The following is a brief summary of significant issues impacting the design and construction community, on which the Building-Development Commission (BDC) and the Code Enforcement Department have focused during the period April through June, 2008. Further details on each of these follow.
- Contractor Inspection Pass Rate Improvement
- New Code Change and Printing Schedule for NSCBC and Electrical Code
- United Way Seminar on 2009 Code Changes
- Architect/Engineer website access to most common plan review defects
- OnSchedule Service Enhancements
- Selected Success Stories
- New Positions Filled
1. Contractor Inspection Pass Rate Improvement
In 2005, the BDC requested the reconvening of the Code Compliance Task Force, with a specific charge of developing strategies that would improve contractor inspection rates above the 2005 plateau of 70-75%. Industry members worked with the Department to fashion communication and training strategies, as well to create a special stream for contractors with comparably low inspection pass rates. The results of this industry-Department joint effort have been clear in the 2007-2008 statistical reports, with the Department recently recording a historically low inspection pass rate of 83.55% in June 2008. Both industry members and Department staff merit recognition for this significant improvement in inspection performance, while at the same time maintaining Mecklenburg County’s high code compliance and public safety standard.
2. New Code Change and Printing Schedule for NSCBC and Electrical Code
Customers should note the State has adopted a new set of NC Building Codes, with effective dates as follows:
o NC Electrical Code effective date will be June 1, 2008, except for 3/11/08 amendment items 3 (relates to wet location receptacles, see amended NEC 406.3) and 6 (relates to AFCI protection, see amended NEC 210.12) are to have effective dates of January 1, 2009
o NC Building, Fire Prevention, Residential, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fuel Gas and Energy Codes, with effective date January 1, 2009; transition period 1/1/09 thru 7/1/09. This means projects may use either the 2006 or 2009 Code in the period 1/1/09 through 6/30/09, however on or after 7/1/09, the new 2009 NC Building Code family must be used.
Printed copies of the new code will be available from the International Code Council (ICC) in November, 2008. Be sure to specify you need the NC amendments. The ICC’s website is www.iccsafe.org.
3. United Way Seminar on 2009 Code Changes
In support of the code change transition, the Department will host 5 hour seminars on August 27 and August 28, reviewing key changes in the new commercial and residential codes, selected P&I processes and closing with Q&A panel discussions with key management and line staff. Proceeds from the program benefit the United Way. Interested parties may register through
http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/LUESA/CodeEnforcement/Architects+and+Engineers-tools/UW+Seminar+2008.htm
4. OnSchedule Service Enhancements
The Department continues to advance the 2008 Proposed Commercial Plan Review Revisions, including a wide range of initiatives. Information on the proposed changes, as well as their implementation schedule, is available on www.meckpermit.com; go to “what’s new”, 2008 Proposed Commercial Plan Review Revisions. To date, the following changes have been placed in service.
• Gatekeeper Checklist
• Weekly Booking Lead Time Posting
• Revised Approved as Noted Criteria
• Mega Team Startup
Plan Review Task Force and subcommittee work continues on interactive review, the Architect/Engineer (A/E) pass rate program and charges for 2nd reviews. A/E participation is welcome; contact Rebecca Simcox (704-336-3838) if interested.
5. Architect/Engineer Website Access to Most Common Plan Review Defects
Since January 2003, the Department has recorded most frequent plan review defects (failure items) and reported them to the BDC on a quarterly basis. In the past, the A/E community and Department used this information to develop training programs targeting on the defects. The information can also be used by practicing professionals to “look out” for the most common pitfalls, and screen their drawings to address these issues in advance of submittal. To that end, the Department now posts this information on www.meckpermit.com; you may link to the information at (http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/LUESA/CodeEnforcement/Code+Defect+Library/Home.htm)
6. Selected Success Stories
• Founders Hall Renovation: Bruce Reid of Little Architects had a very tight schedule with this project, and was worried about Mecklenburg County meeting his deadlines. Staff met and exceeded each deadline.
• Hotel Sierra: Winter Construction needed extensive help on the new Mega Project policy. We worked carefully with Bryce Harker who recently sent us the following comment: “Thanks for taking time to help me out today. You continue to make me look like a pro in front of my superiors. I'm taking notes also, so we don't have to go over things like this in the future…………..without having to ask”.
7. New Management Positions Filled
Annette Albright is new Manager of Residential Permits
Mark Auten gained promotion to Deputy Fire Marshal
Note: the Department continues advertising for two management positions; Senior Project Manager of Commercial Permits and Director of Permitting. Interested parties should call 704-432-1093 or apply at http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/Human+Resources+County/Home.htm; reference job number 3936 or 3937.
© 2008
