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An average day

There was a day when everybody was in the inspector's area of the office. By everybody I mean five inspectors, the assistant office manager and the office manager. We all heard an inspector explaining a correction over the phone for a solar contractor. The correction stated that the asphalt shingle roof covering shall be replaced. This correction was delivered at a final inspection for the solar.

We heard the inspector say, "If the inspector doubts that the shingles will last an additional fifteen years, the shingles shall be replaced. I'm shocked that you didn't know that. I am an installer and I have know that for a long time."

When he got off the phone I asked him where that came from. He hemmed and hawed a finally said that it is published by the Roofer's Institute. ...to which I replied, "We do not enforce anything like that." That upset him and he told me to stay in my own lane.

Mind you, I was not confrontational in tone and I used words that did not invite trouble. Later that day I received an email from the office manager instructing me to never challenge that inspector again because I created a "hostile work environment". After that day I heard the inspector repeat the bullshlt with solar contractors several times.

I am fairly certain that the solar contractors would complain and the correction would be voided. I am also convinced that some just gave up and did it. Knowing that the inspector continued to cause such grief with seemingly no repercussion is disheartening but no surprise
 
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ICE said:
"If the inspector doubts that the shingles will last an additional fifteen years, the shingles shall be replaced.
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Most asphalt shingles won't last 15 years in some climates

Note: When exposed to strong, direct sunlight and rapid temperature changes i.e., thermal shocks that are commonly associated with southern states and desert climate zones — think places like Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, Nevada, and parts of California that are mostly deserts — asphalt shingles can develop cracks, resulting in a greatly diminished lifespan and premature failure.

www.roofingcalc.com

Average Roof Lifespan - How Long Does a Roof Last?

If you are in the process of buying a new home, you probably want to know the age of the roof and how much longer it will last. Similarly, if you’ve lived in your home for a while, you are probably also wondering about the current condition of the roof and whether it’s time to ... Read more
www.roofingcalc.com www.roofingcalc.com
 
mtlogcabin said:
Most asphalt shingles won't last 15 years in some climates

Note: When exposed to strong, direct sunlight and rapid temperature changes i.e., thermal shocks that are commonly associated with southern states and desert climate zones — think places like Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, Nevada, and parts of California that are mostly deserts — asphalt shingles can develop cracks, resulting in a greatly diminished lifespan and premature failure.

www.roofingcalc.com

Average Roof Lifespan - How Long Does a Roof Last?

If you are in the process of buying a new home, you probably want to know the age of the roof and how much longer it will last. Similarly, if you’ve lived in your home for a while, you are probably also wondering about the current condition of the roof and whether it’s time to ... Read more
www.roofingcalc.com www.roofingcalc.com
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Southern New Mexico also. Even the TPO Manu. warranties here are less than other climates.
 
I told a story about an egregious evil that was perpetrated by an inspector. Four people have commented about the longevity of asphalt roof covering and not a word about the evil.

When Mary Hartman was told about a man in South America that went on a rampage where he slaughtered 19 people, 54 chickens, 11 roosters. 4 cows a horse and a llama....well she sobbed and blubbered, "How could anyone do that to a llama."

The inspector likes to cause the work to be done over....at least once. The water pipe is copper, the sewer is ABS, the gas pipe is polyethylene


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From the many post you have shared and the problems you have getting things corrected it seems to me the "EVIL" during your employment there was and still is the office manager who has a wishbone instead of a backbone.
 
mtlogcabin said:
From the many post you have shared and the problems you have getting things corrected it seems to me the "EVIL" during your employment there was and still is the office manager who has a wishbone instead of a backbone.
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Well you're right about "evil to the bone".....There is twenty-one offices with well over a hundred inspectors. Imagine the havoc that would ensue if they did a competent job. The regnant ethos has nothing to do with writing corrections.
 
