14.
The IMC has additional, more detailed requirements for commercial kitchen exhaust than the current chapter Comm 64. The proposal is to provide a performance requirement for alternatives to welded seams and joints which will provide more flexibility in installation and lower costs. [Comm 64.0500, Comm 64.0506, and Comm 64.0507]
15.
Another proposal relating to commercial kitchen exhaust is to require commercial kitchen fans for use in grease-laden air to be so listed. [Comm 64.0506]
16.
The proposal is to allow the reduction in the clearances between heaters and duct lining when the lining is so listed. [Comm 64.0604]
17.
The proposal adds a requirement for some healthcare facilities to comply with AIA (American Institute of Architects) guidelines for filtration. [Comm 64.0605]
18.
The definition of 'unusually tight construction' has been modified for chs. Comm 64 and 65 to reflect current Wisconsin building construction standards. In referencing this modification, the requirement for outside air for combustion has also been modified to allow greater use of inside air for combustion purposes (with restrictions). [Comm 64.0702]
19.
The IMC prohibits the use of unvented, permanently installed liquid- and solid-fueled equipment. As under the current code, both installed and portable unvented equipment is prohibited under the proposal. [Comm 64.0801]
20.
The proposal is to make the chapter internally consistent and consistent with the International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), chapter Comm 65 for the following situations: location of combustion air openings, setback between intakes and exhausts and contaminant sources. [Comm 64.0710 and Comm 64.0918]
21.
The proposal substitutes chapter Comm 41 for IMC boiler and hydronic piping requirements. Only minor revisions are proposed for the IMC requirements for water heaters used in space heating systems. The IMC, unlike the current chapter Comm 64, does not limit the use of such water heaters to 100,000 Btu/hour input. [Comm 64.1001 and Comm 64.1201]
22.
The proposal substitutes chapter Comm 45 for IMC refrigeration requirements. [Comm 64.1101]
23.
The proposal does not include IMC fuel oil requirements; these requirements are contained in chapter Comm 10. [Comm 64.1301]
24.
The IBC requirements for fire resistive construction such as equipment enclosure, fire rated resistive damper placement, and air movement in rated corridors, may impact HVAC system design and installation.
25.
In addition to the AIA Standard R673, standards, either newer than that adopted in the IMC or not adopted in the IMC, are adopted; they are: NFPA 13-1999, Installation of Sprinkler Systems; and NFPA 54-1999, National Fuel Gas Code.
Chapter Comm 65
This rule revision, which creates chapter Comm 65, relating to Fuel Gas Appliances, includes adoption of the 2000 International Fuel Gas Code®, with various omissions, additions or substitutions.
The following listing is a summary of the major concerns identified by the Department and the HVAC Specialty Council relating to the use and application of the IFGC and recommendations for changes and additions to or omissions from the IFGC.
1.
Like the International Mechanical Code®, the IFGC requires that all appliances be listed and labeled unless approved as a modification. The proposal is to retain current code provisions which outline the Wisconsin process and the information and testing needed for this review. The IFGC is silent on what rule applies when the manufacturer's instructions may be in conflict with rule provisions. The proposal is to duplicate the provision in chapter Comm 64 and provide consistency for all fuel types. The IFGC is also silent on the clearances, guarding, appliance marking, and piping supports; the proposal is to duplicate the provisions proposed in chapter Comm 64. As in chapter Comm 64, a requirement for written instructions on operation and maintenance is proposed. [See sections Comm 65.0301 and 65.0304]
2.
Current Wisconsin provisions prohibit the use of unvented space heaters because of the tight construction of Wisconsin buildings; this prohibition is proposed for both chapters Comm 64 and 65. [Comm 65.0303 (2) and 65.0620]
3.
As in chapter Comm 64, the proposal is to retain current provisions that recognize Wisconsin's severe climate in that heat exchangers and burners must be made of corrosion resistant material. [Comm 65.0303 (1)]
4.
As in chapter Comm 64, the equipment testing and balancing provisions are proposed such that these two chapters will be consistent for all fuel types. [Comm 65.0305]
5.
The proposal is to continue some current Wisconsin provisions for use of indoor air for combustion in "tight" construction, consistent with provisions for other fuel types under chapter Comm 64. [Comm 65.0304]
6.
The 2000 IFGC does not include the various provisions previously contained in 1998 IMC with regard to combustion air; the proposal is to maintain these requirements and be consistent for all fuel types. [Comm 65.0304]
7.
The IFGC is also silent on various requirements for safe installation of combustion air ducts and outside air intake openings. The proposal is to duplicate these provisions from chapter Comm 64. [Comm 65.0304 and Comm 65.0620]
8.
The proposal is to be consistent with chapter Comm 64 and not require platforms for fan only installations. [Comm 65.0306]
9.
The current requirements for gas piping (using the NFPA 54 standard) are proposed to be retained. [Comm 65.0400]
10.
