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S&B Uniform Dwelling Code Program

(One - and Two - Family Dwellings)

The Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC) is the statewide building code for one- and two-family dwellings built since June 1, 1980. The Safety and Buildings Division provides consultation and education concerning UDC construction standards and inspection procedures. Building materials are evaluated for conformance with standards. UDC inspection and contractor credentials are administered. There is enforcement of the UDC in all Wisconsin municipalities.

NEWS

Effective Dec. 1, 2009, Safety and Buildings Division staff will be taking over direct enforcement of the UDC in most areas where there have been state-contracted inspection agencies. For more information: 608-789-5656, udctech@commerce.state.wi.us

Building Contractor Registration Web page

Dwelling Contractor Info / Explanation of Dwelling Contractor Education

The Uniform Dwelling Code Council will meet Wednesday, November 4, 2009. See the agenda for the all-day meeting at the Department of Revenue Building in Madison. The meeting is open to the public.

A Public Hearing is October 21, 2009, on an emergency rule that effects the recently adopted Comm 20 to 25 changes relating to the approved version of REScheck software used to show compliance with the Uniform Dwelling Code thermal envelope requirements. The rule amends s. Comm 22.31 (2) (b) that currently allows the use of REScheck software, Version 4.1.0 or later.

Permanent rules implementing Building Contractor Registration were adopted August 3, 2009, and are expected to be effective October 1, 2009. The emergency rules are in effect until the last week of September. Plumbing businesses are affected!

A Statement of Scope was issued July 31, 2009,for a possible Comm 5 code development project relating to the licensing and regulation of thermal system insulation mechanics as mandated by 2009 Wisconsin Act 16 and relating to construction contractor registration as mandated by 2009 Wisconsin Act 28, s. 2155m. The public may comment on the project within thirty days of publication of the statement, which is expected to be August 14. (Comments will also be accepted at various times as the project proceeds.) Contact Norma Sampson, Communications Specialist, norma.sampson@wi.gov, 608-267-7907.

REScheck version 4.2.2 is also now available from the federal Dept. of Energy. The 4.2.2 version of the energy calculation software, used in design of one- and two-family dwellings, reflects the requirements of the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code update that was effective April 1, 2009. There are several points to consider about using the software.

April 1, 2009, UDC code changes

A print copy of the new UDC Code and Commentary is available from state Document Sales, 800-362-7253. There are several corrections needed to both the code and commentary portions. See code corrections. See commentary corrections.

S&B has a CD available which can provide education on the Uniform Dwelling Code and which offers 12 hours of continuing education credits for Dwelling Contractors and 9 hours each for UDC-Construction and UDC-Electrical Inspectors. (This course is not approved as a Dwelling Contractor initial training course.) For more information or to order a free copy of the disc, send an email to madisoncred@commerce.state.wi.us, or call 608-261-8467. There is a $100 fee for the 12-hour CE course.

See improved PDF copies of figures that are not very clear in April 1, 2009, edition of Comm 20-25:
- Comm 21.25-A
- Comm 21.25-B
- Comm 21.25-C
- Comm 21.25-E
- Comm 21.25-F
- See list of errata in printed version of April 1, 2009 Comm 20-25.

See PDF document that provides corrections to the printed Commentary. Figure "Building#1, page 2, is jumbled in the printed copy and a correction is needed to section "12. Grid Line D," page 9.

Contacts
One- & Two-Family Dwellings/UDC Staff (See map of counties/districts for UDC Consultants, PDF version)

West-Central: Jack Miller, Code Consultant (La Crosse office) 608-785-9348, jamiller@commerce.state.wi.us

Southern: Duane Hubeler, Code Consultant (Madison office) 608-266-1390, dhubeler@commerce.state.wi.us

Northeast: Jack Wotruba, Code Consultant (Green Bay office) 920-360-0020, jack.wotruba@wisconsin.gov

Northwest: Vacant, Call another UDC Consultant

Central: Leroy Stublaski, S&B Uniform Dwelling Code Consultant, 608-339-4657, lstublaski@commerce.state.wi.us

- Fax UDC technical questions to: 608-283-7409

- Email UDC technical questions to: udctech@commerce.state.wi.us

- Uniform Dwelling Code Advisory Council

- Gary Ekes, S&B Manufactured Dwellings Consultant, 608-575-0967, gekes@commerce.state.wi.us

- Tom Kasper, S&B Integrated Services Bureau UDC section chief, 608-267-7586, tkasper@commerce.state.wi.us.

- Larry Swaziek, S&B UDC Program Manager, 608-267-7701, lswaziek@commerce.state.wi.us

There is enforcement of the UDC in all Wisconsin municipalities.

See a PDF report for all Wisconsin municipalities and their status as to enforcement of the UDC. This includes note of the contracted inspection agency, if there is state enforcement (some agencies have not yet returned the signed contracts). There is an instruction page for abbreviations used in the report.

Here is a PDF map of the state inspection districts. Here is a PDF file showing the inspection district contracted agencies.

Lists of registered UDC Inspection Agencies and UDC Inspectors are available from an index of S&B credential lists.

- Model ordinance for adoption of Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code, PDF or Word 97 files (Updated May, 2007)
- Info on municipalities contracting with inspectors or inspection agencies,PDF or HTML files
- Info on establishing UDC enforcement fees, PDF file

PDF brochure "Building a Home in Wisconsin?"

Resources
- 2005 Wisconsin Act 201, related to communications between consumers and contractors concerning possible construction defects, PDF file, Commerce "Right to Cure" brochure as prescribed by Act 201, PDF file . The law was effective Oct. 1, 2006.

