Electrical

• Switches controlling stairway lighting must be lighted in the off position (residential only).
• Switches controlling stairway lighting must be within 6’ of the top and bottom of each stairway (this includes basement stairs)
• (residential only).
•  tches located outside the point of entry to the area where the device is located.
• A wall switch must control lights in attics and other storage areas.

Plumbing

• The maximum water temperature at domestic lavatories and kitchen sinks is 130 degrees F and 120 degrees F at showers and tubs.
• The maximum water temperature at commercial lavatories and personal hand wash stations is 130 degrees F.
• The maximum water temperature shall be obtained using a mixing valve located either at the hot water source or at each fixture required to have the maximum temperature limited.

Mechanical

• All HVAC Ducts, and other optional systems, installed in concealed locations within stud or joist bays where located less than 1 ¼ inches from the nearest edge of framing members shall be protected by a steel shield plate 0.0575 inch thickness (No. 16 gage) that shall cover the area subject to physical damage.  The shields shall extend a minimum of 2 inches above sole plates and 2 inches below top plates.
• Where system components are installed within framing cavities in a wall or floor that is part of the thermal envelope, a minimum of R-13 rigid insulation shall be installed between the system component and the unconditioned side of the cavity.

Prescriptive Design 

• Where new residential structures are being supported on concrete piers; each pier shall have a minimum bearing area equivalent to that of a twenty four (24) inch diameter circle.     Exception:  The bearing area requirement may be reduced where calculations are provided to verify reductions in bearing areas.
• Where geotechnical data is not provided, concrete footings supporting poured concrete or masonry block walls shall contain a minimum of two (2) continuous, equally spaced rows of #4 rebar.  The rebar shall be supported or suspended in the center third of footing depth.  Support shall be accomplished by the use of ACI standard “chairs” or by the use of tie wires.

Architect/Engineer

These amendments are part of the Bedford municipal code and related to the Building Construction Ordinance (PDF). Amend the IBC section outlining Architect/Engineer responsibilities during construction by adding this information.

Added Responsibilities

When the laws of the State of New Hampshire require that construction documents be prepared by registered architects or engineers or the plans do not meet the prescriptive requirements of the code, the registered architects or engineers who have prepared plans, computations and specifications or the registered architects or registered engineers who have been retained to perform construction phase services, shall perform the following tasks for the portion of the work for which they are directly responsible:

• Review, for conformance to the design concept, shop drawings, samples and other submittals, which are submitted by the contractor in accordance with the requirements of the construction documents.
• Review and approval of the quality control procedures for all code-required controlled materials, structural tests and special inspections.
• Be present at intervals appropriate to the stage of construction to become generally familiar with the progress and quality of the work and to determine, in general, if the work is being performed in a manner consistent with the construction documents and accepted engineering practice standards.
• The design professional shall submit to the building department documentation verifying compliance with the above requirements at regular intervals, which shall be noted at the time of permit issuance.
• The tasks listed in this section are in addition to requirements for structural observation or other duties specified in Section 1704, Section 1709 or elsewhere in the adopted International Building Code.

New Section

Add a new section regarding Architect/Engineer qualifications:

• When the requirements of codes dictate there shall be design professionals preparing plans; those professionals shall have their license based upon the discipline required for the plans being prepared. Any design professional wishing to stamp plans for a discipline other than the one his or her license is based upon may be required to submit additional documentation validating his or her competency in the additional area of design.