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ICE said:
The inspector likes to cause the work to be done over....at least once. The water pipe is copper, the sewer is ABS, the gas pipe is polyethylene


View attachment 8722
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I'm not making reference to CA code

#2, IPC 603.2 12-inches, can be in same trench if benched where water is up 12-inches and away 12-inches or sleeved when crossing sewer.
#3, Did not see that requirement, could be an AHJ or GAS supplier requirement?
#4, Amended by AHJ to the depth that they want.
#5, IFGC, 404.17.3 18 AWG YELLOW tracer wire required on NONmetallic pipe, (Plastic)
 
Polyethylene gas pipe, ABS sewer pipe and copper or CPVC or PVC or PEX water pipe can be in contact with each other. You can add electrical conduit to the list but if it is metallic conduit it shall be separated from copper pipe. The tracer wire for polyethylene gas pipe need not be yellow but shall be a minimum #14 awg.
 
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CPC 1210.1.7.2 Tracer Wire An electrically continuous corrosion-resistant tracer wire (not less than AWG 14) or tape shall be buried with the plastic pipe to facilitate locating. One end of the tracer wire or tape shall be brought aboveground at a building wall or riser. [NFPA 54:7.1.7.3]

See why you have to put up a disclamer when talking about Califorina Codes.
 
The caller wants an explanation of the "1 hour fire rated assembly" ... please hold for that inspector... Then I get to hear the inspector explain why an updated smoke alarm is required.


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The next caller wants to know what "by code" means....what the minimum protection is and how to dedicate circuits. That'll take him a while to explain all of that.

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JPohling said:
ICE, what happens when the contractor requests code sections from this inspector for his corrections?
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I can't say for sure. I know that if a person asks the office manager about a correction, that manager researches .... that starts with a code commentary and progresses to asking other inspectors and commences to involve MEP engineers. After an exhaustive search for the truth, which often includes the intent of the code, a decision is rendered.....usually within a few days.

Now if I fielded the call....well then I search my brain and render a decision. Not days,,,not even minutes later. But lo and behold, I would hear the topic being discussed in the office for days because the inspector refused to let it go. The damnable feature of the bogus corrections is that the same correction is written over and over again. The comical feature is that the process of dealing with it is repeated...step by step.
 
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So, does the statutory immunity you all benefit from down there extend to the situation being discussed here where an official is exceeding their authority?
 
In order to get past the shield one must not only prove the official wrong and establish a loss but it must be proved that the inspector acted with malice aforethought. That is next to impossable.
 
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Interesting. Here it is simple liability. The courts are relatively forgiving and look to the official's actions once the mistake was made. If they tried to work with the damaged party to help return them to where they would be if the official had not made the mistake, they are usually not held liable for further damages. Officials refusing to help or who appear to be expressly damaging someone are not so lucky.
 
Well just a snippet...

Complacency brings evil. There are more violations missed than are caught. When a wave of wrong corrections washes up, there's the notion that the inspector is drowning in accomplishment...not swimming with demons.

Clarification: Here's the deal, the State requires certifications, thus the field is narrow. Certifications became the only criteria and that opened the door to evil.

One example is hiring from within. Permit technicians are encouraged to become inspectors. Now it is not fair to say that someone with no construction knowledge makes for an inept inspector ...every time ...it's closer to often. These folks have never had a job working outdoors ....never been in charge of alpha males. Experience as a prison guard as a prerequisite trumps permit clerk. The most telling aspect is that they are not trained to any degree of competency…they learn it as they go...or not. That they are already employees says plenty.

Hiring third party inspectors is another avenue filled with potholes. ICC certifications and a pulse is a winning combination. I have wondered if certifications are a condition of parole. While I have been fortunate to meet qualified, quality third-party inspectors, I've mostly wondered how it came to be that ICC creates equals.

Years ago the building department enjoyed a reputation as the premier repository of code knowledge and could be relied upon to get it right….and that was the goal. If you wonder what in Hell happened, look no further than management. The goal morphed to Stellar Customer Service.

