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Items of Interest
2009 BOAT Mid-Year Meeting Photo Album
Strengthen Building Code Enforcement
(06/23/2009)
2009 BOAT Mid-Year Session Handouts
Humor and Stress Management
LEED Certification - pdf 20kb
2009 International Codes Update - pdf 1.3MB
2009 Residential Foundations - pdf 3MB
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Home Builder Construction Technology Survey Final Report (12/01/2008)
Notice for TQI Appointment (11/03/2008)
Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (10/2/2008)
The Federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act becomes effective and directly impacts public pools and spas in Texas. Much of the information that is being disseminated is inaccurate and very confusing. Should you have any questions about the Act and its effects in Texas, please go to, http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/poolspa/baker.shtm, or contact Kathleen Moore at Katie.Moore@dshs.state.tx.us directly. The CPSC, which administers the provisions of the Act, has information about the Act on its website, also. A link to that website is provided on the DSHS website above.
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TDLR Issues Emergency Electrical Licenses (9/26/2008)
AUSTIN - Texas Administrative Rule 73.28 permits the department to issue emergency licenses to people holding an equivalent level electrical license in another state. In response to destruction by Hurricane Ike the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation’s executive director will grant emergency electrician licenses. The emergency license expires ninety (90) days after it is issued.
Additionally, it is valid only in the disaster area described in the Governor’s Disaster Declaration.
The license may be renewed for an additional ninety (90)days if the Disaster Declaration is still in effect on the eightieth (80) day and the executive director determines a sufficient number of persons holding electrical licenses is not available to perform the work needed to respond to the disaster in a timely manner. If you hold an emergency license you may only perform the electrical work on behalf of a Texas licensed electrical contractor, an electrical sign contractor or an employing governmental entity.
To obtain an emergency master, journeyman, residential wireman or maintenance electrician license the Rule states the applicant must:
1) Be currently licensed to perform electrical work in another state of the United States
2) Complete and submit an application form, the required documents and fee.
For more information call toll free in Texas (800) 803-9202 or (512) 463-6599 or visit this link: http://www.license.state.tx.us/electricians/elec.htm.
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Licensing of Out of State Plumbers and Plumbing Inspectors
in Response to Hurricane Ike (9/26/2008)
TSBPE will be registering any out of state plumber’s apprentices or licensed plumbers as a plumber’s apprentice (only if they pass the criminal history check), which will allow the person to immediately work for a Texas licensed Responsible Master Plumber (plumbing contractor). If the person wishes to become licensed in Texas and meets the requirements, we will schedule the person for an appropriate examination. TSBPE has no plans to issue emergency Master Plumber licenses to out of state plumbing contractors.
TSBPE is aware of the need for more plumbing inspectors in Galveston and has been in communication with officials there. We have provided contact information for all plumbing inspectors in Texas with a current or renewable license.
Any plumbing inspectors with a current license who wish to assist with the Galveston inspections need only contact our agency by email info@tsbpe.state.tx.us or by telephone at 512-936-5224 and advise us of their intentions and we will create a record in their file.
Any delinquent plumbing inspectors (many have retired) who wish to renew their license in order to assist with the Galveston inspections should contact our agency by email info@tsbpe.state.tx.us or by telephone at 512-936-5224 and advise us of their intentions in order for us to expedite renewal of their license. TSBPE will be expediting plumbing inspector examinations for qualified applicants.
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Notice from TDLR (9/25/2008)
From: Notice From TDLR [mailto:TDLRNotice@LICENSE.STATE.TX.US]
Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 9:40 AM
To: ELECLIST@LST.LICENSE.STATE.TX.US
Subject: September issue of FLASH newsletter
The TDLR FLASH newsletter is intended to keep city officials and electricians throughout Texas informed of the Texas Electrical Safety and Licensing Act and TDLR’s efforts to enforce the associated requirements. To receive news or updates on the electrical program go to http://www.license.state.tx.us/newsletters/TDLRnotificationLists.asp.
2008 NEC Code Adoption & State Electrical Exams
It’s here - September 1, 2008 has arrived. TDLR has adopted the 2008 National Electrical Code (NEC) as the electrical code for the state thereby establishing the NEC 2008 as the "minimum standard" for all electrical work in Texas that is covered by the Act. Any non-exempt electrical work started on or after September 1, 2008, in the unincorporated areas of Texas must be installed in accordance with the NEC 2008. For purposes of clarification, the “start” of electrical work is the day the electrician begins installing electrical materials or equipment within the residential or commercial building structure - again, this applies in the unincorporated areas of the state. Inside the corporate limits of a municipality, electricians must abide by the permitting and electrical code requirements adopted under local
ordinance. See Statute 1305.201 (d) & (e) and Administrative Rule 73.53. Click here to access new Compliance FAQs #13 & #14 addressing applicability of NEC 2008 to residential/commercial electrical work.
All examinations for state electrical licenses will now be based on the 2008 NEC. The state electrical exams are available through the International Code Council (ICC). For more information about the examination go to http://www2.iccsafe.org/contractor/dsp_state.cfm?state=TX and make sure to review the 2008 Texas Electrical Examination Bulletin.
