Code changes affecting residential, electrical, roofing and HVAC contractors from the Building Codes Division

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1 Code changes affecting residential, electrical, roofing and HVAC contractors the Building Codes Division New Code Requirements Affecting All Residential Effective April 1, 2003 the new Oregon Dwelling Specialty Code went into effect. The new code is based on the 2000 International Residential Code (IRC) and has Oregon amendments added to reflect changes specific to Oregon. The IRC is based primarily on the 1998 Edition of the International One- and Two- Family Dwelling Code, and has incorporated several significant changes to align it with other model codes. It has been enhanced and expanded to reflect industry advancements and practices, both nationally and locally, and reflects modern industry standards and practices. The following is a brief example of some of the significant differences: Structural chapters. The seismic design and lateral bracing criteria are updated to reflect changes that are taking place nationally to embrace modern technology and information. Seismic zone terminology has changed to reflect a national move to use seismic design categories. Oregon now has three seismic design categories: the coastal areas are Design Category D 2, the valley areas are Design Category D 1 and the eastern part of the state is Design Category C. In addition to these seismic zone changes, the lateral bracing requirements were modified to reflect several interpretive rulings that have been issued over the past several years. All-in-all you ll find a great deal of the new code familiar. Some new portions are long over due; and some will nonetheless make you scratch your head and wonder. Mechanical chapters have been modified slightly to align with the latest edition of the 2002 Mechanical Specialty Code. Although many of the changes do not significantly change the way mechanical systems are installed in Oregon, they incorporate the most upto-date technological changes in the industry. A couple of the changes relating to duct sealing and the panning of joist bays or wall cavities are energy-related and have an impact on duct installations.

2 Plumbing chapters are not changed our last code, except for the renumbering of the chapters to align with the numbering in the new Dwelling Code. There are a couple minor editorial changes in regards to section references relating to notching and boring and references to the new seismic design categories. Electrical chapters were updated to incorporate changes found in the recently adopted 2002 Electrical Specialty Code. These changes include a requirement for installation of an arc-fault circuit-interrupter and the sealing of recessed light fixtures. (This requirement is found in the energy chapter.) The information shared in this is minimal, is provided as a short briefing, and is not intended to give you a complete synopsis of all the code changes. You re encouraged to contact your local building department for additional regulations that may have a direct impact on your daily business. You re also encouraged to purchase the latest edition of the Dwelling Specialty Code to keep abreast of the latest codes relating to your trade. Having a current code book on the dash of your truck is like having a sharp blade in your worm drive; just another important tool of the trade. For more information or questions contact Micheal D. Ewert at or questions to mike.d.ewert@state.or.us. New Code Requirements Affecting Electrical A new energy requirement affecting recessed light fixtures went into effect April 1, The following is an excerpt the 2003 Oregon Dwelling Specialty Code, Chapter 11. In addition to the requirements found in items 1 and 2, the gap between the light fixture and the gypsum cutout must be sealed with caulking, or the fixture trim must be gasketed. For more information or questions contact Micheal D. Ewert at or questions to mike.d.ewert@state.or.us. N Airtight recessed lighting fixtures. All recessed lighting fixtures installed in ceilings that separate conditioned unconditioned space shall meet one of the following requirements. In addition the fixture s trim shall be gasketed or caulked to prevent air leakage. 1. Rated in accordance with ASTME 283 with no more than 2.0 cubic feet per minute (cfm) air movement the conditioned space to the ceiling

