Legislature(2017 - 2018)BARNES 124
01/27/2017 03:15 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Presentation on Residential Building Codes By: Max Mielke, Alaska Plumbers & Pipefitters | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
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ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
January 27, 2017
3:17 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Sam Kito, Chair
Representative Adam Wool, Vice Chair
Representative Andy Josephson
Representative Louise Stutes
Representative Chris Birch
Representative Colleen Sullivan-Leonard
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Gary Knopp
Representative Bryce Edgmon (alternate)
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION ON RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CODES BY: MAX MIELKE,
ALASKA PLUMBERS & PIPEFITTERS
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
MAX MIELKE
Alaska Plumbers & Pipefitters, Local 262
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave a presentation on residential building
codes.
BRAD AUSTIN, Training Coordinator
Alaska Plumbers & Pipefitters, Local 262
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Offered information during a presentation
on residential building codes and licensing.
WENDELL WHISTLER, Alaska Joint Electrical Apprenticeship
Training & Trust
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on residential building codes.
JOHN PLUTT, Training Director
Plumbers & Pipefitters Apprenticeship and Journeyman Training
Center
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on residential building codes.
WALTER ROBINSON, Business Representative
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local
1547
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on behalf of the IBEW 1547 about
residential building codes.
DOUG TANSY, Business Representative
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local
1547
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified about residential building codes.
WAYLON KNUDSEN
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified about residential building codes.
PATRICK DALTON
Delta Junction, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified about residential building codes.
BRANDON MCGUIRE, Organizer
Alaska Plumbers & Pipefitters, Local 367
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified about residential building codes.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:17:32 PM
CHAIR SAM KITO called the House Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:17 p.m. Representatives Wool,
Josephson, Stutes, Birch, Sullivan-Leonard, and Kito were
present at the call to order.
^PRESENTATION ON RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CODES BY: MAX MIELKE,
ALASKA PLUMBERS & PIPEFITTERS
PRESENTATION ON RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CODES BY: MAX MIELKE,
ALASKA PLUMBERS & PIPEFITTERS
3:17:56 PM
CHAIR KITO announced the only order of business before the
committee would be a presentation on residential building codes.
3:18:47 PM
MAX MIELKE, Alaska Plumbers & Pipefitters, Local 262, gave a
presentation on residential building codes. He stated that
Alaska Plumbers & Pipefitters, Local 262, does not oppose, in
general, the adoption of the International Residential Code
(IRC) and would support and help that decision. He stated his
desire to include the Universal Plumbing Code (UPC) with any
adoption of the IRC. He stated the UPC has been used in Alaska
for over 40 years. Mr. Mielke stated that the codes work well
for the construction industry and licensing provisions, but
there are some gaps. Currently there are over 6,000 licensed
plumbers and electricians in Alaska and 1,500 mechanical
electrical and mechanical administrators that use "the codes."
Codes are important for licensed plumbers to ensure plumbing
systems are installed correctly.
3:22:48 PM
MR. MIELKE stated that the UPC and the National Electric Code
(NEC) use the most up to date technology and safety provisions
anywhere in the world and meet American National Standard
Institute (ANSI) standards. He asserted that licensing is
important for public safety and health. If the IRC were adopted
without licensing provisions for the UPC or NEC, it would be
confusing. Alaska certificates of fitness are required for
electrical and plumbing work in the state.
3:24:33 PM
BRAD AUSTIN, Training Coordinator, Alaska Plumbers &
Pipefitters, Local 262, stated that the qualifications for
plumbing and electrical licenses include completion of 8,000
training hours, upon which the person is issued a card by the
state. After the 8,000 hours, one can take the state plumbing
or electrical test to attain a certificate of fitness, which is
required before working for hire. He explained that a person
can plumb and wire his/her own house without the certifications.
Mechanical Administrators must have an administrator's license
in order to perform work.
3:25:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH asked how publically funded projects
outside an organized municipality are currently monitored.
MR. AUSTIN stated that the Fire Marshall is involved in plan
review. Specifications in the plan require licensing, and
mechanical contractors must prove their licensing, which the
state or city will have owner representatives monitor.
Engineering inspections are completed by architects and
engineers.
3:27:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL asked Mr. Mielke if he opposes the
implementation of the IBC codes and carving out a portion for
the UPC.
MR. MIELKE clarified that the plumbing and electrical portions
of the IRC do not include licensing provisions. He stated he
would like the UPC to fit into that.
3:28:34 PM
CHAIR KITO asked if all municipalities that adopt their own
building codes use the UPC.