Training in code application works to the detriment of customer service....which explains the dearth of code training. Writing corrections is pushing in the wrong direction. Hiring individuals that can, or will, write corrections is an accurate shot to the foot…why intentionally add to the work load????… Increase strife?…Upset a Board of Supervisors that is busy with rainbows?

To know what evil is, one must also know what evil is not. The lack of ability or a desire to perform is not evil. The institution can practice evil and exonerate individuals. Look at the job through the inspector’s lens, “Would they send me if the outcome mattered?” It is logical to have scant respect for the position.

Okay, so what is the evil? Straight up demons! Cagey, corrupt to the core people that find exhilaration in the suffering of others. The demons survive by getting a lot done. Excelling at customer service. And sliding in the worst evil when they detect vulnerability.

And so it happens that way. I came to understand that it could not improve. Having been told that changing gender identity is doable but writing corrections is not…..where does it go from there?

Yet is improvement even desirable? Buildings are not susceptible to spontaneous combustion...people aren't being asphyxiated in their sleep... and surprise, surprise, a tremendous amount of construction is never inspected. The status quo is seemingly successful.

Is it a concern that many inspectors can’t perform a competent inspection of a water heater when most water heaters are not inspected?…how about an electrical service panel?…Shirley that is a worry….or is it? Dozens are done every day without a permit and dozens more are inspected poorly. Where is the trouble in that?

Occasional evil is mere entertainment.
 
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ICE said:
Experience as a prison guard as a prerequisite trumps permit clerk. The most telling aspect is that they are not trained to any degree of competency…they learn it as they go...or not.
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Yes, this pretty much sums it up when a permit tech morphs into an inspector... most of the time they lack field study and tact. I do not have a permit tech but the ones I'm aware of typically are doing some code enforcement...weeds, junk and trash. To throw them to the wolves..devils, alpha males isn't fair to them or the trades that want a professional system..which we're far from.

So far my observation of Third Party Inspections (TPI) falls way short of my expectations. I also hear that the AHJ inspector tends to backs off and is less envolved with a project thinking the TPI's got the project under control. The AHJ finds themselves waiting for the inspection reports to eventully come in, that's got to work better.

I've found myself in a situation where the project owner does'nt want to spend the money on the TPI and the entity breaks down and obliges them and has the inspection department do the inspections, which is over their head.
 
The following corrections were written at the under-slab plumbing inspection for an ADU. Except for the inspector, all parties are Asian. That becomes relevant later.

The waste pipe serves a kitchen, two bathrooms and a laundry. The corrections cause the waste pipe to be done over. That is no simple thing. The entire system has to be removed....the trenches must be dug deeper.

The "no above grade" is another twist in the turd. The corrections often include some irrelevant bit of "code" for the sizzle 'cause there's not a lot of steak.

The cleanout correction requires a cleanout in some difficult places. The "1/2 the diameter" of the pipe and contradicted with 2 1/2" next to that is not unusual.

None of it is code. None of it should be in the code. There is many examples. It is undoubtedly happening today.

The reasons that it goes unchecked are....well for one, nobody is checking...and for two the Asian community sticks together and they are loathe to have interaction with authority. They will suffer the consequences as they are rather than risk what could be worse. Of course that's not an absolute and there is the occasional opposite end of the spectrum. But by and large, the bullflop flourishes.

IMG_1260 2 copy.JPG

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Note that on the next one it was established that grade is below the concrete. That provides plenty of opportunity to spread the dread.

People that are learning the English language while also learning Western style construction tend to be literal in their interpretation. So when they are told "with 1/4 inch slope per 1 foot" that is exactly what will happen. The literal 1/4" my have been easier at 1/2" or 3/4" or whatever but the word minimum was left out.

That sounds over the top huh! Well I have seen plenty of literal results that were "No kidding, you did that?


IMG_4183.JPG
 
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