STANDARD

the

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE BUILDING CODES AND STANDARDS DIVISION

MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION • 408 METRO SQUARE BUILDING
121 7TH PLACE EAST • ST. PAUL MN 55101 • VOL. 1, NO. 8
NOWONDER 2002

TORNADO BLOWS
THROUGH ALBERTVILLE
BUILDING OFFICIALS HARD AT IT AGAIN . . . PAGES 2 & 3
Albertville tornado
adds to workload
S
hortly after midnight, Sept. 10, 2002, an F1 tornado
touched down in the community of Albertville, population
3,621. The tornado struck with little warning to the
residents, traveling from northwest to southeast in a three-quarter-
mile stretch that was 50 to 70 yards wide.
City Building Official Jon Sutherland surveyed the damage and
contacted State Building Official Tom Joachim for assistance.
Kevin Mealhouse, regional building code representative, and
two building code representatives were
dispatched to assist Jon. By mid-morning, Kevin Mealhouse, BCSD regional rep (above),
P D N
HOTOS BY OUG ORD Jon had established inspection teams with completed a damage assessment report. Below,
• City Inspector Al Steinbring, St. Michael interior view of an attached garage that lost its
T J M
EXT BY IM UYRES Building Official Cliff Skogstad, and
roof.

Building Codes and Standards staff.

While inspections were under way,
an informational hand-out was developed and delivered to all
affected property owners. The handout outlined for the property
owners how to address damage to roofing, attics, siding, doors,
windows, gas and electric meters, and other types of water and
structural damage, and related code items. Information was
provided on the purpose of the damage reports being completed
by the inspectors, names and phone numbers of city contacts,
contractor licensing guidelines, and the building permit process
for repairs.
The city staff responded quickly to remove debris, restore
utilities, and assist the public. The Red Cross was on hand to
provide support, and several neighboring communities provided
manpower and equipment to assist in the prompt clean-up.
The inspection teams completed damage assessment reports
on 81 dwellings (seven with major damage), one business,
and the city park bleachers and accessory structures. The
majority of the damaged structures were less than 10 years
old. It appeared that damage from flying debris was minimized
because of underground utilities and the lack of mature trees.
The Disaster Preparedness Manual proved to be a useful tool.
It is available for review on the division’s Web site at
2 www.admin.state.mn.us/buildingcodes.
THE DAMAGE
Clockwise, from top left: Wind-
driven glass was embedded in an
interior hollow-core door. The
tornado followed a path through a
new subdivision; the adjacent house was destroyed. Albertville
Building Official Jon Sutherland. One of the 80-plus homes that
were damaged.

More kudos
In the September Standard, we published a salute to the
volunteers who gave a weekend of their personal time to the
City of Roseau to help with inspection of flood-damaged
buildings. We have another name to add to the list of
volunteers – Jerold E. Frevel, building inspector for the City
of Golden Valley.