MR. AUSTIN answered yes. He added that Anchorage adopted codes
through Title 23, and any reference to the International
Plumbing Code or other codes reference the UPC. The adoption of
the IRC by the Department of Public Safety references the
statute that adopts the UPC. He stated that is a pretty
standard process.
CHAIR KITO asked if that is the case for residential codes that
are adopted by municipalities.
MR. AUSTIN answered yes, and added that the UPC covers
residential and commercial.
CHAIR KITO asked if licensed plumbers in Alaska are able to
construct a facility in accordance with the IRC.
MR. AUSTIN answered that of the 6,000, about 1,200 are plumbers;
the rest are electricians. He stated that he is not sure how
using an international plumbing code mixed in with the UPC
licensing would work. He noted there are many differences
between the two codes regarding drainage and venting.
3:31:11 PM
MR. MIELKE added that the IRC is a less stringent code than the
UPC. He stated the IRC would not meet the same standards as the
UPC.
CHAIR KITO asked if the plumbing portion of the IRC is not as
safe as the uniform code standard.
MR. MIELKE answered that he would have safety concerns with the
plumbing portion of the IRC.
3:32:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON asked if adopting the IRC would reduce
quality in other specialties. He stated that the aim of the
potential legislation is to improve quality, and he asked if
adopting the IRC would reduce quality in all specialties.
3:33:29 PM
MR. AUSTIN answered that there are differences in the plumbing
sections of the codes and he is unsure of other specialties, but
he doesn't think there is an issue with building codes. He
stated a code is not instructions for a lay person to follow;
it's very trade specific. He stated his concern regarding the
differences between the UPC and the IRC for plumbing, and
suggested his preference to implement code the same way the
state adopted the international building code. In the IRC there
are mechanical systems which the state has already adopted. He
added that in addition to the UPC, other adopted codes include
the Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa, and Hot Tub Code and the Uniform
Solar Energy Code. He stated that there is likely also a fuel
and oil code. He compared the IRC to a spider web, in that it
tries to cover everything on the building side. He suggested
that codes be referred to the departments of each specialty.
3:35:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL asked whether the plumbing trade is
consistent across the state.
MR. AUSTIN answered that plumbing, using the UPC is efficient,
fast, and technologically current. He informed that codes are
updated every three years.
3:37:31 PM
CHAIR KITO opened public testimony.
3:38:18 PM
WENDELL WHISTLER, Alaska Joint Electrical Apprenticeship
Training & Trust, testified about residential building codes.
He stated that the international codes are a weakening of the
electrical codes. In Fairbanks, there are a lot of unique
geographical issues, so local amendments within the city limits
strengthen the national electric code. He stated his opposition
to adopting the electrical portion of the IRC. He acknowledged
that if the infrastructure of a building is weak, then there is
no ability to expand or modify without major reconstruction. He
implored the committee to maintain NEC as the standard.
3:41:10 PM
JOHN PLUTT, Training Director, Plumbers & Pipefitters
Apprenticeship and Journeyman Training Center, testified about
residential building codes. He stated that members of Plumbers
& Pipefitters have been trained on the UPC since its adoption in
the State of Alaska. In the Interior of Alaska, there are 300
state plumbing license holders and another 90 apprentices
working to attain that license. He stated his belief that the
UPC is a superior code to any other code, particularly the "I-
codes." The training for plumbing licensure must be approved by
the State of Alaska, costs $100 per year, and requires 16 hours
of training every two years. The training allows plumbers to
get familiar with new technologies and updates in code. He
informed that the "I-codes" are less stringent. In the colder
weather of the Interior, the City of Fairbanks uses the uniform
plumbing codes and adds further requirements. He stated that he
is not in favor of any code to take the place of the UPC.
Changing the code would require a large cost and new training.
3:44:06 PM
WALTER ROBINSON, Business Representative, International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local 1547, testified
on behalf of IBEW 1547 about the use of the IRC. He stated that
he is not opposed to the use of the IRC so long as the NEC
remains the standard for electrical work in residential homes.
The NEC is the standard in Alaska, is what Alaska's electrical
workforce has trained and tested on, and is a standard
throughout the nation. He observed that last year Alaska had 17
fatalities from electrical fires in homes. He expressed it
would not be wise or ethical to lower the electrical work
standards for the state.
3:45:42 PM
DOUG TANSY, Business Representative, International Brotherhood
of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local 1547, testified in favor of
keeping the NEC as the standard for electrical work in Alaska.