City Electrical Requirements
We have posted a webpage list of local electrical requirements (i.e. code, permitting, licensing, etc…) for many cities throughout the state. We encourage you to review the most current information that we have on record for your city at http://www.license.state.tx.us/electricians/forms/citylist.pdf If you have not provided the agency with your local requirements OR if you need to update us on any changes, please do so by utilizing the Municipal Electricians Requirements Questionnaire. We want to assist in keeping all electricians in Texas adequately informed, so please get us the information as soon as you can. Your input is invaluable!
To display their contractor # on all vehicles used in conducting electrical work and to include “TDLR” contact information on all of their invoices and proposals;
Additional Contact Information:
For general questions about the electrical program you may contact TDLR at (512) 463-6599 or toll-free (in Texas) (800) 803-9202. For the hearing impaired, Relay Texas - TDD is available at (800) 735-2989.
For Questions about the State Electrical Program:
electricians@license.state.tx.us
To File a Complaint or Report a Violation go to:
http://www.license.state.tx.us/Complaints/
Did You Know...
That all non-exempt electrical work must be performed by licensed electricians working through licensed electrical contractors - even if the work is outside of city limits. See Administrative Rule 73.70(a) http://www.license.state.tx.us/electricians/elecrules030108.pdf
Closing the Circuit
Your participation/input is critical! If you have any questions, concerns, comments, or observations, please contact us - we want to hear from you. You may reach Jerry Daniel at (512) 799-1489 or e-mail him at: jerry.daniel@license.state.tx.us. You may reach Larry Reichle at (512) 463-7289 or e-mail him at: larry.reichle@license.state.tx.us. Please feel free to take this information and PASS IT ON!
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Residential Fire Sprinklers (9/25/2008)
Residential Fire Sprinklers
Results of the 2008 ICC Final Action Hearings
Minneapolis, MN
September 23, 2008
Applicable Code Change Proposals
RB62-07/08 (Vol. 2, Page 137) Disapproved
RB64-07/08 (Vol. 2, Page 144) Approved as Modified by Public Comment #2
RB65-07/08 (Vol. 2, Page 150) Withdrawn by Proponent
RB66-07/08 (Vol. 2, Page151) Approved as Modified by Public Comment #1
RB67-07/08 (Vol. 2, Page155) Withdrawn by Proponent
RB68-07/08 (Vol. 2, Page 161) Disapproved
RP3-07/08 (Vol. 2, Page 786) Approved as Modified by Committee
RP8-07/08 (Vol. 2, Page 803) Withdrawn by Proponent
Application
- Fire sprinklers will be required in all one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses.
- The IRC contains an effective date of January 1, 2011 for the fire sprinkler requirement.
- Additions or alterations to existing non-sprinklered buildings do not need to install a fire sprinkler system.
- Separation of townhouses can be reduced to 1-hour when the townhouses are equipped with fire sprinklers.
- Fire sprinkler systems can be designed under NFPA 13D or IRC Section P2904 (newly added section).
- Multipurpose fire sprinkler systems are allowed. A multipurpose fire sprinkler system supplies domestic water to both the fire sprinklers and the plumbing fixtures.
- IRC Section P2904 contains design and installation criteria for a multipurpose fire sprinkler system and requires fire sprinklers to be installed in all areas of a dwelling unit except:
- Attics not containing fuel-fired equipment
- Crawl spaces not containing fuel-fired equipment
- Closets and pantries of 24 square feet or less, and with the largest dimension not greater than 3 feet
- Bathrooms or 55 square feet or less
- Garages, carports, porches
- Unheated entry areas such as mud rooms
- IRC Section P2904 contains tables to determine the pipe sizes based on water meter size, length of pipe runs, sprinkler flow, piping material
- Appendix P is deleted from the IRC.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors and Smoke Alarms (9/25/2008)
Results of the 2008 ICC Final Action Hearings
Minneapolis, MN
September 23, 2008
Applicable Code Change Proposals
RB71-07/08 (Vol. 2, Page 163) Approved as Modified by Public Comment #2
RB72-07/08 (Vol. 2, Page 165) Approved as Modified by Public Comment #1
Application
- Carbon monoxide detectors are required in all new buildings constructed under the IRC which contain fuel-fired appliances or have an attached garage.
- Carbon monoxide detectors are required in all existing buildings regulated under the IRC which contain fuel-fired appliances or have an attached garage.
- Carbon monoxide detectors are to be installed in the area of the sleeping rooms, but outside of the bedrooms.
- Carbon monoxide detectors do not replace the smoke alarms, but are in addition to the smoke alarms.
- Smoke alarms are still required.
- When smoke detectors are installed as part of a fire or burglar alarm system, the system must be a permanent installation in the dwelling or townhouse and not part of a system that is owned by someone other than the owner of the dwelling or townhouse.
- When a fire alarm system is installed to comply with the requirements for smoke alarms, the fire alarm system must be monitored by an off-site monitoring company.
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2008 BOAT Mid-Year Meeting: Session Handouts
Texas
Board of Professional Engineers:
Policy Opinion Affecting Building Officials
2007-2008 ICC Code Development Schedule
Texas Board of Professional Engineers:
Policy Opinion
Affecting Building Officials
BOAT -- Paying It Forward |
