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  1. MarkRandall

    30 story wood high rise building

    Who knows, maybe they can surprise us all with a cost effective green solution. It sounds too theoretical to me, though. On a side note, the Tacoma dome roof structure is all wood and IMHO a very nice space to be in. I think it was the first of it's kind and I'm not sure it's been duplicated...
  2. MarkRandall

    Scam or code requirement

    Elevator worker unions: There are only a few main manufacturers of elevators. One thing I've noticed over the years is the elevator workers union has a lot of power and their union workers must be the highest paid of all trades. I don't think there's any nonunion choices in the market for...
  3. MarkRandall

    New CAD / Software Discussion Area

    Sometimes I feel really old, sometimes I feel really young :-). Tomorrow I will feel older.
  4. MarkRandall

    New CAD / Software Discussion Area

    I use AutoCAD Architecture (ACA) at the office, but I'm a throwback to AutoCAD with Archt Addon for projects from the home office. I envy those who have switched to Revit. I identified Revit has the program for my future long before Autodesk bought Revit. AutoCAD Architecture was forced on me...
  5. MarkRandall

    March madness....baby :)

    I thought we had a lot of Gator fans here until I realized Brudgers was stacking the deck. Fun time of year. I participate in non-betting bracket pool every year with my church's staff (and former staff). I filled in as temporary facilities manager for 6 months several years ago, so I'm vested...
  6. MarkRandall

    Woman with a pencil who draws

    Sounds to me like Cindy wants to be treated equally ;-) Oh, Keep the posting coming and welcome. We need to keep these jurisdiction guys on their toes.
  7. MarkRandall

    Woman with a pencil who draws

    Yes, but I don't draw with them. The Pentel P207 is the only pencil I'll use and it's used everyday. Felt tip pens are used for preliminary freehand sketching. Drawings around here go digital after that point.
  8. MarkRandall

    Fire Marshals, Builders At Odds Over Bill To Require Sprinklers In New Homes

    I find it hard to believe California legislators passed the requirement that sprinkler tradesmen must be Union. Requiring Union on all work must be unconstitutional somehow. If a licensed person quits the union, is he really now unqualified for the work? I designed one rural house a few years...
  9. MarkRandall

    Zero lot line duplexes

    Attached is attached. Do you really need a definition? Your latest post describes two buildings, two permits on two lots designed per the IRC (if adopted).
  10. MarkRandall

    Old Pueblo

    Welcome Old Pueblo! I'll fill you in on the "man with pencil who draws" pun. Early on in this forum when someone typed "Architect" in their message, it would be converted to "man with pencil who draws" when posted. I'm sure if someone searched that phase, it would find lots of hits. You...
  11. MarkRandall

    Zero lot line duplexes

    If they are connected, I would classify it as a 4-plex and use IBC. If they decided to go separate structures, the each would be built per IRC. Fire barriers are not a trigger of requiring a design professional in any jurisdiction I'm familiar with. Usually based on area and/or number of...
  12. MarkRandall

    Cable rail codes/inspector problems!

    I went over to one of our newer buildings with cable guards. The cables are 3" O.C. and the cables have a fair amount of tension (could have a little more). With a little effort, it's easy for an adult to pull them more than 4" apart. Not sure how much force I applied. I took my fist which is...
  13. MarkRandall

    Cable rail codes/inspector problems!

    Yikes, believe me, I know the code has to be interpreted as it's not always cut and dry. I'm referring going beyond the point of interpretation and making up non-existent standards to fail something. That's the line I'm talking about. I'm not saying Yankee's comment goes over the line, I was...
  14. MarkRandall

    Cable rail codes/inspector problems!

    Yankee, I agree with you to a point, but you can't create your own standards for something to NOT pass your inspection of something you may not like , but does meet the code. There's fine line that separates the intent vs. your feelings on the issue. When your close to that line is when it...
  15. MarkRandall

    Sentence structure

    I read it as everything in (e), but it seems a bit ridiculous. From my experience, lack of parking at churches can inhibit growth of a church, so no parking would not be ideal. I have a catholic church up the road from my house. Not ideally designed. The main entry for the sanctuary is on the...
  16. MarkRandall

    Insulating an existing house

    Ah, thanks Mtlogcabin, I did not catch the comment on energy use can not be increased. Whether or not the existing furnace is adequate, it is increasing energy use with about 500 SF of additional heated space. I am aware we could calculate the envelope requirements and probably get by with 2x4...
  17. MarkRandall

    House of worship & ADA

    I totally agree that no ADA is enforced, but since current codes are very closely aligned with ADA, there isn't too much in favor of non-conformance of ADA. Most churches are concerned with the mobility of their members. My church did an accessibility upgrade back in the early '90's as a...
  18. MarkRandall

    Insulating an existing house

    I was wondering the energy interpretation on a recent very small project that is now on hold for awhile. Fits with this discussion, so I'll throw it out. Project was converting a garage space to a master bedroom. House is less than 10 years old. House is framed with 2x6, garage with 2x4. When...
  19. MarkRandall

    10 more to hit 1,000 members

    It does show 993 at the bottom of the main forum page. I clicked on "communities" "member list" where the number is currently 978. Must be an option not to have your profile show publically, so the number is a little lower???
  20. MarkRandall

    10 more to hit 1,000 members

    Are you counting those who have not confirmed the email? It shows 977 members right now for me which leaves 23
  21. MarkRandall

    Schlotzkys

    Ha...I read that as "Schlotzky chain", not "chain oven". Picture cleared that up.
  22. MarkRandall

    Sill plate overlap at concrete to framing on walkout basement

    Certainly not how I would like it done. Is there any strapping tying the plates together?
  23. MarkRandall

    Egress window maximum height

    Well guardrails now measure from top of built-in seat, why not window sill height? I have always designed measuring from finish floor, not the seat in both cases above, so I probably fall into a thinking that you could measure from the top of a step that meets riser requirements of a stair, but...
  24. MarkRandall

    LP gas appliances in a basement

    I can't say for certain, but the concern for LPG is probably leaks. My brother is in the propane business and I can remember a conversation years ago about the gas being heavier than air, so if there's a leak the gas will move toward a basement and be trapped and can build up posing a danger. I...
  25. MarkRandall

    Fires don't start in the garage

    I'm not sure anyone ever claimed fires don't start in a garage. They certainly can and do, but what was the point of the post? I don't see that the fire caused harm to an occupant. Unless there's a large explosion, most garage fires would not normally threaten life. It's unfortunate some fire...
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