The proposal is to not allow the installation of a number of unvented appliances as under the current code. Products of combustion in buildings may cause concern for safety and health and structural damage. [Comm 65.0501]
11.
The proposal is to be consistent for all fuel types in termination of venting system and setback distances between outside air intakes and containment sources. [Comm 65.0503]
12.
The proposal is also consistent for all fuel types for requirements for suspended duct furnaces. [Comm 65.0609]
13.
Also, the American Institute of Architects (AIA), R673-1996-97, (Guidelines for Construction and Equipment of Hospital and Medical Facilities) as is used by DHFS is adopted in this chapter.
Chapter Comm 66
The Department has the responsibility to supervise every public building and place of employment, including the fire safety aspects, in order to protect the life, health, safety and welfare of every employee, frequenter, tenant and firefighter. The changes contained in this proposal, including adoption of the International Fire Code® (IFC), are intended to update code requirements and adopted national standards relating to building construction, building equipment, commodity storage and isolation, fire prevention, fire detection, and fire suppression as one part of that responsibility.
The IFC is divided into the following 45 chapters that cover fire safety hazards in the areas of general fire safety requirements, hazardous structures, hazardous operations and hazardous materials:
1. Administration
2. Definitions
3. General Precautions Against Fire
4. Emergency Planning & Preparedness
5. Fire Service Features
6. Building Services & Systems
7. Fire-Resistance-Rated Construction
8. Interior Finish, Decorative Mat'l & Furnishings
9. Fire Protection Systems
10. Means of Egress
11. Aviation Facilities
12. Dry Cleaning
13. Combustible Dust-Producing Operations
14. Fire Safety During Construction & Demolition
15. Flammable Finishes
16. Fruit & Crop Ripening
17. Fumigation & Thermal Insecticidal Fogging
18. Semiconductor Fabrication Facilities
19. Lumber Yards & Woodworking Facilities
20. Manufacture of Organic Coatings
21. Industrial Ovens
22. Service Stations & Repair Garages
23. High-Piled Combustible Storage
24. Tents & Other Membrane Structures
25. Tire Rebuilding & Tire Storage
26. Welding & Other Hot Work
27. Hazardous Mat'ls-General provisions
28. Aerosols
29. Combustible Fibers
30. Compressed Gases
31. Corrosive Materials
32. Cryogenic Fluids
33. Explosives & Fireworks
34. Flammable & Combustible Liquids
35. Flammable Gases
36. Flammable Solids
37. Highly Toxic & Toxic Materials
38. Liquefied Petroleum Gases
39. Organic Peroxides
40. Oxidizers
41. Pyrophoric Materials
42. Pyroxylin (Cellulose Nitrate) Plastics
43. Unstable (Reactive) Materials
44. Water-Reactive Solids & Liquids
45. Referenced Standards
The IFC includes topics that are currently covered under several other Wisconsin administrative code chapters. Adoption of the IFC will facilitate the process of updating these requirements in unison on a regular basis. The IFC is designed to work together with the International Building Code, the International Mechanical Code, the International Energy Efficiency Code, and the International Fuel Gas Code.
In this proposal, 8 chapters of the IFC are omitted. These 8 IFC chapters are: IFC 11 - Aviation Facilities, IFC 12 - Dry Cleaning, IFC 22 - Service Stations and Repair Garages, IFC 30 - Compressed Gases, IFC 33 - Explosives and Fireworks, IFC 34 - Flammable and Combustible Liquids, IFC 35 - Flammable Gases, and IFC 38 - Liquid Petroleum Gases. These 8 chapters cover topics that are currently covered by other rules administered by Commerce. The department is planning to update the topics covered by these 8 IFC chapters, with the effective date coordinated with the rest of this proposal.
Chapter 45 of the IFC incorporates many national standards by reference into the code. These include 88 standards produced by the National Fire Protection Association, many of which are already familiar to users of Wisconsin's codes.
In general, the IFC requirements are at least equivalent and in most cases, more detailed than the fire safety requirements contained in the current editions of the corresponding Wisconsin Administrative Code chapters.
Adoption of the IFC will expand the scope and application of fire safety regulations in Wisconsin. There are many fire hazards addressed in the IFC that have not been covered in Comm 14, the Fire Prevention Code, in the past. The IFC provides guidance for the building owner and the fire code official to ensure that fire hazards are identified and appropriate fire prevention procedures, and fire protection features, are provided based upon the specific hazard. The IFC is structured to manage the risks associated with fire and explosions within buildings, structures and upon the premises. The application of the IFC as proposed in the rules will provide for safe operations and processes in both new and existing properties.
Notice of Hearings
Health and Family Services
(Health, Chs. HFS 110-199)
Notice is hereby given that the pursuant to
s. 252.04 (1), (2) and (10), Stats., the Department of Health and Family Services will hold public hearings to consider the amendments of ch HFS 144, Wis Adm. Code, relating to immunization of students. The public hearing will be held:
Date & Time Location
