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  1. ewenme

    A rant about language

    Thank you FMWB, except that I'd put the percentage much higher. People believe everything they hear and read when it comes from the 'media.' I have a particular pet peeve with the media, radio, newpapers, TV, etc, and the use of the the troop. Where is the respect for the individual millitary...
  2. ewenme

    Can you say cluster f&^%?

    Why is there never enough money to do it right, but there always seems to be enough money to do it over? No room at the Inn for incompetent owners.
  3. ewenme

    drawing the line

    Chapter 11 of the IBC requires an accessible route. I would disagree that the access is compliant without a landing/ramp or otherwise accessible route. Depending on the renovation work done, the IEBC requires a minimum of accessibility. Like others asked: who did the plan review? Were they...
  4. ewenme

    Change of plan - openings between townhouses

    Our Community Development Director amended the City Code to define and allow 'twin homes' in addition to townhouses in certain zoning classifications. A twin home is two single-family homes with a zero lot line that is defined by a two-hour fire wall with no through penetrations, no plumbing or...
  5. ewenme

    Apartment Inspection by Fire Dept.

    I'm thinking it's home invasion. Invading your privacy; your space; your castle. Idaho only inspects the common areas and will politely ask if the inhabitants have a fire extinguisher, but does not 'go into apartments' for the annual inspections. They do look at the pull stations, lighting, etc...
  6. ewenme

    ADA Lawsuit

    Mark: You are correct in that building officials don't enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act [ADA] but we do enforce the ACCESSIBILITY requirements of Chapter 11 of the IBC, and if we adopt them the ICC/ANSI A117.1 Standards for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities. The vigor of...
  7. ewenme

    Offensive Avatar

    Did I like Jeff's avatar? No, but I don't come to this site to look at the avatars. I didn't know about the avatar off button, but I still won't use it, I enjoy some of the avatars. And, if my homegrown sunflower offends, oh well. :-) Jeff: you provide this forum and it is a huge service to our...
  8. ewenme

    ADA Lawsuit

    Most interesting: Accessibility in Chapter 11 of the IBC covers the things that are considered 'safe harbor'. How many jurisdictions adopt the International Existing Building Code? Depending on the level of 'work' Accessibility requirements are still out of the IBC, Chapter 11. ICC worked long...
  9. ewenme

    What we DIDN'T check...

    This is an interesting discussion. While we don't enforce the Federal ADA, we do enforce Chapter 11 of the IBC, and we adopt the ANSI/ICC A117.1 Standards for reference. In Idaho we are compelled by the State to have an accessible route, parking, signage, restroom(s) and dwelling units of Type A...
  10. ewenme

    vintage refurbished 1910 range

    Don't even think about setting it up against a combustible wall. Go to the clearance table and see what the sebacks are for a stove that is not listed, then proceed accordingly. Exhaust/hood is also necessary, but I doubt if it needs an industrial sized hood.
  11. ewenme

    ICC announces new Code Forum!

    I have a young inspector, who is 37, but he is thinking that down the road he might like to be a building official, and I suggested that he might want to paticipate in the survey. He can pretend he's still 35! :-) Shucks, 40 would still be a young 'code official'.
  12. ewenme

    Courtesy Inspection

    We have a fee built in to our fee schedule for compliance inspections. We explain to the customer what the fee is, what is looked at, and what the results of the inspection cause to happen. If the customer wants us to look at only electrical work, we send the electrical inspector; if there are...
  13. ewenme

    Garage / House wall

    Depends on whether or not your jurisdiction modifies the code requirements. The 1997 UBC allowed a 'modified one-hour wall separating the house/garage' and required 5/8" Type X drywall, with self-closing tight-fitting door. We have kept those provisions throughout the I-code adoptions and will...
  14. ewenme

    Government Spending - try your hand at it

    Excellent exercise. Getting to reduce spending on programs that are not 'my pet project' felt good. :-) Everyone should try a hand at this! Thanks for the link.
  15. ewenme

    Electrical Book Recommendation

    Once a society buys into an infrastructure system, that society [controlled by the owners of the infrastructure] is loathe to change. My father, who identified the Van Allen Belt about year before Van Allen, used to say to me that people who couldn't understand something themselves always look...
  16. ewenme

    Anyone tried to view the ICC hearings?

    UB: I'd go back to the ICBO Uniform Building Code [1997] in an instant! Unfortunately, ICC probably owns the rights to it. After today's work on two code enforcement issues with the same players, I'm feeling a whole lot cantankerous! I had the city attorney call me and tell me I'm the spindle...
  17. ewenme

    Hard Line & Hard Call!

    Richard: You did your best. You were fair. Your call is the right one. Thank you for those of us in the same position; yours is an excellent example of what is to be done. However difficult it was to do, consider that it would be terribly more horrific and difficult if someone were to die...
  18. ewenme

    Anyone tried to view the ICC hearings?

    I do not think anyone in attendance was 'bought-off' but I do think that the groups were passionate about their point of view and unwilling to listen to reason or opposition. The lobbyists did their jobs very well: make their point of view fit. There were some good points made by many of the...
  19. ewenme

    Anyone tried to view the ICC hearings?

    ConArb: AAMA [American Architectural Manufacturer's Association]; Concrete and Masonry Institute; Fenestration organizations [loosely coordinated]; CDC [yes, Centers for Disease Control]; Healthy Homes; Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL); DOE; Fairfax County Virginia; Quality...
  20. ewenme

    Anyone tried to view the ICC hearings?

    I was there in Charlotte. Some of the comments I heard were: 'This seems a lot more civilized than Minneapolis.' 'Where do you get this b*** *hit?' and others. As this was my first time attending the final action hearings, I had questions for the more seasoned: Is it always like this? Is this...
  21. ewenme

    Cantankerous Old Man get Job

    UB: Way to go! You can't keep a good man down! Glad you are back in the saddle and doing what you love! Enjoy!
  22. ewenme

    Oklahoma Earthquake

    Hear Hear Uncle Bob! I always feel like the bearer of bad tidings when I have to tell the contractors about code changes, especially the ones I disagree with. I have an ongoing discussion with my plumbing inspector: I would rather see copper water pipes than Pex, and he always wants to know...
  23. ewenme

    Labeled as Townhouse But Only Two Units

    Until now, our City has not had a 'zero lot line' allowed in any residential zone. But that is changing. Our zoning code will allow 'twin homes' and lot line divisions based on zero lot line requirements, using the townhome requirements from the IRC. Condo is not a code issue, townhome is...
  24. ewenme

    Do you want a Chat option?

    ConArb you're not the only 'no' vote. I voted no because the chat room will be off limits for me at work. The Board fills a need and I use it at work to ask questions and make comments.
  25. ewenme

    What ICC Leaders Should Do....

    Having served on a number of "boards" I think the duties of the board members should be explained to the membership: the Board is a policy-making body, not the day-to-day operational entity overseer. The CEO is the person responsible for the day-to-day operations and business. If the Board does...
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