HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0281.061 2020-2022 Testimony of
Pacific Resource Partnership
County of Hawaii
County Council
Hawaii County Building
Council Member Maile Medeiros David, Chair
Council Member Aaron S.Y. Chung,Vice Chair
Bill 44—Relating To The County Construction Code
Wednesday,August 4, 2021 L a
Aloha Chair David,Vice Chair Chung and Members of the Council
Pacific Resource Partnership (PRP) is a non-profit market recovery trust fund which represents
approximately 7,000 men and women union carpenters and 240 large and small contractors.With our
expertise in research, compliance, marketing, and project advocacy,we are committed to building a
stronger, more sustainable Hawaii in a way that promotes a vibrant economy, creates jobs, and enhances
the quality of life for all residents of Hawaii.
PRP writes in support of Council Member Villegas' proposed amendments in communications 281.19,
281.20, 281.21 and 281.22.
Communication No.281.20
Proposed amendments under 5B-3-22 relating to U101.7 in Communication No. 281.21 will ensure the
health and safety of the public.Structures and components can shift during transportation,via boat or
truck, when transported from the factory to the site. It is important that work remain accessible and
exposed at the site to ensure that the home is properly inspected by the building official and safe for the
occupant.
Furthermore, proposed amendments under 5B-3-22, U101.7 regarding special inspections will ensure
that special inspections are not misused in a way that would allow homebuilders to bypass the time-
tested standard inspection processes/procedures that ensure the health and safety of the public.Special
inspections should be required in addition to the inspections that every structure/home must comply
with.These referenced sections require the work to remain accessible and exposed,so the building
official can properly inspect structures/homes to ensure the safety of the occupants.
Comm. No.
Ref. To: P(UMW' PRP
Ref. Date AUG 4 2021 PACIFIC RESOURCE PARMRS,ff,
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(Continued From Page 1)
Communication No.281.21
Council Member Villegas' proposed amendments appropriately delete language that is confusing,
unnecessary, and not aligned with the definitions of"Building" in the model building codes.
1. 2018 IRC defines"Building" as any one-or two-family dwelling or portion thereof, including
townhouses, used or intended to be used for human habitation,for living, sleeping, cooking or
eating purposes,or any combination thereof, or any accessory structure.
2. 2018 IEBC defines"Building" as any structure utilized or intended for supporting or sheltering
occupancy.
3. 2018 IBC defined "Building" as any structure utilized or intended for supporting or sheltering any
occupancy.
Communication No.281.22
As written, language under subsection 5B-2-1(a)of Bill 44 would allow for appendices adopted under this
chapter to be amended by administrative rules. Council Member Villegas' proposed amendments clarify
that administrative rules do not supersede ordinances that have gone through the legislative process.
Additionally, Council Member Villegas' proposed amendments replace"administrative rules"with the
"construction administrative code",which is appropriate for the following reasons:
1. The"construction administrative code" is the umbrella housing the building codes, such as the
residential building code, building code, electrical code etc. Since appendices related to factory-
built housing and tiny homes fall under the residential building code, all appendices should
conform to the"construction administrative code" and not supersede it; and
2. More specifically, provisions within the "construction administrative code" apply to the
administrative, permitting,enforcement, inspection, and other related procedures of the
residential building code, building code, electrical code, energy conservation code and plumbing
code. Council Member Villegas' amendments ensure that all appendices are subject to any
amendments set forth in the "construction administrative code",which will ensure that
appendices are not used to erode important provisions enacted in the"construction
administrative code" designed to protect the health and safety of the public.
Given the above,we respectfully request your favorable decision on these proposed amendments.Thank
you for this opportunity to provide written comments.
PRP
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