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  1. Lou Marks

    I don't care if you put plywood between your built up beam.......

    Plywood does add strenght, however,one must use structural grade. The amount is negilble and not worth the effort. <5%, depth is the key to increasing spans and loads in most cases. Cheaper to use engineered wood or flitch plates. Mostly the plywood is the to make the beam the same width as the...
  2. Lou Marks

    16' Garage Door Headers

    There are Flitch plate tables online as well. What is wrong about 65 and not learning. 68 here, learn something new every day and have been doing digital plan reviews since I was 60. Old dogs can and should learn new tricks.
  3. Lou Marks

    S-1, S-2, and B separations

    The IBC Codes allows buildings to be designed as seperated or non-seperated. Everyone assumes uses must be seperated but that is not correct. The designer makes the decision as to which approach he wishes. Plans review only verifies. Chapter 5, Sec 508.3.2 covers non-seperated uses.
  4. Lou Marks

    I Was Impressed

    Inspect or not to inspect. Witness or not to witness. I do both QA and QC. Sometimes when I am doing QC I allow others to verify items and submit reports that I then review and in most cases approved. My current project has been ongoing for over two years, is six stories and is over 65,000 sf...
  5. Lou Marks

    What smart phone are you using?

    Smart Communications Use a Note Pad with a Verizon card, have a Yahoo phone account. Use heand phone and mike. Give me both a computer and phone.
  6. Lou Marks

    colors for signage

    Color Since 1990 the gound sign is not required. Above ground is specified in both codes. Signage requires a 70% contrast for buildings. Thus light colors on concrete would not pass and dark colors on asphalt. That said, the color contrast requirement is general and the intent is for interior...
  7. Lou Marks

    Gas log lighter in slab

    Re: Gas log lighter in slab I went online and found loads of propane products :idea:
  8. Lou Marks

    ICC Certifications and State Licenses

    Re: ICC Certifications and State Licenses I was Certified as a CABO PCA in, 1984. Only certification available at that time. Was doing plans examanine at the time. Live and work in Virginia then and now. Never need anyother till I retired and am doing privated inspections and reviews. Have...
  9. Lou Marks

    Smaller egress windows in retrofit

    Re: Smaller egress windows in retrofit How many of us have actually done IEBC performance calculation. There are many factors in using the code, be it IBC, IEBC or any other. To answer a single question without the benefit of a complete set of drawing is like quoting a verse out of the bible...
  10. Lou Marks

    Smaller egress windows in retrofit

    Re: Smaller egress windows in retrofit If one goes from non-removal sashes to removal sashes is not the level of safety not reduced. I also belied that commentary covers this issue. It may also be unique to Virginia, after all each state make changes. Historic houses have very narrow windows...
  11. Lou Marks

    Smaller egress windows in retrofit

    Re: Smaller egress windows in retrofit It is somewhat subjective. Replacing windows within existing frames allows the frames to be removal top and bottom. This certainally would be and increase in life safety. Using a fixed top sash would be questionable. I believe there has been a...
  12. Lou Marks

    Smaller egress windows in retrofit

    Re: Smaller egress windows in retrofit First, what code are you using. IBC, IRC or the IEBC? Under the IEBC it can be permitted. :idea:
  13. Lou Marks

    Old wiring?

    Re: Old wiring? Knob and tube wiring requires and meter to find the hot. Fortuntantly I had and uncle that was an old time master electrician and after adding a receptacle and it not working he showed me. ;)
  14. Lou Marks

    EPA lead laws

    Re: EPA lead laws Contractors have for years been required to advised homeowners and have them sign a disclosure. This is just taking the next step. If anyone thinks it is going to get easier for contractors or inspection departments they need to change professions now. Insurance and energy is...
  15. Lou Marks

    Trailers in s-2

    Re: Trailers in s-2 Correction - Must be S-1. :oops:
  16. Lou Marks

    Trailers in s-2

    Re: Trailers in s-2 I find very few true S-2 uses. Ifyou can not verify the material at a minimum it must be S-2.
  17. Lou Marks

    Should you use?

    Re: Should you use? Maybe the correct term should have been "when required by manufacture:. Are antioxidant compounds required on all aluminum wire connectors? Posted By Underwriters Laboratories On September 12, 2001 @ 1:49 pm In UL Question Corner | Comments Disabled Question: Antioxidant...
  18. Lou Marks

    Should you use?

    Re: Should you use? Any product specifically approved for electrical connections. Actually it is to prevent oxidation and is conductive.
  19. Lou Marks

    Should you use?

    Re: Should you use? Actually you will find it as a manufacture's requirements, most require it. Better safe than sorry, no literature, it is required. :!:
  20. Lou Marks

    404.1 item 4

    Re: 404.1 item 4 2x4 blocking after two bays of full blocking, 2 x 4 at bottom of joist. If 09 deletes it then I would not worry. I would make sure it was not mored someplace. Would look changes for 09 and find out what the change was about. It should clarify the issue. :|
  21. Lou Marks

    404.1 item 4

    Re: 404.1 item 4 No, some of use understand. They is some good data on the masonry sites. Really not much difference in blocking wood joist in high wind areas. Stops racking of joist when load is applied at right angles. Full blocking first two joist in and 2x4 after that. :idea:
  22. Lou Marks

    PVC ducting?

    Re: PVC ducting? PVC exhaust vent - We use it for high efficiency water heater and furnaces? Must be approved someplace. :?:
  23. Lou Marks

    accessible janitor closet

    Re: accessible janitor closet Janitors closet are not public areas nor are they habital areas. When dealing with accessible one must look at a lot of things. Most look at wheelchairs, but what about a janitor with other issues. :idea:
  24. Lou Marks

    commercial plan reviw fees for build outs

    Re: commercial plan reviw fees for build outs If you are going to reduce by a percentage then the reduction would be based on the number of inspections you make. There is no perfect solution, I like the KISS method. What works for you and if fair is the best. Most localities do not operate as a...
  25. Lou Marks

    Vestibules: IECC vs. ASHRAE

    Re: Vestibules: IECC vs. ASHRAE I am quite aware there are differences between the two standards, just as there differences between the IRC and IBC. Differences are not conflicts when one is using one standard or the other. There is the benefit of using engineered method verses prescriptive..
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