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  1. CityKin

    Building collapse// concert fire // History repeats, repeats, repeats

    In the 1978 Beverly Hills Supper Club, John Davidson was singing that night. Not rock and not drugs. Cocktails yes. I remember that night well. A friend lost both of her parents in the fire. I was 13 and babysitting while my parents were out; ...fortunately they were not at that club.
  2. CityKin

    Should Plan Examiners be Architects & Engineers?

    ^ if you started talking moment frames and special inspections for residential work in Ohio people would look at you cross-eyed. All residential here is wood with OSB sheathing for wind load. 100% If you get into the older cities we actually have tons of solid masonry bearing wall single...
  3. CityKin

    Should Plan Examiners be Architects & Engineers?

    I've submitted plans in lots of jurisdictions in Ohio, and I've never seen this. Small jurisdictions will often have a CBO/MPE/BI who is only in one or two days a week and does zoning, plan review and inspections. 100% of the time I have submitted commercial plans for review in Ohio, they have...
  4. CityKin

    Should Plan Examiners be Architects & Engineers?

    Residential plan exam does not require an MPE. There is a separate certification for Residential Plan Examiner and even for Residential Building Departments. Residential plans are often reviewed by the residential inspector.
  5. CityKin

    Should Plan Examiners be Architects & Engineers?

    Currently in Ohio, you can be an Electrical, Plumbing or Mechanical plans examiner without being an architect or engineer, but to be a MPE, you must be a licensed A/E. State law also requires that every certified building department have at least one MPE under direct employment or as a contract...
  6. CityKin

    Plumbing Fixtures for Futsal Facility

    I've played futsal. It is soccer, played indoors on a smaller court, like a basketball court, and the ball is heavier, so it better for learning ball handling skills. I would review it just like a basketball court or an indoor soccer court. For calculating exiting capacity etc, you could use...
  7. CityKin

    Should Plan Examiners be Architects & Engineers?

    Ohio requires that all Master Plan Examiners (MPE's) be licensed architects or engineers. It also requires that we pass the ICC tests and have 30 hours of training every other year. This is the only position in a building department where this is a requirement. It is not required for CBOs or...
  8. CityKin

    FMH's (mobile homes) and additions

    In a poorly managed trailer park, things can get out of control pretty quick. To complicate matters, the tenants may be renters or they may own the trailer but pay rent to the land owner, and you have no way to find out their name or contact info. Also we have communication problems with many...
  9. CityKin

    Wind Load Code Requirements

    Look at the lines on the map. If for example you are between the 90 and the 100 lines, then you design for 90mph. I don't have the 2012 code right in front of me but by looking at the 2009 version, it looks like you will need to design for 90mph 3 second gust of wind.
  10. CityKin

    Restaurant occupancy - convert unused attic into kitchen space

    If this was my project, I would look at options of adding the kitchen onto the side of the building instead of going up into the attic. You could do a simple addition and fire separate it with masonry and a door with a magnetic hold-open. Who wants stairs up to a kitchen anyway?
  11. CityKin

    Any NFPA 101 gurus out there?

    I have a general question. When is NFPA 101 used? I have it on my shelf, but have never used it. I think I heard that the state school board requires compliance with NFPA101 for new school buildings, but it is not a referenced standard in our state code, and I've never had reason to use it.
  12. CityKin

    Offset retrofit for toilet distance from side wall?

    I've never used them, but googling offset flanges, it looks like they can offset in any direction https://www.protoolreviews.com/news/install-offset-toilet-flange/3967/
  13. CityKin

    FMH's (mobile homes) and additions

    I am in the exact same situation as you Fatboy. We finally decided that enough was enough and started writing violation letters on any enclosed additions. We will allow (or look the other way) decks and roofed patios, but the enclosed additions are unsafe and must be removed. An enclosed...
  14. CityKin

    Fire Escapes

    2009 IBC 3406 I deal a lot with existing fire escapes and sometimes new extensions to fire escapes. I have never seen a railing 42" high. In my experience cities with a lot of fire escapes have their own specific regulations.
  15. CityKin

    Building collapse// concert fire // History repeats, repeats, repeats

    Once a building is built and has a certificate of occupancy the building department is done. It should only be the Fire Department doing the annual saftey inspections and they should be looking only to enforce the Fire Code. True, if they see work obviously done without permit, or a change...
  16. CityKin

    Building collapse// concert fire // History repeats, repeats, repeats

    Maybe the problem is California law. Our fire department enters every single commercial building in the city every year. True, they do not enter residences, but every warehouse, retail store, office, hospital, school, factory, artist studios, whatever... Rarely does anyone refuse, and if they...
  17. CityKin

    Optimal permit request procedure for splitting space in two

    I really don't believe that the city wasn't doing permits or inspections around the holidays. Submit stamped drawings for the division of the space. Get a permit. Submit drawings for the mechanical and electric, and get a permit. Get them inspected. If the ceiling is a drop ceiling and...
  18. CityKin

    Stair risers...

    OK, agreed. It would have helped if you said that earlier.
  19. CityKin

    Stair risers...

    I think you are on thin ice. How can you cite a non-compliant riser, when quite possibly the stair met code and was inspected and approved when it was built? Now if there is evidence that the stair was modified or that it has subsided with the ground, resulting in different riser heights, then...
  20. CityKin

    Furred Wood Floor Joists Over Concrete Slab?

    I agree with you. I've never seen plumbing run above a slab as you describe. The stack should be core-drilled and run horizontal under the slab. Repair for a leak under the furred floor would be a nightmare, especially because the water could travel a long way away from the cause of the leak...
  21. CityKin

    Oregon sky lanterns

    They don't fall until the flame goes out, thus they do not start fires. Are there any examples of them starting fires? I have seen them set aloft on the Outer Banks of NC., where the prevailing winds take them far out to sea. There is no hazard if set out over the sea, right?
  22. CityKin

    Pole Barn

    My state (Ohio) has amended the 2009 IRC to add Section 324 at the end of Chapter 3. Maybe something like this should be added to the IRC. Section 324 Post Frame Accessory Structures Prescriptive construction method for single story, maximum building width of 36', maximum wall height of 16'...
  23. CityKin

    The ADA Lawsuit Contagion Sweeping U.S. States

    We fought 66 unconstitutional wars?!? What?
  24. CityKin

    Building collapse// concert fire // History repeats, repeats, repeats

    We bring the police whenever we think the situation may be dangerous, and we bring the fire department if there is an issue such as nightclub over-crowding in which they may want to order everyone out immediately. If we see unsafe construction without a permit, we post it with a big sticker...
  25. CityKin

    Rated corridor in B occupancy ?

    This requirement is one of my least favorite sections of code to enforce, because: - it can get expensive if there are lots of doors and if the ceiling must be rated. - often the owner wants to keep the doors open, but fire doors with closers are required. - it marginally increases safety...
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