3
Electricity Board issues
notice of exemption to law
T he State of Minnesota Board of Electricity has released this “impor-
tant notice” regarding M.S. §326.245, Subd. 4. The following is a brief
summary of the provisions of this subdivision, taken from the board’s
Web site. However, the Board of Electricity will apply the provisions of the
Electrical Act and Minnesota Rules Chapter 3800 based on the specifics of
individual cases. The complete laws and rules are on the board’s Web site at
www.electricity.state.mn.us.
M.S. §326.245, Subd. 4, “Other
Equipment,” exempts the planning,
laying out, alteration, replacement, or
repair of heating, ventilating, air-condi-
tioning, or refrigeration equipment, and
associated devices, controls, and wiring,
including wiring in or on the equipment,
not including wiring to the unit, from the
Electrical Act when the work is performed
by an employee of a heating, ventilating,
air-conditioning, or refrigeration
contractor who has completed a
state-approved heating, ventilating,
air-conditioning, or refrigeration
apprenticeship program, or is registered
in such approved program and is directed
by an employee who has completed the
approved program, or holds any class
of personal electrical license issued by
the Minnesota Board of Electricity or is
directed by such licensed employee.
Similar exemptions are found in Sec-
tion 326.242, Subd. 12, Exemptions
from Licensing, and Section 326.244,
Subd. 1a, Technology Systems, which
exempts this work from inspection. This
exemption is limited to reconnection of
existing circuitry for replacement heat-
ing, ventilating, air-conditioning, and
refrigeration equipment that does not
require the extension of new or existing
circuitry. In addition, this exemption
does not apply to water heaters and other
equipment that is not heating, ventilating,
air-conditioning, or refrigeration
equipment.
Installation of new circuitry or
4
extension of existing circuitry,
whether it is Class 2 power
limited (low voltage) or line voltage, is
subject to the applicable licensing and
inspection requirements of the Minnesota Architect Dean Newins, and has 15
Electrical Act and Minnesota Rules,
Chapter 3800.
The following is Section 326.45, Subd. The council is supported by Colleen
4, as it appears in the Minnesota Electrical Chirhart, the Building Code Division’s
Act:
Subd. 4. Other equipment. Planning,
laying out, alteration, replacement,
or repair of heating, ventilating, air-
conditioning, or refrigeration equipment,
and associated devices, controls, and
wiring including wiring in or on the
equipment, are not covered by Sections
326.241 to 326.248 when the work
is performed by an employee of a
heating, ventilating, air-conditioning,
or refrigeration contractor provided that
the employee performing the work has
received a certificate of completion from
a heating, ventilating, air-conditioning,
or refrigeration apprenticeship program
approved by the state of Minnesota or
any class of personal electrical license
issued by the board. Employees registered advisory group members. The group
in an approved heating, ventilating, air-
conditioning, or refrigeration program
may design, plan, alter, replace, or repair
heating, ventilating, air-conditioning,
or refrigeration equipment, devices,
and controls including wiring in or on
the equipment, under the direction of
an employee who has a certificate of
completion from an approved program
or any class of personal electrical license expected to meet in September.
issued by the board. The installation of
electrical wiring to the unit is covered by
Sections 326.241 to 326.248.
Construction
Codes Advisory
Council update
T
he Construction Codes
Advisory Council was
created by the governor in
1996 in response to a request by
the construction industry. The 1998
Legislature passed a law making the
council official. The council meets
monthly, is co-chaired by State
Building Official Tom Joachim and
members, each representing an area
of expertise in the building industry.
rules coordinator.
The council’s purpose is to “review
laws, codes, rules, standards, and
licensing requirements relating to
building construction . . . .” It has the
authority to recommend, review and
comment, advise, and promote matters
relating to building construction. This
brief activity report is taken from the
September 2002 meeting minutes.
Sept. 5, 2002
Council members were given a list
of entities that should be represented
in a new Certification and Licensing
Technical Advisory Group and
were asked to nominate prospective
was expected to meet in September to
create a work schedule.
The council is forming a Model
Zoning Technical Advisory Group at
the request of the Minnesota Housing
Finance Agency, which is concerned
about building and zoning issues that
increase the cost of construction of
low-cost housing. The group was also
The Builders Association of
Minnesota requested review of a
Code Advisory Council Page 7
Conservation
strategies for
air-supported
structures
A
new Minnesota Department
of Commerce, State Energy
Office report shows that air-
supported structures can benefit from a
number of simple conservation strategies
