BACKGROUND:  Currently, Flagstaff is enforcing the 2006 International Building Codes, International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), International Plumbing Code (IPC), International Mechanical Code (IMC), International Existing Building Code (IEBC), International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and the 2011 National Electrical Code (NEC).
 
Beginning in February of 2012, public forums were held at 101 W. Cherry about every Wednesday from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM. Invitations went to Northern Arizona Builders Association, Northern Arizona Green Buildings Council, registered Architects and Engineers, Friends of Flagstaff (Fcubed), and others who expressed interest and provided email addresses. (The forums were not held during periods of the summer and fall due to an increase in building plan submittals and work load).
 
The Building codes are published every three years. In July of 2011, the Council approved going to a six year code adoption cycle, bypassing the 2009 Codes and waiting to adopt the 2012 International Codes. 
 
In September of 2012, the ISO (Insurance Service Organization) conducted a review of the Building Code Effectiveness in the plan review process and building inspection process. Due to not having adopted the most current codes (the 2009 Codes), the City’s classification tentatively went from a Class 2 to a Class 9 for 1&2 family residential and commercial and industrial property. The City has until October 2, 2013 to have completed the plan for adopting the 2012 International Building Codes to restore the rating.   If we were to not adopt the 2012 Codes, residential home insurance for example would be raised approximately 45% for homeowners. For an 1800 sq. ft. home valued at $300,000, the insurance cost would go from $660 per annum to $960 per annum. Flood insurance will also be affected by this adoption. 
 
CODE CHANGES: 

Due to bypassing the 2009 International codes, there are many changes that will affect the building industry. In the International Building and Residential Codes, changes were made that enhance the life safety of structures through better design.  Some of the major changes are the design requirements for wind to follow American Society of Civil Engineers 7, new requirements for braced wall lines in both the IBC & IRC, means of egress capacity determinations for sprinklered buildings, whole house ventilation system requirements, live/work unit requirements, mixed occupancy area calculation changes, and window opening requirements when a window sill is greater than 72” above grade.  The 2012 International Energy Code will increase the energy efficiency of residential and commercial buildings 30% from the current 2006 Energy Code, (energy efficiency is generally increased about 15% each code cycle). Some of the major changes are for prescriptive installations: increase the attic R-value from R-38 to 49 (which would require raised heel trusses), exterior wall insulation increased to R-20 or 13+5, (R-13 wall cavity insulation plus an R-5 sheathing insulation), air barrier & insulation installation requirements and required building envelope air leakage testing (blower door test), heating ducts are to be tested, whole house mechanical ventilation system, 75% of the permanently installed lighting fixtures shall contain high efficacy lamps.
 
SELF-CERTIFICATION: 

Separately, a test self-certification program for Arizona Registered Architects and Engineers will have an implementation date of Oct. 1, 2013.  The program will be for Tenant Improvement projects to start with. It is hoped that this test program will show the interest & ability of the building industry to move in this direction. A training program and business process will need to be designed for each building code and the City Building Code Amendments which will need to be taught to the Arizona Registrants. An audit system will also need to be designed, and a hold-harmless letter will need to be written and approved by the City Attorney and Risk Management.  Basically, this is an “at-risk” program. A summary of the recent program used in Phoenix is attached.