Good golly! Maybe it IS time to move!!! (Austin: houses, closing)

[10scoachrick]

The City of Austin Code Department is asking for public input about a proposed City ordinance that would require property owners to install insect screens on windows and exterior doors. All input received will be submitted to the Austin City Council on or before June 30, 2018, to inform the Council’s decision about the proposed ordinance. After this public input period, the Code Department will submit a recommendation to Council for an insect-screens ordinance in Austin. This recommendation will be based on the current language found in the International Property Maintenance Code: “From [date] to [date], every door, window and other outside opening required for ventilation of habitable rooms, food preparation areas, food service areas or any areas where products to be included or utilized in food for human consumption are processed, manufactured, packaged or stored shall be supplied with approved tightly fitting screens of minimum 16 mesh per inch (16 mesh per 25 mm), and every screen door used for insect control shall have a self-closing device in good working condition. Exception: Screens shall not be required where other approved means, such as air curtains or insect repellent fans, are employed.”

The above is from the Communications and Public Information Office of the meddlesome City of Austin.

Dang

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by 10scoachrick

The City of Austin Code Department is asking for public input about a proposed City ordinance that would require property owners to install insect screens on windows and exterior doors. All input received will be submitted to the Austin City Council on or before June 30, 2018, to inform the Council’s decision about the proposed ordinance. After this public input period, the Code Department will submit a recommendation to Council for an insect-screens ordinance in Austin. This recommendation will be based on the current language found in the International Property Maintenance Code: “From [date] to [date], every door, window and other outside opening required for ventilation of habitable rooms, food preparation areas, food service areas or any areas where products to be included or utilized in food for human consumption are processed, manufactured, packaged or stored shall be supplied with approved tightly fitting screens of minimum 16 mesh per inch (16 mesh per 25 mm), and every screen door used for insect control shall have a self-closing device in good working condition. Exception: Screens shall not be required where other approved means, such as air curtains or insect repellent fans, are employed.”

The above is from the Communications and Public Information Office of the meddlesome City of Austin.

Dang

Which will be a requirement on approximately 0% of Austin homeowners (as the number of houses with AC is ~100%).

It seems directed at food service restaurants.

[cBach]

Originally Posted by Novacek

Which will be a requirement on approximately 0% of Austin homeowners (as the number of houses with AC is ~100%).

It seems directed at food service restaurants.

Well if you ever open a window, it would be required to have a screen. I actually open windows quite a bit in the spring/fall.

This also means that everyone will have to have a self closing screen door on the front and back door. Most people already have this, but it would codify it.

The reason for this is because some food trailers have questionable hygiene practices, but homeowners would be impacted.

[Trainwreck20]

I can argue with the wording a bit, but the phrase "required for ventilation" eliminates the requirement for every door and window in my house - none of the openings are required for ventilation.

As stated above, AC eliminates the requirement, more or less.

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

I can argue with the wording a bit, but the phrase "required for ventilation" eliminates the requirement for every door and window in my house - none of the openings are required for ventilation.

As stated above, AC eliminates the requirement, more or less.

One could easily make the case that AC isn't the determining factor as to the "requirement" for ventilation by open windows. Plenty of folks eschew AC for personal/cultural/health/economic reasons.

It's pretty hard to believe an ordinance like this would throw private residences under the same 'blanket' as food service establishments.

Was there a malaria outbreak or other flying-critter-borne scourge that I missed?

Dang

[Trainwreck20]

Originally Posted by 10scoachrick

One could easily make the case that AC isn't the determining factor as to the "requirement" for ventilation by open windows. Plenty of folks eschew AC for personal/cultural/health/economic reasons.

But if I can spend most of my time in my house with all the windows and doors closed without asphyxiating or dying of heat stroke, then they are not required for ventilation. So you could easily make that case, but lose it if it went to court, imho .

I think this target and would only affect facilities (i.e. food trailers) that are uninhabitable (by, say, OSHA standards) during normal operations without the windows/doors open.

[cBach]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

But if I can spend most of my time in my house with all the windows and doors closed without asphyxiating or dying of heat stroke, then they are not required for ventilation. So you could easily make that case, but lose it if it went to court, imho .

I think this target and would only affect facilities (i.e. food trailers) that are uninhabitable (by, say, OSHA standards) during normal operations without the windows/doors open.

Yes the intent is to make sure flies don't end up in your breakfast tacos that you get each morning at the food trailer. I agree that the rules as written would be hard to enforce a screen for homes, but most homes already have screens on every window anyway I thought?

I kind of have a problem with this ordinance because many food trailers have windows and you order and get the food at the window. A screen is going to make it more cumbersome as they are going to have to open/close the screen for each interaction. I'm guessing that since "air curtains" are considered the same as a screen in the language that air curtains will be mandatory in food trucks. Much easier to have an air curtain than constantly open and close a screen.

[Novacek]

They're now explicitly calling out that it wouldn't apply if you have AC.

Public Input | AustinTexas.gov - The Official Website of the City of Austin

[cBach]

Originally Posted by Novacek

They're now explicitly calling out that it wouldn't apply if you have AC.

Public Input | AustinTexas.gov - The Official Website of the City of Austin

Ok then this is obviously aimed at food trucks. I've seen questionable practices at some but not most food trucks.

The biggest thing is I've seen bees hover near snow cone stands. They like that sweet syrup.

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by Novacek

They're now explicitly calling out that it wouldn't apply if you have AC.

Public Input | AustinTexas.gov - The Official Website of the City of Austin

Having AC and USING AC can be entirely different!!! Will the city have patrols checking to make sure the AC is running???