that have a payback of less than five
years. The report, funded by a U.S.
Department of Energy grant and the
Building Codes and Standards Division,
identifies many extremely cost-effective
energy-saving measures for both new and
existing domes. It also will assist those
installing new air-supported structures
in complying with state energy codes for
the structures.
Leading the group of fast payback
measures is the night setback strategy,
with up to 50 percent savings of
heating and ventilating energy and less
than one-year payback. Another fast
payback is air leakage control, by simply
patching air leaks, adjusting doors, or
installing door covers. Automated or
manual pressure control is yet another
quick payback measure. Purchasing a
structure with an insulated membrane
can reduce heating energy use by up to
75 percent, with a payback in less than
three years. Some of the poorer cost-
effective measures include
standby propane heating
systems and high-
efficiency heating Energy
systems. The
report also details code
the economics of
mixed conserva-
matters
tion strategies.
The report will be
useful for future owners
of air-supported structures,
because the Minnesota energy code now
requires new structures to implement
all energy-conserving measures with a
10-year or less payback (see Minnesota
Rules, Part 7676.0900, Subpart 1, Item
B).
Three baseline air-supported
Proposed State Building
Code rules move into
30-day comment period
L
ast month, we received word
that the Governor’s Office has from the
approved the proposed changes
BCSD
to the Minnesota State Building Code.
This means that they can be published
in the State Register for public com-
ment. The division also plans to mail
directors
the notice to affected persons and peo- Tom Anderson
ple who work with the various rules.
By the time you read this column, the
“notice of intent to adopt rules” should have been published in the State Register. This
notice begins the official 30-day comment period on the various rule chapters. During
this comment period, if the division receives 25 or more requests for a hearing on any
given rule, a hearing will be held on the date referenced in the rule notice.
The rules affected at this time include Chapter 1300 – Administration; Chapter
1301 – Building Official Certification; Chapter 1303 – Minnesota Provisions;
Chapter 1305 – Adoption of the International Building Code; Chapter 1306
– Special Fire Protection Systems (optional); Chapter 1309 – Adoption of the
International Residential Code; Chapter 1311 – Adoption of the Guidelines for
Rehabiliation of Existing Buildings; and Chapter 4715 – Minnesota Plumbing Code.
Chapter 1346 – Adoption of the
structures were analyzed as part of International Mechanical Code, will
the review: uninsulated and used follow in a later notice of intent to adopt.
only during the winter, insulated and Within the next year, the division
also used only during the winter, and intends to amend several additional chap-
insulated as well as being both heated ters of the Minnesota State Building Code
and cooled for year-around use. The to incorporate updated information or new
third modification of the basic facility statutory requirements. The Minnesota
is expected to be more common in Rule chapters to be reviewed include:
the future. The uninsulated • Chapter 1307 – Elevators and Related
baseline structure in this
report, typical of many
Devices
• Chapter 1341 – Accessibility Code
structures currently in
place, was estimated • Chapter 1350 – Manufactured Home
to annually use nearly
300,000 kWh for
Rules
• Chapter 1370 – Storm Shelters for
lighting and motors, and Manufactured Home Parks
4,600 MMBTU for heating
(enough to heat 45 average • the Minnesota Energy Code
Minnesota homes). The division will also re-open Chapter
The report is available on the 1301 – Building Official Certification, to
Department of Commerce Web add language required by new legislation
site at www.commerce.state.mn.us establishing a graduated schedule of
(search site for “Air Supported”). For administrative actions.
more information, call the Energy
Information Center at (651) 296-5175
or (800) 657-3710.
5
Information Unit new to BCSD
U
ntil July of last year,
the Building Codes and
Standards Division staff
performed public information
functions as the need arose and
as time permitted. Newsletters
appeared on a “Surprise!” schedule
and brochures weren’t always as
current as they could be.
After two years in his position,
Assistant Director Tom Anderson
decided that a full-time position
would yield more
coordinated,
better-planned
communications
with the division’s
customers and allow
I figure, if the readership is
knowledgeable about building
construction codes and the
division staff prepares the
information in draft form or
via an interview, it doesn’t
matter that the person in the
middle (me) is a neophyte.
I’m confident that I’m
surrounded by experts.”
Mary has been an active
customer of the building
code herself this year while
she made some additions to
her 80-year-old residence. “I
haven’t told my contractor
where I’m working now. It’s
probably best to save that COMMUNICATIONS Mary Williams works