3 cavity. The lighting fixture shall be tested at 1.57 psi pressure difference and shall be labeled. 2. Installed inside a sealed box constructed a minimum 0.5-inch-thick gypsum wallboard or constructed a preformed polymeric vapor barrier, or other air-tight assembly manufactured for this purpose, while maintaining required clearances of not less than 0.5 inch combustible material and not less than 3 inches insulation material. New Code Requirements Affecting Roofing Effective April 1, 2003, the ability to re-roof over two layers of existing roofing is no longer allowed. Item 3 in Section R907.3 requires old roofing to be removed when there are two or more layers of roof covering. The previous code allowed up to three layers of roofing before removal was required. For more information or questions contact Micheal D. Ewert at or questions to mike.d.ewert@state.or.us. R907.3 Recovering versus replacement. New roof coverings shall not be installed without first removing existing roof coverings where any of the following conditions occur: 1. Where the existing roof or roof covering is water-soaked or has deteriorated to the point that the existing roof or roof covering is not adequate as a base for additional roofing. 2. Where the existing roof covering is wood shake, slate, clay, cement or asbestos-cement tile. 3. Where the existing roof has two or more applications of any type of roof covering. 4. For asphalt shingles, when the building is located in an area subject to severe hail damage according to Figure R Exceptions: 1. Complete and separate roofing systems, such as standing-seam metal roof systems, that are designed to transmit the roof loads directly to the building's structural system and that do not rely on existing roofs and roof coverings for support shall not require the removal of existing roof coverings. 2. Metal panel, metal shingle, and concrete and clay tile roof coverings shall be permitted to be installed over existing wood shake roofs when applied in accordance with Section R907.4.

4 New Code Requirements Affecting HVAC (The following questions and answers address new code changes affecting the HVAC industry.) Q. Can joist bays or wall cavities be used as supply or return ducts or plenums in residential construction? A. No, the new 2003 Dwelling Code, effective April 1, 2003, will limit the panning of joist bays or wall cavities for return air ducts to existing homes being remodeled, repaired or altered. This practice will no longer be allowed in new home construction. The use of joist space or cavities as return air ducts in existing homes will be confined to the original foot print of the home, whether or not the cavity space was used previously. When adding a new addition, whether adding on a second floor or adding on additional foundation area, the duct system in the new area will be required to meet the new provisions of Section M Q. Where new heating and/or cooling ducts are installed in existing dwellings, are duct joint sealants required on all duct joints and seams? A. Yes, approved tapes or sealants are required at the joints of new ducts and at the transitions the existing ducts to the new ducts. Q. When Oregon implements a new code, which addition of the code applies to the room addition we just started building? A. The edition of the code in affect at the time the building, mechanical, plumbing or electrical permit is issued will remain in affect throughout the project, unless modifications are made to the original approval. Q. Effective April 1, 2003, which portions or components of a duct system will require the use of tapes, mastics, gasketing, or other approved closure systems when installed to comply with the requirements of the new Dwelling Code? A. Section M states in part; 1. Sealants. All joints of duct systems shall be sealed by means of tapes, mastics, aerosol sealants, gasketing or other approved closure systems. Closure systems used..etc. Exception: Adjustable metal elbow bores." (1.) The following are considered joints and will require the application of an approved sealant. That portion of a duct that connects to another duct, plenum, or to heating and/or cooling equipment, including S-lock joints and drives.

5 (2.) The following are not considered joints and will not require the application of an approved sealant: longitudinal joints, integral seams within a boot fitting or similar fitting, adjustable metal elbow gores and integral seams within a "Y" fitting. Q. What types of sealants comply with the requirements in Section M to seal all joints of duct systems? A. General; The use of cloth-backed rubber adhesive duct tape will no longer be allowed to seal duct joints in supply and return ducts used for the heating and/or cooling of conditioned spaces in a one- or two-family dwelling. Specific; (The following requirements apply to ducts used for the heating and/or cooling of conditioned spaces) Fiberglass Ducts: The closure systems used with rigid fibrous glass ducts shall comply with UL 181 A and shall be marked "181 A-P" for pressure-sensitive tape, "181 A-M" for mastic or "181 A-H" for heat -sensitive tape. Flexible Air Ducts: The closure systems used with flexible air ducts and flexible air connectors shall comply with UL 181B and shall be marked "181 B-FX" for pressure sensitive tape or "181 B-M" for mastic. Metal to Metal Duct Joints: The closure systems used with metal to metal duct joints shall comply with one of the following: Mastics shall be listed to 181B-M. Tapes shall be listed and labeled to indicate compliance with UL 181B-FX and contain butyl rubber adhesive/sealant. For more information or questions contact Micheal D. Ewert at or questions to mike.d.ewert@state.or.us.