News Updates - January 28, 2009
Local Building Department Directory
In the last issue of this newsletter, we asked all jurisdictions
to register
one of their staff as the Directory Administrator for our
new Local Building Department Directory (LBDD), formerly the Directory
of Responsibility. The new directory will give jurisdictions more
control over the essential information that identifies each building
department and allow them to update information as necessary.
The LBDD is your way to communicate fun and exciting information
to your customers too. Many of you have complied, but our list
is still not complete. Please register your jurisdiction as soon
as possible. You can get more information about the LBDD from
Lori Graham at lori.l.graham@state.or.us
or 503-373-7755.
The OESC goes electronic for the first time
A new resource has been added to the existing library of online
codes offered by the division. For the first time ever in Oregon
a fully integrated edition of the Oregon
Electrical Specialty Code is now available online for viewing.
In addition to the plumbing, residential, structural, and mechanical
codes currently available for online viewing, we can now offer
Oregonians access to the state's electrical code. While those
in the industry often purchase codebooks for use, having the codebooks
online makes the information more accessible to anyone working
on a construction project.
Amendments to the 2008 Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC)
The Building Codes Division, working with the Residential Structures
Board, recently adopted amendments to section R613.2 of the 2008
ORSC, concerning window
sill height and fall prevention requirements. These changes
are based, in part, on changes made to the 2009 IRC by the International
Codes Council, and were prompted by reports issued by the U.S.
Consumer Products Safety Commission concerning injuries and fatalities
associated with falls from windows. This rule change takes effect
on February 1, 2009. Insert
pages for the 2008 ORSC with the amended R613.2 are now available
on our Web site.
Clarification for COPS
At their last meeting, the Electrical and Elevator Board recommended
changes be made to the existing language in the Oregon Electrical
Specialty Code, article
708-Critical Operations Power Systems (COPS). The article
was introduced in 2008 to address electrical installations in
areas needing to maintain power for long periods of time in blackout
situations. The board recommended changes clarifying specifically
that the owner designates "critical operations" areas
that must then meet the article's installation requirements. The
division will hold a rulemaking hearing on the proposed changes
in March. The proposed changes are still being developed and will
be made available in advance of the hearing.
Enforcement
Summary of enforcement cases presented to the State Electrical
and Elevator Board
Summary report:
These cases were resolved by the division's enforcement section
without going to a contested case hearing. No action was required
by the State Electrical and Elevator Board.
Final orders after
hearing: These cases went to a contested case hearing. Each
penalty assessment was reviewed and approved by the State Electrical
and Elevator Board.
Regional Program Services
The ePermitting road show/Part Two
Due to inclement weather in mid-December, we postponed the Accela
demonstrations in Salem, Eugene and Redmond. The mid and south
Willamette Valley sessions are now scheduled for February 20 and
the final demo will be in Sisters on February 27.
These sessions will showcase the functionality of available tools
for local building departments (Accela Automation permit software,
electronic plan submittal, GIS capability, wireless access, internet
portal, and IVR) as well as highlighting the supplemental products
available, such as the planning, licensing, and public works modules.
Given the range of topics these demonstrations will cover, please
feel free to bring not only key building department staff, but
local government staff that would benefit from a better understanding
of this project. This could include community development managers,
planning, finance, and public works staff as well as city/county
management as appropriate.
Below you will find a list of the locations and dates of the demonstrations:
February 20:
Salem, 9-11:00 a.m., Department of Consumer and Business
Services, 350 Winter St. NE, Room 260
Eugene, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Lane Community College, Center
for Meeting and Learning, Room 226, 4000 East 30th Avenue
February 27:
Sisters, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Sisters City Hall, 520
E. Cascade Avenue
Please feel free to attend any demonstration that best meets
your needs for location and scheduling.
RSVP to Kaylan McAllaster at kaylan.l.mcallaster@state.or.us
or 503-373-0723. Having an idea of who plans to attend will help
us with room planning and other logistics. This opportunity is
a great way to learn more about the next steps of BCD's ePermitting
project.
ePermitting
Quick Permits is growing
Wow, the Quick Permits program has been taking off in the last
couple of months. Four more jurisdictions have come on board in
less than a month. Josephine County started using the online permitting
system at the end of December and Troutdale, Wilsonville and Cottage
Grove will all be starting by the end of this month. This ePermitting
program allows licensed contractors to obtain over-the-counter
(non-plan review) electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits
online 24/7.
In 2008, permit sales on Quick Permits increased 34% over the
preceding year (20,340 vs. 15,125 permits). By year end jurisdictions
using Quick Permits expanded from 20 to 24. The amazing thing
is in just the first month of 2009 the program has added 3 more
jurisdictions, with many more in line to become connected. More
and more building departments are finding online permitting makes
things easier for everyone.
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