14A-10-1004.3 Application.

Any person desiring to use any construction material, construction method, system of construction, or arrangement of materials that is not allowed or recognized by, or varies from, the requirements established by the Chicago Construction Codes may submit a written application to the building official, supported by evidence to establish that the request will result in construction that is equivalent or superior to that allowed by the Chicago Construction Codes.

14A-10-1004.3.1 Fee.

Each application must be accompanied by payment of a nonrefundable review fee in accordance with Section 14A-12-1210.

14A-10-1004.4 Investigation.

The building official will conduct a preliminary review of each application and recommend to the Committee whether the construction material, construction method, system of construction, or arrangement of materials should be permitted under the conditions outlined in the application or under further conditions identified by the building official.

14A-10-1004.4.1 Additional information.

If, in the judgment of the building official, further evidence is necessary regarding the suitability or safety of such construction material, construction method, system of construction, or arrangement of materials, the building official may require further tests to be made or additional data to be submitted by the applicant.

14A-10-1004.5 Hearing.

The Committee must consider each recommendation of the building official at a public hearing, at which an Illinois- licensed architect, structural engineer, or professional engineer must present the request on behalf of the applicant. If, following the applicant’s presentation, the Committee determines that further evidence is necessary regarding the suitability or safety of the request, the Committee may require an additional hearing or condition its approval on submission of suitable evidence to the building official. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Committee must vote on whether to accept, with or without additional conditions, the preliminary recommendation of the building official.

14A-10-1004.6 Records.

The building official must maintain a public record of the Committee’s actions.

14A-10-1004.7 Effect.

Decisions by the Committee pursuant to Section 14A-10-1004 are project-specific. A decision does not have any precedential effect, nor does it require the Committee to approve or deny a similar request in the future. The building official, however, may consider actions of the Committee in evaluating requests for alternative code approval under Section 14A-10-1003.

14A-10-1005 BUILDING BOARD OF APPEALS.