- How are campgrounds in Wisconsin affected by the UDC Program? New Web Feature.

- Solid Fuel-Fired Water-Heating Appliance Brochure, SBD-10879 (R2/09)

- Pamphlet describing various aspects of UDC inspector certification, PDF file, Word file.

- Carbon Monoxide Brochure, SBD-10882 (N10/08), PDF file

- Smoke Alarms in Wisconsin Brochure, SBD-8282P (R3/09), PDF file

- An erosion control field guide (SBD-10837) and a standard erosion control plan (DNR WT-458-96) are available on the S&B Forms page.

- REScheck is a software application that can be downloaded from the federal Department of Energy. A Wisconsin version within REScheck can be used for one- and two-family dwelling design. REScheck 4.2.2 version reflects the energy requirements of the Uniform Dwelling Code effective April 1, 2009.

Rescheck version 4.2.2 is available at http://www.energycodes.gov/ .

Please read the following points about use of the REScheck 4.2.2.
1. Only the download version is ready for primetime. REScheck-Web and REScheck Package Generator are not ready yet. They are still the old versions.
2. When designating the applicable code in REScheck, select "Wisconsin 2009". If the REScheck software you use does not have the code category "Wisconsin 2009" it is not the most current version. That would be true of the REScheck-Web and REScheck Package Generation versions.
3. Even though the user can check compliance with the code prior to selecting a mechanical system (Mechanical Tab), the user must enter the mechanical system that will heat the home (and the system's efficiency). so it may be shown on the energy report provided to the inspector. The only exception would for electric resistance and geothermal heat pump systems (these systems are not listed under the mechanical tab). For those systems the designer will not select any of the systems under the mechanical tab, but would add to the Project Detail a note that this other type of heating system is being used.

More Resources
* Product approval for Form-A-Drain footing form and foundation drainage system from CertainTeed Corporation was revised in June, 2008, notably in the spacing of bleeders, see PDF file

* Garage wall bracing memo, Jan. 2006, PDF file

* Info about the UDC enforcement changes and electric service hookup.

* Modular Home Manufacturers Approved in Accordance with UDC COMM 20.14, Oct. 1, 2008, PDF file

* Building material product evaluation letters.

* UDC Statistics, monthly UDC permit information

* S&B Buildings One- and Two-Family Dwellings Program Forms

* The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) requires proper inspections, notification and removal of asbestos containing materials for renovations and demolitions. For more information on Wisconsin Administrative Code, Chapter NR 447 please visit the DNR website at http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/aw/air/reg/asbestos/.

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* Note, May 18, 2007: Per Comm 20.09(4)(b), foundation systems serving manufactured homes may be designed by structural analysis but do not need to be signed and sealed by a registered professional.

Here is a PDF file concerning an acceptable slab on grade foundation system for manufactured homes, prepared by Larry Swaziek, S&B Maufactured Home and Uniform Dwelling Code Program Manager.

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- PDF file Update to Manufactured Home Installation Manual for Manufactured Homes Produced On or After April 1, 2007 (Revised Feb. 19, 2009) The December 8, 2005, federal Department of Housing and Urban Development standard has not changed. (Items 9, 10, 11, and 13 in the installation manuals were added to the "changes or additions to or omissions from" the HUD Installation Standards section.) The key changes are:
- Allows the use of 2 - 4 inch thick solid concrete blocks plus 1- 2 inch wood block to fill gaps;
- Allows the use of No. 2 spruce pine fir or better lumber for wood caps and shims; and
- Allows the use of painted ground anchors and tie-down straps instead of hot-dipped galvanized.

The Uniform Dwelling Code (one- and two-family dwellings) changes April 1, 2009

When the online electronic free chapters of the UDC, Comm 20-25, are changed by the Revisor of Statutes, they will be posted on the Revisor's Web site.

Here is a PDF file that shows the "major" Comm 20-25 changes

Here is a PDF file of a PowerPoint presentation prepared by S&B staff for training on the changes

Here is a PDF file of a PowerPoint presentation prepared by S&B staff for training on the wall bracing portion of the changes
- Here is a PDF file showing a wall bracing example

- Here is a PDF file of a PowerPoint presentaion from the Winter 2009 Insepctor Energy Training

See code change documents online.

Important explanation of Dwelling Contractor Education

List of errata in printed version of April 1, 2009 Comm 20-25.
1. The reference to sub. (10) in s. Comm 21.03(1)(c) should be sub (8).

2. Section Comm 21.11(1)(b)1. should be 1/2 - inch gypsum wallboard

3. Section Comm 21.11(1)(b)2. should be 1/2 - inch nominal wood structural panel

4. Section Comm 21.11(1)(b)3. should be 3/4 - inch sawn lumber with tongue-and-groove or lap joints
(For items 2,3,4, these number were missing on the earlier copies of the UDC that were distributed. It has been changed since then)

5. The reference to Table 21.25-G in s. Comm 21.25(8)(e)2. should be 21.25-H.

6. The reference to Table 21.25-J in Table 21.25-H, footnote 5, should be 21.25-K.

7. The reference to sub. (9)(c)6. in Figure 21.25-G(c) should be sub.(9)(c)5.

County Web sites || City/Town/Village Web sites || State Portal || Build Your Business

Email this page's manager, Todd Taylor, ttaylor@commerce.state.wi.us or 608-267-3606

The Department of Commerce Safety and Buildings Division is an equal opportunity service provider and employer. If you need assistance to access services or need material in an alternate format, please contact us, 608-266-3151, TDD Relay dial 711 in Wisconsin or 800-947-3529, or ttaylor@commerce.state.wi.us