ARC Priorities for the Next 12 Months

Post date: Aug 31, 2020 7:55:56 PM

Alliance for Regulatory Coordination

ARC Priorities for the Next 12 Months

August 31, 2020

1) Encourage the DSPS to maintain a focus on customers with customer involvement in DSPS decisions regarding services of the Industry Services Division, with an emphasis on:

a) Reconvening the Commercial Building Code Council to advise on code changes.

b) Reconvening the Dwelling Code Council to advise on code changes.

c) Reconvening the Fire Prevention Code Committee to advise on code changes.

d) Reconvening the Plumbing Code Committee to advise on code changes.

2) Encourage improved deployment of resources among programs and services for safety and buildings, with an emphasis on obtaining additional DSPS staffing authority for activities of safety and building code development, plan review, and the coordination of plan review and inspection services with DSPS agent and certified municipalities.

3) Improve coordination and delivery of state and municipal regulatory efforts for safety and buildings, with an emphasis on:

a) Improving state level plan review services through improved communication with plan submitters, improved processes and policies, and more appropriate staffing levels;

b) Reducing redundant plan review between municipalities and the DSPS by encouraging legislation to eliminate the statute for participation fees from 2nd class cities and agent municipalities, or the reduction and simplification of such fees through a code change.

c) Encouraging legislation to establish a statewide uniform code for one and two-family homes which were initially constructed before the Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC) went into effect.

d) Reintroduction of wedding barn legislation; 2017 Assembly Bill 187 and Senate Bill 137.

e) Encouraging more uniform code administration concerning solar power installations by working with RENEW Wisconsin on model permit and inspection procedures.

4) Encourage remedial legislation on carbon monoxide detectors related to force-air furnaces serving more than one unit in residential commercial buildings, so state law would more fully reflect the 2015 International Building Code.

5) Encourage code update activity, coordinated among various code committees and councils to reflect input from all affected industry segments, specifically for:

a) Reviewing the 2021 edition of NFPA 1, and the 2021 editions of ICC codes to update the Wisconsin Fire Prevention Code (FPC) and the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code (CBC); which are currently based on the 2012 NFPA 1, and 2015 ICC codes, respectively.

b) Completing the update of the State Uniform Plumbing Code as begun under Scope Statement SS 075-16.

c) Establishing requirements for municipalities to renew their agent appointments and certifications every 5 years, as required by Statute Section 101.12 (3o), created by 2017 Wisconsin Act 198.

d) Establishing uniform procedures for the administration of the CBC, as required by Statute Section 101.02 (7r) (g) 1., created by 2017 Wisconsin Act 330.

e) Updating the Uniform Dwelling Code to reflect legislative changes listed in Scope Statement SS 028-19.

f) Establishing requirements in the UDC for repairs made to homes originally constructed under the UDC.

g) Establishing requirements in the UDC for mandatory inspection of significant additions and alterations to homes originally constructed under the UDC.

h) Adopting the International Residential Code as the base code for the UDC.

6) Encourage update legislation concerning smoke detectors that would do the following:

• • change the term “detector” to “alarm” to reflect terminology of national standards;

  • require alarm replacement after ten years, or as specified by the manufacturer; and

  • require tamper resistant 10-year batteries in smoke alarms powered solely by a battery.

7) Pursue implementation of statewide inspection of commercial building construction based on the permit and inspection provisions of the International Building Code.

8) Monitor legislation related to safety and buildings programs and credentials.