the rest of the staff to
TOM ANDERSON
focus on their primary
duties. Because good customer
relations is a top priority of the
division, Director Tom Joachim
quickly signed off on the idea.
A new position was defined and
approved and Mary Williams took
over the job in July.
Mary brought to the job 27
for the end of the project. I
must say, he’s diligent about
meeting code requirements,
yet is determined to make the
additions look like they’ve
always been part of the house.
He specializes in restoration
and is very particular about
the products he uses.”
COORDINATOR
surrounded by a variety
of manuals, software
instruction guides, materials for lending display
booths, desktop publishing information, building code
interpretations, old newsletters, and staff photographs. All
of this material is on the division’s computer network, but
Mary comes from the old school of publishing that needs
everything on paper. Just in case.

Multi-tasking is ‘way of life’

years’ experience in Minnesota state
government, six years’ experience
in private-sector communication

for a public communicator

(newspapers), and a degree in
English from the University of
Minnesota. What she didn’t bring

was knowledge of building codes
and construction. “Well, maybe
I knew a little,” Mary conceded.
“I always helped my father with
his construction projects at home.
I became an expert at sitting on
the other end of the board he was
sawing. And, my great-grandfather
owned a lumberyard.”
How can a writer who is
pretty much clueless about
building code matters produce
credible information materials?
“It’s easy,” Mary said. “Everyone
in the division pitches in
with contributions and I
K
ey functions of the Information Bobbi a fax at (651) 297-1973 or by writing
Unit – which is part of the newer her at the St. Paul office. Bobbi provides the
Administrative Code Services, administrative support for the section.
Rules, and Information Section headed by
Fred Driver – are: Display booths The division
lends display booths and materials to
Monthly newsletter The building officials for home shows and
newsletter is distributed around the first other informational opportunities. This
of each month and contains responsibility was handed over by Doug
features about the division’s Sandstad, New Hope building official, at
responsibilities (like this the beginning of this year because it had
article) as well as the latest grown beyond his time limits. The division
news for building officials has three smaller booths that are more or
and other people in the less transportable (heavy and bulky, but
FRED DRIVER
construction field. The movable in a van or truck). They were used
mailing list has 5,000 names and you can for 22 events in the early part of this year,

6 just polish the information

for public consumption.
put your name on the list by e-mailing
bobbi.peterson@state.mn.us or sending
when home shows are popular. Reservations
Communications next page
 COMMUNICATIONS
Continued from Page 6
and booth preparations are handled by
Mary. She is in the process of updating
including forms and cover letters, for
projects assigned by legislation.
Division procedures manual
The division will have its first online
her procedures after seeking feedback
from last winter’s customers. She is also Promotional materials The
policy and procedures manual as soon
as technical work on the division
writing a pamphlet on display hints. division has an entire state’s population as network has been completed. This will
Brochures Writing and editing
its customers, and keeping them informed
is a high-priority item. The division has
be exclusively for division staff and is
intended to be convenient to everyone
brochures and other information mater- a display in the Education Building at
ials, including correspondence and and easily updated. A work group
the State Fair every year, and brochures determines the subjects and reviews
forms, is a continuous effort. With a new are handed out by the hundreds. The
building code about to be adopted, the Mary’s most recent batch of writing.
brochures also are distributed through
division’s materials need to be updated. the display booth lending program.
Mary is working with an editorial team Advertisements in conference brochures,
Rules Mary performs desktop
publishing of newly adopted rules,
to produce the new brochures before the descriptions of the division’s services, for public distribution through
busy season begins for the booth-lending and other written and desktop-published the Minnesota Bookstore. The
program. She also drafts materials, materials are also prepared by Mary. division’s rules coordinator, Colleen
Chirhart, will soon be in the process
of publishing newly adopted rules
CODE ADVISORY COUNCIL and Mary will perform the word
processing.
Continued from Page 4
Division displays The
series of projects suggested by builders and contractors to use as a springboard division participates in annual events
for the department to determine projects that should be considered for grants. sponsored by the League of Minnesota
The 2002 Legislature granted authority to the commissioner of the Department of Cities, Minnesota Association of
Administration to award grants for code research and development and education. Townships, Association of Minnesota
The association suggested six components: Counties, American Institute of
1. Organize and analyze data on problem houses; Architects, and Builders Association
of Minnesota. The division takes every
2. Conduct a chronological study of building practices, building products, and opportunity to promote adoption of
code provisions; the Minnesota Building Code by local
3. Test window and door flashing methods and develop best practices; governments. These events offer prime
times to talk with local governments
4. Test installation methods for non-fenestration wall openings and develop best about the benefits of adopting the
practices; building code.

