The 2007 Kentucky Building Code is scheduled to become effective on July 1, 2007.  Unlike the current 2002 Kentucky Building Code, the 2007 edition of the KBC is not a stand-alone code book unto itself; it is a compilation of amendments to the 2006 International Building Code.  To correctly use the new code, it will be necessary to refer to both the 2006 IBC and the 2007 Kentucky amendments.  HBC has also issued an amended Table 1608.2 that should be incorporated to correct an error in this document.

The Legislative Research Commission has completed their review and approval process for the Kentucky amendments. The amendment document will also be posted on the Office of Housing, Buildings and Construction website shortly.  HBC’s website address is www.ohbc.ky.gov.  The 2006 International Building Code can be obtained from the International Code Council and other sources where reference materials are available.  ICC’s website address is www.iccsafe.org.

Download the attached document, which is a summarization of the changes resulting from the new edition of the code.  Part I summarizes the significant changes made to the 2006 IBC in the 2007 Kentucky amendments, and Part II summarizes the resulting significant differences between the new code, as amended, and the 2002 KBC.  Note that this is not an attempt to itemize every single change or difference; only those considered significant and broadly applicable are listed.

top

Office of the Inspector General Adopts New Regulations for Hospital Construction

The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Office of the Inspector General has formally adopted the latest AIA Guidelines for plan review of hospital projects. Plans for hospital construction submitted on or after December 17, 2007 shall be reviewed under the 2006 Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities developed and edited by the AIA. This long awaited change is the result of the hard work and collaborative efforts of the Office of the Inspector General and AIA Kentucky.

The revised regulation is available online at htt p://www.lrc.state.ky.us/kar/TITLE902.HTM or type "Kentucky TITLE 902" on your search engine to access the Kentucky Administrative Regulations webpage. The revised regulation is listed under "Chapter 20 Health Services and Facilities" and labeled "009reg Facility specifications; hospitals" in green letters. Significant changes to note include the following:

Existing hospital construction: The previous regulation for existing hospital construction, 902 KAR 20:009, has been integrated into this revision. Existing hospital projects reviewed under the previous regulation should be in compliance with Sections 6 through 33 of the new regulation.

New hospital construction: Projects to be reviewed under the new regulation will include new hospital construction and renovation projects including hospital-based outpatient services that are provided under that healthcare provider's license. Refer to Sections 34 and 35 of the new regulation.

Grace period: Those submitting plans for review after December 17, 2007 and prior to June 1, 2008 have the option to request their projects be reviewed under either the previous 902 KAR 20:009 regulation or the new regulation. On June 1, 2008, the new regulation will become applicable to all new hospital construction and renovation projects submitted on or after that date.

Architects and engineers developing hospital projects for review are encouraged to read the regulation as they are working on future plan submittals. Any questions can be directed to Harold T. Snider, AIA or Assistant Director Diona Mullins at the Office of the Inspector General at 502-564-7963. Mr. Snider's phone extension is 3296. Ms. Mullin's extension is 3311.

top

Plan Review Record Form

top

AIA Contract Documents 2007 Update

AIA Contract Documents are acknowledged as the most balanced documents in the design and construction industry and, therefore, are the most widely used standard form agreements in the construction marketplace. It's not just a marketing slogan to say that they are the industry standard-our market research proves it.

However, as the design and construction industry evolves, so do the AIA Contract Documents. In response to changing industry practices, the Institute began a process four years ago to consult and collaborate with representatives of other organizations in the construction industry to publish the most up-to-date agreements in the industry. Only through wide solicitation of input can we understand the needs of all contracting parties and publish the most fair and balanced documents offered anywhere.

The major changes you'll see in the 2007 Update of the AIA Contract Documents include the following:

• In owner/contract agreements that incorporate AIA Contract Document A201^TM-2007 General Conditions of the Contract for Construction, the owner and contractor now have the option to engage an Initial Decision Maker to make initial decisions on claims. This option responds to owner and contractor groups who questioned the architect's impartiality and requested an alternative to the architect's involvement in the resolution of claims.
• Agreements now allow the consolidation of arbitrations, a concept that owners and contractors requested to allow economical resolution of claims involving multiple parties.
• Arbitration is now optional in both owner/contractor and owner/architect agreements, a provision that responds to changing views about the merits of mandatory arbitration.
• State law now governs the statute of limitations for filing claims in both owner/architect and owner/contractor agreements, subject to a 10-year cutoff following substantial completion.

For a comprehensive explanation of these and other changes, see the article, "2007 Revisions to AIA Contract Documents" (PDF).

The 2007 updates were released simultaneously in both paper format and AIA software. To help users of AIA Contract Documents software make the transition, access is provided to both new and retired versions of the documents until May 31, 2009. The software will also provide access to a host of supporting information, such as commentaries and comparisons about the 2007 documents, that will also be available free of charge via www.aia.org. Paper customers will be able to purchase the retired versions from paper distributors throughout the transition period as long as inventory lasts. Paper documents are available in Kentucky from Lynn Imaging locations in Lexington and Louisville.

For questions about revisions to the content of AIA documents, call Documents Information at the AIA, 202-626-7526, or send an e-mail to docinfo@aia.org and a member of the document content staff will contact you.

top

AIA KY Endowed Professorship Goal Reached!

Colossus Partners $10,000+
AIA Kentucky

Roger and Barbara Teague/Columbia Precast LLC

Corinthian Partners - $5,000 to $9,999
Clyde Reynolds Carpenter, FAIA
CNA/Victor O. Schinnerer
GBBN Architects

Alan B. Sullivan, AIA

Ionic Partners - $3,000 to $4,999
H. Carleton Godsey, Jr., FAIA/Godsey Associates Architects

JRA Architects
Omni Architects
Ross-Tarrant Architects, Inc.

 
Doric Partners - $1,500 to $2,999
AIA East Kentucky Chapter

Architectural Group International