He added that more oversight and inspection from the state would
avoid home fires and fatalities. He urged striving towards the
highest standards for the safety of Alaskans.
3:47:19 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL asked Mr. Tansy if he would support the IRC
if the NEC is used for electrical standards.
MR. TANSY answered that is correct. He stated the IRC is fine
as long as nothing is done to weaken electrical standards or
plumbing standards. The NEC was created as a safety provision
for the safe installation of electrical work - the residential
code is a weakening of the standard. He added that additional
codes are okay for the electrical professionals, as long as the
code is not changed from the NEC to the IRC.
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL offered his understanding that the
testifiers, both plumbers and electricians, agree that the IRC
is less stringent than the current codes in use. He summarized
the witnesses' statements that the international code is
generally supported, but not for their specific trade. He asked
for confirmation that the NEC and UPC codes are more stringent,
that that is how the professionals are trained and how they want
to continue to work.
MR. TANSY stated that is correct for plumbing and electrical
trades, but he is not sure how the IRC would affect other
building trades. He reiterated that the NEC is the higher level
standard.
3:50:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH stated his understanding that the potential
legislation aims to introduce some structure and guidelines in
areas without guidelines, particularly in rural areas. He asked
what the cost differential is, and asked for Mr. Tansy's
perspective on introducing the IRC in places without any
standard code.
MR. TANSY replied that the state does have structure for all
electrical and plumbing work through licensing requirements. He
stated his understanding that other parts of the homebuilding
industry may not have structure, but there already is structure
with testing and licensing requirements of the UPC and IRC.
3:52:11 PM
WAYLON KNUDSEN testified about residential building codes. He
stated that as an electrician, he is required to have 16 hours
of continuing education to retain both his NEC based license and
fire alarm safety license. Both licenses are based off the
national codes, not the international codes. The codes have
major differences in safety. He stated that the current codes
ensure safe installation and are specific to electrical work
nationally and locally. He informed that state building codes
apply statewide, though some local municipalities and boroughs
adopt specific codes and standards. He stated his opposition to
adopting international codes for the electrical trade, as doing
so would reduce quality of installations in Alaska and would
open the door for unlicensed electricians to perform unsafe
installations in the state.
3:54:18 PM
PATRICK DALTON testified about residential building codes. He
stated the proposed legislation would impose a uniform building
system upon unorganized and unrepresented areas of Alaska. He
pointed out that organized areas are able to establish building
codes according to (indisc.) and constituents, which is a system
that works and doesn't need fixing. He requested a poll about
implementing a statewide system, and he predicted that those in
favor would be from organized areas of the state. He declared
that according to the Alaska Constitution, the legislature acts
as the borough assembly for unorganized areas. Therefore, it is
the duty of members of the legislature to put aside the wishes
of their own districts to see what the unorganized boroughs want
and need. He suggested that current organized areas should have
uniform systems, but unorganized areas should be left out. He
stated he is a member of an established voluntary international
system that could be a model for a voluntary type of code to
give people the option to comply voluntarily with a residential
code.
3:57:29 PM
CHAIR KITO asked for an explanation and the name of the
voluntary code available to people building in non-municipal
areas.
MR. DALTON stated he builds log cabins and follows the
International Log Building Association's standards. It's a
voluntary organization that has established international
building codes for log building. Log builders who join, pay
fees, and become certified are established with the association.
He suggested setting up a similar statewide organization with
certification cards that would incentivize reputable builders to
become certified. This would take the financial burden off the
State of Alaska. He added that implementing a statewide system
in rural areas wouldn't work, would be very costly, and is
unwanted.
3:59:25 PM
BRANDON MCGUIRE, Organizer, Alaska Plumbers & Pipefitters, Local
367, stated his opposition towards a move from UPC to the
international code for the plumbing industry. He mentioned he
has spoken to many people involved in the plumbing industry,
including from Flint, Michigan, who told him first-hand what
happens when you take for granted the health and safety of
community water and waste systems. He compared the two
different code books [UPC and IRC] - one is half as thick as the
other because it is not nearly as stringent. Removing the
current policies will reduce safety for citizens. He reiterated
that he is not in favor of moving from UPC to IRC.
4:01:48 PM
CHAIR KITO clarified that the committee is looking at adopting a
statewide residential building code. He stated the committee
has heard interest in having the plumbing and electrical
components be assigned to the UPC and the NEC. He stated that
there is no plan to changing the codes that exist already for a
fourplex and above.
4:02:35 PM
CHAIR KITO closed public testimony.
4:02:53 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Labor & Commerce Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at
4:03 p.m.
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