Future plans
5. Create a hands-on training facility; and
6. Identify and support targeted research on durability impacts.
The division’s Website was designed
Discussion about the BAM request included questions about the process for and created by the division’s acces-
inviting groups to study the six items. The council decided to prepare a request for sibility specialist, Curt Wiehle, who
proposal to be reviewed by the council at its October meeting. The request would continues to maintain the site only
be published in late October, grant proposals would have a deadline of Nov. 19, until Mary has been trained in working
and grants would be recommended by the council to the commissioner in early with the Web. “I look forward to this
December, with grant awards by the end of December. because it’s something I’ve never done
The next council meeting was scheduled for Oct. 10. It meets in the Building before,” Mary said. “Curt has done a
Codes’ large conference room from 1 to 4 p.m. The November meeting is scheduled fantastic job with our site and has laid
for Nov. 7. a firm foundation for me to build on.”
Mary Williams can be reached at
(651) 296-6204, faxed at (651)
297-1973, or e-mailed at
mary.williams@state.mn.us 7
 STANDARD
Prsrt Std

THE
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Permit No. 171
St. Paul, MN
Minnesota’s newsletter for the building industry
THE BUILDING CODES AND STANDARDS DIVISION
MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION
408 METRO SQUARE BUILDING • 121 7TH PLACE E. • ST. PAUL MN 55101
WEB SITE WWW.ADMIN.STATE.MN.US/BUILDINGCODES

VOICE (651) 296-4639 • FAX (651) 297-1973 • E-MAIL EDITOR MARY.WILLIAMS@STATE.MN.US • THIS NEWSLETTER IS AVAILABLE IN
ALTERNATIVE FORMATS TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH THE MINNESOTA RELAY SERVICE AT 1-800-627-3529

Nov. 5 – Roseville – BAM con-
tractor series presented by
State Building Codes and
Standards on IRC. Contact
Katie Liberko at (651) 492-
0936.
Nov. 6 – Rochester – State Building
Codes and Standards Fall Seminar
on administration and existing
buildings. Contact Don Sivigny at
(651) 297-3600.
Nov. 7 – Rochester – State Building
Codes and Standards Fall Seminar
on IBC. Contact Don Sivigny at
(651) 297-3600.
Nov. 7 – Roseville – BAM contractor
series presented by State Building
Codes and Standards on IRC. Con-
tact Katie Liberko at (651) 492-0936.
Nov. 7 – St. Paul – Construction Codes
Advisory Council. Contact Colleen
Chirhart at (651) 296-4329.
Nov. 12 – Brooklyn Center – State
Building Codes and Standards Fall
Seminar on administration and
existing buildings. Contact Don
Sivigny at (651) 297-3600.
Nov. 12 – Roseville – BAM contractor
series presented by State Building
Codes and Standards on IRC. Con-
tact Katie Liberko at (651) 492-0936.
CALENDAR
Nov. 13 – Brooklyn Center – State
Building Codes and Standards
Fall Seminar on IBC. Contact Don
Sivigny at (651) 297-3600.
Nov. 14 – Roseville – BAM contractor
series presented by State Building
Codes and Standards on IRC. Con-
tact Katie Liberko at (651) 492-
0936.
Nov. 15 – Minneapolis – State Building
Codes and Standards seminar on
existing buildings. Contact Deanna
Christiansen at (612) 338-6763.
Nov. 16 – St. Paul – Building official
certification exams. Contact Mike
Fricke at (651) 205-4802.
Nov. 19 – Maplewood – North Star/
Lake Country Education Seminar
on firestopping. Contact Keith
Willie at (651) 464-3550.
Nov. 19 - 22 – Roseville – BAM con-
tractor series presented by State
Building Codes and Standards on
IRC. Contact Katie Liberko at (651)
492-0936.
Nov. 20 – Redwood Falls
– Southwest Chapter of Building
Officials education seminar
on WIRSBO by Rep. Scott
Rademacher. Contact Russell
Thornberg at (507) 238-9461.
Nov. 20 – St. Cloud – State Building
Codes and Standards Fall Seminar
on administration and existing
buildings. Contact Don Sivigny at
(651) 297-3600.
Nov. 21 – St. Cloud – State Building
Codes and Standards Fall Seminar
on IBC. Contact Don Sivigny at
(651) 297-3600.
Nov. 21 – Roseville – BAM contractor
series presented by State Building
Codes and Standards on IRC. Con-
tact Katie Liberko at (651) 492-0936.
Nov. 22 – Mankato – Building official
certification exams. Contact Mike
Fricke at (651) 205-4802.
Nov. 26 – St. Paul – State Building
Codes and Standards Fall Seminar
on administration and existing
buildings. Contact Don Sivigny at
(651) 297-3600.
Nov. 27 – St. Cloud – State Building
Codes and Standards Fall Seminar
on IBC. Contact Don Sivigny at
(651) 297-3600.