Legislature(1999 - 2000)
03/09/1999 03:31 PM Senate STA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SB 8-MINIMUM REQUIRED PLUMBING FACILITIES
SENATOR DAVE DONLEY, sponsor of SB 8, explained the bill will adopt
a formula for plumbing in women's facilities in Alaska, similar to
the national standard. SB 8 will apply to buildings in which
groups of people are assembled, such as concert halls, constructed
after January 1, 2000. Alaska adopted the Uniform Building Code,
with the exception of Table 4.1 which listed and increased the
required number of water closets and lavatories in buildings.
Alaska did not adopt Table 4.1 because its structure is confusing;
instead it opted to continue using Table A-29-A, its predecessor.
SB 8 modifies the A-29-A table to increase the number of required
water closets equivalent to Table 4.1. He proposed changes to SB
8 to lower the number of water closets required for the 1-50 person
occupancy level to four, for the 51-100 person occupancy level to
eight, to incorporate a reference to lavatories, and to insert the
language that currently appears in the A-29-A table.
Number 343
CHAIRMAN WARD asked why Senator Donley is requesting the proposed
changes. SENATOR DONLEY replied DOL inspectors prefer the system
used in the A-29-A table. The reference to lavatories would
require the number of lavatories to be increased when the number of
water closets is increased.
SENATOR DONLEY reviewed a proposed committee substitute distributed
to committee members.
CHAIRMAN WARD asked if Senator Donley's recommendations differ from
the Uniform Building Code. SENATOR DONLEY said his numbers create
a different result.
CHAIRMAN WARD asked why Senator Donley chose his system. SENATOR
DONLEY repeated the new Uniform Building Code increases the number
of facilities. Those appying the new standard felt it was
difficult to administer and prefer to use the former table. SB 8
provides the simplicity of the former table while increasing the
number to at least those required by the new table.
CHAIRMAN WARD asked whether the new requirements will apply to the
Jehovah's Witness Assembly Hall building. SENATOR DONLEY said he
believes the Uniform Building Code applies to all buildings, so it
would apply to churches also. He added SB 8 only applies to new
construction.
CHAIRMAN WARD asked if SB 8 will apply to remodel projects. DWIGHT
PERKINS, Department of Labor (DOL), believed remodel projects that
begin after January 1, 2000 will have to comply with SB 8.
SENATOR DONLEY discussed changes he made in a sponsor substitute,
which he did not introduce. On page 2, the phrase "and lavatories"
was inserted after "water closets." On line 7, the number "8" was
replaced with "4." On line 8, the number "10" was replaced with
the number "8." On line 12, after the phrase "400 females," the
following phrase was inserted, "and that there shall be one
lavatory for each water closet up to four; and one for each two
additional water closets." He explained that language will apply
to assembly places as well as Group A in Table A-29-A. He
recommended the committee adopt those changes in a committee
substitute.
Number 419
SENATOR WILKEN referred to the table provided by Senator Donley,
and asked if it will now read "4,8,12,14,16,18,20,22." SENATOR
DONLEY said it will.
SENATOR WILKEN asked if AS 18.60.705 applies to architects.
SENATOR DONLEY said it does.
SENATOR WILKEN asked, because SB 8 will impose costs, where the
numbers came from. SENATOR DONLEY said he made a policy call on
the numbers. He suggested the committee modify the numbers to be
closer to Table 4.1. He stated the numbers he used are slightly
higher than those in Table 4.1.
Number 440
SENATOR WILKEN noted requiring the Jehovah's Witness Hall to add
six water closets as part of a remodel could stop the project,
because of the cost. He suggested adding language to the bill to
exempt remodel projects that are unable to go forward because of
the additional costs imposed by SB 8. SENATOR DONLEY indicated all
remodel projects could be exempted. He added Table A-29-A has a
separate requirement for places of worship, so it would not apply
to the Jehovah's Witness Hall.
CHAIRMAN WARD asked if the Viking Hall would be exempt. SENATOR
DONLEY said no, because it is considered an assembly place.
SENATOR WILKEN asked that the committee revisit the remodel issue
and make adjustments to the number of toilets required in Table A-
29-A.
SENATOR GREEN asked if contractors are prevented, in any way, from
installing extra water closets at this time. SENATOR DONLEY did
not think so. SENATOR GREEN asked when the Uniform Building Code
will be readdressed. SENATOR DONLEY replied the Uniform Building
Code is updated and adopted every three years.
SENATOR GREEN asked if architects, when designing new buildings,
are more likely to include a higher number of water closets, rather
than the minimum required now, knowing that remodeling later on to
meet updated codes will be more expensive. SENATOR DONLEY thought
it would depend on the fiscal constraints of the project.
SENATOR GREEN asked if the entire Uniform Building Code is adopted
into state statute. SENATOR DONLEY said some of it is adopted by
incorporation in state statute. AS 18.60.690 contains the present
Uniform Building Code with the exclusion of Table 4.1.
CHAIRMAN WARD asked why Table 4.1 was not incorporated into
statute. SENATOR DONLEY repeated Table 4.1 was confusing in the
way it was structured and more difficult to administer than the
existing Table A-29-A.
Number 488
SENATOR GREEN asked if Senator Donley spoke with whoever made the
decision to exclude Table 4.1 SENATOR DONLEY said he did not, but
he spoke with DOL staff.
DWIGHT PERKINS clarified DOL felt the user groups of the Uniform
Building Code would have a difficult time interpreting Table 4.1,
therefore DOL requested that previous legislation be amended to
allow the continued use of Table A-29-A.
SENATOR GREEN questioned if Table 4.1 contains other requirements
not included in Table A-29-A. MR. PERKINS replied Table A-29-A
refers to water closets and lavatories only; Table 4.1 also refers
to fixtures and urinals.
There being no further discussion, CHAIRMAN WARD asked Senator
Donley to work with staff and Senators Wilken and Green to prepare
a committee substitute.
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