 |
|
|
Unofficial
Summary of the
September
26, 2003 meeting of
Safety
Code Task Force
General
discussion:
- Concensus seemed to be reached that the
Task Force will propose a single state agency to be responsible
for all building codes and that a set of "model codes"
will be recommended. There was little discussion as to whether
the set of "model codes" could be a mix of codes published
by various model code groups. (i.e. International Building
Code and Uniform Plumbing Code)
- There was a good
deal of discussion on the lack of inspection of construction projects
by the State Fire Marshal, the lack of structural review and the
lack of a state building code for residential buildings where
80% of fire deaths occur. These deficiencies are due to
the limitations on the authority and funding of the State Fire
Marshal's office. It was pointed out that it would probably
not be practical to require architects and engineers to inspect
the projects they design as it would be very costly for the developers,
would not necessarily put the best inspectors on the job and would
require designers to carry additional Errors and Omissions insurance
which is costly and becoming less available. No conclusions were
reached.
Co-Chair
Ralph Seekins asked staff to do the following:
- Develop a list of State of Alaska and
local government employees from all agencies who are involved
in the development and enforcement of building codes in Alaska.
- Draft a proposal to require the State
to determine which model codes they will adopt and to require
deferred municipalities to adopt the same model codes with local,
no less stringent requirements.
- Staff and Task Force are to study the
proposal for consolidating the state building code functions in
various departments into a new Division of Building Safety within
the Department of Public Safety. The proposal was submitted
by Greg Moore and is based on the State of Oregon organizational
structure. Decisions will include the amount of detail of
the proposed organization that the Task Force will submit to the
Legislature.
Next
Meeting: Tenatively scheduled for 9:00am on October
10, 2003. |
|
