By Henry Karnilowicz
For those of you who may not be aware. Plumbing inspectors are now asking for faucet specifications concerning lead content, this is in response to AB1953 – http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/05-06/bill/asm/ab_1951-2000/ab_1953_cfa_20060818_134053_sen_floor.html.
Site Permit Review Criteria:
- Architectural Plans
- Structural Design Criteria Document
- Use or Occupancy
- Exterior Wall Protection
- Means of Egress
There was a BIC (Building Inspection Commission) meeting on March 17 and the agenda included a presentation by the elevator in dustry and the Disabled Community, about AB090 regarding destination elevators, which the BIC supported. The purpose of these elevators is that passengers with disabilities will be able to preprogram the destination of which floor they wish to travel to. One of the high risers that already has such a system is 1 Front Street.
One of the other items on the agenda was the Permit Tracking System for which an RFP was to go out in about three to four weeks. Another was voluntary soft story retrofitting legislation which had passed. There will be no plan check fees for voluntary retrofitting however inspection fees will be charged. The next piece of legislation that is being worked on is mandatory soft story retrofitting. On the item of vacant buildings registration there are currently 107 buildings registered.
The PAC (Public Advisory Committee) meeting was on March 18, 2010.
Director Day said that currently there is only a draft of the organizati onal chart. Next month she will provide a flow chart.
On disabled access CASp (Certified Access Specialists) will be reviewing accessibility applications. Currently though there is only one staff person who is so certified. It is recommended though that private CASp individuals inspect properties and provide a report on accessibility compliance.
Director Day said that the CSLB (Contractors State License Board) has been in contact with her and has asked that all the inspectors check and report on shoddy work and work being done by unlicensed contractors.
There was discussion about soft story retrofitting. The buildings that will be required to be retrofitted are three story or more and five units or more. There will be financial incentives and loan packages. Standards are still being developed.
DBI has an RFP out for electronic management which will include accepting and plan checking electronic files also all clerks will have acces s to credit card scanners so they all will be able to accept payments. On collection of fees, Director Day said that she is in communication with the tax collector so that business licenses can be paid at DBI.
There was an item raised about the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) having teams enforcing the requirement that persons disturbing lead paint in prior to 1978 buildings will have to be certified. For those who are not certified there will be some hefty penalties. This law came into effect this month. For more information go to http://epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm
On a sad note. For those of you who knew Simon Brown, he passed away last week.