation of the new codes until July, 2003). The City of Las Vegas adopted the UPC and UMC code January 3rd, with an important distinction made for ongoing projects. Unlike Clark County and the other jurisdictions in Southern Nevada, the City of Las Vegas will not adopt the 2000 ICC International Residential Code. It will continue to use 1997 version of the Uniform Building Code until the next code cycle. Gugino noted that contractors will not be required to resubmit plans to plans check if they had been approved prior to January 3. "New plans must adhere to the new code, existing plans can continue under the old code," Gugino said. Krahenbuhl explained the code adoption process. "On the 2000 amendments, we met as a committee and took your comments," he said. "The final vote went to the building department officials, which is the way it should be." The new license requirement was the subject of some discussion. It is the responsibility of the licensed contractor to provide a licensed journeyman on the job site. If the building inspector wants to ask for a plumber’s journeyman card, he can. Krahenbuhl described a situation where he went on a job site inspection and the work was substandard. When he went back, it was even worse. The next time he went, the job was perfect, and the plumber was standing there with his journeyman’s card. "That’s what we all want," he said. The new code will require a 10 foot head on the water test, and is a concern for plumbers. Krahenbuhl said that the county had been using a four foot test, but that will be gone when the new code takes effect. The 10 foot mark will be measured from the slab. The plumber’s concerns are about how the test will be conducted, with a possibility being that they will be asked to provide ladders for field inspectors. Some plumbers said they would hesitate to do so, as that would create a liability issue for them should the inspector fall from the ladder while performing the inspection. A suggested remedy was to have the inspector shake the pipe to verify that the required 10 foot head pressure exists. Gugino of the City of Las Vegas said that his inspectors will not climb ladders, and that the test will performed by shaking the pipe. Krahenbuhl said that he and Daniels and Gugino speak at industry events to educate contractors about the changes and avoid getting the type of call he said he received that morning. A contractor called him and asked him how to install a hood. Krahenbuhl suggested he read the 1997 UBC. "The contractor said, ‘What’s that?’," Krahenbuhl said. "I can’t help him if he doesn’t know what he’s doing. Dennis Daniels reported that the jurisdictions, working with the PMCN, will begin a new program of journeyman testing and licensing. The new license will be color coded, and is to be worn on the person like a badge. A master plumber license will be red, and journeymen licenses green. Apprentices may be issued licenses, although they will not be required to pass a test. Daniels said that all current master and journeymen plumbers will be issued new licenses upon receipt of their existing license. The new licenses will feature photo identification The new test will feature 450 questions and a practical application section.
Much Ado About Mold PMCN President Arthur White spoke of recent studies questioning mold’s link to illnesses. "Mold has not been scientifically or medically certified to cause health problems," White said. "It can affect people, and so will pollen or dust." He said that when it comes to mold, there is a great deal of fear involved and plumbing contractors must stop it in the beginning before it gets out of hand. He invited members to pay attention to the upcoming legislative session that starts February 6. "These 120 days are going to be very important to us," he said. "We’re number one on the agenda with construction defects." |
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Call (702) 615-7644 |
