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Boards and Commissions
CONSTRUCTION & FIRE PREVENTION BOARD OF APPEALS

AUTHORIZATION FOR CREATION AND OPERATION:  The Construction and Fire Prevention Board of Appeals was created by Ordinance No. 9282, adopted on January 3, 1985, revised by Ordinance No. 14043, adopted on January 4, 2000, and amended by Ordinance No. 15730, adopted on May 1, 2007, amending the membership of the Board.

COMPOSITION:  Eleven members, who are qualified as follows:

Place 1  Architect to be nominated by the Fort Worth Chapter of the American Institute of Architects

Place 2  Engineer (with Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing or Structural Background) to be nominated by the Fort Worth Branch of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers

Place 3  Fire Protection Engineer or Fire Protection Professional to be nominated by the City Manager

Place 4  Architect to be nominated by the Fort Worth Chapter of the American Institute of Architects

Place 5  General Contractor to be nominated by the Fort Worth Chapter of the Associated General Contractors

Place 6  Building Owner or manager to be nominated by the Building Owners and Managers Association of Fort Worth

Place 7  Engineer (with Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing or Structural Background) to be nominated by the Fort worth Branch of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers

Place 8  Permit Master Electrician to be nominated by the City Manager

Place 9  Master Plumber to be nominated by the City Manager

Place 10  HVAC contractor to be nominated by the City Manager

Place 11  Home Builder to be nominated by the Fort Worth Home Builder's Association

Building Official and Fire Chief or their designated representatives shall be ex officio members of the Board.

METHOD OF APPOINTMENT:  Appointed by the City Manager by and with the consent of the City Council.

TERMS OF OFFICE:  Members and alternate members shall serve two year terms.  Members and alternate members appointed to the odd numbered places shall serve terms which expire October 1 of odd numbered years.  Members and alternate members shall serve two year terms.  Members and alternate members appointed to even numbered places shall serve terms which expire October 1 of even numbered years.  No member or alternate member shall serve more than a total of three consecutive two-year terms.  After a break in service of at least two years, a member or alternate member may again be eligible to service.  Members and alternate members shall serve until their successors are appointed.

GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES:  The Board was established for the purpose of determining the acceptability and adequacy of materials, equipment and methods of construction and for interpretation of the standards oulined in Ordinance No. 14043.  The Board shall have the authority and power to:

1.  Hear appeals on interpretations by the designated official on the Building Codes (Building, Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing Codes).  The Board may modify in whole or in part or may affirm the intrepretation of the designated official.  No interpretations shall be heard by the Board until the designated official has rendered a written interpretation within thirty days of receipt of written request.

2.  Hear appeals on interpretations by the Fire Chief on the Fire Code.  No interpretations shall be heard by the Board until the Fire Chief has rendered a written interpretation.

3.  Approve alternate methods of construction and fire prevention where it is impractical to meet the adopted construction and fire prevention standards, provided that the Board finds the same degree of suitability, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability, sanitation and safety exists in the alternate method as intended by the standards.

4.  Approve new methods of construction and fire prevention not covered by the construction and fire prevention standards, provided that the Board finds the same degree of suitability, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability, sanitation and safety exists in the new methods as intended by the standards.

5.  Determine the acceptability and adequacy of materials, equipment and methods of construction of signs.  Hear appeals on interpretations by the Building Official on the Sign Code of the City of Fort Worth.  The Board may modify in whole or in part or may affirm the interpretation of the Building Official.  No interpretation shall be heard by the Board until the Building Official has rendered a written interpretation.

6.  At the request or staff or the Board, review all technical amendments to the Minimum Building Standards Code of the City of Fort Worth.  Hear appeals on interpretations by the designated official on sections of the Minimum Building Standards Code that are designated as Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing or Fire Code related.  The Board may modify in whole or in part or may affirm the interpretation of the designated official.

7.  Grant variances to the non-administrative provisions of the Building Codes (Building, Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing Codes); sections of the Minimum Building Standards Code that are designated as Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing or Fire Code related; the Fire Code; and the Sign Code, whien in the opinion of the Board, and based upon the presentation of valid data, the applicable provisions are unreasonable and/or unrealistic to a particular site, building or structure.  THe Board shall use its good judgment in granting such variances, balancing the code requirement to protect life, health, structural safety and the reasonableness of the requirement.  It shall take the affirmative vote of six (6) members to grant a variance.

8.  The Board may review from time to time the provisions of the respective codes and recommend any necessary change and/or improvements to the City Council.  This review shall include consideration of suggestions from industry or the public at large which shall be obtained by means of open hearing as well as through the regular channels.

9.  Hear appeals for revocation or denial of licenses or registrations, or the denial of permit issuance as required by the respective codes.

10.  Review the qualification and testing standards of alternate examining agencies and make advisory recommendations to the Building Official as authorized in the Electrical Code.

11.  Establish and review criteria for electrical license reciprocal agreements with other cities.  Approve, reject or discontinue such agreements in accordance with the Electrical Code.

Members of the Board are considered to be officers of the CIty of Fort Worth.

MEETING TIME AND PLACE:  Second Thursday of each month at 2:00 p.m., unless otherwise determined by the Board in the Development Conference Room on the lower level of City Hall.  For meeting agendas, please visit the City Calendar. Visit the Planning and Development Web site for more information.

PRESENT MEMBERSHIP:

Ex Officio, non-voting members:

Building Official, Al Godwin, 392-7825
Fire Marshal, Bob Morgan, 392-6808

Chair:
Department Contact:  Dana Burghdoff, 392-8018